The second chapter of the book of Revelation contains messages to four of the seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira. These messages, delivered by Christ through John, offer commendation, rebuke, exhortation, and promises to each church, reflecting their specific circumstances and spiritual conditions. These messages emphasises the importance of faithfulness, repentance, and overcoming trials in the journey towards exaltation.
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
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 say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, 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 saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast 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 which searcheth 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 saith unto the churches.
Message to Ephesus (Verses 1-7)
Revelation 2:1-7 addresses the church of Ephesus. Christ, who holds the seven stars and walks among the candlesticks, acknowledges their works, labour, and patience. They are commended for rejecting evil and testing false apostles. However, they are admonished for leaving their first love, likely their initial zeal and devotion to the Gospel. The call to “repent and do the first works” is a reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual fervour. The warning to remove their candlestick if they do not repent signifies the potential loss of their church’s light and influence. The promise to those who overcome, to eat from the tree of life, resonates with our belief in eternal life and the blessings of the celestial kingdom.
Message to Smyrna (Verses 8-11)
Revelation 2:8-11 is directed to the church in Smyrna. Christ, the first and the last, who was dead and is alive, knows their works, tribulation, and poverty, yet acknowledges their spiritual richness. They are encouraged to remain faithful despite imminent suffering, including imprisonment and tribulation. The counsel to “fear none of those things” and the promise of a “crown of life” for those who remain faithful unto death help us to see the importance of enduring trials with faith and helps us hold fast to the promise of exaltation. The assurance that overcomers will not be hurt by the second death underscores the importance of spiritual perseverance.
Message to Pergamos (Verses 12-17)
Revelation 2:12-17 addresses the church in Pergamos, situated where “Satan’s seat” is. Christ, with the sharp two-edged sword, commends them for holding fast to His name and not denying the faith, even in the face of martyrdom. However, they are rebuked for tolerating the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes, which involve idolatry and immorality. The call to repent or face Christ’s judgement with the sword of His mouth emphasises the necessity of purity and doctrinal integrity. The promise to overcomers of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name signifies spiritual nourishment and personal revelation.
Message to Thyatira (Verses 18-29)
Revelation 2:18-29 is directed to the church in Thyatira. Christ, with eyes like flames of fire and feet like fine brass, acknowledges their works, charity, service, faith, and patience. However, they are chastised for tolerating Jezebel, a false prophetess leading members into immorality and idolatry. The stern warning of tribulation and death for Jezebel and her followers unless they repent highlights the serious consequences of sin and false teachings. For those who do not follow these false doctrines, Christ promises no additional burden but exhorts them to hold fast until His coming. The promise of power over the nations and the morning star to those who overcome can be seen as a parallel to our belief in eternal progression, divine inheritance, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
In Summary
Revelation Chapter 2 presents specific messages to the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira, each reflecting their spiritual strengths and weaknesses. These messages emphasise the importance of faithfulness, repentance, doctrinal purity, and endurance. The promises to overcomers—eternal life, spiritual nourishment, personal revelation, and divine authority—highlight the rewards awaiting those who remain steadfast in their faith and devotion to Christ. The chapter serves as a timeless call to vigilance, repentance, and perseverance in the journey towards exaltation.
