Review
(1:9-20) Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, is the Sovereign and the Hope of His churches
(2:1-7) Ephesus: Loveless Orthodoxy
Commends faithful endurance in the true faith
Commands repentance for failure to love God and people
Repent or face the judgment of removal of the church
To the Overcomer: You will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God
(2:8-11) Smyrna: Persecution
(2:12-17) Pergamum: False Teaching Allowed Access to the Church
Commends faithful in the midst of extreme opposition
Commands repentance for tolerating idolatrous and syncretistic false teaching
Repent or face the Judge
To the Overcomer: You will be provided for and admitted to the great Messianic feast
1A. (2:18) Introduction: Son of God (King; 2 Sam 7:14; Ps 2:7), eyes like a flame of fire (penetrating vision; Dan 10:6), feet like gleaming bronze (purity for His people; Ezk 1:7)
2A. (2:19-23) Knowledge of the church’s condition
1B. (2:19) Commendation: Growth in Christian Virtue
2B. (2:20-23) Rebuke: Toleration of idolatrous teaching
1C. (2:20) His Accusation: You tolerate Jezebel (note OT Roots; cf. “Babylon the Great” Rev 14:8; 17:1-5; 18:3, 9)
2C. (2:21a) His Initial Response toward her (church discipline)
3C. (2:21b) Her Unwilling Response
4C. (2:22-23a) His Sentencing without Repentance
5C. (2:23b) Implications for the churches:
1D. Don’t tolerate false teaching because nothing is hidden from Jesus.
2D. Don’t tolerate false teaching because Jesus will recompense each one’s works.
3A. (2:24-25) Exhortation to the Rest in the Church
1B. (2:24a) Character: Faithfulness of the Recipients of this Exhortation
2B. (2:24b-25) Command: Do nothing more than hold fast until Jesus comes
4A. (2:26-28) Promises to the overcomer
1B. (2:26b-28a) Share in “Son of God” ruling authority over the nations (cf. Ps 2:7; Luke 19:16-19)
2B. (2:28b) Share in God’s complete redemption in Christ (Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Isa 60:1-3; cf. 11:9-10)
5A. (2:29) Command for the churches to listen
Implications from Pergamum and Thyatira:
Passages that address the theme of false teaching and its effects (2 Cor; Gal; 2 Tim 3; 2 Pet 2; Jude)
What produces toleration of false teaching?
General fear of man (Gal 2:12)
Neglect of contending for the faith (Jude 3)
Neglect of practicing church discipline (3 John 9-10; 1 Tim 5:19-20; 2 Cor 12:11b cf. 11:4, 21 [Paul should’ve been commended, but because the false teachers had made such inroads, the church kicked him out!])
Partiality (cf. 1 Tim 5:21)
Ignorance about what produces genuine unity (Eph 4:15-16; John 17:17, cf. vv. 20-21)
Underestimating the importance of sound doctrine (Eph 4:13-14)
Spiritual laziness (contrast Col 2:8; Heb 3:12ff; cf. Heb 5:11-14)
Underestimating Jesus’ desire for a pure church (2 Cor 11:2)
Being unaware of Satan’s schemes (i.e., he doesn’t often slip in false teaching via essential doctrines, but more often via secondary doctrines; 2 Cor 11:3; cf. Gal 2:12-14)
Desire to be liked and commended by the world (but see 2 Cor 6:14-18)
How do we protect ourselves against false teaching?
Faithful teaching that brings clarity (2 Cor 4:2), is grounded in conviction (2 Cor 4:13), and gives attention to detail (2 Tim 2:15)
Attentive listening that joins what is heard with faith (Heb 2:1) and puts self under the microscope of God’s word (cf. Heb 4:12-13)
Appoint Titus 1:9 elders: “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
Do not neglect to receive or to give correction (2 Cor 3:12-13; Eph 4:15)
What are the benefits of sound doctrine?
Stability in life (2 Thess 2:1-2; Titus 2; 3:1-3)
Strength of faith (2 Tim 2:14b, 18)
Assurance of salvation (1 Tim 4:16)
Enjoyment of life (1 Tim 4:1-5)
