Revelation 2

Revelation 2:18-29

The apolite John, according to the command which he received, proceeds to write the epistles to the angels or ministers of the seven churches of Ephelys, from ver. 1—8. Of Smyrna, from ver. 8—12. Of Pergamos, from ver. 12—18. Of Thymira, from ver. 18. to the end.

1. UNTO the angel of the church of Ephelys, write, Thefe things faith be that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2. I 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 fay they are apoftles, and are not; and hath found them liars: 3. And hath born, and hath patience, and for my name’s fake hath laboured, and hath not fainted. 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy firft love. 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the firft works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hareft the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith 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.

2. 1—7. The firft epistle is directed to the angel of the church of Ephelys. We have,

3. The preface, informing us who dictated what the apolite wrote, even that glorious Perfumage that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Note, The Lord Jesus is he who makes his ministers bright stars: he gives them purity of doctrine and holiness of life, and enables them to shine to his own glory. May we each be upheld in his almighty arms, and be fed with oil from the living Source, flaming brighter and stronger till we come to the eternal temple above!

4. The contents.

(1.) The epistle contains matter of great commendation. I know and approve thy works as a minister of zeal, and the works of the church in general as exemplary; and thy patience under persecutions; and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, abhorring their principles and practices, and removing them from communion with you: and thou hast tried them which fay they are apoftles, and are not; and hast found them liars, detecting their impositures, and demonstrating the falsehood of their pretended commission from Christ: and hast born many conflicts, and hast patience, and for my name’s fake hast laboured with fidelity, and hast not fainted. Note, They who are put in trust with the ministry may expect many trials. They have need of peculiar faith and patience, that they may persevere in their labours, and faint not.

(2.) Here is a needful rebuke and admonition. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy firft love, and grown colder of late in affection to me and my ways. And hath a backfilling in heart the Lord Jesus observes, and cannot but be highly displeased with. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the firft works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Note, (1.) They who are fallen should remember how much they have lost, and with grief and shame consider their ways. (2.) They who truly repent will return to their firft works, and then they will return again to a feath of the divine grace and love. (3.) The churches that neglect Christ’s admonitions may expect to be visited with his judgments.

(3.) A word of encouragement is added. But this thou hast, that thou hareft the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate; their idolatrous, vicious, and impure principles and practices. Note, True Christians will maintain a holy hatred to all the ways of sin.

3. The conclusion. Where we have, (1.) A solemn call to attention. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches. Note, The scriptures are of general use for all ages; and what was written of old was written for our instructions, as much as for those to whom it was more immediately addressed. (2.) A gracious promise. To him that overcometh, and perseveres unto the end, manfully fighting under my banners against sin, Satan, and the world, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, admitting him to all the blessings and happiness of the celestial paradise, infinitely farpelling that from which Adam for his transgression was opened. Note, In Christ Jesus, and by his grace, we shall

be advanced to higher glories than even man in innocence enjoyed.

8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna, write, Thefe things faith be firft and the laft, which was dead, and is alive. 9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but I thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which fay they are Jews, and are not; but are the synagogue of Satan. 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shalt 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. 11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches, He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death.

9. 8—11. The form of the epistles is similar. We have,

10. The preface to the church of Smyrna. Thefe things faith be firft and the laft, the Creator and Judge of all, the Author and Finisher of his people’s salvation; who was dead, and is alive, delivered for our offences, to make the one great atonement, is raised again for our justification, and lives for ever to secure our eternal blessedness.

11. The contents. (1.) Their commendation. I know thy works, and tribulation, how zealously thou hast laboured, and how much thou hast suffered; and thy poverty, (but thou art rich) for whatever we hide for Christ, and the gospel’s lake, it shall procure us much more substantial treasures in a better world. And I know the blasphemy of them which fay they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, who, whilst they pretended a peculiar covenant—title to God’s favour, and zealously urged the mosaical ritual as essential to salvation, were in fact Satan’s emiliaries, and the bitter enemies of the spiritual Israel. (2.) Warning is given them of approaching trials. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer, so as to be terrified from the path of duty: behold, the devil, by cruel persecutors his instruments, shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and your faith and confidence proved in the furnace of affliction; and ye shall have tribulation ten days, either so many years, or for a considerable though indefinite space of time. Note, God’s people need not fear the malice of their most inventive persecutors. If he be for them, no matter who may be against them. (3.) An encouraging promise is added. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life; and then, though it be won by martyrdom, our gain will be unspeakably great.

12. The conclusion. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches; what encouragements there are to fidelity, and how watchful God is over his chosen: He that overcometh in the holy warfare, and is finally victorious over his spiritual foes, shall not be hurt of the second death, hath nothing to fear, hath every thing to hope for in eternity.

13. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write, Thefe things faith be, which hath the sharp sword with two edges, 13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s feat is: and thou holdeth 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. 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balsam, who taught Balac to call a flumbling-block before the child, ten of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith 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.

14. 12—17. Here is, as before,

15. The preface, to the angel of the church of Pergamos. Thefe things faith be, which hath the sharp sword with two edges; the sword of his word and his providences, to defend the faithful, and to cut off all enemies and apoftates.

16. The contents. (1.) Notice is taken of their perilous situation. I shall thy words, and behold with satisfaction whatever is excellent among you; and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s feat is, environmental with treasures: and thou holdeth fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, amidst the fire of heaved persecution, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth, and manifestly ab

bloody rage against my loyal subjects. Note, Steady fidelity in perilous days is doubly commendable. (2.) A reproof is given them for what was amish. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balaa to call a flumbling-block before the children of Israel, to see things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Some such reducing teachers were among them, who inculcated the lawfulness of eating idol-facrifices, and of fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicilations, which thing I hate; and countenance their impure and abominable practices. Note, God hates all impurity; and they who make light of fornication will feel the heavy wrath of an offended God, which it provokes. (3.) They are warned instantly to repent. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly in judgment, and will fight against thee with the sound of my mouth: and no sword is so fatal to the body as the denunciations of his wrath are to the guilty soul. Note, By speedy repentance alone we can prevent the threatened judgments. And not only must we cleanse our hearts from the love of sin, but separate ourselves from all communion with scandalous offenders, left we become by connivance partakers of their guilt and ruin.

3. The conclusion. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches: To him that overcometh, faithful in the arduous conflict, will I give to eat of the hidden manne, feeding him with the abundant grace and consolation of my Spirit and my gospel; and will give him a white flame, absolving him from all his iniquities; and in the flame a new name written, the name of a child of God and heir of glory, securing to him an eternity of inconceivable blessedness, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

4. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira, write, Thele things faith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19. ‘I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the hell to be more than the fish. 20. Nowwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou suffered that woman ‘Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants’ to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and the repented not. 22. Behold, I will call her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that ‘I am he that fearcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24. But 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. 25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27. 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. 28. And I will give him the morning star. 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches.

The fourth epistle is directed to the angel of the church of Thyatira.

1. The preface describes the Son of God, who dictates to the sacred penman. These things faith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, infinite in wisdom and knowledge, discerning the secrets of all hearts; and his feet are like fine brass, almighty to support his people amidst every danger, and to tread his enemies and thorn into the dust.

2. The contents. 1. They are highly commended. I know thy works, and am pleased with them; and thy charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the hell to be more than the fish; that in all divine graces and good convertibles thou art increasing with the increase of God, growing more exemplary and eminent. Note, It is well for us when he who knoweth our hearts bears witness that our left works are more than the fish. 2. They are reproved for what was blameable among them. Nowwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou suffered that woman ‘Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess (probably some woman of eminence among them who pretended to impecation, and had her abetters and followers) to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols, perverting their souls, and leading them to corporal and spiritual idolatrics and impecants. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and the repented not; therefore behold faith, vengeance shall overtake her and her adherents: I will call her into a bed of languishing and misery.

and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, the partakers of her sins shall partake of her plagues, except they repent of their deeds, and prevent the threatened judgments: and I will kill her children with death, as surely as the sons of Ahab perished by the sword of Jehu: and all the churches shall know that I am he that fearcheth the reins and hearts, and can discover every hidden principle and secret of the soul, distinguishing the hypocrite from the faithful; and I will give unto many one of you according to your works. Note, (1.) They who abuse the patience of God, and harden themselves in sin, instead of repeating of their iniquities, will bring aggravated guilt and ruin upon their souls. (2.) God’s omniscience cannot be deceived, nor his justice eluded; the faithful guideline will be detected and sentenced at his impartial tribunal. 3. He encourages the faithful among them. But unto me I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, abhorrings all such impure principles and practices, which impolitely, influenced by deep Satirical Sufitely, seek to inculcate, I will put upon you none other burden, nor add any farther injunctions or refluents than God, revealed in my word. But that which ye have already, the doctrines and precepts of the gospel which you have embraced, hold fast till I come to take you to my end all rest, and deliver you from all your temptations for ever. Note, (1.) The Lord knows how to separate between the precious and the vile, and will secure his own people amidst all the arts of deceivers. (2.) They who would meet Christ with comfort at his coming, must hold fast his truth in principle and practices, and never be moved away from the hope of the gospel.

3. The conclusion. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, patiently and faithfully persevering in the profession and practice of the gospel, to him will I give power over the nations, when he shall fit with me on my throne at the great day; (and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, breaking in pieces all the wicked of the earth, as the spills of a potter shall they be broken to shivers) even as I received, in my office-capacity, a kingdom of my Father: he shall share my glory, and reign with me for ever; and I will give him the morning star, so that he shall shine bright in eternal glory as the stars for ever and ever. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches. Lord, open thou mine ears, and make me earnestly take heed to the things that are spoken!