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The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 2

From www.heartwisdomstudies.com.

In Chapter One we see tile mighty glorified and risen Christ who instructs John to write: "what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later." In Chapter 2 and 3 our Lord describes the condition of seven churches in Asia Minor. Of course there were more churches in that land and onward west, but these seven depict some or all of the conditions that can be found in every church. These are the things which are now.

Remember, this is The Lord saying what condition the churches are in as he walks among them. And he is able to make a judgment about their condition because out of his mouth is a sharp, double edged sword, which is the Word of God. And He judges wit1t the Word of God! And He Himself IS the Word of God!

Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

1. The Church at Ephesus: The Backsliding Church Verses 1-7

Busy working for the Lord, but no sincere love for Him. This is the busy church with the great statistics. He commends them for hating the things He hates. Yet, He says "I hold this against you." They had drifted away from their heartfelt devotion to Christ: they had left their first love.

There is always a danger of letting our love for Christ grow cold. We can be so busy working for Him that we have no time to love him. Do not do as Martha did. Although she loved mm, she did not put Him first. Mary chose the better way, Jesus said, to be at his feet and listen to Him. Would you miss a day not communing with the one you love the most, especially since He is right here beside you all the time? Do not let your love for Him grow cold.

• He issues a warning: Repent! Remember the first things you did when you first confessed your love for me, and repeat them.

• And lastly, He gives an appeal: "Whoever has an ear to hear, let him. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes (is victorious) I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

2. The Church at Smyrna: The Suffering Church Verses 8-11

Notice how Christ meets the need of this persecuted church by reminding them of his own suffering, death and resurrection. He says "I KNOW your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich! The devil will put some of you in prison to test you and you will suffer persecution. Bat BE FAITHFUL even to the point of death. And I will give you life as your victor's crown." Who has an ear to hear, let him hear!

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 2

From www.heartwisdomstudies.com.

There is no criticism for this church. The saints were faithful in spite of their suffering. Satan came as a lion, seeking to devour (I Peter 5:8) but the persecution only made the church stronger.

3. The Church at Pergamos: The Worldly Church Verses 12-17

Pergamos was known mainly for its religion. There one would find temples in honor of many gods, including Zeus and Aphrodite. Jesus said the church was situated.in the city where Satan's throne is! Satan is the prince of this world. So said Jesus in John 12:31; and Paul in Ephesians 2:2, and John in 1 John 4:3. Satan is alive and well and living on the planet earth as well as the celestial sphere. Even his demons masquerade as ministers of righteousness!

Our Lord told them that He knew all about them. He knew the environment where they lived and He praises them for their faithfulness to His name. They did not renounce their faith in Him even though a man in their own church was put to death for his faith in Christ.

Nevertheless, He said "I have a few things against you." Mainly, the church allowed those, who were known to compromise the gospel for a price, to be part of the church. This is called the doctrine of Balaam that caused tile downfall of God's people. This should never be allowed in the church. The church should purge those members out of the church. This is called "church discipline" and is often not put into practice, but rather, their activities are tolerated. But Jesus said, "Repent!"

This is a command! We cannot compromise with evil, especially in the church.

The only way to deal with error in the church is with The Sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Churches need to hear this message and if they do and are victorious (overcome), God has gifts laid up for them.

-The Hidden Manna: Wouldn't it be wonderful to taste God's heavenly bread!

-A white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. And it will encompass everything you are. It will be God's pet name for you! Precious thought!

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 2

From www.heartwisdomstudies.com.

4. The Church at Thyatira: The Unrepentant Church

Verses 18-29

First, Christ commends the church at Thyatira for their deeds of love and faith and that they are now doing more than they did at first. But, He had a few things against them. Even though they were gaining in love, they were tolerating evil in the church. This evil was in the form of a woman, who Christ calls Jezebel, named after the wicked woman in the Old Testament who was married to King Ahab of Israel. She seduced the Israelites to commit all kinds of immoral sins and idol worship. Now another Jezebel was in Thyatira trying to corrupt the church with her ethical and doctrinal errors. And she did this with little or no opposition. The people in the church were so sweet and kind that they simply tolerated her.

But, the eyes of fire and feet of brass have come to see and to judge. He had given her time to repent of her immorality, but she was unwilling. So He judges. He says, "I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I ill make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you, according to your deeds."

And to the rest of those in Thyatira, He says, "to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come."

To the victorious (Overcomers) He promises they will co-reign with Him over the nations. And the Morning Star will usher in the glory and splendor of the preeminent Christ. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Amen!