In the previous chapter, the Apostle John was told to write down what he had seen and to send it to the seven churches. Accordingly, in Chapters 2 and 3 of the Revelation, we are shown the contents of the seven letters that John wrote to the churches.
The Letter to the church in Ephesus
The first of the seven letters was addressed to the Church in Ephesus.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Rev. 2:1-3
As we read in Chapter 1, the one who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven golden lampstands is Jesus Christ. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Accordingly, the letter to the Church in Ephesus contains the words of Christ to the church, which is described as being hard working, persevering, and intolerant of wicked people. However, this church is also described as having forsaken their first love and is instructed to repent.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev. 2:4-6
When we look at the above letter, we see that the description of the Church at Ephesus could be applied to many segments of the Church today. This will also be true of the letters written to the remaining six churches. In this way, the contents of the letters to the seven churches still describe what is now.
Whoever Has Ears
The letter to the Church in Ephesus ends with the following instruction to, “whoever has ears,“ which is another way of addressing those who have hearts that are willing to hear what the Lord is about to say.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Rev. 2:7
In this case, what the Spirit says to the churches has to do with being victorious, which refers to being faithful to the point of death, as can be seen in the following passage where this same word is used in the Revelation to describe the Lord’s death on the cross.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3:21
When the Lord is described as being victorious, the context is His sacrifice on the cross where He defeated sin and death. Thus, the message to the one who is victorious refers to all those who will defeat Satan by remaining faithful to the point of death just as the Lord did. In the original, the word victorious (Strong’s 3528; nikao) means to conquer, overcome, prevail, or triumph. As a result, some translations choose one of these words, in place of the word victorious, as exampled in the following passage.
They triumphed (Strong’s 3528; nikao) over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Rev. 12:11
As we will find, the phrase, “Whoever has ears, let them hear”, will be used in each of the Letters to the Seven Churches and is always followed by instructions concerning those who will suffer for their faith. The only other use of this phrase in the Revelation can be found in later chapters where the context continues to be the martyrdom of God’s people.
Whoever has ears, let them hear. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.” Rev. 13:9-10
When we find this phrase being used repeatedly in the context of the martyrs, the implication is that not everyone will have the “ears to hear” what the Lord is saying concerning the future martyrdom of the church. Accordingly, we can make the following observation concerning the Revelation, namely, the Revelation views life and death in light of eternity. Under this context, to loose your life in this world for Christ is considered to be a victory, while to gain your life in this world, only to loose it in eternity, is considered to be a defeat. In this way, the Revelation is written with an eternal perspective of life and death.
The Paradise of God
In addition to the above, this passage tells us that those who are victorious will be given the right to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God. This tells us that whenever we read about the Tree of Life in the Scriptures, we are reading about the Paradise of God. This would make the Garden of Eden the first description of Paradise, as it contained the Tree of Life. In this way, we find that the purpose of the Paradise of God is to serve as the dwelling place of God’s people, first in the Garden of Eden, and later as the promised destiny of those who are victorious.
More information concerning the Paradise of God can be found in Chapter 1, where we read about Hades, which is the place where all mankind descended down to when they died, prior to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we mentioned in that chapter, the Lord also descended down to Hades, following His crucifixion, where He preached the gospel to the dead before ascending to Heaven with God’s people who had been held captive by death in Hades.
This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions (Hades)? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Eph. 4:8-10
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.1 Pet. 4:5-6.
Prior to His descent into Hades, the Lord told the thief who was crucified next to Him that, today, he would be with Him in Paradise.
Then he (the Thief on the Cross) said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Lk. 23:42-43
When the Lord told the Thief on the Cross that he would join Him in Paradise, on the same day that He descended down to Hades, it tells us that the Paradise of God, which was once the Garden of Eden, was now in Hades where it remained the dwelling place of God’s people after they died. In Hades, the Paradise of God is described as being by Abraham’s Side, where those who had done good were kept separate from those who were in torment, as can be seen in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ Lk. 16:19-26
From these passages, we learn that the Paradise of God, which was once the Garden of Eden, was now in Hades where it is described as being by Abraham’s side. Accordingly, all of God’s people, who were held captive by death, ascended to Heaven with the Lord following His crucifixion, while the unrighteous dead remain in Hades where they await judgment. When God’s people ascended to Heaven with the Lord, the Paradise of God ascended with them where it remains to this day, as recorded by the Apostle Paul.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 Cor. 12:2-5
From Paul, we learn that the Paradise of God, which was originally in the Garden of Eden on earth, and that was described as being by Abraham’s side in Hades, is now located in Heaven. In other words, the Paradise of God is not static but follows the destination of God’s people. Today, the unrighteous dead still descend down to Hades when they die to await judgment, while the righteous ascend to the Paradise of God, which is in Heaven, where they rest until the Resurrection of the Dead. Accordingly, the Paradise of God is now the dwelling place of God’s people in Heaven where it is described as the Father’s House.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Jn. 14:1-4
When we read that the Father’s House has many rooms, it corresponds with how the dead in Christ rest in Heaven until the Resurrection of the Dead. Although the Paradise of God is now in Heaven, it is not Heaven itself. Instead, we read that following the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire, the Paradise of God will descend from Heaven to the New Earth in the form of the New Jerusalem, which contains the Tree of Life.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 21:1-4
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Rev. 22:1-5
As we learned before, whenever we read about the Tree of Life, we are reading about the Paradise of God. Therefore, when we are told that the New Jerusalem will contain the Tree of Life, it tells us that the holy city that comes down from Heaven will be the final resting place of the Paradise of God where God’s people will spend eternity. Thus, when we read that those who are victorious will be given the right to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God, it is a promise of eternal life.
The Letter to the Church in Smyrna
Next, we read of the letter sent to the church in Smyrna.
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Rev. 2:8-10
The letter to the Church in Smyrna contains a description of the events and circumstances facing the local church, and includes the warning that some of them would soon experience persecution. As with the Church in Ephesus, the instructions found in this letter could also be applied to any church suffering similar circumstances today. In this way John’s letter to the Church in Smyrna has a dual application to the church of the First-Century and the church of our own time.
In addition to the above similarities, the letter to the Church in Smyrna ends with a special promise to the martyrs, which is, again, addressed to those who have ears to hear.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Rev. 2:10-11
As described in the letter to the church in Ephesus, the use of the word victorious refers to those who will be faithful even to the point of death and who will receive the victor’s crown, while the Second Death refers to those who will be cast into Hell.
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
Rev. 20.19
Those who are obedient to the point of death will gain the ultimate victory over sin, the flesh, and the devil and will not be hurt at all by the Second Death.
The Letter to the Church in Pergamum
Next, John wrote the following letter to the church in Pergamum.
To the Church in Pergamum “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
Rev. 2:12-13
The letter to the Church in Pergamum begins with praise for their faithfulness despite living where Satan lives and has his throne. As mentioned in Chapter 1, the church at Pergamum, along with the other Six Churches, were all located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Accordingly, we also read in Ezekiel of the “chief prince” who resides over Meshek and Tubal, which are ancient cities that were also located in what is now modern-day Turkey.
“Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. Ezek. 39:1
In Daniel 10:13, Michael the Archangel is also described as a chief prince, which tells us that this title refers to the most powerful of spiritual beings. Accordingly, the chief prince who God is against is a description of Satan, who is also called Gog in this passage. We will read more about the chief prince (Satan) who is called Gog in later chapters.
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rev. 2:14-16
In the above rebuke, we find that the church in Pergamum had among them false teachers who promoted sexual immorality. This is another example where the contents of the letters to the seven churches address an issue that is still affecting the church today and, therefore, continues to fit the description of what is now. As in the earlier letters, the letter to the church in Pergamum ends with a special promise for the one who is victorious, which, again, refers to those who will maintain their testimony to the point of death.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Rev. 2:17
The Letter to the Church in Thyatira
The fourth and final letter of this chapter was written to the Church in Thyatira.
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ Rev. 2:18-25
From these instructions, we learn that Church in Thyatira faced similar circumstances concerning sexual immorality as the Church in Pergamum. As with that former church, the believers in Thyatira are told to repent of any association with those whose doctrines lead to sexual immorality and who will be struck by the Lord Himself if they don’t repent.
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Rev. 2:26-28
In these passages, the martyrs are told that they will rule over the nations with an iron scepter. As we will see in later chapters, this is a reference to a future event known as the Reign of Christ on Earth, or the Millennium, which is explained in the Scriptures as a time when the Lord will rule over the nations with a rod of iron. We will read more about this event in later chapters.
Revelation Chapter 1
Revelation Chapter 3
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Bryan Coray is the author of Keep Watch: The Order of Events of the Last Days, available
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