Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
REVELATION 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
To the Church in Pergamum
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Application Notes
2:1-3:22 Does God care about your church? If you are tempted to doubt this, look closely at these seven letters. The Lord of the universe knew each of these churches and its precise situation. In these letters, Jesus told John to write about specific people, places, and events. He praised believers for their successes and told them how to correct their failures. Just as Jesus cared for each of these churches, he cares for yours. He wants it to reach its greatest potential. Encourage your fellow believers to serve as God's chosen people for changing the world. Take this responsibility seriously-God does.
2:1 Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor, a centre of land and sea trade, and, along with Alexandria and Antioch in Syria, one of the three most influential cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The temple to Artemis, one of the ancient wonders of the world, was located in this city, and a major industry was the manufacture of images of this goddess (see Acts 19:21-41). Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years and warned the Ephesians that false teachers would come and try to draw people away from the faith (see Acts 20:29-31). False teachers had indeed caused problems in the Ephesian church, but the church had resisted them, as we can see from Paul's letter to them (see the book of Ephesians). John spent much of his ministry in this city and knew that they had resisted false teaching (Revelation 2:2).
2:1 The one who "walks among the seven golden lampstands" (the seven churches) is Jesus (1:11-13). He holds the "seven stars in his right hand" (messengers of the churches), indicating his power and authority over the churches and their leaders. Ephesus had become a large, proud church, and Jesus' message would remind them that he alone is the head of the body of believers.
2:2-3 Christ commended the church in Ephesus for (1) working hard, (2)persevering, (3) not tolerating evil people, (4) critically examining the claims of false apostles, and (5) enduring hardships without becoming weary. Every church should have these characteristics. These good efforts should spring from our love for Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and John stressed love for one another as an authentic proof of the gospel (John 13:34; 1 John 3:18-19). In the battle to maintain sound teaching and moral and doctrinal purity, it is possible to lose a loving and caring spirit. Prolonged conflict can weaken or destroy our patience and affection. In defending the faith, guard against any structure or rigid practice that weakens love.
2:2 Over a long period of time, the church in Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city known for immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Artemis. We are also living in times of widespread sin and sexual immorality. We face pressure to be open-minded toward many types of sin, calling them personal choices or attributing them to one's orientation. But when the body of believers begins to tolerate immorality in the church, they lower their biblical standards and compromise the church's witness. Remember that God's approval is infinitely more important than the world's. Use God's Word, not what people around you propose, to set the standards for right and wrong.
2:4-5 When new believers first understand the power and love of God, they rejoice at their newfound forgiveness. But when we lose sight of the seriousness of sin, we begin to lose the thrill of our forgiveness (see 2 Peter 1:9). In the first steps of your Christian life, you may have had enthusiasm without sufficient knowledge. Do you now have knowledge without sufficient enthusiasm? Both are necessary if we are to keep love for God intense and untarnished (see Hebrews 10:32, 35). Do you love God with the same fervour as when you were a new Christian?
2:4 Paul had once commended the church in Ephesus for their love for God and others (Ephesians 1:15), but many of the church founders had died, and many of the second-generation believers had lost their zeal for God. They were a busy church--the members did much to benefit themselves and the community--but their love for God and each other had faded. Our service for God must be motivated by our love for God, or it will not last.
2:5 For Jesus to "remove your lampstand from its place" would mean the church would cease to be an effective church. Just as the seven-branched lampstand in the temple gave light for the priests to see, the churches were to give light to their surrounding communities. But Jesus warned them that their lights could go out. In fact, Jesus himself would extinguish any light that did not fulfil its purpose. The believers in this church needed to repent of their sins.
2:6 The Nicolaitans were believers who had compromised their faith in order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of Ephesian society. Some interpret the name Nicolaitans to be roughly the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word for "salaamites." Balaam was a prophet who had received payment to induce the Israelites to carry out their lustful desires (see 2:14; Numbers 31:16). When we knowingly take part in sinful behaviour, we may make excuses to justify what we are doing. We might say that it really isn't as bad as it seems, or that it won't really hurt our faith, or that we can just confess it later. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.
2:6 Through John, Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for hating the wicked practices of the Nicolaitans. Note that they didn't hate the people, just their sinful practices. We should accept and love all people but refuse to tolerate any evil practices in the church. Being tolerant is good when it means treating people with other points of view than ours with kindness rather than prohibiting them from expressing themselves or retaliating against them, but it does not require us to agree with or applaud what they do. We should welcome and love all people. We can be kind to others without compromising what God defines as true or good. The world needs Christians who will stand for God's truth and point people toward godly living.
2:7 God had placed two unique trees in the Garden of Eden-the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (see Genesis 2:9). Eating from the tree of life brought eternal life with God; eating from the tree of knowledge brought the understanding of good and evil, and with it, the option to sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge, they disobeyed God's command and chose their own path. Therefore, they were excluded from Eden and barred from eating from the tree of life. Eventually, evil will be destroyed and believers will be brought into a restored paradise. In the new creation, everyone will eat from the tree of life and live forever.
2:8 The city of Smyrna was about 25 miles north of Ephesus. It was nicknamed the "port of Asia" because it had an excellent harbour on the Aegean Sea. The church in this city struggled against two hostile forces: a Jewish population strongly opposed to Christianity and a non-Jewish population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship. Persecution and suffering were inevitable in a hostile environment like this.
2:9-11 Pain comes as part of life, and suffering hurts, no matter what the cause. Jesus commended the church in Smyrna for maintaining their faith while suffering. He then encouraged the believers that they need not fear the future if they remained faithful. If you are experiencing difficult times, don't let pain or persecution turn you away from God. Instead, let it draw you closer to him and strengthen your faith. Trust God and remember your heavenly reward (also see 22:12-14).
2:9-10 Persecution comes from Satan, not from God. Satan, the devil, will cause believers to be thrown into prison and even killed. Believers need not fear death, however, because it will only result in their receiving the reward of eternal life. Satan may harm their earthly bodies, but he cannot destroy them spiritually. The ·synagogue of Satan· means that these Jews were serving Satan's purposes, not God's, when they gathered to worship. "Ten days" means that although persecution would be intense, it would be relatively short. It would have a definite beginning and end, and God would remain in complete control.
2:10 Smyrna was famous for its athletic games. A crown was the victory wreath, the trophy for the champion at the games. If we have been faithful we will receive the prize of victory--eternal life (James 1:12). The message to the Smyrna church was to remain faithful during suffering because God is in control of the world and all its events. We can rely on his promises of victory over evil and eternal life with him in which pain and persecution no longer exist. Jesus never says that by being faithful to him now will we escape troubles, suffering, or persecution; rather, we must be faithful to him in our sufferings. Our perseverance will prove our faith to be genuine. How do we remain faithful? By keeping our eyes on Christ and on what he promises for us now and forever in the future (see Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 4:8).
2:11 Believers and unbelievers alike experience physical death on this earth. Then the time will come when all people will be resurrected. Believers in Jesus Christ will be resurrected to eternal life in his new creation. Those who don't believe in Jesus or who oppose him will be resurrected to be judged and sentenced to a second death, eternal separation from God (also see 20:14; 21:8, 27; 22:15).
2:12 The city of Pergamum was built on a hill 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside, creating a natural fortress. It was a sophisticated city, a centre of Greek culture and education, with a 200,000-volume library. But it was also the centre of four cults, and it rivalled Ephesus in its worship of idols. The city's chief god was Asclepius, whose symbol was a serpent and who was considered the god of healing. People would come to Pergamum from all over the world to seek healing from this god.
2:12 Just as the Romans used their swords for authority and judgment Jesus' sharp, double-edged sword represents God's ultimate authority and judgment (see Hebrews 4:12). It may also represent God's future separation of believers from unbelievers. Unbelievers will forfeit the eternal rewards of living in God's kingdom.
2:13-15 Believers in Pergamum found it extremely difficult to live for Christ. They were facing both internal and external pressures to compromise or leave the faith. (For information on the Nicolaitans, see the first note on 2:6.) We don't know anything about Antipas except that he refused to compromise. He was faithful, and he died for his faith. Apparently, however, some in the church were tolerating those who were teaching and practising what Christ opposed. Compromise often means blending the qualities of two or more different points of view, and it leads to a concession of closely held principles. Cooperate with people as much as you can, but avoid any alliance, partnership, or participation that would discredit or violate the essential principles of being a disciple of Jesus and cause you to endorse or accept immoral practices (see 2 Corinthians 6:14).
2:13 As the centre for four idolatrous cults (those of Zeus, Dionysus, Asclepius, and Athena), Pergamum was called the city "where Satan has his throne." Surrounded by worship of Satan and of the Roman emperor as a god, those in the church in Pergamum refused to renounce their faith, even when Satan's worshipers martyred one of their members. Standing firm against the strong pressures and temptations of society requires courage, but the alternative is an eternity separated from God (2:11).
2:14-16 Balak was a king who feared the large number of Israelites travelling through his country, so he hired Balaam to pronounce a curse on them. Balaam refused at first, but an offer of money changed his mind (Numbers 22-24). Later, Balaam influenced the Israelites to turn to idol worship (Numbers 31:16; also see 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11). Christ rebuked this church for tolerating members who, like Balaam, led people away from God.
2:14 Christians have plenty of room for differences of opinion in areas not essential for salvation or not specifically taught in the Bible, but heresy and moral impurity must be resisted. People around you might not participate in idol feasts, but they may participate in greed, sexual sin, cheating, gossiping, and lying. Don't tolerate sin by bowing to the pressure to be open-minded about what others are doing.
2:16 This sword stands for God's judgment against rebellious nations (19:15, 21) and all forms of sin. (Also see the note on 1:16 and the second note on 2:12.)
2:17 "Hidden manna" suggests the spiritual nourishment that the faithful believers will receive. As the Israelites travelled toward the Promised Land, God had provided manna from heaven for their physical nourishment (Exodus 16:13-18). Then he had told Moses to place a jar of the manna in the ark of the covenant as a reminder of his provision (Exodus 16:32-34). Jewish tradition held that Jeremiah hid the ark and the altar of incense during the destruction of Jerusalem and that it would remain hidden until the final coming of the Lord's kingdom. Jesus, as the living Bread of Life (John 6:51) and our manna now, provides spiritual nourishment that satisfies our deepest hunger.
2:17 We don't know what the white stones are or exactly what the name on each one will be. Because they relate to the hidden manna, they may be symbols of the believers' eternal nourishment or the security of eternal life. The stones are significant because each will bear the new name of a person who truly believes in Christ. They will prove that a person has been accepted by God and declared worthy to receive eternal life. A person's name represented his or her character. Look forward to receiving your new name and a new heart that has no desire to sin or rebel against God.
2:18 Thyatira was a working person's town, with many trade guilds for cloth making, dyeing, and pottery. Lydia, Paul's first convert in Philippi, was a merchant from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The city was basically secular, with no focus on any particular religion.
2:19 The believers in Thyatira were commended for growing in good deeds regardless of the sinfulness surrounding them. Like them, we should not become complacent in our worship or stop encouraging new believers. Our faith, actions, and love for others must stand out as different from things of the world.
2:20 A woman in the church in Thyatira was teaching that immorality was not a serious matter for believers. Her name may have been Jezebel, or John may have used the name Jezebel to symbolise the kind of evil she was promoting. Jezebel, a pagan queen of Israel, was considered the most evil 1vvoman who ever lived (see 1 Kings 19:1-2; 21:1-15; 2 Kings 9:7-10, 30-37; and her profile on page 547).
2:20 Why is sexual immorality serious? Sex outside of marriage always hurts someone. It hurts God because it shows that we prefer to satisfy our desires our own way instead of according to His Word or to satisfy them immediately instead of waiting for his timing. It hurts others because it violates the commitment necessary to a relationship. It hurts us because our sin always separates us from God, and sexual immorality particularly leads us away from God's good plan for our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sin violates God's good plan and makes our hearts callous and indifferent to the destructiveness of its hold on our lives. Sexual immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches, and communities because it undermines the integrity and trust on which these relationships are built. God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves and others; thus, we are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if the surrounding culture accepts it as liberating and enlightened.
2:20 In pagan temples, meat was often offered to idols. Then the meat that wasn't burned was sold to shoppers in the temple marketplace. Eating food offered to idols wasn't wrong in itself, but it could violate the conscience of weaker Christian brothers and sisters who would be bothered by it (see 1 Corinthians 8 and the note on Romans 14:2). Jezebel was obviously more concerned about her own selfish pleasure and freedom than about the needs and concerns of the believers.
2:21 Jezebel was unwilling to repent. To repent means to change one's mind and turn from sin and its disastrous consequences toward God and eternal life. In his mercy, God has given us time to decide to follow him. Only our stubborn willfulness stands in the way.
2:23 We cannot hide from Christ; he knows what is in our hearts and minds, and still he loves us. The sins we try to hide from God need to be confessed to him.
2:24-25 The "deep secrets" of Satan were either false teachings advocated by heretics or secret insights by so-called believers promising to promote deeper spiritual life. More than new ideas or topics for discussion, these dangerous teachings imperilled the believers' souls. What was the appeal of such teachings? It may have been appealing to hear that what happens with the body is inconsequential, and therefore, it would not be sinful to fulfil sexual desires outside of marriage. Another appeal to the "deep secrets" may have been the sense of pride that such special knowledge stimulated in those seeking it. We should hold tightly to the basics of our Christian faith and view with extreme caution any new teaching that turns us away from the Bible, the fellowship of the church, or our basic confession of faith.
2:26-27 Christ says that those who are victorious (those who remain faithful until the end and continue to please God) will rule over his enemies and reign with him as he judges evil. This amazing promise gives us good reason to remain steadfast in our faith. The next time you feel unfairly treated or unjustly perceived, remember the victory that one day will be yours. (For more on God's judgment, see Psalm 2:8-9; Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 19:11; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Revelation 12:5; 19:15; 20:3-4.)
2:28 Jesus refers to himself as "the bright Morning Star" in 22:16. A morning star appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest. At the world's bleakest point, Jesus Christ will burst onto the scene, exposing evil with his light of truth and bringing his promised reward of eternal life for those who believe in him (also see 2 Peter 1:19).
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)