REVELATION 2
JOHN’S MESSAGE TO EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMUM + THYATIRA
John continues his letter by addressing each of the seven churches individually, starting with the church in Ephesus. First, John commends the church for having endurance and patience. Despite having many false teachers opposing the church in Ephesus, the believers there have remained faithful and not grown weary. John warns the Ephesians that they have abandoned their first love, Jesus. John calls them to repent of their apathy and return to their works rooted in love.
For those who remain steadfast, God offers the promise of the fruit from the tree of life, which grants eternal life in paradise. In the Garden of Eden, God protected Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life in their fallen state (Genesis 3). God did not want humanity to be eternally fallen, but He wanted them to have the chance for salvation and redemption. After Jesus establishes the new heavens and new Earth, humanity can enjoy the gift of a sinless, perfect eternity.
To the church in Smyrna, John warns that tribulation is coming. During a period of ten days, many of them will be tested and imprisoned. John promises that those who are faithful until their death will be given the crown of life, the gift of eternity with Jesus.
John next addresses the church in Pergamum, who are surrounded by evil and chaos. Although many are commended for not denying their faith in the midst of trials, John rebukes some of the people, comparing them to Balaam, a corrupt leader who misled the prophet Balak (Numbers 22–24). John mentions the Nicolaitans, a religious group that practices sexual immorality. John’s message to the church in Pergamum urges believers not to be deceived by false teachers or swayed by sexual influences. Referencing God’s provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, John trusts that God will continually provide for His people.
Continuing his messages to the seven churches, John writes to Thyatira. John acknowledges their love, faith, service, and patient endurance. Also offering a warning, John calls them not to be tolerant of false teaching, idolatry, or sexual immorality. John mentions Jezebel, a rebellious and idolatrous woman who influenced the wicked King Ahab (1 Kings 16–21). Despite the opportunity for repentance, some of the people of Thyatira refuse to return to God. For the believers in Thyatira, John urges them to remain steadfast in their faith and follow God for the entirety of their lives.
