Revelation Chapter 2
The first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos no longer exist
The last four: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea still exist at Christ's coming
- Nero: 64-68 A.D. (Paul beheaded)
- Domitian: 95-96 A.D. (John exiled to Patmos)
- Trajan: 104-117 A.D. (Ignatius burned at the stake)
- Marcus Aurelius: 161-180 A.D. (Polycarp martyred in Smyrna)
- Severus: 200-211 A.D.
- Maximinius: 235-237 A.D.
- Decius: 250-253 A.D.
- Valerian: 257 -260 A.D.
- Aurelian: 270-275 A.D.
- Diocletian: 303-313 A.D. (the worst emperor of all).
EPHESUS
(Revelation 2:1 [KJV])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;
- Jesus is in charge over the Church
- Ephesus is in Turkey
- Great on doctrine, lacked devotion
- This is a famous church planted by the apostle Paul (Acts 19)
- Second Largest City outside of Rome in the Empire
- Worshiped Artemis (Diana), the Huntress
- Population 100,000 to 500,000
- White marble city
- 20,000 seat stadium
- Four pillars at the entrance, one for each apostle of authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). One is left
- Seaport between Asia and Europe
- Gladiator graveyard there
- Today, it is a city of ruins, which is its only tourist attraction today.
- About 2,000 B.C. became a city
- "Where east and west meet"
Tourist: "Not only did Ephesus cease to be an important city, it ceased to be a port! The silt from a local river pouring out over time has actually removed Ephesus a distance of 4-5 miles (according to our Turkish tour guide Fahmi) from the ocean. As my wife and I personally verified, the view from the ancient harbor of Ephesus to the actual ocean is a long one. Currently, Ephesus itself is now just a bunch of partially excavated ancient ruins with two large parking lots, some souvenir stands, and apparently one camel for tourists to take pictures of. It no longer has any prominence, other than biblical and historical."
(Revelation 2:2 [KJV])
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:
- Labor for God not unnoticed, and is mentioned twice
- They had discernment
- Left their first love
- Jesus calls them back to repentance for a second chance
- Jesus hates their deeds
- Reference to end of Revelation (22:2, 14)
- From Nicolaus, Nicolaitans wanted the former life with the Christian walk
Paul at Ephesus
(Acts 20:29-31 [KJV])
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
(Acts 19:26 [KJV])
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
- Diana worship, idolatry
- Temple of Diana was there
- Demetrius the silversmith and goldsmith was upset with Pau lthere about his idol business (Acts 19), causing a riot of confusion, an uproar
- Paul went here and told the disciples there about his future bondage in Rome by the Jews
- Paul warned them there about the wolves not sparing the flock (Acts 20)
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
- This is the life of a Christian following Christ
- Carried a load, was patient, worked, did not lose heart
(Revelation 2:4 [KJV])
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
- Putting Christ first is everything
- Putting Christ anything but is nothing
- This is the first commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
(Deuteronomy 6:5 [KJV])
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(Matthew 22:37-38 [KJV])
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
(Revelation 2:5 [KJV])
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.
- This is a call for a 180 degree turnaround
- Often the discipling/learning/ministry we do when we first get saved is the most productive, meaningful, etc .
- The choice is clear, repent of the church is gone
(Revelation 2:6 [KJV])
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
- Any churches which left Christ are no longer around today
- First explanation: Nico=conquer + laitans=priestly order over laity, people
- Second explanation: No way to know
- Third explanation: Nicholas of Antioch, started a cult which taught that "One could indulge in sin in order to understand it." (J. Vernon McGee takes this one as best)
- In any case, the Ephesian church rejected it
- In the first explanation, this is certainly true. God does not want people lording over His sheep, as "spiritual leaders"
(Mark 9:35 [KJV])
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
(James 3:1 [KJV])
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
(Matthew 23:8 [KJV])
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
(Matthew 20:25-28 [KJV])
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(Mark 9:34-37 [KJV])
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
(2 Corinthians 1:24 [KJV])
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
THE ACTUAL ORDER, BY JESUS
(John 13:13-17 [KJV])
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
(Revelation 2:7 [KJV])
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.
- Him that overcometh is a believer, and not all were/are believers, but there are always believers, wheat among weeds, a remnant who overcome
- Notices Jesus is speaking to the churchES, not that church alone. That means us.
- The term "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." is the only one repeated for all seven churches/ages
- The plural churches is also for all of the churches in that area, and all churches throughout history, and our time, our churches as well.
(Revelation 22:2 [KJV])
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
SMYRNA
(Revelation 2:8 [KJV])And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
- "The Martyr Church", 100-313 A.D., ending with Diocletian
- "Was dead and is alive" is again a claim to deity, often overlooked or missed
- God is the first and the last, and the One who was dead and is now alive
- Wealthy city, even today
- About 2,000 B.C. became a city
- The name means also "suffering" and the word "myrrh" is in it
- Myrrh is an herb that must be crushed to give off its scent
- First place to accept Caesar worship, and it was compulsory
- This would be a way to test your Christianity
- Do not do this, burn at the stake
- "City of Flowers", "City of Beauty"
- It survives today as Ismir, in Turkey
- Mostly bult by Alexander the last time
- Former part of the Hittite nation
- There are Christians there today, still under mulsim persecution
- They had a temple of Zeus, one of Cybele (Diana), one Aphrodite, one of Apollo, and a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek religion.
- Smyrna had a theatre, a stadium, music center, other amenities
- It is still a wealthy city today
- Polycarp, the bishop of SMyrna was martyred in the stadium, burned alive, 155 A.D.
- His last words when asked to recant his faith were: - "Eighty and six years have I now served Christ, and he has never done me the least wrong: How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"
- Still in existence, like philadelphia uncondemned in this letter
- Edict of Toleration by Constantine ended the persecution at this time in 313 A.D.
SMYRNA: The Persecuted Church Age of Persecution 100 - 313
Smyrna, today a city of 250,000 which the Turkish call Izmir, is full of life, brightness and activity. At John's time the city was well over 1,000 years old and its coins boasted that it was the first of Asia in beauty and size. It was already a city of 200,000 at the time of this letter. Smyrna has always been situated on productive trade routes and continues to be a major port today. This city, situated 35 miles north of Ephesus, is currently the southeastern headquarters of NATO. In this letter Christ encourages this church, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. In 155, just about 60 years after this letter, the bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, was martyred at the hands of the Romans. Surely the words of this letter were in Polycarp's mind as he made his bold witness for the Lord, for as a boy, Polycarp had studied at the feet of St. John. According to tradition, it was Polycarp who read this letter to the church at Smyrna when it arrived.
Much of this letter concerns itself with the cost of following Christ. Eleven cities had applied for the honor of building a new temple to honor and worship the Roman Emperor. Out of them Smyrna was chosen. The people considered it a great honor to receive permission to build one of the most splendid temples ever for the worship of the Emperor. As a key center of religious allegiance to Rome, Smyrna received both status and wealth. Out of gratitude to Rome, Smyrna's leaders began a persecution of local Christians. The Roman's greatest prize in these persecutions was Polycarp, the leader of the great city's Christians.
The church there began as a product of St. Paul's preaching and continues strong to our own day. (Paul converted Polycarp's parents.) About half of the population is considered Christian even though the Muslims have dominated the area for over 1100 years -- a witness of the Lord's blessing of this church for which Christ had only praise in this letter in Revelation.
V. 9 Persecution for the faith had already begun but would be ended. Christ refers in v. 8 to His Resurrection as a comfort to those who shall lose all but Eternity with Christ and their own Resurrection at Christ's return. It was the Jews who would stir up the Roman authorities claiming that the Christians were against humanity and would not worship any Roman gods. These say they are Jews but are not, for being a descendant of Abraham is a spiritual and not a biological condition. (See Galatians 3;26-29 &18, Matthew 3:9, Romans 9:6-8.) In reality those who reject the Promise in Christ, no matter who their forefathers were, are the children of Satan and go to his synagogue (John 8:39-47). One of Satan's most effect tactics is to work under the guise of religion.
Here Polycarp was burned at the stake in 168 A.D. when he was 86 years old. He was converted in A.D. 82. Ignatos tells us that he was Bishop at Smyrna in 108 A.D. Turtullian tells us that he was ordained by John. Polycarp was urged to say "Caesar is Lord" but refused . He was brought to the stadium and the proconsul urged him saying "swear and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ. Polycarp answered 86 years I have served him and he never did me any injury, how then can I blaspheme my Lord and Saviour." This church which was located 40 miles North West of Ephesus has been called the persecuted Church.
(Revelation 2:9 [KJV])
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.
- They did well as believers
- They suffered for the cause of Christ
- They lacked material possessions, were rich in Christ
- There is poverty of the physical and riches of the spiritual
- There is perceived poverty and real poverty
- Interestingly enough, Ephesians 1 talks about our richness through our spiritual blessings
- People do not realize that the enemy has a synagogue, a church, a pew next to you.
- There are churches and were then which are so heretical, yet think of themselves as the only ones with the truth, the chosen people of God. Many are cults, today many also are into occultic practices, weird practices, rituals, legalism, denying the Deity of the LORD Jesus Christ
- Legalism
- Gnosticism
- Caesar Worship (idolatry)
- Today, we also have "Replacement Theology"......"who say they are Jews and are not-the cause of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism
(Ephesians 1:3 [KJV])
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
(Galatians 6:16 [KJV])
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
ISRAEL, STILL GOD'S PEOPLE
(Romans 11:1-5 [KJV])
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
(Revelation 2:10 [KJV])
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.
- Ten periods of persecution under ten wicked rulers
- Notice who casts them into prison, ultimately
- There is a special crown for martyrs, and they were faithful unto death.
- What if God told us to be "faithful unto death"?
(James 1:12 [KJV])
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- Under Nero, A.D. 64-68 (Paul beheaded, Peter crucified upside down)
- Under Domitian, A.D. 95-96 (John exiled here)
- Under Trajan, A.D. 104-117 (Ignatious burned at the stake)
- Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, A.D. 161-180 (Polycarp martyred, gladiators)
- Under Severus, A.D. 192 (Irraneus)
- Under Maximus, A.D. 235( )
- Under Decius A.D. 249 ( )
- Under Valerian, A.D. 257 ( )
- Under Aurelian, A.D. 274 ( )
- Under Diocletian, A.D. 303-313 (worst of all, persecution specifically directed at Christians, killing 5,000,000 Christians)
THIS CENTURY AND THE LAST SAW MORE CHRISTIANS KILLED THAN ALL PREVIOUS CENTURIES COMBINED! 30-40,000,000 under Stalin, half or most Christians
Most of the Christians, through most of the last 2,000 years, through most of the world, have been persecuted. It is utter arrogance to think the American Christians will not be, even though we will not be going through the Great Tribulation.
(Revelation 2:11 [KJV])
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.
- "He that overcometh" is a Christian
- Born once, die twice
- Born twice, die once (or is raptured!), no second death
- This is one of the two churches that Jesus does not rebuke personally or "have anything against"
- They also vercame doctrinal errors by being faithful Bereans
PERGAMOS
(Revelation 2:12 [KJV])And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
- What is the sword?
- Who is the author of that sword?
- What is the significance of the two edges on the sword?
- Per+Gamos, objectionable + marraige, objectionable marraiges
(Hebrews 4:12 [KJV])
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(Ephesians 6:17 [KJV])
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Revelation 2:13 [KJV])
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.
- The enemy has a seat in this church, in the pew right next to the believers!
- Tertullian says he was a dentist/doctor who was a Christian, would not back down put in a huge brass bowl, put the bowl into the fire and fried him in the fire.
- The Greek name Antipas means - he is the enemy of all, in opposition to everyone
(Revelation 2:14 [KJV])
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.
- Numbers 22-23
- Idolatry, things sacrificed unto idols, fornication, not things God likes to see in His people.
(Revelation 2:15 [KJV])
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
- The doctrine and the deeds go hand in hand with anyone, as what a person believes determines what he does
(Revelation 2:16 [KJV])
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
- The Word of God has a way of taking down false doctrines when used correctly
- When used incorrectly, it has a way of taking down the person wielding that same sword
(Revelation 2:17 [KJV])
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.
- We have two ears, so we can doubly listen to what God has to say
- We have two eyes also, so we can read about what God wants us to do
THYATIRA
(Revelation 2:18 [KJV])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;
- Apx. 590 A.D.-1517 A.D.
- Romanism, the Dark Ages
- It was inland from the sea (Macedonia, Turkey)
- Very pretty place, like the rest of them
- $pon$ored by Vespasian with lot$ of worker$
- Built as a city for defense, originally by Lysimachus, then by Seleucus
- The elite guard was there for Rome, and utterly destroyed, eventually
- Very small amount of ruins there today, about one block long
- Lydia, seller of purple (turkey red from a plant there) was from Thyatira
- Apollo was worshiped there
- Fire and brass=judgment, brass is produced in heat of fire
- Tyrimnas, the tutelary god of Thyatira, represented with flaming rays and feet of burnished brass.
- Son of God, not Son of man, Son of Mary
THYATIRA
THYATI'RA (thi-a-ti'ra). A city in Asia Minor, the
seat of one of the seven apocalyptic churches (Rev 1:11; 2:18). It was
situated in the confines of Mysia and Ionia, a little S of the river
Lycus and at the northern extremity of the valley between Mt. Tmolus and
the southern ridge of Temnus. It was one of the many Macedonian colonies
established in Asia Minor in the sequel of the destruction of the
Persian Empire by Alexander. The waters of Thyatira are said to be so
well adapted for dyeing that in no place can the scarlet cloth out of
which fezes are made be so brilliantly or so permanently dyed as here.
So in the Acts (Acts 16:14) Lydia, the first convert of Paul at
Philippi, is mentioned as "a seller of purple fabrics" from Thyatira.
The principal deity of the city was Apollo, worshiped as the sun-god
under the surname Tyrimnas. He was no doubt introduced by the Macedonian
colonists, for the name is Macedonian. A priestess of Artemis is also
mentioned in the inscriptions. The modern city of Akhisar, about 50,000
in population, marks the site of the ancient city in the territory that
is now Anatolian Turkey. Nothing of the ancient city can be seen.
Remains of a Byzantine church remind one that the gospel once came to
this place. (From The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally
published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
THYATIRA
(See LYDIA, the probable agent of carrying the
gospel to her native town). Thyatira lay a little to the left of the
road from Pergamos to Sardis (Strabo 13:4, who calls it "a Macedonian
colony"); on the Lycus, a little to the S. of the Hyllus, at the N. end
of the valley between Mount Tmolus and the southern ridge of Tetanus.
Founded by Seleucus Nicator. On the confines of Mysia and Ionia. A
corporate guild of dyers is mentioned in three inscriptions of the times
of the Roman empire between Vespasian and Caracalla. To it probably
belonged Lydia, the seller of purple (i.e. scarlet, for the ancients
called many bright red colors "purple") stuffs (Acts 16:14). The waters
are so suited for dyeing that nowhere is the scarlet of fezzes thought
to be so brilliant and permanent as that made here. Modern Thyatira
contains a population of 17,000. In Rev 2:18-25, "the Son of God who
hath eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass,"
stands in contrast to the sun god.
Tyrimnas, the tutelary god of Thyatira, represented
with flaming rays and feet of burnished brass. Christ commends
Thyatira's works, charity, service, faith, and patience. Thyatira's
"last works were more than the first," realizing 1 Thess 4:1, instead of
retrograding from "first love and first works" as Ephesus (Rev 2:4-5);
the converse of Matt 12:45; 2 Peter 2:20. Yet Thyatira "suffered that
woman JEZEBEL (which see), which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach
and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols." Some self-styled prophetess, or collection of
prophets (the feminine in Hebrew idiom expressing a multitude), closely
attached to and influencing the Thyatira church and its presiding bishop
or "angel" (the Alexandrinus and Vaticanus manuscripts read "thy wife"
for "that woman") as Jezebel did her weak husband Ahab. The presiding
angel ought to have exercised his authority over the prophetess or
prophets so-called, who seduced many into the libertinism of the
BALAAMITES and NICOLAITANS (sec) of Thyatira's more powerful neighbour
Pergamos (Rev 2:6,14,16). The Lord encourages the faithful section at
Thyatira. "Unto you (omit `and' with the Alexandrinus and the Vaticanus
manuscripts, the Sinaiticus manuscript reads: `among ') the rest in
Thyatira I say, ... I will put upon you none other burden (save
abstinence from and protestation against these abominations: this the
seducers regarded as an intolerable burden, see Matt 11:30); but that
which ye have hold fast until I come." A shrine outside Thyatira walls
was sacred to the sibyl Sambatha, a Jewess or Chaldaean, in an enclosure
called "the Chaldaean court."
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic
Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
THYATIRA
(thi-a-ti'-ra) (Thuateira): Thyatira was a wealthy
town in the northern part of Lydia of the Roman province of Asia, on the
river Lycus. It stood so near to the borders of Mysia, that some of the
early writers have regarded it as belonging to that country. Its early
history is not well known, for until it was refounded by Seleucus
Nicator (301-281 BC) it was a small, insignificant town. It stood on
none of the Greek trade routes, but upon the lesser road between
Pergamos and Sardis, and derived its wealth from the Lycus valley in
which it rapidly became a commercial center, but never a metropolis. The
name "Thyatira" means "the castle of Thya." Other names which it has
borne are Pelopia and Semiramis. Before the time of Nicator the place
was regarded as a holy city, for there stood the temple of the ancient
Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos; about it games were held in his honor. Upon
the early coins of Thyatira this Asiatic god is represented as a
horseman, bearing a double-headed battle-ax, similar to those
represented on the sculptures of the Hittites. A goddess associated with
him was Boreatene, a deity of less importance. Another temple at
Thyatira was dedicated to Sambethe, and at this shrine was a prophetess,
by some supposed to represent the Jezebel of Rev 2:20, who uttered the
sayings which this deity would impart to the worshipers.
Thyatira was specially noted for the trade guilds
which were probably more completely organized there than in any other
ancient city. Every artisan belonged to a guild, and every guild, which
was an incorporated organization, possessed property in its own name,
made contracts for great constructions, and wielded a wide influence.
Powerful among them was the guild of coppersmiths; another was the guild
of the dyers, who, it is believed, made use of the madder-root instead
of shell-fish for making the purple dyestuffs. A member of this guild
seems to have been Lydia of Thyatira, who, according to Acts 16:14, sold
her dyes in Philippi. The color obtained by the use of this dye is now
called Turkish red. The guilds were closely connected with the Asiatic
religion of the place. Pagan feasts, with which immoral practices were
associated, were held, and therefore the nature of the guilds was such
that they were opposed to Christianity. According to Acts 19:10, Paul
may have preached there while he was living at Ephesus, but this is
uncertain; yet Christianity reached there at an early time. It was
taught by many of the early church that no Christian might belong to one
of the guilds, and thus the greatest opposition to Christianity was
presented.
Thyatira is now represented by the modern town of
Ak-Hissar on a branch line of the Manisa-Soma Railroad, and on the old
Rom road 9 hours from Sardis. Ak-Hissar is Turkish for "white castle,"
and near the modern town may be seen the ruins of the castle from which
the name was derived. The village is of considerable size; most of the
houses are of mud, but several of the buildings erected by Caracalla are
still standing, yet none of them are perfect. In the higher part of the
town are the ruins of one of the pagan temples, and in the walls of the
houses are broken columns and sarcophagi and inscribed stones. The
population of 20,000 is largely Greek and Armenian, yet a few Jews live
among them. Before the town is a large marsh, fever-laden, and
especially unhealthful in the summer time, formed by the Lycus, which
the Turks now call Geurdeuk Chai. The chief modern industry is
rug-making. E. J. BANKS
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia,
Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
THYATIRA
[thigh uh TIE ruh]-a city of the province of LYDIA
in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey) situated on the road from Pergamos
to Sardis. The city was on the southem bank of the Lycus River, a branch
of the Hermus River.
Although never a large city, Thyatira was a
thriving manufacturing and commercial center during New Testament times.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of many trade guilds and unions
here. Membership in these trade guilds, necessary for financial and
social success, often involved pagan customs and practices such as
superstitious worship, union feasts using food sacrificed to pagan gods,
and loose sexual morality.
The Book of Revelation refers to a certain woman
known as "Jezebel" who taught and beguiled the Christians at Thyatira to
conform to the paganism and sexual immorality of their surroundings (Rev
1:11; 2:18-29). In the church in Thyatira, one of the "seven churches
which are in Asia" (Rev 1:4), Jezebel's followers seem to have been a
minority because the majority of Christians in this church are
commended.
The apostle Paul's first convert in Europe was "a
certain woman named LYDIA...a seller of purple from the city of
Thyatira" (Acts 16:14). The modern name of Thyatira is Akhisar, which
means "white castle."
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
(Revelation 2:19 [KJV])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.
- This is the works salvation of the Dark Ages
- thy works.............and thy works............
- Faith without works is dead, and works without faith is also dead
(Revelation 2:20 [KJV])
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.
- It is rumored that there was a woman like this there, who was a prophetess, probably not even called Jezebel (a type, a figure, a symbol)
- Married to Ahab, he was the wickedest king until that time
- Worshiped Ashtaroth, Semiramus, sex goddess, with groves of trees planted in a circle. ("shady activity")
- The Druze came from this religious group
-
The Druze religion has its roots in Ismailism, a religio-philosophical movement which founded the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt in the tenth century. During the reign of al-Hakim (996 - 1021) the Druze creed came into being, blending Islamic monotheism with Greek philosophy and Hindu influences. Active proselytizing of the new creed was brief; since about 1050 the community has been closed to outsiders. The Messiah will be born to a man (they wear baggy pants), the priests only get to see the three "holy books" of the Druze.Worldwide there are probably about one million Druze living mainly in Syria and Lebanon, with 104,000 in Israel, including about 18,000 in the Golan (which came under Israeli rule in 1967) and several thousands who emigrated to Europe and North and South America.The Druze community in Israel has a special standing among the country's minority groups, and members of the community have attained high-level positions in the political, public and military spheres.
- This is the Mystery Babylonian religion
- Both spiritual (idolatry) and literal fornication happened under Jezebel. Spiritual fornication is in the O.T. throughout
- Ashtaroth, called in Jeremiah 7, 40 the "Queen of Heaven"
- It was also rumored that a woman started the church at Thyatira
- Lydia the woman was one of the first converts there-could it be her?
- If not Lydia, probably a woman leader, probably not even named Jezebel, but a type
- Purple was the hot thing, from an herb, and a shell-fish Malux
- Idolatry, as with the O.T. Jezebel, spread with the Roman Catholic Church throughout Europe
- This is the time of the introduction of the worship of the Virgin and Child, the Mass for the dead, Indulgences, purgatory, rituals, popes, the Inquisition, departure from the Word
- 1 Kings 21, Jezebel and Naboth, his vineyard-exact representation and pattern of the Inquisition (money, land)
LYDIA
(Acts 16:14 [KJV])
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
JEZEBEL
(1 Kings 18:4 [KJV])
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
(1 Kings 18:19 [KJV])
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
After ELIJAH SLEW THE PROPHETS OF BAAL
(1 Kings 19:1-2 [KJV])
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
(1 Kings 19:2 [KJV])
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
(Revelation 2:21 [KJV])
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
- Grace extended and rejected is worse than no grace extended at all, and is not pleasing to God
- The Roman System is still with us today, so obviously there was none then nor is there any repentance today
(Revelation 2:22 [KJV])
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
- Many of the Catholic nations in Europe and th Americas because Communist, and this could also mean the Great Tribulation, chapters 17-19
- This has to mean that the R.C.C. will go through the Tribulation (chapters 17-19, the harlot, Mystery Babylon)
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.
- The baptism of infants by the sprinkling of water will never save them
- The offspring of these churches would die as well
1. The kidneys; the lower part of the back.
2. In Scripture, the inward parts; the heart, or seat of the affections and passions. Psa 73.
(Revelation 2:24 [KJV])
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.
- This doctrine above, this religion is from the enemy, the "depths of satan"
- There is a remnnat in this church, as is in others. This is "the rest of you".
- The city and church had a brief period
- It was filled with the serpent cult, called Ophi
(Revelation 2:25 [KJV])
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
- This is very approppos for today even, and into the future, as this may be all we have left
(Revelation 2:26 [KJV])
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
- This is the believer, the only one who "overcometh"
- Works is one thing. Works for Jezebel is another. "My works" is for Jesus Christ
- There is a rule for believers coming, over areas, nations
(Revelation 2:27 [KJV])
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.
- We will reign as Christ reigns in our glorified bodies, with righteousness
(Revelation 2:28 [KJV])
And I will give him the morning star.
- The morning star is Jesus Christ and no one and nothing else
- The verse in Isaiah 14:12 has been changed to mean that Jesus fell from Heaven, using that same exact term, "morning star"
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
(Isaiah 14:12 [KJV])
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
(Isaiah 14:12 [NIV])
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
(Revelation 2:29 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- Again, this is a general call to heed, to all of the churches, in all of the world, throughout all ages, until even today.
- It was not heeded then
