Revelation Chapter 2

To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus. For these are the words of the one who holds the seven stars firmly in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

Guzik: 1. (Rev_2:1 a) The character of the city of Ephesus.
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,”

a. To the angel: … this angel represents this church. But the letter isn’t written just to the representative, but to the whole church.

i. “I consider what is spoken to this angel as spoken to the whole Church; and that it is not his particular state that is described, but the states of the people in general under his care.” (Clarke)

Ephesus was a famous city in the ancient world, with an equally famous church. Ephesus was the city where Paul ministered for three years (Act_19:1, Acts 10, Act_20:31). It was the city where Aquilla and Priscilla, with Apollos ministered (Act_18:24-28). It was the city where Paul’s close associate Timothy (1Ti_1:3) ministered. And according to strong and consistent church historical traditions, the Apostle John himself ministered there.

Ephesus was also world-famous as a religious, cultural, and economic center of the region. Ephesus had the notable temple of Diana, who was a fertility goddess worshipped with immoral sex. This tremendous temple to Diana in Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was supported by 127 pillars, each pillar sixty feet tall, and it was adorned with great sculptures.

i. “The Temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world, where merchants, kings, and even cities made deposits, and where their money could be kept safe under the protection of deity.” (Longenecker in his commentary on Acts)

ii. “Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan. Here many evil things both superstitious and satanic were practised. Books containing formula for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city.” (Gaebelein in his commentary on Acts)

(Rev_2:1 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Ephesus.

He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: These images are taken from John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. They emphasize the authority of Jesus in the Church (He holds the seven stars) and His immediate presence in the Church (He walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands). This introduction stresses that Jesus is central to the church, and should be recognized as central to the church.

Holds (the ancient Greek word kratein) is an emphatic and complete word. Jesus has these churches, and holds them securely. The churches belong to Jesus, not the leaders of the churches or to the people of the churches. He holds them.

Revelation 2:2 TPT I know all that you’ve done for me—you have worked hard and persevered. I know that you don’t tolerate evil. You have tested those who claimed to be apostles and proved they are not, for they were imposters.

Guzik: 3. (Rev_2:2-3) What Jesus knows about the Christians of Ephesus.

I know your works: Jesus looks at His church, and He knows what is going on. It is no mystery to Him. There may be sin or corruption hidden in a congregation, but it isn’t hidden to Jesus. He would say the same thing to us today, both as individuals and as a congregation: I know your works.

“There are also working Christians who do not approach to laboring; yet a lifetime of such work as theirs would not exhaust a butterfly. Now, when a man works for Christ he should work with all his might.” (Spurgeon)

Your works, your labor, your patience: Jesus knows what this church is doing right. They work hard for the Lord and they have godly endurance. Patience is the great ancient Greek word hupomone, which means “steadfast endurance.” In this sense, the church was rock-solid.

You cannot bear those who are evil: The Ephesian church also pursued doctrinal purity. Paul warned the Ephesians in Act_20:29-31 : For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. From this commendation of Jesus, we know that the Ephesians took Paul’s warning seriously.

i. The church today, like the Ephesian church then, must vigorously test those who claim to be messengers from God - especially those who say they are apostles, because deceivers will speak well of themselves. The greater the evil, the more deceptive its cloak.

ii. “This was grand of them: it showed a backbone of truth. I wish some of the churches of this age had a little of this holy decision about them; for nowadays, if a man be clever; he may preach the vilest lie that was ever vomited from the mouth of hell, and it will go down with some.” (Spurgeon)

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

2 John 1:8-11 KJV Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Revelation 2:3 TPT I also know how you have bravely endured trials and persecutions because of my name, yet you have not become discouraged.

Guzik: You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary: Also, the Ephesian church continued doing these things, without becoming weary. They showed a godly perseverance that we should imitate. By all outward appearances, this was a solid church that worked hard, had great outreach, and protected the integrity of the gospel.

Revelation 2:4 TPT But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning.

Guzik: 4. (Rev_2:4) What Jesus has against the church at Ephesus.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

a. Nevertheless I have this against you: Jesus begins with a sobering word - nevertheless, which means “despite all that.” Jesus took into full account all the good in the Ephesian church, yet despite all that, He had something against them.
i. Nevertheless means that all the good in the Ephesian church did not cancel out the bad Jesus is about to describe.
b. You have left your first love: Despite all the good in the Ephesian church, there is something seriously wrong. They have left - not lost - their first love. They once had a love that they don’t have anymore. This can be described as “a definite and sad departure.” (Robertson)

i. The distinction between leaving and losing is important. Something can be lost quite by accident, but leaving is a deliberate act, though it may not happen suddenly. As well, when we lose something we don’t know where to find it, but when we leave something, we know where to find it

ii. Though they had left their first love, everything looked great on the outside. If you would have attended a service of the church at Ephesus, you might have thought, “This is a happening church. They are doing so much, and they really guard the truth.” At the same time, you might have had a vague, uneasy feeling - yet it would probably be hard to pin down. It wasn’t hard for Jesus to see the problem, even though everything probably looked wonderful on the outside.

iii. The problem was serious. Without love, all is vain. No wonder Jesus said “nevertheless I have this against you.” “A church has no reason for being a church when she has no love within her heart, or when that love grows cold. Lose love, lose all.” (Spurgeon)

Left your first love: What love did they leave? As Christians, we are told to love God and to love one another. Did they leave their love for God? Did they leave their love for one another? Probably both are in mind, because the two loves go together. You can’t say you love God and not love His family, and you can’t really love His family without loving Him first.

i. The Ephesian church was a working church. Sometimes a focus on working for Jesus will eclipse a love relationship with Him. We can put what we do for Jesus before of who we are in Him. We can leave Jesus in the temple, just as the parents of Jesus did (Luk_2:45-46).

ii. The Ephesians church was a doctrinally pure church. Sometimes a focus on doctrinal purity will make a congregation cold, suspicious, and intolerant of diversity. “When love dies orthodox doctrine becomes a corpse, a powerless formalism. Adhesion to the truth sours into bigotry when the sweetness and light of love to Jesus depart.” (Spurgeon)

d. First love: There is a definite, sure difference in their relationship with Jesus. Things aren’t as they used to be. It isn’t that we expect that we should have the exact same excitement we had when everything was brand new in the Christian life. But the newness should transition into a depth that makes the first love even stronger.

i. A couple that has been married for a long time doesn’t always have the same thrill of excitement they had when they first dated. That is to be expected, and is fine - if that excitement has matured into a depth of love that makes it even better than the first love.

ii. But there is nothing wrong with that initial excitement, or wanting it to remain or be restored. “When we were in our first love, what would we do for Christ; now how little will we do. Some of the actions which we performed when we were young Christians, but just converted, when we look back upon them, seem to have been wild and like idle tales.” (Spurgeon)

1 John 3:14-18 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Matthew 24:10-13 KJV And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Revelation 2:5 TPT Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.

Guzik: 5. (Rev_2:5-6) What Jesus wants the church at Ephesus to do.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen: The first step in restoration for the Ephesian church is for them to remember. They need to remember from where you have fallen. This means remembering where they used to be in their love for the Lord and for one another.

i. When the Prodigal Son was in the pigpen, the first step in restoration was remembering what life was like back in his father’s home (Luk_16:17-19). This is always the first step in getting back to where we should be with the Lord.

b. Repent: This is not a command to feel sorry, or really to feel anything. It means to change your direction, to go a different way. It is an “urgent appeal for instant change of attitude and conduct, before it is too late.” (Robertson)

c. Do the first works: This means that they must go back to the basics, to the very first things they did when you first fell in love with Jesus. These are the things that we never grow beyond.

i. What are the first works?

• Remember how you used to spend time in His Word?
• Remember how you used to pray?
• Remember the joy in getting together with other Christians?
• Remember how excited you were about telling others about Jesus?
We might say that Satan has done a masterful job in creating a sense of general dissatisfaction with these first works. Christians will run after almost every new, strange “method” or “program” for growth and stability. Our shortened attention spans make us easily “bored” with the truest excitement. Sometimes we will do almost anything except the first works.

Or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place: Jesus gives them a stern warning. Unless they repent, He will remove their light and His presence. When their lampstand is removed, they may continue as an organization, but no longer as a true church of Jesus Christ. It will be the church of Ichabod, where the glory has departed (1Sa_4:21).

Revelation 2:6 TPT Although, to your credit, you despise the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also despise.

Guzik: But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate: Jesus - probably so the Ephesians would not be overly discouraged - gives this church another commendation here. They are complimented because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. But who are the Nicolaitans and what were their deeds? The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is also condemned in Rev_2:15, and in that passage is related to immorality and idolatry.

i. Irenaeus (writing in the late second century) described what he knew of the Nicolaitans: “The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrifice to idols.” (Against Heresies, book 1, chapter 26. From the Ante Nicean Fathers Volume 1, page 352)

ii. Hippolytus, a student of Irenaeus (writing in the early third century) associated the Nicolaitans with the Gnostics: “There are, however, among the Gnostics diversities of opinion . . . But Nicolaus has been a cause of the wide-spread combination of these wicked men. [He] departed from correct doctrine, and was in the habit of inculcating indifferency of both life and food.” (Refutation of all Heresies, book 7, chapter 24; ANF volume 5, page 115)

iii. Others have emphasized the root meanings of the words that make up the name Nicolaitans. Nikao-laos means literally “to conquer the people.” Based on this, some point to presumptuous claims of apostolic authority and to the heart that sets up hierarchies and separates the “clergy” from the “laity.” Perhaps the Nicolaitans fulfilled all these aspects, being both an idolatrous immorality and a presumptuous, hierarchical, “hidden mysteries” system typical of Gnosticism.

iv. The Nicolaitans, like all deceivers which come from the body of Christ, claimed “not that they were destroying Christianity, but that they were presenting an improved and modernized version of it.” (Barclay)

Which I also hate: These are powerful words, in that they come from our Savior who is so rich in love. Whoever exactly the Nicolaitans were, and whatever exactly they did and taught, we learn something from Jesus’ opinion of the. We learn that the God of love hates sin, and wants His people to also hate sin.

Revelation 2:7 TPT The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to all the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life that is found in the paradise of God.

Comment: Can’t bear those that are evil and liars—Satan being the father of lies—His lies got Adam kicked out of the Garden—the victor of Ephesus will get to eat of the tree of life in the Garden

Guzik: 6. (Rev_2:7 a) A general exhortation to all whom will hear.

He who has an ear: This qualifies everyone - or at least everyone who will listen. This letter was not only written to the church at Ephesus in the Apostle John’s day. It is written to us, and to all Christians throughout the centuries.

Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: Each one of these seven letters apply to all churches. We must hear what the Spirit says to the churches - not just to one church. These letters - each of them - were meant to speak to you, if you will only have an ear to hear what the Spirit says.

i. “There were not seven books written, but one book in which these seven epistles were, out of which each church, or the church in it several periods, might learn what concerned it.” (Poole)

ii. “The churches of the land are sprinkled all over with bald-headed old sinners whose hair has been worn off by the constant friction of countless sermons that have been aimed at them and glanced off and hit the man in the pew behind.” (H.W. Beecher)

To him who overcomes: Jesus makes this promise to him who overcomes - but what does this overcomer overcome? We usually think of overcoming in dramatic terms of overcoming sin and in spiritual warfare, but here Jesus seems to be speaking of the overcoming of the coldness of their hearts and lack of love marked by the leaving of their first love.

To the Church in Smyrna

Revelation 2:8 Williams "To the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: "'The First and the Last, who once was dead but came to life again, speaks as follows:

Guzik: 1. (Rev_2:8 a) The character of the city of Smyrna.

a. Smyrna was a large, beautiful, and proud city. It was a center of learning and culture, and was proud of its standing as a city. “Smyrna was an outstandingly beautiful city. It claimed to be the ‘Glory of Asia.’“ (Barclay)

b. Smyrna was a rich city. “Smyrna was a great trade city . . . Smyrna stood at the end of the road which served the valley of the river Hermus, and all the trade of that valley flowed into its markets and found an outlet through its harbor. It had a specially rich trade in wines. Smyrna, like Ephesus, was a city of wealth and commercial greatness.” (Barclay)

c. We also know from history that it was a city deeply committed to idolatry and the worship of the Roman Emperor. On one famous street in Smyrna, called the “Golden Street,” stood magnificent temples to Cybele, Apollo, Asklepios, Aphrodite, and a great temple to Zeus. But the worship of those pagan gods was dying out. The real focus was on the worship of the Roman Emperor.

i. In 196 B.C. Smyrna built the first temple to Dea Roma - the goddess of Rome, the spiritual symbol of the Roman Empire. Once the “spirit” of Rome was worshipped, it wasn’t much of a step to worship the dead Emperors of Rome. Then it was only another small step to worship the living Emperors, and then to demand such worship as a evidence of political allegiance and civic pride.

ii. In 23 A.D. Smyrna won the privilege (over 11 other cities) to build the first temple to worship the Emperor Tiberius Caesar. Smyrna was a leading city in the Roman cult of Emperor worship.

iii. The Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.) was the first to demand worship under the title “Lord” from the people of the Roman Empire as a test of political loyalty. According to ancient church history, under the reign of Domitian that John was banished to the Island of Patmos where he received this vision.

iv. “Emperor worship had begin as spontaneous demonstration of gratitude to Rome; but toward the end of the first century, in the days of Domitian, the final step was taken and Caesar worship became compulsory. Once a year the Roman citizen must burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar; and having done so, he was given a certificate to guarantee that he had performed his religious duty.” (Barclay)

v. “All that the Christians had to do was to burn that pinch of incense, say, ‘Caesar is Lord,’ receive their certificate, and go away and worship as they pleased. But that is precisely what the Christians would not do. They would give no man the name of Lord; that name they would keep for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. They would not even formally conform.” (Barclay)

2. (Rev_2:8 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Smyrna.

These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

a. The First and the Last: Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John (Rev_1:11; Rev_1:17) to speak of His eternal character.

b. Who was dead, and came to life: Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John (Rev_1:18) to remind the Christians in Smyrna that they serve the risen Lord, victorious over death. Death could not hold Jesus, and it cannot hold His people.

i. The association with death - and the ultimate victory of resurrection - is throughout this letter. The name Smyrna comes from the word myrrh, a sweet-smelling perfume used in embalming dead bodies.

Revelation 2:9 TPT I am aware of all the painful difficulties you have passed through and your financial hardships, even though, in fact, you possess rich treasure. And I am fully aware of the slander that has come against you from those who claim to be Jews but are really not, for they are a satanic congregation.

Guzik: 3. (Rev_2:9) What Jesus knows about the Christians in Smyrna.

I know your works: Jesus knew the works of the church in Ephesus also (Rev_2:2). In Smyrna, Jesus also knew their works, tribulation, and poverty. He knows these hardships both in the sense that He saw what happened to them, and in the sense that He knew their hardships by His personal experience.

i. Poverty: According to history, Smyrna was a prosperous city. Yet the Christians there were poor. “The word used for ‘poverty’ is the word for abject poverty. They were not just poor.” (Walvoord)

ii. The Christians of Smyrna knew poverty because they were robbed and fired from jobs in persecution for the gospel. Early Christians joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven (Heb_10:34). This kind of economic persecution was one important reason why Christians were poor in Smyrna. Even today, this is a common form of persecution against Christians.

b. I know the blasphemy: Jesus knew the abuse these Christians endured at the hands of “religious” men, those who say they are Jews and are not.

i. Historically, we are told there was a large and hostile community of Jews in Smyrna. But this tells us that a true Jew is one who trusts God and believes in Jesus Christ (Php_3:3). Others may be Jews ethnically - which still has its place before God - but they are not Jews spiritually before God.

c. I know . . . I know: In midst of this kind of affliction, it is easy to think God has forgotten. But Jesus knows.

4. (Rev_2:9) What Jesus thinks about the church in Smyrna.
But you are rich.

a. Rich: Every outward circumstance said that the Christians in Smyrna were poor, even destitute. But Jesus saw through the circumstances to see that they are really rich. “Sweet smelling Smyrna, the poorest but purest of the seven.” (Trapp)

b. Rich is what Jesus thought of them, and if Jesus considered them rich, then they were rich. Our estimation of ourselves is far less important than God’s estimation of us.

i. In contrast, the Christians at Laodicea thought they were rich, but they were really poor (Rev_3:17). Laodicea was a poor rich church. Smyrna was a rich poor church. Better to be a rich poor church than a poor rich church.

c. And poverty (but you are rich): The contrast between material poverty and spiritual riches of the Christians in Smyrna reminds us that there is nothing inherently spiritual in being rich. Although, there is also nothing inherently spiritual in poverty.
i. Material riches are an obstacle to the Kingdom of God, an obstacle that some do not overcome (Mar_10:23-25). There is nothing wrong with having money; the trouble is that money so easily “has” us.

ii. Often, material riches are acquired and maintained at the expense of true spiritual riches. In the glory days of the Renaissance Papacy, a man walked with the Pope and marveled at the splendors and riches of the Vatican. The Pope told him, “We no longer have to say what Peter told the lame man: ‘Silver and gold have I none.’“ His companion replied, “But neither can you say, ‘rise up and walk.’“

c. The church at Smyrna was also rich in leadership. One of the pastors of that church was named Polycarp. He was one of the Apostle John’s disciples, and served at Smyrna until 155 A.D. when he died heroically as a martyr.

Revelation 2:10 TPT Do not yield to fear in the face of the suffering to come, but be aware of this: the devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison to test your faith. For ten days you will have distress, but remain faithful to the day you die and I will give you the victor’s crown of life.

Guzik: 5. (Rev_2:10) What Jesus wants the Christians in Smyrna to do.

Do not fear: Literally, this is better translated “stop being afraid.” The Christians in Smyrna suffered under persecution, and they were afraid. Sometimes we think that Christians who endure persecution are almost super-human, and we sometimes don’t appreciate the depths of fear they struggle with. There were things which they were about to suffer, and Jesus wanted them ready to stand against those things.

b. The devil is about to throw some of you into prison: Here, Jesus describes the nature of the persecution that would come against the Christians in Smyrna. Apparently, they would be imprisoned, and for a specific period of time (you will have tribulation ten days).

i. According to Jesus, the persecution about to come against the Christians of Smyrna was from the devil. At the same time, it was measure and limited by God. …

ii. Being thrown into prison was severe persecution. In that day, prison was never used to rehabilitate someone, and rarely used to punish someone. Normally, you were thrown into prison as you awaited trial and execution.

iii. “For a man to become a Christian anywhere was to become an outlaw. In Smyrna above all places, for a man to enter the Christian Church was literally to take his life in his hands. In Smyrna the church was a place for heroes.” (Barclay)

iv. “This ‘tribulation’ does not mean the common trials to which all flesh is heir. Some dear souls think they are bearing their cross every time they have a headache. The tribulation mentioned here is trouble they would not have had if they had not been Christians.” (Havner)

c. You will have tribulation ten days: Commentators on the Book of Revelation have long debated the meaning of these ten days.

i. Some think that John really means ten years of persecution. “As the days in this book are what is commonly called prophetic days, each answering to a year, the ten years of tribulation may denote ten years of persecution; and this was precisely the duration of the persecution under Diocletian, during which all the Asiatic Churches were grievously afflicted.” (Clarke)

iv. Others say that ten days is simply an expression of speech: “The expression ten days is not to be taken literally; it is the normal Greek expression for a short time.” (Barclay)

v. However, there is no compelling reason to believe it means anything other than ten days of severe persecution, with an emphasis on the idea that it is a limited time.

That you may be tested: If this attack came from the devil, then why couldn’t these Christians in Smyrna just rebuke Satan, and stop the attack? Because God had a purpose in their suffering, and so He allowed it. God uses suffering to purify (1Pe_1:6-7), to make us like Jesus (Rom_8:17), and to makes us truly witnesses of Him. In all ages, the blood of the martyrs has been seed for the church.

ii. Most specifically in this case, God allowed this attack so that they may be tested, in the sense of being proven. Through their suffering, God would display the true riches of the church in Smyrna to everyone, including themselves - even though He knew they were rich already.

iii. The Christians in Smyrna would be tested, but they passed the test. This church, compared to the other six, has no evil spoken against it. Only this church among the seven survives today, and it has survived through centuries of Roman and Muslim persecution.

iv. That you may be tested: God is interested in testing us also. We may not have the same opportunity to suffer for Jesus that the Christians in Smyrna had, but we can have their same heart. We may never be in a place to die a martyr’s death, but we can all live a martyr’s life. But many Christians avoid persecution of any kind by conforming so much to the world that they are no longer distinctively Christians. This wasn’t the case with the Christians in Smyrna. They were tested and they passed the test.

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life: What Jesus says to this church is important, but what He doesn’t say is also important. Jesus doesn’t have a single word of rebuke or correction for the Christians in Smyrna. All He has is the promise of acrown - and the encouragement to be faithful until death, which is literally “become faithful until death.” (Walvoord)

i. There are two different words for crown in the ancient Greek language. One described the kind of crown a king would wear, a crown of royalty. The other kind of crown - the stephanos, used here - is given as a trophy to a winning athlete. Jesus looks at the Christians of Smyrna, and says to them: “You are My winners. You deserve a trophy.”

ii. The stephanos was also the crown worn at marriages and special celebrations. The picture is of Jesus and His bride, each wearing their crowns.

iv. Jesus promises a special crown - the crown of life. A champion athlete received a crown of leaves, which would soon get brown and die. But Jesus’ champions receive the crown of life.

Revelation 2:11 TPT The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. The one who conquers will not be harmed by the second death.

Comment: The association with “fear one of those things which you will suffer—be faithful unto death with not being hurt of the second death. Get through the persecutions and you are done—you win.

Guzik: 6. (Rev_2:11 a) A general exhortation to all whom will hear.

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

He who has an ear: Though the Spirit has something to say to us through every one of the churches, this letter to the Christians in Smyrna may apply least of all to modern, western Christians. To this point, we simply don’t face the kind of persecution the Christians in Smyrna experienced. Polycarp was a remarkable example of both the persecution and the courage of early Christians.

i. The year after Polycarp returned from Rome, a great persecution came upon the Christians of Smyrna. His congregation urged him to leave the city until the threat blew over. So, believing that God wanted him to be around a few more years, Polycarp left the city and hid out on a farm belonging to some Christian friends. One day on the farm, as he prayed in his room, Polycarp had a vision of his pillow engulfed in flames. He knew what God said to him, and calmly told his companions “I see that I must be burnt at the stake.”

ii. Meanwhile, the chief of police issued a warrant for his arrest. They seized one of Polycarp’s servants and tortured him until he told them where his master was. Towards evening, the police chief and a band of soldiers came to the old farmhouse. When the soldiers found him, they were embarrassed to see that they had come to arrest such an old, frail man. But they reluctantly put him on a donkey and walked him back to the city of Smyrna.

iii. On the way to the city, the police chief and other government officials tried to persuade Polycarp to offer a pinch of incense before a statue of Caesar and simply say “Caesar is Lord.” That’s all he had to do, and he would be off the hook. They pleaded with him to do it, and escape the dreadful penalties. At first Polycarp was silent, but then he calmly gave them his firm answer: no. The police chief was now angry. Annoyed with the old man, he pushed him out of his carriage and onto the hard ground. Polycarp, bruised but resolute, got up and walked the rest of the way to the arena.

iv. The horrid games at the arena had already begun in earnest. A large, bloodthirsty mob had gathered to see Christians tortured and killed. One Christian named Quintis had boldly proclaimed himself a follower of Jesus and said he was willing to be martyred. But when he saw the vicious animals in the arena, he lost courage and agreed to burn that pinch of incense to Caesar as Lord. But another young man named Germanicus didn’t back down. He marched out and faced the lions, and died an agonizing death for his Lord Jesus Christ. Ten other Christians gave their lives that day, but the mob was unsatisfied. They cried out, “Away with the atheists who do not worship our gods!” To them, Christians were atheists because they did not recognize the traditional gods of Rome and Greece. Finally, the crowd started chanting “Bring out Polycarp.”

v. When Polycarp brought his tired body into the arena, he and the other Christians heard a voice from heaven. It said, “Be strong, Polycarp, play the man.” As he stood before the proconsul, they tried one more time to get him to renounce Jesus. The proconsul told Polycarp to agree with the crowd and shout out “Away with the atheists!” Polycarp looked sternly at the bloodthirsty mob, waved his hand towards them and said, “Away with those atheists!” The proconsul persisted. “Take the oath and revile Christ and I’ll set you free!” Polycarp answered, “For eighty-six years I’ve served Jesus; how dare I now revile my King?” The proconsul finally gave up, and announced to the crowd the crime of the accused: “Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian.”

vi. The crowd shouted, “let the lions loose.” But the animals had already been put away. The crowd then demanded that Polycarp be burnt. The old man remembered the dream about the burning pillow, and took courage in God. He said to his executioners, “It is well. I fear not the fire that burns for a season and after a while is quenched. Why do you delay? Come, do your will.”

v. They arranged a great pile of wood, and set up a pole in the middle. As they tied Polycarp to the pole, he prayed: “I thank You that You have graciously thought me worthy of this day and of this hour, that I may receive a portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Your Christ.” After he prayed and gave thanks to God, they set the wood ablaze. A great wall of flame shot up to the sky, but it never touched Polycarp. God had set a hedge of protection between him and the fire. Seeing that he would not burn, the executioner, in a furious rage, stabbed the old man with a long spear. Immediately, streams of blood gushed from his body and seemed to extinguish the fire. When this happened, witnesses say they saw a dove fly up from the smoke into heaven. At the very same moment, a church leader in Rome named Iraenus, said he heard God say to him, “Polycarp is dead.” God called his servant home.

b. But the day of martyrs is definitely not past. All over the world, Christians face persecution, especially in Asia, Eastern Europe, and in the Muslim world. Some people estimate that more Christians have suffered for their faith and have been martyred in the 20th Century than in all previous centuries combined.

To the Church in Pergamum

Revelation 2:12 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamum. For these are the words of the one whose words pierce the hearts of men:

Guzik: 1. (Rev_2:12 a) The character of the city of Pergamos.

Pergamos was the political capital of the Roman Province of Asia the Less. When John wrote, Pergamos had been the capital city of the region for more than three hundred years. The city was a noted center for culture and education, having one of the great libraries of the ancient world, with more than 200,000 volumes.

b. Pergamos was also an extremely religious city. It had temples to the Greek and Roman gods Dionysus, Athena, Demeter, and Zeus. It also had three temples dedicated to the worship of the Roman Emperor.

i. Some 50 years before Smyrna won the honor of building the first temple to Tiberius, the city of Pergamos won the right to build the first temple to worship Caesar Augustus in the Roman province of Asia.

c. Pergamos was especially known as a center for the worship of the deity known as Asclepios. Represented by a serpent, Asclepios was the god of healing and knowledge. There was a medical school at his temple in Pergamos. Because of the famous temple to the Roman god of healing, sick and diseased people from all over the Roman Empire flocked to Pergamos for relief.

i. “Sufferers were allowed to spend the night in the darkness of the temple. In the temple there were tame snakes. In the night the sufferer might be touched by one of these tame and harmless snakes as it glided over the ground on which he lay. The touch of the snake was held to be the touch of the god himself, and the touch was held to bring health and healing.” (Barclay)

(Rev_2:12 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Pergamos.

These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
a. He who has the sharp two-edged sword: In Rev_1:16, John observed of Jesus out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. Now, Jesus “shows” this two-edged sword to the Christians in Pergamos.

i. The description of the sword in Rev_1:18 helps us to associate it with the mouth of Jesus. Jesus will confront this church with His word, and they will feel the sharp edges.

Sharp two-edged sword: This reminds us of the passage in Heb_4:12 : For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Jesus will use this sharp two-edged sword to make some separation among the Christians in Pergamos.

Revelation 2:13 TPT I know where you live—where Satan sits enthroned, yet you still cling faithfully to the power of my name. You did not deny your faith in me even in the days of my faithful martyr Antipas, who was executed in your city, where Satan lives.

Guzik: (Rev_2:13) What Jesus knows about the church at Pergamos.

I know your works: Jesus has said this to each church. It is true of each one of us. He knows our works, even if there isn’t much to know.

And where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is: What does it mean that they lived where Satan’s throne is? In many ways, Pergamos was a stronghold of Satanic power.

i. What made it such a stronghold? There are many different opinions. Some believe it is because Pergamos was a center of pagan religion, especially of “Asclepios Soter” or “Asclepios Savior. Some believe it was because Pergamos had a huge throne-like altar dedicated to the Roman god Zeus. Some believe it was because Pergamos was a center for the ancient Babylonian priesthood but this is tough to prove conclusively. Others believe it was because Pergamos was the political center of the worship-demanding Roman government.

And you hold fast to My name: Despite the fact they live in such a difficult city, the Christians of Pergamos hold fast to their faith in Jesus (hold fast to My name . . . did not deny My faith).

i. Did not deny My faith: Jesus praises the Christians of Pergamos because they did not deny His faith. It is always important to make sure that the faith we hold on to is the faith that belongs to Jesus.

d. Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you: One specific man among the Christians of Pergamos received a precious title (faithful martyr). This same title is held by Jesus also (Rev_1:5). Antipas was a man who followed Jesus, who was like Jesus.

ii. Antipas lived where Satan’s throne was. Yet he stood against the attacks and the evil around him. He fulfilled the meaning of his name, because Antipas means “Against All.”

iii. Martyr is the ancient Greek word martus. “Martus is a most interesting and suggestive word. In classical Greek martus never means a martyr in our sense of the term. It always means a witness. A martus was one who said: ‘This is true, and I know it.’ It is not until New Testament times that martus ever means martyr.” (Barclay)

Barnes: Even where Satan’s seat is - A place of special wickedness, as if Satan dwelt there. Satan is, as it were, enthroned there. The influence of Satan in producing persecution is what is particularly alluded to, as is apparent from the reference which is immediately made to the case of Antipas, the “faithful martyr.”

Gill: And where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is. Pergamos was a city very much given to idolatry, here Satan reigned while it was Pagan, and so was a fit emblem of the idolatrous church of Rome. Pausanias says (a), the country the Pergamenes inhabited was sacred to the Cabiri, the chief gods of the Heathens. And the same writer (b) observes, that Aesculapius particularly was worshipped at Pergamos; and hence he is called by Martial (c) the Pergamean god; to his temple here, men used to go from different parts of the world for cure of diseases; hither Antoninus the emperor went for such a purpose, as Herodian (d) relates; and this being a common thing, hence Lucian (e) scoffingly says, that Aesculapius had an apothecary's shop at Pergamos. As Rome, and its dominions, were the principal seat of the church in this period of time, it may well be called Satan's seat or throne; not only because it had been the seat of the Roman emperors, the ten horned and seven headed beast, Rev_13:2; but because it was the seat of antichrist, which the great dragon Satan gave him, whose coming was after the working of Satan, and he was influenced by him; and who, like Satan, exalted himself above all that is called God; yea, placed himself in the temple of God, the church, as God, showing himself to be God, assuming that power to himself which only belonged to God. Moreover, he may be called so for his enmity and malice against the saints, and for his art and subtlety, and insidious methods to ensnare and destroy them. Now to dwell where such an one has his seat, his throne, has a kingdom, power, and authority, must be very uncomfortable, as well as dangerous; and required great care, circumspection, and prudence how to behave: and yet to the commendation of this church it is said,and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith

even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Antipas is the proper name of a man… and who was an emblem of the confessors, witnesses, and martyrs, that suffered for Christ, in this period of time, through their opposition to the popes of Rome; for Antipas is the contraction of Antipater, and is the same with Antipapas, or Antipappas, which signifies one that is against the pope, an opposer of that holy father; and so intends all those that made head against him, upon his rising and revelation, and when he assumed the power he did to himself; such as the Waldenses and Albigenses particularly, who set themselves against him, openly declared that the pope was antichrist, and that his government was tyrannical, and his doctrines the doctrines of devils, abominable and fabulous. They bore a faithful testimony against all his corruptions and innovations, and became martyrs in the cause of Christ, many thousands of them being slain for his sake within the dominions of this firstborn of Satan. The Alexandrian copy reads "Anteipas"; and his name is left out in the Syriac and Arabic versions,

Revelation 2:14 TPT Nevertheless, I have a few things against you. There are some among you who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to eat things that were sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:15 TPT Furthermore, you have some who hold to the doctrines of the Nicolaitans.

Guzik: (Rev_2:14-15) What Jesus has against the Christians in Pergamos.

I have a few things against you: The Christians in Pergamos were rightly praised for holding fast to the name of Jesus, and keeping his faith. At the same time, their difficult environment did not excuse the few things Jesus had against them.

b. You have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam: What is the doctrine of Balaam? Balaam was a prototype of all corrupt teachers. According to Numbers 22-24, 31, Balaam combined the sins of immorality and idolatry to please Balak, the king of Moab, because he could not curse Israel directly.

i. When Balaam counseled Balak, he taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. The stumbling block was connected with idolatry (to eat things sacrificed to idols) and sexual immorality. If the church in Pergamos has those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, it shows they have tendencies towards both idolatry and immorality.

ii. Sexual immorality marked the whole culture of the ancient Roman Empire. It was simply taken for granted, and the person who lived by Biblical standards of purity was considered strange. To paraphrase the Roman statesman Cicero, cited in Barclay: “If there is anyone who thinks that young men should not be allowed the love of many women, he is extremely severe. I am not able to deny the principle he stands on. But he contradicts, not only with the freedom our age allows, but also with the customs and allowances of our ancestors. When indeed was this not done? When did anyone find fault with it? When was such permission denied? When was it that what is now allowed was not allowed?” To keep from sexual immorality in that culture, you really had to swim against the current.

You have those there . . . you also have those: The rebuke is not only against those who hold the doctrines of Balaam and those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The rebuke is also against those in the church who allow them to continue (you have there those . . . you have those).

i. The Christians of Pergamos were like the Christians of Corinth as Paul wrote to them in 1Co_5:1-9. They were too “tolerant” and “accepting” of false doctrines and immoral living, and Jesus had to rebuke them. Satan couldn’t accomplish much by persecution, because many did hold fast, like Antipas. So Satan tried to accomplish his goals by using deception; first he used first violence, then he used alliance.

ii. A difficult environment never justifies compromise. It is easy for a church in such difficulty to justify this compromise in the name of “we need all the help we can get.” But no church needs that kind of help.

Russell: Doctrine of Balaam -- Pagan priests sought to bend their ideas to fit the new religion. Thus gradually the church was led into error, evil practices, and away from God. The homage given to pagan rites, ceremonies, festivals, etc., Christianized (?) such as prayers to the dead, sacred places, days, and persons; union with earthly powers and with those who do such things would be Baal-am service.

Some in the ministry are willing to preach doctrines which they do not believe (respecting eternal torment, etc.) for the sake of salary and the maintenance of their positions and friendship of wealthy Balaks.

Cast a stumblingblock -- The harlotry and false worship would be on a higher plane than that which stumbled natural Israel, even as everything in this Christian dispensation is anti-typical.

Gill: But I have a few things against thee,.... The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a snare to others to join in their idolatry and superstition:

Barnes: But I have a few things against thee - As against the church at Ephesus, Rev_2:4. The charge against this church, however, is somewhat different from that against the church at Ephesus. The charge there was, that they had “left their first love”; but it is spoken in commendation of them that they “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” Rev_2:6. Here the charge is, that they tolerated that sect among them, and that they had among them also those who held the doctrine of Balaam. Their general course had been such that the Saviour could approve it; he did not approve, however, of their tolerating those who held to pernicious practical error - error that tended to sap the very foundation of morals.

Because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam - It is not necessary to suppose that they professedly held to the same opinion as Balaam, or openly taught the same doctrines. The meaning is, that they taught substantially the same doctrine which Balaam did, and deserved to be classed with him. What that doctrine was is stated in the subsequent part of the verse.

Who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel -

I. He had a strong desire to do what he knew was wrong, and which was forbidden expressly by God.
II. He was restrained by internal checks and remonstrances, and prevented from doing what he wished to do.
III. He cast about for some way in which he might do it, notwithstanding these internal checks and remonstrances, and finally accomplished the same thing in fact, though in form different from that which he had first prepared. This is not an unfair description of what often occurs in the plans and purposes of a wicked man. The meaning in the passage before us is, that in the church at Pergamos there were those who taught, substantially, the same thing that Balaam did; that is, the tendency of whose teaching was to lead people into idolatry, and the ordinary accompaniment of idolatry - licentiousness.

Meyer: Notice the Lord’s commendation of the church at Pergamos (from which we get our word parchment). He recognizes their peculiar dangers and their difficulties-where Satan’s seat is. It was an honorable thing to have held fast Christ’s name under such circumstances. To hold fast His name is to be loyal to Him in all circumstances. Not to deny His faith is to hold fast to the essential facts and doctrines of primitive Christianity, undeterred by the blandishments or threats of the world.
For the doctrine of Balaam, we must turn to Numbers, Num_22:1-41; Num_23:1-30; Num_24:1-25, and then especially to Num_25:1 and Num_31:16. Balaam had failed to curse, but though he had thereby forfeited his prestige and payment, he won them back by advising Balak to corrupt the morals of Israel and so break their union with Jehovah. The Nicolaitanes apparently promulgated similar tenets, and in their proud and wealthy city were prepared to admit orthodoxy of doctrine so long as it was combined with laxity of morals. But Christ cannot for a moment tolerate such a conjunction. His judgment sword must vindicate the purity of His Church.

Wesley: In like manner thou also - As well as the angel at Ephesus. Hast them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans - And thou sufferest them to remain in the flock.

Matthew 24:10-13 KJV And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Nicolaitans.

Guzik: You also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans: In Rev_2:6, Jesus praised the Ephesian Christians because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. But the Nicolaitans also have their doctrine, and some among the Christians held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

i. What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans? The title Nico-laitans has the idea of a proud authority, and a hierarchical separatism. The name Nikao-laos literally means “to conquer the people.” According to ancient commentators, the Nicolaitans also approved of immorality.

Benson: So hast thou also — As well as the angel at Ephesus; them that hold the doctrine, &c. — Who go so far as to justify their bad conduct by receiving the principles of the Nicolaitanes; which thing I hate -- Condemn and detest as most inconsistent with the purity of the Christian faith and religion: and these thou sufferest to remain in the flock. “It seems not improbable,” Doddridge thinks, “that the doctrine of Balaam and that of the Nicolaitanes might be the same; or the latter might be more strenuous in justifying and propagating their doctrine, and acting upon it; and that this doctrine might be like that of some modern seducers, namely, that it is lawful to dissemble the Christian faith, and to conform to the established superstition, to prevent persecution: a fatal error, which tends most effectually to overthrow Christianity, the existence of which, in these later ages, is owing to the contrary doctrine and practice.”

Revelation 2:16 TPT So repent, then, or I will come quickly to war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Guzik: (Rev_2:16) What Jesus wants the church at Pergamos to do.

Repent: The simple word repent stands out. Five of the seven churches are commanded to repent. Repent is a command that applies to Christians, not only to those who first come to Jesus.

b. Or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth: Unless they do repent, the Christians of Pergamos will face the Jesus who has the two-edged sword. Judgment will begin at the house of God (1Pe_4:17).

i. The sword of My mouth: When Jesus comes against the Christians of Pergamos, He will confront them with His Word.

Numbers 25:1-9 KJV And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. 6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

Revelation 2:17 TPT But the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will let him feast on the hidden manna and give him a shining white stone. And written upon the white stone is inscribed his new name, known only to the one who receives it.

Comment: the contrast is with eating things sacrificed to idols with eating of the hidden manna

Guzik: (Rev_2:17 b) The promise of a reward.

To him who overcomes: The one who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false teaching and living will receive hidden manna. This is God’s perfect provision, the true bread from heaven (Joh_6:41).

Guzik: And I will give him a white stone: In the ancient world, the use of a white stone had many associations. A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing.

i. “Others suppose there is an allusion here to conquerors in the public games, who were not only conducted with great pomp into the city to which they belonged, but had a white stone given to them, with their name inscribed on it; which badge entitled them, during their whole life, to be maintained at the pubic expense . . . These were called tesserae among the Romans, and of these there were several kinds.” Clarke then gives examples of the different kinds: “Tesserae conviviales, which answered exactly to our cards of invitation, or tickets of admission to a public feast or banquet; when the person invited produced his tessera he was admitted . . . But the most remarkable of these instruments were the Tesserae hospitales, which were given as badges of friendship and alliance, and on which some device was engraved, as a testimony that a contract of friendship had been made between the parties.”

c. And on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it: What is the meaning of this new, secret

name promised to him who overcomes? Is it God’s name, or is it the believer’s name? This is probably the believer’s new name, and the name itself is probably more important than the stone itself.

i. One idea behind this new, secret name is that it shows what an intimate relationship we have with God. When a couple is close, they often have “pet names” for each other. This is the same idea.

ii. Another idea associated with the new name is simply the assurance it gives of our heavenly destination. Your name is there, waiting for you. It is as if your “reservation” in heaven is made.

Wesley: To him that overcometh - And eateth not of those sacrifices. Will I give of the hidden manna - Described, John vi. The new name answers to this: it is now "hid with Christ in God." The Jewish manna was kept in the ancient ark of the covenant. The heavenly ark of the covenant appears under the trumpet of the seventh angel, Rev 11:19, where also the hidden manna is mentioned again. It seems properly to mean, the full, glorious, everlasting fruition of God. And I will give him a white stone - The ancients, on many occasions, gave their votes in judgment by small stones; by black, they condemned; by white ones they acquitted. Sometimes also they wrote on small smooth stones. Here may be an allusion to both. And a new name - So Jacob, after his victory, gained the new name of Israel. Wouldest thou know what thy new name will be? The way to this is plain, - overcome. Till then all thy inquiries are vain. Thou wilt then read it on the white stone.

To the Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:18 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Thyatira. For these are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished brass:

Guzik: (Rev_2:18 a) The character of the city of Thyatira.

Thyatira was the smallest and least important of the seven cities Jesus addresses in Revelation 2, 3. In history, we have no record that the Christians of Thyatira suffered any significant political or religious persecution.

i. “The elder Pliny dismisses Thyatira in the almost contemptuous phrase ‘Thyatira and other unimportant cities.’“ (Barclay)

b. But Thyatira was an important center of business and trade. It had many active trade guilds, each having their own patron deity from the Greek and Roman pantheon of gods.

i. Act_16:14-15 mentions Lydia of Thyatira, who was a seller of purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. “Thyatira was famous for the manufacture of a purple dye, and numerous references are found in secular literature of the period to the trade guilds which manufactured cloth.” (Walvoord)

ii. “From the inscriptions which have been found in the neighborhood it is clear that Thyatira possessed more trade guilds than any other town of its size in Asia.” (Barclay)

2. (Rev_2:18 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Thyatira.

These things says the Son of God: In Jewish thought, to be the son of a thing meant you had the nature of that thing. The sons of the sorceress (Isa_57:3) had the nature of the sorceress. The sons of thunder (Mar_3:17) had a nature like thunder. So the Son of God has the divine nature, the nature of God.

Who has eyes like a flame of fire: Jesus chooses this description of Himself from the presentation in Rev_1:14 to emphasize the idea that His eyes look with a penetrating judgment.

His feet like fine brass: Jesus chose this description of Himself from Rev_1:15 to emphasize His purity, because brass is pure, and highly refined in the fire. It also emphasizes His steadfastness, because brass was the strongest known metal in the ancient world, and feet like fine brass would be strong and unmovable.

Revelation 2:19 TPT I know all that you’ve done for me—your love and faith, your ministry and steadfast perseverance. In fact, you now excel in these virtues even more than at the first.

Guzik: 3. (Rev_2:19) What Jesus knows about the Christians in Thyatira.

I know your works: Thyatira was the least significant city among the seven cities Jesus addressed. Yet they were not hidden to Jesus. Like each one of the churches, Jesus says to the church at Thyatira I know your works.

Love, service, faith, and your patience: In many ways, the church at Thyatira was a model church. They had four great essential qualities. They had love, both for the Lord and for one another. They knew service, and had faith and patience worth mentioning.

As for your works, the last are more than the first: This is another compliment to the church at Thyatira. Not only do they have these works, but they have them in increasing measure - they are growing in love, service, faith, and patience.

Hebrews 6:9-12 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Revelation 2:20 TPT But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is seducing my loving servants. She is teaching that it is permissible to indulge in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:21 TPT I have waited for her to repent from her vile immorality, but she refuses to do so.

Matthew 24:10-13 KJV And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Guzik 4. (Rev_2:20-21) What Jesus has against the church at Thyatira.

Nevertheless: Despite all the good Jesus sees in the church at Thyatira, there are significant problems. The problems are big enough for Jesus to say nevertheless, which means “despite all the good, I have a few things against you.”

Because you allow that woman Jezebel: The center of the corruption at the church at Thyatira is a woman Jesus calls Jezebel. This may not have been her literal name, but a “title” that clearly represents a self-styled prophetess within the church, after the pattern of Jezebel in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16-21 and 2Ki_9:30-37).

i. The name Jezebel had a powerful association. If we called someone a “Judas” or a “Hitler” it would means something strong. It’s also a strong thing to call this woman Jezebel. “She was one of the most evil characters of the Old Testament, who attempted to combine the worship of Israel with the worship of the idol Baal . . . Jezebel herself had a most unenviable record of evil.” (Walvoord)

Who calls herself a prophetess: This “Jezebel” at the church of Thyatira wasn’t really a prophetess, she only claimed to be one. Yet, it seems that the Christians there received her as a prophetess, and that’s why Jesus gives them this warning.
i. Jesus said this would happen in Mat_24:11 : Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Those words were first spoken with a view to the end times, but there have always been those who call themselves prophets in the church, but are not.

To teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols: Here, Jesus describes the specific sin of this woman “Jezebel.” Mainly, she was an immoral and ungodly influence on others, and led others into sin. Jezebel led others into immorality and idolatry.

i. Because of the strong trade guilds in Thyatira, the sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols was probably connected with the mandatory social occasions of the guilds. Perhaps a Christian was invited to the monthly meeting of the goldsmith’s guild, and the meeting was held at the temple of Apollo.

ii. The draw to the guilds and their meetings was powerful. “No merchant or trader could hope to prosper or make money unless he was a member of his trade guild.” (Barclay) Nonetheless, Christians were expected to stand in the face of this kind of pressure. One ancient Christian named Tertullian wrote about Christians who made their living in trades connected to pagan idolatry. A painter might find work in pagan temples or a sculptor might be hired to make a statue of a pagan god. They would justify this by saying, “This is my living, and I must live.” Tertullian replied Vivere ergo habes? “Must you live?”

Later in this letter, Jesus will also reveal a link to the work of Jezebel and false doctrine: this doctrine . . . the depths of Satan, as they say (Rev_2:24). It seems that this Jezebel led others in the church at Thyatira to discover depths of Satan.
i. In the days of the New Testament, many non-Christian religions (such as the Ophites and various Gnostic groups) said they knew the “deep things of Satan.” The ancient Christian writer Tertullian says that if you asked a Gnostic about their cosmic mysteries, they would furrow their brow and say, “it is deep.” It may be deep - but deep into a dangerous hole.
ii. How could Christians ever fall for the depths of Satan? Perhaps the deceptive reasoning went this way: “To effectively confront Satan, you must enter his strongholds, and learn his depths in order to conquer him.” People use similar reasoning in misguided spiritual warfare today.

And I gave her time to repent . . . and she did not repent: Jesus’ greatest accusation is that this “Jezebel” did not repent.

Because you allow: This shows the sin of the church of Thyatira. On the outside, they were a model church, showing works, love, service, faith, and patience. Yet there was significant corruption inside the church. The sin of the church was that they allowed this corruption.

i. It wasn’t necessarily a large group following Jezebel. A little leaven affect a whole lump of dough, and a few in immorality and idolatry will corrupt the whole church - especially if they influence others the way this Jezebel did.

Guzik: He took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him: Even as the foreign wives of Solomon led to his spiritual downfall, so Ahab’s foreign wife Jezebel led him and the nation into deep idolatry.

Ethbaal means, “with Baal.” “Jezebel’s name may come from a cultic cry used in the worship of Baal meaning ‘Where is Baal?’ Translated into Hebrew the name was also a verbal pun that the Israelites must have relished. Zebel in Hebrew means dung!” (Dilday)

Jewish Virtual Library: JEZEBEL (Heb. אִיזֶבֶל, perhaps from זבל, "the exalted one" with the prefix [i;] meaning "Where is the Exalted One / Prince?" (cf. Ichabod, "Where is the Divine Presence?).

Clarke: He took to wife Jezebel - This was the head and chief of his offending; he took to wife, not only a heathen, but one whose hostility to the true religion was well known, and carried to the utmost extent.
1. She was the idolatrous daughter of an idolatrous king;
2. She practiced it openly;
3. She not only countenanced it in others, but protected it, and gave its partisans honors and rewards;
4. She used every means to persecute the true religion;
5. She was hideously cruel, and put to death the prophets and priests of God;
6. And all this she did with the most zealous perseverance and relentless cruelty.

Revelation 2:22 TPT Now I will lay her low with terrible distress along with all her adulterous partners if they do not repent.

Revelation 2:23 TPT And I will strike down her followers with a deadly plague. Then all the congregations will realize that I am the one who thoroughly searches the most secret thought and the innermost being. I will give to each one what their works deserve.

Revelation 2:24 TPT But to the rest of you in Thyatira who don’t adhere to the teachings of Jezebel and have not been initiated into deep satanic secrets, I say to you (without laying upon you any other burden):

Revelation 2:25 TPT Cling tightly to all that you have until I appear.

Guzik: 5. (Rev_2:22-25) What Jesus wants the church at Thyatira to do.

I will cast her into a sickbed: Before Jesus tells the Christians in Thyatira what they must do, He first tells them what He will do. Jesus will chastise this Jezebel, and cast her into a sickbed, along with those who commit adultery with her.
i. The reference to adultery is important. It speaks of both literal, sexual adultery and spiritual adultery. When these Christians honored other gods, they were unfaithful to the Lord who saved them.

ii. For this reason, the figure of a sickbed is fitting. They were guilty of adultery, both sexual and spiritual. It is as if Jesus says, “You love an unclean bed. Here, I will give you one, and cast you into a sickbed.”

iii. What was the sickbed? It could simply be an image of affliction. Or, it could be literal sickness that Jesus would allow in the lives of Jezebel and her followers as chastisement. We know from passages such as 1Co_11:30 that God can use sickness as a way to chastise us when we are in sin.

iv. The ancient Greek word used here for bed “is also the word for a banqueting couch; and if that meaning is taken, the meaning is: ‘I will strike her down as she sits at her forbidden feasts.’“ (Barclay)

b. Unless they repent of their deeds: Jesus reveals the purpose for this chastening. First, it is to draw them to repent of their deeds. They wouldn’t listen to Jesus before, so He has to speak “louder” through a sickbed. Second, it is to give an example of holiness to other churches: and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.

i. Minds and hearts is literally “hearts and kidneys.” In the mind of the ancient Jews, the heart was the place of intellect, and the kidneys were the place of emotion. Jesus says, “I know your every thought and your every feeling.”

c. I will kill her children with death: “All men die, but all are not killed with death . . . Oh, it is a woeful thing to be killed with death.” (Trapp)

d. Hold fast what you have till I come: There were many faithful, uncompromising Christians in Thyatira. To them, Jesus simply says hold fast! They must not stop doing what is good. They must not become distracted or discouraged from what Jesus wants them to be and to do.

i. Jesus also tells them how long to hold fast: till I come. We are to “hang in there” and stand strong for Jesus until He comes. It’s only then that the battle will be over.

Wesley: I know thy love - How different a character is this from that of the angel of the church at Ephesus! The latter could not bear the wicked, and hated the works of the Nicolaitans; but had left his first love and first works. The former retained his first love, and had more and more works, but did bear the wicked, did not withstand them with becoming vehemence. Mixed characters both; yet the latter, not the former, is reproved for his fall, and commanded to repent. And faith, and thy service, and patience - Love is shown, exercised, and improved by serving God and our neighbour; so is faith by patience and good works.

Comment: As Wesley compared Ephesus with Thyatira—both had good works, labor and patience—but where they differ is on the response. Ephesus was so concerned with doctrinal purity they left off Love. Thyatira went to the other extreme and allowed nonsense.

What they were doing was great—but what they left undone was their problem. What do we do if we find that we are a combination of Ephesus and Thyatira?

Revelation 2:26 TPT To everyone who is victorious and continues to do my works to the very end I will give you authority over the nations

Revelation 2:27 TPT to shepherd them with a royal scepter. And the rebellious will be shattered as clay pots--

Revelation 2:28 TPT even as I also received authority from the presence of my Father. I will give the morning star to the one who experiences victory.

Comment: Jezebel was a queen—she loses her power, but those who are faithful will get that rulership

Guzik: (Rev_2:26-28) The promise of a reward.

He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end: Even when there is the immoral and idolatrous influence of a Jezebel, Christians can overcome and keep Jesus’ works until the end. We must not become overly discouraged at immorality and idolatry around us, even among Christians. God’s work will still go on through His overcomers.

b. To him I will give power over the nations: Jesus promised that His people would reign with Him. Here, there is a special promise to those who overcome the threat of immorality and idolatry. To them, Jesus offers a share in His own kingdom.

i. He shall rule them with a rod of iron: This quotation from Psalms 2 speaks of the authority of the Messiah when He rules over the earth. In that day, righteousness will be enforced, and those who rebel against Jesus will be dashed to pieces like a clay pot hit with an iron bar. Jesus includes this here to give hope to the faithful Christians of Thyatira, who felt overwhelmed by the immorality and idolatry all around them. Jesus reminds them “You’re on My winning team.”

ii. “The word for ‘rule’ (Gr. poimanei) means literally ‘to shepherd.’ Their rule will not be simply that of executing judgment, but also that of administering mercy and direction.” (Walvoord)

c. I will give him the morning star: Jesus offers them a reward greater than the kingdom. He offers them the reward of Himself, because He is the Morning Star (Rev_22:16).

Revelation 2:29 TPT So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches.

Guzik: (Rev_2:29) A general exhortation to all whom will hear.

He who has an ear: This is a letter that applies to everyone. It applies to those who are like Jezebel, who lead others into sin. It applies to those who follow the teaching of a Jezebel, and follow others into sin. It applies to those who permit a Jezebel to work her wickedness. And it applies to the faithful who must hold fast.