Revelation 2-3: Messages to The Seven Churches
Revelation 2-3: Messages to The Seven Churches
Introduction
In Chapter 1, Jesus named the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The map below shows you their locations.
1. Who is speaking to you.
2. An observation of what the church had done well, and what they have not done well.
3. An instruction to the church what they must stop to do, and what they must continue to do.
4. A warning about being discipline if they do not obey.
5. An encouragement that they will be rewarded if they do well.
For the first item, I will summarize it here. The rest I will analyze them in the message to each church. Note that Jesus direct his message to the "angel" of the church. As explained in chapter 1:20, the angel could mean the pastor/leader of the church, or the guardian angel of the church. Nevertheless, we know that his message is to the church collectively, not just to one person.
Jesus told the seven churches about Himself:
1. "who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands." (2:1)
2. "the first and the last, who died and came to life." (2:8)
3. "Who has the sharp two-edged sword." (2:12)
4. "the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze." (2:18)
5. "who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars." (3:1)
6. "the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens." (3:7)
7. "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation." (3:14)
These speak of Jesus' authority over the church, his immortality and his defeat of death, he is the truth, he is the Son of God, He is holy and the true Messiah. The "key of David" may symbolize his kingly authority to make final decision and judgement.
The word "Amen" is often used at the end of prayers and means “so be it” or “truly”. Here, it is used as a title for Jesus, emphasizing His faithfulness and the certainty of His words and promises. "Faithful and True Witness" refers to Jesus’ role as the one who perfectly represents God’s character and faithfully accomplishes His will. As a witness, Jesus testifies to the truth of God’s word. Finally, the "beginning of God's creation" refers to Jesus as the source or active agent of all creation (Colossians 1:15-17).
Let's proceed to look into the Lord's messages to the churches.
The Seven Churches
A) Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)
Ephesus was the prominent commercial and culture of Asia in those days. It was famous for the Library of Celcus, which was the 3rd largest library in the ancient world, and had contained over 12,000 scrolls. The second largest library at that time, was Pergamum with 200,000 scrolls. Guess which library was the largest - yes, Library of Alexandria in Egypt, with 500,000 scrolls.
Jesus told the church that he knows their toils and endurance, and knows what is false and would not tolerate evil and false apostles. He commended them for bearing His name and had not grown weary. He also praised them for hating the works of Nicolaitans, a sect of the Gnostics who thought wrong doctrines and followed impure practices. (See Q&A)
However Jesus chastised them that they "have abandoned the love you had at first. (v4)"
Ephesus was a church that has many ministries and deeds, but without love. They know the scriptures well, and rejects false teachings. This is unlike the churches in Galatia, which quickly turned to a corrupted gospel (Gal 1:6-9). Ephesus endured patiently and kept bearing up for His name’s sake. They never let Jesus' name be dishonored and always speak about him.
Ephesus was once an excellent, model church. It was founded by Paul. Paul said to them "... I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints" (Eph 1:15). But later on, they gave forgotten how it was like when the first received Christ. All the love they have for Christ and the people has faded away. Good knowledge of the Word and services without love means nothing. They are so good in splitting hairs over the Word, but they also ended up splitting themselves.
Jesus message to Ephesus was: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." (v5). Otherwise He will remove their lampstand, meaning Jesus will remove his presence from them. As the lampstand was design to shine, they will also lose their enlightenment and the ability to be a light to the community.
Like ourselves, we must remember the day we received Christ, our fire to tell others about the gospel, the love for Him and others. While we hate the sin, we must continue to love the sinner. Love must be the key reason for our works. If we have lost the passion, we must repent, and to return to the original relationship.
B) Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)
Smyrna is now a modern city called Izmir. The church was poor and in suffering because of their faith. However Jesus told them they are rich, as in spiritual richness and their rewards in heaven.
They face betrayal from people who said they believe in God, but instead told the authorities about them to put them in prison. If your whole family is under a government that is anti-Christ, how will you feel? Fear.
Jesus message to them is not to fear, but to have faith, even unto death, just as he has done for us. This is one of two churches that Jesus did not reveal any criticisms.
Believers who are being persecuted for their faith, or those who leave in poverty, will relate to this church. Jesus said not to fear these things, as it tests their faith, and those who conquers will not be hurt in the second death. (v11). The second death is the spiritual death - a permanent separation from God in hell, after the death of the body. It is also mentioned in Revelation 20:14.
Jesus main message to Smyrna was: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (2:10).
Theologians have proposed different meaning to the "ten days", which we will not discuss here. I believe that Jesus is saying that their tribulation will not be very long, and encouraging them to stay faithful, so that they can receive the crown of life.
We may never suffer the way the Smyrna suffered, being put into prison and tortured and maybe even murdered. However each one of us suffer in different ways when we show our faith in the midst of unbelievers in our job and in our families and relatives.
Not to fear suffering, being poor, or future uncertainties. Surrender to God and let Him take care of you and your loved ones. Jesus said we are rich in our spirit and will receive a crown of life if we are found faithful.
C) Pergamum (Rev 2:12–17)
Pergamum was the northern-most of the seven churches. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. It is famous for the remains of the grand structure of Pergamum Altar, built under the Greek empire, and was dedicated to Zeus and Athena.
Jesus said that He knows about their problem, in that they dwell where Satan’s throne is (v13). He may be referring to Pergamum Altar, where the teachings from Satan spread and covers the whole city and the persecution of those who do not worship Zeus. The city lifestyle is totally opposite of the Christian way. However, He praised them for holding fast His name and did not deny their faith, even during the days Antipas was killed.
Antipas, the bishop of Pergamum church, was killed by being roasted in the brazen bull, one of the most painful way to die.
However, there are some in the church who gave in to the city, and was "deceived" just like Balaam tried to trick the Israelites to eat food offered to idols and practice sexual immorality (Num 31:16).
There are others who mix Christianity with the Nicolaitans cult. Some believed that Nicolas is the founder; he was one of the deacons chosen in Acts 6:5. If he was the one, then he was persuaded by the Gnostic teachings later in life. Gnosticism teaches that material world is evil, and spirit is holy. Man is material and is evil, and they are not created by God. Since Jesus is holy, he was only a spirit and did not die on the cross. He was not God's son but only a messenger. The only way to save man is through a special knowledge ("gnostic") that God impart to special people. (v14, 15)
Jesus message to this church was "Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” (v16). He is asking the church to defend their faith the the truth of the Word of God, else he may come and do it for them. If He does that, then trouble will come for the false prophets but also the compromising Christians.
To those who conquered, i.e. those who stay faithful to Christ, He will give some of the hidden manna and a white stone that has a new name written that no one knows except the receiver.
In the context of Revelation, the "hidden manna" could symbolize the spiritual sustenance and support that God provides to those who remain faithful to Him, even in times of trial. In ancient Roman times, a white stone was used to signify acquittal in legal matters, while a black stone signified guilt. Therefore, the white stone could symbolize innocence or acquittal in the face of judgment. The new name written on the stone could represent the transformed, spiritual identity of those who overcome.
In our Churches today, there are a mixture of different Christians characters. Some are those who kept true to the Word, while others may compromise (especially outside of the church) in order to gain acceptance from their secular life.
D) Thyatira (Rev 2:18–29)
Thyatira is now the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle"). Thyatira was famous for its dyeing facilities and purple cloth trade. Purple cloth was a very expensive material, as the color came from the gland of the Mediterranean Sea snail. Each snail produced only a single drop of the purple liquid. To produce one pound of dye will require four million snails.
In Acts 16:14, a woman named Lydia received Christ after Paul's preaching in Philippi. She was a purple cloth dealer from Thyatira. She was apparently rich as she invited Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke to stay in her house. Her entire household was converted and she supported the Christian ministries.
When Jesus tortured by the Romans soldiers, they put a purple cloth behind his back and mock him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” as purple is usually worn by the royals.
Jesus praised the church for their love, their faith, the services and endurance. However, some of them have private lives that dwell into worldly and sinful habits. They followed the teaching of Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess. We wonder if the name is symbolic and refers to the wife of King Ahab, who worshipped Baal and tried to corrupt the Israelites. She influenced some members to commit sexual sins and eat food sacrificed to idols. Some of them also trained themselves in the "deep things" of Satan.
It’s interesting that Christ said: “Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation” v22 and "strike her children dead." (v23) I wonder if this is a pre-alert that perverted sins or sins with the same sex will result in diseases such as AIDS, which had killed at least 40 million people in our present time.
For those who held fast to His word, Jesus gave this message: "hold fast what you have until I come“ (v25). for "the one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations" (v26.) They shall also be given the "morning star". Some scholars believe that the morning star is a symbol of Christ, who is also called “the bright and morning star” in Revelation 22:16. It represents the brightness, beauty, and glory of Christ, as well as his role as the harbinger of the day of salvation and the light of the world.
Many Christians members seem to be worshipping God in the church, but when outside the church they worship someone or something else. We are easily attracted to pleasure and pressured by our peers to enjoy ourselves, or to compromise Godly values for money and fame.
Jesus reminds us that ‘the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze." (v18), highlighting his role as a judge for sinners.
E) Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)
Sardis was an important city in the Lydian empire, with skills in minting silver and gold coins. Excavations had unearthed an impressive synagogue in Sardis, which meant that there were a sizeable Jewish community living there.
The church had a reputation of being alive, but they are actually dead. (v1b) This is may mean that there are lots of activities in the church, but their motivation is not because of love for God or people. They did it superficially as part of tradition. They looked alive on the outside, but in the inside, they were spiritually asleep. They cannot see nor hear the promptings of the Spirit. However, there were a few people in the church that has not "soiled their garments".
Christ's message to them was to: "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. (3:2-3) For those who won't wake up, Jesus will come "like a thief" against them.
Just like us, when we kept serving and after a long time, we no longer remember why we are serving. We continue to do so due to habit and obligation to the church. We lost the ability to hear the Spirit and what he is saying to us, or where He wants us to do. We are to “wake up” from the spiritual slumber, and re-establish our relationship and sensitivity to the Spirit.
He encourage those who "have not soiled their garment" and "walked with Him in white," they will be clothed with white garment and will not be blot out of the book of life, and Jesus will acknowledge them to God and the angels. (v5)
F) Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)
Philadelphia is now known as Alasehir in modern-day Turkey. It was located in the fertile Cogamus River Valley and was known for its magnificence of temples and other public buildings. The city was a center of worship for Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility. There were also many other temples devoted to different pagan gods.
It was said that in the early days, there were many Christians being martyred in this city. I believe this happened in all the cities of the seven churches. We may never know what "suffering for Christ" really means when compared to these believers.
They have little power, yet they have kept the Word and have never denied Christ's name. Jesus encourage them not to be discouraged as He has opened a door which no one can shut. He also promised them that the false teachers and prophets from the "synagogue of Satan" will one day bow down to them at their feet, "and they will learn that I have loved you". What an encouragement for those to hear His love for them during their suffering. (v8,9)
Because they have patient endurance for the persecution, Jesus will protect them from the "hour of trial" for the whole world. These may be referring to the final tribulation, as he followed by saying "I am coming soon." (v10, 11) At that time, the suffering will be worse than what they have gone through.
Jesus called them to "To hold fast to what they have, so that no one may seize their crown." (v11)
For those who "conquers", Jesus will make them a pillar in the temple of God, and will write on them the name of God, name the city of God, New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus Christ. (v12) Being made a pillar in the temple of God could also be seen as an honor. It signifies that the believer has a special place in God’s spiritual temple. The words "write on him" is not literal, but symbolic to assure them their identity and relationship to God and Christ, and guarantee their presence in the New Jerusalem which was described in Revelation 21.
This church's love for Christ is easy to tell. They kept the Word, meaning they studied it and obey it. They never denied Jesus name, even when threatened and tortured. As Jesus is coming again, we need to put ourselves in "risky" situations to spread the gospel, even at our secular work place and pre-believer friends.
G) Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22)
Paul was very familiar with Laodicea. In Colossians 4:15-16, he wrote "Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea." The church at Colossae is nearby Laodicea.
In the Roman times, Laodicea was a rich city, with industries such as textile production and banking. It seems that the Christians there at that time was also prosperous. Laodicea today is popular as a major excavation location.
Jesus chastised them for being a lukewarm church: "‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!. Jesus said he will spit out those who are lukewarm. (v15,16)
They believed they are rich, and had prospered and need nothing; but Jesus said that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. (v17)
Jesus asked them to buy from him the "gold refined by fire", so that they can be truly rich, and they can clothes themselves with white garments, and salve to anoint their eyes so they can see. Jesus is saying that their mindset is opposite of God's way. They think they are rich, nicely dressed, and have lots of knowledge. But they are barking up the wrong tree, and at the end these things are in vain before God. They are poor, naked, and blind. Rather, they should be spiritually rich, clothe themselves in righteousness, and have insights and wisdom in the way of God. (v18)
Jesus said that if they don't repent and become zealous, he will reprove and discipline them. For those do what he says, He said "If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, ..." (v20,21)
Jesus will reprove and discipline us, because He loves us. He is always knocking at our hearts' doors, giving us a chance to open our hearts so that he can have close relationship with us and show us what is important in our lives, and what does "rich" really means. Not only we must listen to him, we must also "conquer" our habits, fears, anger, greed, ambitions, and so on. Jesus said to these people who "conquer" , he will allow them to sit with Him on His throne.
III. Summary of the Good and Bad Habits of the Churches.
Conclusion
John Stott in his book, Basic Christianity. He sees the message of Jesus as threefold in nature. To a sinful Church, He is saying, “I know of your sin, repent!” To a doubtful Church, He is saying, “I know of your doubt, believe!” To a fearful Church, He is saying, “I know of your fear, endure.” Repent, believe, and endure — that’s a very relevant message for the Church today.
Q&A
1. Who are the Nicolaitans? (Rev 2:6)
The Nicolaitans were a sect whose deeds were strongly condemned. The name “Nicolaitans” is derived from the Greek word Nikolaites, a compound of the words nikos and laos. Nikos is the Greek word that means to conquer, and laos is the Greek word for the people. When these two words are compounded into one, they form the name Nikolaites, which literally means one who conquers and subdues the people.
Ireneus and Hippolytus, two leaders in the Early Church, said the Nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of Nicolas of Antioch, who had been ordained as a deacon in Acts 6:52. They were, as is commonly supposed, a sect of the Gnostics, who taught the most impure doctrines, and followed the most impure practices.
Footnotes
https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/meaning-of-colors-in-the-bible/meaning-of-color-purple.html
Annex - Theory of Prophetical Application of the Seven Churches.
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