Podcast Episode 14 (Condensed)
We’re back again with another deep dive into the book of Revelation. This time, we’re breaking down Revelation 2. If you haven’t already, make sure to read my previous blog post on Revelation 1. Click here to listen to the podcast of Revelation 1 instead. I encourage you to read the chapter in full and follow along with me. Remember, the Word tells us to “study to show ourselves approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). Being that I’ve already studied it intensively, I will be paraphrasing and quoting directly within the chapter.
As you recall, John has been banished to Patmos for “preaching the Word of God and his testimony about Jesus” (Rev 1:9). God has instructed John to write a letter to the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) as indicated in Rev 1:11).
#1 Letter to the Church of Ephesus
The first letter is to the church of Ephesus. Jesus is referred to in Rev 2:1 as “the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands.” We discussed in the previous study how seven represents the number of perfection and completion.
As described in Rev 1:20, the 7 stars = angels (messengers). The 7 lamp stands= churches the letters are to. Now, we’re not sure why Jesus chose lamp stands and stars. The stars could represent the angels using it as a guide (just a thought). The lamp stands can be seen as what the seven churches could be if they become the light of the world as God orders us to be in Matthew 5:14-16 (just a thought).
So, the God of heaven holds the seven churches in His mighty hands. The reason for this is because Jesus urges them to repent. He chastises them in the way He sees fit. God is calling them to change their ways. We’ll learn how and why in a moment. The beautiful thing about God’s message to the seven churches is that He offers them a great reward to those who follow Him and right their wrongs. Not all seven churches are in trouble either.
What God acknowledges about the church of Ephesus
First, Jesus acknowledges the church of Ephesus’ good deeds in Rev 2:2 (patient endurance, not tolerating evil, good discerning spirit with false apostles, etc.). We must hate what God hate and love what God loves (Romans 12:9).
What did the church of Ephesus do wrong?
They no longer love God or others as they used to when they first got saved (Rev 2:4).
Relatable/Relevant Today?
Today, many people don’t have the love of God in their hearts anymore (even those that declare they are believers of Christ). Love thy neighbor (Matt 22:37) is vital for the walk of a true believer. Love is the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13:13). Good deeds will not get you into heaven if there is no love in your heart for God and his creations.
Call to Repentance
Rev 2:5-6 is very direct. Jesus warns them to repent and turn away from their wrongdoing. If they don’t, He will remove their lamp stands. The lamp stands may represent what the church of Ephesus (and others) may become if they turn away from their wicked ways.
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
Rev 2:7 states how Jesus will give them “the fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” Wow! Such a huge reward for a flawed group of people. God simply commands them to repent and turn away from evil. It’s that simple. Remember, the tree of life has been guarded by cherubs with flaming swords ever since Adam and Eve was banished due to their disobedience to God (Genesis 3:24).
Tree of life = Everlasting life. Never dying.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
#2 Letter to the Church of Smyrna
The second letter is to the church of Smyrna. Jesus is referred to in Rev 2:9 as “the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive.”
What God acknowledges about the church of Smyrna
In Rev 2:9-10, God acknowledges that the church of Smyrna has been hit hard. They’ve been suffering and experiencing tough times like poverty and slander. Poverty could indicate a spiritual kind or literal kind. God mentions how people are against them. People have even lied by calling themselves “Jesus”.
What did the Church of Smyrna do wrong?
The church of Smyrna didn’t do anything wrong. Instead, God tells them not to be afraid about what more they are going to suffer through. God is kind enough to warn them how the enemy will attack them in Rev 2:10. Furthermore, the church of Smyrna will suffer for 10 days.
Relatable/Relevant Today?
Today, we suffer in various ways. We all go through different trials and tribulations. We may not understand why God ALLOWS hardships to happen to us instead of snatching us out of our troubles. But remember that even Jesus suffered and was wrongfully killed. Yet, God raised him to life (resurrected) on the third day. Just like the church of Smyrna was hated for God’s name, so shall we be (Matt 10:22).
God said we are blessed when people insult us and persecute us for God’s sake (Matt 5:11). But God said when we are weak, we are actually strong in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10). Philippians 1:29 says, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.”
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
Don’t give up when the hard times comes. After a little while, “the God of grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). This scripture proves how we must stand the test of time. Although God is speaking to the church of Smyrna through John the Revelator, it correlates with our lives today as well. Jesus says in Rev 2:10, “But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.” The crown of life is only bestowed upon those who don’t fold under pressure. They won’t be harmed by the second death. Crowns represent royalty. James 1:12 says, “When we have stood the test, we will receive the crown of life.”
Life will never be easy on earth. Besides, life wasn’t even easy for Jesus (the Son of Man). So, hold on. Keep your head up. Don’t let your suffering doubt the goodness of God. Your reward is near.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
#3 Letter to the Church of Pergamum
The third letter is to the church of Pergamum. Jesus is referred to in Rev 2:12 as “the one with the sharp two-edged sword.”
What God acknowledges about the church of Pergamum
In Rev 2:13, God acknowledges that the church of Pergamum lives in a city where Satan has his throne. God mentions how loyal the church of Pergamum has been to Him. They refuse to deny God even after Antipas was martyred (sacrificed His life for a cause).
What did the Church of Pergamum do wrong?
In Rev 2:15-16, Jesus mentions how they tolerate corrupt teaching/preaching. Teaching that pervert the Gospel by eating food offered to idols and committing sexual sin displeases God.
Relatable/Relevant Today?
Sometimes, people will sit under a church ministry or follow a ministry/leadership that have no good fruit. But they remain supportive and members even when they know the leaders/ministers are corrupt and wicked. Some stay because that’s all they’ve ever known (comfortable/complacent). Tolerating corrupt teaching is dangerous. Matt 7:15-20 talks about how we must be aware of “false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” We’re reminded that “we will know people by their fruits (basically, we will know people by the way they live, act, preach/teach, and represent Christ). 2 Timothy 4:3-4 cautions us about not having itching ears. Furthermore, we are warned how a time is coming when people will reject sound doctrine and desire to hear what feels good/sounds good (basically what they want to hear instead of what the Bible says). These people will follow their own dangerous desires. Idols and sexual sin are fleshly desires. Many people still battle with them today. Idols don’t necessarily have to be a person bowing down at a statue. Idols today can be phone addiction, lust for money, social media addiction, and more.
Call to Repentance
Rev 2:16 makes it clear. God calls the church of Pergamum to repent, or He will “suddenly come and fight against them with the sword of His mouth (mentioned in Rev 2:12). That’s not good for those who won’t repent.
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
So, don’t be deceived and tolerate bad teaching. Sexual sin (fornication, adultery, etc.) goes against God’s Word. Never let anyone tell you that it’s okay to have sex outside of marriage (Hebrews 13:4 & 1 Corinthians 7:2) . Don’t allow someone’s unbiblical teaching/preaching to poison your ear and mind. Follow God’s way not man’s way. Jeremiah 14:14 talks about false prophets/teachers speaking from the delusions (real delulu) of their minds and false prophesying. Ezekial 13:9 mentions how “God’s hand are against false prophets and utter lying.”
We must test every spirit as 1 John 4:1-6 instructs. Don’t’ believe every person who is a leader, teacher, or even prophet. Nowadays, even witches, warlocks, and false prophets can give an accurate word about your life or future. That is why we must discern the person’s spirit. We must evaluate their fruit (way of life/use the Word of God to determine the spirit a person is operating behind). For the church of Pergamum, these teachers’ fruit doesn’t match who they claim to be.
The good news is that God promises to give the overcomers a manna that has been hidden away in heaven (Rev 2:17). It will be a white stone engraved with a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it (a special name from God). What a wonderful reward and blessing for the ones who overcome.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
#4 Letter to the Church of Thyatira
The fourth letter is to the church of Thyatira. Jesus is referred to in Rev 2:18 as “whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze.”
What God acknowledges about the church of Thyatira
In Rev 2:19, God acknowledges that He has seen the church of Thyatira’s love, patience, endurance, and service.
What did the church of Thyatira do wrong?
God’s issues with Thyatira are similar to His issues with Pergamum (but even worse in Thyatira’s case). In Rev 2:20-21, it discusses how the church of Thyatira are permitting a false prophet, Jezebel. The church of Thyatira endorses it, tolerates it, and allows it. They have an enabler spirit like Ahab (the husband of Jezebel) did. That is very dangerous. Jezebel is leading people astray with her wickedness. She is teaching them to commit sexual sin, eat food offered from idols, etc. God has given Jezebel time to repent, but she refuses to do so because of her bold, corrupt spirit. She doesn’t want to turn away from her rebellion. Jesus states in Rev 2:22 that “I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”
Relatable/Relevant Today?
There are way too many people tolerating spirits of Jezebel in the church or operating under it themselves. Some even have an enabler spirit (doesn’t directly commit the evil act, but sit back and do nothing about the evil acts). Tolerating is just as bad as committing the act in God’s eyes. People know right from wrong but some enables evilness. We should never sit under a ministry or leadership that we know goes against God’s Word. We should never endorse or support false prophets, New Age practices, Progressive Christianity, etc. These are not biblically aligned. False prophets speak out of flesh and regarding another type of god (which is dangerous). They get their insights from the devil (divination, witchcraft, psychic, tarot cards, mediums, and more). It’s one thing to not recognize the signs of false prophesying. God is a God of grace. Repent and ask God for a better discerning spirit if you don’t recognize itt. But there is another thing to know what is happening right under your nose and do nothing about it.
Scriptures to study on false prophets: Deuteronomy 18:20, Jeremiah 23:16, Luke 6:26, Matthew 24:24, and Titus 1:15-16.
Call to Repentance
The church of Thyatira knew better. Don’t be like them. Don’t keep attending an unbiblical church, supporting the ministry/leaders, or endorsing the false prophets. Ahab tolerated his wicked wife, Jezebel. A Jezebel spirit today can be either male or female. If it isn’t shut down, it will destroy an entire ministry. If you believe that you’ve tolerated, endorsed, or supported a corrupt ministry/leader, repent now. Turn to God now. Ask Him to show you mercy and He will. Ask Him to help you know people, ministries, and leaderships by their fruit. God will equip you, so don’t feel condemned.
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
Rev 2:24-28 instructs the church of Thyatira (and us) to hold tightly to what we have until the Lord returns. If we don’t give up, God will give us authority over all nations. We will rule with iron rods and smash them like clay pots. We will have the same authority Jesus received from God. He will give the church of Thyatira (and us) the morning star. The morning star symbolizes a powerful light until the world. It outshines others. What a beautiful reward from the Lord.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Thank you so much for sticking it out until the end. If this blessed you, share with a friend or loved one. For an audio version, click here to listen to the podcast episode. We have so much more to cover in Revelation 3. May God bless you and shine His light upon your life. Until next time with, Wytinsea Writes.
