Revelation Chapter 2

REVELATION CHAPTER TWO

            Gerald N. Lund noted an experience he had when flying into Los Angeles. He overheard two people talking. One the seat in front of him and one behind him. They were describing their experience to the person sitting next to them with words like these:

AN AIRPORT                                                                                      NORTON AIR FORCE BASE

A BIG STADIUM                                                                                THE ROSE BOWL

A FREE WAY INTERCHANGE                                                                                      MERGER OF THE SANTA MONICA, SAN BERNADINO, HOLLYWOOD, POMONA AND SANTA ANNA FREEWEAYS

LOTS OF CARS AND HOUSES                                                                                       JIM JONES’ HOUSE, THE 7-11 THAT OPENED LAST MONTH

                                                                                    John wrote the Book of Revelation to people who had lived in L.A. We have maps

(Latter-day scriptures) tour guides (Latter-day prophets) and travel brochures (historical

Commentaries) to help us identify the meaning of the maze. Just flying over the city will not be

Enough to identify important markers and messages.

Richard Draper observes, from the context of the letters, the Churches’ spiritual life foundered in 6 areas, 2 external and 4 internal. (p. 37)

SIX MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE SEVEN CHURCHES

1. A WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE WITH PAGANISM

2. A DENIAL OF CHRISTIANITY DUE TO JEWISH HARASSMENT

3. ACCEPTANCE OF UNAUTHORIZED LEADERS

4. APPROVAL OF FALSE DOCTRINE PROMULGATED BY PSEUDO-PROPHETS

5. HALFHEARTEDNESS AND INDIFFERENCE

6. A LOSS OF LOVE FOR THE CHURCH AND HER MASTER

PATTERN OF MESSAGES TO SEVEN CHURCHES

1. INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE SAVIOR
2. COMMENDATION
3. REBUKE
4. COUNSEL
5. BLESSING OF SAFETY FOR RIGHTEOUS

CHURCH	COMMENDATION	CORRECTION	PROMISE
EPHESUS	2:2-3, 6	2:4-5	2:7
SMYRNA	2:9	2:9	2:10-11
PERGAMOS	2:13	2:14-16	2:17
THYATIRA	2:19	2:20-25	2:26-29
SARDIS	3:4	3:2-3	3:5-6
PHILADELPHIA	3:8-10	NONE	3:11-13
LAODICEA	NONE	3:15-19	3:20-22

The promises the Lord makes to the 7 churches are different for each church, yet they are all promised one thing: exaltation.

Seven interesting things about Ephesus;

      1. It was the 4th largest city in the Roman empire. (Behind Rome, Alexandria and Antioch of Syria and may have had as many as 500,000 people living there at its peak.

2. It was a major port, the most important and most populated city in Asia minor. Later, its harbor on the River Cayster silted up and it lost population and influence rapidly.

 3. The city boasted notable architecture including an imposing athletic stadium, street lights, an impressive marketplace, a temple to Diana that has been labeled as one of the 7 wonders on the ancient world and a 25,000 seat theater. It has the most impressive ruins of any Turkish city.

4. Greek idolatry and the Imperial Cult were deeply rooted in the society.

5. It had a significant Jewish population. They claim that Mary, the mother of Jesus died there.

6. Paul worked there for over two years and John spent much time there before & after Patmos. It may have been Church headquarters after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

7. Paul's exhortation against idolatry sparked a riot led by Demetrius, a silver-smith who made statues to Diana of the Ephesians.

     

Vs. 1 – Note the JST- He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand=Jesus. Over and over again, the Savior tells us that he is not an absentee Savior. See D&C 38:7-8

Vs. 2 – I know thy works  (see vs. 2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15)

            Say they are apostles and are not: Acts 20:29-30

Vs. 3 – How can a person not faint?

Vs. 4 – Thy first love should be the Savior and Church membership.

Vs. 5 – “I will come unto thee quickly” = without warning See D&C 106:4-5

            “Remove thy candlestick out of his place” – Any congregation of saints which is not true and faithful shall lose its place in the true church. (DNTC 3:446)

Vs. 6 – “The Nicolatians appear to have been characterized by sensuality, seducing Christians to participate in feasts of pagans. They taught in order to overcome sensuality, one must know the whole range of it by experience.” (BRM)

            Nicolatians has come to identify those who want their names on the records of the church, but do not want to devote themselves with full purpose of heart. See D&C 117:11. Directed to Newell K. Whitney-bishop of the church in Kirtland. (UBR p. 31)

Vs. 7 – “He that hath an ear, let him hear” – Only the faithful Saints, enlightened by the Spirit, will understand the promise given by John.

Tree of life=eternal life; Five images of the Tree of Life are significant for Latter-day Saints: in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9; Moses 4:28); in Lehi's vision (1 Ne. 8:8-10; Alma 12:23); the parable of Alma  comparing the word to a seed that can grow to be "a tree springing up unto everlasting life" (Alma 32:28-43); Joseph Smith Sr's vision as recorded in Lucy's biography of Joseph Jr. (p. 57) and the so-called Tree of Life Stone from pre-Hispanic Mexico. Read 1 Nephi 11:7 & 25. "The natural environment of the Tree of Life is not that of fallen spheres. Its habitation is reserved for the enjoyment of those who attain a paradisiacal and an exalted state. (Brandt) See also Rev. 22:2

            In the messages to the 7 churches, the 7 promises are made to "him that overcometh"-this verse, plus 2:11, 17, 26, and 3:5, 12, 21. The verb "overcometh" in Greek is nikao, a cognate of nike, meaning "victory," a word used to describe winning athletic contests.

            All of the promises relate to Temple worship; the tree of life (Rev. 2:7); the crown of life (Rev.2:10); the hidden manna and the new name (Rev. 2:17) the rod (or scepter) and the morning star (Rev.2:27-28); the white raiment (Rev. 3:5); the pillar in the Temple (Rev. 3:12) and the fefast, the messianic banquet, and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Reav. 3:20-21). For an analysis of these promises in their Temple setting, see Madsen, "the Temple and the Restoration," 13-16Seven Interesting Things about Smyrna

1. Smyrna is now known as Izmir, Turkey.  2. It is the 3rd largest city in Turkey, with a population of over 3 million. 3. In New Testament days its population was around 200,000. The population was very devoted to Rome and was one of the first cities to embrace the Imperial Cult. 4. It had a large population of Jews, making it a challenging place for the spread of the Gospel of Christ. 5. It is said to be the birthplace of Homer. 6. It is located 40 miles north of Ephesus. 7. It is the only one of the 7 cities which has been continuously inhabited, therefore there are few archaeological ruins.

Vs. 8 – JST changes angel to servant. Christ testifies of His resurrection.

Vs. 9 – “but thou art rich” Educator from Uganda who attended BYU and then returned to Uganda and told the people how blessed they were because they knew what they had unlike the Utah Saints. (Quoted by Elder Simmons in St. George Area Conf. in 2001)

            Blasphemy in this instance means slanderous accusations. The Jews had been the 1^st to persecute Christians & turn them over to Roman authority.

Vs. 10 – ten days=a short period of testing. See Daniel  1:12-15. (Rashago) Crown of life=eternal life

Vs. 11 – Second death=separation from God. See 21:8 and Alma 12:16-18.

Vs. 12 – Ask for an explanation for a sharp sword with two edges.

Vs. 13 – “Satan’s seat” Pergamos was the center of the state religion of Rome where the emperor was worshipped.

            Tradition says that Antipas was roasted in a brazen bowl during Domitian’s reign.

Domitian

(Titus Flavius Domitianus)  (dōmĭsh´ n) , 51— 96, Roman emperor ( 81— 96), son of Vespasian. Although intended as the heir to his older brother, Titus, he was given no important posts. On Titus' death he succeeded to the throne and proved himself at once proud and more absolutist than his father. In his first years, however, he governed in the interests of order and public welfare. Except for his victory in 83 over the Chatti, a German tribe, Domitian's campaigns were only partially successful. He recalled ( 84) Agricola from his successful campaign in Britain, probably because he thought it would overtax the empire. As time went on, Domitian became more despotic, particularly after the rebellion in 89 of Antonius Saturninus, governor of Upper Germany. His despotism caused plots against him, which brought on a reign of terror during the last years of his rule. Finally his wife, Domitia, had a freedman, Stephanus, stab him. Nerva succeeded. Tacitus and Juvenal describe Domitian's reign of terror with bitterness, but modern historians recognize that he governed the empire well

Vs. 14 – See Numbers 22:24 & 31. The doctrine of Balaam was to eat things sacrificed to idols, to commit fornication (Num. 25:1-3), & to engage in Priestcrafts. Balaam, son of Beor, convinced many from Israel to sin. (Num 31:16). He was involved in diving for hire with Balak, the King of Moab. (Numbers 22-24; Dt. 23:4; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11)

To eat things sacrificed to idols- see Acts 15:6, 29.

Vs. 16 – Sword of my mouth – word of God referring to Judgment against the wicked.

Vs. 17 –  Hidden manna – Jesus is the “Bread of Life” John 6:48-51. Jesus is hidden to the wicked. Also may refer to temple truths

White stone with a new name on it=only given to those who enter the celestial kingdom (D&C 130:10-11)

New name – “The new name is written on the white stone that is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom…the new name is the key word. The new name, similar to the white robe of Rev. 3:5; 6:11, and 7:9 symbolizes a new existence, or a new life. Note new names given to Abram, Sarah, Jacob. (UBR)

            Perhaps the closest corollary would be the crowning of a king or queen. The new name becomes the coronation name. this application is also seen in religious offices or priestly names. For instance, in the Catholic church each new pope assumes a different name. Many of the promises offered to the churches for overcoming worldly obstacles contain coronation imagery. (Wilcox, p. 38)

Vs. 18 –

Akhisar

Lydia was from here. Acts 16  (äk´´h sär´) , city (1990 pop. 74,002), W Turkey. It is in a region where tobacco, cotton, and grapes are grown. The city is noted for its rugs. It is the biblical Thyatira.

See 1:14-15 & D&C 110:3

Vs. 19 – “And the last to be more than the first.”  Translated “still making progress” in Jerusalem Bible.

Vs. 20 – a Jezebel like the wife of King Ahab (2 Kings 9:22; 1 Kings 16:31-33)

            The distinction in “fornication” of this verse and adultery in verse 22 is the difference between covenant and non-covenant.

            Thyatira was a city of craftsmen who belonged to guilds who held religious banquets at which animals were sacrificed to their gods and then eaten.

Vs. 22 – Note the JST

Vs. 23 – Kill with death 2 Kings 9:1,7 – Death of Ahab’s family. This may also refer to spiritual death. See DNTC 3:453

Vs. 24 – Those who haven’t been involved in these sins will not be accountable.

Vs. 25 – Endure to end by holding fast to the iron rod.

Vs. 26 – The JST of vs. 26 & 27 clarify this verse and teach of the promise for us to become joint heirs with Jesus!

Vs. 27 – to receive many kingdoms and rule with the rod of iron=to become kings and priests ruling over our own kingdom with the word of God.

Verse 28 – the morning star may have at least 2 meanings. 1) Jesus (Rev. 22:16) and 2) Promise of 2^nd comforter 3) promise to be like Jesus. (TPJS p. 151)