Vlog Revelation Chapter 2
There's A Man Going 'Round Taking Names • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewLetter to Four of the churches from Revelation Chapter 2
Notes
Transcript
In this episode of Pastor’s Corner we continue from the sermon of Jesus among the churches looking at the churches mentioned in Revelation Chapter 2.
Namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira
What more is there in the symbolism and words of Jesus
What He knows about each church
What He has against the churches, though not all
What challenge or warning to the church
An encouragement to hear what the Spirit says to the churches
So we begin with the church of Ephesus.
We actually know a great deal about this church as we come to this letter.
This was a church established by Paul one of his missionary journey’s.
Also as Paul was leaving for Jerusalem he met one more time with the elders of Ephesus and presented an emotional message to them.
What does Jesus say to this church.
This church certainly had some things going for it.
1 ”To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
The image starts with Jesus telling them that he walks among the lampstand of which they are one.
Jesus in his knowledge was intimately aware of what the church had going for it and what they were unwilling to let in to the church.
They were known to Jesus for their perseverance and endurance for the name of Jesus
The the tone of the letter changes, the word that gives pause, “but...”
There was something in the church that Jesus saw that needed to change.
They had left their first love.
5 ‘Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
They were in danger of losing their lampstand!
There is something devestating in this warning
There is no church there today, and if there are Christians they are hiding.
Ephesus was once the premiere Christian town.
In the midst of idolatry was a Christian community that was thriving.
One of the early church councils was held there.
However, it would appear that they did not head the warning of Jesus.
Jesus did eventually remove their lampstand.
The warning of Jesus was intended to be a wake up call
N.T. Wright wrote: “It is easy to let slip. It is easy to settle down into a vaguely comfortable existence. Which puts its own needs first and sometimes, last as well. The Ephesian church needs to wake up, to remember how things used to be, to repent and get back on track.”
Sadly, ultimately the never really did.
The Church at Smyrna
To Smyrna in the opening Jesus reminds them who he is Revelation 2:8
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
Though it may be for the other churches more than this one. The letter is unlike the others in this chapter.
Jesus has nothing against them. Man, wouldn’t you like to get a letter like that from Jesus.
Jesus knew that they lived where there was a “synagogue of Satan!” The Jews in this city were probably false accusers of the church.
Jesus also makes a pronouncement against the Jews. They claim to be Jews and are not.
This my sound harsh but it is the reality of what was happening to the church.
Michael Gorman writes, “It is likely that some Jews have betrayed their own as God’s people colluding with those possessing economic power and/or Roman political officials in persecuting the Christians in Smyrna.”
The church however, did not give in.
The Church at Pergamum
Within Pergamum were a majestic set of temples: one to Zeus, one to Asclepius whose symbol was a serpent, one to Athena, and one to Dionysius.
For Rome they also had a temple for the imperial cult built in 29 BC in honor of Caesar Augustus. Then not long after John’s day the build a temple to Trajan.
Pergamum also had the Roman Governor’s seat.
I think all of this sheds light on what Jesus says Revelation 2:13
13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Whatever Jesus intended in the phrase there can be now doubt that the church knew exactly what Jesus meant.
Let us consider verse 17 Revelation 2:17
17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’
To the overcomer will be given the hidden mana. Of course this is a reference to the wilderness wandering of Israel and the provision of God.
It is interesting that it was in the wilderness that Balaam taught Balaak how to cause Isreal to sin against God.
The second promise is a stone with a new name. A white stone, the stone of acquittal in ancient Pergamum.
Concerning the name N.T. Wright writes, “Jesus is promising to each faithful disciple an intimate relationship with himself in which Jesus will use the secret name which remains private to those involved.”
What a blessing for one who overcomes!
The Church of Thyatira
This is the longest of all seven letters. The commendations to this Church and what Jesus has against them is a great deal.
Thyatira was not as famous as the three cities. However, it was know for its trade guilds and the one that stands out is the smelting of copper and bronze.
That could be an explanation for verse 18
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:
The local patron god was Apollo Tyrimnaesus, the deity of the bronze trade guild.
The image of this god appeared on coins with the title, “son of god.”
N.T. Wright, “Granted those associations there is particular power in the letter’s beginning as it announces, “the words of The Son of God, whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are burnished bronze.”
Then of course as we saw in the lesson is the return of an Old Testament villain Jezebel. Teaching the doctrine of compromise to the people of God.
That Christians can follow Christ and at the same time engage in some of the pagan practices as well. It is a doctrine compromise and accommodation. Gordon Fee writes, “One could be part of the believing community in Thyatira without losing one’s friends and standing in the trade guilds.”
Jesus does not condone this doctrine and commands the repentance of those who follow her teaching.
Not everyone is Thyatira is guilty, to those Jesus gives a challenge Revelation 2:24
24 ‘But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you.
To the one who overcomes authority will be given.
Here Jesus quotes from Psalm 2:8
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.
and then aslo
14 “And whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter’s jar; So ruthlessly shattered That a sherd will not be found among its pieces To take fire from a hearth, Or to scoop water from a cistern.”
and Jeremiah 19:11
11 and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Just so shall I break this people and this city, even as one breaks a potter’s vessel, which cannot again be repaired; and they will bury in Topheth because there is no other place for burial.
The authority given to Jesus as Messiah is to be shared with those who overcome. Throughout Revelation Jesus intends to make his people a Royal Priesthood. Thus what Jesus requires at the moment for those not drawn away by the teaching of Jezebel is to hold on tightly.
That is a word for all Christians who find themselves in churches and fellowships they a forced to compromise what they know is acceptable to Jesus to be a part of them.
Conclusion
Jesus has a great deal to say to his churches. So, what is Jesus saying to us today? That is a question only you can answer.
Jesus has more to say, we are not done yet.
Next week in Revelation chapter three we will consider what Jesus has to say to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Thank for joining me in the Pastor’s Corner.
Have a blessed week.