Introduction: (The study used the NKJV for the NT, the Sepguiant (LXX) for OT sources and readings, commentary for the Orthodox Study Bible, and ancient Christian Commentary).
Revelation 2 takes us on a journey into the heart of John's ancient Christian commentary. Here, he addresses the angels of the churches, symbolically representing the entire congregation. Each letter speaks directly to the Church, revealing both praise and rebuke, serving as a mirror for the collective body of believers. Within Christ's Church, false teachings and the allure of sin pose ever-present dangers. John emphasizes the necessity of testing for truth and the assurance of God's pardon for repentant hearts. But mere repentance is not enough; it must be accompanied by transformative actions, particularly acts of love—the promise of reward for faithfulness, whether in martyrdom or repentance. The imagery of the Tree of Life, symbolizing the new life bestowed through the Gospel, underscores the spiritual nourishment in Christ, the eternal bread of Heaven. As we delve into Revelation 2, we enter the spiritual paradise of the Church, where the tree of life, Jesus Christ, offers sustenance and eternal life to all who partake.
2:1: In the video, I covered the standard format of the letters to the seven Churches- "I know" followed by praise and rebuke. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Other sources include Acts 19 and Ancient Christian Commentary).
2:2-5: I Talked about the Chruch of Ephesus and gave a detailed description of the Church in Ephesus, drawing from sources found in (2 Corinthians 11:12-23 and Acts 20:29).
2:6: Most scholars agree that the Nicolaitans were quite possibly an early Gnostic sect or faction, with some early Chruch Fathers in agreement that the founder of this early sect might have been Nicholas, who is mentioned in (Acts 6:5), who was one of the original seven deacons that went astray.
2:7: "The Spirit of the Churches" is a message to all Christians. Tree Life (Genesis 2:9), and to eat this tree is to have eternal life (vv. 11, 17, 26- Revelation 3:5, 12, 21; and Revelation 21:7; John 16:33; & 2Corinthians 4:7-18), the fruit of the tree is spiritual food (1Corinthians 10:3, "the medicine of immorality"). The Tree of Life is also an allusion to the Cross (Galatians 2:20), receive the Paradise of God in Heaven (Luke 23:43, 2Corinthians 12:2-4), city of God, the New Jerusalem (see Revelation 21:1-22:5), contrast this the original earthly paradise.
2:8: Smyrna (Izmir in Modern day Turkey):
2:9: The Church in Smyrna was poor and had lots of persecution but was spiritually rich (Other sources Romans 8:28-29, John 8:31-47, Romans 2:28; and Galatians 6:15).
2:10-11: The Persecution will be done in ten days, see video- The Crown of Life (see, Php 3:14; 2Ti 2:5; 1Pt 5:4). Lake of Fire (Rev 20:6, 14, 15; Rev 21:8).
2:12: Pergamos (Modern Bergama), northeast of Smyrna, 10 miles inland of the Aegean Sea. Sharp-Two-edged sword (see Revelation 19:1-3).
2:13: Satan's throne refers to the city as a seat for idol worship.
2:14: The Doctrine of Balaam (see also Numbers 22-24; and 25:1-3; and Numbers 31:16, and 2Pt 2:15; and Jude 11).
2:16: The Sword of My Mouth: is the Word of the Lord.
2:17: Hidden Manna is an allusion to the bread of Heaven (or also the bread of angels; see Exodus 16:4; Psalm 78:21-25; John 6:31-35; and John 6:48-51) and the Messianic banquet (see Luke 22:28-30).
2:18: Thyatira is southeast of Pergamos; see video for a description of the city (see also Acts 16:14). The eyes of Christ and feet allude to Daniel's vision (see Daniel 10).
2:20: The false prophetess Jezebel (see 1 Kings 18 and 2 Kings 9).
2:22-23: Those who commit adultery are the ones who accept the false teachings.
2:24: The depths of Satan: Those who are genuinely unbelieving that claim to know deep spiritual things, but they are labeled by Christ as delusional.
2:28: The Morning Star is Christ (see Revelation 22:16), He is the Daylight (see Luke 1:78; and 2Pt 1:19), He is the genuine Light (John 1:9). Some say it refers to the eternal life that we share in the reign of is Christ (see Revelation 22:16), He is the Daylight (see Luke 1:78 and 2Pt 1:19), and He is the genuine Light (John 1:9). Some say it refers to the eternal life that we share in Christ.
In Christ, love Jared W. Campbell
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