Words Of Truth

Studies In Revelation
Chapter Two

Revelation 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;”

• At the conclusion of chapter one, we addressed the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). The term “angel” [messenger] here is the same Greek word as we saw there (Strong’s # 32). Jesus, through the pen of John, is addressing the messenger of the church in Ephesus. We know this is Jesus because He, as we saw in chapter one, is the one that was holding the seven stars [angels] in His right hand and walked among the seven golden candlesticks [churches].
• We can look at the book of Acts to see the beginning of the Lord’s work in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19:7).
• Standing for the truth in Ephesus was a dangerous endeavor (Acts 19:23-41 and I Corinthians 15:32).
• Paul told of a troubled future for the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17-32).
• Paul had to have Timothy intervene in the work in Ephesus (I Timothy 1:3-7).
• We also have a letter written to the saints in Ephesus for plenty of background information (Ephesians).

• Jesus knew… (John 2:24-25, John 5:42, John 6:64, II Timothy 2:19, and Revelation 2:23; cf. Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:8, and Revelation 3:15).
• It matters that Jesus, the Judge (II Corinthians 5:10), knew their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:28-29, Matthew 25:31-46, Galatians 6:7-9, and Hebrews 6:9-12).
• Jesus knew their labour and that matters in Judgment too [labors; trouble; weariness] (I Corinthians 3:8).
• Jesus knew their patience [endurance] (Romans 2:7, Romans 5:1-4, Hebrews 10:35-36, and James 1:2-4).
• The saints in Ephesus did not bear with those who were evil (Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3, Psalms 119:104, Psalms 119:128, Romans 12:9, Galatians 2:1-5, Ephesians 5:6-11, Hebrews 1:8-9, and II John 1:6-11).
• They tested those claiming to be apostles (Matthew 7:15-20 and I John 4:1; cf. II Corinthians 11:12-15).
• They found those claiming to be apostles to be liars, false (Proverbs 12:17).
• Remember, in there were “signs of an apostle” to test (II Corinthians 12:12).

• They had borne. This means to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.): - bear, carry, take up” (Strong’s # 941). There are different things to be borne in Christ (Luke 14:27, John 16:12, Acts 9:15, Romans 15:1, Galatians 6:1-5, Galatians 6:17, etc.).
• We talked of their patience [same word in Greek here too] in verse 2.
• They labored for the sake of Christ (Romans 16:6, Romans 16:12, I Corinthians 15:9-10, Galatians 4:11, and I Thessalonians 5:12).
• Think about the wording “name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22, Matthew 19:29, Matthew 24:9, John 15:20-21, and I John 2:12).
• The fact that they had not fainted (Proverbs 24:10, Galatians 6:7-9, and Hebrews 12:1-3).

• Notice this huge point, all your good works do not outweigh, on some imaginary scale, something sinful (Ezekiel 18:24 and James 2:10).
• Jesus warned, that before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the love of many would wax cold (Matthew 24:12).
• They were working, enduring, etc,; but it was not out of love which is the true engine behind what we do for God (I Corinthians 16:14, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 3:14, and Hebrews 6:10). Think about the value of good works without love (I Corinthians 13:1-3).
• The first love of the saints (Mark 12:30).
• So, what good is a loveless marriage? Will God accept leftovers and half efforts (Malachi 1:6-10)?

• The Lord wanted the saints in Ephesus to remember where they had fallen from. Think about how the lost son in Jesus’ Parable remembered what home was like in contrast to where he was (Luke 15:11-19).
• While they were going through all sorts of right motions, they are fallen (cf. Luke 8:13-14, John 6:60-66, I Corinthians 10:1-12, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:7-9, I Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 12:15-17, II Peter 2:20-22, and Revelation 22:18-19).
• It was time to turn this around (Hosea 14:1).
• They needed to repent as all sinners must do so (Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 21:28-32, Luke 5:32, Luke 13:1-5, Acts 3:19, Acts 8:12-24, Acts 17:30, II Timothy 2:24-26, and II Peter 3:9).
• They had left their first love. To return, they need to do the first works. Repentance includes works (Matthew 3:1-8 and Acts 26:18-20).
• The first works are about a return to the beginning (I John 2:24).
• Later in this chapter we will see the Lord give space to repent (Revelation 2:21). We know God is longsuffering (Psalms 86:15). Such should lead to repentance (Romans 2:4).
• Here, we see that the space to repent is short. The Lord promises to be quick [shortly; speedily] in His removing their candlestick. Remember, the candlestick represents the congregation (Revelation 1:20). So, the Lord is going to remove them as a congregation quickly if they do not repent.

• We read of the Nicolaitans here and later in this chapter (Revelation 2:15). In the present and later we learn there is a doctrine held by these people that the Lord hates. These are the only mentions of them in the Scriptures.
• We have already talked about the militancy of the Ephesians (Revelation 2:2-3).
• Those who love the truth certainly hate all false doctrines and act accordingly (Psalms 1:1-2, Psalms 26:4-5, Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3, Psalms 139:21-22, Jeremiah 15:17, John 2:13-17, Romans 12:9, II Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 5:6-11, and Jude 1:3-4).

• He that hath an ear (Proverbs 2:1-2, Proverbs 5:1-2, Proverbs 25:12, Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:9, Matthew 13:43, Mark 4:9, Mark 4:23, Mark 7:16, Luke 8:8, Luke 14:34-35, John 8:43, and Acts 28:27).
• If we put a few Scriptures together, we can see that paradise is in the realm of Hades (Luke 16:19-31, Luke 23:38-43, and Acts 2:22-32).
• Paul had a vision of a man caught up into paradise (II Corinthians 12:1-4).
• The tree of life is a figure that takes one back to the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22-24).

• As we saw with Ephesus (Revelation 2:1), the address is “unto the angel” of the church in Smyrna. As we addressed at the conclusion of chapter one, the word “angel” means “messenger” (Strong’s # 32).
• The first and the last, which was dead, and is alive is Jesus (Revelation 1:17-18).
• This reiterates that King Jesus is speaking to them (Revelation 1:1-5).
• Jesus is the first begotten from the dead (Colossians 1:12-18), thus the resurrection is communicated here to these saints.
• We will see that these faithful saints are going to face tribulation. Consider how encouraging it is for those persecuted to think about Jesus and the resurrection (II Thessalonians 1:3-10 and I Peter 1:3-9).

• As we saw with Ephesus (Revelation 2:2) and will continue to see with the other churches addressed, Jesus knows their works.
• He knows the tribulation they are suffering. Of course, such suffering is a concern for the spiritual well-being of some saints (Mark 4:16-17). Suffering in the flesh doesn’t mean saints cannot have peace at the same time (John 16:33).
• Jesus did not try to “sell” some false idea of trouble-free Christianity to anyone (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-23, and John 15:18-20).
• Like tribulation, being a Christian doesn’t make one free from poverty (Luke 6:20).
• Jesus serves as an example on the fact that poverty is not necessarily a reflection of anything lacking spiritually (II Corinthians 8:9; cf. Luke 9:57-58).
• One can be physically poor, but rich spiritually (Proverbs 13:7, Hebrews 11:24-26, and James 2:5; cf. Luke 12:15-21).
• The blessings of the saints are in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
• Let’s think here about the point of the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not (Romans 2:17-29). Think of what Paul, when he was known as Saul of Tarsus, did to saints (Acts 22:1-5, Acts 26:9-11, I Corinthians 15:9, and Galatians 1:13) and how because of that he referred to himself as a blasphemer (I Timothy 1:12-13).
• Some of the Jews stood in the way of the Gospel (I Thessalonians 2:14-16; cf. Acts 14:2 and Acts 17:13).
• When one stands against Jesus, they are standing for Satan (John 8:30-44, Acts 13:6-12, and I John 3:1-10).
• Jesus draws clear lines (Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23).

• When Jesus sent out the disciples to preach among the children of Israel, He gave them words that puts the “fear none of those things…” point in perspective (Matthew 10:16-33). Peter addressed this principle too (I Peter 3:14-17). This point is about looking forward (Luke 12:4-5).
• Does this mean there is to be no fear of man, ever for any reason? NO, not necessarily (Romans 13:1-7 and Ephesians 6:5). It is not wrong to understand consequences for actions and fear those consequences (Proverbs 20:2). However, we cannot allow fear for what man could do to us to outweigh the fear we should have for God (Acts 5:27-32; cf. Acts 4:20).
• Fearing man is a trap (Proverbs 29:25).
• Think about what fearing the ungodly can do (Matthew 26:47-56; 26:69-75 and John 9:1-22).
• While it was man that imprisoned saints, the devil is the contributor through his influence (cf. John 13:1-2).
• Prisons were not uncommon places for the faithful to be found (Acts 16:22-36, Acts 22:3-4, Acts 26:10, and II Corinthians 6:1-6).
• Whether prison is the threat, or worse; there is nothing to fear when the Lord is on your side (Romans 8:28-31, II Timothy 1:7, and I John 4:18).
• What they were to face was the trial and such was not strange as we saw already (I Peter 4:12).
• While being tried, they need to remain faithful till death (II Timothy 4:6-8; cf. Colossians 1:21-23 and Jude 1:21).
• The focus has to be on the end reward (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 10:20, Romans 12:12, I Peter 1:1-7, and I Peter 4:13).

• As we have seen already (Revelation 2:7) we will keep seeing “he that hath an ear…” (Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22, and Revelation 13:9).
• The Spirit is the revealer (II Samuel 23:2, John 16:13, and I Corinthians 2:9-13) of the message of Christ from the Father (Revelation 1:1-2).
• The seven churches are the addressees (Revelation 1:11).
• The second death (Revelation 20:14-15 and Revelation 21:8).
• In this letter, the focus is on overcoming (Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21, and Revelation 21:7).

• As we have addressed since Revelation 1:20, the angel is the messenger of the church. This could mean the local preacher or similar person.
• He which hath the sharp sword… The first chapter of this book reveals this is Jesus (Revelation 1:9-20) and the sword is the word (Ephesians 6:17). See notes on: Revelation 1:16
• Thinking about times of judgment, what comes forth from the Lord’s mouth can slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:1-4).

• As with the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna, Jesus points out that He knows their works (Revelation 2:2 and Revelation 2:9).
• As the Judge, that matters as we talked about in earlier verses (Matthew 16:27 and II Timothy 4:14).
• Smyrna had those opposing them who were of the synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9). Pergamos had to contend with being where “Satan’s seat” is. This is as if saying Satan’s throne [seat = Strong’s # 2362]. That Greek term is often translated as “throne” (Matthew 5:34, Matthew 23:22, Matthew 25:31, Luke 1:32, etc.).
• Just remember, those working contrary to the will of God are called “Satan” (Matthew 16:21-23). Thus, Pergamos was a place of heavy resistance to the Lord’s will.
• In light of what they were facing, they held fast (Hebrews 3:1-6 and Hebrews 10:23).
• The faithful cannot deny Jesus even in the face of persecution (Luke 12:4-9, Romans 10:9-10, I John 2:22-23, and I John 4:15).
• When faced with earthly consequences, some have decided not to confess our Lord (Luke 22:54-62, John 7:12-13, John 9:15-23, John 12:36-43, and Acts 26:11).
• They did not deny the faith even when Antipas was killed among them. So, it was not just the threat of violence, but action had occurred. This typically, and rightfully so, would bring about fear and flight (Acts 8:1-4).
• Think about the imagery of Satan dwelling somewhere. He is the lion seeking to devour (I Peter 5:8). They stood fast where they were.

• Though they did not deny Jesus, they didn’t defend the truth. How can God’s people stand quiet in the presence of error (Psalms 26:4-5, Psalms 97:10, Psalms 119:104, Psalms 119:113, Psalms 119:163, Romans 12:9, and Ephesians 5:6-11)?
• They were not defending the truth as they should have (I Timothy 1:3-7, Titus 1:10-14, and Jude 1:3-4).
• This congregation is not unified (Amos 3:3, I Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, and Philippians 3:16).
• Balak (king of Moab) hired Balaam (a prophet) to stop the progress of the children of Israel (Numbers 22-24). Balaam taught Balak to have the children of Israel to eat meat sacrificed to idols, to commit fornication, and it worked (Numbers 25:1-9).
• Churches had been taught to avoid pollutions of idols and fornication (Acts 15:20; 15:29; 21:25).
• Flee fornication (I Corinthians 6:18); abstain from it (I Thessalonians 4:1-7).

• See notes on Revelation 2:6 and Revelation 2:14
• To “hold” [κρατέω] here means: “to use strength, that is, seize or retain (literally or figuratively): - hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by)” (Strong’s # 2902). Think of the Jews that did hold the tradition of men (Mark 7:1-9) as opposed to holding what is taught by those in proper authority (II Thessalonians 2:13-15).
• Those that think they can believe a certain thing and be okay so long as they don’t “bind it” or teach it publicly, are shown here to be wrong!

• As with any sin, the two options are repent or perish (Luke 13:1-5).
• Throughout the Scriptures we see that sinners must repent of their sins (Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 3:1-8, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 21:28-32, Luke 5:32, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, Acts 26:18-20, II Timothy 2:24-26, and II Peter 3:9).
• Sinners cannot just pretend nothing is wrong or attempt to conceal their errors, but rather are to acknowledge them (Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, and I John 1:5-2:2).
• Jesus takes adversarial language here for a reason (Psalms 34:16, Ezekiel 14:1-8, Matthew 12:30, and Luke 11:23).
• The sword of Jesus’ mouth (Revelation 1:16; cf. Ephesians 6:17) against them (John 12:48).

• This is the third time we have seen “he that hath an ear…” (Revelation 2:7 and Revelation 2:11).
• They had to overcome their current status (Revelation 21:7). If they did, rather than their identity being stripped (i.e. Revelation 2:5), it would be found.
• When you think through the Scriptures about “manna” you have to think back to the manna from above (Exodus 16:11-15). It was called “angel’s food” (Psalms 78:24-25). Yet, Jesus spoke of the true bread from Heaven (John 6:25-58).
• The idea of a new name written on a stone is not repeated or explained. There is something that adds an interesting series of thoughts to this though when Philadelphia is addressed (Revelation 3:12).

• We first read about Thyatira because Lydia was from there, but she was not there when she was converted (Acts 16:12-15). So, we really only have this context from which we can gather Scriptural information.
• Jesus very clearly identifies Himself (Mark 1:1, John 20:30-31, Acts 3:13, Acts 3:26, I Corinthians 1:9, etc.).
• He also uses imagery we saw in chapter one (Revelation 1:14-15).

• As we keep seeing, Jesus knew their works (Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:8, and Revelation 3:15).
• They had charity [love] (I Corinthians 16:14 and Colossians 3:14) which relates to God (I John 5:1-3 and II John 1:6), brethren (John 13:34-35, Ephesians 4:1-3, and I Peter 4:8), and our neighbors (Romans 13:9-10).
• Service meaning: “attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate): - (ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing)” (Strong’s # 1248). Cf. Acts 6:1-7, I Corinthians 16:15, II Corinthians 8:4, and II Timothy 4:5
• The Lord knew their faith (I Timothy 1:5, II Timothy 4:6-8, Hebrews 10:38-11:40, James 2:14-26, and I Peter 1:7-9).
• Patience [endurance] (Romans 2:7 and James 1:2-4).
• The repeat of “works” is to establish their growth in that their works were more than the first (I Corinthians 15:58 and Titus 2:11-14).

• Like the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-4), they had good works they were doing; but they were not good.
• Doing a lot of good is ruined by doing anything sinful (Ezekiel 18:24, Luke 11:42, and James 2:10). The Lord wants all of His will to be observed (Matthew 28:18-20).
• There is a woman during the old days of Israel whose name was Jezebel. She was married to king Ahab and she was a terror (I Kings 18:4, I Kings 18:13, I Kings 18:19, I Kings 21:5-15, I Kings 16:30-33, etc.).
• Whether this woman is also named Jezebel or she is being assigned that name for the purpose of making the point, I do not know.
• She called herself a prophetess, they should have tested that (Matthew 7:15-20 and I John 4:1).
• Yes, there were female prophets (Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, Isaiah 8:1-3, Luke 2:36, and Acts 21:8-9). There were limitations on their work (I Corinthians 14:34-35 and I Timothy 2:8-15).
• She was teaching things that were not true. They should have tested what she taught and responded accordingly (Matthew 24:4, Acts 17:10-11, Ephesians 5:6-11, and II John 1:6-11).
• Once she started to seduce [deceive] some of the saints, all questions of her motives should have been obvious (Mark 13:22 and I John 2:21-26).
• Those that teach the truth are not seductive; dishonest; erring (Acts 20:20, Acts 20:26-27, II Corinthians 2:17, II Corinthians 3:12, II Corinthians 4:1-7, and I Thessalonians 2:3-5).
• Fornication is clearly sinful (I Corinthians 6:13, I Corinthians 6:18, I Corinthians 7:1-2, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3, etc.).
• The Gentiles were given instructions about meats offered to idols (Acts 15:29, Acts 21:25, and I Corinthians 8:1-13).

• The Lord gave her space [“time; whether long or short” (Thayer)] (Numbers 14:18, Psalms 86:15, Romans 2:1-5, II Peter 3:9, and II Peter 3:15).
• Think about why time was granted (Matthew 21:23-32 and Luke 13:1-9).
• As we have been seeing in this chapter (Revelation 2:5 and Revelation 2:16), she must repent. The Lord will not unconditionally forgive her (Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 3:1-8, Matthew 4:17, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, Acts 26:18-20, and II Timothy 2:24-26).

• Sickness and tribulation are punishments the Lord has directly given to apostates (Amos 4:1-10).
• The bed here is a sickbed (cf. Luke 5:18 and Acts 5:15).
• The way out of this suffering for her and her disciples - repent (Jeremiah 18:8).

• When one follows the teaching of another, the process is likened to being a child of that teacher (II Corinthians 6:13, Galatians 4:19, I Thessalonians 2:7, I Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, and I John 2:1). Consider the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil (I John 3:8-10).
• The death penalty was not limited to Old Testament times and served as an example to onlookers (Acts 5:1-11; cf. Deuteronomy 13:1-11).
• The Lord looks upon the internal (Genesis 6:5, I Samuel 16:7, I Chronicles 28:9, and Hebrews 4:13).
• We keep seeing the Lord knows the works of His people (Revelation 2:2, 2:9; 2:13; 2:19).
• He rewards according to works (Matthew 16:27, I Corinthians 3:8, and II Timothy 4:14).

• Herein we learn there were some who did not hold to the erring doctrine taught by this Jezebel. Did they all know it was being taught at all (Jude 1:4)?
• What if, with the knowledge they now have, they continued to have fellowship with those holding this doctrine even after direct punishment is given by the Lord (Ephesians 5:3-11 and II John 1:6-11; cf. Revelation 2:14-15)?
• We do need to remind ourselves of something in this situation. It is not directly comparable to anything today. Remember the context was direct punishment from the Lord (Revelation 2:21-23; 2:25).
• They had not known the the “depths of Satan, as they speak.” The spoken doctrine was fornication (Revelation 2:20-21). They had abstained from such as they should have (I Thessalonians 4:1-7). They denied ungodliness (Titus 2:11-14).
• Having not known this error leaves them in a place wherein the Lord was not going to burden them with anything else. Think of the letter to Antioch to understand the point (Acts 15:23-29).

• Remember, much of this letter is about actions at hand, shortly to come to pass (Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 22:6, and Revelation 22:10).
• The majority of this letter is not about the final judgment which is to come at an unknown time (Matthew 24:35-36 and II Peter 3:9-10).
• The Lord’s coming, in this context, is going to be quick (Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, and Revelation 22:20).
• With that in mind, those who have not compromised at this point just need to hold fast (I Thessalonians 5:21, II Timothy 1:13, Hebrews 3:1-6, and Hebrews 10:23) till then (Revelation 2:13, Revelation 3:3, and Revelation 3:11).

• Overcome and reign can apply in multiple ways (II Timothy 2:11-12 or Revelation 5:1-14). *Note vs. 10
• Saints then and now are already reigning in one manner (Revelation 1:5-6).
• Then there is the future, at THE END, wherein there is an application (Romans 8:17 and I Corinthians 6:2-3).
• Understand something, to reign as a king does not mean the nations would be in subjection. Jesus is the King of kings (I Timothy 6:14-15) and certainly was not obeyed by this world (Luke 9:22).

• “He” in this verse ties backwards to “he that overcometh” (Revelation 2:26).
• Those who overcome ruling (Matthew 24:44-51).
• The rod of iron and broken vessels ties back to a prophetic Psalm (Psalms 2:6-12). This language also appears later in this letter in a Heavenly vision of Israel being the woman with child [Christ] and Satan’s fall then wrath (Revelation 12:1-12).
• Even as Jesus received of our Father (Luke 22:24-30). *Note particularly vs. 29.
• This is simply that those saints who overcame would be victorious.

• Jesus is the morning star (Revelation 22:16).
• He is the reward for those who overcome (Philippians 3:8).

• See the notes on Revelation 2:7