Revelation Chapter Two

Revelation 2:1-3, “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

The Lord is writing to the angel (pastors) of the seven churches in Asia Minor. Then just as today, many men and women alike claim to be apostles, but they are not. No one has apostolic power today. Anyone who claims to be an apostle is a liar. I had a foolish pastor accuse me of thinking I am an apostle because I speak boldly online through my website ministry against corruption in churches. What he is really saying is that I do not have enough wisdom to discern who is right or wrong on doctrinal issues. He is a fool! The Word of God is abundantly clear on all major doctrinal issues, like salvation and the deity of Jesus. Lordship Salvation is of the Devil and I don't have to be an apostle to rebuke churches for preaching that garbage. Shame on any pastor or preacher who doesn't stand against wrong doctrine!

Revelation 2:4-5,  “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

The church at Ephesus had left their first love. The “first love” of any church should be evangelism, soulwinning, reaching the lost for Christ and discipling them. The Lord rebukes them sternly and warns that He will act quickly if they don't repent, removing their charter as a New Testament church. All these entertainment centers today (e.g., Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Steven Furtick, Pat Robertson) are all frauds, not Bible churches. You can get so busy in the work of the Lord, that you forget about the Lord of the work! The word “repent” here means “a change of mind.” Repentance concerning salvation is ALWAYS a matter of the heart, and not of works! Repentance is acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a guilty sinner in the sight of a holy God (2nd Timothy 2:25).

Revelation 2:6, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

The word “Nicolaitans” comes from the two words “Nico” (superior over) and “laity” (the clergy). Nicolaitans refers to bad pastors who overlord over the congregation. Pastors ought not drive the flock, but lead the flock by example. We have a lot of “BAPTIST POPERY” in churches today, where pastors think they have authority over the people. Friend, the only authority in any churches is the inspired Word of God. It is the pastor's job to uphold the Word of God, nothing else. When men (or a man) are in authority, you now have a CULT! The Nicolaitans were a religious cult of men giving orders to the flock. The church of Ephesus hated this cult and so did the Lord. Pastors are to be servants, not masters. Jesus is the ONLY Mediator (1st Timothy 2:5). We've got a bunch of cults today! Baptists are often guilty of multiplying by dividing, because men refuse to be humble servants.

Revelation 2:7, “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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

The way to overcome the world is by our FAITH in Jesus Christ as our Savior. 1st John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Most people are religious and most religious people are NOT going to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-15; 21-23).

Revelation 2:8-9, “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Romans 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Most of the religious Jews were lost, trusting in the Mosaic law to get them to Heaven. NO ONE was ever saved by keeping the Mosaic law. Salvation has ALWAYS been solely by faith in Christ (Acts 10:43).

Revelation 2:10-11, “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 faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

The Bible promises a Crown Of Life to faithful believers. It's not how you begin that matters, it's how you end. Persecution strengthens the church! As we progress into the book of Revelation we will see the True Church versus the One World Church. Those who die in the Lord, having placed their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will not die the Second Death (which is the everlasting Lake of Fire - Revelation 20:11-15).

Revelation 2:12-13, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”

The sharp sword with two-edges is the Holy Bible (Hebrews 4:12). Satan's dwelling place is in the churches, where he can do the most damage. Satan doesn't hang out in bars and casinos, because he knows that those people are in darkness. That is very interesting! The Devil hangs out around Christians, trying to kill, steal and destroy the work of God. It is Satan who murders the saints (John 8:44). According to Greek history, Antipas was martyred in a Brazen Bull. The Brazen Bull was a greatly feared method of torture where a human being was put and locked inside a gigantic metal bull. A fire was built beneath the bull until the victim was cooked alive. As the person screamed in agony a horrifying sound emanated from the head of the bull. Satan's presence in the church is synonymous with persecution and martyrdom. If you'd like to read about horrible things done to kill believers in history, please read the free .pdf format book: Foxe's Book Of Martyr's. 

Revelation 2:14-16, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

The doctrine of Baalam was always associated with the sin of fornication. Again we see the accursed doctrine of the Nicolaitans, ruling as overlords over God's flock. It is very interesting that the Lord Himself said HE WOULD FIGHT AGAINST the churches with the Word of God. God today fights against corrupt churches through the Spirit-filled preaching of faithful men of God. I have been preaching the truth of God's Word against corrupt pastors, Bible colleges and churches for decades. Most pastors are arrogant and don't like me. They consider me a troublemaker.

Unfortunately, the senior pastor of Campus Church, Jeff Redlin, at Pensacola Christian College in Florida saw my ministry websites. He recently emailed me to say that he noticed I point out the “weaknesses of pastors.” I kindly replied to let him know that what he calls “weaknesses” are in fact hard core heresy and wickedness, not mere “weaknesses.” Pastors who preach Lordship Salvation, Misunderstood Repentance and promote fake Devil's Bibles are wicked and corrupt and we need to rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith (Titus 1:10-13).

Revelation 2:17, “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 new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

A Roman custom used in their court system was a white stone and a black stone. If the prisoner received a white stone, he was found “not guilty.” If he received a black stone, he was found “guilty.” Either way, he knew his judgment. Every redeemed child of God will receive a white stone, meaning there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ (Romans 8:1). In Heaven Jesus will give us a new name. It will be a good name. Sometimes humans have tarnished names. When we hear a person's name, we cringe knowing what they have done. 

The truth is that if the world knew what all of us have done, no one would have a good name!  An elderly 72 year old man bought me a meal at church tonight. I thanked him. He made a humble comment about himself being “a scumbag.” I said, “I'm in good company then!” Dear friend, if you don't think you are a scumbag as a sinner, then you truly are a bigger SCUMBAG than you realize! We are all scumbags (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10-23).

Revelation 2:18, “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 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.” It's how we end that matters in life, not how we got started. Whatever sins, failures and mishaps you've made along the way, it is never too late to start serving God today. Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Revelation 2:20-25, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

Women pastors and preachers are always false prophets! There are NO EXCEPTIONS. Joyce Meyer is a false prophet. You may have learned some helpful things from her, but she is sinning by preaching with the authority that God intended only for men to have. There are no equal rights in God's Kingdom. Men are to be the head of the marriage and home. Men are to lead the church and women are to keep silent the in the churches concerning the affairs of the church. Nothing has destroyed more churches and caused pastors to resign, than meddling wicked women!!! Women preachers are an abomination to God.

Carefully notice that God was upset with the church at Thyatira for allowing “that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach.” The conjunction “and” after the verb “teach” separates the next problem of her sermon content. So the first sin was that the church allowed (suffered) her to teach at all. The second sin is that she was teaching it is okay to fornicate (shack up). We see many churches today that permit the sin of shacking up. Only legal marriage is honorable in God's sight (Hebrews 13:4).

Revelation 2:26-28, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

One day Jesus is coming back to set up His Kingdom on earth. The Beast, False Prophet and Satan (the Dragon) himself will be cast into the Bottomless Pit of the Lake of Fire. Jesus will reign over the entire earth as King, with a ROD OF IRON. There won't be any corruption in government like we continually see today. There won't be divided political parties. The Lord won't have any competition or opposing party trying to remove Him from power. The Millennium (meaning 1,000 years) will be an unprecedented time of peace such as the world has never know since Adam and Eve lived in the paradisiacal Garden of Eden. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!