Christ`s Counsel to the Body of Christ. (Rev. 2 & 3)
We will now look at the Lord dealing with each of the 7 groups. He encourages & comforts, or warns & exposes error, while revealing Himself afresh to each group as the answer to their problem. If we are a part of the Body of Christ then even today we are to heed what the Spirit is saying.
1. Ephesus – Division. (Rev. 2: 1 – 7)
Christ reveals Himself to these believers as the preeminent one who has all power & authority walking in their midst.
`He who holds the 7 stars (angels), who walks in the midst of the
7 golden lampstands. (the Body of Christ)`
(Rev. 2: 1)
7 in Heb. Means `to be complete.` Thus the complete Body of Christ.
He encourages & commends them for their patience, perseverance & testing of false apostles, & then points out a severe error –
“...you have left your first love.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen;” (Rev. 2: 4 & 5)
The believers had lost their `first love.` Their affection & allegiance was not on Christ, but on earthly support, so they had `fallen.` They looked more to their leaders rather than listening to the Lord. Divisions & factions had formed.
`I am of Paul,... I am of Apollos,` (1 Cor. 3: 4)
`I hear that there are divisions among you,...` (1 Cor.11: 18 & 19)
Many of the early believers did however discern those who `lorded it over ` others and did not agree with their behaviour.
“But this you have, that you hate the deed of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
(Rev. 2: 6)
Nicolaitan – Gk. Nikolaos, `nikao,` to conquer, and `laos,` the people.
To conquer the people, or to lord it over them. ( 1 Peter 5: 3)
The Lord Jesus Christ then encourages the believers to listen to His Holy Spirit so they can be overcomes who will receive of His eternal life.
“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.”
(Rev. 2: 7)
To be overcomers they need to `hold fast to the Head,` Christ, & not look to men as their Head. (Col.2:18 & 19)
We will now look at the Lord dealing with each of the 7 groups. He encourages & comforts, or warns & exposes error, while revealing Himself afresh to each group as the answer to their problem. If we are a part of the Body of Christ then even today we are to heed what the Spirit is saying.
1. Ephesus – Division. (Rev. 2: 1 – 7)
Christ reveals Himself to these believers as the preeminent one who has all power & authority walking in their midst.
`He who holds the 7 stars (angels), who walks in the midst of the
7 golden lampstands. (the Body of Christ)`
(Rev. 2: 1)
7 in Heb. Means `to be complete.` Thus the complete Body of Christ.
He encourages & commends them for their patience, perseverance & testing of false apostles, & then points out a severe error –
“...you have left your first love.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen;” (Rev. 2: 4 & 5)
The believers had lost their `first love.` Their affection & allegiance was not on Christ, but on earthly support, so they had `fallen.` They looked more to their leaders rather than listening to the Lord. Divisions & factions had formed.
`I am of Paul,... I am of Apollos,` (1 Cor. 3: 4)
`I hear that there are divisions among you,...` (1 Cor.11: 18 & 19)
Many of the early believers did however discern those who `lorded it over ` others and did not agree with their behaviour.
“But this you have, that you hate the deed of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
(Rev. 2: 6)
Nicolaitan – Gk. Nikolaos, `nikao,` to conquer, and `laos,` the people.
To conquer the people, or to lord it over them. ( 1 Peter 5: 3)
The Lord Jesus Christ then encourages the believers to listen to His Holy Spirit so they can be overcomes who will receive of His eternal life.
“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.”
(Rev. 2: 7)
To be overcomers they need to `hold fast to the Head,` Christ, & not look to men as their Head. (Col.2:18 & 19)
