The Book of Revelation
Chapter Two

Revelation 2:1
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

Chapters 2 and 3 contain seven letters from our Lord to (1) seven literal churches of that day, (2) to individual churches and individual persons from that day to this that fall within each description, but more notably, to (3) each division or period of the Church Age, i.e., from Pentecost to the Rapture (33 A.D. to any moment now).

Although different Bible scholars of prophesy differ somewhat on the time periods associated with each church, the following is one to which I understand Hal Lindsey subscribes to.

Ephesus Period	A.D. 33 to A.D. 100
Smyrna Period	A.D. 100 to A.D. 312
Pergamum Period	A.D. 312 to A.D. 590
Thyatira Period	A.D. 590 to A.D. 1517
Sardis Period	A.D. 1517 to A.D. 1750
Philadelphia Period	A.D. 1750 to A.D. 1925
Laodicea Period	A.D. 1900 to Rapture

It should be noted that the word “church” (Gk - ekklesia, meaning assembly or congregation) is never used in the Bible to indicate a building or structure. It is a term that refers to a group or assembly of believers. It may refer to all believers in Christ as a whole, to a group of believers located in a person’s house or to a group in a certain geographical location (such as a city).

Verses 1-7 are addressed to the angel (messenger) of the church in the city of Ephesus, which also represents the Ephesus Period (approximately A.D. 33 to A.D. 100) of the Church Age. We already know that the message is from Jesus Christ because of chapter 1, verses 12-16. We also know that the seven stars are the seven angels of the churches, which are represented by the seven lampstands. The fact that Christ has these angels in His right hand and walks among (KJV - “in the midst of”) the seven churches illustrates that He is in control of the angels and that He will never forsake His Church. Christ Jesus is our security. Once a person accepts Christ alone by faith alone for his personal salvation, Christ insures his salvation permanently and will never leave him.

Matthew 18:20 = For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 28:20 = and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Hebrews 13:5 = because He has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

John 10:28 = I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Revelation 2:2, 3
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Christ first commends the church at Ephesus for all that He approves about them. The church had worked arduously with great tenacity and had produced many good works. It should be noted that “good works” before God are works of “divine good” performed under the control and direction of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit in control of the believer, he is only able to produce works of “human good” that are unacceptable before God (Isaiah 64:6). This was not the case with the church at Ephesus. Although the church as seen in the book of Acts started off on the “right foot,” wicked and false apostles soon entered among the believers. The Apostle Paul warned them of this. Acts 20:29-31 = I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

To their credit the church tested these apostles and found them to be false. As believers we need to be very cautious regarding our judgment of other believers. In light of Matthew 7:1-4; John 7:24; 1 Timothy 5:19, 20; 1 John 4:1 and various other Scriptures, we know that:

1. We should not judge motives. Only God may do this.
2. We should make no judgments regarding activities of other believers unless such activities are clearly defined in God’s Word as sin.
3. We should always test/examine doctrine to make certain it conforms to God’s Word.

The testing/judging of these “false apostles” was accomplished then as it is today - by proper application of the Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 = For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

It is critical for the believer to learn Bible doctrine. Otherwise he will be swayed by any whim of false teaching that comes along. Nothing honors God more than to become more intimate with Him through His Word. Understanding Bible doctrine affords us maximum protection from Satan.

Psalm 91:4 = He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

John 17:17 = Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Ephesians 6:17 = And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

The believers of the church at Ephesus not only had protected themselves from false apostles and accomplished many good works, but they had also tirelessly endured hardship in the name of Christ. As believers we must remember that Christ has not promised us an easy road. He informed us that we would face grave hardships and persecutions, but He also promised us that He would be with us and would grant us the inward peace and strength to endure such hardships and persecution.

John 16:33 = I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 17:15 = My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

John 14:27 = Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Revelation 2:4, 5
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

History informs us that the church of Ephesus eventually ceased to exist, and its testimony died out. In these two verses we find out how this happened. Even though the believers at Ephesus started out deeply in love with Christ, which I’m certain sprang from their immense gratitude for what He had done on the cross of Calvary and which resulted in many and enthusiastic works of “divine good,” they eventually lost that first love. They most likely kept on working, but their works eventually took on the nature of “human good” (accomplished under wrong motives and their own power) rather than “divine good” (works done because of their love for Christ and under the control of the Spirit of God). A primary goal of Satan is to influence believers in such a manner that they lose their first love, i.e., that overwhelming gratitude for Christ and that intense love for what Christ did for them. This is often termed “backsliding.” Once this happens, a believer’s testimony becomes ineffective. We must remember Peter’s warning:

1 Peter 5:8 = Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

In light of this, Christ instructs them to first “remember” the height from which they had fallen, i.e., their first experiences of joy, excitement and gratitude. They needed to go back and revisit Calvary, to understand how Christ not only took their sins but also became their sins, so that by paying the price (spiritual death) for their sins, they would never have to pay the price. Christ then said they needed to “repent.” This is a word often misunderstood by the Bible student, largely because in this day and age no one cares to define it from today’s pulpits. Essentially it only means to “turn around” (180 degrees) or have a complete “change of mind.” It means to go in the opposite direction from which you are now heading. It does not mean sorrow or guilt; although, these feelings often precede the act of repentance. It does not mean penance, i.e., self-punishment. It means only to stop going down your present path and turn and head in the opposite direction. How is this done? You do it by first recognizing your sinful ways and then taking responsibility for your sin before God. Once you do this before God, He is faithful and just to forgive you all your known sins and even cleanse you from unknown (not remembered) sins. This then wipes the slate clean, allows the Holy Spirit to come back in control of your life, which allows you to then produce works of “divine good.”

1 John 1:9 = If we confess [name or take responsibility for] our [known] sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our [known] sins and purify us from all unrighteousness [unknown and/or sins not remembered].

Christ further said that if the church would not repent, He would eventually remove their lampstand from its place, i.e., cause it to become nonexistent and allow its testimony to die. Eventually this occurred and we know from history that the religion of Mohammed overwhelmed the land.

Revelation 2:6
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate

But though the believers at Ephesus had lost their first love, they were aware of and hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. Although we cannot be absolutely positive as to who the Nicolaitans were, it appears that the best understanding from the composition of the word itself and from what limited history exists that they were a group of ministers that evolved (better to use the term “deteriorated”) into a ruling clerical order. The word is composed of two Greek words, niko, meaning “conqueror or victor,” and laos, meaning “the people.” The word eventually represented a doctrine that stated that God instituted an order of “clergy” or priests, which were distinguished from the “laity.” In other words, they were ministers who were superior over the “common believers.” This is apparent in some religions of today in which the clergy dictates non-scriptural doctrine to their flock, i.e., sacraments, confessing sin to the clergy, praying to the earthly mother of Christ, praying to the dead, the ability of the clergy to forgive sin, etc. They represent a dictatorship by the clergy, which allows little to no freedom to its members. Ministers of God were never meant to be better than those to whom they ministered. All of us are only “flesh and blood;” we’re only human and as such, are all “one in Christ.”

2 Corinthians 12:6, 7 = Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

1 Peter 5:2, 3 = Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

1 Timothy 1:16 = But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.

The New Testament says nothing of “clergymen” and nothing of “priests,” except that all believers (children of God) in the Church Age are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). In the early (apostolic) church there were “elders” (or bishops) and “deacons;” and gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These may or may not have also been bishops or deacons. But later there emerged a disposition to assign to elders the sole authority to administer ordinances, which practice eventually evolved into a “class” for the purpose of mediating between God and the “people.” They were the Nicolaitans. Here in the Ephesus period what is known as “deeds” or “practices” of the Nicolaitans, becomes “doctrine” (teachings) in the Pergamum (Pergamus) or Constantine period.

Notice what Paul and Barnabas told occupants of Lystra when in Acts 14 they attempted to treat these apostles as individuals of elevated position. Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn [repent] from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. (Acts 14:15).

To the credit of the church at Ephesus, they, as Jesus, hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. Notice this, Jesus did not say He hated the Nicolaitans. He said He only hated the “practices” of them. We should never hate the sinner, but we must hate the sin (Amos 5:15; John 13:34).

Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Whereas Christ has been speaking directly to the church at Ephesus, He now directs His words to anyone “who has an ear.” He says to anyone that they should hear what the Holy Spirit says to all the churches, which is that to the person who “overcomes,” the Spirit will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. Before this, the “tree of life” was in the Garden of Eden. As believers, we will see it again on the “new earth” of Revelation 21 and beside the “river of life” that proceeds from the Throne of God.

How does one “overcome?” There is only one way.

1 John 5:5 = Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

To overcome, that is, to obtain eternal life, one must place faith alone in Christ alone for one’s personal salvation. This is the overriding focus of all of God’s Word - from the Garden of Eden (when God shed the blood of an animal to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve) to the final chapter of this book when Christ proclaims, The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17).

Revelation 2:8
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

Christ now addresses the church at Smyrna, which represents the period of the Church Age from about A.D.100 to A.D. 312. Whereas in chapter 1:11, Christ calls Himself the “Alpha and Omega” (we see this clearly within the context of vss. 12, and 13), as God the Father did in 1:8, Christ now calls Himself the “First and the Last” (essentially the same) and the one who died and came to life again. Many make the mistake by believing and saying that “Christianity is like any other religion.” In the first place, Christianity isn’t religion. It is a relationship or union with Jesus Christ, and therefore with the one true God. In the second place, Christians serve the “living” God. All religions serve dead gods. In the third place, Christianity is based on “grace.” All religions are based on (dead or “human good”) works. Christianity is the antithesis of “religion. Don’t make the mistake of calling Christianity a “religion” if you are a believer in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 2:9
I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

This period of Church history probably resulted in the greatest persecution of all time. Church history estimates that some 5 million believers were martyred during this era. Many were fed to the lions in the Roman coliseum before the cheering and sneering crowds. Many were crucified, stoned and put to death in various other ways. Meanwhile the properties of believers were seized, leaving them in abject poverty. Believers of today, particularly in America, have no inkling of the horrors Christians faced during this period. It is suggested that all Christians read Fox’s “Christian Martyrs of the World” to gain some understanding of what Christians have faced down through the ages. Strange as it may seem, the Church during this age flourished and grew. It has been suggested that Christian churches of today would do the same if they could only face real persecution. Maybe then believers would minimize “sectarianism” and cling to and actually love other believers no matter their “denomination.” During this age of so great persecution, the Smyrna believers spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

But not only did the church during this time suffer from persecution from without, they also suffered from within. A group that called themselves Jews, but truly were not (Romans 2:28, 29) did all they could to discredit and murder true believers in Christ. These “false” Jews were actually of the synagogue of Satan. They were false professors of their religion. Today we have various sects who call themselves Christian, but who are false and slander the very core of God’s Word. They call themselves Christians, yet they deny the deity of Jesus Christ, i.e., Armstrongism, Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, the Unification Church, etc.

1 John 4:1-3 = Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ [the promised Messiah] has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

The same is true of those systems of belief that mix “law” (or “works”) with “grace.” These should be avoided, exposed and condemned.

Galatians 1:6-9 = I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

But even though these believers were persecuted and existed in a state of poverty, our Lord told them they were “rich.” Their spiritual wealth far outreached any material poverty to which they were subject.

Matthew 6:19, 20 = Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Lord soothes them by telling them not to be afraid. He says that the devil will test some of them by having them placed in prison and that they will suffer persecution for “ten days.” Many Bible scholars believe these “ten days” refers to ten periods of persecution designated by the Roman Emperors residing during these periods. They follow, but the dates are only approximations.

    1. Nero (64-68 A.D.)
    2. Domitian (90-96 A.D.)
    3. Trajan (104-117 A.D.)
    4. Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A.D.)
    5. Severus (200-211 A.D.)
    6. Maximinius (235-237 A.D.)
    7. Decius (250-253 A.D.)
    8. Valerian (257-260 A.D.)
    9. Aurelian (270-275 A.D.)
    10. Diocletian (303-312 A.D.)

There is only One who we must fear (reverent respect), and it is not mortal man. Jesus promises that those who will be faithful, even to the point of death, will be given the crown of life. This is not “eternal life,” which comes only by faith alone in Christ alone. It is a special crown of reward to those believers who stand the test and preserver under the trial of persecution.

Matthew 10:28 = Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

James 1:12 = Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

In fact there are 5 crowns that may be obtained by believers. They are:

    1. The Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
    2. The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20)
    3. The Crown of Life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
    4. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)
    5. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-4)

Revelation 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Again, and this is addressed to anyone who has an ear, He says to listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. The person who “overcomes,” that is, places faith alone in Christ alone, will not be hurt at all by the “second death.”

1 John 5:5 = Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Revelation 20:14, 15 = Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

In light of this, review what Christ said to Nicodemus in John 3 about the “second birth,” which is the spiritual birth. There are two births and two deaths revealed in God’s Word. The first birth is the physical birth. The second is a spiritual birth whereby one becomes a Child of God by faith alone in Christ alone. The first death is the physical death. The second death is the spiritual death, which one must face if during physical life he has never accepted Christ as personal Savior and been born again (from above). It is eternity separated from God in the Lake of Fire. One who is born once must die twice, but he who is born twice will only die once (the only exception is if the Rapture should occur prior to his physical death).

Revelation 2:12
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

Christ now addresses the angel (messenger) of the church in Pergamum (or Pergamus). We know from 1:16 that the one speaking is indeed Jesus Christ, for He is the one who has the “double-edged sword,” which is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). This is to remind the Church that He deals with mankind through His Word, which today we have in written form (The Bible). The Bible is a book that can cut both ways. It can save or destroy, heal or afflict and give joy or sorrow. At the very least, the believer during his earthly sojourn should make God’s written Word (Bible doctrine) a most prominent place in his life. In this dispensation (Church Age), the Bible is God’s primary method of communicating with man. It is the believer’s primary means of knowing the “mind of Christ.”

Revelation 2:13
I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.

The Pergamum (or Pergamus) period ran from approximately A.D. 312 to A.D. 590. Bible scholars differ a few years one way or the other. Even though Christ commended the believers at Pergamum, this was an era where bad deeds appear to exceed good ones. The Greek word Pergamum is composed of the same root word from which we obtain our English words of “bigamy” and “polygamy.” The Church during the Pergamum period drifted into a “mixed marriage” between it and the world (system of evil). This was an age of materialism, self-indulgence and worldliness. Pergamus was the Asian headquarters for the cult of emperor-worship and idolatry; hence, it was termed “Satan’s throne.” This was where the Babylonian religion had established its headquarters and subsequently infiltrated Christianity. The believer’s of Pergamus lived at the very doorstep to Satan’s house.

But to those who remained true to Christ (His name and all that it stood for) and refused to turn their back on Him, even in light of the death of His faithful witness Antipas, Christ issued His commendation. Antipas is the first known Asian to die standing for Christ and refusing to bow down to the Emperor of the time.

Revelation 2:14, 15
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

After the commendation to those who were faithful to the truth, Christ now addresses those who have gone astray. There were those who drifted from the truth and into false doctrine, a prevalent condition of that age and this age. The two false doctrines were (1) Balaam and (2) Nicolaitans. We have already discussed in detail the Nicolaitans back in 2:6, where there it was the commencement of its “practices” back in the Ehphesus period. Now it had become an established doctrine. We now address the doctrine of Balaam.

To understand Balaam doctrine it is necessary to review the story of Balak and Balaam in Numbers 22-31. It was during this time that the Israelites made the most grieves error of intermingling and committing sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab. This eventually led to idolatry and the eating of the offerings to idols. Additionally, this is a story that introduced the concept of “proclaiming God’s message for hire.”

The bottom line was that there were those in the Church at Pergamus who were indulging in the wickedness of the world, in false doctrine and in idolatry. And there were those in the “clergy” who lorded it over the laity, even for material gain. God would have believers to understand that while in the world (earth), they are to be separate from the world (the satanic system that controls mankind). Additionally, the ministry should be one divorced from material gain.

1 Corinthians 10:21 = You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.

2 Corinthians 4:5 = For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

1 Peter 5:2, 3 = Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Revelation 2:16
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The solution for those within the Pergamum church that were following false doctrine, i.e., committing fornification and indulging in Emperor-worship and idolatry, was to repent. If not, Christ states that He would soon come to them and fight against them with the sword of His mouth. We know from this that the correct way for Christians to battle false doctrine and worldliness in today’s churches is by our spiritual sword, the written Word of God (Bible). God’s Word is God’s ordained way to expose sin and spiritual corruption on every level (individual, governmental and world-wide).

God’s Word:

    1. Reveals the will of God (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
    2. Convicts of sin (John 8:7)
    3. Reveals the love of God (John 3:16)
    4. Reveals the judgment of God (Romans 14:10)
    5. Calls for repentance (Acts 2:38)
    6. Shines the light of God on our failures (John 3:20)
    7. Reveals all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

Revelation 2:17
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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

We are reminded that to overcome is to place faith alone in Christ alone for one’s personal salvation (1 John 5:4). To him that overcomes, i.e., is saved, Christ will give to that person “hidden manna.” Manna is a type of Christ, which stems from the time the children of Israel while in the wilderness were provided “manna from heaven” (Exodus 16). Since we physically cannot see Christ, He is our “hidden” manna. Because He as our “hidden manna” is always with us, we will never hunger spiritually.

John 6:35 = Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

In addition to the manna, the overcomer will receive a “white stone.” During the days of John, a “white stone” was used in legal trials to indicate acquittal. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ by faith will be given a “white stone” showing that he has been acquitted from his sins and their eternal due. Additionally, each stone will have a private name written on it, which only the individual believer will know. This speaks to the fact that our individual salvation is a private matter between each of us and Jesus Christ. He not only individually and personally saves us, but He allows us an individual and personal relationship with Him.

Revelation 2:18
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Christ Jesus now addresses the church at Thyatira. John sees Him with eyes like “blazing fire,” which indicate His piercing ability to arrive at the core truth of any issue or person. They also indicate His anger at sin that is creeping into this church. This anger will find completion in His eventual righteous judgment, which is represented by His feet that are like “burnished bronze.” See prior comments on chapter 1:14, 15.

Revelation 2:19
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Up to this point, all the churches have been complimented on their works. Thyatira was loaded with works. The works of this church (and its representative Church Age period) were greater at the ending then they were at the beginning. The approximate time frame for this period of the Church was from A.D. 590 to A.D.1517. Works, that is “proper works,” are very important in the Christian life. Ephesians 2:10 informs us that upon our salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, we have been created in Jesus Christ unto (for the purpose of producing) good works. According to James 2:17, 18, which looks at the practical - not the theological - application of faith (that is, its validity in “man’s eyes”), faith without good works is dead. It is clear in this passage that this is how a believer properly reveals to an unbelieving world his faith.

So what are “good works?” God’s Word indicates they are not works of “human good” (works motivated by the human spirit or under one’s own power and will). “Human good” works are as “filthy rags” before God (Isaiah 64:6). Good works required by God are works of “divine good” (works accomplished under the “filling,” i.e., control of, the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us to be (continually) filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit. This is the only ministry of the Holy Spirit that is not received “once and for all” at the time of salvation. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit accomplishes a number of permanent ministries to/with the believer. They are (1) the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, which joins each believer into a living union with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - took place first in Acts 2 according to Peter in ( Acts 11:15-18), (2) the “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit taking up permanent residence in each believer (John 14:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; Romans 8:11), (3) the “sealing” of the Holy Spirit, which is God’s seal or guarantee that we are His purchased possession and that He will bring us to a glorified eternal state with Christ (Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22), (4) the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit, which indicates that each believer receives one or more spiritual abilities to accomplish God’s will for his life (1 Peter 4:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-33) - and these gifts are permanent (Romans 11:29), and (5) the “filling” of the Holy Spirit, which is the control of each believer by God’s Spirit in order to accomplish works of “divine good.” The “filling” of God’s Spirit in each believer is that ministry that enables the believer to effectively live and serve God (Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 3:1-5; 5:16-18; Ephesians 5:18).

But since the “filling” of the Holy Spirit may not be continuous with the believer, how does the believer insure a continuous filling? He does so by continuously confessing (naming and taking responsibility for) “known sins,” which then insures that God will cleanse him of these known sins and even sins that are forgotten or unknown (1 John 1:9), and by daily accepting by faith alone the filling of God’s Spirit (Colossians 2:6).

Even though “good works” have nothing to do with our gaining salvation (eternal life) - Ephesians 2:8, 9, they will matter when we appear before the judgment Seat of Christ. There we will either receive or miss out on rewards for the quality of our Christian service (2 Corinthians 5:10).

If any man builds on this foundation [salvation faith in Christ Jesus] using gold, silver, costly stones [works of “divine good”], wood, hay or straw [works of “human good”], his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved [receive eternal life], but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

Revelation 2:20, 21
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

In the Old Testament (1&2 Kings) Jezebel was probably the most wicked and hated person (by God’s people) of her day - as evidenced by her most horrible death. She was the wife of Ahab and a self-appointed priestess at a pagan temple. She was involved with fortune telling, idolatry, revenge, murder, vanity and sexual immorality (1 Kings 16:31; 18:4, 19; 19:2; 21:5-13, 23-25; 2 Kings 9:10, 30, 36). She claimed to be a prophetess of God and actively introduced idolatry to Israel, which resulted in the seduction of God’s servants in the committing of sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols (the violation of two of God’s Commandments - Exodus 20:4, 5, 14).

The Church period represented by Thyatira illustrated what happens when the church is given to false doctrine and the effort to soft-pedal holiness (sanctification) in order to attract many into its doors. Christ exercised patience (nearly 1,000 years of it) during this period, giving them ample time to repent (turn from their sins and place faith alone in Him alone), but they were unwilling to do so.

Revelation 2:22
So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.

Because of their unwillingness to repent, they would face terrible judgment (punishment). The lesson here is that “your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Revelation 2:23
I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

The message is clear. It is in three parts. (1) Christ hates sin, (2) sin will bring terrible judgment and (3) Christ knows the true intents (motives) of the heart, which underlie man’s service to God. You can’t fool God. Only works of “divine good” (not “human good”) will stand the test of His penetrating eyes.

Revelation 2:24, 25
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come.

Here Christ tells us that there are those who haven’t given in to the idolatry, sexual immorality and evil practices of the “Jezebel crowd.” They have not subscribed to the false doctrine that secretly infiltrated the church. Because of this, He will not add to their burden; but He encourages them to “hold on” to what they have (truth) until He comes (a reference to the Rapture depicted by verse 4:1).

Revelation 2:26-28
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - `He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' - just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.

We already know that to “overcome” is an expression meaning the placement of one’s faith alone in Christ alone for personal salvation. Now to the one who receives Christ by faith and does His will to the end, Christ promises great reward. He promises them (1) the authority (from Him as His authority is from God the Father) to rule over the nations during the Millennium (1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:12) and (2) eternal fellowship with Christ, since He is the “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).

Revelation 2:29
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Again we have the warning to take heed. Notice that each time during the Church Age as represented by these seven churches, Christ instructs anyone who has an ear to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” This is in marked contrast to the same saying minus the phrase, “to the churches,” which is given after the Rapture of verse 4:1, in Revelation 13:9 (He who has an ear, let him hear.) - the reason is that the Church will not go through the Tribulation or the Great Tribulation.