The Strand Study Bible

REVELATION 2:8  2:22

2147

Written From the Island of Patmos

A message to the pastor at Smyrna “Tried but True” (Lesson - Churches need to learn to sacrifice and to react properly to the trials in this life)

because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, 13 who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, 14 to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the 15 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of 11 MY mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a 16 new name writ- ten, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it . A message to the pastor at Thyatira “Loving but Lacking” (Lesson - Churches need to learn all about the proper role of women in the church) 18 And unto the 1 angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the 17 SON OF GOD , who hath 18 HIS eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, 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, 20 to teach and to 21 seduce my servants to 22 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 into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into

1. or, “messenger; pastor” - Mal 2:7 2. Isa 41:4 & 44:6 & 48:12 & Rev 1:8,11,17 & 22:13 3. that is, “ rich in righteousness; rich in things that money can’t buy ” - Acts 3:6 & Prov 16:8 & 19:1 & 28:6 II Cor 6:10 & I Tim 6:7-10 4. Mt 3:9 & Rom 2:28-29 & 4:16-17 & Gal 3:7 5. Jn 8:44 & Rev 3:9 6. Lk 12:4-5 7. Mt 10:21-22 & 24:13 & II Tim 4:6-7 8. Fulfilled -Rev 4:2 (NT Rewards) 9. Jms 1:12 10. Rev 20:14 & 21:8 11. Isa 11:4 & II Thess 2:8 & Rev 1:16 & 19:15 12. or, “where emperor worship is” 13. Num 24:25 & 25:1 & 31:16 14. Acts 15:29 & Rev 2:20 & I Cor 10:20 15. Note - The name “ Nicolaitans ” means “ to conquer the laity. ” Nicolaitans are those who promote pastoral hierarchy. 16. that is, “a name that will mean something” - Isa 56:5 & Rev 3:12 17. Isa 7:14 & 9:6 18. Rev 1:14-15 19. Rev 2:2 20. I Cor 14:29-35 & I Tim 2:9-15 21. Gen 3:6 & Job 2:9 & Jud 16:4,15-21 22. Gen 16:1-2 & Prov 7:7-10,24-27

8 And unto the 1 angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the 2 FIRST AND THE LAST , which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art 3 rich) and I know the blasphemy of 4 themwhich say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of 5 SATAN . The promise of rewards to all who are found faithful when CHRIST returns (Fulfilled - Rev 4:2) 10 6 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the DEVIL shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou 7 faithful unto death, and 8 I will give thee a 9 crown of life. P 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 10 second death. A message to the pastor at Pergamos “Laborious but Lenient” (Lesson - Churches need to learn some character and not compromise with the world) 12 And to the 1 angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith 11 HE which hath the sharp swordwith two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where 12 SATAN seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days where- in Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where SATAN dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee,

2:9 According to Revelation 2:8-11, the church at Smyrna (meaning myrrh ) smelled good to God. They did three things: (1) They made sure what they accomplished ( thy works ) was for God and not themselves; (2) They made sure they got back up after being knocked down ( and tribulation ); and (3) They made sure that money ( and poverty ) never became an issue in their walk with Christ. 2:10 God allows the Devil limited authority over us to “try us” ( that ye may be tried ) in order that He may: (1) reward us -now ( Gen 2:17a ) and in the future ( I Pet 1: 6- 7a ); (2) purify us ( I Pet 4:1 -2); (3) humble us ( II Cor 12:7 ); (4) conform us ( Rom 8:28 -29); (5) mature us ( Job 1: 6- 12a ); (6) chasten us ( I Cor 5 :1- 5 and I Tim 1: 18- 20 ); and (7) remind us as to where the real power lies ( Mt 4: 1- 4a , Heb 2:17-18 & 4:15-16, Jms 4:7, I Pet 2:21 and Eph 6: 11- 15 ). 2:11 Christians who “overcome” the Devil, the world, and the flesh and remain faithful to Jesus will experience mercy, with no regrets (the meaning behind: " shall not be hurt of the second death " - I Jn 5:4-5 and Rev 2:7 ). 2:14 Balaam , who hired himself out to do religious work for personal gain (Num 22:7,17, II Pet 2:15 and Jude 11), instructed the heathen (Balak, king of Moab) how to draw the people of God (Israel) away from their position of separation by tempting them with the women of Midian. To continue in communion with persons of corrupt principles and practices is to become “partakers of other men’s sins” (I Tim 5:22), which is displeasing to God (II Cor 6:14-18). 2:17 a Christians who “overcome” the Devil, the world, and the flesh and remain faithful to Jesus will experience the deep things of God (the meaning behind: " hidden manna " - I Cor 2:9-13, I Jn 5:4-5 and Rev 2:7 ). In other words, some are going to be privy to more in Heaven than others. 2:17 b Christians who “overcome” the Devil, the world, and the flesh and remain faithful to Jesus will “stand out” in Heaven (the meaning behind: " white stone " - I Jn 5:4-5 and Rev 2:7 ). 2:17 c Our new name in Heaven will be a description of our testimony while on earth and will display our Heavenly character. Henry M. Morris in The Revelation Record notes: