Introduction to Revelation 2
In Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ addresses the seven
churches of the book of Revelation. Jesus addresses four churches starting
with Ephesus, and
then going north to Smyrna, then to Pergamos (Pergamum), from Pergamos going
southeast Thyatira. In chapter 3, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea
complete the seven churches. Jesus in chapter one is pictured standing in
the midst of seven lamp stands representing the seven churches
Jesus had specific comments for each church. These
comments can be broken down into to four categories;
In chapter 2, only the church at
had no condemnation, while the harshest condemnation was leveled at
Thyatira. In understanding the extent of these comments, it is important to
understand the audience.
There are four audiences addressed in the book of
Revelation, the literal churches, saints who have an ear, seven church types
and seven church ages.
The literal churches
The first audience addressed in these letters is the
literal church. These were literal churches with literal problems. Jesus
in his comments first acknowledges the positive aspects (commendation) for
each church. Except for the
of Laodicea, they had no commendation. Jesus also points out, where the
churches lacked and their sin (condemnation). He warns them, what would
follow, if they fail to correct the problem. The churches of Smyrna and
Philadelphia received no condemnation, but were consoled for their suffering
and weakness. The resurrected Jesus tells the failing churches what they
need to do to correct their course (consultation). Jesus then promises the
person who “Overcomes” an aspect of the life to come. He challenges the
believer, to succeed, to “Overcome”, and achieve the challenge before them.
Click to Expand Chart
The saints “He who has an ear”
In addition to the physical churches, the letter also
applies to every individual member of the church, especially those who have
“Spiritual ears”. Jesus specifically addresses those who have an ear. The
ear referred to here is not a physical ear, but a spiritual ear. Jesus is
talking to the spiritual hearing, those who have a spiritual ear, to hear
what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The contents of the letter as
well as the comments are not limited to the “Seven Churches”, but
the whole church.
The seven churches are merely models of what applies
to the whole of Christianity. The church is made up of various types of
believers, each like these churches dealing with issues. Some saints now
suffer, some are rich, others have compromised their walk and their beliefs.
To us, who have “Spiritual” ears, Jesus addresses this letter. Jesus holds
out the promise, the challenge to the “Overcomer”.
Seven Church Types
Of the seven churches, no two are alike. Some of the
churches have aspects of the other churches, but they deal with them in a
different ways. Both
Ephesus and Pergamum had
Nicolaitans, one rejected them the other tolerated them. This variety in
church types demonstrates an aspect seen from the founding of churches in
individual cities, not every church is alike. Some churches are more
obedient then others some thrive in the midst of persecution, others crumble
with an abundance of wealth and power.
These seven church models are seven church-types; here
Jesus gives the secret for a successful church. The letter to the seven
churches is also a letter to seven types of churches. Churches today are
faced with the same problems these first century churches faced. Jesus is
telling the church how to deal with its problems.
Today there are huge church buildings and large
congregations, filled with divisions over gay rights and abortion, what
would Jesus’ position be on these issues? We can look at the model of
Thyatira to find the answer. What about the suffering Christians in places
where Christianity is persecuted by governments, like
North Korea, Saudi Arabia
and Iran? The church at
models the persecuted church, the letter is for them. If you were in a
persecuted church, the message to Smyrna would be a message to your church.
The Seven Church Ages
In chapter one, we see Jesus in the midst of “Seven
Lampstands”. From Revelation 1:21, we learn, the seven lampstands represent
the seven churches addressed in chapters 2 and 3. They represent the
complete church. The progress of church history has a direct correlation
to the events following the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
Starting with the
Ephesus, the church founded
by the Apostle Paul and administered by the Apostle John to the church of
Laodicea, the wealthy lukewarm church, the history of the church is
prophetically foretold. Jesus gives a “Prophetic foreshadowing” in the
seven churches. From the churches founded by the apostles to the end of the
age, Christ has a message for each church age imbedded in the message to the
Following John, the last apostle, the Church
underwent a period of persecution, until the time of
Constantine, where the Roman Emperor himself professed to be a
Christian. Christianity became popular within the
Constantine made allowances for pagan rites and customs. The
correspondence between history and the letters to the seven churches,
demonstrates their prophetic nature, foretelling the history and progression
of church until the end of the age. This correspondence can be seen as the
prophetic foreshadowing of the seven church ages.
The prophetic foreshadowing
The Apostolic Church
The church founded
by the apostles from Pentecost A.D. 33 to the death of the last
apostle John. John is buried at Ephesus
The Persecuted Church
The church received
persecution from the time of Nero until Constantine the Roman
Emperor himself became a Christian. During this period the church
was humble and at the mercy of Rome but grew fast with many turning
from Greek paganism to the faith.
The Indulged Church
accepted Christianity he turned his kingdom into a “Christian”
kingdom, ending persecution. Christianity was now popular, and
allowances were made for the pagans to become part of the church.
The Church indulged some pagan doctrines to make Christianity more
continued to be introduced into the church. Doctrines such as
praying to saints, excluding lay people from scripture reading ,
purgatory, worship of images and relics, etc.,
The Pagan doctrines
gave birth to the reformation. The Reformation, which started out
based in scripture, become part of the political landscape as
nations and kings adopted the reformation to separate them from
Roman Catholic domination.
The churches had a
reputation of being alive but became political.
The printing press
allowed Bibles to be published in the languages of the common
people. This allowed people to act on scripture. Out of the
reformation movements, the missionary age was given birth. People
went throughout the earth to spread the gospel. This movement
continues today as the gospel is spread fulfilling Matthew 24:14
The Lukewarm Church
This church which
receives no Commendation. Christ is outside the church knocking on
the door. This is when the Church has grown wealthy and
self-sufficient not needing Christ, rejecting his doctrines. Christ
is outside this church, this church feels they are wealthy but they
are actually, poor, wretched and naked. Abortion rights, gay
marriage and biblical liberalism is a picture of this present church
in our day.
Church of Ephesus –(The Apostolic Church)
1 "To the angel of the
church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in
His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your
labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you
have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them
3 "and you have persevered
and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become
The letter to each church
is addressed to the
messenger, envoy, one who
is sent. The word is understood by some, to mean, the pastor over the
church. This is also interpreted as a literal angel, in charge over this
church and or age. See Ephesians 6:12.
Ephesus: This church was founded by Paul, an Apostle born out
of due season. Paul began this church at the end of his second missionary
18:19-20). Paul was so successful in his evangelism, the famous goddess of
Artemis (Diana) dated to 1044 B.C. was abandoned by many of the citizens,
causing an uproar.
John the Apostle, continued where Paul left off, being the last of the
Apostles. The tomb of John is in the city of
Holds the seven…
The seven stars represent
the seven angles over the churches, who Jesus addresses to in chapters 2 and
3. Jesus holding the stars represents his power over the churches. The word
“hold”, is translated from the Greek word,
meaning to have power, be powerful. Jesus has power over his church. He
however operates through his church, his body which represents Him.
Midst of the seven.
Jesus pictures Himself in
the midst of the Seven Lamp stands. The church in this age is the visible
light of Christ in the world. The Church starting with Ephesus, the
Apostolic church shines the Gospel in the world we live.
Before each of the Seven Churches Jesus, tells them he knows their
condition. He knows their works.
Works, labor and patience...Ephesus
was a working church founded by the Apostles. Without television,
newspapers or radio the Gospel moved from Jerusalem to the ends of the Roman
Empire and beyond. The evangelism of the world was laborious and dangerous
work. The work, often caused the death of many of the early apostles.
This church labored in bringing the Gospel to the rest of
Asia, through patience and
B. Separated Church
This church was a pure
church testing its members. They did not allow those who tolerated evil to
be part of their body. They did not make sin relative; sin was serious to
Many of the great Christian institutions and churches in history fell
because they allowed sin to become part of their ministry. Rather, then
deal with sin, they allowed it to fester, until the Church the church or
ministry was no different then the world.
Say they are apostles.
The Ephesus church was
willing to test those who claimed to be Christ’s apostles. During the early
years of the Church, many appeared, claiming the authority of Apostleship.
They attempted to teach doctrines contrary to the Church. Some claiming to
be Apostles tried to reestablish Old Testament laws in the church, they were
the Judizers. Paul addresses this group in Galatians.
Today many cults claim Apostolic authority, teaching heretical teachings
denying the very person of Christ. In the Apostolic age and at
the church stood its ground against these false teachers.
church understood Christ name was at sake, for this reason they separated
themselves to insure the integrity of the ministry.
C. Cult opposing
This group is mentioned
present at Ephesus and Pergamum. According to Iraneus, the group was
founded by Nicolas from the book of Acts (Acts 6:5). He taught a teaching
that would later become known as Gnosticism. This teaching taught the Earth
and flesh was separate from the spiritual realm and therefore it was ok to
indulge the flesh.
The Nicolaitanes are the
followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the
diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The
character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of
John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of
indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus:“But
this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also
4 "Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "Remember therefore from
where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to
you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent.
6 "But this you have, that
you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Jesus seeks a pure church, a perfect church. Even though,
all seemed right at
Ephesus, there were cracks forming. The Church was hard working,
non-nonsense church not tolerating false teachers or believers.
The system started to loose its meaning over time. The church in
Ephesus in A.D. 95 was over
30 years old, and leadership, except for John, was second generation. Jesus
wanted the church to not get lost in the details and remember why they were
First love: The two words here are
Protos means first in time or place. An example of this love is the love
between a husband and wife when the courtship first begins and they are
inseparable. Wanting to be with each other all the time, learning and
growing in the relationship, but as the relationship becomes ritualized the
“Protos” love begins to disappear.
Jesus is warning
against the ritual relationship. Jesus does not want a ritualized
relationship with us or his church. He want an “Excited”, “On fire” church,
one still with its first love relationship in tact..
The goal of Christ here is
help and instruct his church. He points out where they are successful and
where they are failing.
Jesus also gives the remedy for the problem faced by the church at
Ephesus. The remedy had
three parts. This same remedy applies today to any person or church caught
in the ritual trap.
1. Remember where from where you have fallen:
One of the first steps is
take a spiritual inventory. To really see where you are today after Christ
and where you were before Christ. Christ wants to not get comfortable in
our salvation, and forget what happened at the Cross. He is saying remember
the excitement of your salvation and see where you are today.
Acknowledge the problem, take it before the throne and turn
away from the sin of complacent relationship.
3. Do the first works:
Go back to the basics, get excited again, understand
your eternity, tell people about Christ because you love them and want them
in heaven, not because it a good ritual.
Outward rituals no matter
how pure or right at the start are meaningless. The world sees right
through an outward ritual. The light of the Gospel will not glow from dead
rituals, for this reason, Christ wants Ephesus to go back to the beginning.
7 "He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will
give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of
The Greek word is
and means to conquer
to carry off the victory, come off victorious. Jesus is referring here
to those in the church who have victory. In each of the Seven churches Jesus
gives a message of victory to the believer, the overcomer and what is to
come following the church age.
Church of Smyrna (The Persecuted Church)
Thirty-five miles to the north of
Ephesus is the port city of
Smyrna. A city founded by the Hittites dating back to 2000 B.C., the Greeks
“Sea peoples” conquered the land about 1100 B.C. The city was part of the
Ionian league of Greek city states.
The city was completely destroyed in 600 B.C. by the Lydian King
Alyattes II. The city was rebuilt by Alexander and his generals Lysimachus
about 300 B.C. The city was conquered by the Romans and in 193 B.C. a temple
was erected to the deity of
The temples of Zeus and Cybele were linked by a mall said to
surpass all others.
Smyrna was a wealthy port city, which the flow of trade entering and leaving
Asia Minor utilized. The city was controlled by guilds, those
refusing to join or denied membership would be unable to enter in commerce.
8 "And to the angel of the
church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was
dead, and came to
First and last:
In the message to the
church of Ephesus Jesus described Himself as holding the seven stars and
standing in the midst of seven lampstands. Here referring back to the
first chapter, Christ describes his nature and character. He is alive and
not dead. To those in Smyrna looking at the horrors of death, Christ
promises victory over death.
He conquered death, and so can we. Death is not be feared by the
9 "I know your works,
tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of
those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
This is the model church of persecution and represents the
age of persecution. The
church of Smyrna was marked
by tribulation. The guilds controlled the marketplace and unless you were
willing to participate in the worship of the gods, you could be excluded.
The Christians refused and suffered tribulation for their faith.
One of the most famous
martyrs of Smyrna
is Polycarp, (Death 156 A.D.) the Bishop of Smyrna, who died at the age of
86 refusing to deny Christ.
The word used does not just
mean poor, but abject poverty. The Greek word,
beggary, being destitute of riches or abundance. The Christians of Smyrna
faced persecution and lost their businesses and possessions because of faith
The Jews of Smyrna were
extremely hostile to the Christians of the city. In the Polycarp’s
martyrdom they retrieved the wood for his burning. Jesus calls the Jews of
Smyrna blasphemous not only because of the persecution of the Christians,
but also for their ungodly alliance with the pagans of Smyrna.
The agora or marketplace was a mall between two of the Greek gods Cybele
and Zeus. The Christian Greeks and converts of Judaism refused to worship
or acknowledge them therefore they were denied guild membership and lost
their possessions and became destitute because of their faith.
Synagogue of Satan:
The Synagogue of Smyrna was in league with Greek gods of
Smyrna in opposition
to the Christians.
10 "Do not fear any of those
things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw
some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have
tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown
Do not fear…suffer.
Death is not to be feared by the faithful. Ignatius on his
was to be to mulled by the Lions commented he yearned to be, “milled by
teeth of lions into the bread of Christ”
God allowed Satan to test
His Church. During this period, the Church grew like never before. The
greatest period of church growth was during this period of persecution. The
more the church was persecuted the faster it grew.
The period of persecution
was to last period for a specified period. The persecution during this
period lasted from the time of Domitian in A.D. 96 until Diocletian and his
successor Galerius in A.D. 311. Depending on when counting begins 10 or 11
periods of persecution can be located during this period. If we start at
Domitian, John was on Patmos because of Domition, then there are 10 periods,
with Nero as the start there are 11 periods.
A.D. 54- 68
Paul beheaded and
Ignatius burned at
In death, the Christian
martyr demonstrates to the world the victory we have in Christ. We do not
have to fear death, because one second after death we are in the Lord’s
presence for eternity. For this reason Paul could boldly say,
21 For to me, to live is
Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the
flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot
23 For I am hard pressed
between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far
24 Nevertheless to remain in
the flesh is more needful for you.
11 "He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be
hurt by the second death." '
The Christian was judged
with Christ on the cross. We do not have to fear death. The persecutors of
the saints will face the “Second Death” when the stand before the “Great
White Throne” to give an account of their lives on earth. (Rev. 20)
Church of Pergamum (The indulgent church)
The city of Pergamum was
the center of the imperial cult; the name of the city means “Fortress”. The
city dates from the time of nearby Troy 1200 B.C. Alexander the Great’s
general Antigonus seized
Pergamum for Alexander’s Kingdom. The city passed to Lysimachus,
another general of Alexander’s who succeeded him after his death.
a city-state under the control of the Seleucid’s in 263 B.C. The city later
changed alliances to Rome, and still later under Attalus II (159-138 B.C.)
the city was willed to Rome.
The city was
made famous by its library of 200,000 scrolls and rivaled Alexandria’s.
Pergamum popularized writing on goatskin sheets later known as
“Parchment” a corruption of the name Pergamene.
The city was
known for its Altar of Zeus and its large theater at the top of the
12 "And to the angel of the
church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged
Jesus when addressing this refers back to chapter one to describe his
sword used in judgment throughout the book of Revelation. The double-edged
sword cuts both ways. Pergamos brought the threat of Christ’s wrath for
Two edged sword:
The sword is a
Rhomphaia, a large long sword which came crashing down on its
opponent. Jesus Christ was and is able to bring judgment on his church.
13 "I know your works, and
where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and
did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful
martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Christ understood the
opposition this church faced by being in close proximity to Satan’s power.
Jesus takes this into account with the Church of Pergamos, Christ
acknowledges their location, but
the persecuted was also faced with difficult decisions.
The church of
thrived under persecution, and so did the persecuted church. The last
Emperor to persecute Christians was Galerius, who died and excruciating
death as his body rotted from within while he was alive. Days before his
death, he recanted his orders of Christian persecution and then died.
Following his rule was Constantine, a neophyte Christian, who made
Christianity the religion of the
Roman Empire. Being a new Christian, he was willing to make compromises
to the pagans allowing mass conversions, allowing pagan priests to become
The problem was many of these conversions were more convenient then
real. Pagan practices were just repackaged with Christian names, keeping
many of the older rites. An example is Easter, the name is pagan in origin,
but in order to help pagans feel more at home with the “Resurrection
Sunday”, the name Easter remained. Other, practices such as bunny rabbits,
white dresses and eggs also stayed and packaged for Christian consumption.
The power behind Pergamos
was Satan. Jesus refers to the city as “Satan’s throne”. There are several
opinions what this could mean. Pergamos had the
at Pergamum, Zeus the Greek god and Marduk the Babylonian god are by most
accounts the same god with a different name. The meanings are the same,
just different names according to Heroditus, the Greek historian. The
goddess Ashtora of the Philistines, Isis of Egypt and Artemis of the Greeks
are essentially the same but with different names. The source behind this
deception is Satan himself.
Pergamum, according to
Revelation chapter 2 was the demonic spiritual powerhouse behind this evil.
Do not deny my faith:
Despite being in
the fortress of Satan’s operation, the church did not deny faith in Christ.
The church during the time of Constantine was known held to the name of
Pergamum still had faithful
saints willing to die for Christ. Antipas was an early model of faithful
saints, faithful to the Lord despite the condition despite of the church.
14 "But I have a few things
against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to
eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 "Thus you also have those
who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Those…doctrine of Balaam:
Pergamum was will to indulge the ways of the world into their system.
Balaam was a prophet hired by the king of
Balak, to find a way to destroy Israel.
was entering his land on the way to the Promised Land, and he was unable to
curse them because each time a blessing occurred.
Balaam suggested intermarriage with the Moabites, eating food sacrificed
to idols and sexual immorality as the method to destroy
Israel. This is the
doctrine of Balaam, to combine the things of God with the ways of the
world. This was happening in Pergamum, the church was permitting practices
of the pagan Greeks to be introduced into the church.
There groups would later be known as the Gnostics. Today, a great
example of Gnosticism is The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Many
Christians are embracing a novel with a different Jesus. The Jesus of
Gnosticism was married to Mary Magdalene a
Temple prostitute and had a
child named Sarah. Dan Brown presents this as fact, and many who might call
themselves Christians are embracing this book. The same was occurring here
in this Church.
This proto-Gnostic group
was teaching sexual freedom. The Greeks at their various temples had
prostitutes. This church allowed those who taught sexual promiscuity was
permissible to be part of the leadership.
These very issues plague the church today, and again some churches teach
the permissibility of sexual freedom, including gay rights, marriage and
The Church at
Ephesus refused the
Nicolaitians to be part of their leadership or teachers. Pergamum not only
embraced their doctrines, they allowed them to be part of their leadership.
This is what happened
Pergamum during this church
age. The pagan’s world was allowed to be part of the Church. Doctrines
contrary to scripture introduced into the Church, became a corruption of the
One of the doctrines introduced was the teaching the Church had become
theology). This position allowed took away the literal meaning of
scripture and replaced it with allegory.
Prayers for the
Making sign of
saints and angels
Worship of Mary
dressing differently than laypeople
services conducted in Latin
directed to Mary
16 'Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
means to change one's mind, i.e. to repent. What this
church needed to do was make a total change.
This same counsel applies not only to this church but any church
permitting sexual impurity as part of their doctrine.
Fight …sword of my mouth.
Continual sinning without
repentance will bring the judgment of Christ against the offender. During
this time, the Church saw the invasions of the Huns, the Vandals and many
other problems. Some view these events as fulfilling the words of Christ,
in judgment against his church, in the church age of the Pergamum.
17 "He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will
give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and
on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives
Jesus had a specific promise to those in this age who
“Overcame”. Manna was the bread from heaven given to
in the wilderness. Christ makes the same promise to those living in this
church taking him seriously. They would have Christ, the bread of God,
There is still debate about what this means. Some feel in
the Pergamum Theater, white stones were used as admission to the theater.
Here, Christ uses this imagery for admission into the
kingdom of God for the
When we come to Christ, we
are “Born again” on the outside we look the same but spiritually we are born
again. Each believer has a unique relationship with Christ, a special
relationship. In heaven, we will have a special name only known to Christ
and the believer.
Church of Thyatira (The Pagan Church)
Thyatira is 45 miles southeast of Pergamos. The city was founded as
Pelopia, a shrine to the Lydian sun-god Tyrimnus. The city was located on
River. The city was rebuilt by Selecus Nicator (301-281 B.C.) and made into
a frontier garrison. The city became a center for small manufacture and
Thyatira was famous for its highly organized trade unions
(cooperatives) and specialization in “purple” dye made from the madder root
rather then the more expensive shellfish.
Acts 16;14 was a “Purple” merchant and a convert to Judaism who came from
18 "And to the angel of the
church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes
like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
Son of God.
Jesus Christ recalls for
this Church his deity and holiness. This Church fully embraced the pagan
way of the Greeks.
Eyes like a flame.
The eyes of Christ are
piercing seeing every action His church was involved. The picture of fire
demonstrate his anger at this church for what is being allowed to take
Feet ..fine brass.
this word is only used twice in scripture in
Revelation 1:15, 2:18. The meaning seems to be a precious alloy, pointing to
brilliance of the metal illustrating Christ as holy judge.
19 "I know your works, love,
service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more
than the first.
Thyatira is best relates
to the period known as the Dark ages of the Church, where the doctrine of
Jesus Christ’s deity was taught but other elements were added which
corrupted the Church.
20 "Nevertheless I have a
few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls
herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual
immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 "And I gave her time to
repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22 "Indeed I will cast her
into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great
tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
23 "I will kill her children
with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the
minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your
To illustrate the problem at this church Christ uses the Old
Testament character of Jezebel. Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, King
of Sidonians. She tried to corrupt
Israel, by having Israel
worship Baal and Asthtorah the pantheon originating in
The teaching of Jezebel mirror the attempts of the early Gnostics to move
Christianity toward the Greek religion with its pantheon of gods and
goddesses. As the Greek religion’s influence began to fall with the spread
of Christianity. Satan used the method used against
Israel under Jezebel, he
tried to get the church to incorporate the gods and goddesses of Greece with
a Judaic/Christian package. This is the story behind the Gnostics and The
Da Vinci Code. It’s the same strategy used in the past just rewritten
for a different era.
Jezebel at this church foretells the attempts within the Catholic Church
to make Mary the co-redemptrix with Christ. This doctrine is blasphemous,
but taken seriously by many within the Catholic Church, in fact a petition
with over 5-million signatures was delivered to the Pope requesting the
church announce Mary as co-redemptrix. Mary is already acknowledged as the
“Queen of Heaven” and Mother of God within the church, these
blasphemous teachings caused many to stumble and miss eternity.
In Thyatira, a women some feel the wife of the pastor of the
church was a leader teaching and directing the servants of Christ to
participate in the Greek pagan sex rites. She called herself a prophetess,
representing another Christ to the Church.
Some feel that Lydia
returned to Thyatira after hearing the Gospel and started a church. This
church was accustomed to female leadership, which made them vulnerable to
this form of teaching.
She tried to have the
servants of Christ compromise their walk by eating the meat sacrificed in
the Greek temples to the various gods and goddesses. Some see this also as
a picture of the teaching with Catholism with the Eucharist, the doctrine
that Christ is sacrificed every Sunday when the bread is broken.
Christ died once for our sins, He sits at the Fathers side interceding
for his saints.
The one aspect of Thyatira
is two groups addressed in this Church. There is group which does not hold
to these doctrines (Verse 24). They are the overcomers, but Christ promises
the ones who persist in these false doctrines, they will enter great
Prophetically Christ is
indicating this church will be dealt with in the Tribulation period, except
for the ones who do not hold to this doctrine.
I will kill.
The offspring of this adulterous women and her adulterous
teaching will suffer for their pagan teachings.
I will give.
Jesus Christ examines the intentions of each of us, and pays
us accordingly. Christ searches the real meaning on why we do what we do.
made first Pope
Cup forbidden to
laypeople at Communion
images and relics
The Ave Maria
Use of “Holy
granted equal authority with Bible
Fridays and during Lent
put into Bible
Celibacy of the
conception of Mary
the Pope declared
the Virgin Mary
Adoration of the
mother of the church.
24 "Now to you I say, and to
the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not
known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
25 "But hold fast what you
have till I come.
Do not have this doctrine.
A distinction is made between these two groups in this
Thyatira. Those who have embraced these false doctrines and those who
reject them. Thyatira is a picture of Catholic Church, today many Catholics
who read their Bible claim to be “Born Again” not according to Protestant
teachings but the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Some of the greatest saints
such as John Wycliffe and Tyndale were Catholic priests who died for their
desire to have God’s word reach the common people.
Depths of Satan.
Today, The Da Vinci
Code is making in roads into many churches as people read the book, their
whole perception of Christ is changing. This book claims to reveal hidden
secrets kept by a patriarchal society who want to suppress the “Sacred
Feminine” aspect of God.
The book is just reworking
the doctrines of the Gnostic church, which talked about secret doctrines and
rites with temple prostitutes.
The word used to describe
this knowledge is
where the Gnostic is derived.
26 "And he who overcomes,
and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations
28 "and I will give him the
29 "He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '
Power over the nations.
To those who
overcome Christ promises a place of ruler in the Millennium. Rev. 20:1-7