Messages to Four Churches In this chapter the Lord is addressing special messages to four churches. 1. To the angel of the Church of Ephesus (1-7). 2. To the angel of the Church in Smyrna (8-11). 3. To the angel of the Church in Pergamos (12-17). 4. To the angel of the Church in Thyatira (18-9). INTRODUCTION We ought to know: First: These churches really existed and the speech is addressed to them. But as Bishop Victorianus, St. Augustine and others say, that what was mentioned in these messages pertains to the state of the churches in every age and to the believer from time to time. Therefore, these messages are addressed to every believer. Second: The Lord speaks to the churches through their angels, that is their bishops, ascribing to the pastoral responsibility, forcing them to carry their people's weaknesses, and care for the development of their children. At the same time He inspires the people to accept God's guidance and commandments through His bishops and priests. Third: The following shows the weakness of each church and the remedy given to her: 1. Ephesus Lukewarmness of love. Contemplation on the tree of (eternal) life. 2. Smyrna Suffering of pain. Waiting for the crown of life. 3. Pergamos The obstacle in the church. Practicing the Holy Sacraments. 4. Thyatira Evil lusts. Cutting evil off. 5. Sardis Hypocrisy. Concern for Heavenly Glory (internal). 6. Philadelphia Laziness at work. Understanding of real Heavenly position. 7. Laodicea Spiritual lassitude. Perseverance with hope. 1- TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS1 1. Who is he? "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write." It is said that the angel of the church was Timothy, disciple of Paul the Apostle. St. Paul had founded that church where he served for three years (Acts 20:23), and wrote letters to her. Timothy served there as well (1 Tim. 1:3), and also the Apostle John went there after he was set free. 2. Description of the Lord "These things, says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" [1]. The Lord appears to each church according to her convenience, according to her needs, that she might see in Him her people and her cure from every weakness. As this church suffers from her "Lukewarmness of love," that is why he declares to her that it is 1 A city of Lydia on the west coast of Asia Minor, at the mouth of the Cayster. It was famous at the days of Romans. There was located the famous temple of Artemis (Diana), who was represented as a many-breasted mother goddess, that is counted one of the world's seven wonders, it was built in 20 years. 6 He who holds the seven stars (the bishops) in his right hand. In other words, it is He who protects them, cares for them and encompasses them. He also announces to her that he is "who walks in the midst of the golden lampstands" who wanders ceaselessly in His church, working for the salvation of every soul. As if He is saying: “I love you, so why does your love to me weaken?” On the other hand, the stars in themselves are dark; their light comes from Him who holds it "the Sun of Righteousness" assuring us that we cannot possess love by ourselves, but it comes from God who holds us in His right hand. 3) The state of the church "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you can not bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” [2]. Before He tells her about her weakness, God gives her confidence saying, "I know your works..." I don't forget the work of your love, and I don't ignore your labor, even the one you don't mention. Zechariah forgot his prayers that he had offered to God to have a son, but God rewarded him for his prayers in due course (Luke 1:13). Also we in our weakness think that God has forgotten our former works, labor and patience that we bore for His sake, but God assures every person that He does not forget even a cup of cold water presented in His name. He does not forget the labor of this church, especially what she endured from those who pretended to be ministers and filled the earth with words, while they were liars and were far from her spirit, her message, her meekness, and her love. For this, God speaks to the bishop of Ephesus saying, "And you have persevered, and have patience, and have labored for my name's sake and have not become weary" [3]. After this encouragement, He came back to reproach the church in a very gentle way without hurting her feelings saying, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love" [4]. Sweetly, God supports the bruised reed and inflames the smoking flax (Matt. 12 : 20), and firmly without deceit or dissimulation He declares her weakness, in order to repent and come back to her full health. 4) The remedy "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works; or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent" [5]. This is the way to the cure; repent and act. As St. Jerome1 says that we are all exposed to fall. And falling cannot be taken as a sign that we were not one day raised up, or baptized with the Spirit, as some pretend. Falling does not need re-baptism but it needs repentance and action. Without repentance our lampstand demolishes, therefore God hurries, denounces and reprimands severely because He cannot wait to see the lampstand of His children displaced. God moves from reprimand to kindness by showing the good deeds of the church saying, "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate" [6]. He is pleased to see His bride hates what He hates, and loves what He loves, sharing His behavior, His feelings and His thoughts, and following the path of His steps. But the Heresy of the Nicolaites is: 1 Cf. Jerome against Jovinianus 2:3 and against Luciferians, 24. 7 a) St. Irenaeus1 says, [Nicolaites are Nicolas' followers, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5). These people live in lust without control, and teach different matters as allowing adultery and eating idol's offerings.] b) Both St. Clement of Alexandria and St. Augustine acquit Nicolas from the heresy and attribute it to his followers. c) Tertullian and St. Jerome see that when Nicolas was chosen as a deacon he abstained from his wife, but because of her beauty he came back to her. And when he was reprimanded for that he fell in and allowed adultery. d) Others see that Nicolas was very jealous for his wife because of her beauty, and when others blamed him for his great attachment to her, he wanted to show the contrary. Thus, he allowed to whoever wanted her to take her, hence he fell into this heresy. 5) An advice to listen to what the Spirit says, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” that is to say, he who wants to listen to God's voice has to listen to the Holy Spirit who speaks to all churches, for what He says to our church is what He says to all. And what does He say? Tertullian2 answers, that He always says, “repent.” 6) The reward "To him who overcome I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" [7]. The heart which is lukewarm in love is a hungry heart, therefore it needs to be filled with God "the tree of life,” for He fills and heals the heart (Rev. 22:2). And He is the reward offered to the victors. Every time the believer is in retreat and contemplates on the everlasting eternity, he is inflamed with love and longing to the heavenly Groom and becomes apathetic to what is earthly and secular! 2- TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA 1) Who is he? "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write..." It is said that he is the bishop Polycarb. Ebn-El-Assal believed that he is the bishop Phlivarius, the disciple of St. John the Apostle. 2) Description of the Lord "These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life" [8]. By writing to the suffering church of Smyrna, who was about to be severely persecuted, the Lord wanted to assure her that He is the First and the Last who embraces His creation to Himself. That nothing would happen to His creation without His permission, and does not allow but what is for its good. As He reminds her that He "was dead and is alive.” If He had died for her sake how cannot she bear death for His sake? He accepted death to tread down death, giving life to whoever dies with Him. 3) The state of the Church As the church was masked by great tribulations that befell her, that is why He describes her by saying: a) "I know your works.” My eyes does not part from you, as a potter who never 1 St. Irenaeus against Heresies, 26:2. 2 Repentance 8. 8 takes his eyes away from his vessel which is in the furnace, in order not to burn. And as a father who leaves all his work to be beside his suffering son at the moment of his anguish... Whenever pain increases, the Lord declares abundance of His care for us. b) "Tribulation," I know how much can you tolerate, so I only allow the amount of tribulation that is enough for your salvation and your growth. c) "Poverty": Poverty was probably due to the confiscation of the Christian’s belongings by the Roman State. The Lord knows all that happens to His children even if they were in the worst state of poverty. d) “But you are rich, and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" [9]. As Ebn-El-Assal says, [He knows his richness because of his wealth in virtues and his steadfastness in hardships]. And St. Jerome says: [Who becomes poor with Jesus becomes rich]. Bishop Victorianus believes that richness here lies in the fact that there are some of the bishop's children who refuse "the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews"... So the bishop's richness is his children's orthodox faith and straight life. Satan wants to steal this richness by means of groups of wicked Jews who are "the synagogue of Satan.” 4) Advice and guidance "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days" [10]. As they win Satan's war that he raised through the wicked Jews, the Lord encourages them to accept the tribulation, the church goes through "ten days," the ten Roman persecutions that history recorded to us1. Number “ten” indicates abundance and unlimitation, as the righteous Job says, "These ten times you have reproached me" (19:3). And how does He encourage them? "Be you faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" [10]. For the crown of life, the believer accepts every pain and tribulation enduring death all the day to attain "the eternal life," where there is no death! "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death" [11]. This is the command of the Spirit, that man accepts death of the body in order not to be overcome by the second death, for in the body's death, there is the soul's life which will take the body glorified forever. Fr. Ephrahat2 says that we have to fear the second death (Rev. 20:14) filled with crying, gnashing of teeth, sighs and misery, things pertaining to the outside darkness. But happy are the believers and the righteous in this resurrection for they expect to get up and receive the good promises that belong to them. 3- TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS3 1) Who is he ? "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write." It was said that he was Kerios 1 Anba Yoanis: Martyrdom in Christianity, p. 47. (in Arabic) 2 On the Resurrection of the dead, 19. 3 Or Pergamum, the most important city of Mysia, situated 3 miles north of the river Caisus, about 15 miles from the sea. It is now called Bergama (New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible). 9 mentioned by Eusebius. He was strong in faith and ended his life in martyrdom. 2) Qualities of the Lord "These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword" [12]. As the church had left her door open to strangers, consequently, many stumbleblocks were found therein. The Lord appears as a jealous Judge who separates with the sharp sword His people from the strangers, even if they call themselves Christians. He is the Lord of the church who sends His word as a sharp sword, to separate what is right from what is wrong. He severs what is from Satan and cuts it, and this is always the effect of God’s word. 3) The State of the Church "I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan’s throne is: And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” [13]. God knows the hard times which this church goes through, since she is where the “evil spirit” dwells. Hence pastoring her is hard and painful. But remember that you have "Antipas the faithful martyr," who witnesses that it is possible for the believer to hold firm until death, for the sake of faith, whatever the conditions are. The historian Andrea spoke to us about this martyr as a well known person to him. He was martyred by burning him to death. He was offered to be saved but refused. Therefore, in the midst of the hard conditions, among you are martyrs to that I witness to their faithfulness. “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” [14]. “Thus you also have those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites, which thing I hate” [15]. And as usual, He reprimands firmly but gently, “I have a few things against you.” As for the doctrines of Nicolaites, we have already discussed. However in this church a group of people started to accept these strange teachings without coming to practice its principles. This group stumble the church, as Balak did to his people in the past (Numbers 25:1,2,3; 31:16). And here we Notice: a) He starts by reprimanding for eating what was offered to idols before he blames fornication [v.14], because, as the Fathers tells us,1 that greed precedes falling in adultery. b) When He reprimands the church for the teachings of the Nicolaites, it is enough to tell her that the people are holding to what He hates. And this is sufficient without needless arguments or discussion, because she should not hold to what He hates and neglect what He loves. c) God reprimands the pastor because of the few who deviate, and as St. Augustine says2: [We, as bishops, are blamed because of the crimes of the wicked and not for our crimes, even if some of them do not know us]. 4) The Remedy and the Reward: "Repent or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the 1 St. John Cassian: Conference 5 (Serapion about "The Eight Faults”). 2 Letter 43:22. 10 sword of My mouth” [16]. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it" [17]. The bishop is obliged to repent quickly because of the sins and deviation of the minority, as they are his children and he is responsible for them before God. As for the reward for overcoming these stumbling blocks, it is the eating of the hidden manna! How wonderful it is that God offers us His holy Body and Blood, the heavenly manna (John 6:49-51), to take it as a guarantee. God gives us enjoyment while we are on earth, by giving us the heavenly food of the victors. What a great reward that the priest and the people get, when they advance after a long struggle, troubles in life and persistence in worshipping; to enjoy the Body of the Lord and the cup of salvation in the unity of love, for fellowship and with firmness in God. At the same time, by eating this manna the soul rejoices, so it refrains from every strange doctrine initiated by the Nicolaites. For this reason, the church intends to feed her children since their childhood with the hidden manna, as a reward and a remedy for them. This was about the hidden manna. As for the white pebble (stone) it is, as St. Jerome says, a jewel that shines by night as daylight. By this he points to the Incarnate Word. This is our reward and we do not accept any substitute for it. Ebn-El-Assal believes that the pebble or the white stone indicates the kingdom on which it is written, in a new spiritual language known only by the children of the kingdom. Some people believe that it is white pebbles used by Roman and Greek judges to announce the innocence of the accused. Some others thought that it is one of the precious stones placed on the breast of the high priest (Exod. 28; Lev. 8). As for the new name, none knows it but the one who receives, because the inside heavenly joy "is not shared by a stranger" (Prov. 14:10), and is understood only by those who live in it and taste it. Therefore, the hidden manna, the white pebbles and the new name are revelations of the winners delight in the Lord Jesus, our secret bread, our wealth and our happiness in whom rests our heart. Bishop Victorianus believes that the hidden manna is the eternity, the white pebble is the adoption to God, and the new name written on the pebble is "Christian.” 4- TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA1 1) Who is he? "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write." He is St. Irenaeus, St. Polycarb’s disciple, and he is the second one who interpreted the book. He was warm in spirit; and Jezebel, as we shall see, has offended him. 2) Description of the Lord "These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass” [18]. Jezebel went on spreading her venom among the people. Therefore, the Lord offers Himself as two inflamed eyes so that the pastor might discern every detail concerning his children's life. And two feet of brass, to demolish firmly every evil. 1 A city of Asia Minor , in Lydia near the boundary of Mysia. Its inhabitants were famed for their skill in dyeing purple; Lydia, the seller of purple at Philippi, came from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). 11 St. John Chrysostom1 says, [The bishop has to be cautious. He has to have a thousand eyes, fast to see, his insight should not be dark... He has to be very vigilant, warm in Spirit, inflamed, as if he was inhaling fire. He has to be on his guard for all and caring for everyone]. As for firmness, St. John Climacus says: [He who pastors the sheep does not have to be neither a lion nor an ewe]. 3) The State of the Church "I know your works, love, service, faith and your patience, and as for your works, the last are more than the first" [19]. Here also He presents the great merits of the church and her virtues and He reveals that He does not forget her works, her love, her service, her faith, her patience and her constant growth. The amazing thing is that He puts her works, love and service before faith, because God does not accept the theoretical and dry faith. And He does not distinguish faith from works and vice versa. Again, the Lord as usual, reveals the weakness saying, "Nevertheless I have a few things against you" and what are these few things? "because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols" [20]. Who is this Jezebel? a) It is said that she is the bishop's wife, as it appears in the Greek and Syrian texts, "the looseness of your wife Jezebel." For she followed Jezebel's track (I king. 18:19), pretending to be a servant, while she was spreading the Nicolaite thoughts. b) She is a paganess, who pretended to be a Christian, and she displayed zeal in worshipping, which made the bishop entrust her with some services in the church. So she was corrupting and misleading. c) She is a rich Christian lady who used her wealth and her influence in misleading . d) Epiphanius thinks that she is an indication of the ladies, the followers of the heretic Valentinus and their names are: Prescella, Maximiella and Cantilla. e) She is an indication of a group of heretics, and was called Jezebel because they looked like her in: First: As Jezebel corrupted Ahab's rule, those corrupted the pastoral work by spreading the strange thoughts. Second: She is an atheist and a pagan in her inner thoughts pushing others towards evil. Third: She is a killer of the prophets and she hated them. Forth: She was spreading the spirit of fornication, corrupting the simple people's minds and pushing them into spiritual fornication. 4) The Remedy a) Concerning Jezebel and her lovers: "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent” [21]. How patient God is! In spite of her evil doings inside the church corrupting many people's mind, probably prolonging her life, so that in her old age she may realize the truth, but she insisted on evil doing. For this reason God is disciplining her with illness 1 The author: The Pastoral Love (in Arabic), p. 724. 12 saying: "Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds" [22]. It is not for her sake and her children; but for the rest so that they may not corrupt with her, as He says, "And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works" [23]. And this is the pledge that they receive on the judgment day, as the apostle says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds" (Rom. 2:4-6). b) Concerning the rest: "But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira." "And" before "the rest" is not as a conjunction but is to specify, as if he was saying, "I say to you the rest" who are in Thyatira who have not this doctrine or did not follow Jezebel. But when he says, "And which have not known the depth of Satan as they speak," it is because of the heretic Gnostics who pretended to know the divine matters more than others. As they called on the necessity of experiencing the evil and the good life in order that man be acquainted with the depth of Satan. These rest, God talks to them, "I will put on you no other burden" [24]. "But hold fast what you have till I come" [25]. As Bishop Victorianus says, God does not give them other laws and duties as a harder burden. It will be enough that they hold fast to what they have until God comes. Thus He declares to them His love; He does nor want to increase this burden, as He urges them to persist until the end. 5) The Reward The bishop's opposition to Jezebel and her followers could cause disturbance, and trouble in the church, and someone may think that the bishop's position is shaken. But the Lord affirms the contrary saying, "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations” [26]. “And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to pieces, even as I also have received from My Father" [27]. This power is granted to the bishop by the Lord Jesus to whom the Father said, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Ps. 2:8-9). And as he opposes Jezebel's deeds unto the end without fatigue or fear, he enjoys the Lord Jesus Himself according to the promise of the Lord, "And I will give him the morning star" [28], who will dissipate Jezebel's dark deeds. And as Bishop Victorianus says, [He had promised the morning star who dissipates the night and declares the light or the beginning of the day]. It is sufficient to him who cuts evil, to enjoy the Lord Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).
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