Principles of Interpretation: There are patterns to Revelation which should be considered when trying to understand it. One pattern is that each new section is introduced by a scene from the temple. There is significance to these introductions. Do not ignore them. They are a key to understanding the section. Another pattern is that the book is written in symbolic language. The King James Version translates verse 1 as “he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” To signify is to show in signs, i.e., symbols. Those symbols are based in the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testament. As such, look to the rest of the Bible to interpret Revelation rather than using Revelation to interpret the rest of the Bible. This also means that you need to let the Bible interpret itself rather than attempting to have it fit into today’s headlines. In short, do not treat Revelation as separate from the rest of the Bible. Instead, expect that the events described in Revelation have been presented in other parts of the Bible. A third pattern in Revelation is the idea of judgement. There are courtroom scenes and wrath and complaints about God not bringing justice. In fact, humans are not the only ones under judgment. God Himself is on trial, and the repeated verdict is that God is just, holy, and worthy. From the beginning claim that this is the Revelation of Jesus to the promise in the last chapter that we shall see God’s face, Revelation is an examination of who our Creator is and whether He is worthy of our loyalty.

Disclaimer: There are four basic methodologies used to interpret the book of Revelation in modern society: futurism, historicism, idealism, and preterism. Many modern churches have embraced the idea of the secret rapture, which is a form of futurism. On the other hand, some churches say that Revelation deals solely with events that were happening in the apostolic era. This is called preterism. Other churches teach that Revelation does not describe any specific time period. Instead, the symbols are philosophical and/or spiritual ideas. The series of studies that I am posting is based on historicism, which says that the Bible teaches that Revelation begins with the time of John and describes the interactions of the church with a hostile world throughout history culminating in the final future eradication of sin from the universe. This view denies a secret rapture. I do not want you to be in confusion about the basic premises of this series of lessons. If you disagree with the historicist viewpoint, please study for yourself to be certain that the interpretations that you have been told by others and simply accepted make sense with the whole Bible. As you study, first ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit; then study the verses, and let the Bible interpret itself. Even if you disagree with my comments, you may find the verses and background information that I provide useful. Finally, I want to emphasize that I myself am still studying Revelation and my understanding is deepening each time I open the book and read. Revelation is a distillation of the whole Bible; as such, the limited space of this blog and my limited understanding means that these lessons are not nearly as in-depth as they could (and maybe should) be.

References: See the end of this post for sources.

Introduction: Revelation 1:1 & 11

(1)  The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

• This verse says that this book is telling about things that must soon take place.  Thus, it is prophecy, and the predicted events start shortly after the revelation is given to John.  In other words, the prophecies of Revelation start in the apostolic age.

(11)  saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

• On the surface the passages of chapters two and three just seem like letters of counsel to the seven churches, but verse 1 has already stated that this is a book of prophecy and given the beginning time period of prophecy.  In addition, this section is introduced with temple imagery in the same way the other sections are introduced.  The other sections are obviously prophecies, so this section, which parallels the manner of introduction must be prophecy also.  This does not rule out that these might have been counsel to seven churches in the apostolic age also.

Church 1:  Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7

(1)  “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. (2)  “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (3)  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (4)  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (5)  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (6)  Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

• Background:  Ephesus is the same as modern Selcuk, Turkey.  This was the nearest of the seven cities to John’s island prison of Patmos, and it was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia.  It was the fourth-largest city in the Roman Empire.  It is likely that John resided in Ephesus both before and after his exile to Patmos.
• Time Period:  The prophecy for the church of Ephesus took place in the first century.  The apostles were still around at the beginning of this time period, but by the end of the first century, the second generation of believers were beginning to forget why they were Christians and to simply go through the motions.
• Good Points:  Ephesus was sound in its doctrines, tested false apostles, and had no tolerance for false teachings.
• Bad Points:  By focusing solely on doctrines and performing the right actions, the Ephesians had lost sight of the reason that they existed.  They had lost their love for Jesus.  In the process, they would lose their love for each other also.
• Counsel:  Remember, repent, and get back to doing the works you did at first (out of love).
• Reward:  Eat of the tree of life in paradise

Church 2:  Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11

(8)  “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. (9)  “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (10)  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (11)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

• Background:  Smyrna is the same as the modern city of Izmir, Turkey.  It was about 35 miles north of Ephesus.  It was a rich and beautiful city with the reputation of being “the glory of Asia.”  However, it was a bad place for Christians because it had become a center of emperor worship, which was compulsory for citizens after the 1^st century.  The Christians of Smyrna were subjected to losing their legal status as citizens, persecution, and even losing their lives because they refused to participate in worshiping the emperor.  The Jews of the city were disassociating themselves from the Jewish Christians so that the Christians no longer had the protective exemptions that the Jews had gotten from Rome.
• Time Period:  AD 100-AD 313 (approximately).  This was a time of severe persecution for all the churches throughout the Roman Empire.
• Good Points: The Christians of Smyrna are rich in what matters even though persecution has made them poor in worldly goods.
• Bad Points:  None, although they are warned not to fear when more persecution came.
• Counsel: Be faithful unto death, i.e., do not throw away your relationship with Jesus out of fear.
• Reward:  The crown of life.  This crown was the victor’s crown given to the winners of a race.  The first death might overtake them, but they would not be hurt by the second death.  They would live forever.

Church 3:  Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17

(12)  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. (13)  “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (14)  But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. (15)  So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (16)  Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (17)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

• Background:  Pergamum was a city full of pagan worship with lots of temples to Greek gods.  Emperor worship was compulsory.  The Christians were facing difficulties similar to those of Smyrna.  They could lose their legal status as citizens, face persecution, and lose their lives for refusing to participate in the pagan worship of their city.  However, they were in a trickier position because of all the temples.  No wonder Jesus said that Satan was reigning there.  Unlike the Smyrna church, the church of Pergamum had decided that the best course of action was to compromise.  A little participation with the temples and emperor worship just for show, so they would not suffer seemed like a good idea.  They still held to their identity as followers of Jesus while at the same time trying to fit into their world of pagan ideas and forms.
• Time Period:  4^th and 5^th centuries.  Constantine was converted to Christianity in A.D. 313 and the process of compromising with paganism in order to fit in and the influx of nominal Christians who still clung to their pagan beliefs began. More and more non-Biblical ideas infiltrated the church from Greek philosophy to the acceptance of the use of force to gain new converts.
• Good Points:  Hold fast to your faith and do not deny Jesus
• Bad Points:  The church of Pergamum was following the ideas of the Nicolatians and the teachings of Balaam.  In other words, they began compromising their beliefs.  They participated in forbidden acts involved in pagan worship.
• Counsel:  Repent or be at war with Jesus
• Reward:  hidden manna and a white stone with a new name

Church 4:  Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29

(18)  “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. (19)  “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. (20)  But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. (21)  I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. (22)  Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, (23)  and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. (24)  But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. (25)  Only hold fast what you have until I come. (26)  The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, (27)  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. (28)  And I will give him the morning star. (29)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

• Background:  Thyatira was a city of trades (They made stuff).  If you wanted to sell the stuff that you made, you had to belong to a trade guild.  However, each guild had its own patron god with specific ways to worship.  This worship usually involved eating meat offered to idols and lots of alcohol consumption that would end with having sex with temple prostitutes after the feast.  Christians could not become part of the trade guilds without participating in the feasts, and they could not participate in the economic life of the city without belonging to a guild. They were between a rock and a hard place economically.
• Time Period:  most of the Middle Ages.  The medieval church continued to bring in more and more non-Biblical practices, such as saint worship and indulgences. Those who were part of the church tried to follow Jesus sincerely while also practicing the church’s false worship.  However, there were still some pure churches, such as the Waldensians in the mountains of Italy, who refused to be part of the medieval church and maintained true Biblical practices.  They suffered great persecution from the dominant church. In addition, reformers arose from within the church who attempted to follow Jesus in the face of their own church’s oppression. Many of these brave people died for their obedience to Jesus rather than man.
• Good Points:  love, faith, service, patient endurance, good works
• Bad Points:  Tolerating a woman (church) that was bringing in pagan worship and pushing the followers of Jesus to participate in idol worship and being unfaithful to Jesus.
• Counsel:  The adulterous church and her offshoots were going down, so do not be part of them.  Those who have refused to compromise are told to just keep holding on until Jesus came.
• Reward:  rule nations and morning star.  Jesus is the morning star and will rule nations, so He is promising Himself and that they will rule with Him.

Church 5:  Sardis Revelation 3:1-6

(1)  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (2)  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. (3)  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. (4)  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. (5)  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (6)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

• Background: Sardis was built on a steep hill, which made it difficult for armies to attack.  Because of this, they had become lazy in guarding their walls.  Historically, this had allowed the strong fortress of a city to be taken by invaders twice in its history.  In the past, it had been one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, but by John’s time, although it was still wealthy, it was of minor importance.  The citizens were living off of a reputation of past glory with little in the present to brag about.
• Time Period:  This is the post-reformation church, A.D. 1565-1740.  The church of this era started out with great life as reformer after reformer brought the church out of the darkness of the medieval church, but the followers refused to keep moving forward with finding truth and lived in the past.  In the process, they became jaded and cynical.  They began to practice what we call Protestant Scholasticism, which looked at the Bible through skeptical eyes, rather than as the living word of God.  Vibrant faith devolved into rationalism and theological arguments.
• Good points: none
• Bad Points:  reputation for life when it was really dead.  Works that are not acceptable to God
• Counsel:  Wake up.  Strengthen the little that is left, so you don’t die.  Remember what you knew in the past and repent.
• Reward:  white garment, name not blotted out, Jesus confesses his name to the Father  

Church 6:  Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13

(7)  “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. (8)  “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (9)  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. (10)  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (11)  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (12)  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (13)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

• Background:  Philadelphia was named “brotherly love” because the general/king who founded it named it in honor of his brother the king.  He served his brother faithfully until the brother died; at this time the faithful general became king.  However, in John’s time, the Jewish Christians were having problems because of the Jews who did not believe.  They had been put out of the synagogues/rejected.  They were a weak church without support surrounded by pagans and hostile Jews.
• Time Period:  A.D. 1740-1844  This was a time of great reformation and missionary activity in the church.  Bible societies were formed and the gospel spread like wildfire around the world.  This time period climaxed with the Great Advent Movement.  During this time, many believers in Jesus’ soon coming were ejected from their churches because of their beliefs.
• Good Points:  Kept Jesus’ word and had not denied His name even though they had little power
• Bad Points: none
• Counsel:  You have something beautiful, keep it.  Hold fast.
• Promise:  Those who should be your brothers, who have put you out, they will learn that Jesus loves you.  You will be a pillar in Jesus’ temple.

Church 7:  Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22

(14)  “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. (15)  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! (16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (17)  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (18)  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. (19)  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (21)  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (22)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

• Background: Laodicea is the same as modern-day Eskihisar, Turkey—45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles east of Smyrna.  The people of Laodicea were enormously wealthy because of their position on a trade route, their clothing manufacture, and banking transactions—large quantities of gold were stored there.  There was a famous medical school that drew in people from everywhere.  It specialized in the treatment of eye diseases with a special ointment made from Phrygian powder mixed with oil.  The Laodiceans were very proud.  For example, when an earthquake devastated the city in A.D. 60, they refused all outside help and rebuilt the city themselves using their own massive wealth.  Their only weakness was with the water.  It was brought in from miles away and by the time it reached the city, it was lukewarm even though one of the water sources was a hot spring and the other was ice cold water from a separate source.
• Time Period:  1844-Present.  After the revival that led to the Great Disappointment in 1844, the church began to focus more and more on being part of the world.  Rather than give up all to follow Jesus, the attitude was to have the world and Jesus also.  Church members became more and more prosperous.  At the same time, they became less and less spiritual.
• Good Points:  None
• Bad Points:  Lukewarm, self-deceived, poor, wretched, blind, and naked
• Counsel:  Buy gold tried in the fire, white garments, and ointment for the eyes.  Open the door to Jesus and eat with Him.
• Reward:  Sit with Jesus on His throne to rule

Laodicea—Verse by verse

(14)  “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

• Jesus is the “so be it.”  He can be trusted.  He speaks the truth.  He is our Creator.  In other words, “Laodiceans!  Pay attention!  He knows what He’s talking about.  Don’t dismiss what He says.”

(15)  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!

• The Laodiceans are not on fire for God.  They are not atheists.  They claim to be followers of Jesus, but they do it by rote and place other parts of life on an equal footing with their belief in God.  God would rather have them as total unbelievers than claiming to be His followers without loving Him.

(16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

• Jesus rejects lukewarm followers.  He feels revulsion towards people who claim to love Him while treating Him like dirt.  Jesus is the husband of the church.  His bride acts as if He is not important.  She takes Him for granted and would rather focus on unimportant matters than spend time with her husband.

(17)  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

• The people of the church of this time period think that they are doing well.  They think that they are serving God correctly.  They think that they have everything they need from God.  The reality is that they are spiritually bankrupt.  They do not have the riches of the kingdom of heaven.  Their faith is pathetic.  Their love is just an empty show.  They cannot see themselves or others clearly.  They do not have Jesus’ righteousness covering them.

(18)  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

• The gold refined by fire is faith and love.
  • 1 Peter 1:7  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
  • James 2:5  Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
  • Galatians 5:6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
• The white garments are Christ’s righteousness
  • Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
  • Zechariah 3:1-5 (1)  Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. (2)  And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” (3)  Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. (4)  And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” (5)  And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.
  • Note:  The Laodiceans were famous for their black woolen cloth, but Jesus said that they needed a different kind of clothing.  Their clothing was to be white.  White is a symbol of purity and freedom from sin.
  • Isaiah 1:18  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
• Eye salve was to cure the spiritual blindness of the people.  The salve was the Holy Spirit opening the eyes of the heart.
  • Ephesians 1:17-18 (17)  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (18)  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

(19)  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

• Jesus loves the Laodiceans even though they are treating Him as if He were worthless.  He values them.  He is willing to receive them with open arms.  He is knocking and waiting for them to open up the door of their hearts to him and spend time with Him. 
• To eat in the scriptures is frequently symbolic of spending time in God’s word.  It means to internalize the words of God so that we form a closer relationship with Him.

(21)  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

• The case of the the poverty-stricken, blind, naked, deluded Laodiceans seems hopeless. Their self-satisfaction blinds them to their condition, but even when their eyes are opened, their problems seem impossible to solve. However, Jesus promises to purify these people. He will clothe them in His righteousness. He will heal them of their disability and open their eyes. He will make them rich in faith, and they will conquer the adversary who held them in unknowing servitude as slaves. As a result, they will be rulers with Jesus on his throne if they will simply humble themselves, see their need, and start eating with Jesus.

(22)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

• All the counsels to the churches end with an admonition to listen to the Spirit. The churches are to be led by the Holy Spirit. We do not tell God what to do. We listen and obey. Unfortunately, too many followers of Jesus are deaf to His Voice. The Spirit speaks to us through the scriptures and through the voice in our head which directs our path towards righteousness. We need to listen to the voice of the Spirit rather than the voice of the world. The messages to the churches in the book of Revelation are reproving us and leading us back to a right relationship with God. These words are promising us that repentance will result in great rewards.

References:

(These are sources that I have either directly quoted from in the various posts in this series of lessons or that I have paraphrased ideas from in my comments.)

• Andrews Study Bible–In some lessons, I refer to the study comments in this Bible.
• Plain Revelation–A book by Ranko Stefanovic that summarizes the meaning of various sections of Revelation
• Revelation of Jesus Christ–A book by Ranko Stefonovic that comments on each verse of Revelation.
• Salvation in Signs and Symbols–a series of shows where two pastors and two other Christians study through the books of Revelation and Daniel. These programs can be accessed at 3abnplus.tv . Scroll down to 3ABN Dare to Dream Network and choose Salvation in Signs and Symbols from the list there.
• Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary (Volume 7) (Copywrite 1957)–This is the old green set of commentaries, not the new commentary series that is in the process of being published and should be released after 2022. (Boy, I would love to get my hands on that set when it comes out!)
• Table Talk–A series of shows where four pastors discuss various topics. These programs can be accessed at tabletalk.online . Season 4 focuses on Revelation.
• Unlocking Revelation–A series of pamphlets that can be downloaded for free by going to lightbearers.org and clicking on “Resources”