The Revelation of St John The Divine

Revelation  Chapter  2: 8 - 17
Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna

 
 ... cont'd from Revelation Chp 2: 1- 7

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Revelation 2:8 "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;"

The angel of the church "in" Smyrna would be one of seven who accompanied Paul into Asia. But since there is no mention of Smyrna, except in Revelation, we can only guess which one; And since the book is written to all seven, it doesn't really matter which one.

These things (below) saith the first and the last (an oxymoron), which was dead, and is alive. We've established elsewhere the Son of man is not the Son of God, Alpha is not Omega, the word of God is "sharper" than any twoedged sword, and last Adam is not first Adam any more than old is new or "them" are "us" of two alls: "them all" and "us all" which are "created" imperfect and "made" perfect. Law is not grace, as merciless is not merciful. So allegorically we have law (dead ended at the cross where it got nailed as enmity) claiming to be alive again.

Revelation 2:9 "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."

The synagogue of Satan? Here we have accusation-all and condemning law of a "like unto Son of man" priestly figure claiming to be both first and last (claiming law is both old and new) subtly referring to Paul and others like Timothy as being the synagogue of Satan. For they say they are Jews (which is equated with law abiding in John's mind) and are not (law abiding). Indeed Paul(Saul of Tarsus) was a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, also a Pharisee; but converted Paul was turning Jews away from the law to grace, which James, Peter, and John considered blasphemy since they still mixed grace and law, leaned more towards law, still did temple sacrifices long after the crucifixion which essentially nailed law to the tree as the curse.

No wonder Paul allegorically referred to John as a thorn in his side, for John went about subverting churches Paul established in grace back to law again, his oxymoronic mixture of grace + law, which Paul called "another gospel" than the gospel of Christ: "the end of the law", being no gospel (good news) at all, but rather a perversion (Gal 1). So we have John saying Paul is not a real Jew but the synagogue of Satan, and Paul saying John a messenger of Satan and one of three top dogs to beware; Converted Peter agreeing with Paul and saying a dog returns to it's vomit (law). I think Paul is to be believed. So did those canonizing the Bible.

Revelation 2:10 "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."

This verse subtly suggests both "fear" and "thou shalt suffer", then it also gives place to the devil (devilish law), whereas Paul's exhortation about such things is "neither give place to the devil". His grace does not compromise with law! Rather His grace perceives law is abolished.

Ye shall have tribulation ten days? Again the subtle law accusation of being ye, for only ye shall have tribulation, and according to Jesus only in the world (allegory: in the law). God tempts nobody. The reference to "ten days" speaks of the ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, which speaks of "affliction of souls") which are commonly known as the 'Days of Awe' (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. Again it's devilish sin conscious law, rather than His merciful grace which imputes no sin (2Cor 5:19).

Crown of life? The promise, from like unto Son of man, but only for those faithful unto "death" (law is a "minstration of death": 2Cor 3) is a crown of life. It's oxymoronic, not to mention martyr-dumb to comply. The only life attributed to death is dying to law to avoid death by law.

Revelation 2:11 "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."

What(?) the Spirit saith unto the churches is found in Galatians (written "unto the churches"). For the Spirit (God a Spirit) does not accuse any (John 5:45; 2Cor 5:19) nor tempt any (James 1:13), but does bring forth truth about law: it's a liar, thief, accuser of the brethren, etc.

The second death is also mentioned in Rev 20:6; 20:14; 21:8. See two deaths for details, the point being if we die to the source of death: law, we have no worry about any death at all.

Again it's subtle subversion, suggestion they strive for what they've been freely given of God.

Revelation 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;"

The angel of the church "in" Pergamos. Again such is one of the seven who accompanied Paul into Asia to establish the churches of Asia; Yet since the book is written unto all seven, it really doesn't matter which one is the angel of Pergamos, for such applies to all seven.

The sharp sword with two edges. Here we have the clue such is not the Son of God nor the word of God, for in Heb 4:12 the word of God is "sharper than any twoedged sword", and the Son of God says in Jn 5:45 he would not accuse, for Jn 3:17 notes he was not sent to condemn (law), and 2Cor 5:19 notes that God in Christ did not impute their trespasses.

Revelation 2:13 "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."

Satan's seat. Here again we have the accusation of works (grace + law) and the subtle suggestion where they dwellest (in grace void of law) is Satan's seat. Whereas what they've come out of, via Paul, the apostle of grace, is sitting in Moses' seat: law; which is as Satan's seat, the place where hypocrites, fools, vipers, and blind guides sit according to JC in Mt 23. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. See Rev 2:9 where John accuses Paul and others such as Timothy of not being Jews, calling such the synagogue of Satan. See also 3John where John says Demetrius spoke the truth when he spoke against Paul in Acts. We obviously have John vs Paul, as if Law vs Grace; law being the accuser, grace being the revealer.

Antipas? Since no direct biblical reference is made to such, we have to seek and find. In history we find it's jewish Herod Antipas (tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea) mentioned in Mt 14:1; Mk 8:15; Lk 3:1,19; Lk 9:7; Lk 13:31,32; Lk 23:7-12, the Herod who beheaded John the Baptist, the Herod Jesus called a fox (Lk 13:32). His military were called Herodians (Mt 22:16; Ml 3:6; 12:13) who consorted with Pharisees how they might destroy Jesus. And in Acts 13:1 we find this Herod (of many) was brought up, educated, with Manean and Saul (of Tarsus) who later became Paul. Herod Antipas was a Jew, son of Herod the great, ruled the region of Galilee from 4-39AD. He was exiled to Lyon in Gaul(France) in 39AD, and Josephus also mentions Herod Antipas was sent to the frowning fortress of Machærus on the mountains east of the Dead Sea, and there put to death. It seems he was a Jew faithful to law, and thereby mentioned as the "faithful martyr" of law, which makes allegations against us all.

Where Satan dwelleth... among you. Here again accusation of conversion to grace, ye to you, being considered as Satanic by John who turned back to law, saw himself enthroned by law. It could also be reference to Jews of Dead Sea area having been scattered to Pergamos area.

Revelation 2:14 "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."

Against thee? Only the law, Mosaic ordinances thereof, are said to be "against" us: Col 2:14, the reason they are blotted out. On the contrary the grace of our Lord JC is "with" you all.

The doctrine of Balaam concerning Balak? The story of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 24 reveals it was Balak who wanted Balaam the prophet to curse(law) his enemies, but the prophet said blessed those who bless thee and cursed those who curse thee. Indeed Balaam did err with his grace + law, as noted in 2Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11. But the subtle way it's told here grace is considered a stumbling block to the children of Israel, and those established in grace by Paul and those who accompanied him are accused of having the doctrine of Balaam.

Revelation 2:15 "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."

Doctrine of the Nicolaitans. See Rev 2:6 for discussion of Nicolaitans (also Nicolaitanes). The traditional implication is eating food sacrificed to idols, but this the Jews do also, since their law God is no God, but an idol to them. As for hatred, Galatians 5:20 lists such among many other things of the law to put away, for the fruit of the Spirit is love unto all, not hatred of any.

Revelation 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

The repentance demanded here is demanding those converted to grace return to law, "or else". Law is always threatening, but when confronted is cowardly and flees as a coward from grace.
The sword of my mouth. The twoedged sword kills both ways. The word of God is sharper than any twoedged sword (Heb 4:12) and doesn't kill any, so that none perish vs all perish. Grace doesn't threaten any, but does exhort with sharpness, but only for edification (uplifting).

Revelation 2:16 "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]."

He that hath an ear? The mention of only one ear is allegoric for grace of grace + law. And again what the Spirit saith "unto the churches" is found in Galatians written "unto the churches"; For what's written here is temptation, and God [is] a Spirit tempteth nobbody: James 1:13.

To him that overcometh? Again the subtle subversion is to sucker someone to strive for what they've already been freely given of God. It's obvious subversion once established in grace.

Will I? Again the promise of law is a question: "will I", the reverse of the "I will" of His grace.

Hidden manna?  The hidden manna here is the curse of the law hidden in Do-teronomy and Don't-eronomy, which basically says if all don't keep all the law all the time, all are accursed.

As for the secret code name offered by law, we find such in forums among those who would lurk in shadows unknown, or not want any to know their true identity in fear. For the name of our Father in heaven, and of Jesus Christ, is not top secret, nor classified, but it is hallowed. It's also the name by which ye are called to come (not depart), be blessed (not cursed): grace.

Rev 2: 18- unto the angel of the church of Thyatira... continued on next page