Revelation

Lesson 2 Chapter 2

Comments, Questions and Discussions

COMMENTS

An important point regarding the dating of Revelation.

verse 2 ". . And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars"

The late date seems almost impossible for someone to be impersonating an apostle. Except for John, all the apostles are reported to have been killed before the destruction of Jerusalem Why as late as 90 AD would people still be trying to pass as an apostle? This seem highly unlikely.

Does the end equal final judgment?

Verse 5 - Lampstand

The lampstand in the temple was to be placed on the south side of the tabernacle and was to be lighted. Ex. 40:24. It was made of pure gold - Ex. 37:17. Possibly the presence and purpose of the golden lampstand fore shadowed the significance use of it to represent the 7 churches. Its place in the tabernacle gave light for the incense offering. If the lamp was unsuitable and had to be removed, it would not be part of the light or the ceremony. I'm sure others have given more detail and developed more thought about this but I think it is well worth noting that the symbolism is taken from the Mosaical tabernacle. This infers an audience well familiar with the tabernacle and its use. It further infers the Jewish influence through out Asia, home of the seven churches.

Verse 6 - Nicolaitans

Eusibius in his church history records the following:

At this time (The time of John- MCS) the so-called sect of the Nicolaitans made its appearance and lasted for a very short time. Mention is made of it in the Apocalypse of John. They boasted that the author of their sect was Nicolaus, one of the deacons who, with Stephen, were appointed by the apostles for the purpose of ministering to the poor. Clement of Alexandria, in the third book of his Stromata, relates the following things concerning him. "They say that he had a beautiful wife, and after the ascension of the Savior, being accused by the apostles of jealousy, he led her into their midst and gave permission to any one that wished to marry her. For they say that this was in accord with that saying of his, that one ought to abuse the flesh. And those that have followed his heresy, imitating blindly and foolishly that which was done and said, commit fornication without shame. But I understand that Nicolaus had to do with no other woman than her to whom he was married, and that, so far as his children are concerned, his daughters continued in a state of virginity until old age, and his son remained uncorrupt. If this is so, when he brought his wife, whom he jealously loved, into the midst of the apostles, he was evidently renouncing his passion; and when he used the expression, 'to abuse the flesh,' he was inculcating self-control in the face of those pleasures that are eagerly pursued. For I suppose that, in accordance with the command of the Savior, he did not wish to serve two masters, pleasure and the Lord. But they say that Matthias also taught in the same manner that we ought to fight against and abuse the flesh, and not give way to it for the sake of pleasure, but strengthen the soul by faith and knowledge." So much concerning those who then attempted to pervert the truth, but in less time than it has taken to tell it became entirely extinct.

Verse 7 - tree of life

Except as a proverbial expression, Proverbs 3:18, 11:30, 13:12, 15:4, the tree of life is mentioned only in Genesis and Revelation. What was lost was to be restored. Notice that it was not as yet received and would only be for those who overcame. Remember this is about things which must shortly come to pass so at least the overcoming must be in the near future. I believe eating the fruit of the tree was also in the near future but we will see this expression again in Revelation 22, verses 2&14 and will discuss it more then.

At the time of the writing the tree was in the Paradise of God. Thought question:

Could the thief on the cross partake of this tree?

Verse 8 - I am the First and the Last

This phrase is used in Isaiah and Revelation. I'm sure that one could list any number of things in which Jesus was the first and last. This is a significant expression in Revelation. Jesus uses it three other times 1:11, 1:17 and 22:13. I believe Jesus is referencing the text in Isaiah. In Isaiah, I believe it deals with God's knowledge of the events, past present and future . It shows the comfort, "Do not fear" in the knowledge that God shares with his servants. Isaiah 44:6-8 says:

"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: `I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. 7 And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. 8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.' "

Jesus tells those in Smyrna not to fear. The tribulation leads to a crown of life, has he not said so. What prophecy has not come true? Is he not the Lord, first and last, for his people to protect, to save, to deliver to provide? There is no other.

Verse 9 - Those who say they are Jews but are not.

Paul in his writings speaks of a true Jew, one who has the circumcision of the heart. -- Romans 2:28-29. The persecution of Christians was coming from Jews influenced by Satan. Perhaps the scene Zechariah saw with the high priest, Joshua and the angel of the Lord and Satan there to oppose the Angel is brought to mind (Zech.. 3:1). Perhaps what comes to mind is Jesus statement to the Jews, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do."

This definitely places the Jews into the picture of Revelation. Many including myself argued against Revelation dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem because why would the Christians, free from the law, be that concerned about her destruction. Little did I know. Jews were the ones, with only a couple of exceptions, who persecuted Christians in the New Testament. Historical accounts tell us that Nero was the first Emperor to persecute Christians as Christians and that was in Rome.. There were many Jews in Asia. In Acts 19 we find that Paul left the synagogue in Ephesus to meet in the school of Tyrannus because of the Jews who spoke evil of the Way before the multitude.

- tribulation 10 days

It has been debated whether this is a literal ten days or not. Some have speculated about it representing 10 rulers. Others have suggested it refers to 10 years. Two thoughts come to my mind. One is the 10 days the disciples waited for the power to come recorded in Acts 1. The other is the ten days testing of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego as recorded in Daniel 1. There appearance was better after the testing.. At Smyrna we have a period of testing and endurance. No doubt the time was short because the things Revelation speaks of were to come quickly. In my opinion the 10 days draws upon Daniel to signify a testing period, after which they would receive their reward.

Verse 11 - Second death

This expression is used only in Revelation and refers to death associated with the lake of fire. It is the lake of fire - 20:14. The expression is also found in 20:6 and 21:8. Those who had part in the first resurrection did not need to fear the second death.

Verse 17 - hidden manna

I believe this refers to the manna which brings eternal life. John 6:49-51 says:

"Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 "This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

Verses 7, 11, 17, and 26 - he who over comes.

This was said to those people, not some one in the distant future. They were to endure the trials they were having and were going to have.. Notice the verse preceding each time the phrase is used.

Verse 6 - let him who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.

Verse 10 - Do not fear any of those things you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful unto death

Verse 16 - repent or I will come to you quickly

Verse 26 - hold fast what you have till I come

verse 26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations"

It has already been pointed out that it was in that age that they were overcoming. Now we find specifically mentioned "the end." If they are going to have power over the nations after the end, then the end is not a final end of everything judgment. The nations are still in existence for them to have power over.

We do have power over the nations. Good always wins. It may look like evil is winning for a time, as it does right now in this country; but, we must continue in the faith because evil has never been triumphant Our rule is higher than the rule of any nation that has, does, or will exist. As Christians we must never forget that. For good to win, it may be that the nation must be destroyed, but, without fail, good will always win because "that end" is past and we now have power over the nations How many times was Jesus to come? How many comings did he talk about? Certainly not one each against Rome, the Roman Catholic church, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization.

Revelation  Lesson 2 Questions & Discussions

1. How could the Ephesian Christians test to see if somebody was an apostle.

What were the requirements for a man to be an apostle? Name all the apostles.

3. Do we need to repent of sins of omission?

4. Why would they want to eat of the tree of life and when would it be available?

5. The people of Smyrna are told that one needs not fear the second death if he overcomes.

Overcome what? What would one do to overcome?

7. What did Balaam do wrong

8. What was the hidden manna? Is John 6 applicable?

9. To receive according to one's works, does this mean we can do enough works to be saved?

What does it mean?

11. List the things in chapter 2 that were good for churches to do.

12. List the things that were good for individuals to do?

13. List the things that were bad for churches to do.

14. List the things that were bad for individuals to do.

15. What does Christ expect of his churches? Of his people?