_Unto the angel_ That is, to the pastor, presiding elder, or bishop, called an _angel_ because he was God's _messenger_ (as the word angel signifies) to the people, or his minister appointed to serve them. “That there was one pastor,” says Doddridge, “who presided in each of these churches, is indee... [ Continue Reading ]
_I know_ Jesus knows all the good and all the evil which his servants and his enemies suffer and do. Weighty words, _I know!_ How dreadful will it one day sound to the wicked, how sweet to the righteous! The churches and their angels must have been astonished to find their several states so exactly... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, I have somewhat_ to allege _against thee_ Exemplary as thou art in many respects; or, as _somewhat_ is not in the original, the verse may be properly read, _I have against thee that thou hast left thy first love_ Namely, the zeal and fervour of it, which thou didst manifest to me and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember therefore_, &c. It is not possible for any church, or individual Christian, whether public teacher or private member, that has lost the first love, to recover it, but by taking the three steps here spoken of. 1st, _Remember;_ 2d, _Repent;_ 3d, _Do the first works. Remember from whence thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_ Or nevertheless; _this thou hast_ This honour and praise remaining; divine grace seeks whatever may help him that is fallen to recover his standing; _that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes_ A sect so called, it is thought, from Nicolas, one of the seven deacons mentioned Acts 6:5; acco... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hath an ear, let him hear_ Every man, whoever can hear at all, ought carefully to hear this; _what the Spirit saith_ In these great and awful threatenings, and in these encouraging and precious promises; _to the churches_ And in them to all in a similar state, in every age and nation. _To h... [ Continue Reading ]
_And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna_ “Smyrna was the nearest city to Ephesus, and for that reason probably was addressed in the second place. It is situated on lower ground than the ancient city, and lieth about forty-five miles northward of Ephesus. It is called Esmir by the Turks, and is c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer_ Probably by means of the false Jews. _Behold_ This intimates the nearness of the affliction; _the devil_ Who sets all persecutors to work, and those more particularly who persecute the followers of Christ, to imprisonment, torture, and death; _shal... [ Continue Reading ]
_And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write_ “Pergamos, formerly the metropolis of the Hellespontic Mysia, and the seat of the Attalic kings, is by the Turks, with some little variation, still called Bergamo, and hath its situation about sixty-four miles to the north of Smyrna. Here are some g... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I have a few things against thee_ Things that deserve reproof, and require reformation; _because thou hast there_ Those whom thou oughtest to have immediately cast out from the flock, _that hold the doctrine of Balaam_ Doctrine nearly resembling his: _who taught Balak_ And the rest of the Moabi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Repent_, therefore, of these irregularities; _or else I will come unto thee quickly_ In the way of chastisement; _and will fight against them_ Those corrupt members; _with the sword of my mouth_ With my word, pronouncing terrible calamities against them, and executing what I have threatened. The wo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write_ “Next to Pergamos is Thyatira situated, at the distance of about forty-eight miles to the south-east. At present the city is called by the Turks Akhisar, or _The White Castle_, from the great quantities of white marble there abounding. Only one an... [ Continue Reading ]
_I know thy works_ Of piety and mercy; _and charity_ Or _love_, rather. How different a character is this from that of the angel of the church at Ephesus! The latter could _not bear the wicked_, and _hated the works of the Nicolaitanes; but he had left his first love_ and first works. The former ret... [ Continue Reading ]
_Notwithstanding, I have a few things_, &c. Yet, observe, there are some things in thy conduct I take notice of, which deserve blame, and call for reformation, namely, _thou sufferest that woman Jezebel_ Thou givest too much countenance to some evil persons, who, like that wicked woman Jezebel, of o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold_ I will at length execute judgment upon her, and let the process of my righteous vengeance be observed. _I will cast her into a bed_ Not of pleasure, but of _great tribulation_ I will severely punish these seducers for their evil principles and practices; and this punishment shall reach all... [ Continue Reading ]
_But unto you I say_, who _have not this doctrine_ Of Jezebel; _and to the rest_ Who have kept themselves from being led astray by these delusions; _and have not known_ O happy ignorance! _the depths of Satan_ The deep arts of deceit and error practised in his kingdom, to bring in all sorts of corru... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he that overcometh_ That holds fast faith and a good conscience, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemies of my gospel to wrest them from him; _and keepeth my works_ Those which I have commanded to be done; _unto the end_ Of his time and trials; _to him will I give power over the nations_ Tha... [ Continue Reading ]