The Book of The Revelation – Chapters 2 & 3
EPISODE FIVE
(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)
Is it important that we read and understand the seven letters written to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea?
The seven churches described in Revelation chapter 2 and 3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in Asia Minor at that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today.
The one thing we must remember, which is of utmost importance, is when studying any topic or subject in The Revelation is that it is a prophetic book: It tells and foretells the truth to you, and once you have absorbed the truth, it tells the truth through you – both in your spoken testimony and in the revelation of your true nature, character and behavior. Ultimately, nothing is left untold or unseen.
The first purpose of the letters was and is to communicate with the literal churches and meet their needs – both then and now.
The second purpose is to reveal seven different types of individuals and churches throughout history, and to instruct them in God’s truth. Each church, in many ways, is representative of churches calling themselves Christian, today.
A third purpose is the message God is giving us today, through the letters to the seven churches.
The seven churches are as follows. For greater detail you can click on the church names (links):
(1) Ephesus. (Revelation 2 verse 1 through 7). – the church that had forsaken its first love (specifically, verse 4).
(2) Smyrna. (Revelation 2 verse 8 through 11). – the church that would suffer persecution (specifically, verse 10).
(3) Pergamum. (Revelation 2:12-17). – the church that needed to repent (specifically, verse 16).
(4) Thyatira. (Revelation 2:18-29). – the church that had a false prophetess (specifically, verse 20).
(5) Sardis. (Revelation 3:1-6). – the church that had fallen asleep (specifically, verse 2).
(6) Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:7-13). – the church that had endured patiently (specifically, verse 10).
(7) Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-22). – the church with the lukewarm faith (specifically, verse 16).
(These descriptions are taken from a Got Questions webpage.)
The Book of The Revelation – The Text– Chapter 2
Message to Ephesus
Revelation 2:1, “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus [footnote ‘a’] write:
These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):
Verse 2. ‘I know, [footnote ‘b’], your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; verse 3. and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. Verse 4. But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. Verse 5. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, and its impact) from its place–unless you repent. Verse 6. Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the, [footnote ‘c’], Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate. Verse 7. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who, [footnote ‘d’], overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’
Message to Smyrna
Verse 8. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘e’], Smyrna write:
These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]:
Verse 9. ‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship]. Verse 10. Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. Verse 11. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death, ([footnote ‘f’], (the lake of fire).’
Message to Pergamum
Verse 12. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘g’], Pergamum write:
These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]:
Verse 13. ‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you did not deny, [footnote ‘h’], My faith even in the days of, [footnote ‘i’], Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) among you, where Satan dwells. Verse 14. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught, [footnote ‘j’], Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual], [footnote ‘k’], immorality. Verse 15. You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the, [footnote ‘l’], Nicolaitans. Verse 16. Therefore repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment]. Verse 17. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the, [footnote ‘m’]’ hidden manna, and I will give him a, [footnote ‘n’], white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Message to Thyatira
Verse 18. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘o’], Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes [that flash] like a flame of fire [in righteous judgment], and whose feet are like burnished [white-hot] bronze:
Verse 19. ‘I know your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first. Verse 20. But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. Verse 21. I gave her time to repent [to change her inner self and her sinful way of thinking], but she has no desire to repent of her immorality and refuses to do so. Verse 22, [footnote ‘p’], Listen carefully, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. Verse 23. And I will kill her children (followers) with, [footnote ‘q’], pestilence [thoroughly annihilating them], and all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the, [footnote ‘r’], minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes]; and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds. Verse 24. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the, [footnote ‘s’], depths of Satan, as they call them–I place no other burden on you, verse 25, except to hold tightly to what you have until I come. Verse 26. And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY and POWER OVER THE NATIONS; Verse 27. AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; verse 28, and I will give him the, [footnote ‘t’], Morning Star. Verse 29. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’
The Book of The Revelation- The Text – Chapter 3
Message to Sardis
Revelation 3:1, “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘a’], Sardis write:
These are the words of Him who has, [footnote ‘b’], the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. Verse 2. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. Verse 3. So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Verse 4. But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous). Verse 5. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. Verse 6. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Message to Philadelphia
Verse 7. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘c’], Philadelphia write:
These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:
Verse 8. ‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name. Verse 9. Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you. Verse 10. Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth. Verse 11. I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. Verse 12. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a, [footnote ‘d’], pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. Verse 13. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Message to Laodicea
Verse 14. “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘e’], Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the, [footnote ‘f’], Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:
Verse 15. ‘I know your deeds, that you are, [footnote ‘g’], neither cold, (or indifferent) nor hot, (passionate); I wish that you were, [footnote ‘h’], cold or hot. Verse 16. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. Verse 17. Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], Verse 18. I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. Verse 19. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self, your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior, and seek God’s will]. Verse 20. Behold, I stand at the door [of the church and of your heart] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. Verse 21. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. Verse 22. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Here are the main takeaway from Chapters 2 & 3:
1. If you or your church is the type of church at Ephesus (Revelation 2 verse 1 through 7) – the church that had forsaken its first love:
-
- Repent [change your inner self, your old way of thinking, and your sinful behavior, seek God’s will] and do the works you did when you first knew Him; otherwise, He will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place, unless you repent.
- To your credit, that you hate the works and corrupt teachings.
(DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?)
2. If you or your church is the type of church at Smyrna (Revelation 2 verse 8 through 11) – the church that would suffer persecution: God knows your suffering and your poverty and how you are blasphemed and slandered by false believers. (You are to fear nothiag that you are about to suffer).
a. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested in your faith, and you will have tribulation for a specified time.
b. Be faithful to the point of death, and if you must die for your faith, and He will give you the crown of life.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
3. If you or your church is the type of church at Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent. He knows where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to His name, and you do not deny His faith, even where Satan dwells.
a. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak, to compromise their convictions as ‘no big deal’, for popularity, money, sexual gratification, money, and enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols.
b. You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
c. Therefore you must repent, change your inner self, your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior, and seek God’s will; or else He is coming to you quickly, and He will make war and fight against them with the sword of His mouth [in judgment].
d. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him He will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and He will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
4. If you or your church is the type of church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess.
a. He knows your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first.
b. But He has this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, teaches and misleads Christians so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.
c. He will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [and He will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. And He will kill her followers, so all the churches will know [without any doubt] that He is the One who searches the, minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes];
d. And He will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds.
e. And he who overcomes through believing that Jesus is the Son of God and keeps doing things that please Him until the end, TO HIM HE WILL GIVE AUTHORITY and POWER OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as He also has received authority [and power to rule them] from His Father.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
5. To the type of churches at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep. I know your deeds; you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality, you are dead.
a. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains of your faithful commitment to Him, and change your sinful way of thinking, and turn away from sin.
b. If you do not wake up, He will come like a thief.
c. You have a few people in Sardis who have not contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin; and they will walk with Him, dressed in white, because they are righteous.
d. Those who overcome the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and He will never blot out your names from the Book of Life, and He will confess and openly acknowledge your names before His Father and before His angels saying that he is one of His.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
6. To the type of churches at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently. ‘He knows your deeds. See, He has set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept His word, and have not renounced or denied HIs name.
a. Take note, He will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Believers but are not, come and bow down at your feet and make them know without any doubt] that He has loved you.
b. Because you have kept the word of His endurance, [His command to persevere], He will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.
c. He will make you a pillar in the temple of My God.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
7. To the type of churches at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith). ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold, (or indifferent) nor hot, (passionate); I wish that you were cold or hot.
a. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, He will vomit you out of His mouth [rejecting you with disgust].
b. You say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, without hope and in great need.
c. Buy from Him, gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU OR YOUR CHURCH?
(End of Chapters 2 & 3 and end of comments).
Please dear friends, take what we are reading to heart. Let’s be honest with ourselves and be careful to see where we stand in relation to the character and behaviors of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. If we are lacking, let’s correct our thinking and behavior so can faithfully serve God and be found worthy. Let’s repent of any error or wickedness, so we won’t suffer the consequences of the unfaithful.
Always remembering:
He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death.
And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY and POWER OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father
And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].
And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a, pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.
And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – What Comes Next – Chapter 4 – Episode 6
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