Psalm 12

⁶ The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

⁷ Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

⁸ The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Nothing is more absolute in God’s business than the purity of Scripture. The Church has always been judged by God for the perfection of His Divine Revelations. When truth is cast into the streets of human wisdom the whole business of that church is bankrupt. If a minister adopts an impure Bible he is a disaster. This is the preset collapse of the Church world. No wonder these churches know nothing of the miraculous, in fact they do not even believe in them any longer. But God has a people who treat the Bible as the infallible book it is. God Himself said He would preserve His perfect truth. Please note the Scripture below and do not doubt it.

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  Revelation 2:8-11

To Ephesus, He identifies the source of the letter as, “He that holdest seven stars, and he that walks in the midst of the seven candlesticks.”  To Smyrna, He says, “These things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is alive.”  There will be this beautiful progression of revelation concerning Him as the One Who writes to His church.  The style of this masterful approach is so intriguing that we must be careful not to elevate the style over the messenger.  Only God, incarnate in the flesh and resurrected in glory, could possibly use such language.  He is transcending, but He is also present to be loved and worshipped. 

     This church is without any words of correction.  The presence of the Smyrna churches has graced every generation, suffered untold tribulation; but have won the day, if not in number, certainly in His court of acceptance.  Almost every movement where numbers, sometimes great numbers, have been converted, they were birthed by Smyrna churches.  I have never found one historical event of revival that did not begin by a local church or group of local churches.  The Lord said, “I know thy works and tribulation and poverty and also the blasphemy of those say that they are Jews and are not.” They claim to be the real thing as they attack the Smyrna crowd.  It is extremely easy to see that every great move of God had the big religious crowd of the last great move that fought against the fresh move.  They always declare that they are the real church, and that the Smyrna separatists are the problem.  The book The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent proves this truth a multitude of times with historical facts.   

     The Smyrna churches have been the persecuted churches on many continents and in every period of church history.  To read the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and witness the inhumane suffering of saints is life-changing.  It tells of imprisonment, death, separation from families, children removed from their parents never to see them again, and horrible torture in an attempt to force great saints to recant; that is followed by being burnt at the stake, torn asunder by wild beasts, or drowned.  That’s just a small look at the picture.  The Lord promises this church tribulation, but He also promises them a crown of life.  While they would suffer much for Him, they were reminded that although they might be put to death in the flesh, they would not suffer the second death of eternal separation.  The main time period of the Smyrna church was from AD 100 to AD 313, but this church has had a representation in every period as have all others. 

Revelation 22

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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.” Revelation 2:12-13

     The Pergamos church was introduced by a very stern title, which described the Lord, “These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edge.” The Word of God, as represented in this title and warning, is intended to be very strong.  The marriage of Christ’s church to the world was the darkest day in church history.  Satan engineered this moving of Babylon to the head of the church and the dark ages were not long in coming.  We would think such a clear warning to His church would never be forgotten.  It is never wrong for the church to set up its quarters right in the heart of evil, but it is always wrong when that happens by mixture instead of by conquest.  The true church can literally pull down the gates of hell and those gates will have no defense.  This appears to have happened in the beginning of the church age, but was quickly lost by the conquest of false doctrines and evil among themselves. 

“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. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”  Revelation 2:14-16

     The doctrine of Balaam was the great cause of defeat in this church.  Instead of separation from evil and the conquest over evil, sin-loving preachers or leaders sought to bring the world in for evangelism, and the world beguiled them.  Instead of storming evil by the power of God, they would win by influence and compromise.  This has been the greatest defeat of every move of God.  It’s Balaam’s doctrine – fornicate with the world and they will want what we have.  It is a lie from hell.  The true church bars the world at the altar and pulls down the gates of hell.  Remember, Jesus commended the church at Ephesus because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.  In this church, they have welcomed those that “hold the doctrines of the Nicolaitans.” Now it’s “Repent or I will fight against you with the sword of my mouth” or to say it plainly “with this Word of God.”  His only defense is His Word and our only offense is His Word.

“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.”

Revelation 2:17

     Every ending is so worded that all seven endings are a perfect finish for the entire list of letters. Every church is plainly warned that the only victory is a full victory for those He calls overcomers.  The new language of eternity requires a new name for our Lord Himself and a new name for the Bride of Christ.  This church reflects the time period of AD 313 to AD 590.

Matthew 16

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

“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; 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. 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.  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  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.” Revelation 2:18-23

The spiritual darkness that reigned in this church demanded a consuming title of the Lord to reflect His judgment and fury at compromise and sins.  He plainly stated that their works had far bypassed their faiths.  Then, He revealed the death that the woman Jezebel had accomplished until she had seduced His church into utter failure.  She would not repent, and He promised to cast her into the Tribulation.  That system of Jezebel has survived until the present because she must be available in the end and be judged as He promised.  Many opportunities to repent have been offered.  History tells the story of great saints that pleaded with the false religious empires to change their ways but to no avail.  This false system is more than one organization and embraces almost every religious entity.  There has never been a religious organization that lasted more than an average of one hundred years and then proceeded to persecute the new move of God just like it was persecuted in its beginning. 

     The Lord sees His church as two-fold.  The massive organizations are clearly tied to the woman Jezebel, but her boundaries are hidden in the closets of prayer and grace of the genuine saints that serve the Lord alone.  He says, “As many as have not known the depth of Satan, I will put upon you none other burden.” The pure church is seen as a type of a virgin or a bride.  The false church is seen as a type of an impure woman or a Jezebel. 

“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. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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.  And I will give him the morning star.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  Revelation 2:24-29

  The watchword given to every church and every church age is “hold fast till I come.” There is an increasing emphasis given to this fourth church about the Rapture and the reward of being Rapture-ready. “Hold fast till I come” was a New Testament theme Jesus Christ taught in person that was carried throughout the world by the early church, even prior to the Book of Revelation.  Here, He clarifies the promise of the reigning church during the millennium of Christ and His returning saints. “To the overcomer, I will give power over the nations.” The Spirit has spoken and every saint is commanded to listen.  This church age was from approximately AD 590 to AD 1517.  

Psalm 23

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Conclusion

The second chapter of Revelation is the wonderful or sad story of four churches or church perils.  The picture and promise for our future is bright with His irrevocable promises.  The following three churches hear even more about the Rapture and the warning of coming tribulation.  You cannot escape the fact that four themes govern these seven letters.  It is faithfulness and devotion to His Infallible Word, separation from the world and all its systems, undying love for the Lord Himself, and a commitment to a Biblical lifestyle totally different from the world.  He always calls His faithful followers “overcomers.” The best words to describe the true church in the midst of the wicked world and ten thousand compromises is, “These are my overcomers.”