Revelation: Chapter 2

Setting

This is the second of three sections that were first revealed to John in Revelation 1:19. In that verse, John was first told to write the things he had seen, the things that are, and things that shall be.

The events in this chapter describe characteristics and activities of each of the seven tribulation churches. There are notes of commendation to most of the churches, and a note of condemnation to some of them, except two. Below is a brief description of church history, followed by the letters from the Lord to four of the seven churches.

Outline

Verses Topic
Background on church history and the churches
1-7 The church of Ephesus
8-11 The church of Smyrna
12-17 The church of Pergamos
18-29 The church of Thyatira

As seen in the chronology of Revelation, John is viewing these events of this chapter from the spatial perspective of earth, and is receiving and writing the letters from Christ to the seven churches. From a temporal perspective, John is writing this book almost two millennia ago, and before the snatching away (rapture) of the New Testament church will probably occur. Additionally, at the time John wrote this book, the temple, Jerusalem, and all Israel had been destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., so there was no temple worship when this book was penned, nor will there be until the tribulation temple is rebuilt, Revelation 11:1-2. The intended audience is for Israel in the future, who are left behind because of their lack of faith in Christ Jesus, but they come to live in faith in Christ Jesus during the pre-tribulation timeframe. The following diagram illustrates the transition of churches, beginning with the Jewish church in Jerusalem, to the Body-of-Christ when salvation came to the Gentiles, Romans 11:11-12, then after the great event of the snatching away (rapture), the tribulation churches form. These seven letters are addressed to them. The graphic shows that only the overcomers in these churches will make it through the great tribulation, and then they will live on into the millennial reign of Christ over the earth.

Revelation 1:1-20, Revelation 2:1-29, and Revelation 3:1-22 relate to the Lord's relationship with the tribulation churches, which will be formed after the snatching away (rapture) of the New Testament churches. The progression of these churches begins first with the Jewish church in Jerusalem, led by the Apostle Peter, followed by the Body-of-Christ who included Jews and Gentiles, as described in Galatians 2:6-9. The snatching away (rapture) is an imminent future event at the time of this writing. That event consists of the resurrection of those who died in Christ, followed directly by the rapture of those still alive in Christ. Though only a remnant of the earth’s population will be taken up at this event, it will serve as an immediate clarion call to those Jewish people left behind, who were looking for a sign, 1Corinthians 1:22-23, that Jesus is their Messiah. Once the New Testament church is taken up to be with the Lord, tribulation churches will suddenly and miraculously emerge. These seven letters from the Lord are addressed to the tribulation churches. These letters prepare them to be righteous before the Lord, before the coming tribulation. This also begins the pre-tribulation period.

Revelation 1:1-20 not only shows that the book of Revelation was addressed to the to the tribulation churches, but it equips them with information they need for the tribulation period they will live through, which the New Testament churches will not experience since they will be snatched away (raptured). John's vision shows that the Lord is active among the seven churches. The seven candlesticks represent the character and challenges faced by the churches once they reform after the snatched away (raptured) of the New Testament churches until the tribulation. Further, the characteristics of the church are given in the Lord's parables, Matthew 13:1-58.

Five identifiable groups of believing Israelites in Christ Jesus will live in and some, through the tribulation. These groups are:

  • The tribulation churches, typified by the seven letters
    • The Lord Jesus warned them through His apostles of the persecutions they and those who followed would suffer, particularly the tribulation churches, John 16:1-4, Mark 13:9-13
  • The two witnesses
    • The two witnesses will deliver God’s Word to the nations and persecute the nations, resulting in the nations’ great hatred toward the two witnesses, Revelation 11:7-10
    • They will live during the first half of the tribulation before being killed by the Antichrist, then after three days they will be raised from the dead by God, and they ascend into heaven at the midpoint of the tribulation, Revelation 11:3-14
  • The sealed 144,000
    • This group will survive the seven years of tribulation, delivering God’s Word to the nations
  • Those Israelites living in modern Israel and Judeah, who flee into the mountains
    • Jesus warned believers in Christ that when they see the abomination of desolation set up in the tribulation temple’s holy place, they are to flee immediately. They are not to make any preparation for their flight, they are to run away to the mountains, Matthew 24:15-20, where the Lord will provide for all their needs
    • The Lord will meet them and cause them to pass under the rod, Ezekiel 20:37, and they will receive the new covenant, Jeremiah 31:31
  • The believing remnant of Israel, who are out among the nations, and not affiliated with the previous groups; they will likely perish, Revelation 7:14-17

As illustrated in the following graphic, two main sources persecute believers in Christ Jesus. First is from the ecumenical church that will immediately form after the snatching away (rapture) of the New Testament church, and at the beginning of the pre-tribulation period. She is portrayed in Revelation 17:1-18 as Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and the religious abominations on the earth. She is drunk on the blood of the saints, Revelation 17:6. When this whore of Babylon is destroyed by the ten horns on the beast the ecumenical church controls, Revelation 17:16-17, the ten horns will then turn over their kingdom to the Antichrist, subordinate themselves to him, and then all persecution of believers in Christ Jesus during the last half of the tribulation, known as the great tribulation. During the great tribulation, when the churches are in hiding, the Lord knows His own and how to keep them separate from the judgment upon the unrighteous, 2Peter 2:9, Psalm 37:39-40. The Lord revealed to Daniel that He will have Michael, the great prince, watch over the churches, Daniel 12:1. Shown in Revelation 1:20, there is an angel for each of the churches, who are faithful to Christ Jesus, spreading His information to each church, and who with Michael the great prince, protect the believers in those churches.

The above graphic shows relevant scriptural passages that pertain to each of the five groups of Israelis living at that time. For the tribulation churches, not only are they instructed to shelter in place based on the Old Testament prophecies noted in the graphic, but John indicates that they will be provisioned for the length of time they are in hiding, as noted to the church of Pergamos. To this church, and all the tribulation churches, is promised hidden manna. Since they will be in hiding, their daily provision of manna will be hidden with them, unlike their forefathers during their exodus. The Lord distinguishes between these believers going through the great tribulation from all other martyrs for Christ, in the pre-tribulation period and the first half of the tribulation, Rev 7:13-17.

The difference in how the Lord is worshiped between the churches with the Old Testament or the Millennial reign of Christ is exemplified by one thing: the worship location, the temple God honored. In the Old Testament and during His millennial reign, the Lord meets with the people through a deliberate process at one place, either the tabernacle or the temple in Jerusalem, where God put His name, 2Chronicles 7:14-16, Zechariah 14:16, but today we worship in spirit and truth, John 4:21-24. A person living in the Old Testament did not approach the presence of God their way; they had to follow His law, which included the seven feasts and the roles and responsibilities of the priests. The same is true during His millennial reign.

In the New Testament, the Spirit of the Lord indwells and seals the Saint of God upon profession of faith in the work of Christ based on His Gospel, Ephesians 3:14-19, 4:30, 1Corinthians 15:1-4, 2Corinthians 1:21-22. The new believer then becomes part of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:12-16, Colossians 1:15-20. During the church age, there is no centralized worship as Israel had, worshiping God and celebrating His feasts in the temple at Jerusalem. Instead, the Lord said that where two or more are gathered together, there He was also, Matthew 18:20. It was common to share letters/epistles with other churches, Colossians 4:16, which became part of the canon of scriptures, 2Peter 3:15-16. They contained mysteries that God revealed to the Apostle Paul, who then forwarded them to all believers in Christ through his epistles. The epistles from the other Jewish writers in the New Testament were likewise important. They provided the church with increased understanding of the fullness of Christ in satisfying all aspects of the law, revealing His return, and many other great doctrines that describe the fulfillment of all that was written in the Old Testament.

Following the snatching away (rapture) of the New Testament church, the pre-tribulation period begins and the tribulation churches form, typified by the seven churches in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3. In these letters to the churches, the Lord directs His attention to the overcomer. The one who overcomes the world is the person born of God, who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, 1John 5:3-5.

John recorded detailed characteristics of the glorified Christ, Revelation 1:4-19, which each of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 is associated with a subset of these characteristics of the Lord to build them up, encourage them, or introduce a warning of judgment in preparation for the tribulation. These churches collectively reflect much of the glory of Christ Jesus. The book of Revelation is written to prepare the believing Jews for the tribulation they will go through, Daniel 9:24-27, the worst time in human history, Matthew 24:21. The seven churches are Jewish synagogues that also existed under John’s apostleship, but since the fall of Israel, Romans 11:11-12, the prophetic program has been paused. The mystery program is active now until the return of Christ in the clouds to resurrect the dead in Christ and snatch up those alive in Christ, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. After the snatching away (rapture) of the Body-of-Christ, the seven churches will be reconstituted. Soon afterward, the seventieth week of Daniel, Daniel 9:27, will begin, and the Lord starts to open the seven-sealed scroll, Daniel 9:24-27, Revelation 6:1. John, as the apostle to the circumcision, described in detail the glorified Christ. His letters went to the churches that existed in his day and are preserved in this book for the reconstituted tribulation churches, Revelation 1:19.

The following table summarizes the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22. A casual observation shows that all seven letters follow the same pattern and outline:

  • A description of the Lord from Revelation 1:1-20, is given to each church; each church is given a unique picture of the Lord (see the summary table on this site for Revelation 01)
  • Each of the churches is commended for the works they performed for the kingdom of God, except two of them
  • The Lord also condemns the state of the churches except two, Smyrna and Philadelphia, or false teaching that had entered into the church
  • The Lord provides counsel to all of the churches
  • To those who overcome, the Lord reveals a unique relationship with that person to enjoy for all eternity

The phrase "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches," is the only statement by the Lord that is the same to the all the churches, but varies in the order it appears in this otherwise constant structure; the first three churches the statement on "He who has an ear..." appears after the counsel to those churches. The statement ends the letter to the remaining four churches. This situation forces the need to examine this text closely and understand why this variation exists.

Scanning through each row, or category of the Lord's statement to the churches, it is difficult to pull out an obvious change in the text because of the unique and personal nature of the letters to each church. For example, in four of the seven churches, the Lord instructs them to repent of an issue He condemned them for; two have the "He who has an ear..." statement immediately following the counsel, and the other two have the statement at the end of the letter. What does stand out is that in the last three of the four churches (not including Laodicea), the Lord told them to "hold fast." In the letter to Thyatira, "until I come" indicates that they will be separated from the horrors of the great tribulation. The Lord will protect them. Why do the first three churches not have these statements as the churches? Admittedly, the answer is elusive. The Lord does not arbitrarily change the order of things without a purpose. As presented on the website on Revelation chapter 2 and 3 timelines, the characteristics of all seven churches are evidenced in the world today. All seven churches are waiting for the Lord's return. So again, the change in order of the statement "he who has an ear..." is not necessarily tied to the rapture alone, there must be some other reason in addition to the doctrine of the rapture of the church.

There are some final points to draw from the following table:

  • Each letter is directed to the church body, and the individual believer
  • Each has a personal and unique relationship with the Lord
  • The Lord does not compare one church with another
  • The Lord does not suggest that members of one church move to another church to flee persecution or attend a "better" church, though one church was within walking distance according to the order as they appear in these letters from the Lord (see a great article at the website by H.B. Charles Jr. on this subject)
  • The Lord does instruct the individual congregants to follow the Lord and His commandments; each individual is still responsible to the Lord

The following map illustrates the relative location of the seven churches geographically, and among each other.

Christ's description

In Revelation 2:1, the Lord reveals Himself to the congregation at Ephesus as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, and the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands. This represents comfort and involvement with the church, as evidenced by His presence among the churches, and holding the seven angels in His right hand, who provide the messages to the churches. Some think that the stars, or messengers, are representatives from each church to whom John will deliver the letters. However, since the stars were identified as angels in Revelation 1:20, they may be angels who serve as messengers to each church and protectors. This was similar to the accounts of angelic activity in the book of Daniel, particularly in Daniel 9:1-27, Daniel 10:1-21, Daniel 11:1-45, and Daniel 12:1-13.

The Lord's commendation

In Revelation 2:2-3 and 6, the Lord commends the church at Ephesus for:

  • Good works
  • Labor
  • Patience
  • Not tolerating evil (as did the other churches to be studied)
  • Testing those who came to them claiming to be apostles, 1John 4:1-4, Acts 20:17-38, focusing on Acts 20:28-31
  • Persevering
  • Not becoming weary

They were also commended for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which God also hated, Revelation 2:6. There is no thorough understanding of the identity or origin of this group. However, some do tie this to a man identified by Luke, Acts 6:5. Nicolas was one of seven men named by the apostles to oversee the daily serving of food during the early days in the church at Jerusalem. Though they are explicitly spoken of adversely by the Lord to the churches, the doctrines that they taught and held are not known. Since this note about them is affiliated with that of Balaam in the letter to the church of Pergamos, Revelation 2:15, there is probably a link between the two, certainly in the realm of seeking their own will and ways in contrast to the word of God. Two possible views concerning this group have been forwarded. First, the word Nicolaitans is a compound word whose parts can be used to describe the character of this group: niko, which means to conquer or to rule over, and laos, which means the people or laity. The inference is that some people held senior positions within a church body and would lord over the congregation. A second possibility is that this was a group that brought error into the church, which was similar to the doctrine of Balaam, concerning eating meat offered to idols and promoting sexual immorality. In either case, their practices were condemned by the Lord.

The Lord's condemnation

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord condemns the congregation at Ephesus. The church left its first love. There was much for which the Lord commended the church of Ephesus in the previous verses, but their love was running cold; their relationship to Christ was becoming commonplace, and the love for Christ may no longer have been the centerpiece in their worship and fellowship. Christ gave to His apostles a new commandment, to love one another, and thereby the world would know that they were of Christ, John 13:34-35, and that if they love Christ, they were to obey His commandments, John 14:18-24. One can view the events recorded by Luke in Acts 20:1-38 as to the character of the elders of Ephesus at an earlier time than the date this letter was written, as they responded to the call of Paul on his final journey to return to Jerusalem. The depth of their love for God may also be inferred by Paul's letter to them, where he compared the relationship between the church and Christ to that of a husband and wife.

The Lord's counsel

In Revelation 2:5-6, the Lord counsels the church at Ephesus to repent. The church of Ephesus was well established and a great church in its day, as inferred by Revelation 2:5, indicating that they had fallen far from Christ. Christ tells them to repent and return to where they were before. If they fail to return to their former love of Christ, they will suffer immediate judgment and the loss of their fellowship with Christ as a congregation. Again, the Lord does commend them further, as noted earlier, for their zeal in maintaining the fidelity of God's word.

He who has an ear ...

Finally, in Revelation 2:7, the Lord writes to them who overcome the world, its temptations and tribulations through their faith and love in Jesus Christ, John 16:33, 1John 5:3-5, Revelation 21:6-8, that they will be able to partake of the tree of life. The tree will be placed over the river of life, and has many interesting qualities, Revelation 22:1-2.

A summary of the letter to the church of Ephesus

The Lord's statements To the church of Ephesus
Christ's description The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamp stands
Commendation Good works, labor, patience, hated Nicolaitans
Condemnation You have left your first love
Counsel Remember from where you are fallen and repent
"He who overcomes ..." I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God

Christ's description

In Revelation 2:8, the Lord is revealed to this church at Smyrna, as the one who is the first and the last, Revelation 1:17, and the one who died and came back to life, Revelation 1:18. The Lord is fully encompassing all the experiences of the church at Smyrna with all that He is and suffered, Hebrews 13:5-6. Through this identification with the church, the Lord assures them that He is in control and has not abandoned them in their time of great suffering and tribulation. He will see them through this terrible time and give them the strength to hold firm in their faith. This same Jesus who came back from the dead gives them that same assurance, John 11:25-26.

The angel who leads this church is also subordinate to Michael the archangel. In the hierarchy of angels, Michael leads the nation of Israel through the tribulation period, Daniel 12:1. He is the one to ensure everyone of Israel whose name is written in the book of life will be delivered.

This angel is to present Christ Jesus to the congregants at Smyrna, as:

  • The first and the last, all existing in eternity past to eternity future
  • The one who was dead and is alive

These characteristics of the Lord assure believers at Smyrna that in Christ, they too will be delivered from the second death, the Lake of Fire, and have everlasting life with Christ Jesus.

The Lord's commendation

In Revelation 2:9, the Lord commends the church at Smyrna for their works, tribulations, and poverty, though they are rich. He also acknowledges that He is aware of the slander against them by those who falsely call themselves Jews. In His earthly ministry, Jesus told the Pharisees who argued with Him concerning His work that His father was God. Jesus told them that their father was Satan because of their disobedience and deafness, John 8:39-47. Paul had written that a real Jew is one of the heart and not just physical, Romans 2:28-29. The slander of the Jews is Satan. Satan with all his followers continually rile against all who are of Christ and who live and spread His gospel, that Jesus died, was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead according to scripture, 1Corinthians 15:1-4, Galatians 1:6-9. The apostle John wrote in another epistle that those who do no righteous deeds are the children of the devil, 1John 3:8-10.

The Lord's condemnation

There were no words of condemnation by the Lord to this church. The church of Smyrna will be suffering under great persecution from Satan, who in the past utilized the Caesars in Rome as his instruments of persecution against the church. In the pre-tribulation time through the first half, the source of persecution will originate from the false religion of Babylon, described in Revelation 17:1-15. The Smyrna believers were commended for remaining faithful to the Lord.

The Lord's counsel

In Revelation 2:10, the Lord counsels the church at Smyrna and encourages them not to fear for what they were about to suffer, Philippians 4:19. The Lord then informs the congregation of things they will suffer:

  • Satan is behind the persecution, Ephesians 2:1-10
  • They will be imprisoned
  • They will be tested
  • They will suffer persecution for ten days (if taken literally, the reformed church at Smyrna will undergo significant persecution for ten days. As this church lives on through the pre-tribulation period, they will know from whom the persecution originates and have complete comprehension of all the Lord is warning them of)

There have been many attempts to explain the ten days through the early history of the church so that the historical model used by many to explain Revelation 2 and Revelation 3 can be justified. No reasonable and sound explanation has been forwarded, whether one argument was based on a literal view of interpretation or an allegorical approach to interpretation. Rather than looking back in time for an answer, and in line with God’s prophetic program for Israel being on pause while the Body-of-Christ is still on earth, the answer lies ahead in time, when the prophetic plan for Israel resumes, and these churches are reestablished.

Those in the Smyrna church are encouraged by the Lord not to fear things they are about to suffer. All believers in the days of the Caesars suffered much, physically, monetarily, and by death. Many who crossed the will of local rulers lost their ability to practice their commerce, and were ostracized, John 9:18-23. However, Paul wrote to the Body-of-Christ:

  • His commendation of the Macedonian believers who, though poor, gave in their poverty to the needy saints in Jerusalem, 2Corinthians 8:1-2
  • That when he, Paul, was faced with death, he displayed no fear, but showed believers in Christ the true end and beginning when we are faced with physical death, Philippians 1:18-24
  • That we walk by faith, not by sight, so that to be absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord, 2Corinthians 5:7-8

John continued to write that the synagogue of Satan was near the church of Smyrna, so was the one behind the church’s persecution, Revelation 2:9.

Despite all this, the Lord encourages each individual in the church to be faithful, even unto death, John 15:18-25, Romans 5:1-5, 1Peter 4:1-2. The Lord has promised them that they will be given the crown of life, Revelation 4:9-11. These individuals who are true believers in Christ Jesus are filled with the Holy Spirit, can hear and discern what is said to the churches in these seven letters, 1Corinthians 2:12-16. In contrast, John wrote in another epistle how some left the assembly of believers, though they were not actual believers, 1John 2:18-20. He went on to say in the same passage that believers have the Holy Spirit and know all things.

It is intriguing to see from the map of all the churches, whose distance from one another may be about a day's walk, that the Lord did not direct or advise any of the congregations to move from one church to another. They are His witness where they are. Rather than moving to another church that was more spiritually alive, free from persecution, or for some other reason, they were encouraged to remain faithful to the Lord where they were. This was not just for the church at Smyrna, but all churches. How relevant this is to today's Christian in light of the ease of mobility within the western society, to remain with a church to grow and influence others within that congregation to remain strong in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, rather than moving about to be entertained. Those Christians in other parts of the world suffering from cruel and horrible persecution who are fixed in their situations, the words of the Lord are for comfort and encouragement to them, as they were for the believers at Smyrna. He is faithful to see them through all their tribulation, and will not forsake or leave them, Hebrews 13:5-6

He who has an ear ...

In Revelation 2:11, the Lord speaks directly to those in the church of Smyrna, who are the overcomers, John 16:33, 1John 5:3-5, Revelation 21:6-8. Overcomers will not experience the second death, Revelation 20:11-15.

A summary of the letter to the church of Smyrna

The Lord's statements To the church of Smyrna
Christ's description The first and the last, who was dead and has come to life
Commendation Works, tribulation, poverty
Condemnation None
Counsel Fear not, be faithful
"He who overcomes ..." shall not be hurt by the second death

Christ's description

In Revelation 2:12, the words of the Lord are described as a sharp double-edged sword. Such a sword cuts both ways, both in judgment and in power and assurance to the Christian, Ephesians 6:12-18, which is part of the armor of God, Hebrews 4:12-13. There are two other times in this book when the Lord Jesus Christ is shown with a double-edged sword, first when He is portrayed as the high priest, Revelation 1:16, and second, when He is on His way to conquer His enemies on earth as King of all kings, Revelation 19:11-16. This is reminiscent of Melchizedek, both priest and king of Jerusalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:1-28. For the church at Pergamos, the Lord is coming with both praise and condemnation.

The Lord's commendation

In Revelation 2:13, the Lord commended the church at Pergamos for being true to the Lord despite being located where Satan has his throne. They were also commended for remaining faithful despite the martyrdom of Antipas, and the constant fiery darts of Satan, 2Timothy 2:8-13 (the suffering of Paul, and Christ's faithfulness). Their faithfulness was true in the face of severe persecution. As with Smyrna, believers at Pergamos underwent significant persecution, Romans 8:35-39. In this verse is a double emphasis of Satan’s presence in the city. In Dan 10:20, evil angels influence the reigns of kings and over kingdoms. Satan’s throne being in the same area as this church is interesting, in that by mid-tribulation, Satan will be ousted permanently from heaven, Revelation 12:7-10. Because of this, Satan expresses great wrath against the inhabitants of earth, Revelation 12:12. This is the time when the Holy Spirit had stepped aside to allow the Antichrist to be revealed because this is his time to prevail, after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2Thessalonians 2:6-12, Daniel 7:23-25. It must be remembered that Satan is just a created being who does not share in any of God’s characteristics of being omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. Despite Satan’s presence, the believers in Pergamos held fast to the Lord’s name and did not deny their faith in Him.

The Lord's condemnation

In Revelation 2:14-15, the Lord had two major issues against the church at Pergamos. The first was that some in the church followed the teaching of Balaam. Balaam was a false prophet, who sold his abilities, but was still used by God, Numbers 25:1-13, 2Peter 2:15-16, Jude 1:11. Though God prohibited Balaam from issuing any curses on the Israelites, while on their exodus from Egypt, he taught King Balak, ignorantly, how to make God destroy Israel. In a feeble attempt to pervert God’s grace, Balak sought to manipulate his false assumption that if he sent the women of his kingdom into the camp of Israel to entice them to sin, eating food sacrificed to idols, God had to destroy Israel. Neither Balaam nor Balak understood God’s grace and His long suffering, Psalm 86:15, 2Peter 3:9. The women were sent into the Israeli camp, and the men of Israel. As a result, they enticed others to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols, Colossians 3:5, and they committed sexual immorality. Later, Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, witnessed an Israelite man take a Midianite woman to his tent to engage in sexual immorality. Phinehas took the initiative to kill the couple with a javelin to curb God’s wrath against Israel. Nevertheless, 24,000 Israelites were killed because of God’s wrath, Numbers 25:6-11. Instead of Israel being destroyed, it was Balak’s people who were destroyed, Numbers 25:16-18, 31:1-19.

Unlike the church at Ephesus, Pergamos did not jealously guard the fidelity of and protect church doctrines. They allowed perversions to enter into their church, like some churches today that give more honor to secular social justice issues instead of knowing and following God’s Word. The compromise of the congregants at Pergamos to do evil was not due to persecution (which they were commended for). Instead, they tolerated, allowed mixing of pagan worship, and were proud of sexual activities in their church worship by members in their church, 1Corinthians 5:1-5.

In Revelation 2:15, a second, serious complaint by the Lord was lodged against the church at Pergamos; they held to the teaching of the Nicolaitans, whom the Ephesians had rejected. There is little understanding of the identity or origin of this group. Some tie this to a man identified by Luke in Acts 6:5. Nicolas was one of seven men named by the apostles to oversee the daily serving of food during the early days in the church at Jerusalem. Though they are explicitly spoken of adversely by the Lord to the churches, the doctrines that they taught and held are not known. Since this note about them is in affiliation with that of Balaam, there probably is a link between the two, certainly in the realm of seeking their own will and ways in contrast to the word of God.

Two possible viewpoints have been forwarded concerning this group. First, the word Nicolaitans is a compound word whose parts can be used to describe the character of this group: niko, which means to conquer or to rule over, and laos, which means the people or laity. The inference is that some held a senior position within a church body would lord over the congregation. A second possible answer is that this group brought error into the church, encouraging the observance of the doctrine of Balaam. This group worked against God’s Word by encouraging the eating of meat offered to idols and promoting sexual immorality. In either case, the Nicolaitans were condemned because of their activities by the Lord, and the churches will be well aware of God’s Word.

The Lord's counsel

In Revelation 2:16, the Lord instructs the church at Pergamos to repent. He reveals dire consequences if they do not obey God’s Word. The Lord will come and fight against those who hold such perverted views. This is consistent with the beginning of the letter to this church, where the Lord was shown to be like a two-edged sword, which is equated to the sword of His mouth, 1Timothy 6:3-5, 2Timothy 4:1-5, 2Timothy 3:14-17, Revelation 19:11-16. The Lord is preparing the church through this letter for all the congregants to be right with Him before the great tribulation. The Lord will use the sword of His mouth to separate the righteous from the unrighteous if they do not judge themselves, 1Timothy 6:3-5, 2Timothy 3:14-17, 4:1-5. The time is short for the church at Pergamos to repent before the tribulation begins, so the Lord will act quickly if they refuse to repent

He who has an ear ...

This is the last church to have the phrase, “He who has an ear,” precede the promises to those who overcome. The last four churches have the phrase, “He who has an ear,” following their promises to those who overcome. It is not clear why this change in the format of these letters occurs here, but it will be understood then, Daniel 12:9.

In Revelation 2:17, the Lord addresses those who overcome, who are born again in Christ, John 3:3-15, John 16:33, 1John 5:3-5, Revelation 21:6-8. They will receive hidden manna and a white stone with a new name for each believer.

As the graphic at the top of this page illustrates, the church of Pergamos along with the other six tribulation churches (who typify all the other tribulation churches that have formed after the snatching away (rapture) of the Body-of-Christ,) who will go through the tribulation. Those who overcome will be given hidden manna, which the children of Israel received from God every morning, except the Sabbath, during their exodus, Exodus 16:14-18. During Israel’s exodus to the promised land, the Lord provided them with food and water. Daily, they would go out in the morning to receive their portion of the manna for food. Christ Jesus spoke in parables to the people during his first advent, Psalms 78:1-2, and reveals Himself to those He chooses, Matthew 11:25-27. One such revelation is that Christ is the bread of life, John 6:43-51.

As these churches pass through the seven years of tribulation, particularly the last half, which Jesus called the great tribulation, Matthew 24:15-21, they will be provisioned with manna where they are sheltered from the persecution of the Antichrist. The Lord distinguishes between these believers going through the great tribulation from all other martyrs for Christ, in the pre-tribulation period and the first half of the tribulation, Rev 7:13-17.

This same group of overcomers will also receive a white stone with a new name written on it, known only by that person in the tribulation church and the Lord (a very special relationship between the Lord and the believer). Attempting to tie this to modern churches in the dispensation of grace, many turn this into an allegory, understood within the context of ancient trials. In a trial, a white stone was given by jurors to proclaim a person’s innocence. However, there is something much deeper and more personal for these believers in the tribulation churches. It is a personal relationship being expressed since this rock has only one person’s name written on it, given by the Lord, from the Stone of Israel, Genesis 49:24, the mighty God of Israel. The Lord is the stone, and the cornerstone, rejected by the builders, Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:42, Luke 20:17. Here, the Lord is sharing Himself with the great tribulation believers. He will be with the believers as the Rock who followed Israel on their exodus, provisioning them with all their needs, 1Cor 10:4. The stone is perpetual and will last through eternity, and its color, white, is the righteousness of Christ.

Additionally, when the Lord appears at Armageddon, He will have a name no one knows, Revelation 19:12, and it may be that all of these believers in these tribulation churches will reflect the Lord’s secret name as an entire group. Their names individually may also be used as positional authority in Christ’s kingdom, Matthew 10:5-10, and invoke a pedigree of honor, dignity, and ranking to whom it is revealed, Matthew 10:11-16. Interestingly, to the overcomers in the church of Philadelphia, the Lord promises, Revelation 3:12, to write on them the name of His God, the name of the city of His God, His new name.

A summary of the letter to the church of Pergamos

The Lord's statements To the church of Pergamos
Christ's description The One who has the sharp two-edged sword
Commendation Works, held fast my name, has not denied my faith
Condemnation You have false teachers of Balaam and the Nicolaitans
Counsel Repent
"He who overcomes ..." to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it

Christ's description

In Revelation 2:18, the words to the church of Thyatira are identified as from the "Son of God", which is unlike the description of the previous three church letters that refer to "Him," and enforces Christ's authority over the churches. He is also described as having eyes like blazing fire, which are penetrating in judgment, and He has feet like burnished bronze, which is also symbolic of judgment.

The Lord's commendation

In Revelation 2:18, the description the Lord uses to convey how He wants the church at Thyatira to see Him is:

  • The Son of God
  • Having eyes like a flame of fire
  • Having feet like fine brass

The Lord reveals His divinity to the church at Thyatira, He is God, John 10:30, and the creator of all things, Colossians 1:16-20. In contrast to the previous three church letters that refer to “Him,” the Lord uses His title, “Son of God,” which is the only time in the KJV that this title is used in the Book of Revelation. His title “Son of God” projects Christ’s authority over the church, that He has the right to judge and enter into judgment those who choose to reject His call to Himself.

The Lord is omniscient, illustrated by describing His eyes like fire. He knows all things, even into the motives and thoughts of men. Similarly, His symbolism of His feet as fine brass demonstrates that He brings perfect judgement to the church that He comes to correct. The brazen altar was where judgment for sin was addressed with a sacrifice in the tabernacle, which the Lord intended for this church. As will be revealed in this letter, there are serious issues in this church at Thyatira, which He wants changed to prepare them for the tribulation (See the top of this page for how the churches are being prepared for the tribulation).

In Revelation 2:19, the Lord commends the church for:

  • Works
  • Love (Ephesus was condemned for leaving their first love) and faith
  • Service and faith
  • Doing more than at the beginning of their church

All of this is great praise from the Lord, showing an active, resilient church that is reaching out to others, spreading the gospel of the kingdom to others. The problem: they allowed serious errors into their fellowship, and those at the heart of the false teaching were seriously affecting others in the church to follow them rather than the truth of God. This was tares growing among the wheat, Matthew 13:25-30. This is the end of time, and now is the time for separation in the church, before it begins in the world in the tribulation. God’s judgment always begins with His people before spreading out to the world, 1Peter 4:17.

The Lord's condemnation

In Revelation 2:20-23, the Lord condemns those in the church at Thyatira who tolerate the woman, Jezebel. This is not the same woman as Jezebel in the Old Testament in the days of Elijah, 1Kings 19:1-2, but it is the same evil spirit that seeks to bring into the church at Thyatira Baal worship. The following are the characteristics attributed to Jezebel:

  • She called herself a prophetess (a false authority versus that of the Son of God), Revelation 2:18
  • Her teachings mislead God's servants (same condemnation as with the church of Pergamum, who followed the teaching of Balaam. An important repetition with the additional emphasis of another Old Testament character. She institutionalized the worship of Baal in the northern tribes of Israel, such as:
    • Sexual immorality
    • Eating food sacrificed to idols (prohibited by God, Ex 34:15)

Jezebel did much worse besides leading the northern tribes of Israel to worship Baal; she persecuted the believers, 1Kings 18:4-13. This sub-group within the church, represented as Jezebel, was given time to repent but did not, Revelation 2:21. God's judgment on this group and those who followed this false teaching will be sickness to the point of being bedridden, and their suffering will be intense, being cast into the great tribulation, Revelation 2:22. The way out for them is repentance. To end this part of the letter, the Lord reveals that the purpose of the judgment was for the other churches to know the character of the Lord, that He searches the hearts and minds of men, and repays according to an individual's deeds.

There are other examples of perversions in worship and the Lord's response. Consider the example of those who still occupied Jerusalem after the two conquests by King Nebuchadnezzar, and their behavior toward God. In Ezekiel's vision, Ezekiel 8:2-5, he was taken to observe the state of worship in the temple in Jerusalem, and the perversions that occurred:

  • Idol worship Ezekiel 8:3, 5
  • Pictographs along the inside wall of the outer court with the elders plus another waving burning incense to them in worship, Ezekiel 8:10-11
  • The elders of Israel were worshiping idols in their homes, thinking that God could not observe their sin, Ezekiel 8:12
  • Women were mourning for Tammuz at the north gate of the Lord's house, Ezekiel 8:14-15
  • Men at the entrance to the inner court were worshiping the sun, Ezekiel 8:16

The Lord's response to these rebellious acts is judgment, Ezekiel 8:18. It is written in Exodus 20:2-7, where the Ten Commandments written, that we shall not make any idol or bow down to worship them. God will punish those who do but show love to those who love Him and keep His commandments, and as Peter wrote, we are to live holy and godly lives, 2Peter 3:10-15.

The Lord's counsel

In Revelation 2:24-25, the letter continues to those in the church who did not hold to the teaching of Jezebel, or have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets. The Lord promised them not to be imposed with any other burden. They are to hold on to what they have until the return of Christ Jesus at the end of the tribulation, and destroys His enemies, Revelation 19:11-21, 2Thessalonians 2:8, Isaiah 11:4.

He who has an ear ...

In Revelation 2:26-29, is the end of the letter to this church of Thyatira. Here the Lord speaks to him who overcomes, John 16:33, 1John 5:3-5, Revelation 21:6-8. The promise to them will be authority over the nations during the millennial reign of Christ Jesus, Psalm 2:2-9. They will rule with an iron scepter and dash the rebellious into little pieces. They will also have the authority that originates with the Father, and the Son delegates authority to the church. This ending statement to this church and the other pre-tribulation churches that have formed after the snatching away of the Body-of-Christ. Christ Jesus will give of Himself, as He is the morning star, to those survivors of the great tribulation, 2peter 1:19, for He is the bright and morning star, Revelation 22:16, Amos 5:8

This is the first of the last four churches to which the Lord wrote, where the letter ends with the phrase, “He who has an ear to hear … .” The meaning is unclear now, behind this change in format in these seven letters, and why the change began with the church at Thyatira, but they will know and understand why in their day, Daniel 12:9.

A summary of the letter to the church of Thyatira

The Lord's statements The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet are like burnished bronze
Christ's description Good works, love, service, faith, patience
Commendation Works, held fast my name, has not denied my faith
Condemnation You allow Jezebel to teach idolatry and compromise
Counsel Hold fast what you have until I come
"He who overcomes ..." and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.