New Testament Commentary - Revelation 2

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 2 He that overcomes shall gain eternal life, avoid the second death, inherit the celestial kingdom, and rule many kingdoms.	The states and conditions of the churches/people of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira are considered. They are to be considered and applied to the conditions of the world, it's people, particularly as applied to the church or people of the Lord.	The Seven Churches were/are real. They are used as they typify the various states and conditions of church members then and now. Mary are in various states from wickness and apostasy to enduring and righteously persuing the kingdom and taking the name of Christ upon them. They are to be thus applied to all.
E P H E S U S
1 UNTO the ^aangel of the church of Ephesus ^bwrite; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I ^aknow 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 ^bapostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first ^alove. 5 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 ^acandlestick out of his place^a, except thou ^brepent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the ^aNicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the ^aSpirit saith unto the churches; To him that ^bovercometh will I give to eat of the ^ctree of life, which is in the midst of the ^dparadise of God.	5^a will remove thy candlestick out of his place It does appear that the seven candlestick menorah with Christ at its center upon the one hand is the representation of the whole complete (7) branches of the people of the Lord. And on the other hand, John does here make specific reference or application directly to such specific seven churches only, though for certain the whole of the church was made up of more than just these seven churches roung about Asia Minor. And yet as all scripture may be likened unto ourselves in the words of Nephi, we may see in us such faults and positions as held in these seven specific churches, that which might be as we may be. And thus we may take heed unto John's council unto them as if it were also that which is given unto us also.
S M Y R N A
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the ^ablasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt ^asuffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be ^btried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto ^cdeath, and I will ^dgive thee a ^ecrown of life. 11 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 ^adeath.
P E R G A M O S
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp ^asword with two edges; 13 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 ^amartyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of ^aBalaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit ^bfornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that ^aovercometh will I give to eat of the hidden ^bmanna, and will give him a ^cwhite ^dstone, and in the stone a new ^ename written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
T H Y A T I R A
18 And unto the ^aangel of the church in ^bThyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his ^ceyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and ^aservice, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her ^ainto a bed, and them that commit ^badultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which ^asearcheth the ^breins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 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. 25 But that which ye have already ^ahold fast till I come.
26 ^aAnd he that ^bovercometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give ^cpower over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a ^arod of iron; as the ^bvessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning ^astar. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.