Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Revelation 2

Rev 2:1 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;

angel

messenger.

of

in.

holdeth the seven stars in his right hand

Rev 1:16, 20.

candlesticks [See also Rev 2:5.]

lampstands.

Rev 2:2 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:

thou hast tried them

1Jo 4:1.

Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

fainted

Gal 6:9.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

because thou

that thou.

Rev 2:5 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.

repent

Repentance. Rev 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19. (Mat 3:2; Act 17:30.)

Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

Nicolaitanes

Rev 2:15, contra, 1Pe 5:2-3; cf. Mat 24:49.

From nikao, "to conquer," and laos, "the people," or "laity." There is no ancient authority for a sect of the Nicolaitanes. If the word is symbolic it refers to the earliest form of the notion of a priestly order, or "clergy," which later divided an equal brotherhood (Mat 23:8), into "priests" and "laity." What in Ephesus was "deeds" (Rev 2:6) had become in Pergamos a "doctrine" (Rev 2:15).

which I also hate

Cf. Mat 18:1-11; 20:25-28.

Rev 2:7 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.

the tree of life

Life (eternal). Rev 2:7, 10; 3:5. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

in the midst of the paradise

in the paradise.

Rev 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;

angel [See also Rev 2:12, 18.]

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

the first and the last

Rev 1:17-18.

which was dead

1Th 4:14.

and is alive

1Co 15:20.

Rev 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.

works, and tribulation, and poverty

tribulation and poverty.

say they are Jews, and are not

Rev 3:9; cf. Gal 6:12-13; Jhn 16:33.

synagogue of Satan

Cf. 2Co 11:14-15; Mat 16:22-23; Gal 1:8.

Rev 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.

faithful unto death

Cf. Col 1:23; Mar 13:13.

a

the.

crown

Rewards. Rev 3:11. (Dan 12:3; 1Co 3:14.)

Rev 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.

the second death

Death (the second) Rev 20:6-14. (Jhn 8:21, 24; Rev 21:8.)

Rev 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

Satan. Rev 2:9-10, 13, 24; 3:9. (Gen 3:1; Rev 20:10.)

seat

throne.

hast not denied my faith

2Ti 2:12.

martyr

witness.

Rev 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.

the doctrine of Balaam

The "doctrine" of Balaam (cf. Scofield 2 Peter 2:15, note; Jude 1:11, note) was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed (Num 31:15-16; 22:5; 23:8), by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is that union of the world and the church which is spiritual unchastity (Jas 4:4). Pergamos had lost the pilgrim character and was "dwelling" (Rev 2:13) "where Satan's throne is," in the world (Jhn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).

stumblingblock

snare.

children

sons.

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

Nicolaitans

Rev 2:6. [above]

which thing I hate

in like manner.

Rev 2:17 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.

He that hath an ear, let him hear

Rev 2:29.

hidden manna

Exo 16:33-34; Heb 9:4; cf. Phl 3:10.

a white stone

Signifies approval.

a new name written

Jhn 1:42; cf. Rev 3:12.

no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it

Rev 14:3; Sng 6:3.

Rev 2:18 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;

These things saith the Son of God

Inspiration. Rev 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

Rev 2:19 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.

charity

love.

works; and the last to be

last works to be.

Rev 2:20 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.

a few things against thee

against thee that.

Jezebel

1Ki 16:31-32; cf. Pro 6:24.

Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

their deeds

her.

Rev 2:23 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.

I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts

Jer 17:10.

Rev 2:24 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.

and unto the rest

the rest.

the depths of Satan

2Ti 3:1-8; cf. 2Ti 2:17-18.

Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

till I come

Christ (Second Advent). Rev 16:15. (Deu 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

power

authority.

Rev 2:27 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.

shall they be broken to shivers

are broken to shivers.

I received of my Father

Day (of Jehovah). Rev 2:26-27; 6:12-17. (Isa 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21).

Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

morning star

Rev 22:16; 2Pe 1:19; cf. 1Th 4:13-18.

Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:1, 6, 13, 22. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

churches

Churches (local). Rev 2:1, 7-8, 11-29; 3:1, 6-7, 13, 22. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).