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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Revelation Chapter 2

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: John the Apostle
Date Penned: (95 AD)
Overview: God Reveals the Future to John (c 1-22)
Theme: Letters to the 7 Churches (c 1-3)
Message:Messages to the Churches  (v 1-29)

Revelation 2 Commentary

(2:1-7) The Message to the Church in Ephesus - The first letter is addressed to the church in Ephesus—the crossroads of civilization—considered to be a city of great political importance. Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul had planted the church in Ephesus (see Acts 19); Timothy had ministered there (1 Timothy 1:3); John, the writer of this letter, was closely associated with the church. The carrier of this letter to the churches would have landed at the port of Ephesus and begun his journey by visiting the church there.The basic problem with the church in Ephesus is that even though church members had stood fast against evil and false teaching, they had left their love—their basic love for Christ and for one another.

(2:8-11) The Message to the Church in Smyrna - The port city of Smyrna lay thirty-five miles up the coast, north of Ephesus. It also had an excellent harbor on the Aegean Sea and rivaled Ephesus in the export business. This is the only one of the seven cities that is still in existence; its modern name is Izmir. The church in Smyrna was one of the two churches that received no rebukes from Christ.

(2:12-17) The Message to the Church in Pergamum - After leaving Smyrna, a letter carrier traveled along the coast of the Aegean Sea for about forty miles. Then the road turned northeast along the Caicus River. About ten miles inland stood the impressive city of Pergamum, built on a hill one thousand feet above the surrounding countryside, creating a natural fortress. Rivaling Ephesus as the leading city in the region, Pergamum had become the capital of the province of Asia and the center of Asian culture. It was proud of its links with Rome.The problem in Pergamum was leniency toward those in the church who were compromising their faith with the idol worship and sexual immorality of pagan worship. Compromise can be good and is often needed, but the church must never compromise the basic tenets of the Christian faith.

(2:18-29) The Message to the CHurch in Thyatira - A letter carrier, upon leaving Pergamum, would travel southeast about forty miles, over a range of small hills, and finally into the fertile plain of Lycus. There he would find Thyatira, a city known for its manufacturing. The problem in Thyatira was a woman, called Jezebel, who was teaching compromise with the pagan world. Christ condemned such teaching. There can be no compromise with evil. Believers must be discerning in order to see evil for what it is.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

How is Your Attitude?

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Revelation with Chapter 2 and today we see 4 of the 7 Churches mentioned when the Lord told John to pen down and this Chapter. We see the Loveless Church in Ephesus, the Persecuted Church in Smyrna, the Lenient Church in Pergamos, and the Compromising Church in Thyatira. Each Churches characteristics can be applied to the believers attitude in their heart today. Do you see any of your attitude in these Churches. Being persecuted is one thing but being Lenient, Loveless, and compromising is another. Reading about these Churches makes me examine my heart. I see myself relating to the Compromising Church and compromising on what I believe in order to be politically correct and not offending others. When I read this passage is causes me to repent of my compromising attitude and stand for the truth. What about you? Do you need to repent of your attitude? If so call out to the Lord today through prayer with a repentant heart so on the Judgement day you will not be ashamed.

 

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Revelation 2

Revelation 2

 1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

 2I 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:

 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 5Remember 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.

 6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

 7He 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.

 8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

 9I 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 the synagogue of Satan.

 10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

 12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

 13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

 14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

 15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

 17He 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 hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

 18And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

 24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

 27And 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.

 28And I will give him the morning star.

 29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

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