The Seven Churches – Pergamos and Thyatira.
Questions
1. To what period were we brought in the last lesson?
Answer: To the days when, under the patronage of Constantine and the great of earth, the apostate wing of the church and the world joined hands and the Roman Empire was said to be “converted.”‘
2. Under what name does the Spirit address the loyal church in this third period?
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Note: “Pergamos” means height or elevation. The so-called conversion of the Emperor Constantine took place in A. D. 323. The same power which had been used to persecute and put to death millions of the Christians was now turned in their favor. Thus a flood of worldliness and pagan doctrines was brought into the church.
3. How is the speaker described?
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Note: The description suggests the need of discipline by the hewing of the Word of God Which is the Spirit of Christ. Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
4. What words of approval are spoken?
Revelation 2:13 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.
Note: “Where Satan’s seat is.” It was following the supposed conversion of Constantine that the flood-gates of error were opened, and every form of false doctrine was brought in. Constantine was nothing but a heathen to the day of his death. His so-called conversion was wholly an affair of political policy. Nearly every false doctrine in the Roman Church to-day, and very many still retained in Protestant churches, came direct from paganism, and were brought into the church at that time. Truly it was where Satan’s seat was.
5. What does “Antipas” mean in verse 13?
Revelation 2:13 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.
Answer: It is a combination of two Greek words “Anti” and “Pater” meaning “Anti-Father” or “Anti-Papa” = (Anti-Pope). That is to say that those faithful followers of Jesus who apposed the Popes would be Martyred, or murdered!
6. What words of censure was given?
Revelation 2:14 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. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Note: The apostate Balaam having failed by direct attack to bring a curse upon Israel, counseled Balak to seduce them into sin and so indirectly accomplish the end. Numbers 31:16 “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Here the church that had withstood the pagan persecutions was weakened by popularity, and the compromise with worldly principles, evil and falsehood springing up within. It is still the greatest danger of the church.
7. What warning is spoken?
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
8. What exhortation and promise is addressed to those who have compromised with evil?
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.
9. By what church is the next, or fourth, period represented?
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;
Note: “Thyatira” means “sweet savor of labor,” or “sacrifice of contrition,” appropriately suggesting the torn and bleeding church of Christ in the dark days of papal rule.) This period of—the church may be said to begin about A. D. 538, the date, marking the political supremacy of the Papacy, and introducing another distinct era in church history, namely, the 1260 years (538 to 1798) of Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
10. Who speaks, and how is He described?
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;
Note: The feet of burnished brass (see Rev. 1:15) are evidence that Jesus still walks the fiery furnace of trial with His loved ones. Revelation 1:15 “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”
Note: When Rev 2:18 says “his eyes like unto a flame of fire”. First This is what His eyes look like, and second it also shows that He (Jesus) knows our thoughts and desires. And that He is the one who we are accountable to. Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
11. What does He first mention?—The virtues. In what terms?
Revelation 2:19 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.
12. What is the reproof?
Revelation 2:20 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.
Note: “Jezebel is a figurative. name, alluding to Ahab’s wife, who slew the prophets of the Lord, led her husband into idolatry, and fed the prophets of Baal at her own table. A more striking figure could not have been used to denote the papal abominations. See 1 Kings, chapters 18, 19, and 21. It is very evident from history, as well as from this verse, that the church of Christ did suffer some of the papal monks to preach and teach among them. See the ‘History of the Waldenses.’ “—William Miller’s Lectures.
13. What threat is uttered against the apostate power?
Revelation 2:21-23 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 great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 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.
14. How does the Lord encourage His own, but erring, church in days of apostasy?
Revelation 2:24-25 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Isaiah 42:3-4 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law..
15. What promise is made to the faithful under oppression?
Revelation 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 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.
Note: The smiting of the nations is performed by Christ, but associated with Him in the final judgment are all the saints. (Psalms 2:8-9 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.) (Psalms 149:5-9 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.) During the thousand years they sit with Christ in judgment upon the wicked.
16. What pledge of victory has the believer?
Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Note: In that darkest hour of the church the Lord gives the assurance of the coming dawn. See (Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us; Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.; 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:) John 1:4-5, 9 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”, 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” It is the personal presence of God through Jesus Christ that brings the assurance of the dawn of eternal day to those who “hold fast.” John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
17. With what call does the message close?
Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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