THE TEST
Revelation 2.2.10
In the Bible, the test has different forms and purposes. In verse 2 John commend the angel of the church of Ephesus for his vigilant approach to "those who call themselves apostles..."
Similar warning also has been written by Paul and others concerning false teachers, false prophets, and false believers who crept in the church to destroy it.
In verse 10 John mentioned a different test, the test for the believers in Christ whom "the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison," for 10 days. The next words are, "Be faithful until the death," which is also resonate in verse 26. We are all tested constantly by the Lord and by the Devil even without realizing it.
For this reason, we must constantly be on alert and remember that any of our life situation may be exactly the test from one side or another.
NICOLAITANS
Revelation 2.6.15
~ 6.15. *Nicolaitans. An early Christian heretical sect made up of followers of Nicolas, who was possibly the deacon of Acts 6.5. The group is mentioned explicitly only in Revelation 2.6.14-15, where it is equated with a group holding "the doctrine of Balaam," who taught Israel "to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."
Balaam probably was responsible for the cohabitation of the men of Israel with the women of Moab (Numbers 25.1-2, 31.16) Therefore, the error of this group was moral rather than doctrinal. If the "Jezebel" of Revelation 2.20-23 was a teacher of this sect, as many believe, their sexual laxity was indeed strong. Most likely they were a group of anti-law practitioners who supported a freedom that became self-indulgence. It may have been the same heresy condemned in 2Peter 2.15 and Jude 11. Some early church leaders believe the Nicolaitans later became a Gnostic sect.
Nelson's Compact Bible Dictionary. Ronald F. Youngblood, F.F. Bruce, R.K. Harrison. Page 439.
NICOLAITANS. A group of persons whose works both the church at Ephesus and our Lord hated (Reve.2.6) and whose doctrine was help by some in the Pergamum church (Rev.2.15). Nothing else is surely known about them, but some guessed that they were the followers of Nicolas of Antioch, one of the first co-called deacons (Acts.6.5), but there is no evidence for this.
The doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, though whose influence the Israelites are things sacrificed to idols and committed fornication (Rev 2.14-15). A sect of Nicolaitans existed among the Gnostics in the third century, as is known from church fathers of the time (Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian). It probably had its origin in the group condemned in Revelation.
NICOLAS, NICOLAUS (conquer of the people). A man from Antioch, a "convert to Judaism" mentioned only in Acts 6.5, whom the church at Jerusalem very early chose to administer alms as one of the seven original "deacons." Confusing him with the "Nicolaitans," many writers even in early times have accused him of originating this sect.
The New International Dictionary of the Bible. J. D. Douglas, Merrill C. Tenney. P-708.
MATERIALLY POOR BUT SPIRITUALLY RICH
MATERIALLY POOR BUT SPIRITUALLY RICH
Revelation 2.9
This verse has two parts of different meanings. The first part is the part that shows the difference between material riches and Spiritual riches. Those who are Spiritually Rich endure very well all the tribulations and suffering in the Name of Christ, because they have Rich and Strong Faith in their GOD, which the Lord Himself pointed out in this first part of this verse.
The second part of the verse deals with those who are false believers and false Jews! Yes, many Jews in this world are false Jews and for only one reason, because they are not Spiritual Jews, they are not godly. Those who are not Spiritual cannot joint with the Spirit of GOD and communicate with Him, because they have no share of spirit with Him. Such Jews think that they related to GOD through their physical genealogy, but GOD does not care for physical genealogy, he only cares for a spirit of a person and nothing else. The spirit of a person it is His Own Property and must return to Him clean and pure.
This statement of GOD also addressed to a synagogue that worship GOD falsely. GOD called it, "a synagogue of Satan," because their worship and their lives do not much the standards required by GOD.
The same thing also can be said about every Christian church in the world that has false worship of GOD, using their own man-made doctrines, rules, traditions, customs, conduct false interpretation of the Bible, and collect money for profit. Such churches are also churches of Satan, because the Satan corrupted them with his own corruption, greed, and falsehood.
THE SECOND DEATH
Revelation 2.11I found only three passages about Second Death in Revelation 2.11, Revelation 20.14, and Revelation 21.8. As I commented before, the Second Death is the Spiritual Death and final Death, after which the existence (life) is impossible.
THE SHARP TWO-EDGED SWORD
Revelation 2.12
This figurative saying can be interpreted as the Word of GOD which is under this context represents Command of the Lord for the punishments of the wicked and ungodly of the world. In many instances Bible reveals Word of GOD as His Command starting from the first chapters of the Book of Genesis.
When GOD said a Word, this means He has issued a Command to do or to create something. Here GOD describing Himself with "the sharp two-edged sword" that comes out of His mouth. Words, as we know, come only from the mouth, and for this reason Words of GOD'S mouth come in form of Command and as a "sword" for behavior, for justice, for punishment, and for teaching ungodly.
~ Double edged sword from the mouth of GOD: (Isaiah 11.4) (Isaiah 41.2, 49.2) (Hosea 6.5) (Ephesians 6.17) (2Thessalonians 2.8) (Hebrews 4.12) (Revelation 1.16, 2.12.16, 19.15.21).