In chapters 2 and 3, John records messages to the seven churches mentioned by Jesus in 1:11: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The first four letters are recorded in chapter 2; the final three in chapter 3.
Each of the seven letters follows a similar pattern or template. Each letter is addressed to an “angel” for the congregation, likely an angelic messenger assigned to the church. Next comes a brief description of the Author of the letter—the risen, glorious Lord Jesus. Each letter highlights specific aspects of his countenance or character revealed in John’s encounter with Jesus in chapter 1. Then comes the body of the letter in which the Lord Jesus begins by stating what He “knows” about the spiritual condition of that congregation (the words “I know” occur in each of the seven letters—2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). In most cases, the Lord gives both commendation and correction (no correction for Smyrna or Philadelphia; no commendation for Laodicea). The letters all conclude with a promised blessing for “the one who conquers” as well as an identical exhortation: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Ephesus
The church in Ephesus, the best-known congregation of the seven because of Paul’s letters, received Jesus’ commendation for “your words, your toil, and your patient endurance” (2:2). Jesus also praises them for testing and rejecting false apostles and for tirelessly bearing up under pressure for His name’s sake (2:3). But all is not well. Jesus rebukes them for abandoning “the love you had at first” (2:4). This loss of love for Jesus (and possibly for one another) is no small matter. Jesus warns that unless they “repent and do the works you did at first”, He will “come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (2:5). While they are failing to love in the right ways, they still “hate” the “works of the Nicolaitans”, works that Jesus also hates (2:6). Those in the congregation who respond with repentance and renewed love become “conquerors” who will be granted the privilege of eating “from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (2:7).
Smyrna
When writing the church in Smyrna, Jesus begins by reminding them that He is “the first and the last, who died and came to life” (2:8; 1:17-18). This reminder fits powerfully with the commendation and exhortation Jesus has for them. Jesus tells them He knows all about their “tribulation”, “poverty” and the “slander” they are experiencing from some in the Jewish community (2:9). Jesus reveals that Satan lies behind this fierce opposition that will land some of them in prison for “ten days” and even cause some to die for their testimony (2:9-10). Without any rebuke, Jesus exhorts the believers not to “fear what you are about to suffer” (2:10). Instead, He calls them to “be faithful unto death” in order to receive “the crown of life.” Those who “conquer” through their faithfulness will “not be hurt by the second (eternal) death” (2:11; 20:14).
Pergamum
Jesus’ message to the church in Pergamum begins with a reminder that He has “the sharp two-edged sword” (2:12; 1:16), an aggressive image which comes into play later in the letter (2:16). Jesus knows what they are up against in Pergamum, a city “where Satan’s throne is” and “where Satan dwells” (2:13). Evidently, this church resides in a spiritually dark place with a great deal of demonic activity. Jesus commends the believers in the church for “holding fast my name” and for not denying their faith, even when faithfulness proved deadly for a “faithful witness” named Antipas (2:13). Despite their courage, Jesus does have “a few things” against this congregation: “you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam” (2:14). These individuals, associated with a group called “the Nicolaitans” (2:15; see 2:6), were spiritually and sexually compromised; they ate food offered to idols and practiced sexual immorality (2:14). Jesus calls the whole congregation to “repent” of their toleration of this evil (2:16). Otherwise, He promises to “come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth” (2:16). Those who “hear” and heed His words—the conquerors—will receive “some hidden manna” and “a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (2:17).
Thyatira
The church in Thyatira’s letter highlights Jesus as “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (2:18). This church receives praise from Jesus for their “love and faith and service and patient endurance” (2:19). He acknowledges they have been growing stronger in their works (“your latter words exceed the first”—2:19). However, these positive signs of grace and growth are tarnished by a major problem. The church is tolerating the “woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess” (2:20). This influential lady advocates sexual immorality and spiritual idolatry (eating food “sacrificed to idols”—2:20). She had been given “time to repent” but remains unrepentant. Jesus promises to come and deal strongly with her and her followers (“her children”—2:22-23). He will “throw her onto a sickbed” and “strike her children dead” (2:22-23). Those in the congregation who have resisted the pull of Jezebel (who seems aligned with the Nicolaitans—compare 2:14 and 2:20), are exhorted to “hold fast what you have until I come” (2:24). Those who “conquer” by keeping Jesus “works” until He comes, will be granted the honour of ruling with Him over “the nations” (2:26-27). They will also receive “the morning star” (2:29).
What is Revealed about Jesus?
Jesus knows what’s going on in every person in every congregation. Each letter to the seven churches contains the phrase “I know” (2:2,9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). Jesus knows the condition of every congregation—both the good and the bad. Even more, Jesus knows what’s going on in the “mind and heart” of each person in the congregation: “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works” (2:23). With “eyes like a flame of fire” (2:18; 1:14), He searingly searches the inner workings and outward works of individuals and of entire congregations. As the Lord of the Church, He can commend and critique, rebuke and reward in a righteous, just way.
Jesus doesn’t equate genuine love with sinful tolerance. Even though Jesus commends the church in Thyatira for their love, faith, service, and patient endurance (2:19), He still rebukes them for tolerating sexual and spiritual compromise (2:18-20). The same holds true for His response to the church in Pergamum: He commends their endurance in suffering but condemns their tolerance of sexual sin and spiritual idolatry (2:13-14). Jesus’ definition of love has limits on what it will embrace. Love is never a license to accept what Jesus rejects.
Jesus commends and rewards Christians who patiently endure persecution.
In His letters to the first four churches, Jesus commends those who faithfully and patiently persevere under pressure and persecution (note the repeated phrase “patient endurance” in 2:2, 18; see also 1:9). He allows His followers to be “tested” by intense seasons of suffering, imprisonment, and death (2:10; “ten days” seems to speak of a particularly intense time of suffering). This suffering, which can come through religious people (2:9), has a satanic origin and is from “the devil” (2:10). Jesus promises eternal rewards to those who patiently and faithfully “conquer” by holding fast to His name and not denying their faith (2:13), While we don’t know all that is signified by the promised rewards (hidden manna, white stone, morning star), we can trust these rewards will be worth any suffering endured.
How Can We Keep the Words of this Prophecy?
Churches that lose their first love will be rebuked and may be removed by Jesus. While Jesus warns several churches of His coming judgment on ungodly leaders and their followers (Pergamum and Thyatira), the Ephesian church is threatened with extinction. If they failed to repent and return to “the love you had at first” (2:4), Jesus says He will “come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (2:5). When a church loses its love for Jesus and others, it risks losing everything. The remedy for a church that has lost its first love is to “repent and do the works (or deeds) you did at first” (2:5). “First works” done out of a “first love” keep a church spiritually alive.
Churches must evaluate leaders and their teaching in order to reject what Jesus hates. The Ephesian church is commended for their careful evaluation of spiritual leaders; they “tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false” (2:2). The believers in Ephesus also hated the works of the Nicolaitans which Jesus says He also “hates” (2:6). On the opposite side, the believers in Pergamum are rebuked for allowing “the teaching of the Nicolaitans” to exist within the congregation (2:15). Also, those in Thyatira are reproved for tolerating “that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess” (2:20). Jesus expects congregations to be discerning when it comes to those they listen to and follow as spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders with defective beliefs and lifestyles must not be given a platform or position of influence and authority in the church.
Faithfully following Jesus involves patient endurance, genuine love, works of service, and personal holiness. Combining what is commended and critiqued in the various congregations, we can conclude faithfulness has at least four aspects. First, we must keep our “first love” for the Lord along with a discerning love towards others (2:4,19). Second, we must patiently endure suffering and persecution without denying our Saviour or the faith (2:3, 9-10, 13, 18). Third, we must give ourselves to “works” of service for His church (2:2,19). Fourth, we must maintain a pure and holy life despite what others do (2:25). Keeping Jesus’ “words” (1:3) involves keeping Jesus’ “works” (2:26) by faithfully obeying His commands out of a heart of love. Those who do this become “conquerors” who will be rewarded by their Lord.
Reflection Questions
- If Jesus wrote a specific letter to your church, what do you think He would say? What commendations or critiques would He give?
- What challenged or encouraged you personally as you read these letters? What needs to change? What needs to remain strong for you to be one who “conquers”?