(Chapter 2)

We now arrive at the letters to the Churches. Remember, these letters are actually to US! These letters are to ME! And if you will accept it - they are to YOU! Not as allegorical letters to you - but letters written to you by Jesus, encouraging you to be faithful and strong, in what you are about to experience. This is the same character & attitude of Jesus’ prayer in John 17; where he specifically prays for every person who will believe in Him; while also at the same time - prays for his immediate disciples! (verse 20) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message . . .

I would like to give a brief historical aside on the seven churches which were chosen to be named in this prophesy. More than seven churches existed at the time Christ revealed this prophecy and these letters to John. Seven has immense significance with God. Completion, Totality, Everything; are just a few of the meanings which can easily be applied to the number 7; and the spiritual workings of God. Revelation 1:4 the seven spirits before his throne; Rev 1:12 - seven golden lampstands; Rev 1:16 - In his right hand he held seven stars; and we have the seven churches. So - it would seem that the choosing of these seven churches has some very special significance. At first, I thought that the name of each church probably was the reason they were singled out. The meaning of the name . . . Some of the names of the churches have fairly obvious meanings. Smyrna non capitalized - is the spice myrrh. Philadelphia carries a meaning of love. Which is why in our culture today - it is sometimes referenced as the “city of brotherly love . . . ” However, research suggests that these seven churches were chosen because of the history and traditions which were part of the culture, and reputation of the City in which each church existed. I was fascinated with the names of each church chosen; but in my limited research on the names - I became astonished at the historical background of each city, and then the subsequent words which Christ spoke to the Church for each of the seven cities. Each of the seven chosen churches - do have important significance. But - the significance is a composite, and comes from the history, culture, and traditions which completed each of the referenced cities . . .

The following limited historical information was obtained from three sources: [“The New International Dictionary of the Bible” by J.D. Douglas & Merrill C. Tenney; published by Zondervan; copyright 1987;] each reference ends with: (1); [“The World Book Encyclopedia; copyright 1958; published by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation.”] each reference ends with: (2); and [Britannica 2002 Deluxe Edition CD-Rom (v 2002.01.0002.0);] each reference ends with: (3).

Ephesus: An old Ionian foundation at the mouth of the Cayster. Greek colonies that surround the Mediterranean and Black Sea were primarily trading posts. Migrant communities of Greeks did not seek to dominate the hinterlands, but to secure an emporion or “way in,” a bridgehead for commerce and enough surrounding coast and territory to support the community. Great cities grew from such foundations from Marseilles to Alexandria, some of them royal [emphasis mine] capitals. And in all cases colonies became centers or outposts of Hellenism, distinctive and civilizing . . . in early Roman times, as in the days of its Ionian independence, Ephesus was a proud, rich, busy port, the rival of Alexandria and Syrian Antioch. Built near the shrine of an old Anatolian fertility goddess, Ephesus became the seat of an oriental cult. The Anatolian deity had been taken over by the Greeks under the name of Artemis, the Diana of the Romans . . . Much trade clustered round the cult. Ephesus became a place of pilgrimage for tourist - worshipers, all eager to carry away talisman and souvenir, whose livelihood was the manufacture of silver shrines and images of the meteoric stone that was said to be Diana's image “fallen from heaven.” (1)

Was the city of the Ephesians, one of the twelve ancient cities of Asia Minor. A great Temple of Diana (Artemis in Greek legend) at Ephesus made it a sacred city. This temple is considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. The location of Ephesus brought it wealth. It was situated at the starting point of one of the great trade routes of the East, famous from the days of the Persian Empire as “the horse road.” Saint Paul worked in Ephesus for three years, and a powerful Christian church grew up there. Many important men made the city their headquarters . . . (2)

Smyrna: A port on the west coast of Asia Minor at the head of the gulf into which the Hermus River flows, a well-protected harbor and the natural terminal of a great inland trade-route up the Hermus Valley. Smyrna’s early history was checkered. It was destroyed by the Lydians in 627 B.C. and for three centuries was little more than a village. It was refounded in the middle of the fourth century before Christ, after Alexander’s capture of Sardis, and rapidly became the chief city of Asia . . . The city had worshiped Rome as a spiritual power since 195 B.C., hence Smyrna’s historical pride in her Caesar cult. Smyrna was famous for science, medicine, [emphasis mine] and the majesty of her buildings. Apollonius of Tyana referred to her “crown of porticoes,” [emphasis mine] a circle of beautiful public buildings that ringed the summit of Mount Pagos like a diadem . . . [emphasis mine] (1)

Izmir, or in Greek - Smyrna - is a Turkish port and trading center on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea. It lies about 200 miles southwest of Istanbul. The city exports chrome ore, tobacco, dried fruits, cotton, and olive oil. Izmir is the capital of Izmir vilayet, or province. Since the 600's B.C., the city has been ruled by many different peoples. These have included Greeks, Romans, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and Ottoman Turks . . . (2)

Pergamum: Royally [emphasis mine] situated in a commanding position, Pergamum was the capital until the last of the Pergamenian kings bequeathed his realm to Rome in 133 B.C. Pergamum became the chief town of the new province of Asia and was the site of the first temple of the Caesar cult . . . The worship of Asklepios and Zeus were also endemic. The symbol of the former was a serpent . . . On the crag above Pergamum was a thronelike altar [emphasis mine] to Zeus now in the Berlin Museum . . . To deepen Christian horror at Pergamum’s obsession with the serpent-image, Zeus was called in this connection “Zeus the Savior.” It is natural that “Nicolaitanism” should flourish in a place where politics and paganism were so closely allied, and where pressure on Christians to compromise must have been heavy. (1)

The word parchment comes from Pergamum, because Pergamum invented parchment. (Author’s note)

Parchment is material made from the skins of sheep, goats, and other animals. It is used mainly as a fine writing material for important documents. Parchment is made by removing the hair or wool from the skin of the animal, and placing this skin in lime to rid it of its fat. The skin is then stretched on a frame and shaved with knives and scrapers. Powdered chalk is rubbed on with pumice stone, to smooth and soften the skin. Fine parchment is often called vellum. It is made from the skins of calves, kids, and lambs. This high-quality parchment is used for important writings such as charters, university diplomas, and wills. Heavy parchment is made from the skins of donkeys, older calves, wolves, and goats. It is often used for drumheads . . . The word parchment comes from Pergamum, a city in the kingdom of the same name in Asia Minor. Parchment was made here about 190 B.C. The experiments were begun at the command of Eumenes II, ruler of Pergamum, because an Egyptian Pharaoh, or king, had prohibited the use of papyrus, a writing material of that time. The Pharaoh feared that the library at Pergamum would become greater than the library of Alexandria, Egypt . . . (2)

Thyatira: A city in the province of Asia, on the boundary of Lydia and Mysia. Thyatira has no illustrious history and is scarcely mentioned by ancient writers. Coinage suggests that, lying as it did on a great highway linking two river valleys, Thyatira was a garrison town for many centuries. Its ancient Anatolian deity was a warlike figure armed with a battle-ax and mounted on a charger. An odd coin or two shows a female [emphasis mine] deity wearing a battlemented crown.[emphasis mine] The city was a center of commerce, and the records preserve references to more trade guilds than those listed for any other Asian city. (1)

Akhisar - historically Thyatira town, western Turkey, in a fertile plain on the Great Zab River (the ancient Lycus). The ancient town, originally called Pelopia, was probably founded by the Lydians. It was made a Macedonian colony about 290 BC and renamed Thyatira. It became part of the kingdom of Pergamum in 190 BC and was an important station on the ancient Roman road from Pergamum (Bergama) to Laodicea (near Denizli). Its early Christian church appears as one of the seven churches in the Revelation to John. Akhisar was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The modern town is connected by railway and road to Izmir and Manisa and exports cotton, tobacco, graphite, opium, wool, raisins, and dyes. (3)

Sardis: The chief city of Lydia, under a fortified spur of Mount Tmolus in the Hermus Valley, near the junction of the roads from central Asia Minor, Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum, capital of Lydia under Croesus; and seat of the governor after the Persian conquest. Sardis was famous for arts and crafts and was the first center to mint gold and silver coins. So wealthy were the Lydian kings that Croesus became a legend for riches, and it was said that the sands of the Pactolus were golden. Croesus also became a legend for pride and presumptuous arrogance, [emphasis mine] when his attack on Persia led to the fall of Sardis and the eclipse of his kingdom. The capture of the great citadel by surprise attack by Cyrus and his Persians in 549 B.C., and three centuries later by the Romans . . . The great earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined Sardis physically and financially. The Romans contributed ten million sesterces in relief, an indication of the damage done, but the city never recovered. (1)

Sardis, also spelled Sardes, ruined capital of ancient Lydia, near present Izmir, Turkey. Strategically located on a spur at the foot of Mount Tmolus (Boz Dag), it commanded the central plain of the Hermus Valley and was the western terminus of the Persian royal [emphasis mine] road. Sardis was the capital of the flourishing Lydian kingdom of the 7th century BC and was the first city where gold and silver coins were minted. From about 560 to about 546 Sardis was ruled by Croesus, who was renowned for his great wealth and was the last king of Lydia. Taken by the Persians (c. 546 BC), Sardis fell in turn to the Athenians, the Seleucids, and the Attalids until bequeathed to the Romans in 133 BC. Under the Roman Empire, it was the metropolitan capital and centre of judicial administration of the Roman province of Lydia. Destroyed by an earthquake in AD 17, the city was rebuilt and remained one of the great cities of Anatolia until the later Byzantine period. It was obliterated in 1402 by the Mongol Timur (Tamerlane). Its ruins include the ancient Lydian citadel and about 1,000 Lydian graves. Excavations of Sardis have uncovered more remains of the Hellenistic and Byzantine city than of the Lydian town described by the Greek historian Herodotus. (3)

Philadelphia: A Lydian city founded by Attalus II Philadelphus (159 - 138 B.C.). The king was so named from his devotion to his brother Eumenes, [emphasis mine] and the city perpetuated his title. Philadelphia was an outpost of Hellenism in native Anatolia. It lies under Mount Tmolus, in a wide vale that opens into the Hermus Valley, and along which the post road ran. . . . The district is disastrously seismic, and the great earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined it completely. Placed right above the fault, Philadelphia was tormented by twenty years of recurrent quakes after the disaster of 17. . . . A Christian witness, in spite of Muslim invasion and pressure, was maintained in Philadelphia through medieval and into modern times. (1)

Was the name of two ancient cities. The first is now Alasehir, Turkey, and the second is now Amman, the capital of Jordan. They were each named for a Greek ruler in Asia called Philadelphus . . . Philadelphia is a Greek word meaning brotherly love. Two ancient cities in Asia Minor once bore the same name . . . (2)

Laodicea: A wealthy city in Asia Minor founded by Antiochus II (261 - 246 B.C.), and Head [emphasis mine] of the “circuit” of “the seven churches in the province of Asia” (Rev 1:4). The city lay on one of the great Asian trade routes, and this insured its commercial prosperity. Laodicea was a leading banking center. In 51 B.C. Cicero, en route to his Cilician province, cashed drafts there. It was no doubt the rich banking firms that in A.D. 60 financed the reconstruction of the city after the great earthquake that destroyed it. Laodicea refused the Senate’s earthquake relief. . . . The Lycus Valley produced a glossy black wool, the source of black cloaks and carpets, for which the city was famous. Laodicea was also the home of a medical school and the manufacture of collyrium, a famous eye salve. [emphasis mine] The scornful imagery of the apocalyptic letter to Laodicea is obviously based on these activities. It also has reference to the emetic qualities of the soda-laden warm water from nearby Hierapolis, whose thermal springs ran into the Maeander. Laodicea’s water supply also came from Hierapolis, and Sir William Ramsay suggests that its vulnerability, together with the city’s exposed position and its easy wealth caused the growth in the community of that spirit of compromise and worldly mindedness castigated in the Revelation. Under Diocletian, Laodicea, still prosperous, was made the chief city of the province of Phrygia. (1)

The ancient name of several cities of western Asia, mostly founded or rebuilt in the 3rd century BC by rulers of the Seleucid dynasty, and named after Laodice, the mother of Seleucus I Nicator, or after Laodice, daughter (or possibly niece) of Antiochus I Soter and wife of Antiochus II Theos. Established as commercial centres on newly opened or reconditioned trade routes, or as strongholds for the pacification of parts of the Seleucid empire, the cities aided in the Hellenization of western Asia and subsequently in the spread of Christianity in the region. The most important [emphasis mine] of the cities was Laodicea ad Lycum (near modern Denizli, Turkey); its church was one of the seven to which Saint John addressed the Revelation. Laodicea ad Mare (modern Latakia, Syria) was a major seaport. (3)

Coming back to Revelation, the seven letters, and Jesus Christ . . . Remember, these letters are actually to US! These letters are to ME! And if you will accept it - they are to YOU! Every specific ‘letter’ to each church - ends in extremely individual language. Each letter starts broadly - addressed to a ‘church’ - and ends very narrowly - discussing individual, personal actions. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message . . .

The first church named is Ephesus.

Ephesus was a proud, rich, busy port; and pride goes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 ) The church of Ephesus was located in a royal capital, a sacred city - which had a temple that was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple was considered so great - because the ‘god’ which they worshiped was known to have fallen from heaven . . .

. . . they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable . . . (Acts 19:34 - 36)

So the city of Ephesus has immense pride in an image of a god - which the entire world recognizes fell from a great height - direct from heaven . . . Now pride strongly interferes with the relationship we have with other believers. Pride causes us not to be teachable. Pride causes our Love not to be genuine. No matter how many great accomplishments - and how active we are in doing ‘great’ things for God - if we are puffed up with Pride - we are accomplishing virtually nothing! Remember chapter 13 of 1^st Corinthians? The traditions of Ephesus carried great pride. Their city was one of the seven wonders in the entire world, and their god image fell direct from the sky! And so Jesus states that with pride - we have fallen from a great height. Because what we are accomplishing - is no longer springing from true deep Love which we have for Christ; our fellow brothers and sisters; and for those who are lost and perishing forever! A view of self importance now motivates us - not a great and pure Love which we have for those who are lost and have many needs - no - what we are accomplishing today - is to boast and increase our pride. To make us feel good . . . And so - we have fallen from a great height indeed! The Christians here have hard work, and perseverance. And they have endured hardship for Jesus and His name. And in all of this - they have not grown weary. They have been faithful. Yet - Jesus rebukes them - because they have forsaken their first love. He asks them (us) to repent and remember where we have fallen, and the height thereof . . . (at His right hand; on His throne (Colossians 3:1-3 & Rev 3:21)), and why we first loved Him! And if you do not repent, He will remove our lampstand! We are commanded to develop an ear which Hears the Spirit of God (more intimacy with our Lord). And given the promise that if we do these things - learn to walk by the Spirit, and to trust Jesus - to overcome our flesh desires - then God will give us the Right to eat from the Tree of Life!

We are commended for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans. What - you may ask - are the practices of the Nicolaitans? This was a practice of sin. Relishing sin. Relishing going against God, and seeking after our own pleasures and lusts - just as many do in America today! We constantly seek our own pleasure and amusements thru various entertainment devices such as Television, or other pursuits of the flesh. How can we be close to God, when we hardly ever listen to Him? If we seek to specifically identify a sin which the Nicolaitans practiced - that would be difficult. I have not prayed about it. I have not spent much time on the ‘Nicolaitan sin’ whatsoever. I have been asked about it, when stating that Revelation is ‘open’ to me . . . If you earnestly desire to KNOW what this specific sin was (if indeed it was a specific sin) - than I would suggest that you spend substantial amounts of time in prayer - asking God to reveal it to you!

I do believe that it is unfair to state that this ‘practice’ was related to Nicolas from Antioch - whom scripture states was a man known to be full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom. (Acts 6:3&5) I also believe that it is foolish and unproductive to pursue what the sin of the Nicolaitans was . . . This is not what Revelation is about, and Jesus hates sin. If you learn to hear the Spirit of God, and then obey God - you will cease to sin; and won’t have to worry about it!

Rev 2:1 - 7

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

The second church is Smyrna.

Smyrna was one of the chief cities of Asia, and worshiped Rome as a spiritual power. A cult dedicated to Caesar had tremendous pride and power. The city’s buildings were very grand, and caused the city to be thought of as a diadem, and referenced as a crown of porticoes.

In Greek, Smyrna is: Smuvrna Capitalized, this word references the city of Smyrna. However, the exact same spelling - but with no capitalization - smuvrna indicates: myrrh, an aromatic resinous gum

A sweet smelling spice, and one of the gifts to our Lord as an infant - given by the Magi who came to give homage. (Matthew 2:11) So, the spice myrrh is associated with the name of the second church. According to The British Museum & assistant curator Alexandra Porter ; Myrrh has a great many varieties, and is still chewed in Yemen to improve bad breath. Myrrh was used to flavor wine, medicine (Smyrna was famous for medicine & science), and in the preservation of the dead . . . Medicine is the art and science of healing people. Making sick people well, and prolonging and preserving lives . . .

Out of the seven churches addressed by our Lord, Smyrna is only one of two (Philadelphia is the other (Rev chpt 3)) - who receive NO rebuke. Only commendation, and encouragement!

Jesus identifies that it is He who is speaking, by referencing that He died, and now lives; and is the first and the last. He commends these believers for being tremendously rich - while to the world - the Christians exist in poverty and experience numerous afflictions. We could continue . . . but what is also somewhat interesting; is that Smyrna is the only group of believers who it is stated - are going to die for Christ. They are going to experience even more suffering, prison and hardships - and Satan will continue to test them - but to be faithful to the point of death . . .

Historically, some have suggested that myrrh was presented as a gift to our Lord when just an infant - to signify that He was destined to die for mankind. The historical suggestion exists because myrrh was used in death - for the preservation of the body. Therefore, I find it interesting - that Smyrna - its very name references myrrh - is the only church where it is stated that they are going to be suffering to the point of death; and this city is famous for saving lives thru the use of medicine! Smyrna receives encouragement to be faithful to the point of death (Jesus was faithful to death (Mark 14:34)) - and they will be given the crown of life. To follow our Lord. Jesus uses the word ‘crown’ in addressing only two of the seven churches. Smyrna is one of them. And (recall) the city of Smyrna took great pride in its buildings being thought of as a crown  . . .

Continuing with myrrh being used for the preservation of a body - this is essentially how Jesus opens up His greeting to this faithful group - by stating He is the first and the last; and that He died and came to life again.

Because of various scriptures - which we will be looking at in more detail as we work thru Revelation - I absolutely believe that every single Christian - is called to be part of a Bride for Jesus. Jesus Christ wants a Bride for himself. A Bride that is worthy . . . And I believe that every Christian is called to be part of that special distinction - “the wife of the Lamb”. (R21:9) Unfortunately - scripture also makes clear - that although all Christians are called - few are chosen. Smyrna, I believe, is part of the Bride. Scripture does not specifically name Smyrna as being part of the Bride, but this group receives no rebuke, only encouragement and commendation, and are about to die for Jesus. Great distress is coming to the world, and great persecution to Christians. We will be slandered and hated by the entire world . . . We are encouraged to remain faithful even to the point of death; to hold fast to our faith; and Jesus will reward us with the crown of life . . .

Rev 2:8 - 11

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

The third church is Pergamum.

Pergamum was a major city; and was the location of the first temple dedicated to Caesar. The city also fanatically worshiped Zeus, and had an altar to Zeus, in the image of a throne; located just above the city. Zeus was referred to as ‘Zeus the Savior’. The name of the city (Pergamum) means parchment. And parchment was used (still is) as a writing material for very important documents. Write on a scroll what you see . . . (Rev 1:11)

The words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword; again remind us that these words are from Jesus Christ Himself! (R1:16 & 19:15) They live amongst great deception, yet remain true and pure to the name of Jesus; and faithful to Him; even when Antipas was threatened with death; and now - they are in the midst of grief. However, they also allow the teaching and encouragement of falsehood - the pursuit of money; and sexual immorality. They are not listening to the Spirit of God enough - the Holy Spirit - to require repentance from those teaching perversions. Jesus requires repentance. Those who do not repent - will find themselves fighting Christ, with themselves on the wrong side of the battle . . .

He who listens to the Spirit of God, and does what He says, and overcomes - will receive hidden manna, bread from heaven - or the ‘good stuff’ - food and life which has been tucked away, awaiting the glorious celebration for which it was created. Presents hidden under the Tree of Life, for those who overcome. And He will also give us a white stone with a special name on it . . . The reference to the white stone conveys innocence. You were judged, and found not wanting! Saul, who was also called Paul - cast his Black stone (pebble) against Stephen ;(Acts 8:1 & 26:10) just before Stephen was stoned to death. In this time period, individuals used to carry two pebbles on their person . . . a white stone, and a black stone. Black was for guilt - white was for innocence. Jesus declares that if you continue till you overcome - He will declare you innocent!

A lot of times today - we wish to say: “Jesus has done it all. He has overcome sin and death.” And that is true of course. But yet, Jesus is asking his believers to overcome as well. He is asking us to read revelation, take it to heart; and to walk by the Spirit of God. We ARE to overcome. If we do not overcome, if we take no actions for our faith - we will fall. We will be swallowed up in our sins and deceptions. We are instructed to overcome, and to listen to our teacher - the Holy Spirit of God!

Rev 2:12 - 17

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

The fourth church is Thyatira.

Thyatira has no known illustrious history (or traditions); and is barely mentioned in ancient writings. Yet, existing records reference more trade guilds than any other Asian city. They worshiped an Anatolian deity who was a warlike figure armed with a battle-ax and mounted on a charger (a horse). Some of their coins also depict a female deity - who is wearing a battlemented crown.

The letter to Thyatira references Jezebel. Jezebel is never described in scripture in any positive reference. The absolute best reference that can be attributed to Jezebel in any ‘good’ or in some - ‘positive’ way would be the following: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel (1Kings 21:23) & This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, “This is Jezebel.” (2Kings 9:36 - 37) Because of the way in which Jezebel encouraged her husband Ahab to follow Baal, and commit evil; God spoke thru Elijah to Ahab; and stated: I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel - slave or free. (1Kings 21:21)

There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. (1Kings 21:25)

Ahab committed wickedness before he married Jezebel. But - the driving force throughout most of his life - to commit evil - was his wife. The city of Thyatira had no major traditions which are remembered, nor much written about this city. Part of the curse given to Ahab and Jezebel, is God stating that He is going to cut off their descendants . . . and now we see the example of the city of Thyatira. The church where Jezebel is mentioned. Their coins depict a warrior god mounted on a horse . . . And a few coins depicting a woman who is also wearing a battlemented crown. Quoting: The inscription states that Ahab commanded two thousand chariots and ten thousand men. The number of his chariots was far greater than the number credited to any other king. [(1) pg25]

So Thyatira - used coins glorifying a god warrior who conquered on a horse; and God references Jezebel and the destruction of her children - in the letter to the Christians at Thyatira . And Jezebel’s husband was a King commanding a huge number of chariots; who participated in sexual sins and great evil; and God had all of his descendants utterly destroyed. And the city of Thyatira - although it had more trade guilds than any other Asian city - is scarcely mentioned in any ancient writings!

The actual woman Jezebel was a very evil and wicked woman; who aligned herself with numerous false prophets; and strived to utterly destroy all true prophets of God. Jezebel probably declared herself to be a prophet - although no scripture references the statement. Scripture does reference that over EIGHT HUNDRED prophets routinely ate (fellowship, breaking bread together, feasting, partying) at Jezebel’s table. Jezebel was extremely intertwined with false prophecy. (1 Kings 18:4; 18:19; 19:1 - 2)

The letter to Thyatira opens with Jesus reminding us that He is the Son of God, (a title denoting divine nature; heir; authority from, of, and by God; and is a synonym for Messiah . . . ) The Son implies the one who inherits the Kingdom; massive authority, etc. His appearance is terrifying. His eyes alone are a blazing fire; and his feet are of burnished bronze. (Fine Brass (KJV)) Depending on the various alloys - polished brass can be quite reflective and bright. The Amplified states (R2:18 Amp):

eyes that flash like a flame of fire, and Whose feet glow like bright and burnished and white-hot bronze.

Adam Clarke writes:

The original word, chalkolibanon, means the famous aurichalcum, or factitious metal, which, according to Suidas, was eidos eelektron, timiooteron chrusou, "a kind of amber, more precious than gold." It seems to have been a composition of gold, silver, and brass, and the same with the Corinthian brass, so highly famed and valued; for when Lucius Mummius took and burnt the city of Corinth, many statues of these three metals, being melted, had run together, and formed the composition already mentioned, and which was held in as high estimation as gold. (Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc.)

Jesus commends them for their deeds, love and faith; and their service and perseverance. He also states they are growing in Him - since they are now doing more than they did when they first became saved . . . But some are tolerating Jezebel - who is displaying prophetic power; and is leading people to commit sexual sins, and to pursue Satan instead of the Lord. This is accomplished thru deception, and secrets of power from Satan. People are seeking power; but not true relationship with God! But God knows the heart - and He has tried to lead those pursuing not God but their own desires - to repentance. The children of these false teachings, will be struck down if they do not repent!

In His letter to the church of ‘Thyatira’ (in His letter to US); Jesus is NOT stating that a woman cannot prophesy or be used in prophecy - or even function as a prophet of God. These seven churches were chosen because of the traditions and history which surrounded the area. The mention of Jezebel in Thyatira -was not referenced so that people could say: “See, God doesn’t want any women prophets.” No - prophecy and Jezebel were mentioned together - because historically - Jezebel was intimately involved in false prophecy and powerful deceptions. We are (especially in these last days which are upon us) to be on our guard - not against prophecy, miracles, or the Lord’s powerful manifestations in our midst - but we are to be on guard against false prophecy, and false miracles, and powerful deceptions. We are called to be true prophets, and to know and to have an intimate relationship with our God! (Mark 4:9; John 10:4,16,27; Rev 2:29)

I myself - have a friend and dear brother in Christ - Mark D’B. Mark gets asked to go with people to all sorts of things. He has a natural heart, witness and hospitality towards people and towards God. One day Mark is sharing about a church which he had recently visited; and that gold dust was floating down in the air . . . So - I’m crying out and saying to Mark - “Why don’t you ever call me; when your going to one of these things . . . I’d like to see gold dust floating down from Heaven!”

Now, I haven’t ever been to any type of worship service to God - where that ‘type’ of spiritual manifestation(s) occurred. But - what is my heart? Why am I moaning to Mark - that he didn’t take me? Totally wrong motivation. I want power. I want excitement. I want to see God move. I want to see miracles; and people healed. But what are the true motivations of my heart? Just making the point - that this type of stuff is all very today. These letters and rebukes, and encouragements - are written for us - and to us! We are so caught up in all of our great achievements, and the technologies of man - that we hardly have time for God. And yet - when spiritual power is manifest - we desire it for the wrong motivations. Lord Jesus help us; and Lord Jesus - help me! It is TOTALLY fine to be excited in God. To be pumped up for the Lord. That is GREAT! God wants to exhibit His power. But we need to have the right motivations . . .

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3)

Those who have not been misled; are encouraged to continue to walk the narrow path. To hold on to what they have (a relationship with God); until Jesus finally returns in His Glory. So, we are encouraged to guard our hearts, and the reasons we serve; and to constantly improve our relationship with our dear Lord. If we hold fast , if we overcome (all of the world’s deceptions); than we will be given authority over the nations. We will rule with Jesus . . . we will be given an ‘office’ of great authority - we will be given the morning star. Jesus himself - is the bright Morning Star. (R22:16) And again - we are encouraged to learn to HEAR the Spirit of God!

Rev 2:18 - 29

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' - just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

*Chapter 1*   *Chapter 3*

"Questions??? Give a shout!"

All Greek/Hebrew definitions (unless otherwise noted) are taken from
The NIV Exhaustive Concordance by Edward W. Goodrick & John R. Kohlenberger III © 1990 by The Zondervan Corporation. ISBN 0-310-436970-7

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, International Version®, NIV84®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright 2011 - Revelation Disclosed Updated 10/14/11

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