Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle John – Revelation
An Intimate Review
Pt 3
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Church of Smyrna: The Poor but Rich Church

In [Rev 2:9, 10] THE DIVINE is addressing a group of active Christians who are experiencing a season of extreme TRIBULATION and POVERTY due to their allegiance to Christ. Per Apostle Matthew’s Gospel, Christ makes mention serving Christians who were victims of poverty, nakedness, sickness and imprisonment. [Mt 25:31-46] Such TRIBLATION mirrors that which will take place in the highest degree when Lucifer rules the world through a certain anti-Christ and a one world government. The Church of Smyrna is also figurative of Christians who are divinely appointed to SUFFER certain challenges of evil and martyrdom. However, they are instructed not to fear these occurrences and be to be FAITHFUL unto death.

*fear Gk #5399 phobeo (fob-eh-o) it means to frighten, be alarmed or in awe and to reverence

*suffer Gk #3958 pascho (pas-kho) it means to experience a sensation or usually painful impression

*faithful Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy and trustful [Rm 6:21; 9:33]

It is a bold instruction to give someone who knows they are about to undergo severe persecution and death. However, all born-again believers are to FEAR no one and nothing as they do Yahweh. [Mt 10:28] In fact, the first characteristic given to those who inherit the Second Death is the FEARFUL. [Rev 21:8] Later in this REVELATION it is noted that martyrs for Christ will be given the opportunity to reign with Him for one thousand years, some time before His Second Advent. [Rev 20:2-15] The REVELATION also notes that faithful martyrs will not be hurt by the Second Death. One must keep in mind that events noted in this REVELATION had to do with the recompense upon Israel for their crimes against Jesus Christ. However, they also mirror events that will occur just before Christ’s Second Advent and affect all who dwell on earth at that time. [Rev 3:10]
The Church of Pergamos: The Heretical Church

In [Rev 2:12, 13] Christ acknowledges the WORKS and DWELLING place of the Church of Pergamos. He specifically notes that they live in a city where Lucifer’s SEAT was during this time in history. It is much like the ancient city of Tyre, when Prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah gave similar account of Lucifer’s SEAT on earth. It is always in places great influence, wealth and lavish beauty. [Eze 28; Isa 14:12-20]

*seat Gk #2362 thronos (thron-os) it is a stately throne of one who possesses great power such as a sovereign, monarch, or ruler

THRONOS is what Lucifer desires, demands and receives in his temporal kingdom from his devoted admirers. Ironically, it is a place where many deceived souls run to instead of from, due its temporal appeases to their mortal senses. Blessedly, the Church of Pergamos did not succumb to the strong lures of satanic worship in this place because they HELD to the NAME of Jesus Christ and did not DENY His FAITH.

*holdest Gk #2902 krateo (krat-eh-o) it means to seize, retain, and use strength [II Cor 12:9]

*name Gk #3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it is literally and figuratively a name, authority and character [Mt 28:18-22]

*denied Gk #720 arneomai (ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to contradict, disavow or reject

*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pist-yoo-o) it is…
1. persuasion and credence
2. moral conviction of religious truth, the truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
3. reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation and constancy in such profession
4. the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ



In [Rev 2:13-15] Apostle John notes a faithful martyr by the name of Antipas who was slain in Pergamos. According to Christian tradition, John the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop of Pergamon during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. The traditional account goes on to say that Antipas was martyred in ca. 92 AD by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar. It was punishment for casting out demons worshiped by the local populous. [Wikipedia] This gives credence to the level of satanic worship that was prevalent in the region of Pergamos at the time. It also gives credence to the idea of being killed for administering effective Christian ministry in certain geographical areas. Having this in mind, genuine ministers of Christ who face such challenges, are able to endure them by the strength of Christ within. [Jn 15:5; Rm 8:9; 36-39; II Cor 12:9; Phil 4:13] Although Yahweh considered The Church of Pergamos FAITHFUL, HE did not like their tolerance of those within their assembly, who continued to HOLD on to false doctrines.

1. There were some within their assemblies who still supported the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block in the way of Israel to influence them to commit idolatrous acts, like eating things that were sacrificed to idols and committing fornication.

2. There were some within their assemblies who had also supported the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, who THE LORD also passionately hated.

Per Apostle John, Yahweh worshipers are not to entertain false teachers and doctrines within their minds or dwellings. They are not to even bid them God-speed, lest they jeopardize their favorable disposition as SON before THE LORD. [II Jn vs 7-11; II Cor 6:14-18; Heb 12:1] Disciples of Christ are commanded to mark and avoid false teachers and doctrines at all costs. [Mt 7:15-23; Gal 1:6-9; II Cor 11:3, 4, 13-15; Jude] They are likened to pricks in the eyes of THE LORD’S chosen people. [Num 33:55; Eze 28:24] At present, there are many who embrace the idea that there is room at the table of Christian fellowship for all people, which technically is not true. It is true that all souls belong to and are incredibly loved by Yahweh, WHO desires none of them to perish from HIS delightful presence. [Eze 18:4; St Jn 3:16-18; II Pet 3:9] It is also true HE permitted Christ to become the Propitiation for the sins of all mortals. [I Jn 2:1, 2]

However, while there is room at Calvary for every soul who desires reconciliation to Yahweh through Christ, there is no room at the Table of Christian Brotherhood for those who HOLD to other gods and doctrines that are contrary to the Christian Faith. This prerequisite was established by Jesus Christ Himself, Who is the Honoree of the Table of Christian Brotherhood. So strong is His intolerance of false teachers and doctrines, that He warns the Church of Pergamos to REPENT of their tolerance of heretics in their assemblies. If they did not, they would be firsthand witnesses of their destruction, as THE DIVINE fights against the heretics with the Sword of Christ’s mouth. [Rev 2:16] Heretics who attend Christian fellowships are admonished to be made clean or stay dirty. THE LORD does not want their influence comfortably seated in the midst of HIS holy congregations.

*repent Gk #3340 metanoeo (met-an-o-eh-o) it means to think differently, afterwards, reconsider and feel compunction for

In [Rev 2:17] Those with an EAR to HEAR what the Holy Ghost is SAYING unto the CHURCH of Jesus Christ, are admonished to govern themselves accordingly. In so doing, they will OVERCOMETH evil and will be given of Christ privilege and ability to EAT of the HIDDEN MANNA. They will also receive a WHITE STONE wherein a NEW NAME is written, which only they will KNOW.

Certainly, no one dabbling in the worship of other gods and false doctrines, will receive these gratuities of Christ, as they are only purposed for true worshipers and sons of Yahweh. [St Jn 4:23, 24; II Tim 2:19] Apostle Paul writes,

Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
[II Tim 2:19]

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