Revelation 2:16

“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

·        We must turn away from personal compromise and tolerance of it in the Church.

·        Jesus will release the sword of His mouth in judgment against this toleration in the church. Jesus will cleanse His Church. This is not a reference to the Second Coming but a coming related to this church’s failure to repent.

 Isaiah 11:4  But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Isaiah 49:2  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword….

Revelation 2:15

“Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

·        This refers to followers of Nicolas, the Jerusalem deacon who fell into error (Acts 6:5). This was the common view among the early church Fathers. For example, Irenaeus in the second century taught that the Nicolaitans were without restraint in their indulgence of the flesh, especially with immorality. This distortion of “liberty in grace” that allows for compromise with a sinful culture is prevalent in the church today.

·        Their standards of belief and behavior were going down steadily.  The Nicolaitans belief could be summed up in that they did not want to be narrow-minded, not puritanical, not catch the disease of religious mania or scruples  They did not want to lose their relationships with the world or reputation because they want to win them; they held mental reservations but the thing is to go as far as we can in a worldly direction to win the world for Christ.  The result was that Christians talked about Jesus, became mixed up with idol worship and lower moral standards. (DP)

·        If Satan does not get us by martyring us he could get us with mixture, by Christians anxious to keep as near to the world as possible and therefore gradually lowering their standards (DP)

·        Nicolaitans – power over laity (PKD)

 Jeremiah 44:4  However I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!”

Zechariah 8:17  Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath.  For all these things that I hate, says the LORD.

 

Revelatin 2:14

“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.

·        The two groups (Balaamites and Nicolaitans) were similar yet distinct. They both taught a perversion of the doctrine of liberty. They taught that it was okay to participate in the “partying and immorality” of that day under the pretense of Christian liberty.

·        A stumbling block is a trap that when trigged, shuts on its prey. This refers to anything which causes a person to fall into sin.

 Numbers 24:14  And now, indeed, I am going to my people.  Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.

Numbers 31:16  Look, these caused the children of Israel, thorough the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

 

Revelation 2:13

“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.

·         The throne of Satan refers to the multitude of altars of false worship (Zeus, Athena, Dionysos, Asclepius, Emperor worship and Magians) along with the demonic spirit of persecution plus the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans that were strong in that church. The combination of these made Pergamos an oppressive satanic city.

·         As Rome was the center of Satan's activity in the West so Pergamos was his "throne" in the East. Satan’s throne or center of manifest power and activity is also in other cities.

 

Exodus 23:24  You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works….

Deuteronomy 15:10  You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.

 

Revelation 2:12

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

·        The sword comes from Jesus’ mouth to release judgment on His enemies (Rev. 1:16; 19:15, 21).

·        Jesus uses the sword of His mouth to withstand the threats of evil governments such as ancient Rome and especially the Antichrist government at the end-of-the-age. He uses the sword of His mouth to war against sin and darkness anywhere that it is persisted in.

Psalm 149:6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.

 Isaiah 49:2  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword…..

Revelation 2:11

“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 second death is separation from God in the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:1, 14).

·        The Judgment Seat of Christ and then the second death show forth the “great reversal” in history when righteousness is seen as wise and valuable and sin is seen as a terrible waste of life.

 Isaiah 48:16  “Come near to Me, hear this:  I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there.  And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”

Zechariah 7:12  “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.  Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 2:10

 

“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 of life.

·        Jesus wanted them to know that some would face prison and even death. Jesus said it would happen to prepare them.  They were imprisoned for refusing to worship the Emperor as God. History tells us that Jews reported Christians to the Roman authorities as being criminals of Rome.

·        I will give you the crown of life – this is not the same as the gift of eternal life that all born again believers receive by faith. This is a special reward specifically for enduring persecution that results in enabling one to experience more of God’s glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Deuteronomy 4:30  When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice…

Psalm 31:23    …For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.

 

Revelation 2:8-9

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the last, who was dead, and came to life:  “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.

·        He is the “First” source of all blessing and is the “Last” to stand. This assures us that all His promises will come to pass.  The beginning and end of the His plan for our life are in His loving powerful hands.

·        Jesus saw their labors in ministry in the midst of on-going tribulation or persecution especially by the Jews.

 Isaiah 41:4  Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?  ‘I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He.’

Isaiah 48:12  “Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called:  I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.

Revelation 2:7

“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 God.”’

·        I will give to him to eat from the tree of life – In the midst of the Paradise of God –

 ·        In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits…The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations….14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life… (Rev. 22:2-14)

 

Genesis 2:9  And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Ezekiel 31:8 …No tree in the garden of God was like it in beauty.

Revelation 2:6

“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

·        The "Nicolaitans" is a transliteration of two Greek words "Nico” (to rule) and "Laos" (the people). Therefore, “one who rules over the laity.” This view refers to any teaching that exalts the clergy over the laity or to any church system that exalts leaders over people.

 

Psalm 28:4  Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve.

Isaiah 59:18  According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, fury to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; the coastlands He will fully repay.

Revelation 2:5

 

“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.

·        Jesus gave this church a three-step process to restore their love: remember, repent and act.

·        They were to remember how they used to feel about Jesus.

 

Numbers 15:40  that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God

Deuteronomy 8:18  And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Revelation 2:4

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

·        They put labor and growing their ministry reaching into all Asia before cultivating a heart of love for Jesus. The first and great commandment is to love God with all our heart.

 

·        Service and doctrinal purity are very important but they can never replace our love for Jesus.

 

Jeremiah 2:2  “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD:  “I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Revelation 2:2-3

“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 liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

·        Jesus knew they were a hard working church.  Patience means perseverance. They were steady and faithful under pressure for decades.

·        They were zealous to establish a true biblical message and to maintain diligent outreach to others.

 

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Revelation 2:1

“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:

·        He who holds the seven stars in His right hand – emphasizes His tender care and commitment to help the messengers (angels) or apostolic leaders over the church.

·        He who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands – Jesus is deeply involved with His churches in protecting those who walk holy before Him.

Deuteronomy 23:14  For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.

Revelation 1:20

“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

·         Psalm 68:20  Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

·         Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.  O Death, I will be your plagues!  O Grave, I will be your destruction!  Pity is hidden from My eyes

·         Malachi 2:7  For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 1:19

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

·         He states His will and pleasure:  to write and make known about Him

Psalm 68:20  Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.  O Death, I will be your plagues!  O Grave, I will be your destruction!  Pity is hidden from My eyes

Malachi 2:7  For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 1:18

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

·        He then states His sufferings and His resurrection and life – He has conquered death and a partaker of an endless life (MH)

·        Keys of Hades and of Death – in His office and authority He has sovereign dominion in and over the invisible world (MH)

Psalm 68:20  Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.  O Death, I will be your plagues!  O Grave, I will be your destruction!  Pity is hidden from My eyes

Malachi 2:7  For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last.

·        The goodness of the Lord Jesus to His disciple:  He raised him up; he put strength into him, and He spoke kind words to him. (MH)

·        He first states His divine nature:  First and Last (MH)

 Daniel 10:5-19   ….”O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you”…..

Isaiah 41:4  Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?  “I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He.”

Revelation 1:14-16

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

·        This is a view of Jesus as divine as well as human (DP)

Daniel 7:9  I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool, His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire;

Ezekiel 1:7  Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves feet.  They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze.

Psalm 149:6    Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand

Revelation 1:12-13

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And having turned I saw seven gold lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

·         John hears a “Voice, as of a trumpet”, then having “turned to see the Voice that spoke” Scripture declares that John “saw”. What if John wouldn’t have turned? What if Moses wouldn’t have “turned” to see the burning bush? Many times God chooses to approach us with an unfamiliar presentation from an unusual vantage point in an offensive manner (Jn. 20:14-16; 21:4, 12). He does this as an “invitation” to turn from the mundane into the supernatural! He looks to see if we have our “ear to the wind” so to speak, being attentive to His voice. As we “turn” toward Him, He is found by us (Zech. 1:3).  In many cases, those who continue on in the familiar without turning, miss out on what God is saying and doing. God only called to Moses after He “saw that he turned aside to look”.

·         The revelation of Jesus Christ, as the glorious “Son of Man” (Rev. 1:13; 14:14) is central throughout the book of Revelation, founded upon the core reality of the Messiah, who is both fully God and fully man.

Exodus 25:37 “You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.

Ezekiel 1:26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

Daniel 10:5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!

 

Revelation 1:10-11

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

·         In the Spirit is to be supernaturally controlled in your faculties:  your eyes see things that otherwise they never would see, that your ears hear voices that otherwise you would never hear; that your mouth says things that otherwise you would never have said.  (DP)

Exodus 19:16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of a trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

Isaiah 58:1  “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Revelation 1:9

I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

·         John is a persecuted man, banished, imprisoned, for his adherence to Christ (MH)

·         He did not suffer as an evil-doer, but that it was for the testimony of Jesus (MH)

1 Samuel 9:27  ….And he went on.  “But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God.”

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord, “Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

·         He is the beginning and the end; all things are from Him and for Him; He is the Almighty; He is the same eternal and unchangeable One (MH)

Isaiah 41:4  Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the Beginning?  I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He.

Isaiah 44:6 - …..I am the First and I am the Last…..

Revelation 1:7

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.  And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen.

·         The main theme of the book of Revelation is the return of Jesus Christ to rule all nations on the “Day of the Lord” (Rev. 1:7). As the “Son of Man”, He will take legal, comprehensive and everlasting leadership of the earth in partnership with His Bride, physically confronting and ultimately destroying everything that rages against this (Rev. 11:15-19).

·         John declares that Jesus is “coming with clouds” immediately before the “Son of Man” designation in v. 13, clearly revealing Jesus as the coming Messiah of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan 7:13-14).

Zechariah 12:10-14 And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.  Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn…….

Daniel 7:9 I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head was like pure wool…..

Revelation 1:4-6

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

·         Three things are said about Jesus:  He is reliable, He always tells the truth; He has been raised from the dead; and He reigns over all the kings of the earth (DP)

·         He is the Faithful Witness – upon His testimony we may safely depend for He cannot be deceived and cannot deceive us (MH)

·         As kings, they overcome the world.  He has made them priests, given them access to God (MH)

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”  And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

Isaiah 11:2  The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Zechariah 3:9 …upon the stone are seven eyes….

Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

·         The apostolic benediction (MH)

·         Revelation is unique as the only book God promises a special blessing to anyone who reads, hears and keeps the prophecy (Rev. 1:3), as well as, a destructive curse for anyone who adds to or subtracts from it.

·         We may “keep the prophecy” now in three ways. First - by understanding and responding in loving faith and obedience to specific truths about Jesus. Second - by proclaiming and praying for the release of Jesus end-time battle plan. Third - by refusing to compromise while resisting temptation or enduring persecution.

 Isaiah 26:17 – As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs, when she draws near the time of her delivery, so have we been in Your sight, O Lord.

Ezekiel 30:3 – For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.

Revelation 1:1-2

1:1-2

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place.  And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

·         The title of the book of Revelation is the “unveiling of the glory of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1), because it reveals the perfection of His heart, power and leadership in preparing the nations for the glory of God (Hab. 2:14; Num. 14:21; Ps. 72:19; Isa. 11:9). The Father’s primary purpose in giving us this book is to reveal the infinite and eternal beauty of His Son (Isa. 4:2; Hag. 2:7), as well as, the brilliance of His unfolding “battle”.

·         Revelation – unveiling/drawing aside curtain of concealment

·         The Father commissioned Jesus to “unveil” certain dimensions of His infinite beauty and eternal majesty (Isa. 4:2; Hag. 2:7), as well as, the brilliance of His unfolding “battle plan” (Dan. 9:24), revealing His heart, power and leadership in preparing the nations for God’s glory (Hab. 2:14). The Father commissioned Jesus, who sent and signified the revelation by His angel to His servant John (Rev. 1:1; 22:6, 16), who was commanded to write and send it to the churches (9x Rev. 1:11, 19; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).

·         Shortly – swiftly in occurrence

Habakkuk 2:14 – “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.)

 Psalm 72:19 – “Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?

Isaiah 4:2 – “In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious….)

Daniel 2:28, 29 – But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets….

Revelation 22:21

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

 

 

Revelation 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 

 

Revelation 22:18-19

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:  if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.