Revelation 2

Notes

In these seven epistles observe—(1) Christ always describes himself in the introduction by a character suited to the case of that particular church to which the letter is directed, whether for encouragement or terror. (2) He directs them all to the Angel or Messenger of the church; that is, the pastors, represented as one, because of the unity and sameness of their office and work; and yet sometimes as more than one, ver. 10, 25; because they are his mouth to their people. (3) The churches of Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis, are commended for some things, and reproved for others; the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia only commended; and the church of Laodicea only reproved. (4) Each of the epistles is concluded with a delightful promise of eternal glory and happiness to victorious believers: a solemn call to every reader or hearer seriously to attend to and apply the epistles to his own conscience. Ver. 2. I am acquainted with and approve your manifold works of righteousness, and the pains you have taken to maintain and propagate my pure gospel and the interests of my kingdom, and with your holy, prudent zeal, that sin and error, and scandalous and erroneous persons, may be kept or put out of your church-fellowship—with the strict trials you have made of the principles and manners of such as pretend an apostolic commission from me: 3. And that you have, with holy fortitude, constancy, and patient resignation to the will of God, borne up against all the opposition of false teachers, and under manifold persecutions, for my sake; and, from a principle of love to me and my cause, have, without fainting or discouragement under your trials, persisted in diligently applying yourselves to promote my glory in the world. 4. Nevertheless, I must sharply reprove you, that of late your affection to me, my people and cause, has become less fervent than when you were first converted to the faith. 5. Think therefore, seriously and impartially, on your shameful declensions and revolts from your former love and zeal, and how much of the purity, pleasure, and life of religion you have lost by them; and with grief and hatred of them return to your wonted lively exercise of faith, love, and obedience, otherwise I will quickly take away all your gospel privileges, and dissolve your church, that you shall no longer enjoy or hold forth the light of gospel truth, holiness, and comfort. 6. The Nicolaitanes, under a pretence of Christian freedom, encouraged men to idolatry, uncleanness, or such like wickedness. 7. To every one who, united to my person, and depending on my grace, perseveres in mortifying his own corruptions, and resisting the temptations of Satan and the world, will I freely grant all the benefits of my sacrifice in the sublime, substantial, and never-failing honours and delights of the heavenly state—in which God himself dwells, and is immediately enjoyed in the most glorious manner. 9. They were poor in outward circumstances and in spirit, but rich in faith, and heirs of God's kingdom of grace and glory. 10. Ten days of tribulation may either denote ten years or many days, Ge. 31. 7, 41; 1 Sa. xviii.; Job 19. 3; Ec. 7. 19; or a few days, Ge. 24. 55; Le. 26. 26; Am. 5. 3; 6. 9, 11. The second death is eternal destruction in hell. 16. Unless you quickly repent of your conduct, I will, by fearful judgments, cut off these bold offenders. 17. I will make those who believe and overcome partakers of all the reviving blessings of spiritual and eternal life, which are safely treasured up in Christ, and unknown to carnal men, and give them the most delightful sense of their full justification and adoption. 22, 23. I will inflict dreadful calamities upon your corrupt seducers and those seduced by them, so as to alarm all the churches around, and to make them know that no pretences to knowledge or piety can hide any wicked principles or evil practices from me. 24, 25. Such of you as have never approved, but faithfully opposed, these diabolical delusions and mysteries of iniquity which these seducers propagate with the deepest intrigue and subtlety, and boast of as the product of profound knowledge and wisdom, I only require to persevere in your opposition, and to hold fast the doctrines and precepts which ye have received in my Word—in the continued exercise of faith, love, and holy obedience. 26-28. Such as stand their ground against temptations, and persevere in faith and holiness to the end, I will make to share in my conquests and glorious dominion over the world, and my victory over mine enemies, and will give them all that light and grace, those comforts, enjoyments, and glories, that are to be found in myself as their everlasting portion.

Ver. 5. I will remove thy candlestick: will deprive thee of gospel light; of Bibles which thou hast not read; of Sabbaths thou hast not kept; of ministers thou hast not heard; of communions thou hast not observed; and of liberty thou hast not valued, but abused. This denunciation began to be fulfilled during the persecutions of the Roman emperors Decius, Gallus, and Valerian, and was completed to the letter by the Saracens and Turks. It is now a total ruin, without a solitary inhabitant. C.

Ver. 8. Smyrna was not, like Ephesus, threatened with destruction; and Smyrna still survives. 'Ten times' destroyed, by enemies or earthquakes, and often swept over by the plague, 'ten times' did the city rise from its ruins with increased splendour. Its population is still above 100,000; of whom 30,000 are Greek and 7000 Armenian Christians, and 10,000 Jews, the remainder Turks. The Christians are described as sunk in ignorance and superstition. Hasten, Lord, their revival, and honour them with the 'crown of life.' C.

Ver. 12. Pergamos, now Bergamo, the ancient capital of Mysia, and the residence of the Attalian kings, stands about sixty miles north of Smyrna, on the banks of the Caicus. It contains about 15,000 inhabitants, and has two Christian churches. C.

Ver. 17. Hidden manna. So called because a portion of the wilderness manna was laid up in the tabernacle, to which the high-priest alone was admitted, and was thus a type of that bread that, in the fulness of the time, was sent down from heaven, Jn. 4. 26.—A white stone has been explained by a supposed reference to the white and black stones given in Grecian and Roman trials and elections—the one to denote acquittal or approval; the other, condemnation or rejection; also by a like supposed reference to the white stones given as evidences of victory at the Olympic games. But surely nothing is more unlikely than that a prophet of the Lord should borrow his imagery from heathenism? Is it not much more natural to understand it as a reference to the 'bright, shining, light-giving' stones (for so the word λευκὸς signifies, as well as 'white') which, by the command of the Lord, Moses placed upon the shoulders and breast of Aaron, Ex. 28. 10, 11.—A new name, has been explained by a supposed reference to the Roman tesseræ hospitales, given as tokens of friendship and alliance. But, as in the case of the 'white stone,' it is to be explained, not by a reference to a local heathen custom, but by the engraving of the names of the tribes on the stones upon the shoulders and breast of the high-priest, Ex. 28. 10, 11.—No man knoweth saving he that receiveth it—the nature and value of that 'new name' (child of God) which the Lord bestows upon all who love him. See Ge. 32. 28; 1 Jn. 3. 1. C.

Reflections.—No churches on earth are without their defilements and weaknesses; few without some glaring iniquities, or even without some wicked seducers. And it is a mercy that Jesus Christ, for their benefit, communicates to both pastors and people his reproofs, warnings, directions, and encouragements. His characters, as well as his oracles, exactly answer their case. And he has a critical and divine acquaintance with them and all their concerns. He takes the first and kindest notice of their graces, services, and sufferings for his sake, and how they oppose what is evil and perform what is good. Graciously he dwells among them, supports, furnishes, and directs their ministers; begins and assists all that concerns them in time or eternity; and lives for them as their risen and exalted Redeemer. With tender compassion he reminds them of their declensions and irregularities, and calls them to repentance and reformation. And his promises are very encouraging to his ministers and people who faithfully wrestle against every known sin in themselves or others. Spiritual and heavenly are the delights he now bestows upon them; sure is their security from eternal damnation; and infinite is the glory, acceptance, pleasure, fame, illustrious excellency, and power over every opposer, if they are only faithful to Christ.—But awful are his threatenings, and tremendous his judgments, upon impostors, hypocritical professors, and obstinate sinners! No boast of deep or devilish understanding, no power in deceiving his people or in persecuting his servants, shall be able to screen them from his righteous and destructive judgments. Let, then, every soul hear and fear, and do no more so wickedly.