Rev 2:16-20 Pergamum and Thyatira

 Review pattern of each church:

Pattern of How each church is spoken of:

1. The message is given to the angel (messenger) of each church

2. A reference to Jesus is made that has been already mentioned in Rev 1; (for example: he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand) prob in relation to something regarding that particular church

3. A positive "validation" for their "work". 

But not every church is given postive validation.

4. Followed by a negative citation in which the church is told to repent of.

Not every church is given a negative reference.

5. Each church is told "he that hath an ear to hear"...

6. Each church is challenged to overcome something.

7. If they overcome, they will receive something from Jesus, usually something found in Rev 20,21 or 22.

Pergamum

Rev 2:16-17 

16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.  17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it. 

Summary

1. Repent (of what?)

1. Teaching of Balaam

2. The teaching of Nicolaitans

2. If you don't repent, Jesus will:

1. Make war against them

2. With the sword of His mouth

3. He that hath an ear, let him hear...to him that overcomes:

1. Given hidden manna. What is this? 

Hidden insight into the word

So Jesus conceals a lot in his Word...that he reveals if you overcome.

2. White stone? with a new name written which no one knows but he that receives it.

1. White (lyoo- kos) - brilliant (dazzling) from whiteness

2. Stone?

-a small worn smooth stone, a pebble

-a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting)

Great variety of meaning?

1. white stone may have to do with the ancient Roman custom of awarding white stones to the victors of athletic games with a new name inscribed? This “new name” most likely refers to the Holy Spirit’s work of conforming believers to the holiness of Christ (see Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:10

1Co 9:24 

Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

2. This white stone may be a translucent precious stone such as a diamond. This interpretation holds that on the stone is written the name of Christ, not the name of the believer. Revelation mentions that the name of Christ is written on the foreheads of the saints (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 14:1, and Revelation 14:20).

3. In the heavenly courts a white "stone" indicated innocence, a black condemnation. 

4. A host's appreciation of a special guest was indicated by a white "stone" with the name or a message written on it. 

Thyatira = "odor of affliction"

Show "7_churches_map.jpg"

A wealthy city of Macedonia Greeks, situated between Sardis and Pergamos; its inhabitants gained their living by trading and the art of dyeing in purple

**Wealthy but small town. Smallest of the 7 churches of Revelation.

**of all the 7 churches, Jesus speaks the most words to Thyatira.

Thyatira was specially noted for the trade 

guilds which were probably more com-

pletely organized there than in any other 

ancient city. 

These guilds may be seen as labor unions.

Every artisan belonged to a 

guild, and every guild, which was an incorporated organization, possessed property in its own name, made contracts for great constructions, and wielded a wide influence. Powerful among them was the guild of coppersmiths; another was the guild of the dyers, who, it is believed, made use of the madder-root for making purple dye. One member of this guild seems to have been Lydia of Thyatira, who, according to Acts 16:14, sold her dyes in Philippi. 

The guilds were closely connected with the pagan Asiatic religion of the area. Pagan feasts, with which immoral practices were associated, were held, and therefore the nature of the guilds was such that they were opposed to Christianity. 

Paul may have preached there 

while he was living at Ephesus, but this is 

uncertain; yet Christianity reached there at an early time. It was taught by many of the early church that no Christian should belong to one of the guilds, and thus guilds were a great opposition to Christianity.

Act 16:14 

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

Purple?

In OT, purple is mentioned in Dan 5:7b by Belshazzar after seeing the handwriting on the wall…"Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."

In NT, purple is mentioned 5x's:

1. Mar 15:17 (Before Jesus was crucified)

17 And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;

2. Mar 15:20 (Before Jesus was crucified)

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the purple, and put on him his garments. And they lead him out to crucify him.

3. Luk 16:19 

(Rich man and Lazarus)

Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:

4. Rev 17:4 (Harlot)

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, 

5. Rev 18:12 (Merchants of Babylon)

merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble;

***Now do you see why Daniel didn't want to be clothed in purple?

-It represents the rich harlot Babylon in one form or another!

Rev 2:18-19

18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:  These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass: 19 I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first. 

Summary:

1. To the angel of the church of Thyatira…

2. A reference to Jesus is made that has been already mentioned in Rev 1

Rev 1:14-15 

14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.

1. "eyes were as a flame of fire" 

What might this mean?

-In Dan 10:6, Daniel saw a vision of a man with "eyes of flaming torches" Jesus

-Before the glance of his eye all is light, and nothing can be concealed from his view.  A reference to the Son of God as being able to penetrate the secret recesses of the heart.

2. "feet like unto burnished brass"

-may signify both the purity and holiness of his ways and methods of providence, and also his firmness and steadiness in them.

-In Dan 10:6, Daniel saw a vision of a man with "feet like burnished brass" Jesus

3. Positive validations??

1. I know thy works (labor)

2. thy love (agape)

3. faith (fidelity)

4. ministry 

5. patience (endurance)

6. thy last works are more than the first

***Seems a pretty awesome list; quite encouraging?

Who wouldn't want their boss to say this about them?

Now for the Negative word...

Rev 2:20-23

20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.  22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. 

Summary

Negative word…

1. You permit that woman (thy wife?) Jezebel…

2. (Greek from NT = chaste; celibate, pure)

-ironic meaning

3. She calls "herself" a prophetess?

-Only other NT prophetess is Anna in Luke 2:36-38 

Luk 2:36-38 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Other prophetess' in Bible:

1. Miriam, Moses sister 

Exodus 15

2. Deborah

Judges 4

3. Huldah

2 Kings 22

4. Noadiah (false prophetess)

Neh 6

5. Isaiah's wife

Isa 8

(May be her title because she is Isaiah's wife)

6. Anna

Luke 2

7. Jezebel (self proclaimed)

Rev 2

4. Jezebel teaches and leads astray Jesus servants to commit fornication

####

-Is the fornication spiritual or literal?

5. Jezebel seduces Jesus servants to eat things sacrificed to idols

-Is the eating of things sacrificed to idols literal? Or spiritual?

6. Not sure but we can look at the only other Jezebel mentioned in the bible.

Jezebel (wife of Ahab, king of Israel) (Izabel)

(Hebrew from OT: "Baal exalts" or "Baal is husband to" or "unchaste")

1Ki 16:29-34 

29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah above all that were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made the Asherah; and Ahab did yet more to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 34 In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 24 Balaam - Part 3

 Significance of Balaam's prophecy AND Balaam's error

Review by rereading something we read last week that I hadn't really prepared for. 

We began Numbers 24

Num 24:1-9 

Balaam/Balak's third sacrifice

On the top of Peor, Balaam finally recognizes that it pleases God to bless Israel. Finally!

1. Vs 1 Once he recognizes this, Balaam turns his face to the wilderness. As if he doesn't need to see them

2. Vs 2 He doesn't do the enchantments or divination to seek God. Why does God meet Balaam this way? Odd?

3. Vs 2 Balaam lifts eyes and notices Israel encamped according to their tribe. Did he never notice this before?

4. Vs 2-3 Gods spirit comes upon him and he speaks up a parable. Had the spirit of God come up him the before? He did speak Gods words the previous two times.

Num 24:4 

4 He saith, who heareth the words of God,  Who seeth the vision of the Almighty,  Falling down, and having his eyes open: 

Who is Balaam speaking about?

Himself 

Num 24:5-9

5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,  Thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As valleys are they spread forth,  As gardens by the river-side,  As lign-aloes which Jehovah hath planted,  As cedar-trees beside the waters. 7 Water shall flow from his buckets,  And his seed shall be in many waters,  And his king shall be higher than Agag,  And his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God bringeth him forth out of Egypt;  He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox:  He shall eat up the nations his adversaries,  And shall break their bones in pieces,  And smite them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion,  And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?  Blessed be every one that blesseth thee,  And cursed be every one that curseth thee.

1. Who is Balaam talking about in these verses? Vs 5-6 

Jacob Israel

-Who might these be?

2. Tents of Jacob; Tabernacles of Israel?

-Who might these be?

-certainly God people

3. Gardens by the riverside

Vs 6

-metaphor of God's people

-his branch shooteth forth in his green

-why is it by the riverside? It is watered

As an alternative spoken to transgressors and sinners:

Isa 1:30 

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

4. Trees of aloe

Vs 6

-metaphor of God's people (Ps 45:1)

-garments smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia (Ps 45:8)

5. Cedars beside waters 

-metaphor of God's people

-wood used by Solomon in building temple (1 Kings 6)

6. Water flows out of his bucket 

Vs 7

Either from God out toward his people or from Jacob/Israel outward to others 

7. His seed shall be in many waters. 

Vs 7

Who's seed? Seed shall be numerous...Good or bad?

Rev 1:15 Jesus voice as the "voice of many waters"

But in Rev 17:1, the harlot "sitteth on many waters"

Why?

8. His king shall be higher than Agag, and exalted? 

Vs 7

Jesus

Agag (I will overtop)? 

Vs 7

1. Not mentioned before this verse in the bible.

2. King who was spared by Saul but killed by Samuel despite God telling Saul to kill everyone/everything.

3. Septuagint has Gog instead of Agag. Who is Gog (mountain)?

From Ezk 38:1-4. Read

Eze 38:1-4 

1 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: 4 and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;

From Rev 20:7-8 Read

Rev 20:7-8 

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9. God brings Israel out of Egypt, with the strength of the wild-ox.

Vs 8

(Wild bull or unicorn) (maybe rhino?)

10. Break enemies bones in pieces 

Vs 8

(Maybe like a lion)

11. Smite enemies with arrows

Vs 8

Who is shooting the arrows?

Psa 45:5 

Thine arrows are sharp;  The peoples fall under thee;  They are in the heart of the king's enemies.

Who's arrows are being shot?

Psa 45:2 

Thou art fairer than the children of men…

Psa 45:1 is set (written) to 'Shoshannim' (lilies)

(Gods peoples' are shooting the arrows in Balaam's prophecy)

So now Balaam is referring to God's people. 

12. He crouched/lay down as a lion. As a lioness, who shall rouse him up?

It references this verse:

Gen 49:9 

Judah is a lion's whelp (cub);  From the prey, my son, thou art gone up:  He stooped down, he couched as a lion,  And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

Hidden Metaphor

1. Lions cub = Judah (Jacob's son)

2. My son art gone up, crouched down as lion = Jesus

3. As a lioness, who has caused him to arise? = Overcomers/Sons of God (us) (who eventually rise with power/authority via the Holy Spirit)

Jesus Lion of tribe of Judah

Rev 5:5 

and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

Jesus overcame the world

Joh 16:33 

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

***But in Rev, the overcomes are given authority too:

To him that overcometh:

1.  to eat of the tree of life

2. shall not be hurt of the second death

3. I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.

4. to him will I give authority over the nations

5. shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels

6. I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.

7.  I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

13. Blessed is everyone that blessed thee. Cursed is everyone that cursed thee

(Promises to the overcomers)

So we see that Balaam's prophecy was a hidden reference not only to Jesus but also to those sons that Jesus raises up in the future!

Jesus in His people. So technically it IS JESUS!

Num 24:10-14 

10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, Jehovah hath kept thee back from honor. 12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying, 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what Jehovah speaketh, that will I speak? 14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

Later day prophecy

Num 24:15-19

15 And he took up his parable, and said,  Balaam the son of Beor saith,  And the man whose eye was closed saith; 16 He saith, who heareth the words of God,  And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High,  Who seeth the vision of the Almighty,  Falling down, and having his eyes open: 17 I see him, but not now;  I behold him, but not nigh:  There shall come forth a star out of Jacob,  And a sceptre shall rise out of Israel,  And shall smite through the corners of Moab,  And break down all the sons of tumult. 18 And Edom shall be a possession,  Seir also shall be a possession, who were his enemies;  While Israel doeth valiantly. 19 And out of Jacob shall one have dominion,  And shall destroy the remnant from the city. 

Summary

1. Who is Balaam talking about in vs 15-16 Himself

2. Vs 17 there shall come a star out of Jacob. Who is this? Jesus (same as Gen 49:9-10)

3. Who is the sceptre that shall rise out of Israel? Overcoming Sons of God (us) (who eventually rise with power/authority) (just like the great lion/lioness mentioned in vs 9)

4. Jesus uses this sceptre (as a rod) in smiting the corners of Moab. And breaking down all the sons of tumult.

The same example is used again in Jer 48:43-46:

Jer 48:43-46 

43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith Jehovah. 44 He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah. 45 They that fled stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon (stronghold); for a fire is gone forth out of Heshbon (stronghold), and a flame from the midst of Sihon (warrior), and hath devoured the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones. 46 Woe unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh is undone; for thy sons are taken away captive, and thy daughters into captivity.

Pattern is the same:

Jesus raises up overcomes (great lions or lioness) that he uses as His rod against the wicked.

Remember:

Rev 2:26-27 

26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father.

5. Back to Num 24:18, Edom and Seir will be a possession despite them being His enemies. What does it mean "Israel doeth valiantly?" 

His overcomes/rod have done valiantly/bravely.

6. Out of Jacob shall one rule. Who? Jesus

7. Jesus destroys them that remaineth of the city. Which city? Not sure. Maybe Moab?

Another parable by Balaam

Num 24:20-25

20 And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,  Amalek was the first of the nations;  But his latter end shall come to destruction. 21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,  Strong is thy dwelling-place,  And thy nest is set in the rock. 22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted,  Until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23 And he took up his parable, and said,  Alas, who shall live when God doeth this? 24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,  And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber;  And he also shall come to destruction. 25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.

Summary

Balaam looks up, then prophecies against the neighboring nations

1. Vs 20 Amalek was the first of the nations but shall be destroyed in his later day. 

Saul destroys them in 1 Sam 15 altho he leaves their king alive, Agag. Samuel kills Agag himself because Saul disobeyed God.

2. Vs 21-22 Kenites (Cain?) are the tribe that Moses' father-in-law Jethro was part of. Jethro was a 'priest of Midian' so it could refer to Midian also. Remember, they helped to scheme with Balak to seek out Balaam's help.

Asshur = Assyria so maybe this refers to Assyria taking the Midianites captive to Assyria like Assyria did to Israel in 2 Kings 17?

3. Vs 23 Balaam speaks yet another parable.

4. Ships come from Kittim (Cyprus) which will afflict Assur (Assyria) and Eber (Hebrews?). And he (?) shall come to destruction. 

Not certain what this represents? Maybe similar to Daniel 11?

5. Balaam rises up and leaves

Num 25:1-3 

1 And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab: 2 for they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.

Summary

1. Israel joined unto Baal Peor, the god of Moab seemingly from Num 23:28-30 when Balaam and Balak went to the top of Mt Peor. When Balaam saw that it:

 -"pleased God to bless Israel"

-"didn't need enchantments when meeting with God"

-"when he turned his face to the wilderness."

When it seems he doesn't need to look at Israel, so he looked away.

Num 31:16 

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Jehovah in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Jehovah.

Targum of Jonathan

"come, I will counsel thee, go and prepare victualling houses, and place lewd women there to sell food and drink at a low price, and bring this people to eat, and drink, and be drunken; and let them lie with them, and deny their God, and they will be delivered into thine hands in a little time, and many of them will fall;''

John 2...best wine is last!