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| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Chapter 1 - 2:10 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
The congregations to whom these letters are addressed were historical churches
which actually existed in Asia at the time John wrote. In the 7 churches we have
both every kind of church and every kind of member which not only existed on earth
in John's generation but also will exist throughout history.
Major characteristics of the churches:
The church at:
Ephesus - first love lost
Symrna - Persecuted church
Pergamos - Faithful church, but tolerates false teachers
Thyatira - church dominated by a powerful false prophet.
Sardis - Spiritually dying church
Philadelphia - faithful witnessing church
Laodicea - Lukewarm church
Pattern used for each of the Letters:
1.) Destination - Church clearly named.
2.) Description - Jesus is described in each letter in a way most appropriate to the
situation of that church.
3.) Commendation - The good qualities and strengths are recognized.
4.) Deficiency - The serious fault/faults of each assembly is brought to their
attention. The faults exposed in each case are crucial and never petty. Only
Symyrna the suffering church and Philadelphia the weak church have no deficiency
named.
5.) Demand and remedy - The L-rd makes an authoritative command and offers a
remedy for each church's problem.
6.) Discrimination - Here those with spiritual sense are urged to act. Some have not
this ear: they will not change.
7.) Promise - A promise is held out to each to encourage its reformation.
Chapter 2:1
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the
seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden
lampstands:
Verse 1
Ephesus was the largest city in Asia Minor and it was the capital of the province.
Paul started the church here and it became the Christian capital of Asia. One of the
7 wonders of the world was considered to be in Ephesus. Here stood the largest
and most magnificent Temple of Artemis (Greek) built to the Roman goddess Diana.
The cult of Diana encouraged much trade. Silversmiths had a prosperous business
selling silver shines and images of Diana. She was considered one of the most
sacred image in the ancient world. It was by no means beautiful. The image
depicted her as a lewd goddess of fertility having four rows of breasts and legalized
prostitution dominated the city. But sin has its day of judgement and today the place
where the temple stood is a swamp. The ruins of the temple have sunk into the
ground and vanished. Paul spent over two years in Ephesus during his 3rd
Missionary journey and this is no doubt the reason for the strong church which grew
in this city. John also spent the latter part of his life in Ephesus. The magnificence
of ancient Ephesus can be seen in Acts 19 by the importance assigned to its
religious and political life. Ruins and a small village now are the only remains.
Verse 2-5
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who
are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and
have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have
labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have
this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from
where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you
quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Christ who walks among His congregations sees how they are doing. He
commends the works, labor and patience of this church. He praises their careful
scrutiny of those who claim to be prophets and their rejection of the evil false
prophets. Today, many churches and professed Christians shake hands and
applaud the modernists. This church had suffered for Christ's name, yet it continued
on with fainting. Despite the good qualities there existed a serious flaw. The
original zeal and love for the Savior had decayed into church work and routine. How
many Christians and churches have fallen from their first love. The wife no longer
enraptured with her husband as on their honeymoon, the church no longer
enraptured with her Savior. No amount of works can make up for this. Here the
command is to repent or to forfeit your life as a church. The flaw is a mortal wound
unless repaired immediately.
Verse 6-7
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
Paradise of God.”’
Another commendation comes forward now lest they be crushed and despair that
the Savior cannot be pleased. They hate the Nicolaitanes. Who were they? Some
suggest that these were those who first wished to establish a heirachy in the
church. Nikao in Greek means to conquer and laas means people, hence
conquerors of the laity. Ignatius and Irenaeus second century church fathers, said
that these comprised a group who lived immorally. They were believers who
compromised their faith in order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of Ephesian
society. When we want to take part in an activity that we know is wrong, we may
make excuses to justify our behavior, saying that it isn't as bad as it seems or that it
won't hurt our faith. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.
We have a promise from G-d to the overcomer that he will have eternal life. To
overcome is to be victorious by believing in Christ, persevering, remaining faithful
and living as one who follows Christ. He that hath an ear - full well the L-rd knows
that all will not truly hear His words of counsel, but those who will hear are urged to
do so. To hear means to take heart and to act.
Verse 8
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Some 35 miles North of Ephesus lies the port city of Smyrna which was known as
one of the greatest cities of the region and as a faithful ally of Rome. During the
reign of Tiberius an earthquake devestated the city, yet it survived and rebuilt its
buildings in new splendor about its hill called Pagus. The city's coinage bore the
inscription First in Asia in beauty and size. Smyrna was the safest of all harbors and
the most convenient. It was also one of the very few planned cities of the world.
Most famous of its streets was the Street of Gold which began with the Temple of
Zeus (supreme deity of ancient Greeks) and ended with the temple of Cybele
(goddess of nature). Smyrna was well known for her loyalty and fidelity. When the
soldiers of Rome were suffering from hunger and cold, the people of Smyrna had
stripped off their own clothes to send to the Roman soldiers in trouble. There was a
large Jewish population in wealthy, flourishing Smyrna. Some of them sought to blot
out the infant Christian church. Their error of course in no way justifies persecution
against Jews or any other people. The Bible's desire is rather to weep for their
conversion. Today Smyrna is a thriving port known as Ismir in Turkey.
Verse 9
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.
Christ commends their works and their tribulation for His name's sake. He assures
them that they are rich in heavenly rewards although they are financially poor.
Since Christ will be the final judge of every man (Matt. 7:21-23, Rom. 14:10-12) His
audit of their account is of supreme significance. Although more Gentiles,
disobedient to the teachings of Christ, have harmed the Jews, the believers in
Smyrna were receiving persecution even from the Jews. The synagogue of Satan
reminds us of the persecution inflicted on the Christians by the Jews. The Bible
shows us persecution occurred at Antioch (Acts 13:50) at Iconium (Acts 14:2,5) at
Lystra (Acts 14:19) and at Thessalonica (Acts 17:5). The death of Polycarp one of
Apostle John's followers in 155 A.D. was due in a major part to the demands of the
Jews of Smyrna. Polycarp was a famous minister to Smyrna in that day. It was the
custom once a year for all to give allegiance to Caesar by saying Caesar is L-rd.
Polycarp refused to do this. He was arrested. Since it was the season for Olympian
games in Smyrna the crowds cried for Polycarp. When he entered the arena the
proconsul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making sacrifice to
Caesar or death. Polycarp's reply "86 years I have served Him and He has done me
no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? And with that Polycarp
was burned at the stake by the Romans with the help of the Jews who (even though
it was their Sabbath and Sabbath laws prohibited doing such things) helped bring
wood for the fire.
Verse 10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is
about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have
tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
When the devil casts some of them into prison, human eyes will only see his
followers doing the deeds. It was Satan who was behind Herod trying to slay the
Christ Child, but men could only see Herod. Satan's servants, ironically enough,
may even believe themselves to be serving G-d and humanity. The reward for
faithfulness unto death is fittingly a crown of life. Here the word for crown is
stephanos which is the victor's crown. This crown was awarded to a champion in
the games or to a Roman commander who had won a triumph. Here we can mark
another promise of G-d. If we are faithful unto death G-d will give us a crown of life.
which actually existed in Asia at the time John wrote. In the 7 churches we have
both every kind of church and every kind of member which not only existed on earth
in John's generation but also will exist throughout history.
Major characteristics of the churches:
The church at:
Ephesus - first love lost
Symrna - Persecuted church
Pergamos - Faithful church, but tolerates false teachers
Thyatira - church dominated by a powerful false prophet.
Sardis - Spiritually dying church
Philadelphia - faithful witnessing church
Laodicea - Lukewarm church
Pattern used for each of the Letters:
1.) Destination - Church clearly named.
2.) Description - Jesus is described in each letter in a way most appropriate to the
situation of that church.
3.) Commendation - The good qualities and strengths are recognized.
4.) Deficiency - The serious fault/faults of each assembly is brought to their
attention. The faults exposed in each case are crucial and never petty. Only
Symyrna the suffering church and Philadelphia the weak church have no deficiency
named.
5.) Demand and remedy - The L-rd makes an authoritative command and offers a
remedy for each church's problem.
6.) Discrimination - Here those with spiritual sense are urged to act. Some have not
this ear: they will not change.
7.) Promise - A promise is held out to each to encourage its reformation.
Chapter 2:1
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the
seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden
lampstands:
Verse 1
Ephesus was the largest city in Asia Minor and it was the capital of the province.
Paul started the church here and it became the Christian capital of Asia. One of the
7 wonders of the world was considered to be in Ephesus. Here stood the largest
and most magnificent Temple of Artemis (Greek) built to the Roman goddess Diana.
The cult of Diana encouraged much trade. Silversmiths had a prosperous business
selling silver shines and images of Diana. She was considered one of the most
sacred image in the ancient world. It was by no means beautiful. The image
depicted her as a lewd goddess of fertility having four rows of breasts and legalized
prostitution dominated the city. But sin has its day of judgement and today the place
where the temple stood is a swamp. The ruins of the temple have sunk into the
ground and vanished. Paul spent over two years in Ephesus during his 3rd
Missionary journey and this is no doubt the reason for the strong church which grew
in this city. John also spent the latter part of his life in Ephesus. The magnificence
of ancient Ephesus can be seen in Acts 19 by the importance assigned to its
religious and political life. Ruins and a small village now are the only remains.
Verse 2-5
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who
are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and
have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have
labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have
this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from
where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you
quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Christ who walks among His congregations sees how they are doing. He
commends the works, labor and patience of this church. He praises their careful
scrutiny of those who claim to be prophets and their rejection of the evil false
prophets. Today, many churches and professed Christians shake hands and
applaud the modernists. This church had suffered for Christ's name, yet it continued
on with fainting. Despite the good qualities there existed a serious flaw. The
original zeal and love for the Savior had decayed into church work and routine. How
many Christians and churches have fallen from their first love. The wife no longer
enraptured with her husband as on their honeymoon, the church no longer
enraptured with her Savior. No amount of works can make up for this. Here the
command is to repent or to forfeit your life as a church. The flaw is a mortal wound
unless repaired immediately.
Verse 6-7
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
Paradise of God.”’
Another commendation comes forward now lest they be crushed and despair that
the Savior cannot be pleased. They hate the Nicolaitanes. Who were they? Some
suggest that these were those who first wished to establish a heirachy in the
church. Nikao in Greek means to conquer and laas means people, hence
conquerors of the laity. Ignatius and Irenaeus second century church fathers, said
that these comprised a group who lived immorally. They were believers who
compromised their faith in order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of Ephesian
society. When we want to take part in an activity that we know is wrong, we may
make excuses to justify our behavior, saying that it isn't as bad as it seems or that it
won't hurt our faith. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.
We have a promise from G-d to the overcomer that he will have eternal life. To
overcome is to be victorious by believing in Christ, persevering, remaining faithful
and living as one who follows Christ. He that hath an ear - full well the L-rd knows
that all will not truly hear His words of counsel, but those who will hear are urged to
do so. To hear means to take heart and to act.
Verse 8
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Some 35 miles North of Ephesus lies the port city of Smyrna which was known as
one of the greatest cities of the region and as a faithful ally of Rome. During the
reign of Tiberius an earthquake devestated the city, yet it survived and rebuilt its
buildings in new splendor about its hill called Pagus. The city's coinage bore the
inscription First in Asia in beauty and size. Smyrna was the safest of all harbors and
the most convenient. It was also one of the very few planned cities of the world.
Most famous of its streets was the Street of Gold which began with the Temple of
Zeus (supreme deity of ancient Greeks) and ended with the temple of Cybele
(goddess of nature). Smyrna was well known for her loyalty and fidelity. When the
soldiers of Rome were suffering from hunger and cold, the people of Smyrna had
stripped off their own clothes to send to the Roman soldiers in trouble. There was a
large Jewish population in wealthy, flourishing Smyrna. Some of them sought to blot
out the infant Christian church. Their error of course in no way justifies persecution
against Jews or any other people. The Bible's desire is rather to weep for their
conversion. Today Smyrna is a thriving port known as Ismir in Turkey.
Verse 9
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.
Christ commends their works and their tribulation for His name's sake. He assures
them that they are rich in heavenly rewards although they are financially poor.
Since Christ will be the final judge of every man (Matt. 7:21-23, Rom. 14:10-12) His
audit of their account is of supreme significance. Although more Gentiles,
disobedient to the teachings of Christ, have harmed the Jews, the believers in
Smyrna were receiving persecution even from the Jews. The synagogue of Satan
reminds us of the persecution inflicted on the Christians by the Jews. The Bible
shows us persecution occurred at Antioch (Acts 13:50) at Iconium (Acts 14:2,5) at
Lystra (Acts 14:19) and at Thessalonica (Acts 17:5). The death of Polycarp one of
Apostle John's followers in 155 A.D. was due in a major part to the demands of the
Jews of Smyrna. Polycarp was a famous minister to Smyrna in that day. It was the
custom once a year for all to give allegiance to Caesar by saying Caesar is L-rd.
Polycarp refused to do this. He was arrested. Since it was the season for Olympian
games in Smyrna the crowds cried for Polycarp. When he entered the arena the
proconsul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making sacrifice to
Caesar or death. Polycarp's reply "86 years I have served Him and He has done me
no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? And with that Polycarp
was burned at the stake by the Romans with the help of the Jews who (even though
it was their Sabbath and Sabbath laws prohibited doing such things) helped bring
wood for the fire.
Verse 10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is
about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have
tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
When the devil casts some of them into prison, human eyes will only see his
followers doing the deeds. It was Satan who was behind Herod trying to slay the
Christ Child, but men could only see Herod. Satan's servants, ironically enough,
may even believe themselves to be serving G-d and humanity. The reward for
faithfulness unto death is fittingly a crown of life. Here the word for crown is
stephanos which is the victor's crown. This crown was awarded to a champion in
the games or to a Roman commander who had won a triumph. Here we can mark
another promise of G-d. If we are faithful unto death G-d will give us a crown of life.
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