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| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Chapter 2:10 - 23 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Chapter 2:11
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Death in the Bible is separation. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the
body. Spiritual death is separation from G-d. Thus the final separation from G-d,
when the wicked are cast into the Lake of Fire is called the second death. The penalty
for sin is death, yet Christ has paid this penalty for everyone who will trust in Him. So
we see yet another promise of G-d in this verse. No fault is mentioned to this poor but
faithful church. And as Smyrna means bitter and is related to the aromatic myrrh so
too as in the case of myrrh its fragrance comes from being crushed. Jesus has called
us out to be pure and upright and loving as we anticipate His coming for us. The
apostle Paul was acutely conscious of our L-rd's role as disciplinarian when he wrote
in I Pater 4:17-18 for it is time for judgement to begin with the family of G-d and it is
hard for the righteous to be saved. Through the trials He permits and the chastening
He inflicts, Jesus is purifying for himself His own special people. He will personally
evaluate the life of every believer and bestow the proper reward. The L-rd saves by
grace and rewards for faithfulness. And the day of reward when He is coming for us
may occur at any moment.
Verse 12
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has
the sharp two-edged sword:
Pergamos is inland and sixty miles north of Smyrna. It was the capital of Asia before
this was moved to Ephesus. Pergamos was the center of the province of Asia and
was the place where the state religion was most thoroughly promoted; that is, the
worship of emperors.
Verse 13
“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast
to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My
faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Upon the city's acropolis stood the Temple of Athena and the great altar to Zeus which
had a base over 100 square feet. The altar stood eight hundred feet above the plain
and could be described as Satan's seat. It's appearance was somewhat like a throne.
Here in Pergamos, with its seat of Satan, a Christian named Antipas died for Christ.
We know little of Antipas, but G-d has recorded his name.
Verse 14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the
doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
The doctrine of Balaam (Numbers Chapters 22 - 25) was the encouraging of Isralites
to marry pagan wives. In Perganos it refers to those who teach that it is permissible to
mix Christianity and paganism.
Verse 15
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Where one sin is allowed to thrive a second is not far behind.
Verse 16
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth.
Judgement of G-d - Christ speaks and it is done. His word is thus a swift sword of
judgement. The command to repent (metanoeo meta- change noeo refers to mind) is
an imperative to change one's attitude toward a sin and to act from that time on
according to this new attitude.
Verse 17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white
stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who
receives it.”’
Promise of G-d - Again these words and their divine admonitions are held out for the
one who has a heart and willingness to head them. Christ holding the sword of
separation is in verse 12 now in verse 17 promises to the one who follows Him better
secrets than any of the pagan mystery cults are able to offer - hidden manna and a
new name.
Verse 18
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God,
who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
Forty miles south east of Pergames lies Thyatira now occupied by the small village of
Akhiser. It is said that it was named by its founder Selevcus Nicator in the 3rd century
upon the news of the birth of his daughter Thugatira. Thyatira was famous for its
commerce and it had a main road passing through it. It is believed that this city had in
it more of the trade guilds than did any other city in Asia. Lydia, the seller of purple,
was from Thyatira and was likely the representative in the city of Philippi (Acts 16:14).
The city was known for its cloth production and for its bronze. Christ comes here as
the judge who sees with all seeing eyes what is going on in the church of this city, and
He comes ready to judge it.
Verse 19
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the
last are more than the first.
Her latter works, accomplishments, were greater than even her earlier ones.
Verse 20
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman
Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit
sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
The source of trouble in Thyatira was centered around a woman called Jezebel. This
woman is accused of teaching two things:
1.) Teaching the Christian people to commit fornications (mass sexual sin and
adultery, pornography). Why is sexual immorality serious? Sex outside of marriage
always hurts someone. It hurts G-d because it shows that we prefer to satisfy our own
desires our own way instead of according to G-d's word, or to satisfy them now instead
of waiting for his timing. It hurts others because it violates the commitment so
necessary to a relationship. It often brings disease and adversely affects our
personalities. Sexual immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches
and communities, because it destroys the integrity on which these relationships are
built. G-d wants to protect us so He tells us to have no part in sexual immorality even
if our culture accepts it.
2.) To eat meat offered to idols. Often the best meat was that which had been offered
to idols in idolatrous customs and ceremonies. Here is where the Jezebel cult cam in.
It was insisted that there was no harm in accepting the world's customs and the world's
ways. In effect it was saying if the standards of the Word of G-d clashed with business
interests, than the standards of G-d in those instances must be abandoned. The
Jezebel cult would argue that there is no harm in conforming to the outward rituals and
ceremonies of this world, that by being sensible in these things, we will win the lost
much more easily.
Verse 21
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
G-d gives to even the most wicked an opportunity to repent.
Verse 22 & 23
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into
great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with
death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and
hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
G-d's judgement. Continuing with the figure of spiritual fornication and adultery, it is
here declared that both this false prophetess and those who follow here (commit
adultery with her) and those produced from this mixture would all perish. From G-d's
judgement on those who partake and those who are produced by this Jezebel doctrine
all would know that Christ is the one who sees within man and who rewards all as they
deserve. Does Christ expect perfection? Yes and no. Here He sees the tremendous
temptation in this situation and says that if the believer can stay out of this sin He will
not add to them any new additional duties. He is an understanding Savior. The deep
secretes of Satan were either false teachings advocated by heretics, or secret insights
by so called believers guaranteed to promote deeper spiritual life. We need to hold
tightly to the basics of our Christian faith and view with caution and counsel any new
teaching that turns us away from the Bible, the fellowship of our church, or our basic
confession of faith. There is a warning here for Christians. A church which is crowded
with people and is a dynamo of activity is not automatically a true church. How many
churches do you know that are crowded because people come to it to be entertained
instead of instructed, to be soothed instead of challenged. Too many of today's
churches become highly successful Christian clubs rather than a dedicated humble
group desirous of winning others to Christ. The state of the church at Thyatira should
direct us to examine our own lives and the direction of the church in which we worship.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Death in the Bible is separation. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the
body. Spiritual death is separation from G-d. Thus the final separation from G-d,
when the wicked are cast into the Lake of Fire is called the second death. The penalty
for sin is death, yet Christ has paid this penalty for everyone who will trust in Him. So
we see yet another promise of G-d in this verse. No fault is mentioned to this poor but
faithful church. And as Smyrna means bitter and is related to the aromatic myrrh so
too as in the case of myrrh its fragrance comes from being crushed. Jesus has called
us out to be pure and upright and loving as we anticipate His coming for us. The
apostle Paul was acutely conscious of our L-rd's role as disciplinarian when he wrote
in I Pater 4:17-18 for it is time for judgement to begin with the family of G-d and it is
hard for the righteous to be saved. Through the trials He permits and the chastening
He inflicts, Jesus is purifying for himself His own special people. He will personally
evaluate the life of every believer and bestow the proper reward. The L-rd saves by
grace and rewards for faithfulness. And the day of reward when He is coming for us
may occur at any moment.
Verse 12
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has
the sharp two-edged sword:
Pergamos is inland and sixty miles north of Smyrna. It was the capital of Asia before
this was moved to Ephesus. Pergamos was the center of the province of Asia and
was the place where the state religion was most thoroughly promoted; that is, the
worship of emperors.
Verse 13
“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast
to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My
faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Upon the city's acropolis stood the Temple of Athena and the great altar to Zeus which
had a base over 100 square feet. The altar stood eight hundred feet above the plain
and could be described as Satan's seat. It's appearance was somewhat like a throne.
Here in Pergamos, with its seat of Satan, a Christian named Antipas died for Christ.
We know little of Antipas, but G-d has recorded his name.
Verse 14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the
doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
The doctrine of Balaam (Numbers Chapters 22 - 25) was the encouraging of Isralites
to marry pagan wives. In Perganos it refers to those who teach that it is permissible to
mix Christianity and paganism.
Verse 15
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Where one sin is allowed to thrive a second is not far behind.
Verse 16
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth.
Judgement of G-d - Christ speaks and it is done. His word is thus a swift sword of
judgement. The command to repent (metanoeo meta- change noeo refers to mind) is
an imperative to change one's attitude toward a sin and to act from that time on
according to this new attitude.
Verse 17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white
stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who
receives it.”’
Promise of G-d - Again these words and their divine admonitions are held out for the
one who has a heart and willingness to head them. Christ holding the sword of
separation is in verse 12 now in verse 17 promises to the one who follows Him better
secrets than any of the pagan mystery cults are able to offer - hidden manna and a
new name.
Verse 18
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God,
who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
Forty miles south east of Pergames lies Thyatira now occupied by the small village of
Akhiser. It is said that it was named by its founder Selevcus Nicator in the 3rd century
upon the news of the birth of his daughter Thugatira. Thyatira was famous for its
commerce and it had a main road passing through it. It is believed that this city had in
it more of the trade guilds than did any other city in Asia. Lydia, the seller of purple,
was from Thyatira and was likely the representative in the city of Philippi (Acts 16:14).
The city was known for its cloth production and for its bronze. Christ comes here as
the judge who sees with all seeing eyes what is going on in the church of this city, and
He comes ready to judge it.
Verse 19
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the
last are more than the first.
Her latter works, accomplishments, were greater than even her earlier ones.
Verse 20
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman
Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit
sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
The source of trouble in Thyatira was centered around a woman called Jezebel. This
woman is accused of teaching two things:
1.) Teaching the Christian people to commit fornications (mass sexual sin and
adultery, pornography). Why is sexual immorality serious? Sex outside of marriage
always hurts someone. It hurts G-d because it shows that we prefer to satisfy our own
desires our own way instead of according to G-d's word, or to satisfy them now instead
of waiting for his timing. It hurts others because it violates the commitment so
necessary to a relationship. It often brings disease and adversely affects our
personalities. Sexual immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches
and communities, because it destroys the integrity on which these relationships are
built. G-d wants to protect us so He tells us to have no part in sexual immorality even
if our culture accepts it.
2.) To eat meat offered to idols. Often the best meat was that which had been offered
to idols in idolatrous customs and ceremonies. Here is where the Jezebel cult cam in.
It was insisted that there was no harm in accepting the world's customs and the world's
ways. In effect it was saying if the standards of the Word of G-d clashed with business
interests, than the standards of G-d in those instances must be abandoned. The
Jezebel cult would argue that there is no harm in conforming to the outward rituals and
ceremonies of this world, that by being sensible in these things, we will win the lost
much more easily.
Verse 21
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
G-d gives to even the most wicked an opportunity to repent.
Verse 22 & 23
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into
great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with
death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and
hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
G-d's judgement. Continuing with the figure of spiritual fornication and adultery, it is
here declared that both this false prophetess and those who follow here (commit
adultery with her) and those produced from this mixture would all perish. From G-d's
judgement on those who partake and those who are produced by this Jezebel doctrine
all would know that Christ is the one who sees within man and who rewards all as they
deserve. Does Christ expect perfection? Yes and no. Here He sees the tremendous
temptation in this situation and says that if the believer can stay out of this sin He will
not add to them any new additional duties. He is an understanding Savior. The deep
secretes of Satan were either false teachings advocated by heretics, or secret insights
by so called believers guaranteed to promote deeper spiritual life. We need to hold
tightly to the basics of our Christian faith and view with caution and counsel any new
teaching that turns us away from the Bible, the fellowship of our church, or our basic
confession of faith. There is a warning here for Christians. A church which is crowded
with people and is a dynamo of activity is not automatically a true church. How many
churches do you know that are crowded because people come to it to be entertained
instead of instructed, to be soothed instead of challenged. Too many of today's
churches become highly successful Christian clubs rather than a dedicated humble
group desirous of winning others to Christ. The state of the church at Thyatira should
direct us to examine our own lives and the direction of the church in which we worship.
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007/2008 |