Revelation 02: Jesus Sees it All
In the second chapter of the book of Revelation, John records Jesus talking specifically to the churches under John’s leadership. These churches were subjected to specific types of persecution and faced particular temptations. Jesus speaks directly to the issues they face, encouraging and warning them. Let us read and see how God sees it all.
Text: Revelation 2 (click to expand)
The Message to the Church in Ephesus
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
The Message to the Church in Smyrna
8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:
9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.
The Message to the Church in Pergamum
12 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.
14 “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. 15 In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. 16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
The Message to the Church in Thyatira
18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:
19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots. 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Chapter Overview and Summary.
In chapter two, Jesus speaks directly to four of the seven churches. In this discourse, he addresses specific issues they face and guides them on how to address them. There are three aspects to note about this chapter. First, Jesus speaks to each church. We know from history that Ephesus was probably much larger than the other churches. However, Jesus did not only speak to the prominent. Jesus cares for all His people and sees us all. The second aspect to note is that Jesus was specific. Jesus knows all the details of our lives and is willing to walk with us, no matter what they may be. The third aspect is that Jesus encourages each of the churches. Even when Jesus challenges them and points out sin, each of the churches receives a promise at the end of His message to them. The point of the book of Revelation is to encourage the early churches that Jesus had already won it all. He has made promises to each of them and can fulfill them. That was true then, and it is still true now.
SOAP Bible Study.
Title: Jesus Sees Us
Scripture- (Revelation 2:1b-2a) This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: I know all the things you do.
Observation- When speaking to the seven churches, the one thing they all have in common is that Jesus sees them all. This brings us great comfort today. There is nothing we go through, no slight we endure, no trouble we experience that Jesus does not see. He is working in ways we do not recognize. He speaks to each of those churches, not only seeing them, but also providing details, reminding them that He knows the details. Remember this the next time you feel as though you are all alone. You are not. God is right there with you and is moving in ways you do not see, but He is slowly leading you to freedom. To each of the churches, their message is to come close or stay close to Him. That is the medicine for us during difficult times as well.
Application- Is there an area of your life where you need to take a step closer to Jesus?
Prayer- Thank You for always drawing us closer to Yourself.
Reflection Questions-
- Which of these churches do you identify with from this chapter?
- Which of the encouragements to these churches encouraged you?
- If Jesus were to write a letter to your church community, what would He say?
- How does this chapter help you see that Jesus “sees it all?”
- Based on this chapter, what is the next step you need to take?
Additional Resources-
- (Video) First Baptist Church Rock Hill. “Revelation 2 Explained.” YouTube video, 50:34. Feb 2023. (Link)
- (Book) Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
- (Article/Commentary) Guzik, David. “Revelation 2 – Jesus’ Letters to the Churches.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. (Link)
- (Article/Blog) Living Hope Bible Blog. “Revelation 2.” (Link)
- (Article/Inductive Study) StudyAndObey.com. “Revelation 2:18–29 Bible Study – Letter To The Church Of Thyatira.” (Link)
- (Video/Verse-by-Verse) LeBoutillier, Paul. “Revelation 2 (Part 2): 8–29 – Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira.” YouTube video, 58:10. Mar 2023. (Link)
