Bible Commentaries
Revelation 2

Verses 1-29

THE SEVEN LETTERS

These letters fall into two groups. In the first three the injunction to hear precedes the promise. In the last four this order is reversed. In the former the wilderness experiences of Israel are recalled: their first love in Ephesus, their trials in Smyrna, Balaam in Pergamos. The latter recall their history in the land-two for Israel and two for Judah; Jezebel in Thyatira, Israel's blotting out in Sardis, the temple in Hezekiah's reign in Philadelphia, and the declining days of the Minor Prophets in Laodicea.

EPHESUS

4 Their "first love" is an allusion to Israel's espousals in the wilderness (Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 2:2;

Ezekiel 16:8; Ezekiel 16:10; Exodus 19:4; Exodus 19:6 ) .

6 The Nicolaitans (Conqueror People) are probably Israelitish votaries of the wild beast. Their name indicates their allegiance to the great world conqueror. First their acts are condemned and then their doctrine (Revelation 2:15). It was the same as Balaam;s (Numbers 25:2).

7 The "tree" of life is, literally, the wood or log of life, for the wood is dead, and, in this phrase, always speaks of life out of death, or resurrection.

7 The promise reminds us of the tree of life in Eden and has its consummation in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2). Our destiny is heaven (Ephesians 1:3).

SMYRNA

8 In each message the Lord alludes to such particulars of the preceding vision as meet the case of the ecclesia. His resurrection life is a pledge of the wreath of life He promises to those who are faithful until death.

9 What force can there be to the claim to be Jews unless the Smyrna ecclesia was composed of Jews? Their allegiance to Satan's (or the Adversary's) synagogue would have no point if the Smyrnaites did not belong to God's synagogue.

10 The ten days' affliction alludes to Israel's trial in the wilderness. That lasted forty years. This will be brief. Jews often suffer from anti-Semitic riots.

10 A wreath or garland, often of laurel, was awarded the successful contestant in the ancient games. This was the trophy of victory. It is not the symbol of rule, but the reward of faithful effort. The wreath of life will be worn by all who gain life as a reward of their deeds. It is given to the one who endures trial (James 1:12). The life we have in Christ is a gratuitous gift, in no sense the reward of our efforts, so it cannot be figured by a wreath.

11 The allusion in this promise is to the entrance of death when Adam sinned. The fulfillment of the promise will wait until the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11). This promise cannot be applied now, for all in Christ are beyond judgment.

PERGAMOS

14 Balaam (Numbers25). The sorry scene at Shittim will be repeated in the day of Jehovah. In ancient times sacrifices to the gods were accompanied by ceremonial prostitution, which will also characterize the worship of the wild beast.

Compare Revelation 2:20; Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 14:4; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15; Jude 1:15-16; Jude 1:23.

Balaam was killed with the sword (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:22). The Nicolaitans are threatened with a similar fate. This is put in execution when the followers of the wild beast are "killed with the blade which is coming out of the mouth of Him Who is sitting on the horse" (Revelation 19:21).

17 Unless they worship the image of the wild beast they will not be able to obtain food, unless God gives it as He gave the manna. So the star-crowned woman will be nourished in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14). Then they will pray as He taught them: "Our bread, our dole, be giving us today" (Matthew 6:11), for every other source is cut off. The white pebble was used in allotting the land. Each man's name was written on a pebble, and these were put into a bag. As each allotment is called, a pebble is withdrawn. The allotment is given to the man whose name is on it. Thus the white pebble will be an earnest of their allotment in the kingdom. This is for Israel, not for the body of Christ.

The Prophetic Section

THYATIRA

18 Tertullian and Epiphanius say that there was no ecclesia in Thyatira when John wrote these letters. On this ground many rejected this prophecy in early times. There is no difficulty in this if we recognize the fact that, in spirit, John was transported into the day of Jehovah. Then there will be an ecclesia in Thyatira which will correspond perfectly with the epistle addressed to it.

20 This is an allusion to the period of the Kings (1 Kings 16:31). The error of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:10; Jude 1:13) becomes the state religion ( cf.Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:3). The fact that Ephesus (Revelation 2:6) and Pergamos (Revelation 2:14) and Thyatira are all warned against this evil shows that the worship of the wild beast will revive the seductions of idolatry.

23 Death, here used for an epidemic disease (plague, cf. black death). See Revelation 6:8.

23 "Kidneys and hearts" is a Hebrew phrase signifying purity of motive.

24 The depths of Satan are in contrast to the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). The latter are explored by the spirit and are unknown to the soulish man. Satan's depths are found in consecrating the most debased passions to religion. Every appeal to the senses, whether to the eye, in magnificent buildings and ritual, or to the ear by the mesmeric influence of music, or to the taste in suppers and banquets, or to the lower sensual appetites, is a descent into the depths of Satan. In the beginning he appealed to the woman through her senses (Genesis 3:1; Genesis 3:6). His desire for worshipers leads him to offer them the strongest sensual inducements disguised under the sacred sanction of divine worship.

27 The shepherd's mace was a heavy club with a thong to hold it securely to his wrist, and a large head, bristling with spikes, at the end. He carried a crook for the sheep and a club for their enemies (Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15). He will rule with rigor. Israel, not the body of Christ, will rule the millennial earth.

27 In the East pottery was crushed into bits to make a kind of cement.

28 The Morning Star is especially appropriated by the Son of David (Revelation 22:16). He is the Herald of approaching day. A place in the earliest phase of the kingdom is awarded the conqueror.