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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Chapter 2

REVELATIONS 2 1-29

2:1 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;

2:2 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:

2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my

name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,

because thou hast left thy first love.

2:5 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.

2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of

the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

2:7 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.

2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;

These things saith the first and the last, which was

dead, and is alive;

2:9 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.

2:10 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.


saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not

be hurt of the second death.

2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos

write; These things saith he which hath the sharp

sword with two edges;

2:13 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.

2:14 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.

2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of

the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and

will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.


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.

2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira

write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath

his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like

fine brass;

2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and

faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to

be more than the first.

2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against

thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,

which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to

seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat

things sacrificed unto idols.

2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her

fornication; and she repented not.

2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that

commit adultery with her into great tribulation,

except they repent of their deeds.

2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the

churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the

reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you

according to your works.

2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira,

as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not

known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put

upon you none other burden.

2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I

come.

2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works

unto the end, to him will I give power over the

nations:


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2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the

vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:

even as I received of my Father.

2:28 And I will give him the morning star.


saith unto the churches.

Chapter 2 begins with the message to

the 1st church, the church at Ephesus.

Before we look

at each verse,

let's take a look

at the city of

Ephesus and

the Apostle

Paul's influence

on the city. In

the ancient

world, Ephesus

was a center of

travel and

commerce.

Situated on the

Aegean Sea, the

city was one of

the greatest

seaports of the

ancient world.

Three major roads led from the seaport: one

road went

east

towards

Babylon

via

Laodicea,

another to

the north

via

Smyrna

and a third south to the Meander Valley.

In 2003, my wife and I had the

wonderful opportunity to walk the streets of

Ephesus. I remember standing in the Roman

theater where the Apostle Paul once stood.

The pictures you see of the ancient city are

those taken on our trip to Ephesus.

The theater originally held 25,000

people. Designed

for theatrical

performances, later

alterations allowed

gladiatorial

contests to be held

here.

In Acts 18:19, you read about the

Apostle Paul's 1st visit to Ephesus. It is

believed to be about AD 50, Paul stops in

Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem. He went

to the synagogue and reasoned with the

Jews. They wanted him to stay, but he

couldn't, but he did leave his two

companions Priscilla and Aquila.

In Acts chapter 19, you read about the

Apostle Paul's 2nd visit to Ephesus. Paul

came across certain disciples. The first

question he asked, "Have you received the

Holy Ghost since ye believed"? These

disciples responded with, "We have not so

much as heard whether there be any Holy

Ghost". What a strange question to ask. I

believe it's because Paul knowing there were

disciples in Ephesus, he was expecting to see

the power of the Holy Ghost moving in

Ephesus. He was expecting to see the

outward signs of their conversion and since

he didn't see it, he asked the question. It

seems these disciples were only baptized by

John with the baptism of repentance. The

apostle Paul baptized them and when he laid

his hands on them they received the Holy

Ghost, spoke with tongues and prophesied.


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The Apostle Paul would spend 2 years

in Ephesus. He first went to the synagogue,

and spoke boldly for 3 months. When he

saw their hearts were hardened, he departed

from them. By Paul's hand the sick were

healed and evil spirits were cast out. There

was an incident where a Jew, one of the chief

priests (along with other exorcists) attempted to

cast out evil spirits in the Name of the Lord

Jesus who Paul preaches. The evil spirit

spoke and said, "Jesus I know and Paul I

know, but who are you"? The man

possessed then leaped on these "exorcists"

causing them to run out naked and wounded.

A great revival broke out and fear among

both Jew and Greek's caused the name of the

Lord Jesus to be magnified.

As Paul was leaving Ephesus, there

was a commotion. A silversmith who made

silver shrines to the Goddess Diana, gathered

others with like occupations. He was

addressing the concern for their craft and for

their temples. This Paul, not only in

Ephesus but of all Asia, was persuading the

people that there are no gods that are made

with hands. The whole city was filled with

confusion and moved their wrath and yelling

into the theater. Paul's disciples convinced

him not to enter the theater. After the

commotion died down, Paul and his

companions left Ephesus. The Apostle Paul

must of had a heart after Ephesus. He

mentioned on several occasions, wanting to

get back to Ephesus. But, he never did.

However, about 5 years later (AD 60),

he does write a letter to the Ephesians. The

book of Ephesians's key themes:

• the nature of salvation and Divine election (1:3-14; 2:1-10)

• prayer for spiritual understanding, power, and transformation (1:15-23; 3:14-21)

• the nature of the church as the unification of Jew and Gentile in one “new man” (2:11-22)

• positional and practical unity in the church (4:1-6)

• the purpose for spiritual gifts (4:7-16), personal and corporate holiness (4:17-5:14)

• the husband-wife relationship (5:22-33) and the spiritual warfare the church must engage in as it opposes Satan and his demons (6:10-18)

The central theological idea in Ephesians is

that through Christ’s atoning work , God has

mightily brought about the church— the

unification of Jew and Gentile in one new

man.

Tradition has the Apostle John in

Ephesus prior to his exile to the island of

Patmos. Patmos is an island not far from

Ephesus. It is said, that John at some point

was a spiritual leader in Ephesus. So with

Acts chapter 18& 19 along with the book of

Ephesians as the back drop to our study, let's

now take a look at Chapter 2 of the book of

Revelations.

Chapter 2 begins with Jesus telling

John to write these things to the "angel of the

church of Ephesus". As we discussed

earlier, the angel of Ephesus is the "pastor or

spiritual leader". Again Jesus tells us He

holds the seven stars (seven pastors) in his

hand and walks in the midst of the seven

golden candlesticks. As he revealed in

chapter 1, the seven golden candlesticks are

the seven churches. Again, emphasizing that

He has full control and watches over the


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pastor and the congregation. Jesus will

address Ephesus in the same manner as He

does with the other 6 churches, with Praise,

Criticism, Exhortation and Reward.

The Praise: works, labor, patience, never

give up, no tolerance for those that do evil.

They test against the gospel teaching the

words of any perceived spiritual leader

(apostle) and if not correct they will call

them out. But what kind of works, labor and

patience is Jesus talking about? The Apostle

Paul may have given us the answer in his

letter to the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without

ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love,

and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus

Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Criticism: They left their first Love. What

did Jesus mean by their first love? What is

our first love?

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first

loved us.

I believe we (the Church) are the Lord's first

love and He should be our first love. In

essence, Jesus was telling them that they

abandoned the love they had for him when

they first believed.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise, than

when we've first begun.

From the time of the Apostle Paul's

missionary journey and his letters of

encouragements, it's been several years.

What caused them to lose their first love?

Since it's not revealed to us in scripture , and

we can't question each individual, can we

ever really know the answer to this question?

I think maybe we can. Whether you're in the

1st century church or the 21st century church

I believe the answer is the same. When we

first believed, our hearts were overflowing,

our minds consumed with His word. But

time is not our friend. For many, it will

erode our joy, and then "all that He was to

us" becomes compartmentalized. As we go

about our lives, we find ourselves spending

more time in the flesh and less in the Spirit.

And like the Ephesians we focus heavily on

the things of this world.

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof: from such

turn away.

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy

salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter

was grieved because he said unto him the

third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto

him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou

knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto

him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus tells Peter, if you want to show that

you love me, feed my sheep. One of the

outward signs of our "First Love", is telling

others about Jesus.

Exortation: Jesus tells them to remember the

heights to which they have fallen:

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none

righteous, no, not one:

3:11 There is none that understandeth, there

is none that seeketh after God.


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3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they

are together become unprofitable; there is

none that doeth good, no, not one.

3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with

their tongues they have used deceit; the

poison of asps is under their lips:

3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and

bitterness:

3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

3:16 Destruction and misery are in their

ways:

3:17 And the way of peace have they not

known:

3:18 There is no fear of God before their

eyes.

Jesus says, "Repent, and do the first works;

or else I will come unto you quickly, and will

remove thy candlestick out of his place"

Before Jesus offers them their reward

for those who "overcome", he acknowledges

their "hatred" of the deeds of the

Nicolatanes, which Jesus also hates. In the

Greek, the word Nicolatanes means

destruction of the people or power over the

people. We see these deeds again associated

with the Church at Pergamos. Here in

Ephesus the Church recognized this false

doctrine, but in Pergamos they are rebuked.

We will see this false doctrine and associated

deeds more closely with our discussion of

the message to the Church at Pergamos.

Jesus made it very clear, Repent or He

would remove the candlestick out of his

place. He would personally "extinguish" the

light. The Church at Ephesus would no

longer be an effective church where the Holy

Spirit dwells. Have we lost sight of the

seriousness of sin and how far we have

fallen? Have we forgotten that God Chose

us and has redeemed us from the power of

sin?

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that

neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, nor things present,

nor things to come,

8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other

creature, shall be able to separate us from the

love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our

Lord.

Reward: The reward is not limited to the

Church at Ephesus but to all the Churches.

But more specifically those who have an ear

and to those who overcome:

Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the

desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their

heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Jesus declares, "I will give to eat of the tree

of life, which is in the midst of the

paradise of God".

The story of God's relationship with

man begins with two trees strategically

planted in the midst of a garden. God

created Adam and Eve in his own image,

blessed them, and gave them dominion over

the earth. God placed Adam and Eve in the

garden as caretakers. God told Adam they

could eat of all the trees with the exception

of the tree of the knowledge of Good and

Evil. While the bible doesn't say how long

before Satan would come and tempt them, it

appears that it wasn't long at all. We know

the story, our relationship with God was

severed. The eating of the fruit from the tree

of the Knowledge of Good and Evil resulted

in losing our access to the tree of Life. The


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reward offered to the Church at Ephesus, the

promise Jesus makes is the restoration of full

access to the tree of Life.

Jesus addresses the 2nd

Church in

Smyrma. Before the praise, he introduces

himself again with the same descriptive

name He used in chapter 1. He is the First

and the Last, which was dead, and is alive.

Adam was the first man and every man up to

Jesus died by the power of sin. Like Adam,

Jesus became a man, but through the power

of the resurrection, He broke this chain of

death and became the last Adam.

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written,

The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

The Praise: Jesus praises the Church at

Smyrna similar to the Church at Ephesus.

He sees their works, tribulation and poverty.

Although they are poor by the world's

standard, Jesus says they are rich!

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply

all your need according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

Criticism: Jesus can see that among the true

believers there are the pretenders. There is

nothing that will go unnoticed. Jesus also

reminds us that it is Satan who stands ready

to divide the Church.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for

Satan himself is transformed into an angel of

light.

Exortation: Jesus tells them not to fear the

things that they will suffer. Again, he

declares that Satan is the author of this

suffering. But, He says be Faithful unto

death.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange

concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,

as though some strange thing happened unto

you:

4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are

partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when

his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad

also with exceeding joy.

Reward: For those faithful unto death, a

crown of Life.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth

temptation: for when he is tried, he shall

receive the crown of life, which the Lord

hath promised to them that love him.

Again, those who have an ear and to those

who overcome shall not be hurt by the

second death.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that

hath part in the first resurrection: on such the

second death hath no power, but they shall

be priests of God and of Christ, and shall

reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were

cast into the lake of fire. This is the second

death.

During our Lord's ministry on earth

certain Sadducees tried to trick him with

their conversation about the resurrection (the

Pharisees believed in the resurrection while the

Sadducees did not). They presented a scenario


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of a woman who married several times due

to several of her husband's untimely death.

Who would be her husband in the

resurrection?

Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto

them, The children of this world marry, and

are given in marriage:

20:35 But they which shall be accounted

worthy to obtain that world, and the

resurrection from the dead, neither marry,

nor are given in marriage:

20:36 Neither can they die any more: for

they are equal unto the angels; and are the

children of God, being the children of the

resurrection.

This is typical of how unbelievers today will

try to trick and confuse issues. Jesus shows

us how to deal with this sort of trickery:

1. Acknowledge what is correct about

the skeptic's comments.

2. Give a response that is directly

supported by scripture.

Here in Luke's Gospel, we see Jesus

proclaiming a reward to "they which shall be

accounted worthy..." similar to the Church of

Smyrma, "those who have an ear and to

those who overcome". What will they

receive:

1. That Heavenly World

2. Part of the First resurrection of the

Dead

3. Equal to the Angels

4. Children of God

5. Second Death as no Power over us

6. Priests of God and of Christ

7. Reign with him a 1000 years

Jesus addresses the

3rd

Church in

Pergomo. History

tells us that there

was a great library

in ancient Pergomo

that rivaled the

library in Alexandria. It was also the center

of four cults. The chief cult had a symbol of

a serpent and was considered a god of

healing. Once again, just prior to the Praise,

Jesus declares He has a sharp sword with

two edges. Is Jesus talking about a literal

sword that is holds in His hand to smite him

enemies?

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to

send peace on earth: I came not to send

peace, but a sword.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of

salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which

is the word of God:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick,

and powerful, and sharper than any two

edged 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.

Jesus is the Word that became flesh, it is the

Words of God that cuts deep as a sword. It

is the message of the gospel that divides a

nation, a household, even penetrating the

human soul as it draws the elect to himself.


Pergamos. He knows their works and where

they live. Living in Pergamo meant living

shoulder to shoulder with the Greek cults


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and their gods, the constant pressure of

Rome, the worship of the emperor and side

by side with Satan himself. In the midst of

all this, including the martyring of His

Faithful Antipas, the church holds fast His

name without denying His faith.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn

them from darkness to light, and from the

power of Satan unto God, that they may

receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance

among them which are sanctified by faith

that is in me.

Criticism: Among the church at Pergamos

there were those that held to the doctrine of

Balaam and that of the Nicolatanes. Balaam

was a soothsayer, who was able to foretell

events and predict the future. He was able to

both bless or curse. He first appears in

Numbers 22-24. The children of Israel

wanted to pass through the land of the

Amorites, but the king of the Amorites

wouldn't let them. So Israel fought against

them and drove them out and took all their

cities. Israel then started to move towards

Moab on the Jordan river by Jericho. When

Balak, the king of Moab, saw this he was

afraid. Balak turned to Balaam. He sent

messengers with the money for Balaam to

have him come and put a curse on the

children of Israel. What is interesting about

this story is that Balaam's gift came from

God. When the messengers came Balaam

told them to lodge here, while he speaks with

God. God came to Balaam and told him not

to go with these messengers and not to curse

the children of Israel because they are

blessed. So Balaam sent them away. Balak,

the king of Moab, sent more messengers to

Balaam and offered greater rewards and

honor to Balaam to convince him to come

and curse Israel. Balaam again told the

messengers that he could not go against the

words of his God. The scriptures are very

clear on this point. While Balaam was

sought out for his gifts, Balaam recognized

that his power came from God. Again God

came to Balaam and told him IF the

messengers come to call him, then he would

rise up and go with them, and tell them what

God would say to them.

Balaam doesn't wait to see if the

messengers would come. In his heart he

wants to go with them, he wants to receive

the promised rewards. So he gets up early

and saddles his ass. God was angry and sent

an angel to prevent Balaam from going. As

Balaam was riding his ass, the angel stood in

the way with his sword drawn. The ass saw

the angel and would not proceed. No matter

how Balaam tried to turn her, the ass would

not move past the angel. Balaam struck the

ass on three different occasions. Finally,

God opened the mouth of the ass. The ass

asked Balaam why did he hit her these three

times? As long as Balaam had the ass didn't

she always obey him? God opened the eyes

of Balaam, and he then saw the angel of the

Lord. The angel told Balaam, if it wasn't for

your ass, the angel would have slain Balaam.

Balaam realized he had sinned and that he

should go back home. But the angel told

Balaam to go with these men, but only speak

the words of God.

When you finish reading the rest of

the story of Balaam in the book of Numbers,

you will see that Balak the king of Moab

tried three times to convince Balaam to curse


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Israel. Three times from a high place they

would look over the lands. They would,

offer a burnt offering to God and but would

only receive God's blessings for Israel.

Before Balaam was discharged of his

services, he foretells the happiness of Israel

and gives a prophecy concerning the

messiah.

Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now:

I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall

come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall

rise out of Israel,

Unfortunately, the story doesn't end

there. Instead of trying to curse and defeat

Israel, Balak had a different idea. It turns

out that Israel through the counsel of

Balaam, committed whoredom with the

daughters of Moab and the sacrificed and

bow downed to their gods. Needless to say,

this angered the Lord resulting in God

slaying all those sinned against Him. It

appears that although Balaam couldn't curse

Israel, he did provide counseling to Balak

the king of Moab.

Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the

children of Israel, through the counsel of

Balaam, to commit trespass against the

LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a

plague among the congregation of the

LORD.

Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor,

the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay

with the sword among them that were slain

by them.

Jesus was telling the church at

Pergamo they had those that held to the

doctrine of Balaam. The word "doctrine"

means something that is taught, believed in,

or considered to be true. Jesus described

this doctrine of Balaam:

1. how to cast a stumbling block

2. eat things sacrificed unto idols

3. commit fornication

Essentially, Jesus was saying there are those

among you, like Balaam, know God's truths

and yet for personal gain will cause the

people to question His truths and turn from

God and entertain sin.

Jesus also says the church has those

who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolatanes.

We saw with the church at Ephesus, the

church recognized and hated the deeds of the

Nicolatanes Once

again, in the Greek, the

word Nicolatanes means

destruction of the people

or power over the people.

The Nicolatanes seemed to have been around

during the first three centuries and were

considered Gnostic. Gnosticism was

perhaps the most dangerous heresy that

threatened the early church. Gnosticism is

based on two false premises. First, it asserts

that matter is inherently evil and spirit is

good. Therefore, Gnostics believe anything

done in the body, even the worst sin, has no

meaning because real life

exists in the spirit realm

only.

Second, Gnostics

claim to possess an elevated

knowledge, or “higher truth”

known only to a certain few. Gnosticism

comes from the Greek word gnosis which

means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess

a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but


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acquired on some mystical higher plane of

existence. Gnostics see themselves as a

privileged class elevated above everybody

else by their higher, deeper knowledge of

God.

The infiltration of false doctrines,

false prophets and false teachers planting

their heresies seemed to plague the church

right from her beginning. We would see the

Apostle Paul constantly

instructing, even pleading

with the churches to stay

the course that He laid

down for them. In 2001, the "World

Christian Encyclopedia" listed 33,000 +

total "Christian" denominations. I wonder

how many have the doctrines of Balaam and

the Nicolatanes?

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel

from heaven, preach any other gospel unto

you than that which we have preached unto

you, let him be accursed.

1:9 As we said before,

so say I now again, if

any man preach any

other gospel unto you

than that ye have

received, let him be

accursed.

Exortation: Jesus tells them to repent; or

else he would come unto them quickly, and

will fight against them with the sword of his

mouth. This sword is the Word of God that

will be used to Judge the world.

Again, those who have an ear, let them hear

what the Spirit is saying to the churches;

For us today, we must always be in tune with

the Spirit of God. Seeking Him always.

Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his

testimonies, and that seek him with the

whole heart.

Reward: 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.

Psalms 78:24 And had rained down manna

upon them to eat, and had given them of the

corn of heaven.

John 6:58 This is that bread which came

down from heaven: not as your fathers did

eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of

this bread shall live for ever.

The Children of Israel were given

manna to eat every day during their 40 years

in the wilderness. They could not store it,

but only gather what they needed. God was

teaching them to rely on him every day, not

just to satisfy they physical hunger but also

to satisfy their spiritual needs.

Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee,

and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee

with manna, which thou knewest not, neither

did thy fathers know; that he might make

thee know that man doth not live by bread

only, but by every word that proceedeth out

of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

During those 40 years, if the children

of Israel gathered more than what was


allotted, by the next morning the manna

would have worms and stink. When they

disobeyed the laws associated with the

gathering and/or storing of the manna, it

would spoil and corrupt. But the

manna for the hidden man of the heart would

not spoil! This hidden manna is

incorruptible, it's Jesus, the Bread of Life.

1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden

the heart, in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God of great price.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am

the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall

never hunger; and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

Jesus would also give those who

overcome a white stone, and in the stone a

new name written,

which no man knoweth

saving he that receiveth

it. When you research

the use of a white stone

you would find there

was an ancient Roman custom that a white

stone was given to the winners of athletic

games. A white stone with their name

inscribed on it. This then served as his

"ticket" to a special dinner in honor of the

winners of the games.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they

which run in a race run all, but one receiveth

the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are

compassed about with so great a cloud of

The Revelation of Jesus ChristChapter 2

, by the next morning the manna

When they

disobeyed the laws associated with the

gathering and/or storing of the manna, it

would spoil and corrupt. But the hidden

for the hidden man of the heart would

l! This hidden manna is

the Bread of Life.

hidden man of

the heart, in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God of great price.

And Jesus said unto them, I am

: he that cometh to me shall

never hunger; and he that believeth on me

Jesus would also give those who

overcome a white stone, and in the stone a

was an ancient Roman custom that a white

stone was given to the winners of athletic

games. A white stone with their name

erved as his

in honor of the

Know ye not that they

run all, but one receiveth

the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Wherefore seeing we also are

compassed about with so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and

the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let

us run with patience the

before us,

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a

have finished my course, I have kept the

faith:

This map shows the seven churches as if

they were cities along a journey through the

area. The apostle

John said, "He was

in the Spirit on the

Lord's day". I often

wonder if he was

not looking over

across the waters

towards these

churches. Lifting them and praying for

them.

Jesus addresses the

Thyatira. The city was

and was a center of

the indigo trade.

Among the ancient

ruins of the city,

inscriptions have

been found relating

to the guild of dyers in the city.

were known in Thyatira than any other

in the Roman province of Asia mention the following: wool

workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather

workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave

bronze-smiths).

As before, Jesus introduces h

the church. He calls himself the Son of God,

who has eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet

are like brass. We first are introduced to the


witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and

the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let

us run with patience the race that is set

I have fought a good fight, I

have finished my course, I have kept the

This map shows the seven churches as if

they were cities along a journey through the

churches. Lifting them and praying for

Jesus addresses the 4th

Church in

The city was famous for its dyeing

to the guild of dyers in the city. Other guilds

known in Thyatira than any other city

in the Roman province of Asia (inscriptions

mention the following: wool-workers, linen-

workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-

workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and

As before, Jesus introduces himself to

the church. He calls himself the Son of God,

like a flame of fire, and his feet

We first are introduced to the


Chapter 2

concept of the Son of God in the book of

Daniel.

Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see

four men loose, walking in the midst of the

fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of

the fourth is like the Son of God.

They are not hurt! When you know and trust

in the Son of God, you won't be hurt.

1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that

Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in

him, and he in God.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the

world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the

Son of God?

As the children of Israel were

wondering in the desert, they became

discouraged. They spoke against God and

Moses asking, "Why did you bring us out of

Egypt to die in the wilderness. We have no

real bread and water and they can't stand

the light bread -manna". This encounter is

depicted in the book of Numbers chapter 21.

Not much different in the Church today. We

so quickly forget all that the Lord is to us

and all that He has done. We lose our First

Love! God sent fiery serpents and they bit

the people; and many of the people of Israel

died.

1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one

unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh,

that the spirit may be saved in the day of the

Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and

Alexander; whom I have delivered unto

Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Essentially, by delivering one to Satan is

asking God to remove his protection. Here

we see the Apostle Paul doing just that.

When God is not protecting us, Satan can

have free reign over our lives. The children

of Israel did repent and asked that the

serpents be taken away. Don't wait to be

bitten ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins

right now. God heard the prayers of His

people. Strangely,

the Lord told Moses

to make a fiery

serpent, and set it

upon a pole: and it

shall come to pass,

that every one that is

bitten, when he looks

upon it, shall live.

Moses made a

serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole.

Those that were bitten, when they looked at

the serpent of brass, they lived.

The serpent has played a key role in

God's plan of redemption. Take a look:

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more

subtle...

Genesis 3:13 ...And the woman said, The

serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Exodus 4:3 ...and it became a serpent; and

Moses fled from before it.

Exodus 7:12 ...and they became serpents:

but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery

serpents among the people, and they bit the

people; and much people of Israel died.


Chapter 2

Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his

sore and great and strong sword shall punish

leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan

that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the

dragon that is in the sea.

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as

sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore

wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation

of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation

of hell?

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power

to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over

all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall

by any means hurt you.

The story of the fiery serpents and the

redemptive work of the cross is found in

the following:

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the

serpent in the wilderness, even so must the

Son of man be lifted up:

1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt

Christ, as some of them also tempted, and

were destroyed of serpents.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any

means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through

his subtilty, so your minds should be

corrupted from the simplicity that is in

Christ.

As we think of Jesus depicted here with feet

like fine brass, we can look back to the

children of Israel and the brass serpent

hanging on a pole. In faith, we look up to

the cross and see Jesus our Redeemer!


Thyatira. He knows their works and charity,

and service and faith, and patience and

works; and the last be more than the first.

Here we see Jesus commending them for

their works and in fact the more recent works

greater than the first.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall

come in the glory of his Father with his

angels; and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.

We are seeing clearly that Jesus commends

all the churches for their works. But what

kind of works? The same works that Jesus

did, the works of God, works that bear

witness of Him.

John 5:36 ...the same works that I do, bear

witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What

shall we do, that we might work the works of

God?

The Apostle Paul spends a lot of time

developing the teaching about Faith and

Works so that we would not confuse the two.

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet

born, neither having done any good or evil,

that the purpose of God according to election

might stand, not of works, but of him that

calleth;)

Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they

sought it not by faith, but as it were by the

works of the law. For they stumbled at that

stumblingstone;

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no

more of works: otherwise grace is no more

grace. But if it be of works, then it is no


Chapter 2

more grace: otherwise work is no more

work.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and

called us with an holy calling, not according

to our works, but according to his own

purpose and grace, which was given us in

Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done, but according to his

mercy he saved us, by the washing of

regeneration, and renewing of the Holy

Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is

the gift of God:

While we are saved solely by grace through

faith, "good" works should follow a true

believer.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain

man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith, and have not

works? can faith save him?

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not

works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast

faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith

without thy works, and I will shew thee my

faith by my works.

What kind of works?

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before

men, that they may see your good works, and

glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these

things I will that thou affirm constantly, that

they which have believed in God might be

careful to maintain good works.

But too often the works are not for the glory

of God, but for man's own ego.

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do

for to be seen of men.

Criticism: Among the church at Thyatira

Jesus said He had a few things against them.

He tells them they have tolerated the woman

Jezebel, the one who calls herself a

prophetess and teaches my servants to

commit fornication, and eat things sacrificed

unto idols.

While there may have been a woman

actually named Jezebel, I believe the Lord is

talking about Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab

(I Kings 16:29). It turns out Ahad, who

reigned for 22 years, did more evil in the

sight of the Lord than all the kings before

him. King Ahad married Jezebel the

daughter of the king of the Zidonians.

Jezebel served and worshiped Baal.

Baal was the name of the supreme god

worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia.

The practice of Baal worship infiltrated

Jewish religious life during the time of the

Judges (Judges 3:7), became widespread in

Israel during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings

16:31-33) and also affected Judah (2

Chronicles 28:1-2). The word baal means

“lord”; the plural is baalim. In general, Baal

was a fertility god who was believed to

enable the earth to produce crops and people

to produce children. Different regions

worshiped Baal in different ways, and Baal

proved to be a highly adaptable god. Various

locales emphasized one or another of his


Chapter 2

attributes and developed special

“denominations” of Baalism. Baal of Peor

(Numbers 25:3) and Baal-Berith (Judges

8:33) are two examples of such localized

deities. The Canaanites worshiped Baal as

the sun god and as the storm god—he is

usually depicted holding a lightning bolt—

who defeated enemies and produced crops.

They also worshiped him as a fertility god

who provided children. Baal worship was

rooted in sensuality and involved ritualistic

prostitution in the temples. At times,

appeasing Baal required human sacrifice,

usually the firstborn of the one making the

sacrifice (Jeremiah 19:5).

Before the Hebrews entered the

Promised Land, the Lord God warned

against worshiping Canaan’s gods

(Deuteronomy 6:14-15), but Israel turned to

idolatry anyway.

During the reign

of Ahab and Jezebel, at

the height of Baal

worship in Israel, God

directly confronted the

paganism through His

prophet Elijah. First,

God showed that He,

not Baal, controlled the

rain by sending a

drought lasting three-

and-one-half years (1

Kings 17:1). Then Elijah called for a

showdown on Mt. Carmel to prove once and

for all who the true God was. All day long,

450 prophets of Baal called on their god to

send fire from heaven—surely an easy task

for a god associated with lightning bolts—

but “there was no response, no one

answered, no one paid attention” (1 Kings

18:29). After Baal’s prophets gave up, Elijah

prayed a simple prayer, and God answered

immediately with fire from heaven. The

evidence was overwhelming, and the people

“fell prostrate and cried, ‘The LORD–he is

God! The LORD–he is God!’” (verse 39).

In Matthew 12:27, Jesus calls Satan

“Beelzebub,” linking the devil to Baal-

Zebub, the Philistine deity (2 Kings 1:2).

The Baal's of the Old Testament were

nothing more than demons masquerading as

gods, and all idolatry is ultimately devil-

worship.

1 Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that

the idol is any thing, or that which is offered

in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the

things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they

sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I

would not that ye should have fellowship

with devils.

The story of Jezebel is a story of the

destructive power of being "unequally

yoked" together with unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally

yoked together with unbelievers: for what

fellowship hath righteousness with

unrighteousness? and what communion hath

light with darkness?

One of the first things Jezebel did during the

reign of Ahab was to kill all the prophets of

Israel (although 100 were hid in a cave).

Jezebel knew that God speaks to his people

through His prophets. Her goal then and her


Chapter 2

goal today is to remove God's presence and

prophetic word from the people.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets

also among the people, even as there shall be

false teachers among you, who privily shall

bring in damnable heresies, even denying the

Lord that bought them, and bring upon

themselves swift destruction.

Some at Thyatira were seduced and were

lead away from the teaching of Christ, even

to fornication, adultery and idolatry.

Exortation: Jesus tells them to repent of

their deeds or else he would kill her children

with death. Why, so that all the churches

would know that it is Jesus that searches the

reins and hearts, and He would give to

everyone according to their works.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are

called by my name, shall humble

themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and

turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear

from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and

will heal their land.

Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God

full of compassion, and gracious,

longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and

truth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning

his promise, as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing

that any should perish, but that all should

come to repentance.

I believe the Lord gives believers plenty of

room to repent and turn from sin and get

back on their path of sanctification. And

like the Church at Ephesus, Jesus gives us

the remedy - coming back to our first Love -

Jesus.

"And I will kill her children with

death..." I thought the God of the new

testament was a nice God, it's the old

testament God that was mean? Jesus is

Love, He would never do something that

horrible! Like these statements, I believe

many have a distorted view of our God. He

is our Heavenly father and He loved us

before we loved Him, but He is still the

Potter and we are still the clay.

In Acts chapter 5, we read about

Ananias and Sapphira who sold a possession

of theirs, and keep back for themselves a

portion of the money, and the rest they gave

to the Apostle Peter. Peter recognized that

Satan filled their hearts to lie to the Holy

Ghost. They both were confronted with the

lie and then died and great fear came upon

all the church.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change

not;

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not

mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that

shall he also reap.

Reward: To him that overcometh will I:

• give power over the nations

• he shall rule them with a rod of iron

• give them the Morning Star

Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the

nations, and shall rebuke many people: and

they shall beat their swords into plowshares,


Chapter 2

and their spears into pruning hooks: nation

shall not lift up sword against nation, neither

shall they learn war any more.

2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also

reign with him: if we deny him, he also will

deny us:

Let us reflect on these words to the first four

churches in order to be refined and be

transformed.

Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third

part through the fire, and will refine them as

silver is refined, and will try them as gold is

tried: they shall call on my name, and I will

hear them: I will say, It is my people: and

they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of

his coming? and who shall stand when he

appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and

like fullers' soap

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this

world: but be ye transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that ye may prove

what is that good, and acceptable, and

perfect, will of God.


Chapter 2

Today's Relevance from Chapter 2

1. A summary of the Book of Ephesians

2. Jesus address all the churches, with Praise, Criticism,

Exhortation and Reward.

3. Highlights from the first 4 Churches

4. Let us reflect on these words to the first four churches in order

to be refined and be transformed.


Chapter 2

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