Letters To the 7 Churches in Revelation - Letters to Smyrna and Pergamos

 As taught in Bible study on 7_26_21

Letters To the 7 Churches in Revelation

Letters to Smyrna and Pergamos

 

Review:
The Book of Revelation was written by John while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos.  He was placed on the Isle for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John had a lot of time on his hands since he couldn’t go anywhere and basically there wasn’t much else to do on that island, so he spent a lot of time in prayer.

As was the Jews’ custom on the Lord’s Day, John was praying and devoting time to God.  He went into a deep place in the Spirit as he prayed….we see that in Rev. 1:10-16.

Many people avoid reading the book of Revelation because it is difficult to understand.  It’s a mystery.  But the Bible says….

Rev 1:3  BLESSED is he that READETH, and they that HEAR THE WORDS of this prophecy, and KEEP THOSE THINGS which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (meaning: it’s coming quickly)

 

The second letter John wrote was to THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA….

**The following history of Smyrna came from the Spring 2021 Word Aflame Sunday School Curriculum….

Smyrna was located in the area of the current city of Izmir, Turkey.  It was a bustling trade city where a lot of money was exchanged. 

The people of Smyrna were known for their advanced study of science and medicine.

Because it was located on the coast, fish was most likely a frequent meal.

Christians in Smyrna were persecuted for their faith. Laws in Smyrna required people to worship the Emperor.  When Christ followers refused to worship a man, they were in danger of being executed if found out.

In addition, the Church members were also persecuted by non-Christian Jews because of their belief and following of Jesus. The Christians in Smyrna were fearful, stressed, and poor.                        

Persecute means: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically: to cause to suffer because of belief.  To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (such as attacks, pleas, or importunities)

 **end of excerpt from SS Material**

Jesus saw everything the Christians in Smyrna were going through and instructed John to write them a letter to encourage and strengthen them.

Revelation 2

Vs 8 – And unto the angel [Pastor] of the Church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive;    [**That’s JESUS!!!**]

Vs 9 – I know thy WORKS, and TRIBULATION, and POVERTY, (but thou art rich) [**They may be poor in this world, but they were rich in the things of God! The most important of all!**] and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan. [**they claimed to be Jews who love and serve God, yet they did not know who He was nor were they doing the Lord’s work by persecuting the Christians.  They did not discern what spirit they were of.]

Vs 10 – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried;

[**Notice who is going to cast them into prison – the devil!  We are not
           wrestling against flesh and blood!  We need to remember that when we face persecution and attacks from others whether it’s family, friends, or foes.  Pray for them for they know not what they do. 

**Notice also that He admonished them not to fear the things they were going to suffer – Jesus said in Matt 10:28, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both
soul and body in hell.”  Fear not man – only God! For if you’re faithful to the
           end, the pain and suffering ends at death but life eternal begins with God
           where there is peace forevermore! ]

Continuing vs 10 – and ye shall have tribulation 10 days [*He warned they were going to suffer for 10 days BUT….] BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, and I will give thee a crown of Life. 

Vs 11 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt in the second death.

*If you remain faithful to God despite intense persecution, torture, and being put to death, you will never have to worry about dying or facing such pain again.  You won’t have to fear being cast into hell which is the second death. 

What a comfort!  Jesus, help us to remain faithful unto death!

Notice this Church did not receive any rebuke from the Lord. 

LETTER TO PERGAMOS

**The following history of Pergamos came from the Spring 2021 Word Aflame Sunday School Curriculum….

Pergamos was located in present-day Turkey.  The country of Turkey straddles the continental line between Asia and Europe.  A small area of the country extends into Eastern Europe. 

Pergamos was surrounded by mountains and hills.  The Caicus River broke through the landscape to provide and area for residents to build.  Archaeological evidence shows that people resided at Pergamos as early as 800 B.C. 

The people of Pergamos were inventors and innovators.  They created parchment with calfskin, and they built hospitals. A large theater seated ten thousand people.  It’s excellent acoustics made it possible for a whisper on the stage to be heard by someone all the way in the top row.  Pergamos also had the second largest library in the ancient world.

Although the city was famous and beautiful, Jesus referred to it as the city of satan’s throne.  The citizens built three temples dedicated to their false gods.  They also worshiped the emperor of Pergamos.

The majority of Christians in Pergamos (like Smyrna) refused to worship a man and false gods. Because of this, they were persecuted. Unfortunately, some people in the Pergamos Church followed these false religious ideas (perhaps some did it out of fear of persecution? Others followed a spirit of strong delusion…mixing the world with the things of God. The spirit of Compromise!).

Their evil ideas were influencing others within the church.  People were eating food offered to false gods and they were encouraging immoral behaviors. God rebuked their actions and told them to REPENT!          **End of excerpt from SS Material**

Rev 2:12 - And to the angel [Pastor] of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges [That is the Word of God – Heb 4:12]

Vs 13 – I know thy WORKS, and where thou dwellest, even where satan’s seat is: [*They were living in a very evil and wicked place where satan had rule] 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. [*stayed faithful despite persecution and seeing friends killed]

Vs 14 – 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.

[*Balaam taught Balac to entice the Israelites to sin though sexual immorality
with Midianite women. (Num 31 + 2 Peter 2:15)  They convinced them there was nothing wrong with it.  They were committing and excusing fornication which the Bible warns against.  Shockingly, there are those today who claim to be Christian and even Holy Ghost filled yet they are committing fornication and partaking in worldly things while still thinking they’re saved and Heaven Bound.  They are not reading their Bible!  The Bible warns in Galatians 5:19-21 that those who do these things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God! Their conscious is seared! ]

Vs 15 – So hast thou them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans WHICH THING I HATE.

[*See notes for the Letter to the Church of Ephesus.  The Nicolaitains and
those who held the doctrine of Balaam were compromisers. They tried to blend the ways of the world in to the Church. They taught and encouraged people to sin while excusing away sinful things that are blatantly warned against in the Word of God. Jesus said He hates these things!]

Vs 16 – REPENT!!! OR ELSE I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the Sword of My Mouth.

[*Scary and fearful thing to have Jesus come and fight against you. 
Compromising and encouraging of others to sin will bring God’s wrath upon a person.]

Vs 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 I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saveth he that receiveth it.

 

HIDDEN MANNA – Manna is food for the soul and is only found in the Secret Places of God.

Isaiah 45:3 – And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches
of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

That Hidden Manna, the Treasures of Darkness, and Hidden Riches can only be found when you enter those deep places in the Spirit through prayer and fasting. 

Hidden Manna is not the surface spiritual milk that many partake of because they are not willing to sacrifice and consecrate their self to go deeper in the things of God. 

Hidden manna will only be found through sacrifice and denying the flesh through sincere deep intense prayer and fasting that will get this flesh under subjection so God can reveal the Treasures of Darkness and feed you with the Hidden Manna.  But be warned: Trials and tribulations come with it.  That’s why not many are willing to suffer to find it.

WHITE STONE – Jewish history reveals that when a verdict of ‘not guilty’ was given, the accused would receive a White Stone.  One day, when we stand before Jesus and we hear Him say ‘well done thou good and faithful servant! Enter in!’ we will receive a WHITE STONE. 

Our sins have been blotted out through His precious atoning blood and a NEW NAME is given to us and written down in Glory after we have repented of our sins, been baptized and took on that precious HOLY NAME OF JESUS, and He fills us with the Holy Ghost which is the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15-16)  We now belong to Jesus!  (Romans 8:9)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.