REVELATION CHAPTER TWO.
CHRIST'S LETTERS TO THE ECCLESIAS.
These messages are much more interesting than they at first sight appear to be. The position they occupy is very suggestive. They come first in an exhibition of things that were shortly to come to pass among the nations of the earth. Before Christ proceeds to unfold these things, he addresses himself to his own brethren, through one of them exiled in Patmos. Nothing could be more significant of the position of the friends of Christ occupy in relation to himself and the purpose of which he is the centre. This brings us with much force the truth proclaimed by Paul, “For all things are for your sake" - (2 Cor. 4:15).
The very activity of the nations everywhere - their commerce, their political revolutions, their social transformations - are all so many elements in the preparation of the earth for transfer to the government of Jesus and those among mankind whom he honors with his approbation and selection as brethren in the day of his arrival in glory. Those meanwhile are to be found among the poor and the down trodden as at the first. They are those who have faith in the testimony of God, and who submit daily to his commandments, or as it is apocalyptically expressed "those keeping the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ."
LETTER TO EPHESUS - CHAPTER TWO VERSES 1-7.
VERSE ONE.
"He who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands"
The lesson of this is powerful in view of the interpretation that "the seven lamp-stands are the seven ecclesias". Christ walking in the midst of these lamp-stands means that all things among his brethren are as open to his sight and knowledge as they are in each ecclesia to those that constitute that ecclesia. It means more than this. It means that he not only has power to see, but power to control, and to affect everyone as he sees fit.
VERSE TWO.
"I know thy works"
This fact follows from Christ's relation to the seven lamp-stands. It is a comforting fact to everyone who is striving to walk acceptably before God, and perhaps failing to secure the proviso of men. It may seem to us that our affairs are unknown and unheeded. Time goes on and nothing comes of it, and we may become "weary and faint in our minds". Perhaps there were some in Ephesus that felt like this. They had been forty or fifty years an ecclesia before receiving this indication of the Lord's mind concerning them. The Lord is noticing and so to speak, recording proceeding from day today. When he comes he will let us know what he thinks, and give us the results in a very substantial form.
"Thou canst not bear them which are evil"
This is the best answer to those that accuse us of uncharitableness on account of our hostility to that which is opposed to the revealed will of Christ, and because our application of the test of truth to the modern professors of apostleship or successorship to the apostles. If the Ephesian attitude in these matters secured the praise of Christ, our attitude will do the same if righteously sustained. And if we secure the praise of Christ it matters not if the whole world condemn us.
"False apostles"
It appears that there were some in Corinth who had exalted themselves against Paul, preaching "another Jesus", and teaching another gospel", rather than the truth. Paul termed these people "false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13). Even in the time of Paul there were these "false apostles" at Ephesus; this is why Paul besought Timothy "to abide still at Ephesus... that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine", for they, "turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm" (1 Tim. 1:3,6-7). Christ's commendation shows that the Ephesian ecclesia had faithfully received the warning, and had rejected the teaching of those who claimed to be "apostles and were not".
VERSE FOUR.
"Thou hast left thy first love"
We must understand this in the light of Scriptural definitions of love, and not according to the modern notion that limits love to sentiment. It means more than affection. “This is love, that we walk after (in accordance with) his commandments" (2 John 6). Jesus also says, "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." (John 14:21). Hence, a return to first love is a return to first acts. This is the interpretation Jesus gives of it in the message, “repent and do the first works". Christ requires a continuance - a patient continuance in well doing - (Rom. 2:7).
VERSE FIVE.
"Remove thy lamp-stand"
As the lamp-stand stood for the ecclesia, this was equivalent to saying that he would break up the ecclesia if the brethren were not earnestly attentive to his requirements. This is another indication of Christ's control of providence; for how would he remove the lamp-stand? Not by open visitation but by the disintegration action of adverse circumstances regulated by him.
VERSE SIX.
"The Nicolaitanes"
The word "Nicolaitanes" is formed by the conjunction of two Greek words: "Nico" - victory and "Laitos" - people. The name therefore signifies "vanquishers of the people". Dr. Thomas identifies the Nicolaitanes as errorists who introduces Gentile Philosophizing within the ecclesias. Their so-called knowledge was derived from Plato, and incorporated a belief in the natural immortality of the soul. The doctrine of the resurrection was an embarrassment to such a teaching, but these errorists tried to get around it by teaching that it was already past. Paul makes a very direct reference to this
situation to Timothy - "And their word will eat as doth a canker (gangrene) of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; who concerning the faith have erred saying that the resurrection is passed already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim. 2:17-18).
THE NATURE OF MAN.
1. Man is a creature formed from the dust and he lives by the life power of God (God's breath and spirit). which he shares in common with every living creature. Gen. 2:7; Job 33:4-6;27:3;10:9; Psa. 104:29,30.
2. When the life power of God is removed, man, like the beasts returned to dust. Job 34:14,15; Ecc. 3:18-21;12:7.
3. Hence, life as now possessed is not everlasting, but as a vapor that soon passes away. Jas. 4:14; Job 14:1;2; Psa. 39.
4. The Death State
i) Man is unconscious, knows nothing and as is though he had never lived. Ecc. 9:5,6,10; Psa. 6:4-5;146:3,4; Isa. 38:18,19.
ii) His body corrupts. Psa. 49:9,14;30:9;88:10-12; Jn. 11:39.
5. God has condemned all men to death because they inherit Adam's nature and walk in his sinful ways. Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 5:12-21;6:23; 1 Cor. 15:22,55,56.
6. Man does not possess immortality. If man is said to possess immortality then the following contradictions arise:
i) Men would not perish like beasts. Psa. 49:14,19-20.
ii) Immortality would not only be a gift for the righteous. Rom. 2:6-8.
iii) Immortality would not be a gift of God. Rom. 6:23
iv) Neither could immortality be now hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3.
v) Immortality could not be said to have been brought to light by Jesus and the Gospel. 2 Tim. 1:10.
vi) Immortality would not be dependent upon belief in Jesus Christ.
Jn. 6:40;11:25;3:16,36.
vii) There would be no need for resurrection 1 Cor. 15:16-18.
viii) Paul would not have awaited anxiously the "redemption of the body". Rom. 8:23.
VERSE SEVEN.
"He that hath an ear"
These words seven times repeated, give us to understand that what is said in each particular letter is not confined to the particular ecclesia addressed, but to all the ecclesias whose spiritual condition at a certain stage of apostasy was represented by that particular one. The promises made in all of them are promises to all true believers of all ages and generations.
"The tree of life"
The account in Genesis informs us that this tree could impart eternal life. It was denied Adam and their descendants; but will be made available to the second Adam (Christ Jesus) and his brethren. Says Dr. Thomas "To eat of the tree of life is to be an unfading leaf, an immortal possessor of the glory, honour and immortality of the kingdom which the God of Heaven will set up in the Ages to come". See 1 Cor. 15.
"Paradise"
This is a Persian word meaning "garden”, which the Holy Land, the particular inheritance of the saints, will become: as the prophet Ezekiel wrote, "and they shall say. This land that was desolate is become like the Garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited" (36:35).
LETTER TO SMYRNA CHAPTER TWO :8-11.
VERSE NINE
"Thou art rich"
The destined possessors of the kingdom of God may well be said to be rich. All things are theirs. As Paul says (1 Cor. 3:21). It is not only a question of time, their coming into possession. Meanwhile, like Paul, they have to suffer "the loss of all things".
"The blasphemy"
"The word "blasphemy" is Greek, and signifies "defamatory calumnious, abusive language". To blaspheme is to hurt one's good name, to speak ill, or to the prejudice, of one. The blasphemy of saying we are Jews, when not, is defamatory and injurious to the name of Christ. For liars to affirm they are Christ's is to injure the reputation of Christ with those that believe it, and to impede the progress of the truth. Thus, when men say they are Christians, but are nothing else than "Judaizers of the concision”, Gnostics, and sprinklers of Anticision, or Nicolaitanes, or those who go to church a total of three times in their lives, they are blasphemers; for as in proportion their criminal foolishness rises in public estimation, “the truth as it is in Jesus" falls, and becomes the subject of ridicule and contempt" ("Eureka”, Vol. 1).
"Them which say they are Jews"
There are "spiritual" Jews as well as natural Jews. Paul informed the Jews at Rome "for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (Acts 28:20) telling them, in other words, that those who obey the Gospel, embrace the Jewish hope. Those who accept the Jewish hope are styled by the scriptures, “Jews”. “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is he that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, and not of the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" says Paul (Rom. 2:28-29).
"The synagogue of Satan"
SATAN
1. "SATAN" is an untranslated Hebrew word and literally means "adversary", opponent, enemy. The term "Satan" occurs 55 times in the Bible - 19 times in the Old testament and 36 times in the New Testament. In the O.T. (Old Testament) the word has actually been correctly translated 16 times as "adversary" etc. This inconsistency and bias has concealed the truth and deceived many people. In the book of "Job" the word "SATAN" appears in that form 14 times. Thus in the O.T. excluding "Job”, it only occurs 5 times as "SATAN" and 16 times is translated by other words.
2. THE TERM "SATAN" IS USED IN A BAD SENSE AND GOOD SENSE.
1/ BAD SENSE - When the will of God is opposed.
a) Subjectively - the evil thoughts of men Lk. 22:3; Acts 5:3.
b) Individuals - who oppose Mat. 16:23;Job 1:6; 1Kgs11:14,23,25.
c) In Aggregate - In political and religious institutions and the world in general. 1 Thess. 2:18;Rev. 2:13;20:2,7; Zech. 3:1-2.
2/ GOOD SENSE - It is used of God, the angel of the LORD, and good men in their opposition to evil. 1 Chron.21:1; Num.22:22,32; 1Sam.29:4.
The word "synagogue" means "a congregation" and "Satan" - "an adversary”. These people who falsely called themselves spiritual Jews were collectively styled by Jesus "the congregation of the adversary" to the true believers. John refers to some who formed their own fellowship opposed to the truth - "Even now their are many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1John 2:18-19).
VERSE TEN
"The Devil shall cast some of you into prison"
THE DEVIL
1). IMPORTANCE.
It is an element of the Gospel which must be understood, as the very object of Christ's mission was to save us from its peril (1Jn. 3:8;Heb. 2:14).
2). GENERAL NOTES.
A) The Devil is not a monster tempting man to rebel against God, but is sin manifest in individuals and organizations.
B) The "Fallen Angel" idea is a relic of Paganism in which good and evil gods were pictured as striving for the souls of men.
C) The idea finds NO REAL SUPPORT IN THE SCRIPTURES, although it can be read into by preconceived ideas. Thus where the words "Devil" and "Satan" appear a superhuman being is wrongly assumed to be meant, but nowhere is this directly taught in the Bible.
3). SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES WHICH EXCLUDE THE NOTION.
1) If the Devil is sometimes believed to be immortal: this cannot be because he is a sinner and therefore must die! (1 John 3:8; Rom. 6:23);also, God "only hath immortality" (1Tim.6:16).
2) If the Devil is believed to be Mortal: How could a mortal being, possessing powers of disease, death and deception, be permitted by Almighty God to antagonize Him in His dealings with men? Every law of God's justice would be broken.
3) If the Devil Exists... Why, is there no clear definition of him in the Scripture? (Cp. the numerous facts which exist in the case of God).
4) In the O.T. record of God's dealings with Israel there is an absence of everything giving countenance to the idea of a personal Devil. Therefore, it is fiction. In fact the word "devil" only occurs 4 times in the O.T., and in each case the context clearly shows that idols are referred to. They are: Lev. 17:7, 2 Chron. 11:15;Deut. 32:17;Psa. 106:35-37.
5) God holds men accountable for their ways. Where is His justice if they are the innocent victims of a deceptive personal devil? But sin originates in the mind of man, and he is justly held responsible for his ways (Jas. 1:13-15; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:20-23).
6) Seeing God's will is done in heaven rebellion is impossible (Matt. 6:10).
4). THE DEVIL DEFINED.
The Devil is a scriptural personification of the sinful desires of the flesh (man's rebellious lusts), after the style of metaphor, which speaks of Wisdom as a "woman" (Prov. 8); Riches as "mammon" (Matt. 6:24); Sin as a "king" (Rom. 5:21) and a "master" (Rom. 6:16); Israel as a "virgin"(Jer. 31:4). "Sin" is personified in its various phases of manifestation in history, in present day events, and in prophecy.
1) SUBJECTIVE: The lusts in men (Jas. 4:7;Jn. 13:2; Eph. 4:27; Heb. 2:14).
2) IN INDIVIDUALS: So called by metonymy, because the lusts reside in them and predominate (Jn. 6:70).
3) IN AGGREGATE: In the social, political and religious institutions of men because the "thinking of the flesh" governs their policies and doctrines (Rev. 2:10; 20:2; 1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:11-12).
4) WHY IS SIN PERSONIFIED. It is the Bible's peculiarity to use figurative illustrations where the matter referred to is too involved for simple expression. This metaphorical dress to abstractions clothes them with palpability and gives them warmth and expressiveness not possible in strict grammar and fact. While it is most effective it is open to abuse - as it is in this case. The word is translated but given a meaning foreign to apostolic usage.
5) HEB. 2:14:KEY TO THE MEANING OF "DIABOLOS".
FOUR ABSURDITIES OF THE ORTHODOX VIEW.
1) Why partake of "flesh and blood" to destroy the orthodox Devil?
2) Could the orthodox Devil conceivably be destroyed by Jesus’ submission to death?
3) The Devil should then be dead, but is reported more active!
4) God visits man with death because of sin, and not because of the Devil. Gen. 2:16,17;3:17-19;Deut. 32:39.
That the Devil in Heb. 2:14 is "sin" can be proved in two ways.
1/ CHRIST'S DEATH DESTROYED THE DEVIL
But Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). Hence "diabolos" is equated with "our sins" cp. also Isa.53:5; Heb. 9:28; 1Pet.1:18-19;1Jn.3:5; Tit. 2:13-14; Rom. 8:3.
2/ THAT WHICH HAS THE "POWER OF DEATH" THAT IS "THE DEVIL"
But sin is the cause of death; "sin bringeth forth death" (Jas.1:14,15). Hence the "diabolos" is sin. Cp. also Rom. 5:12,21;6:28;5:56,21.
5). THE SERPENT: THE "DIABOLOS": THE "FATHER OF LIARS."
1. Was created "very good" and was an intelligent ANIMAL (Gen. 1:31;3:1). It was not subject to God's Law and was incapable of worship and morality (2:16-17).
2. That it was not a "tool" in the hand of "the Devil" is evident from the fact that it was made the subject of judgment (3:14).
3. That it was not the "Devil" in reptile form is clear from the fact it was to go on its "belly ALL THE DAYS OF ITS LIFE" ! (v14) Does the orthodox Devil do this?
4. It was not supernatural because its ability to speak, as some would suggest (Num. 22:28; 2 Peter 2:16).
5. The serpent was placed in Eden in order to test faith. Trial tests conviction in the laws of God. Probation under trial is a Divinely appointed rule (Gen. 22:1;
1 Peter 1: 7; Heb 11:1-12.
6. Because the serpent told the first lie and beguiled Eve, he is the father of liars or "Diabolos" (the false accuser).(Gen. 3:4-5; Jn. 8:44).
7. All who defy and corrupt the Truth, as the serpent did, are his spiritual children.
1 Jn. 3:8,10,12; Acts 13:10; Matt. 13:38. By the same reasoning they are called "serpents, a generation of vipers" (Matt. 3:7;12:34;24:33).
8. THE DEVIL IS NOT A FALLEN ANGEL. (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:2,12-14;
Lk. 10:18-19; Rev. 12:7-8; 2Pet.2:4;Jude 6,7. The last 2 quotations relate to the same incident.)
We understand the word "Devil" to signify "false accuser". In this particular case the devil in question relates to the civil power of Rome, because it persecuted the Christians. It falsely accused the Christians of being atheists (believing there is no God) because they abhorred all the gods of Pagan Rome. Writes Peter in reference to the civil power of Rome. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world".
"Ye shall have tribulation ten days"
This was the period of intense persecution which broke out against the Christians during the years A.D. 110-120 under the direction of the Emperor Trojan. He tried to stamp out the growing Christian communities, and ordered his officers to repress them with very severity. A letter to the emperor Trojan from a governor of one of the provinces shows how widespread Christianity had become: “The contagion of the superstition hath not only spread through cities, but even villages and the country. Not
that I think it impossible to check and correct it. The success of my endeavors hitherto forbids such despondent thoughts: for the temples once almost desolate, begin to be frequented, and the sacred solemnities, which long had been intermitted, and now attended fresh; and the sacrificial victims are now sold everywhere which once could scarcely find a purchaser. Whence I conclude, that many might be reclaimed, were the hope of impunity, on repentance, absolutely confirmed." Trojan's reply shows his determination to wipe out Christianity: "If they are brought before you and this restriction, that if anyone renounce Christianity, and evidence his sincerity by supplicating our gods, however suspected he may be for the past, he shall obtain pardon for the future, on his repentance".
The idea of taking one day as meaning one year is by no means a new idea. We see it occurring throughout the prophecies of the entire Bible.
This letter to the Smyrneans is the first placed in the Revelation where "days" stand for years. The Apocalypse is a book of symbols, in which the greater is represented by the less. Its agents, and their operations, and its times preliminary to the thousand years, are all miniature representatives of the reality - great things illustrated by small. This is the rule of prophecy, whether the truth be stated literally or by symbols - the verbal always falls short of the real, which is "joy unspeakable and full of glory;" things which cannot be expressed. Because of the Spirit's working by this rule it is that so much has been revealed in so small a book. It is a condensed view of the deep things of the Deity, which, if they had been magnitudinously revealed. “I suppose," as John says, " that even the cosmos itself could not contain the books that should be written."
Condensation, then, is the general principle of divine revelation; but of the symbols, it is special. The first intimation of the day for a year principle is in Gen. 47:9, where Jacob says, "the days of my pilgrimage are 130 years; " and in verse 28 "the days of the years
of his life were 147 years." In this we have 47,450 days of pilgrimage represents by 130 years. Now, as many thousand days are condensable into a few years, upon the same principle many years may be compressed into a few days. Hence, "the days of the years were 147 years," or Jacob lived 147 days, each day for a year of days, or 52,691 days.
VERSE ELEVEN.
"The second death"
This is the death of these who are rejected at the judgment seat of Christ.
THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF RESPONSIBILITY & JUDGMENT.
1. KNOWLEDGE - BASIS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
Knowledge of the Truth, whether believed or rejected, makes one responsibility. In a similar way "earthly" parents hold their children responsible for their behavior once they have been adequately instructed. Jn. 3:19;Lk. 12:47-48; 19:22,23; Jas. 4:17; Rom. 5:13.
2. RESPONSIBILITY DETERMINES WHO SHALL BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD.
Hence only those responsible will be present at the Judgment Seat. Those not responsible die and pass out of memory as if they had never been. They will not be resurrected. Isa. 26:14; Eph. 2:1,12; 4:18; Psa. 49:20; Jer. 51:39,57; Obad. 16; Psa. 37:10, 20, 34, 38; Psa. 104:35.
3. RESPONSIBILITY EXPLAINED.
Responsibility depends on an individual's mental capacity and circumstances.
1) MENTAL CAPACITY:
Babes and the mentally deranged are incapable of understanding the gospel and therefore are not responsible for their actions.
2) CIRCUMSTANCES:
Some may be capable of understanding the gospel but have never heard it and so will not be judged by Christ. Because they have not heard the gospel of salvation they will not be expected to answer for their ways.
4. ISRAEL - NATIONALLY RESPONSIBLE.
Israel has been punished more severely for her sins than other nations. This has resulted from her special relationship to God. Being God's people Israel was instructed in His Law and purpose. Greater enlightenment brought greater responsibility. Amos 3:2; Duet. 28:15.
5. CHRIST'S APPEARING INCREASED THE DEGREE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
Since Jesus Christ has been manifested, God has held men more responsible. This is because the glory of God shone more brightly from him than it had before from any other person. God's glory was revealed in the power of his words, life, miracles, and finally in his resurrection (Jn. 15:22-24; 9:39-41; Acts 17:30-31; Heb.2:1-3; 10:28-29).
6. GOD ALONE CAN JUDGE THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE.
For He only knows the capacity and circumstances of each individual. Mat. 25:15; Jn. 12:47-50.
7. GOD'S JUSTICE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED IN DETERMINING MAN'S DESTINY.
The Power and Wisdom of God are revealed to all men, in and by the wonders of creation. Thus they are not without blame for failing to seek the wisdom and salvation of the Creator. Therefore God remains just in not raising them. Their forefathers (as for example in Gen. 11:1-9) "when they knew God glorified him not as God", but became "vain in their imagination". For this reason God "gave them over" to their own evil desires. Their descendants still see the glory in the Creation and partake of His goodness (fruitful seasons, rain, etc. - see Acts 14:16-17; Mat. 5:45). Yet they choose vanity and idolatry. They are therefore "without excuse" and perish justly. Rom. 1:19-22.
8. THIS 'NON-RESPONSIBLE' CLASS COMPRISE BY FAR THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF MANKIND.
Popular theology sometimes says "They will go to hell" and at other times "that they will go to heaven". The first outrages justice. The second violates every Divine principle. They will pass away in death as though they had never been.
9. MANKIND FALLS INTO 2 GROUPS IN RELATION TO JUDGMENT.
1) THOSE RESPONSIBLE
Who will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ whether righteous or unrighteous.
2) THOSE NOT RESPONSIBLE
Who will not appear before him to answer.
Those then that are rejected at this Judgment must die again i.e. - the second death.
LETTER TO PERGAMOS.
CHAPTER TWO :12-17.
VERSE TWELVE.
"The sharp sword with two edges"
The possessor of the two-edged sword naturally calls attention to that instrument as a preliminary to threatened hostility. It stands as the symbol of Christ's power to execute the commands of his will. He addresses himself to brethren dwelling in Satan's headquarters where the adversaries to the truth were in strength. The serpent was the indirect cause of sin entering the world, and so becomes a fitting figure of sin itself. Those whose lives are ruled by sin are thus the seed of the serpent. “Serpents' children" is a Bible description of those who are opposed to God's way. Jesus addressed the evil Pharisees as "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers" (Matthew 22:33), and on other occasions referred to them with Gen. 3 v 15 clearly in mind (John 8:44). Thus "the serpent", which is to be destroyed by the "seed of the woman", is a personification of sin displayed in human nature, and those in whom it is so displayed are the "seed" of the serpent. It is appropriate to mention here that in the Bible sin in Gen. 3 opposition to God is personified in other ways. Personification is a frequently used figure of speech in which an abstract idea is depicted as a person. Examples abound in all literature and are readily understood:
"Hope withering fled, and Mercy sighed Farewell"
(Byron, The Bride of Abydos).
"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets"
(Proverbs 1:20).
A close examination of the Scriptural use of terms as 'the Devil' and 'Satan' will show that they too are personification of sin, rather than referring to a superhuman evil monster.
See earlier notes on SATAN.
VERSE THIRTEEN.
"Thou dwellest where Satan's seat is"
Amongst those generally styled Christians, some held "the doctrine of Balaam" and of the "Nicolaitanes". This caused constant strife, so that the Ecclesia was divided, some following Antipas, and others following the errorists. Antipas was in the minority, and constituted the "faithful martyr" of Christ, being slain by the hatred and poisonous tongues of the adversary. This was especially true in Pergamos, Satan’s seat, or headquarters of the apostasy.
"Thou holdest fast my name"
The name "Jesus" (Yahshuah) - Heb. is made up of Yahweh and Shuah, and signifies "I will be salvation”. The name of Yahweh is the self - imposed name of God, first proclaimed at the burning bush for a memorial unto all true Israelites. This name proclaims the purpose of God to manifest himself in a generation of righteous ones over whom Christ is the chief. In Scripture person's name expresses his purpose and character. To hold fast his name means to manifest it. We hold fast his name when his purpose dominates our lives, and our character reflects His example. If we are true sons of God and brethren of Christ, we must build into our lives the Divine qualities that are so beautifully expressed in the life of Jesus.
"Antipas, my faithful martyr"
He is styled "my faithful witness". Hence the name is identical with him, or them who held fast the name and denied not the faith of Jesus Christ, whether in Pergamos or elsewhere in the midst of the persecution. The name is typical of a class at that time, and signifies "against all". It is introduced here as the Apocalyptic designation of those who were the faithful, in opposition to all pretenders to Christianity.
VERSE FOURTEEN.
"Thou hast them there"
There were heretics in the ecclesia at Pergamos whose presence should not have been allowed. So long as they were permitted to remain, the ecclesia would not have peace, and unless they were dealt with there was grave danger that the light of the truth would be completely submerged. That was the warning of Christ to the elders in Pergamos.
"Those who hold the doctrine of Balaam"
Peter defines the character of those in saying they had "an heart exercised with covetous practices, which have forsaken the right way, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter. 2:15). Hence the Balaamites were men of sinister aim, who not only made use of the truth for purposes of gain, but conformed with wrong and unscriptural ways for the sake of procuring money which could not otherwise be earned.
"Cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel"
Balaam was unable to reverse the favorable counsel of God in relation to Israel, but, for gain, devised a method of bringing a curse upon them. He seduced them from their holiness (separateness) by attracting them to beautiful Moabitish women who caused them to worship idols. In order to show their "broad mindedness", they mixed with idolaters, causing them to stumble from the truth.
"Eat things sacrificed to idols...commit fornication"
We can "sacrifice to idols" if we allow anything to stand between us and Christ; we can commit spiritual fornication by adopting the philosophy and works of the evil age we are in. Paul strived to protect the early ecclesia from spiritual fornication, wishing to present the ecclesia "a chaste virgin unto Christ" (2 Cor.11:2).
"To eat of the hidden manner"
In John chapter six, when the Jews pointed out the miracle of the manna in the wilderness, Jesus showed it was a foreshadowing of himself who was the "true bread" from heaven. He proclaimed to them: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you". We do this when we read and inwardly digest his Word of Truth; but we, like Israel in the wilderness, must partake of the "bread" daily for sustenance. The Israelites found that any manna left over till the next day rotted, so they were forced to collect it daily. It is also interesting to note that the manna collected on the sixth day by the people lasted over into the Sabbath, none needing to be collected on the Sabbath. And so it is with us: the Word that we gather now will sustain us in immortality in the seventh millennium of the Adamic Age (the 1000 years rule of the kingdom of God) - Paul makes pointed reference to this when he writes, "There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God" (Heb. 4:9). Aaron was commanded to lay up an omer pot of manna to be concealed in the Ark of the Testimony. It remained there miraculously preserved for centuries, being a type of incorruptibility. In fulfillment of the 'type', immortality (that deposit of manna) is now concealed in Jesus (the Ark), who will bestow the manna, or immortality on those who overcome, at his return.
"I will give him a stone with a new name written on it"
This is the symbolic pledge of acceptance and friendship in the judgment. It is based upon customs in the East both judicial and social. The judicial custom is to hand in court a white stone to an accused person acquitted in token of the acquittal. It was the social custom for a host to divide a white stone in two halves, and engrave the guest's name on both, retain one, and give the guest the other as a passport to future favor and friendship. From this ancient custom there has arisen the saying that one has been 'blackballed'. Paul uses similar language when he says, "when they were put to death, I gave my Pebble (psephos) against them" (Acts 26:10).
"A new name written in the stone"
This "new name" is the political and/or ecclesiastical title (such as king, prince, governor, priest) in the kingdom of God given to each saint "who overcometh". In chapter 11:13 we read of the destruction of a number of "names of men". At that time, political and ecclesiastical titles were abolished in France.
"Which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it"
"This is an apocalyptic saying, which does not imply that the name cannot be verbally defined. The name possessed by the Faithful and True One is said to be known to no man but himself; yet, in the forth verse after, that name is declared to be "king of kings and Lord of lords", (Rev. 19:12,16). The meaning is that no man knows experimentally the name but he who answers to the name. If a man be not king of kings, he does not know the name or title. It does not fit him. So in respect to the New Name of the white pebble; for a man to know it, he must be a subject of the verdict. The New Name will then declare what he is, and he will know it experimentally. He and the name will be identical." ("Eureka", Vol. 1).
LETTER TO THYATIRA
CHAPTER TWO:18-29.
VERSE EIGHTEEN
"His eyes like unto a flame of fire"
Anger.
"His feet like fine brass"
Ready to tread down in judgment.
VERSE NINETEEN
"The last works are more than the first"
Christ commends the ecclesia for Gen. 3 development in charity, service, faith, patience, and works. This was very good, but there was something else that needed correcting.
VERSE TWENTY.
"That woman Jezebel"
Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab, was a devoted worshipper of Baal, and extremely intolerant of other faiths. She waged implacable warfare on the prophets of GOD, plotted the murder of Elijah, had Naboth murdered, but ultimately was destroyed by Divine vengeance. She is representative of a class of people in Thyatira which claimed to teach ("prophetess"), but like Jezebel, was extremely hostile towards those holding the truth.
"To seduce my servants to commit fornication"
The tendency of their teaching was to draw the brethren into connection and fellowship with the popular Paganism by which they were surrounded, in opposition to the doctrine of Christ that his brethren are "not of this world" (John 15:18-19); and that friendship with the world is an impossibility if the friendship of God is to be retained. Such a communion of light with darkness is commonly spoken of as fornication.
VERSE TWENTY - FOUR.
"As many as have not this doctrine"
This shows us what the true nature of the Jezebel was, and what the fornication was - moral and doctrinal.
"The depths of Satan"
Here, the phrase "the depths" is quoted from the mouth of the Satan (the Baalamites and Jezebelites). It shows that they had a very haughty estimate of their attainments. They spoke of their views as the "depths", by which of course, they would mean that their ideas were advanced and profound as compared with the elementary propositions of the gospel with which the simpler members of the congregation were content. The real state of the case is defined by Paul when he says that "professing themselves to be wise they become fools". Their notions are mere vagaries of speculation; their pretentious language is the gibber of ignorance in Gen. 3 worst form: ignorance that thinks itself informed: shallowness that thinks itself profound. The true philosophy is in the Bible: the true depth is in Gen. 3 simplicities.
VERSE TWENTY - EIGHT
"And I will give him the morning star"
"Him that overcomes... shall become a glorified constituent of the "One Body", when it is adopted at the manifestation of the Sons of Deity (Rom. 8:19-24). He will, then be a star pertaining to the Millennial Dawn - a Morning star; for "they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars in the age (millennium) and beyond" (Dan.12:4); or, as Jesus said, "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt. 13:43). The redeemed will then be, in the aggregate, as Cloud of Morning Stars, "equal to the angels", who were "the Morning Stars that sang together, and the sons of Deity that shouted for joy" when the corner-stone of the earth's foundation was laid by the eternal (Job 37:8)" ("Eureka")