MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22). The Son of Man now gives John messages to the seven churches. Each of them follows a general pattern. Firstly an introduction based on John's vision (‘the things you saw'), secondly the state of the church and various warnings (‘th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS (REVELATION 2:1). ‘To the angel at the church in Ephesus write, These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.' Each message is written ‘to the angel' of the church. While it has been s... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I know your works and your labour and your patient endurance, and that you cannot bear evil men, and you tried those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them false, and you have patience and have endured for my name's sake and have not grown weary.' In many ways this appears an exe... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I have this against you that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and do the works that you did at first, or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you have a change of mind and heart (repent).' The ‘works' that the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But this you do have, you hate the works of the Nicolaitans which I also hate.' We know little about the Nicolaitans but they were clearly influential then in leading astray the churches, and were probably followers of a Nicolaus (variously identified). They apparently taught that it was good to e... [ Continue Reading ]
‘He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' The first phrase was a phrase used only by Jesus Christ. ‘Let the one who is willing to hear, listen and take note and respond' (Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9; Matthew 13:43). This was always what distinguished true follo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA (REVELATION 2:8). ‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the first and the last, who died and came to life.' This description is taken from Revelation 1:18. The church is to face intense persecution so they are reminded that their Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (although you are rich) and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.' Smyrna is a suffering church. They are at present facing tribulation, and will yet face greater tribulation, as depicted later. They are po... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.' It is noteworthy that Smyrna, the insignificant... [ Continue Reading ]
‘He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt of the Second Death.' The second death was a concept of Judaism, the death of the soul. No doubt their Jewish persecutors taunted them with the fact that after their martyrdoms their souls also w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM (REVELATION 2:12). ‘And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write, These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword.' Taken from Revelation 1:16 this description suggests that the church in Pergamum is being reminded that it will be especially sifted,... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I know where you live, even where Satan's throne is.' Compare Revelation 13:2. This refers to the first Temple to Roma and the Emperor, built there by Caesar Augustus in 29 BC, the centre of semi-official emperor worship which would later become official. Its existence would ensure that Christians... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I have a little against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit immorality. In the same way you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolait... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.' Notice that it is the whole church that is told to repent (‘you'). They are failing in their responsibility. They are clearly not taking a stand against these flagrant evildoers, for... [ Continue Reading ]
‘He who has an ear to hear, let him hear, what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but the one who receives it.' The hidden manna refers to the manna... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA (REVELATION 2:18). ‘And to the angel of the church in Thyatira, write, These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass.' The fact that these descriptions of the Son of Man are used in relation to Thy... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I know your works and your love and faith and ministry and patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.' This is as high a commendation as any church receives. The pure among them have not lost their first love (their last works are more than the first (contrast Revelation... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. Beho... [ Continue Reading ]
REGULATIONS CONCERNING CREDITORS AND THE POOR (EXODUS 22:25). In both examples the creditor is to show compassion to the debtor. The examples are too few for a chiasmus. Exodus 22:25 “If you lend money to any of my people among you who are poor, you will not be to him as a creditor, nor shall you... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to each of you in accordance with your works. But to you I say, to the rest of you in Thyatira, as many as do not hold this teaching, who do not know the deep things of Satan as they say, I throw on... [ Continue Reading ]
‘However what you do have, hold fast until I come.' While many in the church are doing well, they must be careful to maintain their vigilance so that they maintain their position before God, in order to be ready for when He comes. Jesus is clearly concerned lest they be overrun by this menace. It... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him will I give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron (or iron sceptre), as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers, as I have also received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.' Th... [ Continue Reading ]
‘He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' From now on this phrase comes after the promise to overcomers, (whereas previously it has introduced it), as though it is a final warning.... [ Continue Reading ]