Revelation 2:8 - 29

Introduction
In today’s passage Jesus addresses the churches in Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. Throughout these messages, Jesus emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to him and standing firm in the face of adversity.

Smyrna
Smyrna was a proud, prosperous, and beautiful city. Moreover, the city was friendly to Rome, so they welcomed Roman rule. In fact, in 195 B.C., the city erected a Temple to Dea Roma (goddess Roma), the earliest recorded establishment of the Roman Cult.
 
Smyrna – The Letter
The Church of Smyrna was formed when the Apostle Paul was in Ephesus on his third Missionary Journey. Ignatius, an Apostolic Father, wrote in the early 2nd century that the Church of Smyrna was well organized, with elders, deacons, and a Bishop named Polycarp, ordained as bishop by the Apostle John). He wrote a letter to Polycarp and to the Church of Smyrna. Polycarp is believed to have been a disciple of the Apostle John. Unfortunately, at age 86, he was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. 
 
Verse 9:  Jesus acknowledges the hardships the Church is facing. They were a persecuted and poor church in a wealthy city. The Church was persecuted because they refused to bow its knee to Rome. They did not recognize Caesar as a deity and declined to offer him worship or renounce their Christian faith. 
 
Jesus reminds them that though they are poor, they are spiritually wealthy. These are words of comfort and encouragement to the Church. Jesus reminds them that the things of this world do not make you rich. Although salvation, redemption, and future glory contributed to the Church being materially poor, they were the wealthiest people on the planet.
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In contrast, Jesus speaks about the Jews who are a synagogue to Satan. The persecution of Smyrna does not just come from pagan Rome; it also comes heavily from the Jews. The Jews at this time believed Jesus was a blasphemer, and when they saw the spread of Christianity, they wanted to stop the growth. They would physically harm Christians and inform Roman rulers of Christians and their worship practices. These Jews thought they were faithful Jews, but they were, in fact, a synagogue to Satan. They were not working for the God Israel; they were doing the Devil's work.
 
Verse 10:  Jesus tells them, "Don't be afraid" because hardships are coming. Tough times were ahead for the Church, and Jesus is comforting them. The Church is about to face some persecution. Jesus says, "The Devil will throw some of you into prison." Some suggest that "the Devil" is Rome, but the Devil himself will be the one influencing those who are persecuting.
 
You will suffer for ten Days could suggest a literal ten days; it could be a short time, while others suggest a long but limited time. Regardless persecution was coming.
Jesus instructs them to remain faithful to him even unto death. The faithful ones will receive a crown of life. The word for crown here refers to the garland wreath, which was given as the prize for victors in competition (the reward of righteousness).
 
Vs. 11:  Anyone with ears must listen… The second death will not hurt the one who conquers. Jesus says in the Gospel of John, "The world will cause great persecution and trials but have courage and know I have overcome the world. The world has no power over me." Likewise, the second death has no power over those who are in Jesus.
 
Pergamum – The Letter
Pergamum was noted for many things, primarily having the second largest library in the Greek world with over 200,000 volumes. History tells that Marc Antony took the 200,000 volumes and gave them to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. Legend is that parchment was invented in Pergamum because Egypt cutting off its supply of papyrus. 
 
The city was also the location of four major cults with temples and altars built to Zeus, Athene, Dionysus, and Asklepios. The latter was considered the god of healing and represented by a serpent. People would travel to Pergamum from all over for medical attention. It is noted that Galen, one of the most famous physicians in the ancient world, was a native of Pergamum. 
 
Verse 12:  Jesus is represented as "the one with the sharp two-edged sword" in response to the power of the proconsul. Pergamum was the only city where the proconsul was given the "right of the sword" – which meant he had the power to execute anyone for any reason. The Proconsul had the power of life and death by sword. Jesus reminds the Church that it is He who truly wields power over life and death, not the proconsul, and not Rome. 
 
Verse 13: "I know you live in a city where Satan has his throne" is a reference to the city of Pergamum and not the Church. Pergamum was a pagan city that was fiercely loyal to Rome. Like the city of Smyrna, it would make it very difficult to be a Christian in the city without facing persecution. The "throne of Satan" is a reference to the Imperial Cult of Roman Emperor worship OR it was a reference to the large altar dedicated to Zeus that stood atop the citadel overlooking the city of Pergamum. 
 
Jesus commends the Church of Pergamum for staying faithful to Him.  Even amid great persecution, including Antipas, the Church remained faithful. We know very little about Antipas except what is written in this letter and a couple of other references His name is mentioned in an inscription of Pergamum and early Church father Tertullian mentions him as well. 
 
Verse 14: "But this I have a few complaints against you…" The Church still tolerated the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The two are probably closely related if not the same.
□   The teachings of Balaam: A Quick overview– (Read Numbers 22 – 24 for the full story).

1. Balaam was a prophet for hire.
2. Balak the King of Moab consulted Balaam to curse the people of Israel because they were too mighty.
3. Every time Balaam tried to curse the Israelites, he would end up blessing them (this happens three times) and it infuriated Balak.
4. Balaam can't curse Israel, but he does advise the Midianite women to engage in sexual acts with Israelite men to cause them to turn their hearts from God and bowing to the false gods of Baal. (Numbers 31:14 -16).

Balaam often represents false teachings and/or teachers and immorality. Balaam showed that the flesh of the Israelites was weak and if he could convince the Midianite women to seduce the Israelites then they would ultimately drop their guards and fall prey the sins of the flesh and forget about God. The teachings of Balaam were rooted in compromise and adapting the world's philosophies over God's Word. Some in the Church of Pergamum thought it was better to compromise and go along with the world rather than face persecution. Like the Israelites of old there were some professing Christians who were willingly and knowingly eating foods that were sacrificed to idols and were involved with pagan sexual practices. They thought they could mix the world with the sacred without any repercussion from God. Unlike the Ephesians the Church of Pergamum did tolerate sin and the practice of the Nicolaitans. 
 
Verse 16: "Repent of your sin" – It is time for the Church and its leadership to repent of their sins. There is no indication that the whole Church practiced the works of Balaam and the Nicolaitans BUT Jesus declares the whole Church guilty of the sin because they have not acted against it. They were turning a blind eye to sin and figured they would be guiltless because they weren't involved in the sin, yet they were guilty by association. Indifference to sin is a sin.
 
Verse 17:  The promise of receiving "manna hidden" and "a white stone with a new name written on it."  "The Pergamos overcomers are promised that they will commune with Him at His feast in the kingdom, since they refuse to commune with demons at the idolatrous meals."[1]  It is suggested the white stone is an invitation or pass if to the Messianic feast. There is an ancient when an individual on trial would be given by the jurors either a black stone indicating guilt, or a white stone indicating acquittal.[2]  The white stone with a new name could represent the Christians acquittal from sin and declaration of innocence.     
Thyatira – The Letter
This passage is believed to be the most difficult letter to interpret of all the churches, it is also the longest. 
 
Verse 18: The eyes like flames of fire & feet like polished bronze point to impending judgment. Jesus' eyes pierce through our exterior and sees the heart of the individuals in the Church. 

Eyes are like flames of fire penetrate and burn to the heart and Jesus judges our hearts and actions. Jesus spoke about sin not just being an outward physical act of rebellion it is a matter of the heart. Christ's penetrating eyes see the true nature of who we are, and he judges our hearts and our actions. 
 
Feet like polished bronze represents strength and stability. Jesus is our fortress and our foundation that cannot be moved. This indicates the strength of Jesus in his judgment which is swift, and He will tread upon the wicked with God's wrath.
 
Verse 19: "I know all the things you do…" Jesus commends the Thyatiran Church because they practice love, faithfulness, service, and they patiently endure trials. Unlike the Church of Ephesus, they were not lacking in love; their love was great and growing in strength. 
 
Verse 20:  Also, unlike the Ephesians, the Church of Thyatira tolerated false teachings and teachers, one was leading people astray thus, causing others to commit spiritual adultery. 
Jezebel is believed to a prophetess in this Church who was practicing and teaching dangerous and blasphemous deeds. She encouraged people do immoral practices that were forbidden by Jesus and the Church. 

Jezebel
Jezebel was an O.T. Phoenician princess who was the wife of Israelite King, Ahab.  She was an influential woman over her husband. She convinced him to turn his heart from the true God of Israel to worship Baal. She practiced pagan idolatry and welcomed and protected pagan priests. She persecuted the prophets of Israel (her nemesis was Elijah) and had 150 them killed one time. Her name means "Baal exalts", "Baal is husband to" or "unchaste". She represents false teachers and those who seduce people sexually.

The person in Thyatira was probably not a woman named Jezebel but was a type or symbol of Jezebel. The name symbolized a woman who was a false prophetess who taught antinomianism (The rejection of the authority of the Mosaic Law on the grounds that it has been superseded by Christian grace and freedom, based partially on Romans 3:8. Some Gnostic sects, such as the Carpocratians, interpreted this freedom as a license to sin because only the spirit, and not the body, mattered. [3]). According to theologian Stephen Smalley, "In early Christianity women prophesied freely; in contemporary Roman and Oriental cults in Asia Minor women often played the major roles as priestesses."[4] It was not uncommon for such a person to rise in the Church. This prophetess taught that idolatry was ok, sexual immorality was permissible and she openly engaged in these activities with some of the members of this Church. It was probably taught that since individuals were saved by grace that Jesus was ok with his people following the ways of the world because the moral Law of Moses was no longer valid resulting in people engaging in sexual immorality. She was falsely teaching that these acts were acts that led to deeper insights and practicing the deeper things of God.    
 
Verse 21 - 23:  Jesus gave this woman time to repent of her evil ways but now her time was up. Her refusal to repent led to major consequences.

• I will throw her onto a sickbed – It is uncertain if this is a literal (sickness) or Figurative (a bed of fornication). Sickness was a form of punishment in the first century.
• Those committing adultery with her will be brought into great tribulation or pain. These individuals will most likely experience physical pain and suffering.
• Unless they repent of her works, even though Jezebel's time is up, those who committed adultery with her have the opportunity and invitation to repent. If they do not repent, then judgment is certain.
• This judgment is that all the Churches who have been lax in their morals will know that Jesus is the one who searches the heart and mind and is sovereign overall.

Verses 24 – 25:  Not everyone in the Church has fallen for this false prophetess. Jesus tells those who have not fallen for her to hold fast and remain faithful. Those who truly belong to Jesus will share in his Kingdom and triumph over evil.
 
Conclusion – Three takeaways.

1. Compromise is not an option - We live in a world of compromise. People (even those who once claimed to be a follower of Jesus) have compromised their faith in exchange for comfort, wealth, and status. Discipleship is costly but worth every penny; spiritually speaking. The world wants your worship and your affection. There are many things in the world that is vying for your heart and affection, but only Jesus satisfies. We cannot compromise our loyalty, love, and life to Jesus for something that is ungodly, empty and cannot deliver.
   
2. No matter how poor you are, you are extremely wealthy - You may or may not have material wealth. God is not concerned with your material wealth. He is more concerned over your spiritual health. No matter your financial status, if you are a child of Jesus Christ then you are the richest person in the world. It is Jesus who makes us the riches people on the planet.
   
3. We have overcome because Jesus has overcome​ - We are victorious because Jesus was victorious at the cross. The world has no hold on us, and we are not slaves to the world. Jesus tells us there is nothing the world can do to take away our joy. Even in turmoil, pain, suffering, and persecution joy can be found. We live in a time of uncertainty, violence, godlessness, a moralism, and turmoil and this should not affect our lives in the least because Jesus is still on the throne. We have overcome the world because we belong to Jesus and He is victorious and so are we.

 
[1] Gregg, S. (1997). Revelation, four views: A parallel commentary (Re 2:12–17). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers.
[2] New Bible commentary: 21st century edition. 1994 (D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer & G. J. Wenham, Ed.) (4th ed.) (Re 2:12–17). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.
[3] Kurian, G. T. (2001). Nelson’s new Christian dictionary: The authoritative resource on the Christian world. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[4] Smalley, Stephen S. (2005).  The Revelation To John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse.  Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press. P. 73

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