In Part 1 we managed to make it through the entire first chapter of Revelations, and I just wanted to note that verses 8, 11, part of 17, and all of 18, 19 and 20 (in Rev. 1) are in red letters, which denote Jesus speaking to the apostle John. He said “18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
He goes on to dictate letters to John, addressed to the angel of each church. As you read the first letter below, beginning with verse 1 of chapter 2 of Revelations, see if you recognize any of it in the church you are attending. I can’t help but wonder, when I think of the 12 apostles who went forth to start churches, along with Paul, it’s as though I can see all of these things going on in all our churches today. As I read these letters I’ll say to myself, yep, that’s my church, but then I’ll read another letter to another church and say, no, this is my church!
Jesus starts the letters by recognizing the good attributes, and then chastises the areas that need improvement. If only we would correct our children in the same way, praising them for the good things, before we correct them for their mistakes.
I looked up Nicolaitanes on the internet. There is quite a bit of info, so you may want to do so, as well. For the benefit of those who can’t look it up, perhaps I will print something on them next week. I do not intend to decipher this book, for I am not a theological scholar. You have to glean what you can from this book, just like I do! Ask God for His understanding, and He will give it to you. The more we read and ask Him for understanding (and use it), the more wisdom He gives us.
Revelation 2:1-11 “1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
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