Revelation

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21	22

Revelation 2 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Revelation 2 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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;

(2:1, 8, 12, 18) "Unto the angel"
The book of Revelation was written for, and addressed to, various angels.

This is the first of the seven scenes, each one describing the history of the world from John to the end of times. The first scene describes the history of the visible church over the ages. The descriptions of the churches are to be applied concurrently: in each age some congregations are more spiritual than others, but also successively: if a congregation was spiritual in the past, it does not mean it will remain that, but this can change over time.
On who John was writing to: why would John have to write a book to unseen spiritual beings? They have no need of Scripture. Seven times we have the phrase “Unto the angel of the church of“ in this and subsequent sections. The explanation of the word angel is given in the previous verse (Rev. 1:20): “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” We find these seven stars first in the right hand (Rev. 1:16) of Christ. Together these verses give us the meaning: the word angel should be read in its original meaning, namely messenger: Christ employs these messengers to rule his church. The word angel does not mean any particular office or person or hierarchy. But it simply means all who rule in the church, and that they only derive their authority from Christ. Their job description is being a messenger: what Christ tells them, they must tell their congregation. Not more. Not less.

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.

(2:9) "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
False Jews (which are the true Jews) are members of "the synagogue of Satan."

Note that Jesus was a Jew, all the apostles were Jews, etc. etc. So it is clearly untrue only those who rejected Christ were the true Jews as the author of the SAB has it. But I think we should take the word Jew here in a wider, more symbolic meaning. As the apostle Paul explains, the true children of Abraham are the children after Abraham's faith, see Rom. 9:8. And in the history of the Church we have often seen some claiming themselves to be the true church, but by their works they demonstrated they were not.

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.

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

(2:13) "I know ... even where Satan's seat is."
He (John or Jesus) even knows where Satan's seat is!

The I is indeed Jesus here, as he is speaking this message, and John is writing it down. The city of Pergamos is said to contain Satan's seat as he reigned in the hearts of its citizens.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

(2:16) "Repent; or else I ... will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Repent -- or else Jesus will fight you with the sword that sticks out of his mouth. (Like the limbless knight in Monty Python's "Holy Grail.")

The author of the SAB has not read this verse carefully enough, he confuses the thee and them, they are different persons. Jesus speaks this to his church at Pergamos, and he asks them to repent that they suffer, allow, those, who hold the doctrine of Balaam, in their midst. But Jesus does not say he will fight against his church, but he will fight those holding the doctrine of Balaam.

17 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 hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

(2:18) "The Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass."
John repeats his description of Jesus, saying he has eyes of fire and feet of brass.

This is a clear reference to the man described in Daniel 10:6. As this is a book of symbols, we probably should understand this symbolically. That Christ's eyes are as fire means he does not need light to see: light comes forth of himself, he is completely self-sufficient, and able to see in the darkest corner's of the human heart. That his feet are as brass indicate his strength and might to overcome any who think they can resist.

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

(2:20) "That woman Jezebel ... to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication."
Jezebel [whom God had thrown off a wall, trampled by horses, and eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:33-37)] is further reviled by John, saying "that woman Jezebel" taught and seduced God's "servants to commit fornication."

Jezebel here is clearly the name of all of them who teach the things described in this verse: they can be part of the world, and do the things of the world, and still be part of the body of Christ. Clearly, it brings to memory the Jezebel from the Old Testament, as she had introduced so much idol worship as well.
Note that in the previous verse a male name is used, Balaam. But the author didn't think that verse man-unfriendly.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

(2:22) "I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her."
Jesus will "cast her [Jezebel] into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her."

Why would this verse by women-unfriendly? Everyone who listens to her, will be cast down with her. That includes the males.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

(2:23) "I will kill her children with death."
(2:23) "I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts."
"Reins" are kidneys. So someday Jesus will be searching through your kidneys, if he hasn't done it already.
(2:23) "I will give unto every one of you according to your works."
Is salvation by faith alone?
What must you do to be saved?

The author of the SAB finds it unjust that the head of the Church, Jesus Christ, has some input in his own church. And he separates those who want to reform it in their own image.
On searching the reins and hearts, this means that Christ will probe our thoughts, affections and desires.
The author of the SAB reads “I will give ... you according to your works.” as if this was about doing good works, and receiving salvation. But this verse is spoken to those who do despise Christ with their actions, despite following him with their words: the meaning is that their works, i.e. their sinful actions, will be punished.

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

(2:26-27) "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron."
Those who obey God/Jesus until the end will rule everyone else with an iron rod. They'll even get to smash the others into pieces.

John Gill gives an alternative explanation on this rod of iron:

which is the rod of Christ's strength, and is the power of God unto salvation, and by which the kingdom of Christ is enlarged, and the power of the church of Christ over the antichristian party is increased

And on breaking the vessels into shivers, he says:

the breaking of rocky hearts in pieces at conversion, and of making souls humble and contrite

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.