The seven letters in chapters 2 & 3, though addressed to seven specific ecclesias, are directed to any who will listen attentively to the messages. They promise us a glorious future so we should examine our own selves in the light of the description of the disciples in these seven churches and respond favourably to the warnings and exhortations of Jesus. In particular, we should learn and remain faithful to God’s Truth revealed in his word, keep separate from those who deny the faith, even if they claim to be Christians, and do righteousness by determinedly obeying the commandments of Christ.
Jesus commends the Ephesian disciples for their works, labour and endurance, and for their faithful maintenance of the purity of the Truth by removing apostates from their fellowship vs.2-3.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:2-3 In particular, there were some who claimed to be apostles v.2Waiting for response for Revelation 2:2 but led others away from the Truth, as Paul had prophesied (Acts 20:30),Waiting for response for Acts 20:30 and others who overthrew the faith of many for they were “Nicolaitans”, meaning “vanquishers of the people” v.6.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:6 The Ephesians faithfully withdrew fellowship from these disciples according to the apostles’ commandment, and as they were commended by Christ vs.2,6.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:2,6
However, Jesus had somewhat against them in that the fervour of their first love of the Truth had diminished. He therefore warned them to repent, otherwise the candlestick would be removed, i.e. the congregations would cease to be a repository of the Holy Spirit, and the light of the truth would go out, which is what happened in the end to all these congregations. However, great and glorious promises are made to the faithful. In particular, they will be permitted to eat of the tree of life, an allusion to the garden of Eden from which Adam and Eve were expelled, meaning that they will be enabled to live for ever in the paradise which God will create in the promised land v.7.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:7 We should be encouraged by the incentives given to the disciples at the end of each letter, for the promise is not to them alone, but to all those who are willing to listen to what the Spirit says to the churches v.7.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:7
To the congregation in Smyrna, Jesus identifies himself as “the first and the last, which was dead and is alive” v.8Waiting for response for Revelation 2:8 (Revelation 1:11,18)Waiting for response for Revelation 1:11,18 and commends them for being rich in faith despite being literally poor v.9Waiting for response for Revelation 2:9 (James 2:5).Waiting for response for James 2:5 He also commends them for rejecting those disciples who in reality denied the true faith and were therefore not of “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16)Waiting for response for Galatians 6:16 though they claimed to be “Jews” in this sense (John 4:22).Waiting for response for John 4:22 Claiming to be “Christian” while not being so in reality is labelled “blasphemy” by Jesus. Unfortunately, at the end of the first century disciples departed from the true faith in considerable numbers and formed a religious community they called “Christian” but which Jesus called “the synagogue of Satan” v.9Waiting for response for Revelation 2:9 in contrast to the “Ecclesia of God” 1 Corinthians 10:32.Waiting for response for 1 Corinthians 10:32
Jesus warned the disciples in Smyrna that they would shortly suffer severe persecution by “the devil”, the false accusing Roman authority which would throw some of them into prison, but if they were faithful unto death they would receive the crown of life v.10.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:10 This looks like it happened in AD108-117 as there were ten years of persecution (symbolised by ten days) against the Christians (true and false) under the reign of Emporer Trajan. The promise to them, and to all who listen and obey the Spirit’s teaching, is that they will not be hurt by the second death, i.e. when they are raised from the dead they will never again be consigned to the grave v.11.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:11
The disciples in Pergamos had to face extreme persecution because Pergamos was the centre of adversity (the Satan) but the disciples were faithful to Jesus’ name, even when faced with death v.13.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:13 They also suffered as a result of apostate brethren in the congregation who introduced false doctrine v.15.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:15 There was also another class of false brethren who lorded it over the disciples for “filthy lucre” (1 Peter 5:2)Waiting for response for 1 Peter 5:2 like Balaam v.14Waiting for response for Revelation 2:14 (2 Peter 2:15)Waiting for response for 2 Peter 2:15 and soon these men, who used Christianity as a source of money, took control of the churches. The absolute wealth of the churches throughout Europe and the opulent “living” of the clergy give testimony to this. Jesus declared he would fight against those who would not repent v.16,Waiting for response for Revelation 2:16 but those who overcame and remained faithful could look forward to honourable exaltation. This is symbolised in two ways v.17:Waiting for response for Revelation 2:17 firstly, by the manna hidden in the ark of the testimony which never corrupted (Exodus 16:32-34)Waiting for response for Exodus 16:32-34 to represent eternal life; and, secondly, the white pebble given to victors in the Roman Games which meant they would live and not die.
Jesus also acknowledged the works, love, faith, and endurance of the disciples in Thyatira but warned them of apostates who had to be avoided. These are represented by Jezebel vs.20-24Waiting for response for Revelation 2:20-24 and a consideration of this historical queen (1 Kings 16:31)Waiting for response for 1 Kings 16:31 teaches us the character of these people who called themselves “Christians” but reveled in seduction, fornication, adultery and false teaching, producing disciples who are called “the children of Jezebel” whose end is death. The doctrines of these adversaries of the truth are very deep v.24Waiting for response for Revelation 2:24 and true disciples need to keep close to the word of God to remain unaffected by the error (2 Corinthians 11:3).Waiting for response for 2 Corinthians 11:3 Those who remain faithful, however, and hold fast until Christ comes v.25,Waiting for response for Revelation 2:25 will reign with him over the nations vs.26-27.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:26-27
Jesus sent a letter to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor, addressing “the angel” v.1Waiting for response for Revelation 2:1 of each congregation, i.e. the elders who possessed the Holy Spirit, and identifying himself by some feature of the vision seen by John in chapter 1, e.g. to Ephesus he is the one holding the seven stars and walking in the midst of the candlesticks v.1Waiting for response for Revelation 2:1 (Revelation 1:12,16),Waiting for response for Revelation 1:12,16 being in control of the elders and among the congregations. These letters make up chapters 2 & 3.
In each letter he reveals his knowledge of their behaviour as his disciples, a true assessment as opposed to the one they might make of themselves, saying: “I know thy works” v.2.Waiting for response for Revelation 2:2