Revelation 2 | Verse-By-Verse | Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer

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1 - Ephesus
Revelation 2:1
Christ addresses all 7 churches the SAME
Angel = Angelos
ANGELOS - messenger; human or divine
Context determines meaning
Jesus was addressing the Pastor who was the messenger to the local body.
Ecclesia is 2 Greek words
EK - Out
KELISO - Called
EKKLESIA - Called Out or Called Out Ones
Largest church in 1st Century = Ephesus
1st Church that Christ address
Revelation 2:1-3
3 Commendations = Good Works, Enduring Trials, Sound Doctrine
3 R's of Revival
Revelation 2:5
1. Remember
2. Repent
3. Return
Revelation 2:6-7
2 - Smyrna
Revelation 2:8
Christ addresses all 7 churches the SAME
Revelation 2:9
Affliction = Thlipsis
THLIPSIS - heavy pressure, suffocation, tribulation
Roman torture practice
Tribulation = Poverty
2 Greek words for poverty
Why abject poverty?
Trade Guilds = Unions (Auto, police and so forth)
To have a job you had to be a member of a trade guild
Problematic for Christians
Each trade guild had a god they worshipped
Required to attend trade guilds meetings
Began with giving thanks to the god, eating sacrificed meat, drunk, lead to other debauchery
Members were expected to attend and participate
Christians were in between a rock and a hard place
Refuse to worship = no job
Worship false gods = abandon true God
These Christians chose to worship God
Revelation 2:10-11
This church receives no correction, unlike the other 6, but only empathy and encouragement
Pain
When it comes to pain and suffering all people speak the same language
We may have different backgrounds but we all relate to pain
Doesn't matter whether you are from the middle east or the east coast; pain is pain
Jesus knows our pain and suffering
"I know" - Jesus
2 principles to pain, suffering and anguish in this life
Pain Is Inevitable
Pain Has A Purpose
Smyrna = myrrh
Myrrh - Fragrance only comes out when it is crushed
If you are being crushed right now that means God is bringing forth out of you that which He has placed in you
3 - Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-13
Map of Asia
Near the famous city of Troy (Trojan Horse)
Center of Roman Imperial Cult
40ft statute of Zeus
Famous for medicine & healing practices
Also a corrupt city = bathhouses & theater
They refused to compromise their character to the culture around them
Revelation 2:13
Satan's city = Rough place to live for Christians
These Christians endured hardships
Antipas paid the ultimate price
Who is Antipas?
Etymology = Anti & Everything
Christians were known for being anti-everything culture
Anti-entertainment
Anti-emperor worship
Treated poorly because they didn't just go with the flow
They refused to compromise
Antipas was believed to be the pastor and killed for being different
Execution = Bull made of copper
This city is Satan's throne yet they endured
Christ commends them but has a word of correction for some
Who is Balaam and what did he teach Balak?
OT person whose story is in Numbers 22-25
Balaam was a prophet not of God but Baal
Better understanding = witch
Lived at the time of Moses and was super famous
Would cast curses upon nations
Moses was an instrument for the kingdom of light and Balaam was kingdom of darkness
Numbers 22 = King of Moab, Balak, is scared of Israel
Sends for Balaam 400 miles away
At first Balaam says no
Balak offers a house full of silver and gold
7 different times Balaam tries to curse Israel
Numbers 23:7-8
This witch knew he had no power against God's people
The greatest witch today has no power over you
Enemy cannot place a curse on you but you can bring a curse on yourself
Revelation 2:14
Balaam had no power over Israel
But showed Balak how to entice them
Word entice = stumbling block, trap
How did Balak trap Israel
Numbers 25:1-3
Balaam showed Balak how to trap them
Balaam couldn't bring a curse upon them so they brought one upon themselves
What was Balaam's doctrine?
Enemy has no power over God's people to defeat the but God's people can defeat themselves with compromise
Revelation 2:15
Who are the Nicolaitans?
Gnostic Christians = Spirit is good; flesh is evil
Very dangerous
Blended Greek Philosophy with Christian Theology
Blended Roman Culture with Christian Character
Because the flesh is evil some starve it others indulge it = Libertines
Did not matter what they did in their bodies
Revelation 2:17
4 - Thyatira
Revelation 2:18
Pergamum was an incredible city; governor lived there along with wealthy
So much wealth invaders from the east wanted to sack the city
Pergamum developed Thyatira as a military outpost
Small city yet important city
Jezebel
Revelation 2:18-25
Who is this woman referred to as Jezebel?
Not her name but a label
Scholars believe it was the pastors wife
2 earliest manuscripts = Your woman Jezebel
OT character; foreigner from Phoenicia
Priestess of Baal; married to king Ahab of Israel
Revelation 2:26-29

[@CarolynElohims.favorite1Madiso]

Very awesome teaching.

[@Lifehappens923]

Thank you for teaching this so clearly. Gods blessing

[@kirstensteidl7855]

Thank you for this teaching from bay city Michigan

[@suzanneyoung6273]

Thankyou Pastor for your teaching. That was interesting what you said about Jezebel, never heard that before. 🕊️🇦🇺

[@gingerwoods7430]

Pastor Jackson Thank you! I am so enjoying this teaching on Revelation. You are the first Pastor I have heard that researched as deeply as you have. I am very excited to hear and study with you on this deep study of Revelation. Are you going to teach each week on this? I pray you do!!

[@mimitinsley3807]

What is the schedule for this series to be aired please?

[@suzanneyoung6273]

I don’t think there is a schedule, the Pastor comes on when he can. I may be wrong tho’.

[@Patty-ol3lh]

So grateful for this teaching. Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤✝️