Revelation 2:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (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.
The Lord addresses Smyrna, stating that He knows their works, tribulation, and poverty. Ephesus was acknowledged for their works, labor and patience. In this the two churches share works, but diverge as the Lord discusses different issues of importance between them.
Revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Our Lord moves on to the second church, Smyrna. Smyrna has since become modern Izmir in Turkey, having been renamed in 1930. Smyrna is located thirty-five miles north of Ephesus. Apparently one of its claims to fame archaeologically speaking is the temple of Athena that was built in the late 7th century BC.
Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
This is the first of the “He who has an ear,” promises the Lord makes to the churches. First we should note that the promises the Lord makes here are to the churches, plural. Not just Ephesus, but Smyrna, etc., all benefit from the hearing and fulfilment of this promise, just as Ephesus benefits from Smyrna’s, etc.
Revelation 2:6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
This verse leads us to a point of both curiosity and controversy: the Nicolaitans. Almost no evidence exists about this sect or cult that Christ condemns in this passage in Revelation. Some link the sect to Nicolas, the Gentile convert from Antioch, Acts 6:5. But no such connection can honestly be made.
Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent.
Jesus is calling on the Ephesian church to recall its former position. We must recall that our Lord is now talking to a body of individuals, each member contributing to the whole of that particular church. He warns them to remember where they stood formerly, or what their previous position was.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
The KJV translates the verse, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The ESV renders the verse, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
Paul once wrote that, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us though many," 2 Corinthians 1:11. A part of our showing care for and love of the brethren is prayerfully joining them in their various ministries, lifting them up to the Lord, that He may hear and accept our requests on their behalf so that they may bear fruit. And we, through our prayers, may spiritually partake of their ministry.
Revelation 2:3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
The Lord continues to praise the Ephesian church for their fidelity. He says of them, that they persevere. Oxford defines persevere to, “continue in a course of action in spite of difficulty or lack of success.” Verse 2 fills in details as to what the Lord means by this.
Revelation 2:2d and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
The Greek term for bear is, “bastazo,” and it means, “to lift, endure, sustain, declare, receive. It signifies to support as a burden.” The Lord relates that the Ephesian church cannot lift up or support evil doing. They do not endure or receive evil.
Revelation 2:2c I know…your patience,
Jesus our Lord informs and reminds us that works and labor require patience. Strong’s Concordance defines patience as cheerful or hopeful endurance or constancy. Jesus, when addressing the apostles about the Tribulation or the Day of the Lord, said, “By your patience possess your souls,” Luke 21:19. The generation that would endure the events Jesus was describing in Luke chapter 21 (which corresponds to our current study in Revelation) have to do with the final days prior to His millennial reign, see Luke 21:28.
