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2:8 Apoc. 1:17
2:14 Num 24:14; 25:2
2:20 1Kg 18
2:23 1 Sam 16; Ps 7:10; Jer 11:20; depths
2:27 Ps 2:9
| He is commanded to write divers things to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pargamus, and Thyatira: praising them that had not admitted the doctrine of the heretics called Nicolaites, 22 and calling others by threats unto penance: 26 and promising reward to him that manfully overcomes.
1 And to the angel of the church of Ephesus write: Thus says he which
holds the seven stars in his right hand, which walks in the middle of
the seven candlesticks of gold,
2 I know your works and
labor, and your patience, and that you can not bear evil men, and have
tried them which say themselves to be Apostles, and are not, and have
found them liars:
3 And you have patience, and have borne for my name, and have not fainted.
4 But I have against you a few things, because you have left your first charity.
5
Be mindful therefore from where you are fallen: and do penance, and do
the first works. But if not, I come to you, and will move your
candlestick out of its place, unless you do penance.
6 But this you have, because you hate the facts of the Nicolaites, which I also hate.
7
He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,
To him that overcomes, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is
in the Paradise of my God.
8 And to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write, Thus says the *first and the last, who was dead, and lives,
9
I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich: and you are
blasphemed of them that say themselves to be Jews and are not, but are
the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of these things which you
shall suffer. Behold the Devil will send some of you into prison that
you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. You be
faithful until death: and I will give you the crown of life.
11
"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches,
He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the Angel of the Church of Pergamus write. Thus says he that has the sharp two edged sword,
13
I know where you dwell, where the seat of Satan is: and you hold my
name, and have not denied my faith. And in those days Antipas my
faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
14
But I have against you a few things: because you have there, them that
hold the doctrine of *Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a scandal before
the children of Israel, to eat and commit fornication:
15 so you have also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.
16 In like manner do penance, if not: I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17
He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches,
To him that overcomes I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a
white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which no man
knows, but he that receives it.
18 And to the Angel of the Church
of Thyatira write, Thus says the Son of God, which has eyes as a flame
of fire, and his feet like to latten.
19 I know your works, and faith, and your charity, and ministry, and your patience, and your last works more then the former.
20
But I have against you a few things : because you permit the woman
*Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my
servants, to fornicate, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I gave her a time that she might do penance: and she will not repent from her fornication.
22
Behold I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery with
her, shall be in very great tribulation, unless they do penance from
their works:
23 and her children I will kill unto death, and all
the Churches shall know that *I am he that searches the reins and
hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to his works.
24
But I say to you the rest which are at Thyatira, whosoever have not
this doctrine, which have not known the depth of Satan, as they say, I
will not cast upon you an other weight.
25 Yet that which you have, hold till I come.
26 And he that shall overcome, and keep my works unto the end: I will give him power over the nations,
27
and *he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a
potter shall they be broken, as I also have received of my father:
28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.
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2:1 angel of the church: That which before he will him to write to the Church, he now wills to be written to the angels or Bishops of the same. Where we see, it is all one, to the Church, and to the head or governor thereof.
2:4 left your first charity: By this we see is plainly refuted that which some heretics hold, that a man once in grace or charity can never fall from it.
2:9 your poverty: This church represents the state of them that are spoiled of their goods, imprisoned, and manifoldly afflicted for the Catholic-like faith.
2:10 crown of life: The singular reward of martyrdom.
2:11 second death: The death of the body is the first death; the death of the soul, the second which martyrs are surest to escape of all men.
2:13 seat of Satan is: The special residence of Satan is where the faithful are persecuted for Christ's truth, we are not to deny the Catholic faith for fear, it is much here commanded.
2:19 your works: None of these things are worth anything without the other.
2:22 their works: Who does not see here that good works deserve salvation, as ill works damnation, and that it is not faith alone that God rewards but that faith which works by charity?
2:27 I also have received: This great privilege of saints rises of the power and preeminence of Christ, which his Father gave him according to his humanity and therefore to deny it to saints, is to deny it to Christ himself.
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COMMENTARY
(Christ's care for his Church)
1. Holds the seven. Much to be observed, that Christ has such care over the Church and the Bishops, thereof, that he said here to bear them up in his right hand, and to walk in the midst of them, no doubt to uphold and preserve them and to guide them in all truth.
(Special virtues required in a Bishop)
2. Your works, labor, patience etc. Things required in a Bishop: First, good works, and great patience in tribulation. Next, zeal and sharp discipline toward offenders is here commended in them. Thirdly, wisdom and diligence in trial of false apostles and preachers coming in sheep-likeness: Where is signified the watchful providence that ought to be in them, that heretics do not enter into their flocks.
(Sin is the cause that God takes the Catholic faith from countries)
5. Will move. Note that the cause why God takes the truth from certain countries, and removes their Bishops or churches into captivity or desolation, is the sin of the Prelates and people. And that is the cause (no doubt) that Christ has taken away our golden candlestick, that is, our Church in England. God grant us to remember our fall, to do penance and the former works of charity which our first Bishops and Church were notable and renowned for.
(Zeal against heretics)
6. Because you have. We see here that of all things, Christian people (especially Bishops) should have great zeal against heretics and hate them, that is, their wicked doctrine and conditions, even as God hates them for which only zeal, our Lord says here that he bears with some churches and prelates, and saves them from perishing.
(Nicolaites the first Heretics so called, as a pattern of Arians, Lutherans, and the like peculiar callings.)
6. Of the Nicolaites. Heretics have their callings of certain persons, as is noted at large in Acts 11:26. These got their name of Nicholas, one of the seven first Deacons that were chosen (Acts 6). Who thought to have taught community of women or wives, and that it was lawful to eat of meats offered to idols. Which later point is such a thing, as if one should hold it lawful to receive the bread or wine of the new Communion, which is a kind of Idolothyta, that is, idolatrous meats, for though such creatures are good by creation, yet they are execrable by profane blessings of heretics or idolaters. And concerning the name of Nicolaites given here by our Lord himself to those heretics, it is very pattern and mark unto the faithful forever. What kind of men they should be, that should be called after the like sort, Arians, Macedonians, Nestorians, Lutherans, Zuinglians, etc. See St. Jerome cont. Lucifer. in sine.
(Balaam overcoming God's people by persuasion of lechery and belligerency, was a type of the heretics.)
14. To cast a scandal. Josephus (Bk 4.c.6 Antiq.) writes that when Balaam could not curse God's people, nor otherwise annoy them, he taught Balac a way how to overthrow them, to wit, by presenting to them their Heathen women very beautiful, and delicate dishes of meat offered to Bel-phegor: that so being tempted they might fall to heathen manners and displease God. To which crafty counsel of Balaam the apostle-resembling heretics fraud, who by offering of liberty of meat, women, Church goods, breach of vows, and such other licentious allurements, cause many more to fall then by their preaching. (2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11)
(Zeal against heretics. Achab and Jezebel)
20. The woman Jezebel. He warns Bishops to be zealous and stout against false Prophets and Heretics of whatsoever, by alluding covertly to the example of the holy Elijah that in zeal killed 450 false prophets of Jezebel, and spared not Achab nor Jezebel themselves, but told them to their faces that they troubled Israel, that is, the faithful people of God (1 Kgs 18). And whether there were any such great woman then, a furthered and promoter of the Nicolaites, whom the Prophet should here mean, it is hard to say.
(Free-will. God is not the author of evil)
21. She will not repent. We see Free-will here most plainly, and that God is not the proper cause of obduration or impenitence, but man himself only. Our Lord gives sinners so long life, especially to expect their amendment: but Jezebel (to whom the Apostle here alludes to) would never repent.
(They that communicate with heretics shall be damned with them)
22. they that commit adultery with her. Such as communicated with heretics, shall be damned (alas) with them. For, not only such as were in their hearts, of Jezebel's religion, or inwardly believed in Baal, but such as externally for fear worshiped him (which the Scriptures call, bowing of their knees to Baal) are culpable, as now many bow their knees to the Communion, that bow not their hearts. (1 Kgs 19:18; Rm 11)
(Saints are Patrons, not just the Angels)
26. I will give him power. Observe that not only Angels have power and regiment over countries under God, but now for the honor of Christ's human nature, and for his ministry in the world, and saints deceased also, being in heaven, have governance over men and provinces, and therefore have to do with our affairs in the world. Which is against the heretics of these days, that to take away our prayers to saints, would spoil them of many sovereign dignities, wherein the Scriptures make them equal with angels.
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