1. What was the name of the first church that Jesus sent a message to? Revelation 2:1. Answer: .

Many Bible commentators agree that the seven churches were not only literal churches in Asia, but that they also represent seven periods in the history of the Christian church. This first period would be the apostolic church which had "apostles" in it (verse 2), and was pure in the sense that it could "not bear them which are evil." See Acts 5:9-11.   This period of church history would be from the resurrection of Christ to the death of the apostles.

2. What did Jesus have against the Ephesus church? See chapter 2, verses 2-4.

Answer: They had their love.

This indicates that as time went on the fervor and love for the Lord of the apostolic church began to wane. Jesus called it to return to that first love.

3. The Ephesian Christians hated the doctrine of what group whose doctrine Jesus also hated? See verses 5-6.

Answer: The .

According to the SDA Bible dictionary, the doctrine of this offshoot group called "Nicolaitans" was that what a person did in his or her flesh in no way affected their salvation. In other words, they said it didn’t matter if a person broke God’s law or not, it could not affect their salvation! See SDA Bible Dictionary, p. 794-795.  Jesus said that He "hates" this false doctrine.  It is amazing that today you still hear similar teachings in many churches!

4. How did Jesus describe Himself to the Smyma church?  See verse 8.

Answer: As the and the .

Only God could be both first and last!  This is again clear proof of the Deity of Jesus Christ!

5.  How long would the Christians in the Smyrna church have “tribulation?”  See verses 9-10.

Answer: days.

In prophecy, a day represents a year.  See Ezekiel 4:6.   The Smyrna church represented the second period of the church from about A.D. 100 to A.D. 323. During this time the most bloody of the persecutions of the church took place during a ten year reign of terror beginning under the Emperor Diocletian. This lasted ten years, from A.D. 303 to 313 just as Jesus said! Many of the persecutions of Christians were instigated by the Jews who had not accepted the Messiah, Christ Jesus. Jesus referred to them as the “synagogue of Satan!”

6.  So far, what promises does Jesus give to the "overcomers"? See Revelation 2:7 & 11.

Answer: They will from the Tree of in the of God and they will not be by the death.

Throughout the book of Revelation Jesus talks about "overcomers," those who overcome through His blood and their personal relationship with Him!  See Revelation 12:11.

7.  Where did Jesus say the next church, Pergamos dwelt?  See Revelation 2:12-13.

Answer: Where seat is.

Pergamos had a 200,000 volume library which was second only to Alexandria. In fact, the word “parchment” comes from the name of this city.  The temple with the great altar of Zeus, which had a base of 100 square feet was located there. This great altar and statue of Zeus stood 800 feet high above the plain, and thus fittingly could be called “Satan’s Seat.’

The period of this church would be from the year A.D. 323 to the establishment of "Babylon the Great," a false church which brought in paganism and heretical doctrines into Christianity.  This is what the term "Satan’s seat" would refer to in the historical understanding of this passage.  This false church gradually came into being and was firmly established in 538 A.D. We will learn much more about this fallen church and its "seat" as we continue to study the book of Revelation. The term "Antipas" here may refer to the many that were killed for their faith during this period of church history.

8.  What doctrine came into the church during this period?  See verse 14.

Answer: The doctrine of .

Balaam desired to curse Israel for the sake of the rich reward which Balak offered him.  But not being permitted by the Lord to curse them, he resolved to accomplish essentially the same thing another way.  He therefore counseled Balak to seduce them, by means of the women of Moab, to participate in the celebration of the rites of idolatry and all its licentious accompaniments.  The plan succeeded. During the Pergamos period unlawful connections between the church and the world were made. The fallen church began to align itself with and make deals with kings and governments! This led the church into spiritual idolatry -- that is, unholy alliances with worldly governments!

9.  What did Jesus say He would do to this fallen church if they did not “repent”?  See verse 16.

Answer: Fight against them with the of His .


In a future lesson, we will discover that the word of God unmasks this false religion!  We will also see that it has not repented and still continues to hold doctrines that are contrary to the Bible!  In fact, almost the “whole world” follows this false religion today! See Revelation 13:3.

10. What did Jesus say He would give to the “overcomers”?  Verse 17.

Answer: A stone with a written in it.

In the court rooms of those days, when a man was declared “innocent” he would be given a white stone.  A black stone would mean “guilty.” Jesus said that He would give the overcomers a white stone declaring them innocent of sin through His shed blood!  Praise God!  He will also give us a "new name" if we are faithful!  These names are given by He who has “eyes like a flame”!  He looks right into our souls!  See verse 18.   He knows us inside and out!

11. What did Jesus commend the Thyatira church for?  See verse 19.

Answer:  Its , , , and .

This era of the church would be from 538 A.D. to 1798 AD., the 1260 year period when the church of Rome ruled supreme. This period describes the church of the "Dark Ages" which was rich in good works, with different religious societies of monks, priests, nuns, etc.  Monasteries were established all over the world, and acts of kindness, and vows of poverty were taken by many. Some of this was commended by Jesus.

12.  What serious condemnation did Jesus have for the Thyatira Church?  See verse 20.

Answer: She allowed that woman to come into the church and the church to sin against Him!

“Jezebel” was a literal wicked queen in the time of Ahab’s rule of ancient Israel. She led Israel to combine false sun worship with the true religion of God!  In the book of Revelation this “Jezebel” is a figurative name used to describe the abominations and false pagan customs that came into the Christian church during the Dark Ages. It was then that the fallen church was established!

In verse 21 the Lord said that He would give her “space” or time to repent, but she did not repent!  This false church with false doctrines still exists today!  As we continue to study the book of Revelation, you will learn beyond the shadow of a doubt the identity of this false church!

13. What did Jesus say He would do to those who follow these false doctrines?  See Revelation 2:23 and Revelation 13:8.

Answer: They will be . Their will not be in the Lamb’s of .

It is a serious thing to follow false doctrines!  Error and deception are tools the devil uses to cause men and women, boys and girls to be lost!  He would not waste his time establishing false doctrines unless those false doctrines could cause people to be lost!  Those who do not intentionally follow false doctrine, but rather, who are living up to the light they have in sincerity will not be condemned.  See verses 24-25 of Revelation 2.

14.  What is another promise Jesus makes to the “overcomers” in all ages?  Revelation 2:26-29.

Answer: over the and the star.

Through the blood of Jesus Christ, and God’s Spirit, you can be an overcomer!

Bonus Study on the Word of God

1.  All of the Bible, both the Old and New Testament, is inspired by God.  See 2 Timothy 3:16.

2.  Jesus said we are to live by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”  See Matthew 4:4.

3.  God’s Word will endure forever.  We get faith by “hearing” the Word of God preached and taught.  See Isaiah 40:8 & Romans 10:17.

4.  The Scriptures testify of Jesus.  He is the great center of all Scripture!  See John 5:39.

5.  We are “born again” through the Word.  See 1 Peter 1:23.

6.  The Bible is not open to “private interpretation.”  We must let the Bible interpret itself.  See 2 Peter 1:20-21.

7.  Jesus taught us to take verses from all the Scriptures that apply to a specific subject so that we get the full meaning, and not draw conclusions from one verse!  See Luke 24:27.

8.  If we “hide” God’s word in our “hearts” (our minds), it will keep us from sinning against God!  See Psalm 119:11.

9.  Those who add to, or take away, from God’s Word, will have their names taken out of the “Book of Life.”  See Revelation 22:18-19.

10. The Bible is the “sword of the Spirit,” the weapon we use to fight the devil and his lies!  See Ephesians 6:17.

11. If we read and believe God’s Word, our hearts will be filled with joy!  See Jeremiah 15:16.

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