Revelation 2:1-8
Now it is time to go to second part of the outline given to us in 1:19 – Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. NASB The first part of the outline: The things you have seen – (Chapter 1) which is the glorious vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. It was so overwhelming that John fell at His feet like a dead man. (Re-read chapter 1:10-18) Remember the song by Mercy Me, I Can Only Imagine: “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus. Or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine…” The second part of the outline is: The things which are. (Chapters 2-3) Part 3 is: The things which will take place after these things. (Chapters 4-22)
Let’s take a look at the things which are. John was told to “write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches – to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” – Revelation 1:11. These were 7 literal churches that existed in John’s day. They were located in 7 literal cities in the Roman province of Asia (known today as modern day Turkey). John had been exiled to the rocky island of Patmos probably during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Domitian. He was most likely writing around the year A.D. 95. Patmos was southwest of Ephesus in the Aegean Sea about 40 miles from the shore. The churches are listed in the same order a runner, or carrier would have taken on the road to all the churches. John was writing to real churches that were facing real problems that were typical problems faced by other churches in John’s day and are being faced by churches in our day. Those problems are also faced by individual believers in our day. As you read chapters 1 and 2 you will, no doubt, recognize troubles that you have encountered in your Christian walk and maybe some that you are facing right now. The message from Jesus through John to the seven churches may well be a very personal message to you!
Some very fine Bible teachers emphasize that the 7 churches represent 7 church ages, or dispensations, that mark all of church history. Obviously, the first church, Ephesus, would represent the early church of the apostles and then it proceeds on to the final age of the church, the Age of Laodicea. I won’t argue with anyone who teaches that, but I no longer push that interpretation. For one thing, the dates that the ages begin and end can be a little fuzzy – depending on who is teaching. The main problem I have with that view is that it is deduced from Scripture, not taught explicitly in Scripture. I want to concentrate on what I know the Bible says.
Please read Revelation, chapters two and three (you can find the NET version of both chapters at the end of this post):
2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand – the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2:2 ‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false. 2:3 I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary. 2:4 But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! 2:5 Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place – that is, if you do not repent. 2:6 But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice – practices I also hate. 2:7 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’
In this first letter to Ephesus a pattern emerges that is basically followed in all 7 church letters:
- Commendation
- Condemnation
- “Repent”
- “The one who has an ear had better hear…”
- A promise to the one who overcomes (or, “conquers”)
Jesus is identifying Himself as the “one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand – the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” Remember from 1:20, the seven stars are the “angels” or, “messengers” of the churches and the lampstands are the churches. The word “angel” means, “messenger” and it can refer to heavenly, supernatural angels or it can refer to human messengers (see Matthew 11:10 and Luke 7:24,27; and Luke 9:52). The “angel” of the church in Ephesus (and each of the 7 churches) is most likely the pastor of the church. I cannot tell you how much comfort these verses gave me when I was a pastor to be re-assured that I was firmly in the grasp of the hand of Jesus. “So what?” you say. “I am not a pastor. How does that help me?” Well, it should help you to know that your pastor is firmly in the grasp of Jesus. But there is more. Here is a promise for all believers: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.” – John 10:28. If you are a believer then you are in the firm grasp of Jesus. No one will snatch you from Him.
Jesus went on to commend the Ephesian believers for their deeds, their hard work, and their perseverance – they did not quit though they faced severe trials. They were Eveready bunnies and just kept on going. They were not procrastinators. He commended them for the fact that they did not tolerate evil doers. They tested the teachings of false teachers, who even called themselves apostles (the testing proved they were not apostles so they rejected their teaching.)
But for all their hard work, their persistence, and their discernment, the Ephesians had a big problem: “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” They believed the right things; they did the right things; but the passion that marked their relationship with Christ when they started out had cooled. Remember I am country. It makes me think of a Hank Williams’ song: “Why don’t you love me like you used to do; How come you treat me like a worn out shoe; My hair’s still curly and my eyes are still blue; Why don’t you love me like you used to do?” Hank was asking, “Why is the honeymoon over?” That song has a line: “Somebody’s changed so let me give you a clue.”
The Bible says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Hebrews 13:8. If the honeymoon in your walk with Christ is over, He hasn’t changed! The remedy for the Ephesians was “…remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at first;” When I used to counsel married couples who had lost their passion I told them to remember what they used to do when they first fell in love and start doing those things again. Remember how you used to think and feel about her (or, him) and start thinking that way again. That was the remedy Jesus had for the Ephesians. Remember how it used to be and repent – change the way you think. Start doing the things you used to do with the kind of passion you used to have.
After the rebuke, another compliment: “…you hate what the Nicolaitans practice – practices I also hate.” I’m not sure what the hated practices of the Nicolaitans were. The Bible does not say. We have to depend on tradition and the writings of early church leaders. Some say the Nicolaitans taught compromise with the immoral practices of pagan religion. Others say the Nicolaitans “lorded it over” other believers. We can’t be sure what the specifics were. We just know that they were unbiblical practices. It looks to me to be a matter of “hating the sin, but loving the sinner.”
Next comes: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” That says that this wasn’t a private letter just to the members of the Ephesian church in the first century but to all who can hear – including you and me!
Bringing it home: “To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.” He ends each message to each church with a similar promise and therefore an opportunity to focus on the hope of the future. Who is a conqueror or, overcomer? It is easy to get the idea that a “conqueror” or, “overcomer” is some sort of a “super saint.” It sets up a category that surely leaves me out because I most certainly am not a “super saint”. To see what the Bible says about “conquerors”, back up a few pages to 1 John 5:4-5 – “because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith. Now who is the person who has conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God?” Every believer is a conqueror! These promises in Revelation are yours. During His earthly ministry Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33. The Apostle Paul wrote: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37. As a believer, you are a conqueror and your eternal future is as bright as the promises of God. Keep that in mind!
Dig a little deeper: To pick up some of the background of the church at Ephesus, Read Acts 18:19-21; Acts 19:1-41; Acts 20:17-38. Also, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. (Also, take note of 1 Timothy 1:3-7.) I would like to recommend a very helpful resource for gathering background information and additional help for understanding certain passages. That resource is the notes of Dr. Thomas Constable. Dr. Constable taught Bible at Dallas Theological Seminary for 45 years. You can access all his notes from
Click on whichever book you want to view and pull up an html version of his notes. They are also available in PDF format. I have that site as a favorite on my smart phone browser. That way I have a good Bible commentary with me everywhere I go. If you go to the home page of the Plano Bible Chapel, just go down to the resources tab and you can access Dr. Constable’s notes.
Until next time,
Mike
Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3 – text)
Chapter 2 To the Church in Ephesus 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand – the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2:2 ‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false. 2:3 I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary. 2:4 But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! 2:5 Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place – that is, if you do not repent. 2:6 But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice – practices I also hate. 2:7 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’ To the Church in Smyrna 2:8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life: 2:9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 2:10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 2:11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’ To the Church in Pergamum 2:12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword: 2:13 ‘I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives. 2:14 But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. 2:15 In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 2:16 Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth. 2:17 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.’ To the Church in Thyatira 2:18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished bronze: 2:19 ‘I know your deeds: your love, faith, service, and steadfast endurance. In fact, your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones. 2:20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 2:21 I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. 2:22 Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. 2:23 Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve. 2:24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching (who have not learned the so-called “deep secrets of Satan”), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you. 2:25 However, hold on to what you have until I come. 2:26 And to the one who conquers and who continues in my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations – 2:27 he will rule them with an iron rod and like clay jars he will break them to pieces, 2:28 just as I have received the right to rule from my Father – and I will give him the morning star. 2:29 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Chapter 3 To the Church in Sardis 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. 3:2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3:3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. 3:4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. 3:5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. 3:6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ To the Church in Philadelphia 3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name. 3:9 Listen! I am going to make those people from the synagogue of Satan – who say they are Jews yet are not, but are lying – Look, I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 3:10 Because you have kept my admonition to endure steadfastly, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away your crown. 3:12 The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God), and my new name as well. 3:13 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ To the Church in Laodicea 3:14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: 3:15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 3:17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 3:18 take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! 3:19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! 3:20 Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. 3:21 I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 3:22 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible© https://netbible.com copyright ©1996,2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved
