_WHAT IS COMMANDED TO BE WRITTEN TO THE ANGELS_ (_THAT IS, THE MINISTERS_) _OF THE CHURCHES OF EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMOS, THYATIRA: AND WHAT IS COMMENDED, OR FOUND WANTING IN THEM._ _Anno Domini 96._... [ Continue Reading ]
_REVELATION 2:1_.— The second and third Chapter s contain the seven epistles to the seven churches of Asia; which are particularly addressed, because, as is commonly believed, they were under St. John's immediate inspection. He constituted bishops over them. He resided much at Ephesus, which is ther... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS, &C.— Our Saviour having begun with telling the angel, that _He holds the seven stars in his right hand,_ (that is, "directs the angels or bishops of the seven churches,") and that _He walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, or lamp-sconces;_ that is, views, considers,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAST BORNE,— "And I know thou hast sustained, with exemplary fortitude, the trouble they have given thee; and hast exercised invincible patience under all thy sufferings and trials in my cause; and thou hast laboured constantly and tenaciously for my name's sake, and to establish the faith of my... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE.— Not quite forsaken, but remitted and relaxed the former love and zeal; which is condemned, and for which they are dreadfully threatened; because the angel and his church, notwithstanding their zeal against the false apostles, by giving way to them at last, or from oth... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK OUT OF HIS PLACE,— As this threatening is addressed to the church of Ephesus, though much better than some other churches, it is reasonable to believe, that, like other denunciations, it was also intended to awaken the rest. It intimates how terrible a thing it would be t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEEDS OF THE NICOLAITANS,— Some have thought that these heretics derive their name from _Nicolas,_ one of the seven deacons; but that name was so common among the Jews, that no stress can be laid on an argument drawn from thence. The substance of what ancient writers say concerning them is, that... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, &C.— See on Matthew 11:15. By _him that overcometh,_ is here meant, him who lives in the spirit of holiness, who, through grace, conquers everyevil temper, and publicly confesses the name of Jesus Christbefore his enemies to the end, and even unto martyrdom, if called thereunto.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. The town now remaining is situated on lower ground than the ancient city, and lies about 45 miles north of Ephesus. It is calledby the Turks _Esmir,_ and is... [ Continue Reading ]
AND POVERTY (_BUT THOU ART RICH_)_;_ &C.— "I know the humble opinion thou hast of thyself, and thy poverty in temporal respects; but thou art rich in grace, and in all its genuine effects, and art daily laying up for thyself an increasing treasure in heaven." With respect to the next clause, we may... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NONE OF THOSE THINGS, &C.— This chiefly concerns Polycarp, the _angel,_ who is here comforted, and foretold of his future sufferings; but it does not exclude the rest of his flock, who are comprised under the shepherd. His constancy in martyrdom proves that he followed this advice. The next cla... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH.— This is in pursuance of the title, Revelation 2:8. For Christ having power over death and hell, and having raised himself, he has of course power to raise the martyrs: and then it is plain that the _second death_ shall have no power over them. Memorable to thi... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS— Pergamos, formerly the metropolis of the Hellespontic Mysia, and the seat of the Attalick kings, is, by the Turks, with some little variation, still called _Bergamo,_ and has its situation about 64 miles to the north of Smyrna. Here are good buildings, but mor... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN WHERE SATAN'S SEAT IS:— _Satan's throne;_ the place where he has great power. It is probable, that the Heathens were there particularly furious against the _Christians._ Now, where there are persecutions, there _Satan dwelleth_ and reigneth. See ch. Revelation 12:10. The church of Pergamos, to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM,— As _Balaam_ has the same signification in Hebrew which _Nicolas_ has in Greek, and both signify "conquerors of the people," (which name might probably have been given to Balaam, on account of the influence which he had in the place where he lived;) it seems most likely that... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL FIGHT AGAINST THEM— He does not say that he will fight against the _church,_ but the _Nicolaitans; therefore repent,_ that is, "Be wise, and separate yourselves from those seducers, or else you shall be involved in their damnation, as Balaam was in the destruction of the Midianites." In the las... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I GIVE TO EAT OF THE HIDDEN MANNA,— Hereby the reward of him that conquers in the combat for Christ is described. As Balaam went on in his error through the greediness of gain, so here Christ promises, by way of antidote, the true riches to _him,_ who shall, in the strength of grace, resist and... [ Continue Reading ]
CHURCH IN THYATIRA— Thyatira was situated at a distance of about 48 miles to the south-east of Pergamos. See Acts 16:14. At present the city is called by the Turks Akhisar, or "The white castle," from the great quantities of white marble there. Only one ancient edifice is left standing; the rest, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS, &C.— "I know and approve thy works of piety, which are many, and which, I am well apprised, are the effects of ardent love to me; and I am well-acquainted with the service thou art performing for my cause and interest, and with thy faith and thy patience; and that, with respect to... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU SUFFEREST THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL,— _Because thou sufferest thy wife Jezebel,_ is the Complutensian reading, which is more allusive to the symbol drawn from the history of Ahab, whose wife seduced him, than the common reading. Ahab is condemned above all other kings of Israel for doing ill,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I GAVE HER SPACE— _And I gave her time._ This alludes to the history of Jezebel. God first sent Elijah to Ahab to pronounce a severe judgment upon him; upon which Ahab shewed tokens of repentance, and so God put off his punishment. By these means the like punishment pronounced against Jezebel wa... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL CAST HER INTO A BED,— This again alludes to the same history. Ahaziah, son of Ahab and Jezebel, by his mother's ill instruction and example, followed her ways; and God punished him, by making him, or permitting him to fall down, as is supposed, from the top of the terrace over his hou... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN WITH DEATH;— That is, "I will certainly destroy her offspring and memory, and thereby ruin her designs." Jezebel's two sons, being both kings, were both slain; and, after that, all the seventy sons of Ahab, Exodus 10:1 in all which the hand of God was very visible. In th... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PUT UPON YOU NONE OTHER BURDEN.— This is a commendation of the sound part of the church, that there is no new exhortation or charge to be given them; no new advice, but to persevere as usual. See Romans 15:14. The expression of _burden_ is taken from the history of Ahab, 2 Kings 9:25. _The Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL I COME.— That is, either in judgment upon these corrupters, or at the great consummation of all things. See the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS:— This is suitable to the title of the Lord Jesus in the beginning of this Epistle, where he calls himself _the Son of God,_ which implies the possession of regal and universal power; and that the Jews so understood it, is plain from John 1:49 which passage, as wel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON;— "Obtain an absolute dominion over them, either by conversion, or else by destruction." See Psalms 2:9. Lamentations 4:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR.— This is one of Christ's titles, ch. Revelation 22:16 which he takes upon him, to signify that he is the first Prince of the resurrection; and so this is as much as if he had said, "I will give him power to be the _morning-star,_ even as I am myself." A _star,_... [ Continue Reading ]