By Don Hollifield
V1: "Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus write, these things," Said He that holds the Seven Stars in His Right Hand, who walks in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks.
Ephesus means "Maiden of Choice" and was the Roman capital of the providence of Asia. It was extremely wealthy and beautiful, and the largest city throughout the area.
Paul had visited the city and remained there for 3 years teaching the Gospel of Jesus, however they wanted to debate the Word of God instead of believing it. As such, they started to rebel against Paul causing Paul to leave the area.
Now John receives the messages from Jesus as He holds the Spirits of the Seven Churches in His power hand, and as He walks in the midst of the Churches.
V2: "I know thy words and thy labor, and thy patience and how thou can NOT bear them which are evil, and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, and are Not, and has found them liars." V3: "And has borne, and has patience and for My name's sake, has labored and has Not fainted."
First this Church is given a seven part commendation. It was commended for: (1) Works, (2) Labor, (3) Patience, (4) Standing against evil, (5) Standing against false prophets, (6) Long suffering, and (7) Endurance.
Their works are their achievements doing God's will, through hard work and patience. They stood against evil and recognized false prophets that do Not properly teach God's Word, by changing the meanings and putting a spin on the scripture. They have accomplished this through hard labor and endurance.
The Lord says, "All these things are great and I commend you. But... But..."
V4: "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love."
What is the first love of a Christian??? It had better be the Almighty and His Son. Christian Churches are based on their love for the Holy Ones. Amen!!!
The question is "Why did they depart from their love for God and His Son, Jesus???"
Were they deceived by the devil and the fallen angels during the tribulations??? Remember the Book of Revelation was written by John as he witnessed the events of the future.
V5: "Remember therefore, from hence thou are 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."
You have left your first love, which is the Holy Trinity, and the Word of God. Remember when we first met and you loved Me and longed to be with Me. Now I only hear from you when you are in trouble. If you do not repent and return to me, I will remove myself (Candlestick) from you.
V6: "But this thou has, that thou hates the deeds of the Nicolaitanes which I also hate."
Fortunately they hate the works of the Nicolaitians which were known for their combining Christianity with various Greek and Oriental religious acts and practices. God hates the distortion of Christianity. Keep it pure.
We have ministers and churches today that distort the Word of God. Homosexuality is just a way of life. God said that if a man lies with a man as a woman, it is abomination (Leviticus 30v12 and Romans 1v26-27) and they both shall be put to death.
Look at the number of unborn babies that are being murdered. Eight days after conception, the heart of and unborn baby starts to beat; it's alive. Period.
Adultery has now become a way of life, people living together are now having a relation and not shacking-up. A recent survey revealed that over half of all couples living together, are not married. Babies born out of wedlock are called Love Children, and you know what we used to call them.
V7: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the Churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of "The Tree of Life," which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Jesus is crying out to the church as well as ourselves, and if you have an ear, "Hark unto His message. Notice Jesus says to him that overcomes will be blessed with the fruit of "The Tree of Life." Jesus is our Tree of Life and His fruit is salvation and Jesus dwells with God in paradise.
The Church of Ephesus did Not heed His message, they left the Tree of Life. Their Candlestick was removed. If they had repented they would have joined another Church which I will explain later.
V8: "And unto the angel of the Church of Smyrna write these things," said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.
Smyrna is the name of a fruitful fig tree, which represents Jesus and the Jewish Nation in "The Parable of the Fig Tree."
Smyrna is now called "Izmir" and is the third largest city in Turkey. It has an excellent harbor and exports tobacco, grapes, figs, cotton, olives and olive oil.
This letter is identified as being from Jesus, who was the first begotten Son of God and is the last. He died for us and now is alive for us. Hear His Word.
V9: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are Not, but are from the synagogue of satan.
Jesus knows their works and tribulations, and poverty they encountered, but they are rich in the blessings of God, as God watches over them. They were persecuted by those "Religious Men" who claimed to be Jews, but were not. They were from the synagogue of satan, which were the Kenites or sons of Cain.
Scripture identifies them as descendents of the devil, constantly trying to interfere with the blood line of Jesus. A good example of the Kenites claiming to be Jewish but ore not, is identified in:
John 8v42-44: Jesus said unto them, "If God were your father, you would know Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God, neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me." V43: "Why do you not understand My speech? Even because you cannot hear Me." V44: "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was the murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him, when he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it,"
Jesus specifically said they were from the devil. He also stated that their father was the first murderer which was Cain. They are Kenites, descendents of Cain. Jesus would NOT have said that they were from the first murdered if it were not true!!!
John also identifies Cain as being from the devil in:
I John 3v12: Not as Cain, was of that wicked one and slew his brother. And therefore slew he him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
John identifies Cain as being from the wicked one which is the devil. Cain's father was the devil. The Church of Smyrna identified and taught that these false Jews were from the temple of satan.
You have to study the beginning of the Book of Genesis, including the actual manuscripts to realize that the devil seduced Eve and her first son was Cain, while her second son was from Adam. And now both Jesus and John identify Cain as being from the devil.
Revelation 2v10: "Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer, behold the devil shall cast some of you in prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulations ten days, be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Jesus states that the days of the terrible tribulations shall be shortened in:
In Matthew 24v22, And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the Elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The tribulations shall remain 7 years, but the terrible tribulations shall be shortened for the elect sake.
When a person gives his live to Jesus and The Almighty, he is elected into the Book of Life. We are the elect, and so are the Israelites who have dedicated their lives serving God.
The Final 10 days of the terrible tribulations will include: massive earth quakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, starvations, killings of innocent Christians and Israelites. The devil's henchmen who I believe are the Arabs will finally capture Israel for the final ten days before Jesus returns. And if they persevere against the devil, they will have the crown of life.
But where is the United States??? We will be helpless in defending the Israelites as prophesized in:
Micah 1v16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children (or sons) enlarge thy baldness as the eagle, for they are gone into captivity from thee.
Make thee bald is a sign of mourning. Are we also in the captivity of the evil? one??? Have we been fatally injured during the final days of the terrible tribulations and we are useless???
Smyrna which is the good fig, symbolic for the Jewish nation.
Jesus was asked about the end-times, and He explained the curses to His Disciples, who were all Jewish, that during the tribulations many fallen angels will claim to be Christ.
Mark 13v9-11: "But take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to council; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten; ands you shall be brought before the rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them."
They will be tried and tortured for serving God during the final ten days.
V10: "And the Gospel must first be published among all nations."
The Bible is available throughout the entire world, including China where thousands of copies are smuggled into China every year. China has just passed South Korea in having the largest amount of peoples converting to Christianity.
Billy Graham several years ago broadcast from Puerto Rico, translated into numerous countries, available to 75% of the world population. The Bible is broadcasted daily throughout the world. And look at the computers which have the Bible available to everyone.
V11: "And when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before-hand what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate, but what-so-ever shall be given you on that hour, that speak you; for it is Not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost."
Don't worry, the Holy Spirit will be with them. They don't have to worry about what to say. Remember Daniel in the den of lions, he walked out without a single scratch on his body. Those that endure will be rewarded the Crown of Life.
Revelation 2v11: "He that hath an ear, let him hear hat the Spirit said unto the Churches. He that overcomes shall Not be hurt of the second death.
As you study the Bible, you can hear the Words the Spirit said unto the Churches. Those that overcome the tribulations from Satan shall not encounter the second death, which is hell in the Lake of Fire.
Death is conquered for those that overcome, as the Church of Smyrna. This Church is one of only two Churches that Jesus did not find fault with. The others are told to repent.
It is natural for a person to wonder what happened to those millions of Israelites that served God in the Old Testament as well as those since the birth of Jesus.
Here again the Bible gives us the answer. In the Old Testament their sins were put on atonement which means removing and putting aside. They were not forgiven or blotted out.
When Jesus died on the cross He died for the sins of all believers. I believe these were the Christians as well as the Israelites that serve the Almighty. The Israelites' sins are forgiven and they are now members of the Smyrna Church and the gates of heaven are opened widely for them.
Also, I believe several of the prophets were also admitted into heaven since they knew Jesus was the Son of God and He would die for their sins, as they prophesized.
V12: And to the angel of the Church in Pergamos, write these things says He which hath the sharp sword with two edges."
Pergamos means to fortify as of a castle, or as on a high place.
This verse specifically mentions Jesus with the sharp sword with two edges in His mouth. Jesus' speaks God's Word which is like a two sided sword that can cut through the lies and deception of the devil.
V13: "I know thy works, and where thou dwells, even where Satan's seat is, and thou hold fast my name, and has Not denied my faith in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells."
Pergamos was a strong hold of satanic power. It was a pagan stronghold. It also had a large alter of Zeus, a pagan god. It also was the political center of a government which demanded pagan worship.
Jesus is complementing them for holding fast and keeping their faith under such circumstances. Antipas means "Against All," and he certainly was against all the evil and paganism Pergamos.
This is the only time Antipas is mentioned in the Bible, but it is believed that he lived just prior to these writings, probably around the late 80's or early 90's AD.
V14: "But I have a few things against thee, because thou has there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication.
The doctrine of Balaam was a prototype of all corrupt teachers. He combined immorality and idolatry to please Balac the king of Moab. Balaam's name is derived from the word "Baal," which means to conquer the people, especially the Jewish Nation.
Balac was a king of worshipped money and did everything possible to obtain money, until the ass interfered with Balaam; Numbers 22v23-33.
Some believe Baal also represented the devil.
V15: "So has thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."
The doctrine of Nicolaitans is the same as mentioned in the letter to the Ephesus in verse 6. This Church was soft on doctrine and living, having adopted a "Live and let live" attitude within the Church. Some Churches try to justify their compromises of the Word of God, by saying, "We need all the help possible." Sound familiar???
V16: "Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Jesus calls for them to repent or He will fight with the true Word of God.
Many people try to teach the Word of God, only to put a spin on it to justify their beliefs or actions. Don't listen to them for they will suffer damnation for their works. Judgment will begin in the House of God, but Jesus will first confront them with the true Word.
V17: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the Churches, to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it."
When you study the Bible, don't read the words, but listen for the Word of God and you will hear it. And you will hear the "Spirit" of the Word for the Churches which is for us.
Those that overcome will eat of the "Hidden Manna Bread," which is the body of Jesus providing salvation. And with the body of Christ within you, His blood then cleanses your soul. The Manna Bread is hidden because you have to seek it to receive it. It is only available to those that overcome the evil of this earth age and seek the Truth through Jesus Christ the Son of God.
The White Stone represents the Stone Jacob laid his head on and dreamed of angels ascending and descending on the ladder to heaven.
This stone was later identified as symbolic for Jesus.
And when you eat the Manna Bread we receive Jesus who gives us the White Stone which is our ticket to heaven, containing our new name, known only by ourselves and Jesus and His Father.
V18: "And unto the angel of the Church of Thyatira, write these things," said the Son of God, who has eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.
Thyatira was the smallest of the 7 cities, but it was known as a commercial and business center, with many active guilds, each having their own gods. Membership into these guilds was compulsory if a person wanted to pursue a trade.
Jesus is now described as one being pure, with penetrating eyes of sire to sort our the truth, and shining feet to stomp out evil. Jesus represents the True Word provided to us with no strings attached.
V19: "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience; and thy works and the last to be more than the first."
Jesus knows their works and He watches over them, and tells them their last works should be more than their first works. Their works have decreased instead of increasing.
V20: "Not withstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffered that woman Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornification, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
Jezebel was a temple prostitute. She was the daughter of King Ethbaal, the high priest of the Babylonian empire. He married her to the evil king of Israel named Ahab, who was supposed to marry a virgin of his own tribe; not a prostitute of an evil country.
When Jezebel came to Israel, she brought Paganism with her. She set up temples to Baal and started children sacrifices to Baal. When we kill unborn babies are we sacrificing them to the devil??? We certainly don't sacrifice them to the Lord. And when we kill unborn children, are we practicing paganism as the Church of Thyatira did???
Something to think about.
They also worshipped groves or Asherah. Asherah was an idol the shape of a man's private parts. They worshiped the instrument of creation instead of the Creator. They used to take a row of trees and cut and shape them as a man's privates with two large round stones beside the idol, that's why they called them groves. Women even used to knit veils to put over the heads of the idols.
Little girls were sold as future prostitutes in the temples. And when we condone adultery aren't we encouraging our children to live as prostitutes; jumping from bed to bed???
When Elijah took a sword and slew all 450 of their priests, he was only doing what King Ahab should have done. Jezebel polluted the whole nation of Israel.
They also practiced eating meat sacrificed to pagan gods.
This Church started on the right foot, but quickly changed by following the teachings of Jezebel and paganism.
Did you start off on the right foot, only to go astray???
V21: "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.
God gave the Church a chance to repent, but it did not. God is merciful, but eventually the Church is abandoned. The same goes for a person.
V22: "Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulations, except they repent of their deeds.
God will cast her into a bed of sickness along with her followers in the great tribulations, unless they repent.
V23: "And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."
The people that follow the doctrine of Jezebel and her children, or her followers will end up in the abyss. All the other Churches know that God searches the very depths of our hearts, and He will reward us according to our works.
V24: "But unto you I say, and the rest in Thyatira, as many as have Not this doctrine, and which have Not know the depths of satan, as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden."
Jesus wants those in Thyatira to repent, for they are in the Jezebel Church are committing adultery which represents both physical and spiritual adultery.
Their children or their followers will also face death unless they repent and hold fast, and God will not burden them anymore.
Jesus searches for those with the guiding light of Christianity in their hearts, and with the purpose of glorifying the Almighty.
V25: "But that which ye have already, hold fast ill I come."
Those that have not participated in the evil doctrine of jezebel are told to hold fast until Jesus returns.
V26: "And he that overcomes and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."
We have numerous people that will follow the nonbelievers that distort the Word of God; look at the Di-Vinci Code.
Don't listen to them. Study the Bible and seek the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word.
Jesus said, "Seek and you will find." And you will receive power over the nations of evil. The word has no equal and it has power over the evil ones.
V27: "And He shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, even as I received of My Father."
If you do Not follow the Word, God is displeased and you will be ruled with a rod of iron according to the power Jesus has received from His Father.
V28: "And I will give him the morning star."
The morning star, means the early light or first light, which according to
Isaiah 14v12 is Lucifer or the devil. If you are a follower of Jezebel, you're going to ruled with an iron rod and then turned over to the devil in the abyss.
V29: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the Churches."
Once again we are told to hear the words of the Spirits spoken to the various Churches.
Why are we constantly told to hear the words of the Spirits??? Do the Words directly involve us??? Are we directly involved with the Words???
And I mentioned before, these Churches represent Spiritual Churches and we are members of one of these Churches. Which Church do you belong to? If it's not the Philadelphia (Chapter 3) or the Smyrna Church you need to repent and change you membership. If you don't you have great problems, since your works are supporting the evil one.
And "Yes," these words spoken by the Spirits to the Churches directly involve us.
AMEN
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