Bro. Mick Smith
Letter to the Church at Ephesus
> Revelation 2:1-7 (KJV)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars (7 bishops of the 7 churches) in his right hand (ministry), who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (7 churches);
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
No doubt the reference here included those elders at Ephesus that the Apostle Paul warned in Acts 20:29-30, of how after his departure grievous wolves would enter in among them, not sparing the flock and men among them would rise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. We, too, must have the discernment to recognize false ministers among us who attempt to work their way into authority. We must expose those spirits and destroy any influence they may have.
> 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; (many had lost the close relationship they had developed with the Lord after their initial salvation experience. The rich fellowship of knowing Him and Him knowing them, through prayer and waiting on His direction, growing in faith and complete trust in Him, had waned to the point of being dormant.) or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
These churches were candlestick churches, meaning they still had the operation of the Holy Place (a second heaven condition), having a seven-fold light which they were about to lose if not corrected. If they repented, becoming an overcomer, and making the Bridal status available to them.
> 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is symbolic. It seems that the deeds of the Nicolaitans were to conquer the people. (Niko — conquer; laity — the people). It refers to a minister or ministry that operates over the people, controlling them. We must hate just as Jesus hates a controlling ministry or leader for losing authority, their rightful order in leadership. One who is driven by fear of losing authority, the ministry of a bully!
> 7 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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
(The Holy Place — a second heaven condition where perfection is available.)
Letter to the Church at Pergamos
> Revelation 2:12-17 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
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.
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 stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The usage of the doctrine of Balaam is symbolic, to eat things sacrificed unto idols — a minister whose idol is his doctrine. Commit (spiritual) fornication — a minister who plants himself instead of the Lord in the people. That spirit must be exposed and judged so that its influence has no effect in the Body of Christ.
> 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
(A dictator! One who is driven by the fear of losing authority, therefore using (fear of man) to maintain authority over those under it. Ministry! A bully!) God hates that spirit, and we should hate it also. We must expose it and destroy its effect.
> 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (judgment through his ministry).
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 (the mystery and revelation of the Word), and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
(Life. Only that individual knows! — a lively stone 1 Pet 2:5)
Letter to the Church of Thyatira
> Revelation 2:18-29 (KJV)
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;
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.
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.
21 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.
The usage of Jezebel is symbolic. Her doctrine is similar to Balaam’s, but the difference is an element in the church that usurped authority over the ministry. Remember, the woman represents the church not the ministry. The man (ministry) is responsible for the order of authority. (Read 1 Cor 11:1-16)
> “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” — 1 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV)
There were pastors who allowed an element in the church to develop more authority than they had, influencing others with their ideology (idols) and usurping the order of God (spiritual fornication). This took place in Thyatira at the falling away of the church, therefore this is a danger we face as we near the restoration of the church. We must expose and prevent such ideology, to strengthen and correct order against the Lord.
> “Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” — Ecclesiastes 10:6-7 (KJV)
> 24 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 (he was to come at that time in the Judgment of 70 AD). He will come in like manner in the end of the Gentile world.
26 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.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.