Grace Institute: General Epistles & Revelation: Revelation: Chapters 2-3

Revelation Survey of the New Testament: General Epistles & Revelation Winter 2007

The Epistles to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)

Author of the Epistles (1:4-20)

In chapter one, we learn how John, while in exile on Patmos, receives a vision from Jesus. He is told to write down all that he will see. In chapters 2 and 3 John dictates epistles given from Jesus to the seven churches of Asia. In this way, as we have already discussed, Jesus is the co-author of the book of Revelation. These epistles are not written by John, but are message directly from Jesus.

At the beginning of each epistle we are reminded that Jesus is the author of the message. Each introductory salutation refers back to a character quality of Jesus which was revealed in the vision of John in chapter 1. These qualities, besides providing us with a comprehensive list Jesus' titles and roles, establish first that Jesus has the authority to speak to the churches, and secondly, is part of a buildup which will climax in chapter 5, where Jesus is revealed as being the only one worthy to judge the world by opening the seal judgments.

The character qualities of Jesus are divided into four major categories: the Savior, the Almighty, the Son of Man, and the Resurrected One.

Jesus, the Savior

• The faithful witness (1:5)
• The firstborn of the dead (1:5)
• The ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5)
• Him who loves us and releases us from our sins by His blood (1:5)
• Him who made us to be a kingdom of priests to God and Father (1:6)

Jesus, the Almighty

• The Alpha and Omega (1:8)
• Who is and Who was and Who is to Come (1:8)
• The Almighty (1:8)

Jesus, the Son of Man

• A Son of Man (1:13)
• Clothes in a robe with a golden sash (1:13)
• Head and hair white like wool and snow (1:14)
• Eyes like a flame of fire (1:14)
• Feet like glowing molten bronze (1:15)
• Voice like the sound of many waters (1:15)
• Face like the shining sun (1:16)

Jesus, the Resurrected One

• The First and the Last (1:17)
• The Living One, who rose from the dead (1:18)
• Holds the keys of death and Hades (1:18)
• Holds seven starts (angels of the seven churches) (1:12, 20)
• Walks among the seven golden lamp stands (the seven churches) (1:16, 20)

John was so overwhelmed at the appearance of Jesus, that, like Isaiah in throne room of God (Isaiah 6) and Daniel in his vision (Daniel 10:8), he finds himself prostrate, and like a dead man, without any strength. This list is not just a theological check list as to the character of Christ. John is trying to use words and terms which should evoke in us an emotional response. By the time we get to the end of chapter one, we should be as overwhelmed by Jesus as he was, lying prostrate at His feet.

The greatness of Christ gives Him the authority to exhort and admonish the seven churches. The greatness of Christ gives Him the authority to stand as judge, opening the seals of judgment in chapter 5.

Structure of the Epistles

Download a handout showing the structure of these epistles

Each of the seven epistles to the seven churches follows a consistent structure containing five elements:

• Picture of Christ – After announcing the recipient of the epistle, each epistle begins with a reminder that Jesus is the author of the epistle. This is done through restatement of one of the character qualities found in chapter 1.
• Praise for the Church – Five of the seven epistles begin with the statement that Jesus either “knows their deeds” or knows their situation. He then praises them for their perseverance in good works or the perseverance in the midst of the trials. However, two churches, Sardis and Laodicea do not receive any praise.
• Protest against the Church – Five of the seven epistles then receive a rebuke from Jesus. Some have tolerated false teaching, others have become complacent in their salvation, having lost their first love, being neither hot nor cold, or having deeds which are dead rather than alive. However, two churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia do not receive any rebuke.
• A Call to Penitence – The five churches who received a protest are also called to penitence. In each case, the church is told to repent. This repentance in each case is to be made in the context of the imminent return of Jesus.
• A Challenge to Prevail – Finally, in each of the epistles, Jesus says “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Then he gives a promise to “he who overcomes.” Each promise directly relates to the coming resurrection and the place of the resurrected in Jesus' coming kingdom.

In each message Jesus exhorts the church to stand firm in the midst of the persecution and to be “overcomers.” Until He returns, the church will face terrible trials, and these trials will only soon become greater. But for those who trust in the Savior, the Almighty, the Son of Man who is the first among the resurrected, there awaits at His return, the hope of the resurrection and eternal life in the New Jerusalem.

Contents of the Epistles

Epistle to Ephesus (2:1-7)

The Ephesians have been diligent about their doctrine. They have tested teachers and rejected those who were false. Specifically, they have opposed the Nicolaitans, a false teaching of the first century about which we know virtually nothing. However, while their doctrine is right, their love for God has waned. They have left their first love. They didn't lose their first love, but actively left it. Jesus calls the Ephesian church to return to the deeds of their first love.

Epistle to Smyrna (2:8-11)

Smyrna is unique in that they do not receive any rebuke from Jesus. Instead, he is aware of their tribulations at the hands of the Jews. Very likely this persecution has caused some to experience economic hardship, for he calls them poor (although they are in fact rich). In fact, Jesus tells them that some of them are about to be thrown into prison. He calls on them to be faithful even until death. But though they are martyred, there is still hope, for Jesus is the one who was dead, and has come back to life (2:8).

Epistle to Pergamum (2:12-17)

The church in Pergamum dwells in the midst of Satan's throne. This is probably a reference to a temple located in ancient Pergamum to the Egyptian god of the underworld. Even though one of their members, Antipas was killed for his faith, the church has remained faithful.

However, they have not been diligent to root out false teachers. Specifically they seem to have allowed the Nicolaitans to infiltrate their church. They are called to repent, for Jesus is the one who has the sharp two-edged sword (2:12), and he will use this sword to make war with the false teachers. The sword is often a symbol of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17), and is therefore the proper weapon for combating false teaching.

Epistle to Thyatira (2:18-29)

The church in Thyatira, while having love and faith and perseverance, has nonetheless tolerated a female leader of the church who is leading them into immorality and idolatry. This has evoked the judgment of Jesus, as exhibited by his eyes like a flame of fire (2:18).

In Acts 16:14-15 we learn that the woman, Lydia was from Thyatira, and therefore may have founded the church there. As such, they may have had a tradition of female leadership in the church. However, now this female leadership is leading the church astray. God has given this Jezebel time to repent (2:21), but she has not. As a result those who follow her will face punishment (2:23). However, Jesus does not place any burden on those who do not follow after her (2:24).

Epistle to Sardis (3:1-6)

While there is a small faithful remnant in Sardis (3:4), most have fallen asleep in their faith. Their faith is dead and they have not continued on in the faith. Jesus' admonition is for them to “wake up” and “strengthen” the things that remain.

Epistle to Philadelphia (3:7-13)

Like the church in Smyrna, the church in Philadelphia does not receive any rebuke. While they are a small church with little power, they have faced great persecution from the Jews. But Jesus promises them that the doors of their church will never be shut, and that he will keep them safe in the midst of the coming tribulation (3:10).

Some evangelical scholars believe the promise to be “kept from the hour of testing” in verse 10 to be a reference to a pre-tribulation rapture. That is, that the church will be caught up to meet Christ prior to the tribulation which begins in Revelation 4. This viewpoint suggests that that this is not merely a protection during the hour of testing, but being kept completely from the hour of testing. Post-tribulationalists, however, find the lack of a detailed description of the rapture in Revelation to be significant. It would seem that if the church were indeed being removed from the earth prior to these events, it would be more carefully explained. Furthermore, there are saints who are found in the midst of the tribulation, and the book of Revelation seems to be an encouragement to them and all through history who suffer persecution.

Epistle to Laodicea (3:14-22)

The church in Laodicea does not receive any praise from Jesus, the Amen (3:14). Instead, they are rebuked for being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. Laodicea, located just a few miles from Colossae, was also located six miles from a thermal hot spring. A Roman built aqueduct carried this hot spring water to the city. After traveling six miles this water was neither hot, nor cold, but lukewarm [1].

The church was lukewarm as a result of their complacency due to their wealth. Laodicea was indeed a wealthy city located at the cross roads of two major trading routes. They had thriving textile, medical and banking industries in the late first century.

While they had material riches, their money had caused them to fail to see their need for Jesus, and as a result, their response to Jesus was tepid. Jesus' admonition is for them to recognize their spiritual poverty, recognizing that they are naked and poor. To solve their spiritual poverty, they needed to obtain Jesus' spiritual gold and spiritual clothing. Jesus is standing at the door just waiting for them to humbly come back to him and admit their need for him.

Footnotes

1. “Laodicea” from the web site for Meander Travel , http://www.meandertravel.com/biblicalanatolia/biblical_anatolia.php?details=laodiceai&m=8&md=sc8 , accessed March 7, 2007.

[Next: The Scene in Heaven (Chapters 4-5)]