Bible Commentaries
Revelation 2

Verses 1-17

20 The vision is figurative. The explanation is literal. It must not be further "explained ". The seven stars are seven messengers. The seven lamp stands are seven ecclesias. These will be found at the places indicated at the opening of the Lord's day. They are God's luminaries in the dense darkness of that judgment era.

&#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.

4 Their "first love" is an allusion to Israel's espousals in the wilderness ( Hos_11:1 ; Jer_2:2 ;

Eze_16:8 ; Eze_16:10 ; Exo_19:4 ; Exo_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 ( Rev_2:15 ). It was the same as Balaam;s ( Num_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 ( Rev_22:2 ). Our destiny is heaven ( Eph_1:3 ).

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 ( Jam_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 ( Rev_20:11 ). This promise cannot be applied now, for all in Christ are beyond judgment.

14 Balaam (Nu.25). 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 Rev_2:20 ; Rev_9:20-21 ; Rev_14:4 ; Rev_21:8 ; Rev_22:15 ; Jud_1:15-16 ; Jud_1:23 .

Balaam was killed with the sword ( Num_31:8 ; Jos_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" ( Rev_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 ( Rev_12:14 ). Then they will pray as He taught them: "Our bread, our dole, be giving us today" ( Mat_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.

Verses 18-29

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 ( 1Ki_16:31 ). The error of Balaam ( 2Pe_2:15 ; Jud_1:10 ; Jud_1:13 ) becomes the state religion ( cf . Rev_9:20-21 ; Rev_17:2 ; Rev_17:4 ; Rev_18:3 ). The fact that Ephesus ( Rev_2:6 ) and Pergamos ( Rev_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 Rev_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 ( 1Co_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 ( Gen_3:1 ; Gen_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 ( Rev_12:5 ; Rev_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 ( Rev_22:16 ). He is the Herald of approaching day. A place in the earliest phase of the kingdom is awarded the conqueror.

1 The seven spirits of God are literal. They are seen under various figures, according to the connection. Before the throne they appear as torches of fire ( Rev_4:5 ). On the Lambkin they are seen as seven horns and seven eyes ( Rev_5:6 ). They are commissioned for the entire earth. The stars are limited to the ecclesias.

3 Christ's coming is presented under various figures. He comes as a thief in the day of the Lord ( 1Th_5:2 ; 2Pe_3:10 ; 2Pe_16:15 ). The Lord warned His disciples of this aspect ( Mat_24:42-44 ; Luk_12:39 ). When they shall say "peace and security" then sudden destruction will come upon the unwatchful ( 1Th_5:3 ). But we are not in darkness that it should overtake us as a thief ( 1Th_5:4 ; 1Th_5:11 ).

5 Any man, woman, family or tribe who turned from Jehovah to worship the gods of the nations was to be rubbed out ( Deu_29:18-20 ).

David rubs out the names of some of his mighty men because they did not remain true to him ( 2Sa_23:8 ; 2Sa_23:39 ), Joab, once over all the host ( 2Sa_20:23 ), and Ahithophel were also erased. Here too, life and position depend on conduct. Our life is hid with Christ in God ( Col_3:3 ).

5 The scroll of life is referred to six times in this book. It contains the names of those who do not worship the wild beast ( Rev_13:8 ; Rev_17:8 ). It is opened at the great white throne ( Rev_20:12 ) and any whose names were not found written in it were cast into the lake of fire ( Rev_20:15 ). Those enrolled in it may enter the new Jerusalem ( Rev_21:27 ). Those who take from the sayings of this prophecy will have their part taken from the log of life ( Rev_22:19 ).

7 David's key ( Isa_22:15-25 ) refers to the deposing of Shebna and the raising up of Eliakim to be the treasurer of the temple, or minister of the court ( See Isa_36:22 ). This letter moves in the temple, where the treasures are, where safety is found, and where worship is carried on.

9 It is impossible to escape the inference that the Philadelphian ecclesia is composed only of Jews who are members of God's synagogue. As every other consideration points in this direction we may conclude that all of these ecclesias are Jewish. Each will worship in a synagogue, which has a "messenger" who will read to them.