Revelation 2

Chapters 2–3 of Revelation contain the letters sent to the seven churches of Asia Minor, and chapter 2 contains the first four of them. In chapter 1 John saw the Son of man standing among seven golden candlesticks, and elements of that vision reappear at the opening of each letter to introduce the One who speaks.

Outline

• Verses 1–7: The church in Ephesus. It is commended for its labor and patience and for exposing false apostles, but it is rebuked for having left its first love. The one who overcomes is promised the fruit of the tree of life.
• Verses 8–11: The church in Smyrna. Though it endures tribulation and poverty, it is declared to be rich in reality. It is told that it will have tribulation ten days and is urged to be faithful unto death; no rebuke is given. The one who overcomes "shall not be hurt of the second death."
• Verses 12–17: The church in Pergamum. It held fast the faith where Satan's seat is, even when Antipas was put to death. It is rebuked, however, for having among it those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The one who overcomes is promised the hidden manna and a white stone inscribed with a new name.
• Verses 18–29: The church in Thyatira. It is commended because its last works are more than its first. It is rebuked, however, for tolerating Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. The one who overcomes is promised power over the nations and the morning star.

Key Verses

• Revelation 2:4: "Thou hast left thy first love." This rebuke shows that sound doctrine and zeal alone are not enough.
• Revelation 2:10: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." This is an exhortation to remain faithful to the end in the face of persecution.

People and Places

• Antipas: The "faithful martyr" (KJV; literally "faithful witness") put to death in Pergamum; he appears in Scripture only in this chapter.
• Balaam: Mentioned as the one who taught Balak, king of Moab, how to cause Israel to stumble.
• Jezebel: A self-proclaimed prophetess active in the church at Thyatira. Many interpreters regard the name as a symbolic title alluding to Jezebel of the Old Testament.
• Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira: Cities in Asia Minor (present-day western Turkey).

Points for Reflection

• Each letter follows the same pattern: the church addressed, the self-introduction of the Christ who speaks, commendation and rebuke, a promise to the one who overcomes, and the call "He that hath an ear, let him hear."
• The seven churches are read in several ways: as letters sent to actual first-century churches, as messages to the church in every age, and as representing seven periods of church history (a view held by some dispensationalist interpreters).
• The text does not identify who the Nicolaitans were. Some Church Fathers are reported to have connected them with the Nicolas of Acts 6:5, but this is uncertain.
• Interpreters also differ on whether the "angel" of each church is an angelic being or a church leader, and whether the "ten days" denotes a literal period or symbolizes a short time.
• Verse 27 draws on Psalm 2:9.

In the Korean Church

• The words of 2:10, "Be thou faithful unto death," are frequently cited in sermons at ordination and installation services and at gatherings honoring martyrs.
• Revelation 2:4–5 is often used as a sermon text on the theme of "recovering your first love."