启示录 2:1-29, 何西阿书 11:1-12:14 CUNPSS

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:1-7

A. The letter to the church in Ephesus 2:1-7Jesus Christ told John to write the letter to the church in Ephesus to commend the Ephesian Christians for their labors and perseverance in God’s truth. He also wanted to exhort them to rekindle their former love for the Savior. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:2-3

2. Commendation 2:2-3 (cf. Revelation 2:6)The Greek word oida, translated "know" (Revelation 2:2), reflects full and exact knowledge from absolute clearness of vision and is always the word used to describe Christ’s knowledge in Revelation. [Note: Swete., p. 24] The other Greek word for knowledge, ginosko, speaks of progress of knowledge in Revelation.This church had remained faithful to Jesus Christ for over 40 years. He approved of the good works of these believers-their toil in His service,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:4

3. Rebuke 2:4The Ephesians, however, were serving Jesus Christ and maintaining orthodoxy as a habit rather than out of fervent love for their Savior (cf. Ephesians 1:15-16). Many commentators, however, took the first love as a reference to the Ephesians’ love for one another (cf. Acts 20:35; Ephesians 1:15). [Note: See John R. W. Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, p. 27.] Yet the emphasis in all these letters on the congregations’ allegiance to Jesus Christ seems to favor the view that... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:5-6

4. Exhortation 2:5-6The corrective for a cold heart that the Lord prescribed was a three-step process. They needed to remember how they used to feel about Him, to repent (change their attitude), and return to the love that formerly motivated them. The "deeds" they used to do probably refer to the activities that fanned the flame of their love (e.g., the Lord’s Supper perhaps) as well as their service for Him (Revelation 2:2). To rekindle first love there needs to be a return to first works... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:7

5. Promise 2:7An invitation preceded the promise, as in all the letters to follow (cf. Revelation 1:3). Jesus was the only person to issue this invitation in Scripture. The Gospels also record Him doing so seven times (Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9; Matthew 13:43; Mark 4:9; Mark 4:23; Luke 8:8; Luke 14:35). This invitation always occurs where Jesus appealed to His hearers to make a significant change.In addition to the implied promise of the whole church’s continuance if obedient (Revelation... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8

1. Destination and description of Christ 2:8Smyrna was also a seaport on the Aegean Sea about 40 miles north of Ephesus. Late in the first century it was a large, wealthy city with a population of about 100,000. It still thrives today as Izmir with a population of about 200,000.Jesus Christ described Himself to this church as the eternal One who died and experienced resurrection. "Smyrna" means "bitter." The Greek word translates the Hebrew mor, myrrh, a fragrant perfume used in embalming dead... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8-11

B. The letter to the church in Smyrna 2:8-11John penned this letter to commend its recipients for their endurance of persecution and poverty for the sake of Jesus Christ. He also did so to exhort them to be fearless and faithful even to death. Whereas the Ephesian church needed to return to past conditions, this one needed to persevere in what was characteristic of it in the present. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:9

2. Commendation 2:9Jesus Christ knew the afflictions (lit. pressures) these Christians were experiencing as a result of their testimony for Him, including abject poverty. Evidently their persecutors were cutting off some of their incomes. Notwithstanding their physical poverty, the Christians in Smyrna were rich spiritually. Evidently some of the persecutors were Jews who slandered the Christians (cf. Acts 18:12-17) and cursed Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 26:11). They apparently claimed to be... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:10

3. Exhortation 2:10aThese persecuted Christians did not need to fear their adversaries or death since they would live forever with Jesus Christ. "Behold" signals an oracular declaration (cf. Revelation 2:22; Revelation 3:8-9; Revelation 3:20). [Note: Thomas, Revelation 1-7, p. 167.] The devil would incite their foes to imprison some of them shortly, having received permission from God to do so (cf. Job 1). This would be a trial (Gr. peirasthete) that Satan would use to try to entice them to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:10-11

4. Promise 2:10b-11The citizens of Smyrna had a reputation for being faithful to the emperor because of their previous acts of fidelity to him. The crown of life is probably the fullness of eternal life as a reward (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 2:9; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 4:4). This appears to be a victor’s crown (Gr. stephanos) given for enduring the trials and tests of life even to the point of death without denying Christ. It is not the... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:1-7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:2-3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:5-6

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8-11

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:10

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:10-11

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