When we look at the seven assemblies Jesus wrote to via John, we see some very interesting things that we don’t talk about much. We see that Jesus has some issues with certain church structures, especially those which lead the people into sin. Jesus actually hates one type of church governance. Jesus also tells us clearly how he is going to deal with the assemblies on the earth. The assemblies going astray are told to repent. It almost seems as if we are afraid to talk about these things because we don’t want the laity to know what Jesus wants a church to look like. If the laity finds out what Jesus says then they can’t be controlled. Well it is always a good time for a wake up call.
We should start with some of the things Jesus hates. In Ephesus there was a type of structure that some people were attempting to push onto the assembly. This particular structure is something that Jesus hates. Yet today it is almost everywhere in the assemblies. We should keep in mind that these churches were being formed from people who were new followers of Jesus, and there was no rule book or schematic for their structure. We will come to understand that it was easy for some of these assemblies to fall into traps laid by the enemy.
Revelation 2:5 G3421 Remember G3767 then G4159 from what place G1601 you have fallen, G2532 and G3340 repent, G2532 and G3588 [2the G4413 3first G2041 4works G4160 1do]! G1490 But if not, G2064 I come G1473 to you G5036 quickly, G2532 and G2795 I will move G3588 G3087 your lamp stand G1473 G1537 from out of G3588 G5117 its place, G1473 G1437 unless G3361 G3340 you should repent.
6 G235 But G3778 this G2192 you have, G3754 that G3404 you detest G3588 the G2041 works G3588 of the G* Nicolaitans, G3739 which G2504 I also G3404 detest.
3404LSJ Gloss:μισέωto hate
Dodson:μισέω I hate, detest I hate, detest, love less, esteem less.
Strong’s: μισέω to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less Derivation: from a primary μῖσος (hatred);
KJV Usage: hate(-ful).
Thayer:
1) to hate, pursue with hatred, detest
2) to be hated, detested
μισέω
miseō mis-eh'-o From a primary word μῖσος misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less
KJV Usage: hate (-ful).
To take a small cross-section from things the Lord hates, we will notice the Lord hates the bad behaviors of people.
Proverbs 6:12 A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good. 13 And the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the beckonings of his fingers. 14 His perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city. 15 Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.
16 For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul. 17 The eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just; 18 and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil, —are hateful to God. 19 An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brethren.
There is a lot here, but to keep it short, we see underhanded dealings, secret meetings, secret gestures, pride, lying, planning evil. General lawlessness.
Psalm 5:5 G3761 nor G1265 shall [2abide G3892.1 1lawbreakers] G2713 in front G3588 G3788 of your eyes. G1473 G3404 You detested G3956 all G3588 the ones G2038 working G3588 G458 lawlessness.
Lawlessness is a broad term and it encompasses all evil works. More specifically, the Lord hates those who guard ineffectual follies.
3153 ματαιότης
mataiotēs mat-ah-yot'-ace From G3152; inutility; figuratively transientness; morally depravity KJV Usage: vanity.
Ineffectual follies are useless or worthless behaviors and beliefs. Yet there are people guarding these things. Forcing the laity into practicing ceremonial observances. These can be idolatrous in nature, or the misdirection of practicing holy days, or even simple ritualistic practices that seem holy but were not instituted by Jesus. We will come back to this point soon.
The Heavenly Father hates those who hate Jesus. Yet the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and the general population hated Jesus. Jesus tells his disciples that they will be hated as well because they follow him.
John 15:23 G3588 The one G1473 detesting me, G3404 G2532 even G3588 G3962 [2my father G1473 G3404 1detests].
24 G1487 If G3588 [2the G2041 3works G3361 1I did not] G4160 G1722 among G1473 them G3739 which G3762 no G243 other G4160 has done, G266 [2sin G3756 1they had not had]; G2192 G3568 but now G1161 G2532 even G3708 they have seen G2532 and G3404 have detested G2532 even G1473 me G2532 and G3588 G3962 my father. G1473
25 G235 But G2443 that G4137 [3should be fulfilled G3588 1the G3056 2word] G3588 G1125 having been written G1722 in G3588 G3551 their law G1473 G3754 that, G3404 They detested G1473 me G1431 without a charge.
The people who detest Jesus and the Father do so without charge. There is no reason for anyone to hate Jesus or the Father. Jesus healed people. Here are the prophecies Jesus referred to.
Psalm 35:19 (AMP)
19 Let not those who are wrongfully my foes rejoice over me; neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without cause.
Psalm 69:4 (AMP)
4 Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would cut me off and destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are many and mighty. I am [forced] to restore what I did not steal.
The Church at Ephesus was told that if they did not repent that Jesus would remove their candlestick. We have all seen churches that have been “snuffed out”. Churches that have had scandals of one sort or another and because the entire assembly did not repent, the church lost its effectiveness. Some end up closing their doors, some try marketing strategies to build up the numbers, but primarily the group loses their anointing. They are no longer a light to the world, just a dim flame for a few people.
Each one of these seven churches has a different culture. Each has a different war, meaning a different fight. Each church has a different level of success. In Pergamos, the congregation is told to repent or else the Lord will fight against them.
Revelation 2:14 G235 But G2192 I have G2596 against G1473 you G3641 a little. G3754 That G2192 you have G1563 there G2902 ones holding G3588 the G1322 teaching G* of Balaam, G3739 who G1321 taught G3588 G* Balak G906 to throw G4625 an obstacle G1799 before G3588 the G5207 sons G* of Israel, G2068 to eat G1494 things sacrificed to idols, G2532 and G4203 to commit harlotry.
15 G3779 So G2192 have G2532 also G1473 you G2902 ones holding G3588 the G1322 teaching G3588 of the G* Nicolaitans G3668 in like manner.
16 G3340 Repent! G1490 But if not, G2064 I come G1473 to you G5036 quickly. G2532 And G4170 I shall wage war G3326 with G1473 them G1722 by G3588 the G4501 broadsword G3588 G4750 of my mouth. G1473
We see the Nicolaitans mentioned again in this church. In Ephesus, Jesus says he hates the behaviors of the Nicolaitans. In Pergamos, Jesus says they have some people holding the teachings of the Nicolaitans. They also have the teachings of Balaam.
Balaam was a prophet in the days when there was no temple. He was a descendent of Abraham and Keturah, from the line of Midian. This is why Balaam was a prophet of the most High. Balaam would not curse the Israelites for Balak because he could not curse what God had blessed. However, he did give Balak the idea to tempt the people as they passed through Moab. This caused the people to curse themselves. The teaching of Balaam was to put obstacles in the way of the people. Then the people would sin and become less of a threat to Moab. Today we could say that by tempting the laity to sin the assemblies become a weak candle to the nations. But it also puts the people in bondage to the church leaders to receive atonement. Especially if we make up a rule that says we have to confess our sins to a church leader in order to be absolved of sin, which of course means that people the have to keep coming back to church. If we make up another rule that people have to pay to keep themselves and their loved one’s out of hell then we are in another sort of bondage to the leaders. Let’s keep this in mind as we now turn our attention to the Nicolaitans. Jesus hates this.
Ephesus
Revelation 2:6 G235 But G3778 this G2192 you have, G3754 that G3404 you detest G3588 the G2041 works G3588 of the G* Nicolaitans, G3739 which G2504 I also G3404 detest.
Pergamum
Revelation 2:15 G3779 So G2192 have G2532 also G1473 you G2902 ones holding G3588 the G1322 teaching G3588 of the G* Nicolaitans G3668 in like manner.
Greek Strong's Number: 3531
Greek Word: Νικολαΐτης
Transliteration: Nikolaitēs
Phonetic Pronunciation:nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace
Root: from <G3532>
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: n pr m
Vine's Words: None
English Words used in KJV:
Nicolaitans 2
[Total Count: 2]
from <G3532> (Nikolaos); a Nicolaïte, i.e. adherent of Nicolau`s :- Nicolaitane.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
3531Dodson: Νικολαΐτης a Nicolaitan a Nicolaitan, possibly a follower of Nicolaus (a heretic at Ephesus).
Thayer:
1) a sect mentioned in Rev. 2:6,15, who were charged with holding the error of Balaam, casting a stumbling block before the church of God by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing fornication
Literal: Nicolaitans = "destruction of people"
Νικολαΐτης
Nikolaitēs nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace From G3532; a Nicolaite, that is, adherent of Nicolaus KJV Usage: Nicolaitane.
3532 Dodson: Νικόλαος Nicolaus Nicolaus, a proper name.
Thayer:
1) was a proselyte of Antioch and one of the seven deacons of the church at Jerusalem
Literal: Nicolas = "victor of the people"
Νικόλαος
Nikolaos nik-ol'-ah-os From G3534 and G2004; victorious over the people; Nicolaus, a heretic KJV Usage: Nicolaus.
3534 Dodson: νῖκος victory.
Thayer:
1) victory
2) to utterly vanquish
νῖκος
nikos nee'-kos From G3529; a conquest (concretely), that is, (by implication) triumph KJV Usage: victory.
3529 LSJ Gloss: νίκη victory in battle
Dodson: νίκη victory victory, a victorious principle.
Thayer:
1) victory
νίκη
nikē nee'-kay Apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), that is, (figuratively) the means of success KJV Usage: victory.
2994 Dodson: Λαοδικεύς a Laodicean a Laodicean, an inhabitant of Laodicea.
Thayer:
1) a Laodicean, an inhabitant of Laodicea
Λαοδικεύς
Laodikeus lah-od-ik-yooce' From G2993; a Laodicean, that is, inhabitant of Laodicia KJV Usage: Laodicean.
2993 Dodson: Λαοδικεία Laodicea Laodicea, a city in the Lycos valley in the Roman province Asia, near Colossae and Hierapolis.
Thayer:
1) a city of Phrygia, situated on the river Lycus not far from Colosse. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 66 A.D. and rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. It was the seat of the Christian church.
Literal: Laodicea = "justice of the people"
Λαοδίκεια
Laodikeia Lah-od-ik'-i-ah From a compound of G2992 and G1349; Laodicia, a place in Asia Minor KJV Usage: Laodicea.
2992LSJ Gloss: λαός the people
Dodson: λαός a people, the crowd (a) a people, characteristically of God's chosen people, first the Jews, then the Christians, (b) sometimes, but rarely, the people, the crowd.
Thayer:
1) a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language
2) of a great part of the population gathered together anywhere
For Synonyms see entry G5832
λαός
laos lah-os' Apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from G1218, which denotes one’s own populace) KJV Usage: people.
Why does Jesus hate the Nicolaitans/Nikolaitēs? Nikē means conquest and, laos means people. People conquerors. In the church, this relates to the clergy taking control over the laity. Have we seen this in the churches? It seems Jesus hates this. One of the reasons Jesus may hate this is due to someone taking the position of the Holy Spirit over another person. This then creates a hierarchy within the church. Once a hierarchy develops, then religious ideas evolve among the leaders; then the laity are put into bondage to those ideas such as who can preach, who can prophesy, who can teach, and who can lead. Some hierarchies will only allow those who give money to participate as volunteers. Paying to volunteer? Ineffectual folly. Jesus hates this.
Let’s go back to the idea of Balaam and Balak. If putting obstacles of sin in front of people like Balaam teaching Balak how to cause Israel to curse itself is at issue with Jesus, is it possible that people who dominate the laity do the same? If the person in charge causes people to worship falsely, or to engage in adultery or fornication, or even add customs and holy days that were never initiated by Jesus, wouldn’t that be a problem? Isn’t ritualistic procedure in the church ineffective folly? Certainly.
It seems every denomination has its upper level leaders that have, at the birth of the denomination, made rules and procedures for worship. Aren’t there churches, seminaries and ministries where adultery or formication occur among the leaders but the people look the other way. If the conquering humans control the thinking and behaviors of the laity, they move into the position of the Holy Spirit. If the conquering humans are the directors of thoughts, worship, and behaviors, they will use certain sinful compromises to control the laity. Ineffectual folly. These are the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Jesus hates the people who dominate the laity.
Jesus is also not fond of those who claim they are prophetic and teach and mislead the laity and servants of the Lord. Eating food that is sacrificed to idols shows up in Thyatira as well as in Pergamum. Offering an idol the sustenance of humans is an abomination because it is giving honor to dead idols, none of which created life. We also see another problem in Thyatira. They are being taught to become prostitutes.
Revelation 2:20 G235 But G2192 I have G2596 against G1473 you, G3754 that G863 you allow G3588 G1135 your woman G1473 G3588 G* Jezebel, G3739 which G3004 calls G1438 herself G4398 a prophetess, G2532 and G1321 teaches G2532 and G4105 misleads G3588 G1699 my G1401 bondmen G4203 to commit harlotry, G2532 and G2068 to eat G1494 things sacrificed to an idol
4203 LSJ Gloss: πορνεύω to prostitute
Dodson: πορνεύω I fornicate, practice idolatry I fornicate; met: I practice idolatry.
Thayer:
1) to prostitute one's body to the lust of another
2) to give one's self to unlawful sexual intercourse
2a) to commit fornication
3) metaph. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols
3a) to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry
πορνεύω
porneuō porn-yoo'-o From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry KJV Usage: commit (fornication).
Practicing temple prostitution is not a new concept. Temple prostitutes entered the temple at the time of Rehoboam. No one likes to mention this, instead the religious spin is that the temple was very holy and the people were unholy. Yet it was quite the opposite. The religious leaders were unholy and yet many of the people were holy. We have studied this in regard to the Passover, as there were not many Passovers held once the temple was built.
After Solomon died, the kingdom split; Rehoboam was the leader of the southern kingdom and temple prostitutes entered the temple.
1 Kings 14:21-24 (KJV)
21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Sodomites are not people from Sodom, they are people who behave like Sodomites. In Sodom new visitors were raped by whoever wanted to rape them in a communal bed. The idea here is that these are male prostitutes for other males.
In the Greek the idea of bonding together tells us that there were people who united together or were tied together in abominations. This also alludes to collusion among the priesthood. There is also a suggestion of sexual physical connection.
1 Kings 14:24 G2532 And G4886 bonding together G1096 took place G1722 in G3588 the G1093 land, G2532 and G4160 they did G575 from G3956 all G3588 the G946 abominations G3588 of the G1484 nations G3739 which G1808 the lord removed G2962 G575 in front G4383 G5207 of the sons G* of Israel.
4886 LSJ Gloss: σύνδεσμος a bond of union, bond, fastening
Dodson: σύνδεσμος a band, bond that which binds together; a band, bond.
Strong's:
σύνδεσμος
a joint tie, i.e. ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control
KJV Usage: band, bond.
Thayer:
1) that which binds together, a band, bond
1a) of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together
2) that which is bound together, a bundle
σύνδεσμος
sundesmos soon'-des-mos From G4862 and G1199; a joint tie, that is, ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control KJV Usage: band, bond.
The Hebrew makes sure we know what this abomination is. But we have to ask why did this happen?
1 Kings 14:22 H6213 ויעשׂ did H3063 יהודה And Judah H7451 הרע evil H5869 בעיני in the sight H3068 יהוה of the LORD, H7065 ויקנאו H853 אתו H3605 מכל above all H834 אשׁר which H6213 עשׂו had done. H1 אבתם their fathers H2403 בחטאתם with their sins H834 אשׁר that H2398 חטאו׃ they had committed,
23 H1129 ויבנו built H1571 גם also H1992 המה For they H1992 להם H1116 במות them high places, H4676 ומצבות and images, H842 ואשׁרים and groves, H5921 על on H3605 כל every H1389 גבעה hill, H1364 גבהה high H8478 ותחת and under H3605 כל every H6086 עץ tree. H7488 רענן׃ green
24 H1571 וגם also H6945 קדשׁ sodomites H1961 היה And there were H776 בארץ in the land: H6213 עשׂו they did H3605 ככל according to all H8441 התועבת the abominations H1471 הגוים of the nations H834 אשׁר which H3423 הורישׁ cast out H3068 יהוה the LORD H6440 מפני before H1121 בני the children H3478 ישׂראל׃ of Israel. http://studybible.info/IHOT/1%20Kings%2014
Let’s notice that these translations vary slightly, as the translators did not quite know how to say this.
1 Kings 14:24 (AMP)
24 There were also sodomites (male cult prostitutes) in the land. They did all the abominations of the nations whom the Lord cast out before the Israelites.
1 Kings 14:24 Moreover also, there were, male devotees, in the land,—they did according to all the abominable practices of the nations, which Yahweh dispossessed from before the sons of Israel. http://studybible.info/Rotherham/1%20Kings%2014
If we go back and notice the Greek, we see that these male prostitutes were bound or chained in the temple. It is not only that the priests were bound in sin, but these temple prostitutes were bound in the temple and did not mingle among the people. They lived in the temple.
When Josiah becomes king, he quickly realizes what he must do. Josiah takes fourteen years to get rid of all the nasty things in the land.
2 Kings 23:7 (AMP)
7 And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes, which were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove [tent] hangings for the Asherah [shrines].
7 And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes, which were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove [tent] hangings for the Asherah [shrines].
2 Kings 23:7 (4 Kings 23:7) And he pulled down the house of the sodomites that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove tents for the grove.
2 Kings 23:7 G2532 And G2507 he demolished G3588 the G3624 house G3588 of the G2504.2 male prostitutes G3588 of the ones G1722 in G3588 the G3624 house G2962 of the lord G1722 in G3739 which G3588 the G1135 women G5306.1 wove G1563 apparel there G4749 G3588 for the G251.1 sacred grove.
2 Kings 23:7 H5422 ויתץ And he broke down H853 את H1004 בתי the houses H6945 הקדשׁים of the sodomites, H834 אשׁר that H1004 בבית by the house H3068 יהוה of the LORD, H834 אשׁר where H802 הנשׁים the women H707 ארגות wove H8033 שׁם where H1004 בתים hangings H842 לאשׁרה׃ for the grove. http://studybible.info/IHOT/2%20Kings%2023
2 Kings 23:7 He also demolished the temples of the cultic male prostitutes that had been operating in the Lord’s Temple, where the women had been doing weaving for the Asherah. ISV
What we know is that there were male prostitutes in the house of the Lord. There were also female prostitutes as well. We know the Glory left the temple at the time of Ezekiel and has never returned. By the time of Jesus we see a story about a women caught in adultery and thrown at the feet of Jesus while he was teaching in the temple courts. It’s important to remember that Jesus did not have access to the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. He was only allowed into the courts. The Pharisees and scribes were trying to entrap Jesus as he taught, but Jesus threw them a curve ball. First, lets ask where this woman came from; not from the town, not from outside the courts. This woman came from within the temple area. Jesus says that you who are without sin cast the first stone. More accurately, Jesus said “you who have not sinned with her cast the first stone”, which is why they all walked away.
Notice what had taken place at the time of Ezekiel. Everyone passing by was led through their legs. Or a nicer way to say it is they slept with everyone passing by. These are the people who were to show Yahweh to the world.
Ezekiel 16:Ezekiel 16:24-25 (AMP)
24 You have built also for yourself a vaulted chamber (brothel) and have made a high place [of idol worship] in every street.
25 At every crossway you built your high place [for idol worship] and have made your beauty an abomination [abhorrent, loathsome, extremely disgusting, and detestable]; and you have made your body available to every passerby and multiplied your [idolatry and spiritual] harlotry.
Ezekiel 16:24 G2532 that G3618 you built G4572 for yourself G3612 a building G4204.1 for a harlot; G2532 and G4160 you made G4572 for yourself G1569.1 a public notice G1722 in G3956 every G4113 square.
25 G2532 And G1909 upon G746 every corner G3956 G3598 of the way G3618 you built G3588 G4202.1 your places of harlotry, G1473 G2532 and G3075 laid waste G3588 G2566.3 your beauty. G1473 G2532 And G1236 [3led through G3588 G4628 4your legs G1473 G3956 1every one G3938 2passing by], G2532 and G4129 you multiplied G3588 G4202 your harlotry.
Jesus is not ignorant of history. So when someone claiming to be a prophetess lured people into temple prostitution, Jesus realized it is one of the oldest sins plaguing humanity. A sin that infiltrates the congregations that pursue Yahweh. Jesus says to His churches that he will deal with the false prophetess and will deal harshly with those who follow her and the offspring that are born.
We have to remember that Jesus is in charge of the assemblies, the called out. Jesus says some interesting things regarding what he will do to the sinning assemblies. Notice it is Jesus who will do these things, not the devil. Jesus says he will remove the candlestick at Ephesus.
Ephesus
Revelation 2:5 (KJV)
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.
Jesus will fight against the assembly at Pergamum with the sword of His mouth.
Pergamum
Revelation 2:16 (KJV)
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Jesus will throw the followers of harlotry in Thyatira into a bed of persecution, pressure, and sickness. He will kill the offspring of those prostitutes as well. Jesus will do this so that all the churches will know that he is the one who searches the kidneys and hearts.
Thyatira
Revelation 2:22-23 (KJV)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jesus has not found the works of the assembly of Sardis perfect. They have a reputation, but they are dead, not alive. If they don’t change, then Jesus will come upon them as a thief.
Sardis
Revelation 3:2-3 (KJV)
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Jesus will vomit the Laodicean assembly out of his mouth.
Laodicea
Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Lets review. Jesus will:
remove the candlestick of churches;
fight against churches with the sword of His mouth;
throw people into persecution and kill the offspring of prostitutes; come upon them as a thief; and
vomit them.
Jesus is serious. Jesus is the manager of the assemblies. It does not matter what the denomination is, or if they are Catholic, Messianic, or Protestant. Jesus will assault the assemblies that promote or reside in sin. These are strong condemnations. It seems that we must be wise as followers, because our leaders may lead us into sin. We will have no excuse for not doing what is right. We cannot blame these false leaders and prophets, we should be wise. We are responsible for ourselves.
Smyrna has an interesting problem, not only being representative of the persecuted church, but of our churches today. There are people that say they are Jews but they are not.
Revelation 2:9 (KJV)
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.
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.
Why do we still believe that being a Jew holds some sort of extra weight or special place in the churches? Jews reject Jesus as Messiah and as we looked at briefly today, allowed all sorts of defilements in the temple. Just because they call themselves heirs of Jacob doesn’t make it so.
The people started mixing with other nations early in the days of the Judges after Joshua’s death. In fact, by the time of the assemblies of Jesus, they may not be heirs of Jacob at all. We see in Judges 21 that because of Benjamin’s abomination from chapter 19, the other 11 tribes of Jacob would not allow their women to marry into the tribe of Benjamin. Therefore Benjamin’s tribe (after being nearly wiped out) had to take wives from two different non-Jewish neighboring people so that they could continue to exist. Jews trace lineage from the matriarchal line. King Saul and the apostle Paul were both from the tribe of Benjamin.
In Smyrna, these so called Jews were persecuting the assembly. The laity in Smyrna are not doing anything wrong, but they are told to be obedient unto death. Why? Because the Jews were interested in killing them.
It seems that the assembly of Philadelphia has some of the same people persecuting them. Clearly we see that the hour of temptation shall come upon the world to try all people, but the Philadelphians are already being tried by the Jews from the synagogue of satan.
Revelation 3:9-10 (KJV)
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
If people are from the church of Philadelphia, they will be kept from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the world. Obviously this is not in the timeline of the missionary church in history, because those people have died. But this is in general the type of church in existence right before the tribulation. Those people who endure, even though they are persecuted by those who say they are Jews but are not and who are from the synagogue of satan, will not go through the tribulation. This is a wonderful promise. None of the other assemblies are promised this. This is a wonderful clue for us. In the days before the harpazo we can see that some people are guaranteed to be called up.
Five of the seven assemblies are told to repent; Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea. These assemblies are doing some things wrong. We do see some people within these groups who are not defiling themselves, but almost all should repent.
Two of the assemblies are not told that they need to repent; Smyrna and Philadelphia. Both of these assemblies are being persecuted by the fake Jews. I find that interesting. The assemblies enduring persecution now, are not grouped with the five in need of repentance.
Even though the word assembly seems the same as the word synagogue they are not the same. The word assembly is ekklesia, meaning the “called out”. Synagogue is the word synagoge, meaning an “assembly or congregation”. A synagogue is an assembly, but in the Bible an assembly is the called out church. The satan has a congregation of people who claim to be Jews, but are not Jews, and they persecute the called out laity of Jesus. One thing we know for sure, being a Jesus rejecter is not a good idea for anyone because there is no atonement for sin. There is no temple right now, therefore everyone who rejects Jesus, including Jews, die in their sin. These people have no redemption. They don’t have the Holy Spirit to guide them, and they obviously don’t know the Father because the only way to the Heavenly Father is through Jesus. The satan’s synagogue of people hate Jesus and the Father, and the Father hates them.
What we learn from this view of the seven churches is that there were dominating structures of leaders being pushed into the congregations. We see the hierarchy in the assemblies is leading the laity into sin which puts the laity in bondage to the hierarchy, creating a sickening cycle of destruction. We see people claiming to be prophetic leading people into prostitution, adultery, and fornication within the assemblies. This separate class of people believe that they are more spiritual, but in fact, Jesus will come against them. We see that repentance is important for all people and especially the assemblies being misled. We also see assemblies that are persecuted by fake Jews. They are tired and have become weak, but if they are obedient to death then they will live; and in the last days before the harpazo, the overcomers will be seized before the tribulation. We see that Jesus is not concerned with public appearance and is not afraid to blow out an assemblies’ candle. Jesus is not concerned with hiding scandals, he makes them public to warn others. These are Jesus’ assemblies, and He hates bad behavior.
For reference, here are some older teachings on the seven churches.
