Chapter 2: The Addresses to the First Three Churches

It is astonishing to find such wide ranging and divergent features exhibited in the seven churches of Asia so soon after the wise master builder had laid the foundation (1 Cor. 3:1010According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Corinthians 3:10)). The Lord addressed His word to seven assemblies then actually existing. But in the order in which they are given from Ephesus to Laodicea, they also afford a picture of the history of the church from apostolic times until its final phase when it is disowned as a faithless witness for Christ. It has to be borne in mind that we are given in the historical forecast, the various phases of the development of the church as a body of Christian profession in the earth, regardless of whether that profession be true or feigned. Within this framework is to be seen the real church, the body of Christ, for the most part in greater or lesser degree, the suffering church of the suffering Lamb.
Three phases of church history have passed away—namely Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos. The remaining four—Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea—are still in existence, running alongside each other from their commencement. This will be clearly seen from the remarks which follow on each separate church. In the meantime, the Scripture itself clearly makes the distinction in that in the addresses to the first three churches we have first the call—“he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” followed by the reward to the overcomer. This is reversed in the addresses to the last four churches, the reward to the overcomer being placed before the call to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Ephesus
This church was the crown of the Apostle Paul’s labors. Of the Corinthian assembly Paul said “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it” (1 Cor. 3:22I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:2)). But the church at Ephesus had been fed with meat as witness the epistle to the Ephesians. Taking final leave of the elders, as related in Acts 20:17-38,17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. (Acts 20:17‑38) Paul declared that he had not shunned to declare unto them all the counsel of God. However, like Moses, he had a premonition of a falling away after his departure—cause for his warning them night and day with tears. Ephesus, then, shows us the state of the church immediately after the apostles had left the scene. It presents a picture of dead orthodoxy—outward correctness. While there was something which the Lord could commend, the vitalizing link was gone! They had left their first love! Nothing could compensate for this loss. It was a fall. Unless they heeded the Lord’s call to repent and do the first works, their candlestick would be removed, which in fact it was. There were some at Ephesus who claimed to be successors to the apostles, like those who have for centuries sat in “the Chair of Peter,” but there was still power enough to refute their claim.
There were also evidently those whose evil conduct the saints could not bear. I link this with “the deeds” of the Nicolaitans, hateful to the Lord and His saints. In Pergamos there was a “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans—hated by the Lord (Rev. 2:1515So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:15)). While aware of other opinions, I can only state my own. To me, the Nicolaitans are the class already in evidence in the apostles’ days, who continued on in the early days of the church. Jude mentions them—“certain men crept in unawares ... turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude 44For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 4)). The more sin—the more grace! Could anything be more hateful to the Lord? Paul warns us—“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-21What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1‑2)). It is worthy of note that John, the aged and last remaining of the twelve apostles, was also much occupied in warning against the allowance of sin by the children of God. In his first epistle the saints are invited to share in the apostle’s fellowship, which was “with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:33That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)). At the same time he points out that “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:66If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (1 John 1:6)). His godly admonitions had in view that the Christian sin not (1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)). Further he adds “whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” and states “he that committeth sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:6-86Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:6‑8)). Mark well! These words are addressed to those to whom it was also written “this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:2525And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:25)). As the Nicolaitan deeds and doctrine had made their appearance before the Apostle John left the scene, we can well understand the purport of his warnings, embodied in the Holy Scriptures. Saints and sin cannot go on together—“let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)).
The closing word to Ephesus (v. 7) is worthy of note. They were to heed what the Spirit said unto the churches. The saints “are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)). Paul wrote to Timothy—“that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Tim. 1:1414That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)). Finally (v. 7) the tree of life—barred to man in Eden—now appears in the Paradise of God! The overcomer will eat of it there.
Smyrna
Smyrna means myrrh, frequently identified in Scripture with suffering. At this late date, so near the coming of the Lord, one feels almost unequal to write of suffering, considering the Lord’s mercy to His people in these last closing days of the church’s history on earth. But in times past our spirits have been moved, and again as we write, when we read in the Scriptures of the sufferings of our precious Savior, and also of His holy apostles, and the myriads of suffering saints who have followed them, who “loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:1111And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)).
Jesus has rightly been referred to as “the crowned King of all patient sufferers.” Those words in Luke 22:1515And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (Luke 22:15) are enough to stir our hearts to their very depths—“with desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” And with what joy we have oftentimes read the triumphant word of a risen Savior to the two on the way to Emmaus—“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:2626Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26)). God, “in bringing many sons to glory has made the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:1010For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)). “The disciple is not above his Master” (Matt. 10:2424The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. (Matthew 10:24)) and from the Scriptures we learn with certainty that Paul, Peter, James the brother of John, and Stephen, were deprived of life in this world as a consequence of their faithful witness to the truth.
Before the advent of the gospel, pagans and Jews lived in harmony together in Smyrna. The strong man armed kept his goods in peace, but now the church of God was there too—the well known division of men thus constituted—the Jew, the Gentile, and the church of God (1 Cor. 10:3232Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (1 Corinthians 10:32)). Satan, power of darkness, raised up persecution against the church. Believers were cast into prison, they were tried, and endured a tribulation which, however, the Lord limited. There were found of them faithful unto death—as witness the martyrdom of the aged Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. It is clear from verse 9 that the Jews joined the pagans, in the persecution of the church. The Lord, who Himself had gone through death and was alive, encouraged His persecuted ones to be faithful unto death, and He would give them a crown of life. The Lord had no word of censure or rebuke for Smyrna. He knew their works, and tribulation and poverty in this world, but they were rich toward God. A day is coming when God will “wipe away all tears” and when “there shall be no more death” (Rev. 21:44And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)).
Historically, Smyrna represents that period in the church’s history when Satan unleashed appalling persecutions under ten Roman Emperors in the years given below:
Nero 64 A. D.
Domitian 81
Trajan 98
Marcus Aurelius 161
Septimus Severus 193
Maximin 235
Decius 249
Valerian 254
Aurelian 270
Diocletian 284
It has been truly said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew” (Ex. 1:1212But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. (Exodus 1:12)). One thanks God for the grace given to the Lord’s noble witnesses of that time, men, women, and children, old and young, enabling them to endure the fiery trial.
Why did the Lord allow it? The martyred saints were His very own members. The reason is a serious one indeed. God’s purpose in the call of Abraham was to adopt a nation Israel, which would retain the knowledge of the one true God in a world steeped in idolatry. Israel completely failed to do so. Would the church prove a more faithful witness, a brighter light in a darkened world? In Scripture the church is called “the church of the living God” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15))—to be on earth “the pillar and ground of the truth.” Christ had said twice over “they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14,1614I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14)
16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)). But the church now, beginning with the declension in Ephesus, was departing from her calling, and her Head. Paul saw it coming before he went to be with Christ, and had to say “all they which are in Asia are turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)) and “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)). Alas the church was pandering to the world. The distinctive truth of the church as belonging to Christ alone was being lost. The light of the gospel dimmed! The sorrowful persecutions were allowed so that the saints might know the true character of the world in contrast to Christ and Christianity. It might have the effect of arresting the decline. But no! The succeeding phase of the church reveals a still worse state of things.
Pergamos
First we do well to consider the bearing of the address to the actual church in Pergamos before we look at the period it represents in the onward history of Christianity. The saints were living in a city notorious for idolatry—in fact, Satan’s seat was there. Despite the darkness, the church held fast to the Lord’s Name, which was duly appreciated by Himself who could say to them “I know thy works.” The Scripture says “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)) and that the Lord’s people here did not escape is evidenced by the fate of the faithful Antipas (whose name means ‘against all’) who suffered martyrdom. There were amongst them, however, those who held the doctrine of Balaam, which had the effect of joining the Lord’s people to the world and its religion. “They ate the sacrifices of the dead” (Psa. 106:2828They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. (Psalm 106:28)). They also, like their brethren in neighboring Ephesus, were allowing in their midst the Nicolaitans, mentioned in the comments on Ephesus. Truly “evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:3333Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)). The Scripture says “let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)). In the light of the Lord’s word “repent” to the church at Pergamos, this is readily understood. If they did not repent, He would fight against them with the sharp two-edged sword of His mouth. “The face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:1212For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)). The reward offered here to those who would be true to the profession of Christ’s holy Name is very encouraging—to eat of hidden manna—support by feeding on Christ in secret communion as between the soul and Himself. The “white stone”—symbol of acquittal when judged for one’s conduct—would be given the tried ones; not the white stone alone, but in it “a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it”—a secret between the giver and the recipient. Oh for a “white stone” and a “new name written” in it, from the Lord’s own blessed hand!
Pergamos gives us a picture of that phase of the church which emerged after the Roman persecutions had ceased. Satan had not succeeded in obliterating God’s testimony from the earth therefore he changed his tactics! “We are not ignorant of his devices” says Paul (2 Cor. 2:1111Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)). He arranged a marriage. Pergamos means “married.” He succeeded in joining the church and the world together in an unholy alliance. The church now had a head on earth in the person of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who presided at the Christian Council of Bishops, and turned pagan temples and their treasures into so called Christian churches. The cross was displayed everywhere as the symbol of the new polity. Long imprisoned in dungeons, Christians now emerged, living skeletons, indelibly marked by suffering, and were set up as Bishops in the new order of things. Alas by this means the true place and testimony of the church, as a witness for God in the world, was lost but for Antipas and his suffering brethren of that time, many of whom paid with their lives for their protest and separation from what they knew was of Satan and not of Christ. The ‘hidden manna’ sustained them. The ‘white stone,’ and ‘the new name written’ will be their eternal recompense! The features characterizing the actual church at Pergamos, on which we have already written, were fully developed and in full bloom in the days of Constantine and his Empress. In the administration of the state, the affairs of ‘the church’ held a prominent place.
The reference to Satan—“that old serpent, who is the Devil, and Satan” (Rev. 20:22And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Revelation 20:2)) in the addresses to Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Philadelphia, lead me into a digression. He has been the antagonist of God, His Christ, and the saints, and has opposed every work of God, from the beginning. Only a few notices of his baneful works can be given here. He is the arch-deceiver of the human race. Significantly, the serpent has been, and still is, an object of worship all over the world. In Eden, “the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Tim. 2:1414And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1 Timothy 2:14)). This was his first act. His last act is the deception of the nations of the earth, gathering them against “the beloved city.” Fire from heaven devours his dupes, and he is summarily cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever and ever. It would lead us too far to refer to the record of his activities in the Old Testament, but we must refer to his temptation of our precious Savior in the wilderness. Awful thought—he offered the Lord all the kingdoms of the world if the Lord would fall down and worship him. The Lord having overcome Satan, he departed from Him for a season. Soon he returned, entering into Judas to betray his Master. The Lord was aware of his approach for He said “the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” (John 14:3030Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30)). Anticipating what He would accomplish on the cross, Jesus said “now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31)). Goliath was slain with his own sword, so we read that “through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil” (Heb. 2:1414Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)). The seed of the woman bruised the serpent’s head (see Gen. 3:1515And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)). But Satan still remained to oppose the work of the Lord as we see in Matthew 13:24-5024Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:24‑50). Risen from the dead, Christ had sowed good seed in His field, but while men slept—that is, left their first love—an enemy sowed tares. Verse 39 is specific—“the enemy that sowed them is the devil.” Tares and wheat (good seed) grow together “until the harvest.” This parable sheds much light on the addresses to the seven churches. In the profession of Christianity there are tares as well as wheat growing together until the harvest time. “The children of God,” and “the children of the devil” are contrasted for us in 1 John 3:1010In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10).
Man today largely counts the Devil a myth. Lest the Christian be off guard we quote 1 Peter 5:8-98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9)—“be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” Paul also admonishes the saints at Ephesus to “put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:1111Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)). And for our encouragement—“the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:2020And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)).
Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, as phases of the history of the professing church, have passed away. The remaining four churches go on to the end. Thyatira, the first of these four churches, is found in Revelation 2:18-29,18And 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; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding 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. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And 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. 24But 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. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27And 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. 28And I will give him the morning star. 29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:18‑29) but is commented on in Chapter 3 of these notes so the last four churches may be considered as a group.