The letters, with one exception, reveal a point of doctrine that is a matter of concern to the Lord - for the assembly's correction.
Each letter is addressed to the "star" of the assembly - the luminary, [but quite often today, a self made celebrity] - whom Jesus 'holds in his hand.' He is the "one sent" who is held responsible for the care of the body of the assembly. This individual, a man, is required to be a "teacher," a master of the Lord's teachings, Luke 6:40. The parable from Luke 6:39 to verse 49 inclusive, has much to say about the ability, or the lack of ability, of the "one who is sent" of the assembly. The quality of the "work" of the "star" who guides the assembly directly reflects upon the "work" in that assembly. Peter's First Epistle is a good instruction manual for an ecclesia's elders.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, lists some of the workers in the Corinthian assembly. He says, "Now you are a body of Christ and members of a part. And God did set certain in the assembly; first, the apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power, gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages." In Ephesians 4:11-15 Paul adds other things to the list for Ephesus. But better things than all these exist - faith, hope, and love, and love is chief of all, he counsels. By these "works" each leader of the assembly must be qualified; for if not, his bad light is reflected upon the members of the assembly.
The prophecy of Numbers 24:17 associates "the star out of Jacob" with all things promised to Israel through the Messiah who is to come to the nation "with salvation."
1 To the angel of the Ephesian assembly write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his righthand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.
"Angel." Each "angel" is a "star." Stars have an appointed path to follow across the sky. When they wander from their pathways, they become known as "errant stars," or comets. These errant "stars" have a great capacity to do harm, Jude 13. These are, merely, certain ungodly men who do nothing, except they allow members a license to do as they please. They neither openly or privately rebuke, nor discipline any member for error due to lack of caring for and loving the "sheep" entrusted to his keeping. The ungodly "angel" has "crept in unaware," not an "angel of light," 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. He does not "occupy till I come..."
The letter - each letter - is addressed specifically to the "angel" of the assembly. Jesus speaks to him directly as the representative of the "members of a part" of his body. The Lord was called a "hard" man for his teachings. He does not mince words now. He has not softened his doctrine to conform with "the times" of the world. He still says, "These things I say to you..."
"Ephesus;" ephesos, 2181. Review the word list.
"Walks;" peripateo, 4043. To walk about. The word list for
walk
is most informative in showing how both the angel and the member of the
Lord's assembly ought to "walk about."
2 I know your works and your labor and your endurance, and that you cannot bear evil and you did try those who declare to be apostles, and are not, and did find them liars.
"Know;" oida; 1492. To know by perceptive insight, not by actual experience, at 2:9,13,19. To perceive by the inner spirit of the mind.
"Your." The angel is personally accused.
"Works;" ergon, 2041. This is the word's first appearance in the book. It refers to his deeds done in spirit and in faith of Jesus Christ or by faith in God. The Lord acknowledges the assembly's work through him.
"Labor;" kopos, 2873. The "trouble" and "weariness" and "toil" in the physical activity of the work.
"Endurance;" hupomonee, 5281. From hupo, under; and meno, to live. Lit., to live under. The Lord is aware of every man's work; how well he labors, and the conditions he "lives under" in order to do the job, just as the LORD was aware of the bondage of the children of Israel before He brought them out of Egypt!
"Bear;" bastazo, 941. To carry as a burden; bear.
"Try;" peirao, 3987. To assay; to make analysis. The Ephesian "star" had made a careful examination of the "evil" men.
"Declare;" phasko, 5335. To say by an affirmation or profession; the credentials or resume presented as the proof of one's background history.
"Apostles;" apostolos, 652. They were apostles as such "on paper," 2 Corinthians 11:13; but the first apostles were the Lord's only true "holy apostles" whom these claimed to be like.
"Find;" hurisko, 2147. To find by search; discover.
"Liars;" psudees, 5571. To be lying.
Read the book of The Letter to the Ephesians by Paul for background
information concerning the Ephesian assembly's first work in love for Christ.
Paul's letter dates about 35 years earlier when he once "fought with beasts
at Ephesus." This allusion gives some idea of the difficulties of his struggle
for that assembly's sake.
3 And did bear and have endurance, and for the sake of my name have labored and have not wearied.
"Sake;" dia, 1223. On account of; by, through, for.
"Name;" onoma, 3686. Name and repute. There is only One Name of the Father, and His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.
"Labored;" kopiao, 2872. See above.
"Wearied;" kamno, 2577. The word appears to mean that the "evil" was rebuked continually and without lessening the intensity of the rebuke.
Consequently, the assembly in Ephesus was once solidly established in the truth of the whole Word of God through Jesus Christ. The "angel" is commended for persistence in maintaining his good work.
However as happens to all men, time passes; vigor declines, we become
older, tire easy, become sick, even lonely. We unwisely question the worth
of our life; minds begin to fail. Our friends die.
4 But I have against you that you did leave your first love.
"Against;" kata, 2596.
"Did leave;" aphieemi, 863. To leave by going away from; to put at a distance.
"First;" protos, 4413. The first of a number (of things).
"Love;" agapee, 26. The love of God which He commends us toward, Romans 5:8, and we in turn are required to commend toward our neighbor.
After about 35 years of existence the assembly in Ephesus had put the
things of God "on hold," so to speak. The power in reserve for "the battle"
has departed - the zeal of their "first love."
5 Remember therefore whence you have fallen from and repent and do the first works; for if not, I am coming to you and I will remove your lamp stand out of its place, except you should repent.
"Whence;" pothen, 4159. "From whence was it? From heaven, or of men?"
"Fallen;" ekpipto, 1601. To fall away from. As shown in the high priest's blessing, the "whence" is from the peace and favor of God.
"Repent;" metanoeo, 3340. From meta, by, after, or with; and noeo, to understand. "Get understanding," Proverbs 4:1-4; 7:4; Isaiah 29:24. Be "with understanding."
"(Works), first;" (ergon, 2041); protos, 4413. The first work is, (always has been), "Thou shalt love..."
See a Bible Dictionary for the history of the city of Ephesus. The city's
site is presently a town named Ayasaluk (of Lydia) in the country of Turkey.
6 But this you have, that you hated the works of the Nicolaitans, which also I hate.
"Hated;" miseo, 3404. See 2:15 also. The Lord hated evil works, and still does; even as the Father hates and will punish, all evil-doing.
Wisdom, in Proverbs 8:36, declares, "He that sins against me wrongs his own self; all they that hate me love Death."
See John 15:23, where Jesus speaks of the vineyard's "true vine" which the nation's leaders "hated without a cause."
"Works;" ergon, 2041.
"Nicolaitans;" nikolaitees, 3531. At 2:6,15 only. Not much is known about the Nicolaitans. Some conjecture that "Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch" may be referred to. But it is more probable that it is an epithet that compiles the activities of the false apostles whom the Ephesian assembly had, in the past combated against - a doctrinal "work" that destroyed the believers who had accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah but were turned back to "another gospel" by these "liars." Probably, they were the Judaizers; "men sent from Jerusalem."
"Which also I hate." See 2 Peter 2:20-22; Matthew 12:22-45, (Luke 11:24-28), where Jesus refutes the liars who would change his words. The Lord is a harsh man; he said so: "You knew that I am an austere man..," Luke 19:22. Peter experienced the "hardness" in person from the Lord's hand, as later did Paul!
This "hard" point should cause some reflection upon the practice of
letting "a member of a part" of Christ slip back into worldly habits (and,
retaining that person in office?) while none helps that one to "keep his
garments" because his problems may be too distasteful or even too downright
dirty for anyone to care to deal with. Such an assembly's collective attitude
is evil. What does Jude recommend to do? See Jude 20-23. It takes courage
to do right in the face of apathy as even Phinehas did, downright personal
"guts," but such deeds must be done if an assembly is to remain approved
in Christ. Neither the fearful, the unbelieving, any murderer, the whoremonger,
no liars, no idolaters, no sorcerers, nor "the abominable" will find a
place in the kingdom, per Revelation 21:7-8. Have no doubt that those doing
such things cannot be found among the members of the body of Christ! At
the judgment, their reward is in the "lake of fire."
7 He that has an ear - let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him that overcomes I will give to him to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
"He that has an ear." So, the letter also speaks to everyone in the assemblies who has ears; all men. When he hears the holy spirit of the Lord's letter, an individual is obliged to do the will of that spirit's "work."
"Overcomes;" nikao, 3528. To gain the victory. The "overcoming" is always associated with a matter concerning the final judgment, at the return of Jesus. The victors - rewarded - are set at his right hand, Matthew 25:33; but the rejected are turned back into the world - rewarded to suffer their second death by the fire of God's wrath, Matthew 25:40-41; from His wrath which falls when the vials are poured out, 2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 16:2-21. (Matthew 25:41 is a clear reference to the Dragon and his angels, which are Israel's "latter days" adversaries, Revelation 12:7-8). All the ungodly are excluded - from "the meeting" in "the air" - along with the foolish virgins who soon after clamor at the Lord's door, "Lord, lord, open to us..."
Note 1"Give;" didomi, 1325. To give; to produce for...
Consider the purpose for the proclamation of 14:6, "And I saw another angel flying ..." The hour for the judgment had come!
In the Revelation, although the word "dragon" makes its first appearance in Chapter Twelve, the definition of what he/it represents is only given much later on in 20:2. Its spirit permeates every "beast" depicted in the prophecy.
"Tree of life." Xulon, 3586. There is ambiguity in the word wood. The "tree of life" appears in Genesis 2:9-3:24, along with the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" and "every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food." In this verse's statement, the Lord indicates that he commands the power and the authority to overcome which the first man did not produce before his wife.
The theme of the "wood," the "vine," the "branch," etc., may be followed through a word study. The wood in which the tree of life is located is also mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy of the restored temple and its environs. See Ezekiel 47:7,12; Revelation 22:2,14.
"Paradise of God." Paradisos, 3857. The word is derived from the Persian language, where it means, a large pleasure garden, having fruit trees! Paradisos was incorporated into other languages during the Babylonian captivity. This paradise of God is a part of the original estate "garden of the LORD" which He planted eastward in Eden for the first man whom He had formed to live upon the earth. The Lord's garden is restored when the "new earth" appears.
This is the gist of the first letter sent to accompany the book of the prophecy of the Lord's coming for vengeance in the day of the LORD.
Its point emphasizes that the Lord Jesus Christ holds the power to "walk about" to discipline and chasten those of the assembly who are "resting on their laurels," before (and if) they should receive the true crown of the glory.
8 And to the angel of the assembly of the Smyrneans write: These things says the first and the last who became dead and lived.
The first and the last "one" who became dead and lived is the Son of
God; and, "the second man," 1 Corinthians 15:47, "the Lord from heaven."
Throughout the Gospel records - John's especially - the Lord affirmed his
birth and his spirit's origination was "from above." And, he being the
"only begotten" in descent from the Father. The Name has been given thus
to none other individual, per Old Testament prophecy.
9 I know your works and tribulation and poverty; but you are rich; and the calumny of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not but a synagogue of Satan.
"Works;" ergon, 2041.
"Tribulation;" thlipsis, 2347. The word occurs five times in this prophecy; 1:9; 2:9,10,22; and 7:14. And as here, the tribulation always refers to the "evil works" that are done to the servants of the LORD on account of their faith.
By contrast, the "sudden destruction" that comes upon "them," "as travail upon a woman with child," (i.e., as represented by Rev. 12:1-2) comes upon those who oppose the "two witnesses" of the Lord, (i.e., as represented by Rev. 11:3-7).
"And no way shall they escape," says Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:3. "They" pay a penalty of complete ruin, and are totally removed from the presence of the Lord, 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10.
The identity of these "who pay a penalty of complete ruin" at the second coming of Messiah must be established in the contexts of present time and of the past times of the Jewish nation.
The "continuing church age" theme and the "continuous history" theory are totally unreliable for purpose of such identification because they identify the power of Antichrist upon past historical grounds and cannot appeal to the Holy Scriptures from such a basis. The preterit view of history severely wrests an understanding of O.T. prophecy.
The Old Testament holy prophets did not concern themselves with any history of apostasy from the LORD except and only when it concerned the nation of Israel. They wrote no particulars about the Dark Ages of the heathen nations.
These, then, "who pay a penalty of complete ruin" are those whom Jesus previously warned about the final judgment for their evil works. When the Lord first appeared the religious leaders of the nation rejected his word. He warned them of their acts via the parable of the Vineyard, Matthew 21:33-45; and the parable of the Judgment, Matthew 25:31-46.
For, at his second coming "on whomsoever the Stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder." The grinding into powder effects a sure and complete ruin of what is thus ground. His word is well founded in Daniel's prophecy of "the last days" and "the end." See Daniel 2:28, 35,41-45.
"Poverty;" ptokia, 4432. From ptosso, to crouch; thus, humble position, of very limited means. A poor person.
"Rich;" plousios, 4145. As in 2 Corinthians 8:9.
"Calumny;" blaspheemia, 988. Blasphemy, in English, is the Greek word transliterated but not translated. The meaning is defined as, to speak evil, or badly about (someone or something good); to bring (what or who is spoken against) into disrepute. Quiet, but evil, slanderous speech.
It seems to correspond to the Old Testament word meaning, to murmur. The serious nature of blasphemy is shown in the fact that all those who "murmured" against the LORD were prevented from entering the Promised Land, and eventually destroyed (by death) before the actual day of the entering in to possess the land.
"Declare;" lego, 3004. They only say they are Jews; unlike those of verse two who had presented false credentials of apostleship, by showing letters of recommendation from the Jerusalem council.
"Synagogue;" sunagogee, 4864. The difference between the assemblies of Jesus Christ and the synagogues of the Jews must be carefully differentiated. The Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus Christ as Israel's Messiah became "the adversary" against the assemblies who accepted Jesus as the Savior. The "hard core" leaders rejected Jesus because they did not know "Moses and the prophets," Luke 16:29-31; 24:27. The synagogues of "the adversary" which opposed the assemblies of Jesus Christ continued to blaspheme the Name of God even after Jesus revealed himself to them as the heir "whose right it is."
The religious leaders who followed the oral traditions, declared the people as "cursed" because they did not know the Law! The people feared to be "cast out" of the synagogues for Christ's sake. The sin hardened leaders opposed receiving Gentile converts unless they were circumcised and followed the Law. Read Acts 11, where the main feature of the adversity is rehearsed and judged.
"Satan;" satanas, 4567. The word is transliterated and means, the hater, the accuser; the adversary. During Paul's apostleship, "Certain men came down from Judea," Acts 15, to plague the assemblies of Jesus Christ. This adversity from the chiefs of the Jerusalem synagogue continued until the end in A. D. 70. Meanwhile the seven Gentile assemblies in Asia Minor became firmly established in the truth concerning Israel's Messiah.
The later Christian apostasy to "another gospel" concerning "Satan, the devil" with its associated myths and fables about "hell fire" and "eternal damnation" has no basis in either the Hebrew or the Christian Holy Scriptures.
It is doctrine designed to put the fear of "the Church" into a man,
rather than the reverent awe and respect toward God. Both Gentiles and
Jews are judged at the end of "the days."
10 Fear not the things which you are going to suffer. Lo, the devil is going to cast some of you into prison so that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be you faithful unto death and I will give to you the crown of life.
"Fear not;" phobeomai, 5399. To have a deep rooted fear; a terror. The admonition to "fear not" is a reaffirmation that the innocent blood of Christ, one time shed for all mankind, cleanses from all sins.
Consequently, death has no might to hold any just man over to a second judgment to death, because (1.) the might of the double mind is annulled in death, and (2.) because he has been accounted as righteous through belief in the blood of the "new covenant," Jeremiah 31:31; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:8; 12:24; 13:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Revelation 11:19. He shall rise in the resurrection of the just!
"Going;" mello, 3195. Adverbial modifier, context sensitive as to direction.
"Suffer;" pasko, 3958. These are the "sufferings" that pass over the individual in order to test that his works reflect his true inner convictions.
"Lo;" idou, 2400. Behold! Pay attention!
"Devil;" diabolos, 1228. What is a devil? "Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?," John 6:70. Judas betrayed the Lord, doubting that Jesus was the savior of Israel, and of the world. His doubts were rewarded with 30 pieces of silver and the knowledge that he surely had betrayed innocent blood. He rewarded himself by committing suicide.
Doubters are unstable and double minded, causing a lot of grief to those near them. The case of the demoniac of Mark 5:8-15 and Luke 8:29-35 reveals the true nature of a "devil." A "devil" was the cause of an unclean spirit in the man, who after Jesus healed him, "was sitting and clothed and in his right mind." The simple conclusion must be that before his healing, something was not right in his mind.
The text shows that the man possessed an "unclean spirit." Jesus healed his spirit, leaving the man of "sound mind," i.e., in sober wits. The use of "sober" shows that all men - devils - have an "unclean spirit" until they have been cleansed by the Word of God and the teaching of Jesus Christ.
"Cast;" ballo, 906. To put; to place.
"Prison;" phulakee, 5438. To be detained and kept under guard; imprisoned.
"Tried;" pirazo, 3985. To be examined, tempted by the "devil..." From the synagogue of the adversary, the "devil" who leads it is going to have some members of the assembly in Smyrna thrown into prison for examination of their faith in Jesus. This type of activity is exactly what the apostle Paul did - when he was yet Saul the Pharisee - when he secured from the high priest "letters to Damascus for the synagogues," Acts 9:2, "so that when he found any being of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem..." Saul was such a "devil" as this when he was persecuting Jesus, but, as Jesus said, it was "hard for (him) to kick against the goads." Only the Lord's appearance to him brought Saul to a sound mind and clean spirit, but the conscious knowledge of his early sin bothered him the remainder of his life.
"Tribulation;" thlipsis, 2347. See above, under verse two.
"Ten days." The real situation demands that the time limit be a literal ten days; from imprisonment through trial, sentence and execution. The adversary would not wish to dilly-dally, but would speedily make an example of the few who are put to death.
"Faithful;" pistos, 4103. Full of faith - like the vessel of oil, that supplies more fuel to light the wise virgin's lamp.
"Death;" thanatos, 2288. See 1:18; 2:11. "Whoever may seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever may lose it, shall preserve it," Luke 17:33; Matthew 10:39.
"Crown of life." The stephan is the token of the victor's wreath,
representing the sure gift of the eternal life at Christ's coming.
11 He that has an ear - let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He that overcomes in no way shall be injured from the second death.
"He that overcomes;" nikao, 3528. The word's emphasis is always upon overcoming "the evil" of the world, which the serpent loosened upon Eve by his own thinking. "Because, the creation was subjected to vanity, not willingly except through Him Who subjected it in hope that the creation itself shall be freed from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God," Romans 8:20-21.
"Death, second;" deuteros, 1208. The first death annuls the might which death has, the "devil," Hebrews 2:14. No "devil" can survive death at all. The second death is in the lake of "everlasting fire" and brimstone that is reserved at the judgment, Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:41, for ungodly sinners.
This is the gist of the second letter written to accompany the prophecy of the Lord's coming, bringing vengeance against the "devil and his angels." Its point emphasizes that the crown of life is given only to those who keep themselves full of faith in God and in Christ until their own death. The crown is given when their change is made into the light of the glory.
12 And to the angel of the assembly in Pergamos write: These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword.
"Sharp, two-edged sword." Romphaia, 4501. Other than Luke 2:35, where the angel tells Mary that "a sword shall go through your life" also, the word is found only in the prophecy of the Revelation. The Greek's romphaia had a much longer reach than ordinary battle swords, was lighter weight with both edges (distomos: two mouths) so designed as to conserve the strength of the warrior and effect maximum destruction with minimum effort.
Proverbs 5:4 compares the double-edged sword with the end of a "strange woman" whose unstable path leads to the grave and death. Another Old Testament reference is Psalm 149.
The sword belongs to the One of Revelation 1:16, from whose mouth it
goes forth. As Psalm 149 indicates, the sword of the mouth is not a literal
sword, but the Word of God which does battle (like Michael) to accomplish
the work that it is sent to do as it cuts both ways. See Ephesians 6:17;
2 Thessalonians 5:8-10.
13 I know your works and where you dwell - where Satan's throne is - and you hold fast my name and did not deny my name even in the days in which Antipas my faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
"Works;" ergon, 2041. "Works" is the recurring word in this chapter of the book. Faith, without the works, is dead.
"Dwell;" katoikeo, 2730. To live with.
"Where;" hopou, 3699.
"Satan's;" satanas, 4567. Hebrew: shathan; the adversary of the assembly in Pergamos.
"Throne;" thronos, 2362. The serpent was worshipped in Pergamos in the famous temple of Aesculapius, who was the Greek and Roman god of medicine. The throne of the adversary may refer to the seat of the chief ruler of the city. Hislop says that the many religious doctrines of Babylon came to Rome via the city of Pergamos.
The angel of the assembly is commended for the steadfastness of the
assembly during the days when "Antipas" was killed nearby. But, it is not
easy to determine how this phrase of the text is to be read. Is it "among
you where the adversary dwells," with you meaning the assembly, or the
city of Pergamos? Or even both inflections, as "where the adversary lives?"
Paul had troubles as he ministered to the assemblies, of adversity from
"within" and from "without."
14 But I have against you a few things, because you have there those holding the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.
"Against;" kata, 2596. So, unrightness was in them!
"A few things;" oligos, 3641. A little, or small.
"Teaching of Balaam." The remainder of the verse defines the doctrine. It was a seduction taught first by the serpent. The history of Balaam's introduction of idolatry into Israel is found in Numbers 22 through 24. The city of Pergamos was such a center of idolatry, since it was a "crossroads" city between the West, and Asia; and the East.
"Teach;" didasko, 1321. By permissiveness - the sin of omission
to do good, - that allows others a license to do evil.
15 So also you have some holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
"Teaching of the Nicolaitans." The doctrine that destroyed the people who had believed in Jesus Christ, whom the Judaizers had turned to "another gospel." The teaching was also held by "some" of these in the opulent idolatrous city of Pergamos.
"Hate;" miseo, 3404. The Lord is not willing that any man perish,
but that all should come to eternal life.
16 Repent! For if not, I am coming to you quickly and will make war with them with the sword of my mouth.
"Repent;" metanoeo, 3340. Change your mind.
"Coming;" erkomai, 2064.
"Quickly;" taku, 5035. Swiftly, to do battle.
"War, make;" a battle of the spirit, good versus evil, to determine the true thoughts of the "heart."
"Sword of my mouth." Cutting both ways; the way to Life, or the
way to Death? The choice is the individual's bent.
17 He that has an ear - let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him that overcomes I will give to him to eat of the hidden manna and I will give to him a white pebble and upon the pebble a new name written which no man knows except he who receives.
"Manna, hidden;" manna, 3131. The significance of the manna was a point of contention between Jesus and the people, John 6:22-33, who sought temporal food only. Jesus essentially told the people that the manna which disappeared into heaven with the sun's heat had come down to them in the same manner as his "body prepared" for the sin of the world. This teaching concerning the work of the Holy Spirit was "an hard saying" to them.
There is no man that lives, and sins not. The insufficiency of the Law to give life to anyone who believes that he can follow its decrees without any error is its flaw. A "better covenant" was required that could give life to those who would follow a "better thing." And to be a better covenant of life, it required a better sacrifice of life and spirit for its dedication. These things are known from the Psalms and the testimony of the Prophets, as well as from the New Testament writings.
God Himself provided the blood of the new covenant. It came from His own creation; and by His provision of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Abraham "saw" this work of His holy spirit; and rejoiced when his own son was kept alive through a sacrifice so graciously provided by God!
In Hebrews 9, Paul speaks further concerning the Most Holy Place of God wherein the golden pot of manna is now kept "hidden" within the ark of the covenant... See Revelation 11:19, for the days when the temple which is "in the sky" is opened, and wherein, the ark of the covenant is literally seen.
"Pebble, white;" pseephos, 5586.
"Name, new;" Changed from our present name to the Name promised to the "sons by adoption."
"Written;" grapho, 1125. The stone with a name written upon it refers to an ancient oriental custom, the use of the scarab. The houses of the king and of the wealthy conducted all official business under their "name."
"Knows;" ginosko, 1097. To recognize. No one may answer under the name except that individual so named. Contrast with 1492, to perceive.
"Receives;" lambano, 2983. The servant of Christ receives the Name by adoption into the high priest's family.
How the things of the Lord are received and cared for are of critical importance for a right judgment when he returns.
18 And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, he who has His eyes - as a flame of fire, and His feet, like fine brass.
"Eyes ...feet." The Son has these attributes of his Father: His
eyes and his feet, implying seeing as He sees; and walking about as He
walks. These characteristics of God, the Father, are written of throughout
the Law and the Prophets, etc.
19 I know your works and the love and the service and the faith and your endurance, and your works and the last more than the first.
"Works;" ergon, 2041.
"Love;" agapee, 26. Often translated as charity but the word, as used today, has lost its original meaning of love that favors the less blessed than the one issuing the "charity." It is a love that reveals the spirit of God at work.
"Service;" diakonia, 1248. Ministry or ministration.
"Faith;" pistis, 4102. As verse thirteen.
"Endurance;" hupomonee, 5281.
"Works." As above.
"Last...first." So the assembly had increased in the "work" of
the Lord...
20 But I have a few things against you that you suffer the woman Jezebel, she who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to mislead my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
"Suffer;" eao, 1439. Allow or permit. It oftentimes happens that the things which we have "worked" to overcome in ourselves are repellent when we must "work" with those faults in others. Is it our reluctance to admit to others that we have suffered the same sins our self? But the Lord endured the cross and despised the shame of being counted among the sinners...
The "angel" of the assembly appears to be held responsible for the situation that has developed in its midst. He has been too patient about Jezebel.
"Jezebel;" She who calls herself a prophetess... It was not usual for a Hebrew woman to be known as a prophetess - an oracle - but among the Greeks the priestesses of the pagan temples were commonly so called. Luke 2:36 mentions Anna, the only bona fide prophetess named in the New Testament writings.
"Teach;" didasko, 1321. Her teaching was an active work of proselytizing. Perhaps by the pretension of calling herself a prophetess, Jezebel influenced some of the "servants" to follow her. Certainly the "angel" erred...
"Mislead;" planao, 4105. To deceive; to cause to err. The prophets, in the assembly, were second to the apostles! A condition where a woman would "teach or usurp authority over the man" in charge of the assembly demands some reflection, for Paul taught that no such thing ought to be permitted.
So.., where were those elders who are obliged to "test the spirits"?
Sleeping? Looking the other way? Participating with the pseudo prophetess,
Jezebel?
21 And I gave her a time so that she might repent of her fornication and she repented not.
"Time;" chronos, 5550. Time, as in chronology.
"Repent;" metanoeo, 3340. See verse five.
"Fornication;" pornia, 4202. This sin is listed among those few
things that the Gentile converts to the faith of Jesus Christ were admonished
not to do. See Acts 21:25 (and Revelation 21:8). These four things were
those intimately associated with in the worship of idols, (and prompted
by selfish "covetousness, which is idolatry.")
22 Lo, I cast her into a bed and those who commit adultery with her into a great tribulation except they should repent from their works.
"Bed;" klinee, 2825. A literal bed. The implication is that she will be thrown into a real "bed of trouble"...
"Those who commit adultery..." Having been impressed with the "earnest" of the holy spirit, the servants of the Lord are "engaged" to be married to the Lord (if judged worthy of the honor) at his return - at least this seems to be the gist of the parables concerning the marriage, the marriage feast, and the Bride. By the sin of fornication the espoused servant of the Lord is also committing adultery against the Master who has purchased the whole service of his body, to be chaste and pure.
"Tribulation, great;" thlipsis, 2347. Serious afflictions from
the Lord unless they all change their minds and cease the sin.
23 And her children I will kill with death; and all the assemblies shall know that I am he who searches reins and hearts, and I will give to you each according to your works.
"Children;" teknon, 5043. Her followers and sympathizers.
"Kill with death." The thought is that, lacking the work of repentance, Jezebel and her "children" will suffer the judgment of death.
"All ...shall know." The scandal during the "great tribulation" in a part of the assembly at Thyatira would become known in all the assemblies.
"I am he..." It would be recognized that the Lord examines the spirits in the assemblies.
"Searches;" erunao, 2045. See 1 Corinthians 2:10; Romans 8:27.
"I will give..." This clause is a reiteration of Old Testament
theme; both for judgment of good and for evil. In vengeance the Lord dispenses
justice.
24 But I say to you - to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who do not know the depths of Satan, as they say - I will not cast upon you any other burden.
"But I say to you..." This is also a frequent saying of the Lord found in the Gospel records.
"Rest, the;" loipoi, 3062. The others; the others who are not involved with Jezebel. (Not to be confused with "the rest" who are the Jewish remnant, leimma; who later appear in the prophecy.)
"Depths of Satan;" Literally, "the deep things of the adversary." But of course the deep things of the adversary were those things the false apostles taught - which harkened back to the time of Balaam and Balak. And the idol worship of which Israel was ever so fond, until after the return from the captivity; but in which the Judaizers, in attempting to turn back the converts of Jesus to the Judaist religion, corrupted the churches of the unestablished and unstable "Christians." So the corruption remains therein today.
"Burden;" baros, 922. A weight; a load to carry.
25 But what you have hold fast until I shall come.
The principle is spelled out in Ezekiel 33, with related matters requiring
the constancy of "works." Like Job, each man must be a man of integrity,
even without a full understanding and a full knowledge of God's purpose.
26 And he that overcomes and he that keeps my works until the end, I will give to him authority over the nations.
"Overcomes;" nikao, 3528. Anyone who overcomes the temptations to err from the commandments of the Lord is victorious. He wins the battle for eternal life.
"End;" telos, 5056. The works of faith are done until the end of his mortal existence.
"Authority;" exousia, 1849. To be empowered to govern.
"Nations;" ethnos, 1484. Ten cities, or five cities, according to parable.
Adam was commanded to subdue and have dominion over all the things of the earth and even the earth itself. He disobeyed this first direct command from God when in his own conceit he chose to eat the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. The second man, from heaven, did not disobey his Maker; he refused to do evil under any circumstance.
God's purpose remains the same: for the human generation of the earth
to subdue and have dominion of the earth under His righteous law and to
obey His law of good. The Lord here repeats the promise for the rulership
in that dominion of His holiness.
27 And he shall shepherd them with an iron rod, as vessels of pottery are broken in pieces; as I also received from my Father.
"Shepherd;" poimaino, 4165. Shall tend, as a governor. The "shepherds" who tend the nations of the world for the LORD are noted in Old Testament prophets. The "shepherds" of Israel were chosen and anointed by the LORD to do His commandments. Many of them softened and buckled beneath the external pressures from the nations; not relying upon the presence of the LORD as their help, salvation and defence. Like the first man, even their feet were made of clay. Zechariah's prophecy speaks against the "shepherds" of the time of the end who care not about the people of Israel, but only of their own positions.
"Rod, iron;" rabdos, 4464. Having the strength of iron. This rod is the "scepter" of Hebrews 1:8, which quotes Psalm 45:6. See Revelation 11:1, where John receives his "rod" for authority over the nations. The rule of the "iron rod" will prevail throughout the millennium. This rod is also associated with the "rod" of the high priest, and thus agrees with the statement in Revelation 1:6 that he has "made us kings and priests to God, (even) his Father."
"As vessels ...pieces." The nations of the earth are brought into submission under the firm governing of the future kings and priests.
"As I received..." To govern as king and priest of Israel, as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords...
The "iron" rod shatters the pottery and iron elements of the mingled
nations. The nations are compared to fired clay pottery, not of a soft
nature that the King James Authorized Version translation of "miry clay"
may lead one to believe. In Daniel's prophecy of "the last days,"
both of the two feet of the image and its ten toes are a mixture of the
iron (descending from the legs) and fired clay. The nations are "mingled"
peoples; mixed with "the seed of men;" they are also individually dispersed
throughout the world. The lack of cohesion among the nations of the Middle
East is recognized in the prophecy. This instability prevails at the time
when the kingdom of God is reconstituted amid the nations of the Land.
The prophecy of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream is found in Daniel
2:36-45; and
7:7-28,
etc.
28 And I will give to him the morning star.
The "morning star" quite literally is the planet Venus, which is the brightest star lighting the heavens at the helical sunrise and sunset. The allusion is to Daniel 12:3, concerning the reward of those who rise in the resurrection to life everlasting. Notably, the time of this outcoming is when Michael again stands up for His people.
"Will give;" didomi, 1325. Grant; bring forth; bestow. These are other English words which are used to translate the Greek.
"Morning;" proinos, 4407. From 4404, early morning. The dawn's early light.
"Star;" asteer, 792. A literal star. Perhaps another "star" will herald the Lord's second coming. The Lord's power to give life in the judgment is also spoken of at length by himself in John's Gospel.
Peter alludes to the day that the morning star is produced to each of the Lord's elect. See 2 Peter 1:19. Scripture affirms that "Ye are all children of light." See the word list for 5457, light.
Quite literally, the verse is saying, "I will give to him the "light" of "the day," meaning that the one who overcomes will also receive a portion in "the glories" to come, 1 Peter 1:11, promised through the Christ.
The morning star, too, is a heavenly body. See 1 Corinthians 15:40- 49.
There is a difference of opinion concerning the establishment of the kingdom, in particular in reference to the invasion of Gog which Ezekiel 38 and 39 speaks of. There is a cause. A lot of end time "interpretation" quite frankly is compiled by guessing. The continuing church age theme and the continuous history theory have no relation to Old Testament prophecy about the "times of reformation," or "restoring again the kingdom to Israel."
As the result, Christendom in general expects and believes other things from the doctrine which it has inherited through its beginning corrupted away from the "sect of the Nazarene" and Judaism. (Among other errors retained, the Greek and Persian teachings of the transmigration of souls).
Corrupt teachings move 1) the place of the kingdom, and 2) change the things of the inheritance; and 3) furthermore, the prophecies of the kingdom's restoration to Israel are not even recognized by the reader who is unestablished and untaught in all of the Holy Scriptures, unless that reader is familiar with both the Hebrew and Greek languages, which is highly unlikely. The corrupters totally omit 4) the true doctrine of the day of judgment, replacing it with a theory of "hell," and devils, of sufferings which are experienced after one's death and not "in the flesh." Because, they believe, they are completely "saved" now - already - in this life...
Translations may change words, and divert the reader's attention to other things, but they cannot change the original Greek and Hebrew texts of those Holy Scriptures. Some churches may discourage the study of the Scriptures, as once was done centuries ago, but they cannot change the Word of God.
The unchangeable Word of prophecy was confirmed in the Lord Jesus Christ, in his transfiguration on the mountain before faithful witnesses. The Antichrist of the last days - church and polity and military - will go up head to head against Jesus - against the "two witnesses" - at his return.
The restoration of Israel as a nation is an established fact. But, it is not yet the promised kingdom. Within the nation the religious group, the Temple Mount Faithful, works for the day when they may build the temple. Outside the nation the surrounding nations are quarreling for the most advantageous position in the Promised Land. Saddam Hussein, in Babylon, Iraq; Assad, and the terrorists, in Syria; Mubarak in Egypt, and the world rulers are struggling for the supremacy in the Middle East. How will it end? Just as the prophecy of Daniel states:
29 He that has an ear - let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
This admonition is repeated in Revelation Two and Three, and in Revelation 13:9. The urgent appeal is a familiar voice from the Old Testament Scriptures. Unless one hears, the body remains deaf, unable to respond to any sound or voice. "He that has an ear." The letter speaks to every one in the assemblies who has ears; all individuals.
"Ear;" ous, 3775. Acts 7:51-57 refers to those who were "uncircumcised in heart and ears,"... The word refers to the inner ear's hearing function or its disability. Another word, 5621, otion, refers to the external ear parts.
"Hear;" akouo, 191. Matthew 13:9. To recognize a sound with the inner ear and to be able to identify its meaning with the mind. The quality of the acoustics of a room provides for the ability of a listener to hear the voice of a speaker.
"Spirit." The Holy Spirit of God.
"Says;" lego, 3004. Calls; to imprecate (in the good sense). When he hears the spirit of the letter, he is obliged to do what the Spirit beseeches; not the directive "work" of any seducer, to do evil.
"Assemblies." These were the only seven assemblies that were recognized as representative "churches" of Jesus Christ. Other assemblies had gone back to the synagogue and its form of empty doctrines and vain traditions of the previous centuries. The others thus rejected Jesus Christ as the Anointed Savior and Redeemer of Israel, and their Messiah, and were no longer "holding to the Head," Colossians 2:19.
These seven assemblies marked the remaining members of the Lord's "body" called out from apostate Judaism and the apostate "Christian" church that had formed at Rome, first being corrupted by the Judaizers, the "men sent from Jerusalem" with whose teachings Paul had to battle against. But at the end Paul was executed because the gospel of Jesus Christ which he preached was not a recognized, legal religion permitted by pagan Rome.
In the next three centuries - through the incorporation of false doctrines from the Greek and Roman nations 'brought in privily by false brethren' - the assemblies secondarily developed into an apostasy from God and from Jesus Christ. This deteriorated form of the gospel was recognized by Constantine as a legal religion of the Holy Roman Empire.
The true "Christian" sect of believers in God is despised and persecuted
by both divisions of the apostate men.
We are really "in (the) heaven" while we are on this earth. When we die we are buried in this earth. No part of our earthy substance leaves this earth at death. Like the grasses, our bios ceases; the form withers and decays. The earth is only one of the planets which inhabit "the heaven" and "the heavens" of the universe. The reader must not confuse the "soul" of man with the spirit of the life which animates all the living creation of God.
The "continuous history" and the "continuing church age" interpretations derived from the apostate Church of Rome still becloud the understanding of what "the heaven" actually is, or may be. Christendom remains Grecianized and Romanized from the doctrines, religious practices and idols imported from ancient Babylon. Many such things are universally accepted by the world's religions.
The Church of Rome transported spirits and souls "up to heaven" when it laid claim to all temporal matters for the benefit of "the Church." The papacy arrogated all the powers of heaven and earth to itself, claiming that the reigning pope is the visible "vicar" of Christ; himself a "god" and worthy to be revered and worshipped as such in his mortality. This is the foundation from which Protestant Christians removed their building stones. Those stones are today stumbling blocks to a clear understanding of the Word of God.
The Bible tells us that the LORD created the heavens; and the earth, without form and void at its beginning of the present world order. What is difficult for the untaught and the unestablished to grasp is the nature of the difference between the "worldly" and the spiritual realm of existence, which is the primary realm of the kingdom of God; for, God is a spirit and so too are the angels, etc. The Scriptures are witness that the heavenly beings once walked about upon the earth. As a matter of fact, the angels were instrumental in the work, removing from the earth the elements used in the creation of Adam.
Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel, (John 3:1-9; 7:50) was puzzled about how "the change" (a new birth) of a person comes about. How does one become a "heavenly" being? Jesus explained the preliminary lessons to Nicodemus; Paul addressed the final work in finishing "our house which is from heaven," (2 Corinthians 5:1-2) in his dissertation about "How are the dead raised up? And, With what body do they come?," 1 Corinthians 15:35-57. This body, he says, is "a building from God,.." not in heaven but from, ez, ek; Greek.
It comes from the heavens, like the wind; ipso facto, the flesh is "clothed upon" with the immortality of the angels, while the spirit is "clothed upon" with the incorruptible spirit of God and His angels. So the explanation at verse 45.
When the Lord returns from the heavens, a new order of beings founded upon the likeness of the original earthy man will be brought forth in the same time. These, a new order of "gods," [elohim] will live and rule upon the earth for the remaining 1,000 years of mankind's existence, (i.e., of men made like Adam).
The Old Testament repeatedly asserts that the flesh of "man" is like
the "grass;" a "wind," like a "spirit" that passes away. The new body of
incorruptible spirit will not pass away.