Revelation Chapter 2:1-17 Lesson 2 Christ Independent Methodist Church 4078 Silver Lake Drive, Palatka, FL 32177 January 12, 2011 Michael K. Hudson Sr. Senior Pastor I. Introduction Chapter 2:1-17 As instructed, John records the letters from the Lord to the seven churches that are in Asia Minor. Each letter is both similar and different. It is similar in its format and pattern but different in the commendations and rebukes. Two of the churches are warned great: Ephesus and Laodicea. Two of the churches receive no condemnation: Smyrna and Philadelphia. The middle three churches, Pergamus, Thyatira, and Sardis, receive both condemnation and commendation. The letters tend to follow this pattern: Greetings Title of Christ Acknowledge of what is right Condemnation of what is wrong Warning to repent Encouragement to listen Promise to those that respond Even though these letters are written to different churches, much has been speculated about their purpose and meaning. Some see the letters as very specific to that church during that time. Others see the letters as an overview of all churches. Others see the letters as a breakdown of the history of the church age. Ephesus is the church representing the 1st century church. Smyrna is the church representing the persecuted church from AD 100 to 313. Pergamus is the church representing the Constantine age 500 s. Thyatira is the church representing the Middle Ages till the 1500 s. Sardis is the church of the Reformation age 1700 s. Philadelphia is the church representing the missionary age mid 1800 s. Laodicea is the church representing the end time or apostate church 1900 s on. These seven were actual churches that existed at the same time in Asia Minor. However, they
can represent seven types of churches that can be found in any age. Ephesus represents the church that keeps its faith but somewhere along the way, lost its love for Christ. It loves the church but lost its love for Christ. Smyrna represents the church that is poor and persecuted but has remained faithful to the Lord. They have very little in worldly things but great rewards spiritually. Pergamus represents the church that is faithful but has compromised by allowing false teachers and practices to infiltrate the church. This church has become ecumenical, allowing these false practices and teachers to stay in the church. Thyatira represents the church that has a lot mentioned that is good such as works, love, faith, and ministry. But, it has allowed a false teacher to remain in the church. It does not have the spiritual discernment to see the doctrinal error like the church at Ephesus did. Sardis represents the church that is on the very of spiritual deadness. The majority of the church is spiritually dead even though it has a reputation for being alive. There are a few individuals within the church that are still spiritually alive. Philadelphia represents the church that is evangelistic and missionary minded. They have things in the right order love the Lord, faithfulness to His word, and have kept His name. God gave them an open door of opportunity to minister to their city. Laodicea represents the church that thinks it is the best church around. It thinks that it is rich, has the right answers, and doing the will of God. But, it is the church that is dead, poor, blind, and wretched. It is the church that has truly lost its way and does not even realize it. II. Letter to the church at Ephesus Revelation 2:1 7 KJV Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. The letter begins with an address to the angel or messenger of the church at Ephesus. The angel is referring to the spiritual leader of the church, the pastor. Even though it was addressed specifically to him, the message was meant for the entire church. The Lord identifies Himself as the One who is holding the stars in His right hand and is walking among the candlesticks. This is pointing back to chapter one where John has described Christ. Therefore, the authority of the message is valid because it comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. The simple phrase I know is so important. It tells each church and each Christian that the Lord knows what is right and what is wrong. He is aware of what the church is doing. He is aware of the shortcomings of the church. He knows what is happening. 2
A. What was right with the church at Ephesus? The Lord tells the church that it has several things that are right. He describes the church. 1. Hard working labor and toil Hard working is a great characteristic to have. It is a compliment to be told this. The church spent a large of amount of time and effort working for the Lord. The Greek word translate toil means work that is to the point of exhaustion. 2. Faithful Steadfast The church was faithful to the Lord and to His word, even in very difficult times of persecution. It did not waver from the truth. 3. Discerning The church had great discernment in recognizing false teachers and false doctrines. It could recognize those that called themselves Apostles but were false teachers. They recognize the false teachings because they knew the truth, the Word of God. 4. Strong Not only did they recognize the false teachers and false doctrines, they responded to them by not allowing them a place in the church. Their discernment was backed up by action. They could not stand those who taught false doctrines. They could not stand those that lead individuals into sin. They hated the Nicolaitans. There is little information on what and who the Nicolaitans were. Some scholars believed they were the same as the Balaamites. But, regardless of who they were associated with, it is evident that they tried to destroy the church from within by promoting and allowing promiscuous behavior, eating things offered to idols, and leading the people into sin. They were a stumbling block, which lead individuals into sin. God hates those that lead others into sinful behaviors. Numbers 25:1 2 KJV And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. B. What was wrong with the church at Ephesus? Revelation 2:4 KJV Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. The church at Ephesus left or abandoned its first love. But, what is the church s first love? Without question, the first love of the church must be its love for the Lord. When the church abandons its love for the Lord, it also abandons its love for fellow believers and love for the lost. Love for the Lord is essential in the church. Can a church effectively minister without love? Can a church truly be a church without love? Can a Christian be a Christian without love? The only way to answer these questions is to look into the Scriptures to see the essentialness of love within the church. 1 Corinthians 13:1 3 KJV Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Love is essential in the ministry in order to be effective. A person can have a gifted voice, eloquent delivery, and perfect grammar; but, if it is not coupled with love, it is useless and ineffective. 1 John 3:14; KJV We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 4:20 KJV If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: 3
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? John, the Beloved Disciple, teaches that without love a person cannot love God. If a person says that he loves God but does not love his own brother, he is a liar. Love is essential in the life of the church and the Christian. The church at Ephesus had abandoned its first love love for Christ and one another. C. What must the church at Ephesus do? Revelation 2:5 KJV Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. The Lord instructed the church to do three things. 1. Remember Christ called the church to remember when it first began serving Him. The church was to remember the love and zeal it had for the things of the Lord. The church was to remember the joy and peace it had in serving the Lord. The church was to remember the excitement and joy it had when it say men and women come to Christ in faith. The starting point is going back to remember all the joys, peace, excitement, love, and zeal it once had for Jesus Christ. 2. Repent Repent means to make a sharp, definite break with sin. It does not mean to wean off sin, or to take a large amount of time getting out of sin. It means to stop sinning and start living for the Lord. The church was to immediately repent of abandoning its first love, and go back to it. Repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to the Lord. 3. Return Return to doing what the church did in the beginning. The church was to return to the first works, which was prayer, worshipping, serving, studying, and witnessing in the love of the Lord. They were called to go back to the attitude, desire, zeal, and motives that they had when they began the church. They were called to go back to doing the first things with a love and zeal for the Lord. D. What would happen if the church at Ephesus did not listen? Revelation 2:5 KJV Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. If the church failed to remember, repent, and return, then the Lord was coming quickly to judge the church. He would judge them by removing their candlestick. This could mean that the church would cease to exist as a church. Or, it could mean that the testimony and light of the church to the city of Ephesus ceased. The church would no longer have any testimony or influence within the community to bring others to Jesus Christ. In either case, the church has lost all because the church that has been called to be a light shining in a dark and sinful world is not longer a light. The church has been called to be a light pointing men and women to Jesus Christ. If is ceases to point others to Christ, it ceases to be a church. Matthew 5:13 16 KJV Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. E. What happens if the church at Ephesus listens and obeys? 4
Revelation 2:7 KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He that hath an ear, let him hear is a phrase that the Lord used many times during His earthly ministry. Anyone who is willing to hear the Spirit of God and obey His words will receive a blessing. Notice what the Lord says to the church, if you will overcome, gain the victory, then you will be admitted into heaven. III. Letter to the church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8 11 KJV And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. This letter was addressed to the church at Smyrna written by the eternal, resurrected Lord (first and last, was dead and is alive). A. What was right with the church at Smyrna? From the outside, the church was lacking. It was lacking in resources. It was lacking in acceptance. The church was poor, persecuted, and illegal according to the city. They suffered greatly. But, the Lord knows the true status of the church. The church has a tremendous amount that is right in His sight. He knows their works, their labors for the Lord. He knows their tribulation, troubles, and persecution. Polycarp, early church Bishop, was martyred for his faith in Christ in Smyrna. He knows their poverty, which the Greek word for poverty means they had nothing. The church was extremely poor. However, in all their tribulation and poverty, the Lord calls them rich. The church was rich in faith and love for the Lord. The church was rich in the sight of the Lord. The church was faithful even in times of severe persecution and poverty. B. What was wrong with the church at Smyrna? Nothing wrong is mentioned. C. What must the church at Smyrna do? Revelation 2:10 KJV Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. The church must not allow fear to keep them from being faithful to the Lord in times of great persecution. The Lord warns them that the church will endure days of persecution and some will even give their lives for their faith. But, He assures the church that if it remains faithful, He will bless them with a crown of life. Fear is removed when the love of Christ comes in. The Lord does not promise that the Christian life will be free from trouble, but that He will see them through the trials and persecutions that will accompany it. 1 Peter 1:6 9 KJV Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might 5
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. D. What happens if the church at Smyrna listens and obeys? Revelation 2:11 KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. He that listens and obeys the Holy Spirit will not suffer the second death. Eventually everyone will die and then they will face the judgment. The Christians will be judged at the Bema Seat of Christ. The lost will be judged at the Great White Throne judgment. The lost will suffer a second death, which is eternal separation from the Lord. Revelation 20:14 KJV And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8 KJV But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. What a blessing to know that the ones who listen and obey the Lord will be with Him throughout all eternity! IV. Letter to the church at Pergamos Revelation 2:12 17 KJV And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. The Lord describes Himself as the One who has the voice that is sharp and piercing. The One whose words cut deep into the soul of man is the One who is speaking to the church at Smyrna. Hebrews 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. A. What is right with the church at Pergamos? The church at Pergamos was living in a very difficult place, the place describes as where Satan dwells. This is the place where it was extremely wicked and sinful as if Satan set up his operation there. It was a place where the church was greatly opposed. Even in this place, the church at Pergamos kept true to the name of Jesus Christ. They 6
did not deny His name, nor shy away from the persecution that came because they were Christians. Christ mentions how Antipas was martyred for his faith. The church was steadfast in its stand for Jesus. B. What was wrong with the church at Pergamos? Compromise - false teachers and false teachings were tolerated within the church. The church had two different groups that brought false teachings: those that taught the doctrine of Baalim and the Nicolaitans. Both of these groups were a stumbling block and caused others to fall into sin. Their false teachings were in the church, but the church allowed it to stay and continue teaching. Either the church leaders did not have enough discernment to recognize the false teachings or they did not have enough spiritual strength and backbone to put the false teachers out of the church. In either position, the church tolerated false teachings. C. What was the church at Pergamos to do? Repent turn from its sin of allowing false teachers and teachings within the church and put them out of the church. By doing so, it will protect those within the church and show the false teachers, the error of their ways so they might have an opportunity to repent. D. What happens if the church at Pergamos does not listen? Revelation 2:16 KJV Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. If the church does not repent, then the Lord will come quickly and fight against those false teachers within the church. When the church harbors and tolerates false teachers, the church suffers when the Lord judges and removes those false teachers that was allowed to stay. When the church fails to separate from false teachers, it hurts everyone. The church must stand true to the Word of God and separate from anyone who teaches a false doctrine. 2 John 1:10 KJV If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: E. What happens if the church at Pergamos listens and obeys? Revelation 2:17 KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. To those that listen and obey the Word of the Lord, He will give them: Hidden manna spiritual food that nourishes the soul White stone a stone of approval Roman custom used polished stones in voting black stone disapproval, white stone approval. White stone is seen as a symbol of the approval and favor of God. New name new relationship, new hope in the Lord V. Lessons from these churches A. Church at Ephesus 1. Keep working for the Lord 2. Keep the love of the Lord alive within the church B. Church at Smyrna 1. Fear not the Lord will see you through the trials of your faith 2. Persecution is part of living godly 2 Timothy 3:12 KJV Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. C. Church at Pergamos 1. Do not tolerate false doctrines or false teachers to teach within the church 7