|
The Church
who Left Her
First Love,
Ephesus
(ef'-e-sus)
(Ephesos,
meaning
"desirable"):
A city of
the Roman
province of
Asia, near
the mouth of
the Cayster
river, 3
miles from
the western
coast of
Asia Minor,
and opposite
the island
of Samos.
With a
harbor
accessible
to the
largest
ships,
standing at
the entrance
of the
valley which
reaches far
into the
interior of
Asia Minor,
and
connected by
highways
with the
chief cities
of the
province
Ephesus was
the most
easily
accessible
city in
Asia, both
by land and
sea.
See map
Ephesus, at
the time of
the writing
of the
Revelation,
was a city
of great
importance
in Asia
Minor. This
city, with
an
approximate
population
of 225,000
was the
gateway to
and the
capital of
the Roman
province of
Asia and as
such it was
a city of
great
wealth,
great
culture, and
great
corruption
both
politically
and
socially. Of
the seven
churches of
Asia Minor,
Ephesus is
the only one
that we can
trace to the
beginning.
It is
believed
Paul
established
this
congregation
of God's
people on
the heels of
Apollos who
came through
before him.
On Paul's
third
missionary
journey he
remained
there two
years
preaching in
the Jewish
Synagogue
(Acts
19:8,10).
As a result
of this, "all
they which
dwelt in
Asia heard
the word of
the Lord
Jesus, both
Jews and
Greeks"
(Acts
19:10).
Timothy was
an
evangelist
in Ephesus
when Paul
wrote both
letters to
Him. The
church in
Ephesus had
elders, "And
from Miletus
he sent to
Ephesus, and
called the
elders of
the church"
(Acts
20:17).
Thus we
learn that
the church
in Ephesus
was a
tremendous
influence on
the
spreading of
the gospel
throughout
the Roman
province of
Asia.
This church
was not a
tiny little
congregation
of the
Lord's
people
nestled away
in a remote
community.
This
congregation
was the
result of
years of
evangelism
and
instruction
by Apostles
and other
great
teachers.
This
congregation
was directly
involved
with the
evangelism
of the
entire
province of
Asia. This
congregation
was large
and
influential,
located in
one of the
richest
cities in
all of the
Roman
Empire.
Thus the
Christians
in Ephesus
developed a
satisfied
complacency
in their
service to
God and
allowed
themselves
to become a
little too
full of
themselves.
As such they
were not
motivated by
love and it
appears that
they desired
the praises
of men more
than the
praises of
God. It is
with this
background
that Christ
addresses
this Church.
The message
to them was
threefold.
Hard times
are on the
horizon,
stop loving
yourselves
and return
to your
first love
or suffer
eternal
consequences
and he that
overcomes
will eat of
the tree of
life.
Revelation
2:1
"To the
angel of the
church in
Ephesus
write: These
things saith
he that
holdeth the
seven stars
in his right
hand, he
that walketh
in the midst
of the seven
golden
candlesticks:"
As discussed
earlier this
is Jesus
Christ who
walks among
the
congregations
of His
church which
is His body
over which
He rules as
the head.
"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: And
hast borne,
and hast
patience,
and for my
name's sake
hast
laboured,
and hast not
fainted."
Jesus calls
attention to
the good
qualities
the church
was
exhibiting.
They were
rich in
works and
labor, they
were being
patient and
faithful,
they had
encountered
people who
were evil
and they
could not
bear them.
They had
confronted
and exposed
false
prophets.
They had
worked for
the name of
Christ and
not given up
in spite of
some pretty
severe
persecution.
"Nevertheless
I have
somewhat
against
thee,
because thou
hast left
thy first
love."
Notwithstanding
all the good
works they
had done,
Jesus had
something
against
them. The
importance
of being a
well rounded
Christian
complete and
sound in the
faith cannot
be
overstated.
We are
commanded to
Love Christ
"out of a
pure heart
and a good
conscience
and faith
unfeigned"
(1 Timothy
1:5), and to
"follow
righteousness,
faith,
charity,
peace, with
them that
call on the
Lord out of
a pure heart"
(2 Timothy
2:22).
Going
through the
motions of
Christianity
is not
enough.
Evangelizing,
visiting the
sick,
helping the
widows and
afflicted is
for nothing
if it not
done out of
love for
Christ and
for each
other. We
are His
bride, a
bride is
expected to
love her
husband.
"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."
These
Christians
had fallen
away from
their first
love. They
were going
through the
motions of
Christianity
but they
didn't have
their hearts
in the right
place. They
were told to
repent.
Their
departure
from their
first love
was sin and
Jesus said
if they did
not repent
and return,
He would
remove their
candlestick.
This can
only mean
one thing.
Christians
of the first
century were
warned by
Jesus Christ
that they
could lose
their
standing as
a
congregation
of His
church. And
they were
doing
everything
right with
only one
exception
and if they
did not fix
the problem,
they were
going to be
rejected by
Christ.
The Church
who would
claim Jesus
as her head
cannot
depart or
deviate from
the truth
and trust in
their
righteous
deeds to
pull them
through.
All of the
good deeds
and works we
can do will
not erase
unrighteousness.
Jesus was
unwilling to
overlook
this one
thing in
favor of all
the rest of
the good
things they
were
accomplishing.
The
importance
of this
cannot be
overstated.
An entire
congregation
of the
Lord's
church can
lose their
candlestick,
their light,
their
standing,
their
fellowship
with Christ
over a
single
shortcoming,
except they
repent.
"But this
thou hast,
that thou
hatest the
deeds of the
Nicolaitans,
which I also
hate."
How
significant
this is that
Jesus would
mention the
Nicolaitans
at this
time. The
Nicolaitans
started
their
apostasy
with a
single
transgression.
They had
been around
for a while
when
Revelation
was written,
but in the
beginning of
their
existence
they started
by eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols.
There was a
lot of pagan
worship
going on in
the Roman
Empire and
many of them
included
animal
sacrifices.
When these
sacrifices
were
completed,
the meat
from the
dead animals
was used for
huge public
feasts. The
Nicolaitans
wanted to
participate
in these
feasts and
they did so
in
transgression
of God's
will (Acts
15:29).
This was the
beginning of
their
apostasy.
As time went
on, they
assimilated
many of the
other
idolatrous
pagan
practices
into their
worship
until it
resembled
nothing of
Christian
worship.
How fitting
for Jesus to
correct a
church who
was guilty
of only one
transgression
and then
conclude
with an
example of
one that
likewise
started with
one
transgression
and ended up
far worse.
When Jesus
mentioned
the
Nicolaitans
to the
Ephesian
church, He
used them as
an example
of where
they could
end up
starting
with but a
single
transgression.
The
application
for us today
is the
same. We
are to be
diligent to
show
ourselves
approved (2
Timothy
2:15),
contending
earnestly
for the
faith that
was once
delivered
(Jude 3),
realizing
and
accepting
that the
commandments
of men
constitute
vain worship
in the eyes
of God
(Matthew
15:9, Mark
7:7).
Apostasy no
matter how
far from
righteousness
it may be in
then end,
starts with
a single
departure
from the
truth.
Jesus'
warning to
the church
at Ephesus
has just as
much
significance
for the
church today
as it did
for the
church in
Ephesus 2000
years ago.
"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."
Finally,
Jesus makes
a promise to
the faithful
of Ephesus.
He was
saying to
them and to
us today
that He will
give eternal
life to
those who
remain
faithful and
overcome all
obstacles
and remain
faithful to
the end.
The
application
for us today
is no
different.
Christians
of the 21st
century are
not any
different
than those
of the 1st.
God's will
has not
changed in
2000 years.
Those of us
today who
hope to
inherit
eternal life
must
overcome and
endure to
the end.
| Smyrna, the Suffering Church Smyrna is an ancient city (today İzmir in Turkey) that was founded by the ancient Greeks at a central and strategic point on what is today known as the western coast of the Aegean Sea. Founded at the head of the gulf of Smyrna (today the gulf of Izmir) that reaches about 40 miles inland it was ideally located as a distribution point for a large portion of the region.
The city originally founded by a people known as the Lelages was conquered and taken by the ancient Greeks about 1100 BC and became a prominent city of the region for hundreds of years. around 627 BC the region was conquered and became the Lydian Empire. Smyrna was conquered and sacked by a king named Alyattas III between 609 and 560 BC. Smyrna was not utterly destroyed and continued to exist for many years but not as the grand city it formerly was.
When Alexander the Great, a Greek, swept through with his conquests, Smyrna was included and became part of the consortium of nations united under him. This became what is known as the Hellenistic age. Alexander recognized Smyrna's potential for trade and strategic advantage and ordered the city rebuilt. During the years 301 to 281 B.C., Lysimachus entirely rebuilt it on a new site to the Southwest of the earlier cities, and surrounded it by a wall. Standing, as it did, upon a good harbor, at the head of one of the chief highways to the interior, it quickly became a great trading-center and the chief port for the export trade. In Roman times, Smyrna was considered one of the most prominent cities of Asia Minor, alongside Pergamos and Ephesus.
Pagan worship in Smyrna
Smyrna was loaded with Pagan worship to false gods in the first century. There were many temples dedicated to pagan worship built in the city. Among them were the temples of:
Zeus, who in Greek mythology was the king of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus, and the god of the sky and thunder. This is where the Olympian games were celebrated. The Romans worshipped Zeus as Jupiter.
Athena who was believed to be the daughter of Zeus and was an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as a helper of many heroes.
In 23 AD a temple was built in honor of Tiberius and his mother Julia, on the Golden Street, connecting the temples of Zeus and Cybele. Tiberius reigned as Roman emperor in imperial Rome after Augustus from 14 AD to 37 AD.
Cybele or according to the Romans, Magna Mater, which means earth mother was a particular favorite of emperor Augustus. Cybele represented the fertile Earth, a goddess of nature and of wild animals. This temple burned in 111 BC and was rebuilt during the reign of Augustus.
Recent archaeological discoveries in old Smyrna have revealed the figures of Hermes, Hestia, Dionysus, Eros and Hercules.
While this is not an exhaustive study of pagan worship in Smyrna, it is sufficient to demonstrate the level of false worship the Christians of the time were up against. They worshipped the one true and living God for which there were no statues or idols or alters. The God of the Christians was and still is absolutely intolerant of the worship of other Gods. In addition to this, Christianity requires us to stand against such pagan worship and this caused great tension and strife between the Christians and those who worshipped pagan gods.
Also worth mentioning along with the pagan worship is the false worship of the one true and living God. Smyrna also had a large population of Jewish people who were rightly proclaiming the one true and living God, but had rejected Jesus Christ as the messiah. In addition to the persecution of the Romans, the Christians also faced the Jewish persecutions which was considerable.
Christian Persecution in Smyrna
During the Roman persecutions many Christians suffered the most dreadful torments here. They were put to death at the stake, or by wild beasts in the amphitheater; their properties confiscated by the empire, enslaved, abused and tortured; and the only test applied to them was whether they would throw a few grains of incense into the fire as a sacrifice to the Roman emperor, or whether they would refuse.
The Jewish population hated the Christians and frequently turned them in to the Roman authorities as conspirators against the emperor for refusing to bow down to worship him.
John had a disciple named Polycarp who was a prominent Christian leader in Smyrna. Polycarp was probably 25-30 years old when John died. Polycarp himself lived until he was martyred around 156 A.D. in Smyrna. According to history. he was tied to a stake in the amphitheatre, pierced through the heart by a Roman soldier and then burned in front of an audience of tens of thousands of Romans screaming for his death.
Later on in the Revelation, John writes of the wrath of God being poured out on His enemies in the form of natural disasters which depleted the wealth of Rome and eroded her power. Smyrna was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD and had to be rebuilt by the Roman Empire. It was too important a city located strategically and geographically to leave in ruins.
Revelation 2:8
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived (again):"
Angel means messenger. Some scholars believe this would be one of the men overseeing that particular congregation and some say it is the Holy Spirit symbolized in the perfect seven stars in Jesus' right hand mentioned earlier. Either way, the message delivered is the same. It is my opinion that the messenger is the one perfect complete divine Spirit of God.
The first and the last, He was dead and lived again is obviously Jesus Christ. No Christian would have any difficulty recognizing this symbolism, however someone unfamiliar with the resurrection of Christ would have no idea what this was referring to.
It is significant to note here and in the individual messages addressed to the specific churches that Revelation is directed specifically toward them, not to people and circumstances 2000 years removed. Whatever the Revelation meant to those to whom it was addressed is what it must mean today. The principles taught within the Revelation are timeless, but the events depicted therein are of that time period.
Revelation 2:9
"I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich)"
Jesus told the church at Smyrna He was aware of the tribulation they were living through. The church at Smyrna was also poverty stricken. The reason for this was that during the time of the writing of Revelation, the imperial cult known as the "Concilia" was enforcing emperor worship. People who refused to worship the emperor were forbidden to buy or sell anything, their properties were confiscated and they found themselves homeless. They could not have good jobs, they were rejected by the population and consequently were poverty stricken as a result. The poverty they were suffering in this rich society was part of their persecution.
How ironic it is that the poorest, social rejects and outcasts of society were the real priests and kings of the times. All of the majestic wealth and shining temples meant nothing in the end. The poorest people of all were the real saints, living off the table scraps of the wealthy, being oppressed, hated and rejected. This was nothing new.
2 Corinthians 4:8-11
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
They were poor in material wealth, but in the wealth that mattered they were rich beyond description. What a wonderful way for Jesus to comfort them and assure them of their final victory. Our wealth today is by no means measured by our material possessions. We could have nothing and still be rich in Christ.
Matthew 16:26-27
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world , and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
"and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan."
The considerable Jewish population were said to be guilty of blasphemy. Evidently they were participating in whatever they had to in order to avoid the persecution of the Romans. They were most likely burning incense to the emperor which was all that was required to satisfy the requirements to worship him in most cases. They claimed to be God's children but they are not. The synagogues they met in for prayer were not of God, but of Satan.
"Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer:"
God is telling them it's going to get worse, don't fear.
"behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried"
The devil is not literally going to throw them into prison. This is going to be accomplished by his followers, those who are serving him, even out of ignorance. Christianity, if not already, will soon be illegal in the Roman empire. Christians are going to be thrown in prison and face death if they refused to renounce God and worship the emperor. Some of the Christians in Smyrna, not all of them are going to face this imprisonment.
"and ye shall have tribulation ten days."
Obviously this is not a literal period of time. All of the Christians in Smyrna were not going to be rounded up at the same time and thrown in prison to be persecuted for 10 literal days. The number 10 represents completeness so something is going to be brought to completion during this period of time.
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life."
Those who are going to be cast into prison are commanded to be faithful unto death in order to receive the crown of life. Many of the Christians cast into prison by their enemies are going to die. God would not tell them to remain faithful unto death unless this was going to be necessary.
A Christian is to be faithful unto death. The thought is to be faithful even if the price you must pay is death. It is said that Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor, was once enraged at 40 Christian men because they would not bow down and worship his image. He commanded them to be stripped naked and to stand on a frozen lake until they were ready to renounce God. But when dawn broke the next morning, 40 nude men were found dead on the ice. They were "faithful unto death."
In the letter to the church at Pergamos Antipas was specifically mentioned as one who was "faithful unto death."
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches."
Those who can and will listen must heed what is being said. Notice the message is said to be what the "Spirit saith". Let's call our attention back to the seven stars in Jesus' hand. Seven being the number which represents the perfect divine. The message to the church at Smyrna like all the others is coming through the Spirit. The one perfect messenger to all the churches then and today through God's written word.
"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
The second death will be the great day of the Lord as mentioned by Him in John 5:28-29 "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." The second death is the resurrection of damnation where the unsaved will be cast into Hell.
Let's note that Jesus does not offer to take away the suffering of the faithful Christians of Smyrna. In fact he acknowledges they are already being persecuted but informs them it is going to get much worse. Nevertheless, He makes a promise to all who overcome that He will give them a crown of life. Christ tells them not to fear death for eternal life awaits them. This promise should be a comfort to us as well for it is made to all who would live faithfully and overcome the wiles of evil. The Christians of the first century had to remain faithful unto death. We can be assured we must be likewise faithful unto death today. Those of all ages who overcome the persecutions, and tribulations to come and remain faithful unto death will not suffer the resurrection of damnation.
In summary, Jesus had nothing bad to say to the Christians at Smyrna. They were faithful. Their works were acceptable just like the works of the Ephesians but the Christians in Smyrna obviously had their hearts in the right place. Their deep poverty was nothing to be ashamed of, in fact they were rich in what really mattered. The church in Smyrna serves as a shining example for us today. Let us likewise be rich in works no matter what oppression may arise, and let us all be comforted by the fact that we serve a God that finds our works and love and dedication acceptable and offers us mercy and eternal life in the end.
| Pergamum, the city in Hell's Headquarters Pergamum, also called Pergamos from the KJV translation is another city of the Roman province of Asia Minor that still exists today. It is known as "Bergama", and is located in modern day Turkey. It is primarily a Muslim city now and as of 1996 had 15 Islamic mosques. One of its mosques is a church building from ancient times. Bergama (Pergamum), is built among the ruins of the ancient city, but is not nearly as large as it was in the first century. Among the ruins today can be seen the base of the altar of Zeus, the theater, the agora, the gymnasium and several pagan temples. Today, the chief export of Bergama is cotton, wool, leather and opium.
Ancient Pergamos was located 3 miles from the Caicus river, and about 15 miles from the sea. The Caicus river was navigable for small vessels. Two of the tributaries of the Caicus were the Selinus and the Kteios. The Selinus river flowed through the city; the Kteios ran along its walls on the outside. On the hill between these two streams the first city stood, and there also stood the acropolis, the chief temples, and theaters of the later city. The early inhabitants of the town were descendants of Greek colonists from before 420 BC.
From 283 to 263 BC Philetaerus founded the independent Greek dynasty of the Attalid kings. The first of this dynasty to bear the title of king was Attalus I (241 BC - 197 BC), a nephew of Philetaerus, and not only did he adorn the city with beautiful buildings until it became the most wonderful city of the East, but he added to his kingdom the countries of Mysia, Lydia, Caria, Pamphylia and Phrygia. Eumenes II was the richest king of the dynasty, and during his reign from 197 BC - 159 BC, the city reached its greatest height.
Art and literature were encouraged, and in the city was a library of 200,000 volumes The books were of parchment which was developed here. The word "parchment," is derived from the name "Pergamos." Of the structures which adorned the city, the most renowned was the altar of Zeus, which was 40 ft. in height, and also one of the wonders of the ancient world. In 133 BC Attalus III, the last king of the dynasty, died and bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman government. The original Roman province of Asia was formed, and Pergamos was made its capital. Upon the establishment of the province of Asia there began a new series of coins made at Pergamos, which continued into the 3rd century A.D.
Pagan Religions:
There were temples to the four pagan gods Zeus, Dionysus, Athena and Asklepios. Asklepios was the pagan Greek God of medicine and healing. The sick and crippled from all parts of Asia flocked to his temple. They would sleep in the court of the temple where they believed Asklepios would reveal to the priests and physicians the remedies which were necessary to heal their maladies. There was a school of medicine in connection with the temple.
Pergamos was also a chief religious center in the province for Roman emperor worship. In Pergamos, three temples had been built to the Roman emperors where they were worshipped as gods on earth. Being the capitol city of the province and having three temples dedicated to emperor worship, Pergamos was also the headquarters of the Imperial Cult known as the "Concilia". This cult was responsible for the enforcement of state religion. This city was loyal to Rome and with 3 temples dedicated to Emperor worship, it was only natural that it would become a center for this imperial cult. In 29 BC the Concilia built a temple for the purpose of worshipping Augustus Caesar. They were unrelenting when it came to the enforcement of emperor worship, especially under Domitian who insisted upon it. It was possibly this group that banished John to the isle of Patmos, most probably during the reign of either Vespasian or Titus. It was certainly the Concilia who saw to it that the material possessions were taken from the Christians when they refused to serve in the Roman army or refused to bow down to the "gods" of the Romans including the emperors. It was the Concilia who issued certificates to those who they witnessed burning incense and offering worship to the Roman Emperors without which no one could buy or sell food, participate in land transactions or benefit from any government programs. It is no wonder that the Christians located in Pergamum were suffering, as they were first in line for the dispensing of the persecution of this imperial cult empowered with the authority of the Emperors and supported by the full strength of the Roman army.
Smyrna was a rival city and was a commercial center as well. As it increased in wealth, it gradually became the political center. Later, when Smyrna became the capital, Pergamos remained the religious center.
Christianity was in Pergamos in the first century and it was to the congregation of Christ's church located therein that this part of the Revelation was addressed.
Revelation 2:12-17
"and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:"
Jesus is depicted again as having the two edged sword. As mentioned previously this is a reference back to Hebrews 4:12-13 and from our study of Revelation 1:16 and 2:16 we know this sword comes from the mouth of Jesus which means that the sword represents the words of Jesus. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul calls the word of God the "sword of the Spirit".
"I know where thou dwellest,"
Jesus is aware of where these Christians are. He is telling them He knows they are suffering, He knows of their persecution and their tribulations. The application for us is that we serve a God who knows us personally. He is aware of our goings on and our surroundings. He knows of our triumphs and of our failures. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13).
"(even) where Satan's throne is"
Pergamum was the capitol of Asia before Smyrna, home to three temples dedicated to the worship of Roman emperors and headquarters of the imperial cult called the Concilia. It was the chief religious center for the entire province and retained that status even when Smyrna became the capitol.
The worship of Aesculapius or Asklepios who was the pagan Greek God of medicine and healing was characterized by the use of snakes in the healing rituals. Non-venomous snakes were left to crawl on the floor in temple where the sick and injured slept. Asklepios had his own constellation called Serpentarius in Latin and Ophiuchus in Greek which means "serpent bearer" The name, "serpent-bearer," refers to the Rod of Asclepius, which was entwined with a single serpent. This symbol has now become a symbol for physicians across the globe today. The "star of life" is the modern international symbol for the Emergency Medical Services which features the Rod of Asclepius as the centerpiece.
Satan is often depicted as a serpent in scripture. All Christians of all ages are well acquainted with the imagery of the serpent associated with Satan. It is almost certain that when the Christians read of Satan's throne, they instantly associated it with the worship of Asklepios. And if not, there was plenty of other activities going on around them that would identify Satan as having a seat of power and authority from this city.
"and thou holdest fast my name"
The Christians in Pergamum were commended for holding fast to the name of Christ. In the Greek, this word (onoma), means a name in authority and character. It is important as we work through these letters to the individual churches that we take note of the positive things Jesus says as well as the negative. We know from scripture that Jesus is God (John 1:1), and that Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8), so we can be assured that if we take all the good things Jesus said to the churches and make sure we emulate these things in our lives, that it will be commendable for us as well. It is as important to us that we assemble all the positive things Jesus says to all the churches and strive to add those things to our lives as it is for us to assemble all the negative things He said and eliminate them.
We hold fast, cling, hang on to Jesus name, character and authority when we seek His will, obey His will and glorify His name. We hold fast to His name when we insist on being identified as Christians only instead of manmade names which glorify someone other than Jesus. We hold fast to His name today when we call the body of Christ by what it is; the church of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
"and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth."
Jesus refers to the faith as being His faith. Jesus is the one who suffered, bled and died for us. He is the one that paid the purchase price for the faith, it is His faith. We today need to be very aware of the fact that it is to His faith we are to be faithful to and not some manmade faith with man's ideas of righteousness. We are to seek only God's righteousness (Romans 10:3-4).
Antipas was described as Jesus' faithful witness. He had been slain among them. The Christian persecution was already well underway. Secular writings place Antipas as an elder of the church in Pergamum, appointed by none other than John during the reign of Domitian. History portrays the death of Antipas as having been publicly burned alive in the brazen statue of a Bull by the priests of Asklepios. In Pergamum, the Christians had already been given an example of what was to come and Jesus held the death of Antipas up as a shining example for the rest to follow if need be.
As a side note, the fact that Jesus here speaks of the martyrdom of Antipas in the past tense is strong internal evidence of the late dating of the writing of the Revelation. According to history, Antipas was martyred in 92 AD.
Revelation 2:14-15
"But I have a few things against thee, "
Once again, as in previous messages, Jesus points out that the good they are doing does not outweigh the bad. The application today is that we cannot do enough good in hope of offsetting the bad. Those in the body of Christ who are guilty of sin cannot stand on judgment day before God and point to their good works as justification for any sin they may be guilty of.
"because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner."
There were some members in the church at Pergamum who were going along with the teachings of the Nicolaitans. We see here exactly what this teaching was, eating meat sacrificed to idols and committing fornication which could mean either physical or spiritual fornication, both of which the Nicolaitans were guilty of.
In old testament times, Balaam was guilty of instructing Balak, a Moabite king, of how to defeat the Israelites. Balaam knew that God would forsake the Israelites in battle if they were guilty of sin so he told Balak that if he would send women out to seduce and participate in fornication with the Israelites, that God would forsake them in battle and hand them over as punishment. The women that were sent to seduce the Israelite men were successful and they were caused to stumble. As a result of this stumbling block, twenty four thousand Israelites lost their lives.
Corresponding to this, eating things sacrificed to idols was also a stumbling block to the Christians. Under the Roman persecution, Christians were denied the right to buy food in the empire unless they offered worship to the emperors. Food was hard to come by for the faithful yet there was plenty to be had if they wanted to participate in the great public feasts where the meat of the animals who had been sacrificed to pagan gods was being served to the public. Hunger is a powerful incentive and many Christians gave in and participated in these public feasts which were often times accompanied with wild drunken, riotous and often times unrestrained sexual behavior which caused many of them to stumble. Benjamin Franklin once quoted: "He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas." In scripture were are commanded to "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22) and "Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you," (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
The Nicolaitans started out as Christians who participated in the public feasts and eventually stumbled and became just as bad as the pagans they associated with. The application for us today is the same. Stay away from evil influences. Avoid situations that can cause one to stumble. Shun activities that are not wholesome and righteous. Do not join in with sinful worldly activities, lest we too become tempted and stumble. It is a foolish individual who would dance with the devil and participate in activities where sinful behavior prevails. Satan makes sin attractive but those who company with Satan flirt with death.
Revelation 2:16
"Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth."
Jesus warns the church to repent. Repentance is a sorrow of heart that leads to a change of behavior. The church at Pergamum had to change their behavior. They were accused of tolerating something Jesus hated. This is a "repent or else" warning where Jesus said he would wage war with those who held to this doctrine. Being in a position where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would wage war against someone who was a Christian is a serious thing. This is not a war that any Christian could hope to win. In short, Jesus told these Christians to repent or die. These were the options available to the Christians at Pergamum. These same options are the only ones available to Christians in similar sinful situations today.
Revelation 2:17
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches."
Notice what Jesus says here. He knows this is being written down in words that Christians will read. he knows this message is going to be delivered in written form. The Christians who read this letter were going to hear what the Spirit was saying through the words written by John. Today, we hear what the Spirit says in the same way they did in Pergamum. Through the written word. When we hear the Word of God, then we are listening to the Spirit.
"To him that overcometh"
To those who overcome. To those who resist temptation, to those who prevail no matter what, to those who do not give in to Satan and worship idols and eat meat sacrificed to them, who remain faithful against all odds will receive the following rewards.
"to him will I give of the hidden manna"
Manna is what God sustained the children of Israel with during their time in the wilderness after they left the Egyptian bondage and before they were allowed to enter the promised land. To the first readers of the Revelation, manna would represent that which sustains one's soul. Hidden from those who refuse to see it, but available to all who would accept it freely. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).
"and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it."
The Greek word for Stone in this instance means a pebble, so there is some disagreement among scholars as to what is meant here. Following is my best guess as to it's meaning. Those who overcome become "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" which is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:19-20). White is a symbol for purity and truth and the chief cornerstone all faithful Christians receive is Jesus Christ. The name written on the stone most likely represents either "Jesus Christ" or "Christian". Scripture teaches that the faithful "shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." (Isaiah 62:2). "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Peter referred to followers of Christ as "Christians" in 1 Peter 4:16 and Agrippa told Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). Secular writings about followers of Jesus Christ contain numerous instances of the name "Christians". This name was a well established designation both historically and scripturally. Since all scripture is given by inspiration we know that the term Christian, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, is from the mouth of God.
And the only people who know this name are the ones who receive the name of Christ. Our lives are "hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). Jesus prayed: "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matthew 11:25). There are things hidden from man which only be fully known when Jesus returns and we see Him as He really is. (1 John 3:2). Those who never receive the figurative white stone with the new name on it will never get to fully know Jesus Christ in all His glory.
In Summary:
The Christians at Pergamos were living in a tremendous center for oppression and persecution. They were for the most part faithful except for their leniency towards the Nicolaitans. They were warned to modify this behavior or suffer the consequences of a war with Jesus Christ.
In applying this to our Christian life today, we need to take heed to the words of Jesus. The circumstances under which the Christians in Pergamum were living did not have any effect on whether or not they were expected to be faithful to God. Likewise today, we must be aware that we too are required to be just as faithful as they were then. We must be intolerant of doctrinal error, ever vigilant and willing to persevere and overcome against all odds, even to the point of death if need be. |
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