THE MESSAGE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
INTRODUCTION
[a] Local meaning – these are seven actual churches existing in John’s time and to which he ministers.
[b] General meaning – these conditions may be found in churches throughout this age and this gives us a key for evaluating a local church by the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
[c] Personal meaning – each message includes the challenge to “Him who overcomes” and “Him who has an ear.” Thus we can evaluate our own lives by this.
[d] Prophetic meaning – these seven churches are chosen in this order to illustrate church history from the time of John to the Rapture.
Two major trends are seen running through this message to the churches. These characterize the history of Christianity through to the time of the Rapture of the Church.
[a] First, there is the purifying process going on for those who are true believers, the “overcomers” by faith (1 John 5:4-5).
[b] Second, there is an increasing apostasy of dead human religion. At the Rapture, the body of Christ is removed, but apostate Christendom goes on to become the “great whore” of Revelation 17.
THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
1. The seven churches are given in Revelation 2 and 3. Revelation 1:20 tells us that the seven lampstands are the seven churches. There were more churches in the Roman Province of Asia at the time, but these churches stand for all churches there, and for all churches until the Rapture.
2. The churches are:- EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMUM, THYATIRA, SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA, LAODICEA.
3. EPHESUS:-
Scripture:(Revelation 2:1-7)
Description of Christ – Hand Holding Stars (Revelation 1:16)
Evaluation – Mediocre spiritual life.
Criticism – Stayed out of fellowship.
Advice – Get back into fellowship.
Praise – Rejected paganism.
Future Assurance – Eternal life.
Type – Bible believing, but legalistic.
Era – 33-100 A.D.
4. SMYRNA:-
Scripture:(Revelation 2:8-11)
Description of Christ – First and Last (Revelation 1 11)
Evaluation – Strong in Doctrine.
Criticism – Nil
Advice – Do not worry in oppression.
Praise – Faithfulness.
Future Assurance – No condemnation.
Type – Persecuted Church.
Era – 100-312 A.D.
5. PERGAMUM:-
Scripture:(Revelation 2:12-17)
Description of Christ – The Judge with the Sword (Revelation 1:16)
Evaluation – Faithful in a pagan area.
Criticism – Some following of paganism.
Advice – Remove Nicolatans
Praise – Nil.
Future Assurance – Justification.
Type – State Church.
Era – 312-592 A.D.
6. THYATIRA:-
Scripture:(Revelation 2:18-29)
Description of Christ- Eyes of Fire, Feet of Brass (Rev 1:14,15)
Evaluation – Followers of False Doctrine. 41,
Criticism – False teachers.
Advice – Reject false doctrine
Praise – Faithfulness.
Future Assurance -Rulership, Happiness.
Type -Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches
Era – 590-1517 A.D.
7. SARDIS:-
Scripture:(Revelation 3:1-6)
Description of Christ – 7 Spirits of God (Revelation 1:16, 20)
Criticism – Working in the power of the flesh.
Advice – Return to producing divine good.
Praise – Some are in fellowship.
Future Assurance – Future Righteousness.
Type -Fundamental but legalistic.
Era – 1517-1750 A.D.
8. PHILADELPHIA:-
Scripture (Revelation 3:7-13)
Description of Christ – Holy and True (Revelation 1:16)
Evaluation -Grace church working in the spirit.
Criticism – Nil
Advice – Keep up the good work.
Praise – Nil
Future Assurance – Future Provision.
Type – Bible believing, spirit filled church.
Era – 1750-1925 A.D.
9. LAODICEA:-
Scripture:(Revelation 3:14-22)
Description of Christ – Faithful and true witness (Revelation 1:5)
Evaluation – Carnal believers and apostate.
Criticism – Poor witness.
Advice – Get back into fellowship.
Praise – Nil
Future Assurance – Rulership.
Type -Social gospel, Apostate Church.
Era – 1925-Rapture. NOTE:- The chronological system of the 7 churches is not universally accepted, but it is a helpful way to see Church History. It is also however quite clear, that all 7 types of churches occur in the world at the present time, and have done at all times
THE CHURCH AGE – Characteristics
1. Limits
(a) Start – Pentecost.
(b) Finish – Rapture.
2. Divided into Two Sections
(a) Pre Canon to 100 A.D. Period of temporary and permanent gifts. (1 Corinthians 13:10)
(b) Post Canon – period of permanent gifts only where canon is present.
3. Length of Age – Unknown – but possibly about 2,000 years.
4. Means of Salvation – Faith in Christ. (Acts 16:31)
5. Written Scripture – Old Testament – Pre Canon; Whole Bible – Post Canon.
6. Evangelists – spiritual – the believer (2 Corinthians 5:20)
7. Major Judgment — Nil (Romans 8:1)
8. At death (believers) – Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8)
9. At death (unbelievers) – Torments, Hades.
10. Priesthood – universal believers as priests (1 Peter 2:9)
11. The Law – grace, the law having been fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17)
12. Holy Spirit – indwells all believers (John 7:39, Ephesians 4:5
13. Environment – sinful.
14. Satan – in Heaven or on Earth (Revelation 12:9)
15. Rebellion – Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
16. Many languages – (Genesis 11:7)
17. Many races of people – (Genesis 11:9)
18. Spirituality – filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
19. Every believer in union with Christ. (Ephesians 4:4)
20. Every believer indwelt by Christ. (John 14:20)
21. There is no mention of the Church Age in the Old Testament – Church Age truths are called ‘mysteries’. (1 Corinthians 15:51, Colossians 1:26, 27)
22. Part of ‘the post Flood Civilisation.
23. Wars and rumours of wars. (Matthew 24:6, 7)
CHURCH AT EPHESUS – 2:1-7
The church of Ephesus was founded by the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:18-21, 19:1-20). John came there twenty years later than Paul, having escaped the destruction of Jerusalem, and made Ephesus the centre of his circuit ministry. “Ephesus” means “beloved,” yet this church is rebuked for losing its “first love” for Christ. They had many good works but had fallen from their occupation with the person of Christ; He was no longer their centre and sole focus for life and work.
Historically as a type, the Church of Ephesus illustrates church history from 35 to 100 A.D. Remember, this is just one way of seeing this church, and although helpful, it doesn’t exhaust the significance of what we will read below. We are to take the challenges given to every church and apply all that applies!
The warning is to the believer (who is to be an overcomer) who “has an ear” that they are to use it! This means to constantly maintain personal fellowship and love for Christ as the greatest spiritual priority. Obviously we can only love the Living Word by loving and living in the written Word. We show our love for Jesus by love of his Word, and that means we hear it, believe it and obey it. “Doers” of the Word, not just academic listeners and forgetful hearers. James 1:22 – 2:26.
The name Ephesus means “Desired” – and this church is loved and desired by the Lord for their great love, but they must recapture that love or lose their blessedness. It is always about relationship with the Lord, and our beloved Lord wants that to be a passionate loving one from our side – for it is always loving from His side.
2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
Ephesus had been one of the first Roman Provincial centres of the renewed Imperial cult, and Domitian had allowed Ephesus the title of “guardian of his temple”, surpassing Pergamos – the first of the cities to establish a temple to a Caesar. With the Temple of Diana and then the key Imperial cult Temple of the worship of Caesar, the pagan city fathers of Ephesus were trying to magnify their status as a city, and so all who stood against such things were “enemies of the State” and the city. Paul and the others had barely escaped with their life in the riot of 57AD, Acts 19. Later believers would be hated as really potential destroyers of the dignity of the city, especially as the port ceased to exist by centuries end.
The emperors of this time believed in the importance of the Imperial Cult, as the religious “glue” to hold all the various religious groups together in the mixed Empire, and required all citizens of the Empire to worship them as the “genius” (spirit of wisdom) of the Empire. The mixed nature of this Empire-system was what will also characterize the new Roman Empire of the last days of the Anti-Christ. Daniel 2:40-45, 7:23-28, 8:23-27. This required an annual burning of a pinch of incense and saying aloud, “Caesar is Lord”. Believers couldn’t do this, for Jesus alone was their Lord.
Inscriptions also show that Ephesus had a sizeable Jewish population of which the Christians had been a sizeable part. [Acts 18:19-20, 26, 19:8-9] Up until this time the Jews were exempt the Imperial Cult, but by the time of John the Christians were no longer seen as a Jewish sect, and so were not excused this worship. This period begins the time of cyclical persecutions that will run for another 200 years. Jews were also hated for the rebellion of 66-70 AD, and would be even more so after the next revolt in the 130s, as there were serious massacres by Jewish rebels in many places around the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Saith he” – is typical of the way that the royal edicts of the ancient world was given by messengers who said, “thus saith the King”.
The description of the Lord Jesus Christ comes from Revelation 1:13, 16, 20.
THE CHURCH
1. Nomenclature:- EKKLESIA(GK) [literally “the called out ones”)
This word is used four different ways in Scripture.
(a) Citizen Assembly (Acts 19:32)
(b) Assembly of Israel (Acts 7:38)
(c) Synagogue (Matthew 18:17)
(d) Body of Christ (all believers) (Ephesians 1:22,23, 5:25-7, Colossians 1:18)
2. Termini of the Church
(a) Begins – day of Pentecost 32 A.D.
(b) Terminates – Rapture.
The church is being formed as the body of Christ during the church age. At the rapture believers in the church age lose their Old Sin Nature; and receive a resurrection body. In heaven during the tribulation human good is judged and divine good rewarded at the judgement seat of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10 -15).
(c) Scripture:- Begins at Pentecost (Matthew 16:18) Prophecy “On this rock” – on the rock Christ Jesus I will (future tense) build my church. (Acts 1:5) tells us how and when the church would begin – the church age, beginning with the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:15, 16 and Acts 2).
(d) Ends at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 John 3:1, 2, Philippians 3:21 John 14:1-3).
3. The church is said to be a mystery. (Ephesians 3:1-6, Colossians 1:25,26, Romans 16:25,26). Mystery – something that was hidden in the past in the Old Testament period but is now revealed. (see topic Intercalation).
4. Distinctive character of the church – no believer in the Old Testament had these assets.
(a) Union with Christ.
(b) Jesus Christ indwells every believer.
(c) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
(d) Every believer is a priest, as a priest each believer should be spiritually self sustaining.
(e) We have a completed canon of Scripture.
(f) Believers are commanded to live a totally supernatural way of life.
(g) For the first period in history each believer is an ambassador of Christ.
APPLICATION
Here we see the Lord is in the middle of his churches and is holding the messengers or preachers of the churches in His hand – he is obviously interested and in control. Even in the midst of persecution, He upholds all who serve and worship him alone.
It is the reminder that whatever is happening in the “kingdom of this world” the Lord is King forever in the eternal kingdom, and that is where our stability, safety, power and position rests secure. Our security comes from the certainties that flow from eternity into space-time.
2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
The perfect active indicative form of the Greek verb eido shows that Jesus Christ “knew” of their works in the past, with a result that He still knows them, and forever the results of this will be seen. He operates from perfect knowledge; all facts are known by the Lord and all things work together for his glory. Romans 8:28. When we are blessed by the Lord it is forever, and no-one can stop the blessing.
The commendation here is for facing testing and consistently rejecting false teachers. In Acts 20:29-31 Paul warned the elders at Ephesus that false teachers would come in and cause havoc in the church. They had held to the truth, proclaimed the truth and rejected all who opposed or distorted it. They did not allow any false teachers to upset the faith of the young believers in the churches.
By the time that Paul wrote the books of 1 and 2 Timothy, the false teachers had arrived and were causing corruption in the church. [1 Timothy 1:3-4,18-20, 6:3-10,20-21 2 Timothy 2:14-18, 4:1-4]. Standing against falsehood was and remains a basic requirement of all biblical leadership. John 21:15-22.
In the ancient world the rhetorical experts, teachers of professional public speaking recommended that speakers mixed praise and blame for their hearers to avoid closing them to the message whilst also avoiding flattery. Artfulness was more important than truth to the ancients, but truth was to prevail in the churches, and things were to be said to encourage and focus the people upon Jesus alone.
APOSTLESHIP
1. Apostleship is the highest spiritual gift ever to exist in the Church. – Like all other spiritual gifts it was sovereignly bestowed by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals (1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28)
2. Apostleship was a temporary gift. It was designed to carry the church until the canon of Scripture was completed. It had the total authority for directing the precanon church. Now the absolute authority is the canon of Scripture, particularly the New Testament.
3. Time of appointment:- The apostles to the church were appointed after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:8) Hence, they must be distinguished from the “Apostles to Israel” in (Matthew 10:2ff)
4. The extent of the gift:- This spiritual gift exercised authority aver all local churches. Today all local churches are autonomous with authority vested in the canon of Scripture and the local pastor (1 Corinthians 13:10)
5. The qualification of apostles:- Apostles had to be eye witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. This qualified the eleven, Paul being qualified on the Damascus Road (Acts 1:22, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 15:8,9)
6. The authority of the apostles:- The authority was established by the possession of certain temporary gifts that went with this gift. Apostles also had the gifts of miracles, healing and tongues (Acts 5:15, 16:16-18, 28:8,9)
7. The roster of apostles:- We have the eleven (excluding Judas). Mathias was elected but he was not an apostle. The twelfth apostle was Paul (1 Corinthians 15:7-10). Paul was appointed by God on the road to Damascus to replace Judas Iscariot.
8. Others:- There were others who were delegated authority from the apostles and therefore, in a sense, exercised some apostolic authority when they were sent on apostolic missions. They include Barnabbas (Acts 1 4:1 4, Galatians 2:9), James (half brother of Jesus) (1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians I:19), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6), Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1).
APPLICATION
The Lord Jesus Christ commends the church at Ephesus for rejecting the false teachers who had infiltrated the church by testing them. We need to guard our church against false practice and teaching on the basis of what the Scripture tells us. – Jude 3.
There are no people alive today with the full Biblical gift of Apostleship, for none can possibly fulfil the complete biblical requirements, and it would appear that there are only twelve, so any additional people named “apostles” must be seen as “sent out” by the initial twelve. Acts 1:15-26, Revelation 21:14.
With the founding apostles of the Church as our example, we should be willing to work for the Lord whole heartedly to the point of exhaustion in the Lord’s service. We will be tired in the work at times, but never tired of it as we walk in the Holy Spirit. We build on the foundation, once for all time laid by the apostles.
2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
Here the church at Ephesus has been diligent; it has persevered and not given up, but kept to its task.
Patience is one of the visible evidences of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in a life. They have “Laboured” (perfect tense) and the results of their work go on forever, because they have walked with the Lord in the filling of the Holy Spirit, and so all that has been done has won eternal rewards.
Here in contrast with the previous verse they are not weary, but have drawn strength as they advance.
For His names sake they were bearing the Cross. They preached Christ, believed sound doctrine and paid the price for it when required without complaint.
APPLICATION
We may become weary because of the pressures in the work, but we should never be weary of the work if it is the Lord’s path, and the Lord’s provided power through the Spirit is being used to walk it. It is tragic if we are weary of the work. He will encourage and strengthen us if we confess our slackness and then persist in our call.
We should bear the cross, share the “fellowship of his sufferings”, and defend the truth even if it means persecution or death. Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 3:7-10.
2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
The condemnation is that they have lost their first love; referring to their love for Christ and His Word. The second generation of believers have become slack and cold, and have not retained the fervour of the first generation. Distraction has destroyed their spiritual focus on the glory of the Lord and total reliance on his power, but it may yet be regained.
A similar problem is seen in those who received the book of Hebrews who as a second generation of Jewish believers had become lax in their attitude and lost their first love. Hebrews 3:7 – 4:11.
APPLICATION
We should maintain our love of the Lord Jesus Christ and be passionate in obedience to the Word, with a close and constant walk in fellowship with him by means of prayer.
Holding sound doctrine and perseverance in spiritual tasking is evidence of love for the Lord. [1 Corinthians 13:1-3.] Love for the brethren is also characterised by these things. 1 John chapters 4-5.
2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
Here the Ephesian believers are urged to remember their first love, repent, and return to passionate worship of the Lord, and loving obedient service on behalf of his Church.
The Greek tenses are of interest here showing the accuracy of Alexander the Great’s Koine Greek. The verse commences with a command to “remember now” [present tense = keep on remembering] from where you fell [perfect tense – with eternal results unless you regain your old position], and they are commanded [aorist tense, imperative mood] in this point of time to repent, or change their mind/behaviour.
They are then commanded to do the “first works” [Imperative mood] or Christ will come, and then at some point in the future remove their candlestick. The Lord will close the church down except they repent, which Christ sees as a possibility [subjunctive mood], perhaps they will repent or maybe they will not, it is up to them. They must decide and act or they will be removed. They are in danger of losing all their eternal rewards unless they repent and get back their life passion to live for Jesus totally.
Failure to get back to producing things of value will lead to the removal of the witness of the church. Eventually only a village remained of what was once mighty Ephesus several kilometres from the original site. Due to silt deposits it was already beginning to lose its geographical importance as a coastal city in John’s Day, and today it is no more. Its candle stick is snuffed out, as are many once powerful churches today, that are now warehouses or community halls. We are either effective light towers in dark places, or we are eventually replaced. Matthew 5:14-16.
REPENTANCE
1. Two words are translated repentance in the New Testament:-
Metanoia:- META – to change , NOIA – the mind, which means to change one’s opinion or mind about something or someone.
Meta Melamai – to feel sorry for – an emotional reaction because of acts undertaken.
2. Repentance in salvation is to change one’s attitude toward the person and work of Christ. (Luke 13:3,5, 15:7, 10, 16:30, 3 1, Acts 17:30, 31, 20:2 1, Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9)
3. Repentance is used in salvation mainly for the Jews. The Jews had seen Christ as a great teacher, a wise man, a prophet. They repented and now recognised him as the Son of God. In the case of the Gentiles, the word believe is used. (Acts 16:3 1 ) as they had no previous ideas about the person of Christ.
4. The Fruit of Meta Melamai Such as penance and sorrow does not save. e.g. Judas repented of his actions and went to eternal damnation.
5. However, Godly sorrow works repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)
6. The Holy Spirit is responsible for repentance in salvation. (1 Corinthians 2:14, John 16:8-11) It convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment.
7. The Believer is told to repent from dead works or human good.
8. When God repents it is symbolic (Genesis 6:6, Exodus 32:14, Judges 2:18, 1 Samuel 15:35, Jeremiah 15:6, Amos 7:3, 6, Hebrews 7:21)
MEMORIES
1. Memories have a number of implications in the bible:-
(a) memory of the Lord is a part of worship. (Psalm 145:7-10, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
(b) memory produces happiness. (Proverbs 10:7)
(c) it is of the greatest importance to use your memory while you are young. (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
(d) alcohol is related to memory. It causes rulers to forget their responsibilities (Proverbs 31:4-5) and those under great pressure to forget trouble. (Proverbs 31:6-7).
(e) memory has regrets beyond death for unbelievers, the memory of lost opportunity. (Luke 16:25).
(f) the word of God must be part of your memories. (2 Peter 1:12-13)
(g) memory can provide for misery and happiness. (Lamentations 3:17 -24)
(h) memory is designed to orientate one to grace. (Psalm 103:2)
APPLICATION
If we have lost our first love we need to follow the road of recovery. The road of recovery involves remembrance, repentance, and a passionate return to “first acts of love” for Christ. Worship – Isaiah 61:3.
If we still have sufficient residual doctrine, and add to it, we can recover from any backslidden condition.
If we are alive there is always time to come back, but only if we repent, worship, and obey the Word.
2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
Note Satan’s attempt to infiltrate the church through the Nicolaitans. The Greek word comes from Niko (to conquer) and Laos (the people). The Nicolaitans from the meaning of the Greek sought to rule the people.
This attempted establishment of a formal church hierarchy which distinguished between clergy and laity was repulsed in the first century but became the norm in later centuries. Today various forms of congregational government can equally destroy a church, as people seek a comfortable place rather than a spirit filled place of service. It is not the form of control that men take it is the fact that they are trying to “run the church” rather than follow the Holy Spirit! Hear Jesus words, Matthew 20:25-28.
Other sources from the earliest days state that this group was a sect set up by Nicholas, one of the first people with the responsibility of a deacon, who introduced into the church joint meetings with pagans.
The Ephesians hated compromise with truth and the Lord Jesus Christ commended them for this attitude. Only spirit filled Word of God centred worship/service is acceptable service, and there is to be no compromise with the works of men, and especially with pagans who want compromises to suit their belief systems.
APPLICATION
From this verse we see that whether it is fraternising with the pagan or heretical groups, the setting up of a special clergy and laity, or a congregational form of government that makes “majority rule” or “godly dictatorship” the way to lead the church, we note that the Lord despises such things and condemns them.
Christian unity is not obtained from fellowship with false religious groups who may call themselves Christians, as true doctrine will be compromised, and we will not then be the salt of the earth. We are all believer priests and have access to our heavenly Father through prayer and do not need to go through intermediary priests, but we must be led by spirit filled elders, who are our spiritual equals and mentors; we are not to be swayed by religious politicians.
2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
The letters are addressed to churches as a whole but the promises are to individual biblically minded believers. They are the overcomers, for they overcome temptations to compromise by holding to truth.
“Overcometh” is a participle. All participles in the Greek have cases. This one is in the dative case; it is the dative of advantage. It is an advantage to be an overcomer, to be faithful and eternally secure. It is a present participle which means that the action of the verb goes on forever. It is in the active voice, we are eternally secure; It is a participle that shows that God does this work with everybody who “overcomes” by faith. The concept of overcoming is given in 1 John 5:4-5, where it is shown that the overcomer is the person who believes in Christ, that is all genuinely born again believers.
The promise to the overcomer is that he will eat from the fruit of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God. The tree of life shows a restoration of the conditions that Adam and Eve enjoyed in paradise; that is full and sweet but now eternal fellowship with God. [Genesis 2:9, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4]
Each of these prophecies have their complete fulfilment for saved mankind in Revelation 21-22.
Eating with someone represents fellowship. We are meant to be feeding on the Word with the Lord.
Application
We are overcomers from the point of salvation onwards because of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. From the point of salvation we remain eternally secure. We are to live and serve in the excitement and joy of that great position that His Blood has bought for us.
As an overcomer, we will have eternal fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, and that fellowship has begun here and now. Let us embrace its reality now and draw closer to Him in our prayer, bible study and service.
CHURCH AT SMYRNA – 2:8-11
”Smyrna” means ”myrrh”, which was a gum or resin that was crushed to give off a fragrance. Myrrh was also used in embalming the dead. [John 19:39-40] This church was persecuted and suffered greatly.
Christ greets them as the one “who was dead, and has come to life”. This financially poor church was rich in God’s sight, for they were faithful in spite of suffering, slander, and death. They are promised the “crown of life” as they serve in the presence of death daily (James. 1:12).
Note here Satan’s two-fold attack of external persecution and internal infiltration by legalistic Jews whom Christ calls the “synagogue of Satan”. One of the great martyrs of Smyrna was the Pastor Polycarp who was a student of the Apostle John. He was burned at the stake and so won the crown of life.
Historically, Smyrna represents church history from 100 to 312 A. D., a period of great persecution by the Roman Empire. At this time Christianity was despised by the world as a collection of ragged, poor, and deluded people, yet they were rich before God. While they walked close to the Lord they were safe in his eternal arms, but if they went after any form of lust/legalism they would lose their power to withstand evil. Only Holy Spirit empowered living will stabilize us facing death – no legalistic system has any such power!
When we come to Laodicea, we find a large, rich, respected church that is naked in God’s sight. Is there any question as to where the majority are today? Let us be challenged to stand with our spiritual ancestors in truth, fellowship and holy power. While each church can stand for an age of church history, every age has had every church represented and the challenge to each is a challenge for all the last 2000 years. Let us be like the best churches of the last 2000 years, not repeat the mistakes of the foolish and disobedient.
2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND
He tells the church that he is the first and the last and that He Himself died and lived again. Although He died violently, He nevertheless lived again because of the resurrection. It is in this power that he rules and leads them, and the reality of resurrection is theirs also through their living relationship with Him.
Together with Philadelphia, the only other church of the seven mentioned not to be criticised at all, Smyrna held out longest against the Turks so that its lampstand shone far longer than its more politically important but less spiritually powerful neighbours.
One of the oldest and most prominent cities in the Roman province of Asia, Smyrna sought but failed to achieve political honour equal to that of Ephesus in this period but failed. What the city council failed to do the believers did achieve eternally in their devotion to the Lord.
DEATH
1. PHYSICAL DEATH – is the soul departing from the body (Matthew 8:22, Philippians 1:21, Romans 8:38).
2. SPIRITUAL DEATH – is no relationship with God (Ephesians 2:1, Romans 5:12, 6:23, Proverbs 14:12, Genesis 2:17, 1 Corinthians 15:22)
3. THE SECOND DEATH – this is the Great White Throne judgment followed by the lake of fire for unbelievers – the status of the unbeliever in eternity (Revelation 20:12-15, Hebrews 9:27)
4. POSITIONAL DEATH – Identification with Jesus Christ in his death which means rejection of human good. We are identified also with Christ at the right hand of God. (Colossians 2, Colossians 3:4, Romans 6). Sins were judged at the cross – human good was rejected.
5. SEXUAL DEATH – Inability to procreate (Romans 4:17-21, Hebrews 11:11-12)
6. OPERATIONAL DEATH – faith without works is non operational (James 2:26)
7. TEMPORAL DEATH – This is a believer out of fellowship – a carnal believer – a state which does not affect the eternal relationship with God (Luke 15:24,32, Romans 8:6,13, Ephesians 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:6, James 1:15, Revelation 3:1)
CAUSES OF DEATH
1. The work is finished. (2 Timothy 4:7)
2. Glorification of God – this is how Peter died. (John 21:19)
3. Maximum divine discipline – sin unto death. (1 John 5:16)
4. Superimposition of human over divine will – suicide – self destruction.
5. The unique death of Christ – he superimposed human will at the same time as divine will (Luke 23:46)
APPLICATION
Many of the people who first heard these words were to die violent deaths and pay the ultimate price for their faith. The description of the Lord as the one who was raised from the dead would be a source of comfort to them as well as us, as we can know, because He has been raised all believers will be raised.
Faithfulness in witness, through passionate commitment to the Lord and His Word, even if it is under persecution, will be more effective than the power of people with glamour and wealth.
2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.