Lesson 3 - The Seven Churches: Pergamos & Thyatira (June 11, 2021)
1. To what period were we brought in the last lesson?—To the days when, under the patronage of Constantine and the great of earth, the apostate wing of the church and the world joined hands and the Roman Empire was said to be “converted.” — We were brought to the time of Constantine, which is in 313-538 AD* (*according to TemCat), where he had pretended to convert into Christianity. But after he was accepted into the church, he introduces his own wrong practices and false teachings into the church — which is the start of compromise.
2. Under what name does the Spirit address the loyal church in this third period? Rev. 2:12, first part. Note 1. — The Spirit addresses to the church of Pergamos, which means “lifted up”.
3. How is the speaker described? Verse 12, last part. Note 2. — He has a sharp sword with two edges. This is also mentioned in Rev 1:16, where this sword is described as a sharp twoedge sword. In Heb 4:12, we see that the two edged sword is the word of God. This means that the speaker speaks the word of God, which means the speaker is none other than Jesus.
4. What words of approval are spoken? Verse 13. Note 3. — Pergamos was commended for their works and for holding on to their faith, even during a time of persecution where their fellow member, Antipas, became a martyr. They continued to hold the name of Christ even during the time of heavy compromise in the church, where error has entered and mingled with the truth. 5. What words of censure? Verses 14, 15. Note 4. — The reproof given to the church of Pergamos was that they had held onto the doctrine of Balaam, who invites the pagan and worldly into God’s church to commit fornication, and the doctrine of Nicolatians, which was first introduced in the time of Ephesus, but was rejected and now accepted in Pergamos. 6. What warning is spoken? Verse 16. — If the church of Pergamos does not repent, they will be fought against them with the word of God.
7. What exhortation and promise is addressed to those who have compromised with evil? Verse 17. — Those who overcome will be given the hidden manna to eat, and given a white stone with a new name written, which “no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it”.
8. By what church is the next, or fourth, period represented? Verse 18. Note 5. — We are now introduced to the church of Thyatira, which is in 538-1798. Thyatira is described as the “sweet savor of labor” and “sacrificing contrition”, which means that they do not repent, have a hard heart, and they work for their salvation instead of having faith. According to James 2:20, works without faith is considered dead. Thyatira is known as the dead church, and is
associated with the color pale. This is because the church is not only dead because of their faith-less works, but also because of the reproof that is given to them which we will see later on.
9. Who speaks, and how is He described? Verse 18. Note 6. — The speaker is the Son of God, whose eyes are like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass. According to Revelation 1:15, the feet that are like fine brass represent how Jesus still walks the fiery furnace of trial with His loved ones.
10. What does He first mention?—The virtues. In what terms? Verse 19. — God recognizes the works of the church of Thyatira, commending them for their charity, service, faith, patience, and works. Their works are so wonderful that Jesus mentions it twice in v19.
11. What is the reproof? Verse 20. Note 7. — The reproof given to them is that they have committed fornication with the woman, Jezebel, and have eaten things that were sacrificed to idols. Jezebel is the wife of Ahab who slew the prophets of God. She led Ahab into idolatry and fed the prophets of Baal at her own table. She is represented as papal abominations, that the people of God has mingled with — becoming church and state.
12. What threat is uttered against the apostate power? Verses 21- 23. — If they do not repent for their abominations and deeds, which they did not do, she will be cast into a bed with all of those whom she had committed adultery and will bring great tribulation. Her children will be killed with death, and all the churches will know that it is God who searches within the heart.
13. How does the Lord encourage His own, but erring, church in days of apostasy? Verses 24, 25. See Isa. 42:3, 4. — Although this church was heavily reproved, there is always God’s people even a little amount. These are the people who do not get mixed up into the compromise with the world. God’s people during this time do not know much of the doctrine, and know very little (because of their oppression during this time), but they are encouraged to continue to hold fast to what they know and to be faithful and truthful to God.
14. What promise is made to the faithful under oppression? Verses 26, 27. Note 8. — To those who overcome and keep the works of God unto the very end, they are promised power over the nations and shall rule with a rod of iron.
15. What pledge of victory has the believer? Verse 28. Note 9. — They will be given the morning star, which in Rev 22:16 we see that the morning star is Jesus himself, who will brighten and arise in your heart (2 Pet 1:19).
16. With what call does the message close? Verse 29.
— To those whom hath an ear, let them hear what is given to the churches. That means that we must read what messages are given to the churches, so that we do not repeat what they were given reproof about, and continue what they had been commended for so we too can receive the blessings that were promised.
Conclusion: In this past week, I have learned about the next two of seven churches — Pergamos and Thyatira. During the time of Pergamos, we see that compromise was brought into God’s church - because they have accepted the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolatians. Thyatira was during the time of great oppression, because the truth was hidden by Catholicism. In the time was also the practice of church and state, so God’s people were heavily oppressed. The church of God had mingled with the woman and committed fornication. But God’s people are still present, who do not get mixed with the compromise of the world and continue to follow God, with whatever light they had.
Connecting with what we had learned from last week about the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna, we see that God is always present in these churches, no matter what trials and tribulations they face. Ephesus did not accept the teachings of Nicolatians, but Pergamos did. Smyrna was persecuted for worshipping God, and Thyatira was oppressed. But no matter how much Satan pushes to destroy God’s church, he cannot destroy the word of God which continues to be present during these churches, which is why there is always a light in every church.
The promise is still continued to these churches, where as long as you continue to be faithful and hold strong to the word of God no matter what challenges you may face even until death, the promises of power over the nations and eternal life will be given to you.