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Revelation
Chapter Two
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Things
which Are------the Lord’s
Epistles to the Seven Churches (I)
I. The church of Ephesus------it typifies the church
in the post-apostolic period (v.1-7)
II. The church in Smyrna------it typifies the church in
period of being persecuted by the Roman Empire (v.8-11)
III. The church Pergamos------it typifies the period of
the unification of the state and the church (v.12-17)
IV. The church Thyatira------it typifies the church
that deviates from the way (v.18-29)
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rev. 2:1 “‘To
the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These
things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands:”
YLT: “`To the messenger
of the Ephesian assembly write: These things saith he who is holding the seven
stars in his right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven lamp-stands
-- the golden:”
Meaning of Words: “hold”: control,
take, lay hand on, grasp; “
Literal Meaning: “‘To the angel of the
“‘These
things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands:”
Before the Lord spoke to churches in various places, He describes whom He is
and the descriptions are different to different churches. It shows that the
descriptions are made aiming at the different conditions of the churches in
various places.
Spiritual Meaning: “‘To the angel of the
Please note that the
epistles written to the seven churches could be interpreted from four aspects:
1) the real spiritual conditions of the churches in the respective places at
that time. 2) they typify the representative spiritual conditions of the
churches in all the earth at different historical periods. 3) they show that it
is possible for the churches from ages and from generations to have the seven
different kinds of spiritual conditions. 4) to us, believers in the last time,
the seven epistles could be our warning and exhortation.
“He
who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the
seven golden lampstands:” It symbolizes that
He is the high-priest who walks among all the churches and He holds the
spiritual real power over the churches in various places.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Concerning preaching or writing books, the Lord
must clearly tell us first through His words that, “write (or preach)…” and
this way He shall accomplish what He initiates Himself.
2) The Lord take care of us the individual (stars)
and the church the corporate (lampstands) and His hands and feet act for us.
Rev. 2:2 “‘I
know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who
are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and
have found them liars;”
YLT: “I have known thy
works, and thy labour, and thy endurance, and that thou art not able to bear
evil ones, and that thou hast tried those saying themselves to be apostles and
are not, and hast found them liars,”
Meaning of Words: “labor”: toil;
“bear”: carry, take up; “test”: try; “liar”: false.
Literal Meaning: “‘I know your works, your
labor, your patience” The Lord knows our
conditions like the palm of His hand and He knows our good and bad points.
“Works” specially refers to the matters in the administrative aspect of the
church. “Labor” refers to serving diligently. “Patience” indicates that one
fulfills his duty faithfully and uncomplainingly facing the troubles in the
service and has patience to deal with them.
“And
that you cannot bear those who are evil.” “Those who are evil” specially refers to the
heretical false teachers (See 2Pet. 2:1-3; 2John. 7). The
“And
you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found
them liars;” “test” refers to
being not rash, careless and taking precautious, guarding against and searching
(See Acts. 17:11). The common ways of testing are: 1) listening to their words
(doctrines and teachings); 2) watching their behavior (walkings); 3) looking
into their expressions (intentions).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus is omniscient and He knows all
our conditions. The problem is that many believers fear that men know their
conditions and do not fear of the Lord and therefore they act absurdly.
2) The
3) Satan has its false preachers and the church
must see through and abandon them watchfully and continuously (See 2Cor.
11:1-4, 12-15).
4) The church should be carful when receiving
preachers and certain procedures of test are appropriate. Some churches invite
men to preach merely by the introduction of one or two believers. The greater
part of what they preach is disciplined, however, they get in touch with saints
privately after the gathering and consequently they carry away many people who
love the Lord but lack discernment. Afterwards, the leaders of the church feel
powerless and full of shame and it is too late to regret.
Rev. 2:3 “and you have persevered
and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become
weary.”
YLT: “and thou didst
bear, and hast endurance, and because of my name hast toiled, and hast not been
weary.”
Meaning of Words: “weary”: tired,
dejected, depressed.
Literal Meaning: “and you have persevered and have patience” the patience in this verse and the
“patience” in the second verse are the same word in the original, however, the
former verse refers to the patience in the service in the church and the latter
stresses on the patience towards the world, i.e. enduring for the sake of the
gospel and bearing the witness of Jesus Christ.
“And
have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.” “For My name's sake” refers to preaching the name of the Lord.
“Labor” refers to working hardly to save men. “Have not become weary” refers to
holding on straight to the end and never giving up easily.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should play fast and lose in preaching the
gospel. Sometimes the effect may be not great, however, we should still keep on
and there will be fruits surpassing every understanding at the season.
2) The Lord knows and remembers what we have done
for Him.
Rev. 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have left your first love.”
YLT: “`But I have against
thee: That thy first love thou didst leave!”
Meaning of Words: “against”: oppose,
withstand; “first”: original, foremost.
Literal Meaning: “Nevertheless I have this
against you,” the condition that
the Lord was against them was very serious.
“That
you have left your first love.” “First love”
refers to the first love in the aspect of time and the foremost love in the
aspect of quality (first and “the best” in Luke. 15:22 are the same word in the
original). The
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) A believer may serve the Lord zealously and even
suffer for the Lord willingly, however, he may not truly love the Lord.
2) To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams (1Sam. 15:22). Everything that we do for the Lord shall be
in vain if they are not of the love to Him.
Rev. 2:5 “Remember therefore from
where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to
you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.”
YLT: “remember, then,
whence thou hast fallen, and reform, and the first works do; and if not, I come
to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp-stand from its place -- if thou
mayest not reform;”
Meaning of Words: “remember”: be
mindful; “fall”: fail; “repent”: change the mind; “place”: area, location;
“remove”: move.
Literal Meaning: “therefore” The Lord made the following three suggestions, aiming
at the disadvantage of the
“Remember
from where you have fallen;” it refers to
investigating the cause which makes them leave their first love.
“Repent” means that their mind is going forward
wrongly and they have to change their mind completely.
“And
do the first works” means that what
they do are good apparently, however, they are of no value because the motives
for them are wrong. They must walk out of their first love as they did at
first.
“Or
else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its
place--unless you repent.” “I will come to
you quickly” does not refer to the second coming of the Lord but that the
judgment shall come quickly. “Remove
your lampstand from its place” means they no
longer have the testimony of the church and cannot shine for the Lord on the
earth.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Our first love to the Lord can be resumed just
as our communion with God can be resumed (See 1John. 1:9).
2) There are three important conditions for
resuming the “first love”: a) reading the Bible, praying, meditating and
seeking the light from the Lord; b) admitting one’s sins, repenting to the
Lord, changing the mind; c) obeying and putting into practice.
3) The function of the church and believers on the
earth is being “the light of the world” (See Matt. 5:14). Once we lose this
function, we lose the value of our existence. How terrible!
Rev. 2:6 “But this you have, that
you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
YLT: “but this thou hast,
that thou dost hate the works of the Nicolaitans, that I also hate.”
Meaning of Words: “Nicolaitans”: above
the people, the conqueror of the people.
Literal Meaning: “But this you have,” while the Lord blamed them, He still did not
forget to give them the words of encouragement.
“That
you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,”
“Nicolaitans” according to the original it is a new word
made up of two words: “conqueror” and “people”. The two words compose “the
conqueror of the people”.
“Which
I also hate.” It means that the
Lord hates the deeds of “the
Nicolaitans”.
Spiritual Meaning: “the deeds of the Nicolaitans” it means that the deeds of the hierarchy
are above that of common believers and a minority of people become the
intermediate class who take complete care of the spiritual service.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Usually we completely forget the merits of
others when we blame them. However, the Lord is not like us and He praises men
before and after the blame. When dealing with others, we should remember and
learn from the strong points of others.
2) The Lord hates every idea and deed of the
intermediate class in the church and therefore we should also hate them.
However, it is wrong that believers or preachers hold in the subconscious that
certain things can only be done by a certain group of people.
Rev. 2:7 “‘He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the Paradise of God.’”
YLT: “He who is having an
ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is
overcoming -- I will give to him to eat of the tree of life that is in the
midst of the paradise of God.”
Meaning of Words: “overcome”: prevail,
get the victory.
Literal Meaning: “What the Spirit says to the
churches.” There are two
points worthy of our attention: 1) formerly it is the Lord that spoke (See v.1)
and now it is the Spirit that says. 2) formerly the words were said to the
“He who has an ear, let him hear” It implies that many people have ears but
do not hear and they hear but do not understand (See Is. 6:9).
“To
him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the Paradise of God.’” “Overcome” refers
to overcoming the condition of the fall of the church (See v.4-5). “The Paradise of God” refers to the New Jerusalem in future (See
3:12). “The
tree of life” refers to the
trees on the two sides of a river of water of life, in the midst of the street
of the city of New Jerusalem, which bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded
her fruit every month (See 22:1-2). “Give to eat” indicates that one does not
need to wait to foretaste it till future.
Spiritual
Meaning: “from the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” it symbolizes that Christ is the provision of our
life. Though common believers can enjoy Him, only he who overcomes can enjoy
Him fully (“twelve manner of fruits” refers to perfection; “yielded her fruit
every month” refers to being unceasing and frequent).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The words written in the Bible are the words of
the Lord, however, they are the objective words (logos). Only when they are
turned to the subjective words and the words in season (rhema) through the
communion of the Spirit will they be our personal provision.
2) The teachings in the Bible to every generation,
every church and everyone may be applicable to us, however, we cannot adopt
them completely. Only through the interpretation and guidance of the Spirit
will the teachings be applied to the needs for different conditions.
3) Usually our ears are itching ones, that we only
hear the words in which we delight and cannot hear the words that the Spirits
says (See Matt. 13:13). Let’s ask the Lord to open our ears that we can hear
His voice (See Is. 50:4-5).
4) The Lord Jesus says that, I have come that they
may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John. 10:10). The
reason why we have not enjoyed the life of the Lord abundantly must be that we
are unable to overcome the corrupt conditions (it means that we have not
overcome).
Rev. 2:8 “‘And
to the angel of the church in
YLT: “`And to the
messenger of the assembly of the Smyrneans write: These things saith the First
and the Last, who did become dead and did live;”
Meaning of Words: “
Spiritual Meaning: “‘And to the angel of the
church in
“‘These
things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:” “The First and the Last” symbolizes that:
1) the bitterness that we suffer is permitted by Him and everything is under
His control and nothing will go beyond the boundaries that He has set. 2) He
Himself had suffered bitterness and therefore He is able to sympathize with our
bitterness (See Heb. 4:15) and He shall help us unto the end.
“Who was dead, and came to
life:” it symbolizes that
Christ’s life of resurrection shall be manifested upon those who are delivered
unto death for the sake of Jesus (See 2Cor. 4:11).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution (2Tim. 3:12). However, everything is under His control
and He who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with
the temptation will also make the way of escape, that we may be able to bear it
(See 1Cor. 10:13).
2) If we have been united together in the likeness
of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection (
Rev. 2:9 “‘I
know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.”
YLT: “I have known thy
works, and tribulation, and poverty -- yet thou art rich -- and the
evil-speaking of those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but a
synagogue of the Adversary.”
Meaning of Words: “tribulation”:
persecution, exhaustion; “poverty”: beggary; “blasphemy”: evil-speaking,
slander.
Literal Meaning: “‘I know your works,
tribulation” the Lord’s
“knowing” is the greatest consolation. If men suffer bitterness and are not
understood or sympathized by others, they indeed suffer more.
“And
poverty (but you are rich)” “poverty” refers
to the material shortness. “Rich” refers to the spiritual richness.
“And
I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews” “who say they are Jews” indicates that
they are the Jews according to the flesh, however, they are not the true Jews
before God (See Rom. 2:28-29). Here it specially refers to those who are
zealous in Jewish legalism. “The blasphemy” indicates that men cannot be saved
if they do not keep the law (See Acts. 15:1, 5, 24). Some of them even made the
excuse that Christians betrayed Caesar to make use of the hand of Romans to do
away with them.
“And
are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
“A synagogue
of Satan” refers to those
who are utilized by Satan (See John. 8:44).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians are a group of peculiar ones. The
world see us suffer tribulation, however seemingly but actually we have peace
and joy in the Lord (See John. 16:33; Phil. 1:17-18) and we seem to be poor,
however we are rich (See 2Cor. 6:10).
2) Today there are a group of people calling
themselves “Christians” in Christianity and they are not but a synagogue of
Satan.
Rev. 2:10 “Do not fear any of those
things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some
of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten
days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
YLT: “`Be not afraid of
the things that thou art about to suffer; lo, the devil is about to cast of you
to prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days; become
thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of the life.”
Meaning of Words: “fear”: be afraid
of, be in awe of; “throw”: cast; “be”: become.
Literal Meaning: “Do not fear any of those things which you are
about to suffer.” “Those things which you are
about to suffer” Indicates that
great persecutions shall come. “Do not fear” refers to not fearing persecution
and tribulation (See Matt. 10:28).
“Indeed,
the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested” “the devil” apparently, it is men that
persecute, however, it is the devil that does it. “Some of you” indicates that
not the whole church but a part of them shall suffer persecution. “Throw…into
prison” refers to utilizing the political power to execute persecution. “That
you may be tested” suffering tribulation is a kind of test (See 1Pet. 4:12-13)
test our faith (See 1Pet. 1:6-7).
“And
you will have tribulation ten days.”
“Ten days” refers to a short period of time.
“Be
faithful until death” it indicates that
the reaction that Christians should have is endurance instead of resistance
when they suffer persecution (See 13:10; 14:12). “Faithful until death” means
not loving their lives to the death (See 12:11).
“And
I will give you the crown of life.”
“The crown of life” indicates that the Lord has already prepared it for those
who are faithful until death as the reward. They lose their life for the sake
of the Lord and they shall find it (See Matt. 16:25), i.e. finding the
excellent resurrection (See Phil. 3:11, in the original).
Spiritual
Meaning: “and you will have
tribulation ten days” it has two
meanings: 1) it symbolizes that the tribulation that they suffered is perfect
(the word “ten” in the Bible refers to perfection). 2) It typifies that the
early church shall suffer “the ten great persecutions” from the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Fear” is the biggest reason why Christians fail
and it makes us lose courage and faith (See Mark. 5:36) and be subject to
bondage willingly (See Heb. 2:15).
2) Persecution is a “test” to Christians and the
devil attempts to test us to make our faith fail through persecution and
tribulation (See Luke. 22:31-32). God also tests us through them, that our
faith will be more precious (See 1Pet. 1:6-7).
Rev. 2:11 “‘He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.’”
YLT: “He who is having an
ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: He who is
overcoming may not be injured of the second death.”
Meaning of Words: “hurt”: injure.
Literal Meaning: “‘He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Please see the note in v.7).
“He
who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.’” “The second death” refers to being cast into the
lake of fire (See 20:14). “Be hurt by the second death” refers to suffering the
bitterness of fire. Though believers won’t be cast into the lake of fire,
probably they will suffer loss as through fire (See 1Cor. 3:15). Only the
overcomers shall be saved from such loss.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Death” is the line of demarcation between
overcoming and failing------those who do not fear death and are faithful until
death (See v.10) shall overcome. Those who fear death and compromise with
environments shall fail.
2) Those who fear the first death (i.e. the death
of the flesh) shall either suffer the second death (unbelievers) or be hurt by
the second death (the failing Christians).
Rev. 2:12 “‘And
to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, "These things says He who
has the sharp two-edged sword:”
YLT: “`And to the
messenger of the assembly in Pergamos write: These things saith he who is
having the sharp two-edged sword:”
Meaning of Words: “Pergamos”: highland, tall building, union, great
joint, guarding the city.
Spiritual Meaning: “‘And to the angel of the
church in Pergamos write,” the original
meaning of “Pergamos” is “marriage, union” and “tall building” and it
symbolizes: 1) the church unites with the world; 2) the church obtains high
position in the word. “The church in Pergamos” typifies the politico-religious
church from the beginning of the fourth century in which the Roman Constantine
the Great declared that he had received Christianity as the state religion to
the sixth century in which the Roman pope was formed.
“These
things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:” symbolizes that the word out of the mouth of the
Lord has two functions: 1) judging and attacking the adulteration of the world
in the church (See v.16); 2) diving and cutting off the relation between the
church and the world.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The metaphors said by the Lord that a grain of
mustard seed became a tree and the leaven made the whole lump leavened (See
Matt. 13:31-35) are formerly used to condemn the church (the reality of the
kingdom of heaven) for her abnormal development in the world. However, some
preachers explain it as the good works done by the Holy Spirit and it is indeed
ironic.
2) The word of the Lord, like the sharp two-edged sword out of His mouth, can judge and cut off the
relation between the church and the world.
Rev. 2:13 “‘I
know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold
fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas
was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”
YLT: “I have known thy
works, and where thou dost dwell -- where the throne of the Adversary -- and
thou dost hold fast my name, and thou didst not deny my faith, even in the days
in which Antipas my faithful witness, who was put to death beside you, where
the Adversary doth dwell.”
Meaning of Words: “dwell”: inhabit,
live; “hold fast”: grasp; “deny”: refuse; “Antipas”: be against all.
Literal Meaning: “‘I know your works, and
where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.” “Where you dwell” originally the church sojourns
on the earth temporarily just like the movable tent and unexpectedly, she has
the steady dwelling place. “Where Satan’s throne is” means that Satan
unexpectedly has the ruling position in the church.
“Antipas
was My faithful martyr, among you,”
the original meaning of “Antipas” is opposing all. This sentence means that a
group of people in the church, with the will of preferring to be martyred for
the Lord, rise to oppose all the abnormal conditions in the church for the sake
of the testimony of the Lord.
“In
the days in which who was killed where Satan dwells.” “Where Satan dwells” refers to the world.
However, the church has united with the world and therefore it is in the
church. “Was killed” refers to being martyred for the Lord.
“And
you hold fast to My name” “My name” refers
to the name of the Lord Jesus. Believers are saved by calling upon the name of
the Lord (See Rom. 10:13) and therefore holding fast to the name of the Lord
means that a group of believers still keeps the faith.
“And
did not deny My faith” the whole sentence
is equivalent to the previous sentence in meaning, i.e. not abandoning the
faith.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If we want to bear good witness to the Lord, we
should determine to oppose every condition which does not conform to the truth
at any price, even being martyred for the Lord willingly.
2) What believers oppose is every condition which
does not conform to the name of the Lord instead of any one. Please remember
that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness
in high places (See Eph. 6:12).
Rev. 2:14 “But I have a few things
against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who
taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
YLT: “`But I have against
thee a few things: That thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam,
who did teach Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of
Meaning of Words: “against”: oppose:
“hold”: attach to; “Balaam”: devourer, the one who devours the people, the
master of the people, pilgrimage; “Balak”: vanity, the one who wastes; “things sacrificed to idols”: sacrifice, idolatrous things.
Literal Meaning: “But I have a few things against you” “a few things” means more than one. “I
have against you” indicates that the Lord has opposed some conditions in the
church.
“Because
you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam,” “the
doctrine of Balaam” it indicates that
the way of Balaam (See 2Pet. 2:15; Jude. 11) had developed into the doctrine of
Balaam that believers are taught to cooperate with the world for money.
“Who
taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel” “Balak” was the king of the Gentiles (See
Deut. 23:4). “A stumbling block” indicates that Balaam offered advice to Balak
the king how to seduce the people of Israel into departing from God (See Num.
24:14).
“To
eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” “To eat things sacrificed to idols” refers to worshiping idols (See Num. 25:2;
31:16). “To
commit sexual immorality” means that the
people of Israel committed fornication with the Gentiles (See Num. 25:1).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1Tim. 6:10).
2) Fornication is always related to worshiping
idols (See 1Cor. 6:9). Where there is the matter of worshipping idols, there
will be fornication there.
3) If believers exalt someone above that which is
written (See 1Cor. 4:6), they indeed adore a spiritual idol in their hearts.
And it is the same as adoring sports stars, movie stars or singers. And
therefore they indeed commit the spiritual fornication in the sight of God.
Rev. 2:15 “Thus you also have those
who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
YLT: “so hast thou, even
thou, those holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans -- which thing I hate.”
Meaning of Words: “also”: in like
manner; “Nicolaitans”: the one above the people, the conqueror of the people.
Literal Meaning: “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” merely the “deeds” of the Nicolaitans were indeed hated by sensible believers in
the church of Ephesus (See v.6). Today, the deeds even developed into the
“doctrine”, showing that class concept has went deep into the hearts of
believers and the public doctrine is not regarded as disobedient.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The reason why some people teach the wrong
doctrine is that there are people who are willing to listen and hold the
doctrine. Those who hold the wrong doctrine should never think that the Lord
only blames those who teach the wrong doctrine. Here the Lord is against those
who hold the wrong doctrine.
2) It is a virtue to obey the authorities in the
church, however, we should be careful because obeying the wrong authority will
not be praised but be blamed by the Lord.
Rev. 2:16 “Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
YLT: “`Reform! and if
not, I come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my
mouth.”
Meaning of Words: “quickly”: soon;
“fight”: make war.
Literal Meaning: “Repent”
refers to having the complete change in the minds, concepts and deeds.
“Or
else I will come to you quickly” it does not mean
that the Lord shall come quickly but that the Lord’s judgment shall come
quickly (See v.5).
“And
will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” It means that the Lord shall judge and condemn
them according to the words out of His mouth.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord is not slack concerning His warning
because He is not slack, but longsuffering toward us, not willing that any
should perish but that all should come to repentance (See 2Pet. 3:9).
2) The word of God is the sword of the Spirit (See
Eph. 6:17). And usually we should let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in
all wisdom (See Col. 3:16), that we can be spiritual soldiers for the Lord.
Rev. 2:17 “‘He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a
white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him
who receives it.’”
YLT: “He who is having an
ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is
overcoming, I will give to him to eat from the hidden manna, and will give to
him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, that no one knew
except him who is receiving .”
Meaning of Words: “manna”: what it was
(See Exod. 16:15).
Literal Meaning: “‘He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Please see the note in v.7.
“To
him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” “The hidden manna” formerly refers to the
manna in the golden pot hidden in the Ark of the Covenant (See Exod. 16:32-34;
Heb. 9:4) and now it lacks trace to be found, with the loss of the Ark of the
Covenant.
“And
I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written” “a white stone” is formerly used by
assessors to judge in the court: they throw a white stone to the innocent and the
guilty a black stone.
“Which
no one knows except him who receives it’” some other Bible exegetes held that “a white
stone” is a mark which the ancient Jews looked as the bosom friend------two
intimate friends have a white stone respectively and on the stone the name of
them and they give it to each other. And therefore only the one who receives
the stone know the names on it and others have no way of knowing them.
Spiritual
Meaning: “To him who overcomes I will
give some of the hidden manna to eat.”
Manna originally is the food of the children of God given from heaven when they
walk in the wilderness and it symbolizes that the word of God is our provision
(See Deut. 8:3). “The hidden manna” symbolizes the special enjoyment and
experience additionally kept by Christ for overcomers.
“And
I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written” “a white stone” symbolizes Christ’s
recognition for overcomers’ reception in the spiritual realm. “A new name”
symbolizes the degree that overcomers experience themselves.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men receive from what they eat. If men eat
things
sacrificed to idols (See v.14), they
indeed receive the idols which they worship into their hearts. If men eat the
word of God (See Matt. 4:4), they indeed gather the composition of God’s life
for themselves.
2) Believers’ enjoyment and experience of Christ
today shall become their own savings in heaven (See Luke. 12:33; 18:22) as the
reward in future.
3) Our natural men are made by the dust (See Gen.
2:7). And those who are born from above become living stones (See 1Pet. 2:5),
however, we should pursue holiness like a white stone, that we shall be
acceptable to the Lord (See 1Pet. 1:15-16).
Rev. 2:18 “‘And
to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These
things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet
like fine brass:”
YLT: “`And to the
messenger of the assembly of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God,
who is having his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass;”
Meaning of Words: “Thyatira”: burning
incense, sacrificing unceasingly.
Spiritual Meaning: “‘And to the angel of the
church in Thyatira write,” the original
meaning of “Thyatira” is “sacrificing unceasingly”. “The church in Thyatira” typifies that the Catholic Church from the
six century in which the Roman pope was formed to nowadays and the unceasing
mass is her feature.
“‘These
things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet
like fine brass:” it symbolizes that
the eyes of the Lord keep looking over the inner intentions and outer behavior
of the backsliding church and at the same time, He will judge according to His
own standard and tread on everything not conforming to His standard.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men sacrifice to please God and they hardly
realize that offering strange fire makes God abominate them (See Lev. 10:1-2).
The religious traditional service and ways cannot pass through the sight and
standard of God’s judgment.
2) We should have the sight of the Lord, that we
can see what the Lord wishes us to see and the feet like that of the Lord, that
we can do what the Lord asks us to do.
Rev. 2:19 “‘I
know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your
works, the last are more than the first.”
YLT: “I have known thy
works, and love, and ministration, and faith, and thy endurance, and thy works
-- and the last more than the first.”
Meaning of Words: “work”: labor;
“service”: ministration.
Literal Meaning: “‘I know your works, love,
service, faith, and your patience;”
“works” the Catholic Church has many so-called works, especially the public
welfare. “Love” the case that one has love like Sister Teresa is not uncommon.
“Faith” the case that one has faith like Madam Guyon is very common.
“And
as for your works, the last are more than the first.” It means that the good works in the Catholic
Church will be more.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Catholic Church’s love and good works
towards the world are indisputable. However, they have love and neglect the
truth (See v.20) and men’s so-called good works are regarded as evil works by
the Lord (See 2John. 11). The Lord’s true believers should love in the truth
(See 2John. 1-2).
2) If a church stresses on the social works more
than the work of the gospel, she indeed takes the branch for the root. The
greatest service that a believer can do is bringing sinners to the Lord.
Rev. 2:20 “Nevertheless I have a few
things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a
prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat
things sacrificed to idols.”
YLT: “`But I have against
thee a few things: That thou dost suffer the woman Jezebel, who is calling
herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, my servants to commit
whoredom, and idol-sacrifices to eat;”
Meaning of Words: “Jezebel”:
virginity; “seduce”: deceive.
Literal Meaning: “a prophetess” is the one who passes on the word of God
and speaks for God.
Spiritual Meaning: “because you allow that
woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach” “woman,
who calls herself a prophetess” symbolizes that
the church oversteps her authority and makes the truth by herself. The Catholic
Church has many teachings from the ideas of men, traditional customs and even
superstitions.
“Woman Jezebel” typifies the backsliding church. The position of
the church before the Lord is “a woman” (See Eph. 5:32) and Jezebel was the
Gentile wife of Ahab the king of Israel who brought the heretical faith into
the people of Israel (See 1Kings. 16:31-32). And therefore woman Jezebel was
the one who took leaven and hid it in three measures of meal, till the whole
was leavened (See Matt. 13:33). The leaven symbolizes the evil heresies and the
church should be the unleavened (See 1Cor. 5:6-8). However, the Catholic Church
brought the old leaven into the church.
“And
seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to
idols.” “Committing sexual
immorality” symbolizes the spiritual fornication------mixing abominations with
the sacred things (See 17:4). “Eating things sacrificed to idols” symbolizes worshipping
idols------worshipping others besides the true God (See 1Cor. 10:20-22).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If the church makes the truth by herself besides
the Bible, she became the one “who calls herself a prophetess” and the Lord shall add unto her the plagues (See
22:18).
2) It is the most terrible condition to “call
oneself a prophet”------one quotes few words of God and adding many his own
words to them and making others wrongly regard them as God’s meanings.
3) We should not be carried about with various and
strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace (See
Heb. 13:9).
4) Christians should fear the true God
wholeheartedly. We cannot both fear Jehovah and serve our own gods (See 2Kings.
17:34-35, 41). It is the spiritual fornication and God hates it the most.
Rev. 2:21 “And I gave her time to
repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.”
YLT: “and I did give to
her a time that she might reform from her whoredom, and she did not reform;”
Literal Meaning: “And I gave her time to repent” It shows that God has great goodness,
forbearance and longsuffering and His goodness leads us to repentance (See Rom.
2:4).
“And
she did not repent.” It means that she
did not change her attitude and she still held that it was not wrong to mix the
heretical ceremonies of worship and ways with the true worship.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should take advantage of opportunities to
repent. And once one misses the opportunity, he probably will never have it.
2) What’s the most terrible is that one is wrong
and he does not realize it and it is impossible for him to repent forever.
Rev. 2:22 “Indeed I will cast her
into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of their deeds.”
YLT: “lo, I will cast her
into a couch, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation --
if they may not repent of their works,”
Meaning of Words: “cast”: throw;
“great tribulation”: great disaster.
Literal Meaning: “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed” “her” refers to woman Jezebel, i.e. the
backsliding church the corporate. “Cast into a sickbed” indicates that one
loses the normal ability to move and can only prolong his last gasp and he is
hopeless.
“And
those who commit adultery…unless they repent of their
deeds.” “Those who commit adultery” refers to “My servants” in v.20, i.e. the
clergymen such as bishops, priests, sisters and etc. in the Catholic Church.
“With
her into great tribulation” it means that all
clergymen who do not repent shall be punished by the Lord together. “Great
tribulation” refers to circumstances that cause one’s body and mind in great
pain.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord mentioned “repent” again and again
(three times from v.21-22), showing that the Lord did not intent to punish them
but that hoped men to repent through the warnings of punishment. Though the Lord
is severe, He is full of goodness (See Rom. 11:22).
2) The Lord punishes and chastens us for the sake
of love and for our profit. He will make all those who have truly received
grace and been saved (please note that there are many people who truly believe
in the Lord and have been saved in the Catholic Church) be partakers of His
holiness finally (See Heb. 12:9-10).
Rev. 2:23 “I will kill her children
with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds
and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”
YLT: “and her children I
will kill in death, and know shall all the assemblies that I am he who is
searching reins and hearts; and I will give to you -- to each -- according to
your works.”
Meaning of Words: “search”:
investigate, scrutinize; “mind”: kidney, reins.
Literal Meaning: “I will kill her children with death” “kill” refers to dying unnaturally because
the Lord intended that “all the churches shall know”. “Her children” refers to
those who receive her heretical teachings foolishly, i.e. the nominal church
members.
“And
all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.” “All the churches” refers to the orthodox
Christian churches except the Roman Catholic Church. “The minds and hearts”
refers to “reins and hearts” in the original and in the Bible it represents
secrets hidden in men.
“And
I will give to each one of you according to your works.” “Your works” includes behavior. This sentence is
the principle used by God to judge believers and it is restated dozens of times
in the Bible (See Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6 and etc.).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who receive heretical teachings bring
trouble to themselves and they cannot shirk all the responsibility to the heretical
false teachers because if no one is willing to listen to and believe in them,
there won’t be the false teachers.
2) A common saying goes like that, “believe it or
not”. Believing it or not is the story in one’s heart and other people do not
know it. However, the Lord is the one who searches the minds and hearts and He
clearly knows whether we believe in Him truly or falsely or blindly.
3) The Lord’s judgment is absolutely just and
righteous because He judges according to both our outer behavior and inner
intentions. The Lord also judges according to our works and He never clears the
guilty and perverts the righteous by futility.
Rev. 2:24 “‘Now
to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this
doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on
you no other burden.”
YLT: “`And to you I say,
and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, and who
did not know the depths of the Adversary, as they say; I will not put upon you
other burden;”
Meaning of Words: “depth”: deepness.
Literal Meaning: “‘Now to you I say, and to
the rest in Thyatira,” “the rest” refers
to believers who truly believe in the Lord in the Catholic Church.
“As
many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say” “do not have this doctrine”
refers to not receiving the heresies handed down all the past dynasties in the
Catholic Church. “Have not known” refers to being unwilling to search deeply.
“As they say” refers to the teachings familiar to ear.
“The depths of Satan” heretical teachers like emphasizing that their teachings
are deep and they are hard to understand and one cannot understand them unless
they become their members. Actually their so-called doctrines are the doctrines
of Satan.
“I
will put on you no other burden.”
“Other burden” indicates that the teachings in addition to the basic faith of
the salvation sometimes will become burdens hard for men to bear. The Lord
shows understanding for what we are able to bear and He is unwilling to let
those who believe in Him be burdened (See Matt. 11:28-30).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The heretical ones like playing with words and
letters------false named knowledge (See 1Tim. 6:20-21) and fables (See 1Tim.
1:4) and make men feel profound and difficult to understand them. Contrarily
they attract them to search them and once they fall in, it is difficult for
them to come to realize the truth.
2) A rare and unusual fact is that, in the circle
of Christianity, the followers of heresies and the heretical churches
contrarily search the doctrine of the Bible deeply. However, the majority of
them deliberate the doctrine on which they stress and once they get into a
blind alley, it is impossible for them to come out and they cannot find the
broader, more profound and more balanced truth. It is a pity!
3) The Lord Jesus blamed the Pharisees and scribes
that they lay upon men burdens heavy to bear and themselves do not touch the
burdens with one of their fingers (See Luke. 11:46). This sentence is suitable
to describe the heretical false teachers.
Rev. 2:25 “But hold fast what you
have till I come.”
YLT: “but that which ye
have -- hold ye, till I may come;”
Meaning of Words: “till”: as far as.
Literal Meaning: “what you have” refers to their good deeds, i.e. works, love,
service, faith, and patience (See v.19). “Till
I come” this sentence
implies that the backsliding Roman Catholic Church, unlike the previous three
churches which no longer existed, will exist till the second coming of the
Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians’ attitude to all doctrines and
teachings should be: testing all things, “holding fast” what is good (i.e. what
conform to the truth) and abstaining from every form of evil (i.e. heretical
teachings) (See 1Thess. 5:21).
2) Christians should not attack the heretical
groups purposely because the Lord knows them that are His (See 2Tim. 2:19) and
He has reserved to Himself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to
the image of Baal (See Rom. 11:4). When the Lord comes again, everything shall
be exposed before the judgment-seat.
Rev. 2:26 “And he who overcomes, and
keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--”
YLT: “and he who is
overcoming, and who is keeping unto the end my works, I will give to him
authority over the nations,”
Meaning of Words: “keep”: hold fast,
guard; “over”: govern.
Literal Meaning: “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until
the end” “He who overcomes”
refers to those who overcome the corrupt teachings and deeds of the backsliding
church. “My works” refers to the great redemption that the Lord has
accomplished, i.e. the truth of the salvation. “Keeps My works until the end” refers to holding fast to the truth until
one sees the countenance of the Lord.
“To
him I will give power over the nations--” refers to reigning with Christ in the coming
kingdom (See 20:4, 6).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord calls a group of men who loves Him from
pure hearts to stand for the truth. Though the surrounding states make us
painful, we should never lose heart because having the Lord is sufficient.
2) Today those who keep the truth for the Lord may
lose the position and authority in the church, however, the Lord shall make up
for them with the power in future and the power in future is greater that the
power on the earth today.
Rev. 2:27 “‘He
shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the
potter's vessels' -- as I also have received from My Father;”
YLT: “and he shall rule
them with a rod of iron -- as the vessels of the potter they shall be broken --
as I also have received from my Father;”
Meaning of Words: “rule”: shepherd.
Literal Meaning: “‘He shall rule them with a
rod of iron;” “a rod of iron”
refers to the powerful token which can make subordinates submit to them. “Rule”
is “shepherd” in the original and it refers to replacing the negative restraint
with the positive provision.
“They
shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'” “they” refers to the nations (See v.26). “The
potter’s vessels” describes that it is easy to be dashed to pieces. “Be dashed
to pieces” refers to being unable to resist again.
“As
I also have received from My Father;”
because overcomers reign with Christ and therefore their power is like the
power that the Lord has received from God the Father.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The best way of management in the church is
“shepherding” and teaching, that believers can grow up into maturity in life
and be willing to be ruled and directed by the Lord.
2) Today in the Lord, we foretaste the power of the
Lord’s life a little and that day, overcomers shall partake of the power of the
Lord to the full extent.
Rev. 2:28 “and I will give him the
morning star.”
YLT: “and I will give to
him the morning star.”
Meaning of Words: “morning star”: the
star which appears in the morning.
Spiritual Meaning: “the morning star” when the Lord comes again, only the
overcomers who watch and wait shall see His hidden coming like the morning star
personally (See 22:16). As for common believers, they shall see till His public
appearing and at that time He will appear like the sun of righteousness (See
Mal. 4:2). And therefore morning star typifies that the Lord reward overcomers
with His appearing, that they can meet Him in advance.
Enlightenment in the Word: “morning star” refers to the bright star in the
dawn sky before the sunrise (See 2Pet. 1:19) and only those who wake up early
in the morning can see it. The night is far spent, the day is at hand (Rom.
13:12). And therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be
sober (1Thess. 5:6).
Rev. 2:29 “‘He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
YLT: “He who is having an
ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies.”
Literal Meaning: please note that the
Lord mentioned this sentence of exhortation first and called overcomers later
in the epistles to the three churches. However, in the other four epistles from
this epistle, the order was changed and the Lord called overcomers first and
then mentioned exhortations. Such phenomenon shows that the first three
churches make up a group and the other four churches make up another group. The
first three churches no longer existed and they referred to the three
transitional phases in the church history. The other four churches occur in the
church history continually and they all will exist till the second coming of
the Lord.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Being of the Lord vs. the Conditions of
the Churches
I. The
A. He who holds the seven stars in His
right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (v.1)
B. you have left your first love. I will
come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent
(v.4-5)
II. The church in
A. the First and the Last, who was dead,
and came to life (v.8)
B. Do not fear any of those things which
you are about to suffer and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful
until death (v.10)
III. The church in Pergamos:
A. He who has the sharp two-edged sword
(v.12)
B. you have there those who hold the
doctrine of Balaam and have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the
sword of My mouth (v.14-16)
IV. The church in
Thyatira:
A. the Son of God, who has eyes like a
flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass (v.18)
B. you allow that woman Jezebel, who
calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual
immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I am He who searches the minds
and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works (v.20,
23)
The Conditions and Reward of the Raptures
I. The
A. you cannot bear those who are evil.
You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and
have not become weary. You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (v.2, 3, 6)
B. To him who overcomes I will give to
eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (v.7)
II. The church in
A. I know your works, tribulation, and
poverty (but you are rich) (v.9)
B. Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second
death (v.10-11)
III. The church in
Pergamos:
A. you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith
(v.13)
B. To him who overcomes I will give some
of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone
a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it (v.17)
IV. The church in
Thyatira:
A. do not have this doctrine, who have
not known the depths of Satan.
Hold fast what you have (v.24-25)
B. he who overcomes, and keeps My works
until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. I will give him the
morning star (v.26, 28)
The Lord’s Exhortations to All the Churches
I. Remember therefore from where you have fallen;
repent and do the first works (v.5)
II. Do not fear any
of those things which you are about to suffer and be faithful until death
(v.10)
III. Repent (v.16)
IV. I will put on
you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come (v.25)
The Four Kinds of Men in the Church in
Thyatira
II. My servants (v.20), those who commit sexual
immorality with her (v.22)------ hierarchic
clergymen.
III. Her children
(v.23)------the silly and superstitious churchmen.
IV. The rest
(v.24)------the true believers of the Lord.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren