Revelation 2 Scofield
Read Revelation 2 · Matthew Henry on Revelation 2
2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“Nicolaitanes”
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 Matt 23:8 into "priests" and "laity." What in Ephesus was "deeds" Rev 2:6 had become in Pergamos a "doctrine Rev 2:15.
Nicolaitanes Rev 2:15, contra,; 1 Pet 5:2; 1 Pet 5:3; Matt 24:49.
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 Scofield "Heb 1:4").
2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
“angel”
(See Scofield "Heb 1:4").
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) (See Scofield "2 Pet 2:15") See Scofield "Jude 1:11" was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed.; Num 31:15; Num 31:16; Num 22:5; Num 23:8 by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is that union with 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.; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11.
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.
“a white stone”
Signifies approval.
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;
“angel”
(See Scofield "Heb 1:4").
Public domain (1917). Text from the BibleSupport.com e-Sword module.
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;
“angels”
The natural explanation of the "messengers" is that they were men sent by the seven churches to ascertain the state of the aged apostle, now an exile in Patmos (cf) Phil 4:18 but they figure any who bear God's messages to a church.
churches
The messages to the seven churches have a fourfold application:
(1) Local, to the churches actually addressed;
(2) admonitory, to all churches in all time as tests by which they may discern their true spiritual state in the sight of God;
(3) personal, in the exhortations to him "that hath an ear," and in the promise "to him that overcometh";
(4) prophetic, as disclosing seven phases of the spiritual history of the church from, say, A.D. 96 to the end. It is incredible that in a prophecy covering the church period, there should be no such foreview. These messages must contain that foreview if it is in the book at all, for the church does not appear after Rev 3:22. Again, these messages by their very terms go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. Most conclusively of all, these messages do present an exact foreview of the spiritual history of the church, and in this precise order. Ephesus gives the general state at the date of the writing; Smyrna, the period of the great persecutions; Pergamos, the church settled down in the world, "where Satan's throne is," after the conversion of Constantine, say A.D. 316. Thyatira is the Papacy, developed out of the Pergamos state: Balaamism (worldliness) and Nicolaitanism (priestly assumption) having conquered. As Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies. Sardis is the Protestant Reformation, whose works were not "fulfilled." Philadelphia is whatever bears clear testimony to the Word and the Name in the time of self-satisfied profession represented by Laodicea.
mystery (See Scofield "Matt 13:11").