Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Revelation Chapter 2 mean?

In the first chapter of Revelation, John introduced his reason for writing: a direct command from Jesus Christ. He was instructed to record Jesus’ words, aimed at each of seven churches in Asia Minor, and to faithfully record them. Each church is given a unique description of Jesus, a command, and a promise. Six of the churches are given specific praise—one is not. Five are given direct criticism—two are not. This chapter contains Christ’s words to four of these seven: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Chapter 3 will complete this series of messages.

The church in Ephesus is commended for hard work, and for weeding out false prophets, despite persecution. They are also praised for opposing the teachings of a particular sect, the Nicolaitans. Not much is known about this group. Some scholars believe they held to a doctrine of amorality, others that they felt that church leaders ought to “rule” over the laity. At the same time, the Ephesian church is criticized for being loveless. Their efforts are good, but they are slipping into coldness and religiosity, rather than Christian love (Revelation 2:1–7).

Smyrna’s church suffered under especially brutal persecution. According to Jesus’ words in this message, that experience is going to become worse before it gets better. A significant challenge for this congregation is a group of hostile Jewish leaders, referred to here as a “synagogue of Satan.” Smyrna is praised for holding fast, despite this hardship. This is one of only two churches which Jesus does not criticize in some way in His messages (Revelation 2:8–11).

The name of the city Pergamum is related to terms used for marriage. Coincidentally, Jesus’ criticism of this church focuses on their inappropriate connections to false teachings, such as those of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. They are praised for resisting persecution, holding to their faith even when under threat. Their situation was certainly dire, as Jesus refers to their location as “where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:12–17).

Thyatira was a city deeply involved in worship of Apollo, a pagan deity of the sun and a child of Zeus. In this passage, Jesus is described in terms deliberately overshadowing Apollo’s status and glory. This church is commended for their ever-growing participation in good works. However, they are strongly rebuked for “tolerating” sexual temptations and idolatry as promoted by a particular woman. This person is identified as “Jezebel,” which might be a reference to the Old Testament queen of the same name. Since she refused to repent of sin, Jesus promises to bring fierce judgment on her and her followers (Revelation 2:18–29).

Chapter Context
In chapter 1, John introduced his order from Jesus Christ: to write out a message to seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:9–11). Here in this chapter, John writes to the church in Ephesus, the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum, and the church in Thyatira. Chapter 3 will continue with messages to the other three churches. The rest of Revelation will explain future events connected to the ”end times.”

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

The first letter from Jesus is addressed to the church at Ephesus. The city of Ephesus was an important seaport on the Aegean coast. Of the seven churches Jesus addressed, Ephesus was closest to the island of Patmos, where the exiled apostle John received these messages, dictated by Jesus to send to the seven churches (Revelation 1:9–11).

The apostle Paul had spent three years at Ephesus (Acts 20:31) about forty-three years before John sent Jesus’ letter to the church there. During Paul’s ministry at Ephesus, the Word of God spread throughout Asia (Acts 19:10). Tradition places John at Ephesus as the church’s pastor until he was banished to Patmos. This is the same Ephesian church to which Paul wrote his letter, the New Testament book of Ephesians.

In verse 1, John portrays Jesus as holding the “angels” of the seven churches in his right hand and walking among the seven golden lampstands. Since the Greek and Hebrew words translated as “angel” both literally mean a “messenger,” this might refer to the pastors of those churches, to literal spiritual angels, or to the messengers charged with communicating on behalf of those congregations. Jesus, the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18) possesses and protects these “angels.” Also, He is present among the churches and observes all that they are and do.

Context Summary
Revelation 2:1–7 is the first letter Jesus dictated to John, intended for the church at Ephesus. This congregation is praised for patient endurance and for rightly rejecting false apostles. Despite such an excellent beginning, however, Ephesus had abandoned its first love. They were drifting into coldness and rote religiosity. Jesus instructs the church to remember its early days, repent, and conduct itself as it had done initially. He promises a reward to the victor.

Verse 2. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for its diligent work and patience in suffering. The Ephesian church existed in the midst of a mixture of Greek and Oriental cultures. This included a variety of false religions. The worship of the fertility goddess Diana was rampant in Ephesus, and the temple in which her worshipers adored her was one of the seven wonders of the world. Superstition and magical arts flourished throughout the region. It is not surprising, therefore, that the church at Ephesus experienced persecution.

Nevertheless, the Ephesian Christians held their ground. They did not compromise the truth in order to be acceptable to the general population. Nor did they tolerate evildoers: their love of truth caused them to test those who professed to be apostles, and to conclude that the self-proclaimed apostles were false. Interestingly, false teachers were threatening not only the church at Ephesus but also the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum, and the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:2, 6, 9, 14–15, 20).

While this commitment to truth is certainly commendable, the Ephesians were not applying it in an entirely positive way, as later verses will point out.

Verse 3. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name ‘s sake, and you have not grown weary.

This verse continues Jesus’ commendation of the church at Ephesus. He compliments the Ephesian believers on their steadfast endurance of hardships and persecution. In 2 Timothy 2:24, the apostle Paul instructed Timothy that the servant of the Lord must patiently endure evil. Timothy was pastor of the church at Ephesus when Paul wrote those words. It seems that Timothy practiced patient endurance and inspired the church to follow his example. For more than forty years, from its inception, the church had endured antagonistic treatment for Jesus’ sake, but it had not fainted.

In writing to the Galatian churches, Paul addressed this quality of faithfully serving the Lord without giving up. He wrote: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). The church at Ephesus was exemplary in regard to its perseverance, but it was not perfect, as we learn from the next verse.

Verse 4. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Having commended the church at Ephesus for its doctrinal integrity and perseverance in the face of adversity, Jesus reveals in verse 4 what He found lacking in the Ephesian church. It had abandoned the love that characterized its early history. What remained was devotion to the truth, but not devotion to the Lord.

What would a marriage be like if a wife performed all the duties of a wife but without genuine love for her husband? What would a marriage be like if a husband continued to work to provide an income for His family and kept on performing the usual household duties that fall to a husband, but no longer loved his wife? Wouldn’t the marriage be a cold, sterile relationship? On the other hand, duties performed out of love for one’s spouse gives meaning and warmth to one’s marriage.

The decline of the church at Ephesus from a deep love for Jesus to a dead orthodoxy prefigures the history of the early Church from Pentecost to the mid-second century. The Ephesian church’s love for Jesus had grown cold, leaving only a slavish obedience to rules and doctrines. Jesus’ rebuke needs to be taken seriously today by every church. Sound doctrine and service are important, but they should be grounded in a deep love for Jesus.

Verse 5. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

In this verse we read Jesus’ twofold command to the church at Ephesus: remember and repent. He calls upon the church at Ephesus to remember the love from which it had fallen. Their commitment to truth was a good thing, but unless it is motivated by love, that obedience is not fully pleasing to God (Revelation 2:1–4).

The New Testament places a high priority on love for the Lord. Jesus taught that our love for Him must exceed our love for our closest relatives (Matthew 10:37). The apostle Paul indicated that our love for the Lord should exceed our love for our spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32–35). In 1 Corinthians 13:3 He declared that even voluntarily dying as a martyr amounts to nothing if love is absent.

Jesus commanded the church at Ephesus to repent. The Ephesian believers needed to reverse their spiritual decline and serve Him as they did when the church began. A failure to heed Jesus’ command would bring swift punishment. The church would not continue to exist as a witness for Jesus. More than a few churches in our modern era have closed their doors because they abandoned their love for Jesus.

Verse 6. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

This verse points out that the church at Ephesus hated the works of the Nicolaitans. Jesus also hated their works. Although Scripture does not further identify the Nicolaitans, tradition and oral history provide possibilities. According to one possible history, Nicolaus, one of the seven deacons in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), fell away from the truth and founded the sect known as the Nicolaitans. The sect believed no law—at all—governed their behavior. So, they felt free to indulge in the idolatrous feasts of pagans and in sensuality.

Others believe the Nicolaitans were a group that advocated for the rule of the clergy over the laity. They derive this theory from the combination of two Greek words translated “Nicolaitans.” One of the words means ruler, and the second word means people. Hence, the Nicolaitans might have favored the rule of the clergy over the laity. A wise pastor will not “rule” a congregation but adopt the motto primusinter pares, meaning, “first among equals.”

Verse 7. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Jesus concludes His letter to the church at Ephesus with an invitation and a promise. He invites individuals in the church to hear what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. The letters to the churches were messages inspired by the Holy Spirit and communicated by Jesus through John (Revelation 1:9–11).

Whoever heeds Jesus’ words is a conqueror. This is from the Greek word nikōnti, literally meaning “one who overcomes.” The “conquerors” in the church at Ephesus were those who would do what Jesus instructed, enduring persecution and hardship along the way. They would remember their original love for the Lord, repent, and perform the works they did originally.

Jesus promises in verse 7 to allow every conqueror the privilege of partaking of the tree of life in God’s paradise. The tree of life appears first in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24) and is mentioned again in Revelation 22. Paradise is used here as a synonym for heaven (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:3). The promise of paradise would encourage the conquerors to obey Jesus’ instructions.

Verse 8. “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

In this verse Jesus addresses the angel—or “messenger,” possibly the pastor—of the church at Smyrna. Jesus identifies Himself as the first and the last. This name reflects His eternal existence. He created all things (John 1:3) and He will exist forever (Revelation 1:8). He also identifies Himself as having died and returned to life. This description points to His death by crucifixion and resurrection.

The church at Smyrna could relate to Jesus’ identification, because the city of Smyrna ceased to exist from the seventh to the third century BC, when it experienced a kind of “resurrection” and became an ally of Rome. The designation of Jesus as eternal and the crucified and risen Lord would provide much encouragement to the believers at Smyrna in the face of their intense persecution. Even martyrdom could not end their lives; they belonged to the one who had conquered death and would escort them through death to their home in heaven.

Context Summary
Revelation 2:8–11 contains Jesus’ message, through John, to the church at Smyrna. Christians in Smyrna were undergoing intense persecution at the time these words were written. Jesus predicted even further persecution, but told the believers not to fear. He promised a crown of life to them if they remained loyal to Him to the point of martyrdom. The church at Smyrna prefigures the history of the Church from the mid-third century to AD 316, when Emperor Constantine declared Christianity an official state religion. Out of seven churches mentioned in Revelation, Smyrna is one of only two not rebuked for any specific flaw.

Verse 9. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

The name “Smyrna” is closely related to “myrrh.” When certain plants are crushed, they emit a fragrant resin, called myrrh. Similarly, when the church at Smyrna suffered, it produced a characteristic reaction. Jesus does not bring a single criticism against this church in His letter. Apparently, the suffering of this church—the “testing” of hardship—produced exactly the kind of result Christ expects from His followers. Through suffering, the church remained pure.

In addition to its sufferings, the church at Smyrna experienced poverty. Likely Rome had confiscated the Christians’ property and goods. However Jesus says they are rich. They had treasure in heaven! The believers at Smyrna were under attack not only from Rome but also from militant apostate Jews and from the Devil himself. Jesus called this particular group “a synagogue of Satan.” This reference is very specific; Jesus is not referring to all Jews, or all synagogues, but only to a specific faction which apparently plagued the churches of both Smyrna and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9).

Satan is mentioned in four of Jesus’ seven letters (Revelation 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9). These references ought to increase our awareness of Satan’s antagonism of believers. The apostle Peter urged: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist Him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9).

Verse 10. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

In this verse we learn that Jesus predicted further suffering for the church at Smyrna. Some of the believers would encounter imprisonment and death. The Devil would be responsible for this hateful treatment, but Jesus told the believers not to fear. Early in His earthly ministry Jesus had counseled, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). He continued His counsel by asserting that our heavenly Father’s eye is on the sparrows and He values us more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29).

The “ten days” in Revelation 2:10 may refer to ten persecutions that began with Nero and ended with Diocletian at the end of the third century. Christians are not promised to be kept from persecution, but we are kept in—or through—persecution. Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us; therefore we can say, “I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6)

Jesus promises the crown of life to those who remain loyal. The “crown” refers to the wreath that was given to the winner of an athletic contest. At the end of life’s race an imperishable wreath awaits all who faithfully served Christ even unto death (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Verse 11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Offering challenge and encouragement to those who listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches, Jesus challenges the believers at Smyrna to heed His message. It is one thing to read what Jesus tells us in His Word, but it is another thing to heed it—to take it to heart and act upon it. James compares the person who is a hearer of the Word but not a doer of it to a man who looks at his face in a mirror and leaves, forgetting what he saw (James 1:23–24). He adds: “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25).

Jesus promises the believers of the church at Smyrna that the second death—the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14)—will not harm them. God’s people’s final home is heaven (John 14:1–3).

Verse 12. “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Pergamum lay about sixty miles north of Smyrna and fifteen miles from the coast of the Aegean Sea. For some four centuries, beginning in 133 BC, it was the capital of Asia. Like Ephesus and Smyrna, it was a wealthy city. Pergamum boasted a library of about 200,000 volumes, but it rejected God’s written Words, and the wisdom of Christ. Here, Jesus addresses the church at Pergamum through the apostle John.

Christ commanded John to describe Him as possessing the sharp two-edged sword. The description reminds the church that Jesus wields more power and authority than any government official who wields the sword of justice in Asia on behalf of Rome. This verse uses the word rhomphaian, typically implying the large, broad swords used by Roman soldiers. This is a weapon of offense, meant to separate and slash. Jesus’ words are able to pierce paganism and destroy the works of Satan. This echoes statements such as Hebrews 4:12, which describes God’s written Word as a sharp, dividing sword.

The characteristics of the church at Pergamum prefigure those of the Church from AD 316 to 500. Interestingly, “Pergamum” means “marriage.” During the fourth and fifth centuries, the Church was effectively “married” to the state.

Verse 13. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan ‘s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

In this verse the one who walks among the churches shows His perfect understanding of the situation the church at Pergamum faced. He understood the church existed in Satan’s stronghold. People in Pergamum worshiped Zeus, the chief god of the Olympian gods. Perhaps the mention of Satan’s throne at Pergamum was a reference to the Altar of Zeus. Residents of Pergamum also worshiped the Roman emperor; Dionysius, the god of wine and vegetation; Athena, the goddess of Athens; and Asklepios, the god of healing.

Satan had arrayed a conglomerate of false worship that made it difficult for Christians to declare that they worshiped Christ. This is one of four times that Satan is mentioned in these messages to the seven churches (Revelation 2:9, 24; 3:9).

Nevertheless, as Jesus said, they professed the name of Jesus as supreme, and they did not deny the faith. Antipas, mentioned in this commendation as Jesus’ faithful witness, was martyred. Even his martyrdom did not dissuade the believers at Pergamum from worshiping and serving Jesus.

Verse 14. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

This verse records Jesus’ rebuke of the church at Pergamum. Some members of the church followed the example of Balaam by introducing moral corruption into the church. When Israel traveled through the desert, King Balak offered Balaam a handsome fee to curse Israel. Balaam soon discovered, however, that he could not command God to curse His people. When Balak offered more money, Balaam tried to change God’s mind, but God commanded him to bless Israel. Then Balaam advised King Balak to draw Israel into intermarriage with heathen women and to commit idolatry (Numbers 22—25).

The Church as the bride of Christ should be pure and devoted to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:25–28; Philippians 2:14–15). Unfortunately, it seems some members of the church at Pergamum succumbed to Balaam’s sins by marrying unbelievers and engaging in idolatry. The Bible clearly prohibits the marriage of a believer and an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14) and commands believers to avoid idolatry. In 1 John 5:21, the apostle John instructed: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Verse 15. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

In addition to falling into the sins of Balaam (Revelation 2:14), some members of the church at Pergamum adhered to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. The church at Ephesus hated the works of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6), but some in the church at Pergamum followed the Nicolaitans’ teachings.

Although Scripture does not specifically say what the Nicolaitans believed, some interpreters hazard a guess based on the construction of their name. The word for “ruler” and the word for “people” comprise the name “Nicolaitans.” The Nicolaitans might have advanced the teaching that the clergy should rule the people in the churches. This strongly contradicts the biblical role of the pastor. A pastor is supposed to be a shepherd who follows the example of the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus (1 Peter 5:4). Jesus, the good shepherd, loves the sheep, leads them rather than drives them, cares for them, and feeds them. When Jesus walked with Peter after the resurrection, He told Peter to feed His sheep and tend to them (John 21:15–17). In 1 Peter 5:3 Peter instructs the elders not to domineer over those in their charge. Clearly, the rule of the clergy over the laity dishonors the Scriptures.

Alternatively, the Nicolaitans may have been a sect started by an apostate, Nicolaus, who taught a doctrine of lawlessness. In this case, that meant being bound by no moral restrictions at all, including those against sexual sins or idolatry.

Verse 16. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

In this verse Jesus commands the church at Pergamum to change its mind about the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. If there is no repentance, Jesus will visit the church soon—in this context, meaning “suddenly”—and fight against the unrepentant members. He will judge them with the sword of His mouth, the Word of God.

God does not tolerate false doctrine and immorality in the church. Christians who try to harmonize biblical teaching and godly living with corrupt doctrine and immoral living learn the hard way that the two do not mix. They place themselves under swift chastisement at the hand of Jesus, the Head of the Church. Instead of rebuking the moral and spiritual darkness that filled Pergamum, the church at Pergamum compromised its purity by allowing the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans to fester in the assembly. False teaching has a greater capacity to damage a church from within than from the outside.

Verse 17. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

In this verse Jesus concludes His letter to the church at Pergamum by extending an invitation and making a promise. He invites anyone with ears to hear the Spirit’s messages to the churches. The invitation is similar to what Jesus said during His earthly ministry: “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Of course, Jesus’ invitation to hear means more than simply taking in audible sounds. It means to heed: to accept and to obey. In James 1:22 this meaning is clear. James writes, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Jesus promises a reward to everyone who refuses to accept the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. These were mentioned in verses 15 and 16, respectively. In a curious statement, this verse says the overcomer will receive from Jesus some hidden manna and an inscribed white stone.

Manna was a welcome source of food to the Israelites during their journey through the desert en route to Canaan. The overcomers at Pergamum refused to eat food offered to idols, but they will enjoy bread from heaven. The feast Jesus prepares for His faithful servants exceeds by far anything the Devil offers us.

Jesus also promises a white stone with a new name inscribed on it. Only the recipient of the honor knows the inscribed name. We cannot say with certainty what this stone represents, but we can be sure the recipient enjoys approval from Jesus and fellowship with Him. In ancient Greece, stones were sometimes used in jury cases to indicate a vote, with black used for guilt and white for innocence. Important buildings were also made with white marble. More likely, however, this is a reference to the Roman custom of giving victors in athletic competitions a white stone inscribed with their name. This token served as their “ticket” to enter into an awards celebration later on.

Verse 18. “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

The name Thyatira means “continual sacrifice,” prefiguring the character of the Christian church from AD 500 to 1500. Thyatira was a wealthy inland city in Asia Minor. It was well known for its trade guilds, especially the dyers trade guild. The city’s water combined with a red pigment from the roots of certain herbs produced a brilliant red that was conducive to dyeing fabrics. Lydia, who became a believer in Philippi, was from Thyatira and sold purple material (Acts 16:14).

Residents of Thyatira worshiped Apollo, the sun god under the surname Tyrimnas. Apollo was a son of the chief Greek god, Zeus. As such, it is significant that Jesus identified himself to the church at Thyatira as the Son of God. Likewise, this probably explains why Jesus is here depicted with flaming eyes and feet like burnished—white hot—brass. His deity outshines the sun by far, so the church at Thyatira could view Him as far more glorious than Tyrimnas.

Jesus’ power and spiritual sight is on full display here. Nothing can escape His scrutiny. He can see what is right and wrong with the church. His feet appear to be like blazing white brass. He stands ready to judge whatever sin He finds in Thyatira.

Context Summary
Revelation 2:18–29 reveals what Jesus instructed John to write to the church at Thyatira. Although the church exhibited commendable virtues, it allowed an evil woman—here referred to as Jezebel—to lead its members into immorality and idolatry. Jesus predicted strict punishment for her and her followers. The churches would know by Jesus’ action that He searches the mind and heart and deals with everyone according to his or her works. Those who did not follow Jezebel’s teachings would not be punished, but Jesus encouraged them to stay loyal to Him until His return, when He will rule the nations and permit the faithful to rule with Him.

Verse 19. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

In this verse Jesus commends the believers at Thyatira for good works, love, faith, service, and patient endurance. The believers produced good works that were evidence of their salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8–10). Also, they evidenced love, the quality said to be lacking in the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). While many residents of Thyatira worshiped the sun god, the faith of believers at Thyatira was in the Son of God.

Furthermore, they engaged in service. The word “service” comes from the same Greek word translated into the term deacon. It suggests relief work. Apparently the church reached out compassionately with assistance to the poor. In Thyatira, if a person did not belong to a trade union, he found it difficult to provide for his family. Fortunately, the church was there to help the needy.

The church also exhibited patience in the face of difficult circumstances. Persecution must have been strong in idolatrous Thyatira, where trade unions held banquets at which their members ate food dedicated to idols. Refusal to participate would undoubtedly mark Christians for persecution, not to mention hindering their businesses. Nevertheless, the church was progressing spiritually at an unprecedented rate.

Verse 20. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

This verse reveals Jesus’ complaint against the church at Thyatira: it “tolerated” a false prophet named Jezebel. This dangerous woman was persuading members of the church to practice immorality and idolatry. Apparently, she promoted certain pagan sexual practices. Also, she condoned a common practice at trade union banquets, namely the eating of food dedicated to idols.

Strictly speaking, we do not know who this woman was. The name Jezebel may have been her actual name or simply a pseudonym. In the Old Testament, Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab of Israel. She was a vicious, violent woman, who promoted the worship of Baal, the sun god, and killed many of God’s prophets. Also, she sought unsuccessfully to kill the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 16—22). Some Bible scholars believe the Jezebel referred to here, in Jesus’ letter to the church of Thyatira, may have even been the wife of the church’s pastor. Whatever her role in the church, she was extremely influential.

Verse 21. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

In a remarkable display of grace, Jesus had given a woman identified as Jezebel time to repent, despite her leading Christians into immorality (Revelation 2:20). However, she rejected Jesus’ kindness. Her heart was hardened and set on pursuing sexual sin. She was like the people of Sodom, who did not repent of their sexual immorality despite the presence of righteous Lot in their city (2 Peter 2:7–8). It is clear from this verse that legitimate repentance includes a forsaking of sin.

God’s grace is His unmerited favor. Even the most hardened sinner can be forgiven if he responds appropriately to God’s grace and turns from his sin. The apostle Paul called himself the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and reflected on the amazing grace that saved him. He wrote in 1 Timothy 1:14 and 16: “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me…I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Unbelievers must not presume upon God’s patience, however. Thinking that they can plan to repent “someday,” perhaps when they lie on their deathbed, may bring an alarming end to their presumption. Proverbs 27:1 commands, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Also Proverbs 29:1 posts the warning, “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

Verse 22. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

In this verse Jesus pronounces judgment on a woman identified as Jezebel, and her followers. Despite being offered opportunity to repent (Revelation 2:21), this woman was still tempting Christians towards sexual sins and idolatry (Revelation 2:20). Despite this mercy, Jesus will not let her wicked activity go unchecked. He will put a stop to the depraved influence she held over the church. He promises to throw her into a sickbed. Bedridden, she will be too weak and ill to corrupt the church further. Her followers, too, will experience Jesus’ judgment. If they fail to repent of following Jezebel’s evil doings, He will throw them into great tribulation.

Perhaps Jezebel’s sickness and her followers’ severe suffering suggest the agony of a sexually transmitted disease. God often inflicts punishment that matches specific sin. When the Israelites constructed a golden calf in the wilderness and worshiped it, Moses took the calf, burned it with fire, ground it into powder, scattered it on the water, and made the people drink it (Exodus 32:20). Here, Jezebel’s bed of adultery became her bed of suffering.

Verse 23. and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

This is part of Jesus’ message to the church in Thyatira. Previously, He mentioned a woman, identified as Jezebel, which might be her real name or simply a reference to the Old Testament queen.

Centuries prior to this revelation, the prophet Elijah triumphed over Jezebel’s prophets. That was a public, dramatic display of Yahweh’s rightful claim to be Israel’s God (1 Kings 18:20–40). As a result of Elijah’s victory over Jezebel’s prophets, all Israel knew that Yahweh was God. First Kings 18:39 reports: “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.’” Following this shout of triumph, at Elijah’s command, the people seized Jezebel’s prophets, and then, at the brook Kishon, those false prophets were executed (1 Kings 18:40).

Here, Jesus promises to strike Jezebel’s followers dead. In a parallel to the corrupt followers of the Old Testament Jezebel, the followers of Thyatira’s Jezebel will taste death at the hands of God. Note, crucially, there is no command, or even a hint, that any Christian is meant to enact this sentence themselves. The threat is coming from Jesus, to be carried out in His own time and manner.

As a result, all the churches will be reminded that Jesus knows the mind and heart, and repays each person according to his works. Believers are not saved through good deeds, nor do they “earn” salvation (Titus 3:5), but their deeds influence the eternal rewards they stand to gain in Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:14). Sinners who refuse to repent will prove the truth of Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.”

Verse 24.But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.

Jesus recognized that at least some members of the church at Thyatira had resisted Jezebel’s corrupt teaching and behavior. He addresses those individuals in this verse. The teaching they had renounced was presented as secret and profound, but it came from Satan and had snared many undiscerning members of the church. Jesus promises in this verse to spare the remnant of faithful believers any other burden. The Greek word for “burden” here is baros, referring to a load that would slow down a runner in a race. For example, a heavy robe or boots would be this type of “burden” to a runner.

In every period of history, even when evil was prevalent, a remnant has opposed evil, resisted the Devil, and honored the Lord. Noah was a remnant when the human race was thoroughly evil (Genesis 6:5). The patriarchs from Abraham to Moses were each a remnant in the pagan world. When the vast majority of Israelites worshiped Baal in the time of Queen Jezebel, a remnant of 7,000 remained faithful to the Lord (1 Kings 19:18). Daniel and his three friends were a godly remnant in pagan Babylon (Daniel 1:1–7). And when Jesus was born, a tiny remnant had been hoping for the Messiah and therefore welcomed Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:5–7; 39–45).

This is the third of four direct references to Satan in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 2:9, 13; 3:9).

Verse 25. Only hold fast what you have until I come.

In this verse Jesus instructs the faithful remnant in the church at Thyatira to cling to what they had. What did they have? They had good “works…love and faith and service and patient endurance” (Revelation 2:19). In the midst of a thoroughly evil culture dominated by Satanic thought and practice, it would not be easy to remain loyal to Jesus and the truth. The remnant would need to avail themselves of the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11–17) and pray at all times in the Spirit (verse 18). By taking full advantage of these resources, the remnant would be able “to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

How long were the faithful believers at Thyatira supposed to hold fast what they had? Jesus instructs them in Revelation 2:25 to hold fast “until I come.” Anticipation of Jesus’ return is called the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). This hope helps believers resist false teaching and evil, and to endure suffering, knowing that we will be free from every trouble when Jesus comes again and brings His reward with Him (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Verse 26. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

Jesus promises to reward everyone who honors Him until the end. This verse uses the Greek term nikōn, a reference to conquering, victory, or “overcoming.” He will grant the overcomer a position of authority over the nations.

According to Psalm 2, someday the nations will unite in an effort to dethrone God, but He will defeat them in His wrath and fury. After defeating the rebels, He will place Jesus, the Messiah, on the throne in Jerusalem and proclaim Him king over all the earth. Matthew 25:31–42 captures the scene in which Jesus comes to earth in glory and all nations assemble before Him for judgment. His earthly kingdom will be glorious with unprecedented peace, prosperity, and holiness (Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:6–9; Micah 4:3–4; Zechariah 14:10, 20). During His reign over the nations, Jesus will grant believers the privilege of sharing in His rule (1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:12).

The disciples anticipated Jesus’ worldwide kingdom, but they assumed He would establish it in their lifetime. They even quarreled about which of them would have seats of honor in the kingdom. Jesus rebuked them for such selfish ambition and explained the importance of being humble (Mark 9:33–37). After Jesus arose from the grave, the disciples wondered if Jesus’ kingdom was imminent, but Jesus said the timing of the kingdom was in the Father’s hands (Acts 1:6–11). The kingdom is still future, but believers can look forward to it and to the privilege of serving Jesus in His kingdom.

Verse 27. and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

This verse continues Jesus’ words about His kingdom, given to John to send to the church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:18). This continues His reference, in verse 26, to one who “overcomes,” by faithfully enduring. Jesus announces that He will give the conqueror the authority to rule the nations with a rod of iron.

This ruling action will be in cooperation with Jesus. Psalm 2:9 predicts that Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. The word “rod” refers to a shepherd’s staff. Jesus will be not only King over all the nations but also their Shepherd. The fact that He and the conquerors use a staff of iron indicates that not everyone will voluntarily submit to Jesus’ rule, but everyone will have to submit to it. At the end of Jesus’ earthly reign, those who submitted unwillingly will rebel. They will marshal themselves against Jesus but fall dead when He strikes them with a sharp sword that proceeds from His mouth (Revelation 19:15–21).

The authority to rule the nations follows an order. The Father grants it to Jesus, and in turn Jesus grants it to His faithful followers.

Verse 28.And I will give him the morning star.

This continues Jesus’ encouragement to the “overcomers”—those who endure and withstand persecution and hardship— in the church at Thyatira. Jesus promises to give them the morning star. The faithful in the church were surrounded by moral and spiritual darkness, but the time would come when they would experience the glorious rays of Christ, the morning star.

The reference points us to the rapture, the event that transports Christians from earth to the presence of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). At that time Christians will be free from trials and persecution. Our bodies will be like the body of our risen Lord (Philippians 3:20–21). They will be incapable of dying (1 Corinthians 15:50–57). Aches and pains will all be in the past, and spiritually we will be like Jesus, entirely free of sin (1 John 3:2).

At the end of the Old Testament, we learn that Israel’s hope of the coming of Messiah to establish His kingdom is buoyed by the promise that the sun of righteousness shall rise (Malachi 4:2). At His second coming—His coming to earth—Jesus will appear in glory as the sun of righteousness, but before that event takes place, He will come in the air for all Christians. That is the Christian’s blessed hope. This order of events is noteworthy. Before the sun appears, the morning star appears. So Jesus will appear first for Christians, in the rapture, and after a seven-year period of tribulation, He will come and establish His earthly kingdom to fulfill Israel’s hope.

Verse 29. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Jesus concludes His letter to the church at Thyatira by challenging the recipients of these letters to hear what the Spirit says. Since all of the messages are included in a single written form, it seems that Jesus wants each church to read, and understand, the messages given to other churches, as well as to their own. Undoubtedly the followers of Jezebel (Revelation 2:20–21) would not heed the Spirit’s message, but the faithful remnant would hear and obey it.

How one hears the Word of God is extremely important. James tells us we should not simply hear God’s Word and immediately forget it. Instead, James calls for obeying what we hear. The hearer and doer of the Word, James declares, will be blessed in what he does (James 1:25).

In Matthew 7:24–27 Jesus compared two kinds of hearers of His words to two kinds of builders. The doer of Jesus’ words is like a wise builder who constructed His house on a rock. When a heavy downpour and floods pushed against the wise man’s house, it stood firm. However, a foolish man built his house on sand. When heavy rain fell and floods came, the foolish man’s house collapsed. Similarly, a wise person will obey Jesus’ words and enjoy a secure life, whereas a foolish person will ignore Jesus’ words and experience ultimate calamity.

End of Chapter 2.

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