| This prophecy was given to the apostle John around 90 A.D., which was long after the early church had powerfully proclaimed the gospel. Most of what the apostle John saw in his vision was prophetic and for this present age. Although some of the information concerning the seven churches in Asia was meant for John's lifetime, it was prophetic and meant for future generations of Christians as well. Those who first proclaimed the gospel as instructed by Jesus went throughout the world, but they made a point to go to wherever the tribes of Israel were scattered among the nations. These people did a great work and established many congregations who practiced the faith with varying degrees of zeal. When the work of the early church was complete, the church vanished from the world scene as a powerful entity. From the context of what is recorded in the scriptures and secular history about the demise of the early church and what is written about the called and these seven churches in the Book of Revelation, it is evident these seven churches represent congregations and individuals who exist as real entities during the time just before Christ's return. To those in Ephesus Notice that this message to the Ephesians is directly from Jesus who walks among the seven churches and is the head of the church: ""To the angel of the Ephesian church, write: These things says He Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil; and that you did test those who proclaim themselves to be apostles, but are not, and did find them liars; And that you have borne much and have endured, and for My name’s sake have labored and have not grown weary;"" (Revelation 2:1-3)
Those who have the attitudes and behaviors of a spiritual Ephesian persevere, work hard, and try to keep false teachers out of the church. However, the Ephesians have a major problem that needs to be corrected: ""Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; for if you do not, I will come to you quickly; and I will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent. But this you have: that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."" (Revelation 2:4-6).
The Ephesians seem to forget that a major part of their calling and mission is to grow in grace, knowledge, and love. They lose their intense love and fall into apathy at the final call to battle. Jesus warns them to rekindle their first love or he will remove their candlestick. This is an extremely serious warning. Because the candlestick symbolizes the entire Ephesian group, Jesus is saying that he will remove them from among his followers. Tribulation ""And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things says the First and the Last, Who was dead but is alive. I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."" (Revelation 2:8-11)
Smyrna was one of the principal cities of Roman Asia. It vied with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title "First City of Asia." The city did not begin to reach its height of importance until after Alexander the Great laid the foundation for a new city. The English word tribulation is from the Greek which means crushing beneath a weight. Those of Smyrna are under much personal pressure and have virtually no material goods. One reason for this poverty is the natural order of things, which can be seen in economically disadvantaged countries and the lower economic class of society as a whole. In the early church, the elect were impoverished as a result of persecution that caused them to flee to other areas. And sometimes their goods were stolen while they were being beaten in their own homes for their beliefs. The prophecies indicate that these conditions will also exist during the time just before the Lord returns. Some of spiritual Smyrna will suffer imprisonment for ten days during a time of intense persecution that will come to an end. However, in the ancient world, imprisonment was just a prelude to being executed. Thus, many of this group of elect may end up being persecuted and some will be imprisoned before being executed. Christ is telling those of Smyrna that he and his Father demand absolute loyalty even in the face of death. Christ warns those of Smyrna not to give up but to remain steadfast in the faith and overcome through their persecution, imprisonment, and physical death in order to obtain the crown of eternal life. Satan's throne exists Pergamos (Pergamon) was a city in Asia Minor. It was the seat of the kings of Attalia and the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period.In 133 B.C., the last Attalia king bequeathed the city to the Romans in order to prevent a civil war. ""And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write: These things says He Who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; but you are holding fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells."" (Revelation 2:12-13).
Jesus praises those of Pergamos for not being afraid to be called Christians and for holding onto the faith, even after one of their group was martyred for being faithful. However, notice in verses 14-16 what Christ has against some of them. Some held the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating things sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality: ""But I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. Moreover, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent! For if you do not repent, I will come to you quickly, and will make war against them with the sword of My mouth"" (Revelation 2:14-16).
What is said about some in Pergamos can also be said about some Christians today. We are a extremely promiscuous world with many sexual perversions being accepted and practiced. And some of the elect, including their spiritual leaders, suffer from the same attitudes and behaviors found in ancient Pergamos. Because of this, the Lord says that he will fight against those of Pergamos who do such abominable things. This is an extremely serious warning. Jesus does not play games with a person's salvation. Therefore, any to whom this warning applies should take it very seriously and act appropriately. Those of ancient Pergamos lived in an environment where Satan's influence, through false religions, was exceptionally strong and some of the elect had compromised God's standards in order to avoid problems with the society around them. Rather than having an attitude of coming out of this society and being separate as Christians, they became a part of the evil society around them. The converted are warned that any of them who have an attitude of compromise concerning the truth of God during the time just prior to his return will find themselves at war with him. Remember that the Bible cuts as a two edged sword and causes division between those who truly believe and those who do not. Therefore, we can assume that division over what is right and wrong will cause great turmoil among those with the attitude of Pergamos. They will be persecuted by the world and warned by Jesus Christ of his intent to kill those of his church who refuse to behave righteously and avoid partaking of the evils of this society: ""The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one who receives it."" (Revelation 2:17).
Allowing Jezebel to teach ""And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, He Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass. I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your endurance, and your works; and the last are more than the first"" (Revelation 2:18-19).
Thyatira was a trading town famous for its dyeing and was a center of the indigo trade. Jesus offers much praise for the good done by this group. However, a very serious problem needs correction if they are to be successful in gaining eternal and immortal life. ""But I have a few things against you, because you allow the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants into committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she did not repent. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He Who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works."" (Revelation 2:20-23).
The problems within Thyatira did not come from outside the church. It came from within. Their problems began with the acceptance of the teachings of a woman who was thought to be a prophetess. She was, however, an evil person like Ahab's wife Jezebel. This woman urged them to compromise in order to comply with the world's standards and thereby gain the acceptance of non-believers, advantage in business, and prosperity in other areas of life. This false prophetess was not necessarily trying to destroy the church. She just wanted the elect to view the truth of God in a more liberal way than Jesus and the apostles had taught. However, her teachings led to compromise, especially in relation to idolatry, which led to spiritual fornication. On the surface, this church looks very productive by having good people with good works. Yet, they have compromised the truth. They are self-seeking and deceived because they have been following the false teaching of a false prophetess for many generations. Therefore, this is a serious warning to them from Jesus that their salvation is in jeopardy. Many of Thyatira will receive the trial of fire because of their lack of zeal for the truth. ""But to you I say, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will not cast upon you any other burden " " (Revelation 2:24)
Some have deliberately sought to do evil. But why? The teachings of the ancient Jezebel seemed to encourage sin. Many today have actually built this case by corrupting the scriptures and thereby turning God's grace into a license to sin. At the center of Thyatira's problems is the acceptance of the teachings of a false prophetess. Many of these people appear to be righteous but they will not easily give up their false teachings. They worship a person and their false teachings, which is idolatry and compromising of the truth. To those of Thyatira who are carefully and zealously following the teachings of God, the Lord says: ""But hold fast what you have until I come. And to the one who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations; And he shall shepherd them with an iron rod, as vessels of pottery are broken in pieces; as I have also received from My Father; And I will give him the morning star. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 2:25-29).
A dead church ""And to the angel of the church in Sardis, write: These things says He Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die. For I have not found your works complete before God. Therefore, remember what you have received and heard, and hold on to this, and repent. Now then, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you shall by no means know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white because they are worthy."" (Revelation 3:1-4)
Within the Sardis church there are only a few who have not defiled themselves spiritually. The implication is that unless there is a major change in their attitude and behavior, most who have the attitude of the Sardis church will end up in the Lake of Fire. The warning to those of Sardis is that they had better quickly wake up to their deadly lethargy and watch out, because their salvation is in jeopardy. Our Savior warns that only a few truly love the Father and him. Jesus encourages these few to continue to be watchful and they will receive their reward. However, most of their brothers and sisters in Christ who appear outwardly to be spiritually alive but are spiritually dead, will die the second death in the Lake of Fire if they do not repent of their evil ways. Vigilance is really part of the price of liberty under Christ. Sardis is in great danger. They have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their own and have known the Father. But, because of their sins, they are on the pathway that leads to eternal death. That is why this warning is so severe. They have little or no will to study God's word or to use it on a continuing basis to help them overcome their spiritual flaws. They are so self-deceived that they do not even realize that the little truth they have is slipping away and that they are in danger of losing their salvation. Jesus says in order to be among those who overcome who he will accept, any with the Sardis attitude must awaken from the deadly lethargy and show some signs of repentance and change: ""The one who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:5-6).
Those of Sardis are not fulfilling their responsibilities to grow in grace and knowledge nor are they fulfilling their commission properly. Most in Sardis are complacent. They are not trying to live a righteous life. They have allowed the truth to slip away, and Jesus considers them spiritually dead. Because they have stopped trying to overcome, Jesus sees no benefit in pursuing their salvation any further and will allow them to die if they do not make an effort to repent and live righteously. Only those who triumph over sin will keep their name from being blotted out of the book of life. Jesus says that any with the attitude of Sardis are on the verge of losing their eternal life because of a compromising, complacent, and lazy attitude toward the things of God and their calling. What a terrible accusation from our Lord and Savior. Those of Sardis have a reputation for being alive, however, they are in fact already spiritually dead. Few from Sardis will pass the test of persecution. Saved from suffering ""And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy One, the one Who is true; the one Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shuts, and Who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."" (Revelation 3:7-8).
King Eumenes II of Pergamon founded the city in 189 B.C. Eumenes named the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor, Attalus II. Notice the emphasis in the above verse upon having kept Jesus' word and not denying his name. In the Greek language, the verbs are in the aorist tense, which describes a definite, specific act in the past. The implication is Philadelphia emerged from a particular spiritual trial. It is for this reason that God uses and empowers them to perform a great work for him in the end of the age. Part of the reward for having the Philadelphia attitude and behavior is to be given an extremely prominent position in the Kingdom - a position worthy of great respect and honor: ""Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews and are not, but do lie - behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the time of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown."" (Revelation 3:9-11).
Only those with the Philadelphia attitude and behavior are given a significant measure of protection. This does not mean that they are totally free from persecution or even martyrdom. The rest of God's children will be severely reprimanded by Jesus Christ through the Bible and the persecution by Satan and the world at large in order to try, purify, perfect, and save them from eternal death. ""The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:12-13).
Those of Philadelphia may only have a little strength, their resources and numbers may be small, but they are faithful. Notice, Jesus also said that they have kept his commandments, he will keep them. They are keeping God's word, the word of endurance. Those of Philadelphia try hard to practice the kind of endurance that Jesus Christ displayed. They are people who do not compromise. They endure and firmly keep in mind the goal. Our Creator wants all the elect to serve him in various ways. The point is that he watches for individuals and even groups of individuals who will take hold of a particular opportunity to serve him. If they act, he uses them in that responsibility. The Father and Jesus look at each of those who have been called to salvation as individuals and, if they seize the moment and take action, they will be used to accomplish great things. Lukewarm believers ""And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginner of the creation of God. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you be either cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and are neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth."" (Revelation 3:14-16).
Laodicea, built on seven hills like Rome, was one of the most important cities of Asia Minor. It flourished primarily due to its position along a critical trade route. In fact, the city minted its own coins, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus, Apollo and the emperors. Of the seven fellowships spoken to by Jesus, this one is the most roundly corrected. They are neither faithful nor unbelieving. They are COMPLETELY indifferent. Their indifference to God's truth is sickening to Jesus. The Laodiceans are so self-satisfied that they think everything is fine and that they are doing great works. They view themselves as the recipients of great spiritual understanding, but they have practically none. ""For you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and you do not understand that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see."" (Revelation 3:17-18).
Here, we see a people who are so apathetic and lazy because of their perceived knowledge and spirituality that they are in danger of being cast away. They are self-deceived into thinking that they are spiritually rich, when they are actually poor. Christ is giving them their last opportunity to repent and become zealous. If these people will hear and heed what he is saying, he will again establish fellowship with them. If not, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire with the unrepentant wicked. Christ is searching for people that want him and his Father to be a major part of their life. He says he is at the door knocking, hoping the wayward elect will let him back into their hearts and minds. But he will not force his way into their lives. These individuals have to make a decision to repent of their nauseating quality of being spiritually lukewarm, self-satisfied, complacent, and in need of nothing. Their indifference has left them self-deluded and they do not realize they are spiritually poor, miserable, wretched, blind, and naked. Those who lead such a people and do not themselves repent are in deep trouble. Those individuals have an attitude of having it made, but have no real commitment for spiritual growth. They feel secure as long as they associate with a particular group (i.e., success by association). That kind of attitude leads to indifference and complacency, which Christ severely rebukes. He will bring fiery trials in order to bring those with such an attitude to genuine repentance: ""As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."" (Revelation 3:19-20).
Jesus is showing, in an extremely strong way, that some of the elect who are in this decadent condition can expect extremely severe trials that come directly from him. Because of their self-righteous attitudes, Jesus says they will be tried in fire. A Laodicean needs a major attitude adjustment. This is why Jesus has to deal so severely with them. The Father and his Son are extremely merciful. If a Laodicean repents, he will be forgiven. ""{To the one who overcomes will I give authority to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:21-22).
A Great Trial Any of the chosen who are alive during the time of the end and who think that they will live out their lives in peaceful coexistence with non-believers while Jesus pours out God's wrath upon a wicked and rebellious world are not in touch with reality. It seems that only a few understand the seriousness of the times. Most think everything is just fine. Hoever, things are not just fine. This is why Jesus will pour out his wrath on all but one- seventh of those of his church. Make no mistake, Jesus would much rather see those who need to repent do so without having to be corrected through trial and persecution. However, because Jesus loves us deeply, he will attempt to shake the lazy, the lethargic, and the sinful out of their sleep of death with strong persecution and trials of fire, in the hope that they will awaken to their terminal condition and repent. Those who are converted are continually barraged with evil from the world. Many have allowed themselves to become influenced by wrong values and have compromised themselves and become blind to their sins. It is easy to see how wrong attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics of the seven ancient churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation exist within various individuals and congregations scattered throughout the earth today. Although all seven churches suffer great persecution for the truth that they believe and practice, the general admonition to all of God's people is to come out of and remain separate from the things of the world that can pollute one spiritually (Revelation 18:3-4). Because of the increased activity of evil spirits during the time of the end, there will be great religious confusion (especially concerning the teachings of the Bible). As people become more and more confused as to what is right and wrong, God's people who are not diligent in their pursuit of righteousness will be drawn into evil behavior and compromising attitudes. They will lose the love and zeal. Jesus often spoke to the disciples about the need to perform the task that they had been given concerning the gospel and the persecution and rewards associated with its proclamation (Mark 8:34-38, See also 1Peter 3:14-17). Make no mistake, the Father and Jesus Christ are solidly against the tolerance of evil. They want their chosen people to either repent and remove the evil from among them or remove themselves from the evil. Jesus said: "And Jesus answered and said, 'Truly I say to you, there is not one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake and for the gospel’s, Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the age that is coming, eternal life.'" (Mark 10:29-30).
It behooves us to be a person who has an ear to hear Jesus' warning to Revelation's churches. If your heart is right God, you do not need to fear. |