Chapter 2 Book of Revelation

Bible Verses

[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;

Commentary

Ephesus - Sabean - Commentary

This is the first of SIX threads about the seven Angels, or seven churches (actually the seven world religions) to which Jesus sends His Message.

The SIX threads are lists of verses and are like six strings of pearls or six strings of jeweled beads. Each jeweled bead may be thought of as being a diamond, a ruby, etc. (a similar actual list in Rev.21:18-19). Every string/thread has the exact same seven jewels/beads in the exact same order, the jewels representing the seven world religions in the order of their appearance on earth - are usually represented by an angel in the verses. The following is the first religion addressed in this first thread. It is also the first religion addressed in each of the five later threads to the seven religions of the world.

V.1 The FIRST angel, the first church, is Ephesus, the name of one of the towns (now in ruins) in Turkey where John had been teaching the Christian Faith. Most realize that the ruins are no longer significant, however the name is significant as to the meaning of the word 'Pale'. This is the attribute that describes the Sabean Religion, believed to have existed around 5000 B.C., the oldest religion of the seven, now almost unheard of.

From the Baha'i perspective, Baha'u'llah is the one holding the seven stars which symbolize the seven Revealers, and the candlesticks symbolize the world religions, thus bringing them together in unity.

This first star is the Sabean Prophet. For each church there is an "Angel" who is of that religion that is being addressed. There is a distinction, as the Angels are shown to have a specific mission.

John is writing to the angel of each religion symbolized as candlesticks, but it is the One that holds the Stars in His right hand, that is making judgment. This, the `Return' of all the religions is Baha'u'llah. He approves each religion for what it has attained - and condemns those things in which they have fallen short. He will repeat this pattern of commending some aspect of the religion, condemning some other aspect of the religion, for each of the seven religions in turn, concluding with a threat or promise and a refrain.

[2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

V.2 The Commends:
The Sabean Religion is an archetype for all the very ancient Native Religions throughout the world although it may be speculative that it is their actual source. These religions feel a particular attachment to nature and patience and attachment to truth is a particular hallmark about them.

[3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

V.3 For many long centuries the followers of the Native Religions have sought the Great Spirit. Many religious teachers have come to them claiming to be spiritual leaders (apostles) but the Natives have often found them not to have the true spirit.

"It is a great mistake to believe that because people are illiterate or live primitive lives, they are lacking in either intelligence or sensibility. On the contrary, they may well look on us with the evils of our civilization, with its moral corruption, its ruinous wars, its hypocrisy and conceit, as people who merit watching with both suspicion and contempt. We should meet them as equals, well-wishers, people who admire and respect their ancient decent, and who feel that they will be interested as we are in a living religion and not in the dead forms of present-day churches.

From letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Comite Nacional de Ensenanza Baha'i para los Indigenas de Sur America, September 21, 1951) (Lights of Guidance, p. 523

[4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

V.4 The Condemn:
Like all religions, the Native religions have let dogma, superstition and vain imaginings creep into their original spiritual teachings and may have forgotten the name of the prophet from whom the religion originated.

[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

V.5 He is asking them to consider where they have erred, and to return to the spirit of their original teachings.

"O people of the world, ye are all the branches of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the drops of one sea." Thus he announces human unity, strikes the universal chord of harmony between the races, nations and tribes and makes of the earth one native land. The world was in the darkness of indifference and Baha'u'llah is the light of unity.

Abdu'l'Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 61.

The Threat:
The threat is that He will remove their religion entirely, if they don't heed His warning.

[6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

V.6 He commends that they hate the wrong doing of the Nicolaitans, a group of people who are a symbol for those who arise actively against religion. In truth and point of fact there are few Native People anywhere in the world who are atheists.

[7] 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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

V.7 The Refrain:
"He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches:" The hope is that they will acquire a perceptive eye, and a hearing ear, so that the veils will be removed and they will understand the message that Baha'u'llah brings.

The Promise:
The promise is "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Meaning that they will recognize the Manifestation of God, which is the "Tree of Life".

Bible Verses

[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;

Commentary

Smyrna - Jewish - Commentary

V.8 John is told to write to the SECOND angel, the angel of the church of Smyrna. This is where John had been teaching in Greece (now Turkey). Smyrna is now in ruins, but the word 'Persecuted', is a symbol that relates to the Jewish Faith. The prophet of the Jewish religion is Moses, and is one of the stars in the right hand of Baha'u'llah, bringing all the religions together. Baha'u'llah is 'the first and last' meaning that He is the same spirit of all the Revealers from God. Each and every Prophet is both the First and the Last, as when Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I Am". In the same spirit of Moses, 'Baha'u'llah' has returned, as the 'last', and is again alive, giving guidance to the world.

All the Prophets for all the religions state that They are the same Spirit as the Messengers of the past, and also of the future. Like teachers in school They know the amount that the pupils can understand. Each Prophet brings different rules for the times, however each time they build upon the same message of love and spirituality.

For they are all but one person, one soul, one spirit, one being, one revelation. They are all the manifestation of the "Beginning" and the "End," the "First" and the "Last," the "Seen" and "Hidden" -- all of which pertain to Him Who is the innermost Spirit of Spirits and eternal Essence of Essences. And were they to say: "We are the servants of God," this also is a manifest and indisputable fact. For they have been made manifest in the uttermost state of servitude, a servitude the like of which no man can possibly attain.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 179

[9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

V.9 The Commend:
While there are many economically poor Jews in the world, as a group they have also been known for their great accumulation and control of wealth. They are condemned for spiritual poverty, but at the same time commended for the great spirit that has attributed to many facets of human society in the arts, music, and science which they have achieved in spite of their tribulations of being a persecuted people.

The Condemn:
He says, "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." This is one of the most astonishing and inguishing features of the Jewish religion in that many, even in Israel, say they are not religious, even that they are atheists. They say that they are members of the Jewish family, but that they do not follow the Faith.

From this review of the history of the Jewish people we learn that the foundation of the religion of God laid by Moses was the cause of their eternal honor and national prestige, the animating impulse of their advancement and racial supremacy and the source of that excellence which will always command the respect and reverence of those who understand their peculiar destiny and outcome. The dogmas and blind imitations which gradually obscured the reality of the religion of God proved to be Israel's destructive influences, causing the expulsion of these chosen people from the Holy Land of their Covenant and promise.

Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 364

[10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

V.10 The Threat:
He tells them not to fear what they will have to suffer. He said they would have tribulation for ten days. (in Ezekiel 4:6 it says each day signifies a year,) which may make it a period of time of ten years. We are all aware of the troubles of Israel especially with their neighboring countries He says that 'the devil' shall cast some in prison. This could be trying times, but He tells them to have faith.

The Promise:
Those who remain faithful will receive a crown of life.

[11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

V.11 The Refrain:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: The angel is telling them to listen to what Baha'u'llah is telling them.

The Promise:
"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." The first death is the death of the body. The second death would be death of the spirit - or failure to recognize the Manifestation. When one discovers the new 'light of the age' a new life begins.

The first life, which pertaineth to the elemental body, will come to an end, as hath been revealed by God: "Every soul shall taste of death." But the second life, which ariseth from the knowledge of God, knoweth no death, as hath been revealed aforetime: "Him will We surely quicken to a blessed life."

Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries: Verse 65

Each time God sends a Great One to us we are given new life, but the Truth each Manifestation brings is the same. The Truth never changes but man's vision changes. It is dulled and confused by the complication of outward forms.

Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 57

Bible Verses

[12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Commentary

Pergamos - Hindu - Commentary

V.12 John is now told to write to the THIRD angel, the angel of the church in Pergamos. Pergamos was a small town in Greece, (now Turkey) where John had been teaching. It was a principal center for worship and popular because of the Temple of Asclepius, which was known to offer healing. The word Pergamos means 'Popular', but since the town is now in total ruins it is no longer significant, however the word ‘popular’ is. We relate it to the Hindu Faith. The message to the Hindu Faith is that Baha'u'llah speaks with a sharp sword, shown to be both His approval and His criticism.

[13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

V.13 The Commend:
He commends them for their works and holding fast to their prophet Krishna. For those who have suffered poverty, they have received spiritual richness. 'Antipas' was well known for his goodness in India, and tells them that He has not forgotten how he became a martyr.

[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 stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

V.14 The Condemn:
He condemns them for their worship of idols and following the doctrine of Balaam. The idols are not physical figures but symbols of materialism and worldliness.

Balaam was a high priest who went against the Israelites. Balac (also spelled Balak) was a king, who by following Balaam cast a stumbling block before the Israelites for riches. Balak is a symbol of gold and materialism.

[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

V.15 The Nicolaitans are a group that went against religion, and strangely even today many call themselves "non religious". Many of the leaders of thought, although they have been very intellectual and well educated people, they are condemned for this worldly thought.

[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

V.16 The Threat:
He is asking them to listen to His new message, and says that if they do not, He will come quickly with the "sword of His mouth", which means that until they recognize His new religious teachings they will have tribulation.

[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.

V.17 The Refrain:
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches:" He tells them to listen to what the Spirit is saying.

The Promise:
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."This promise is very great. The hidden manna is the teachings for the unity and love of mankind, and the white stone is a symbol of spiritual life. The new name is Baha'u'llah, a gift to those who recognize the new Manifestation for this age.

O thou who art attracted to the Holy Fragrances!The light of truth hath made thine eyes to see, the voice of God hath made thine ears to hear and the lights emanating from the beauty of the Light of the World both made thine heart attracted and astonished.

Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 132

Bible Verses

[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;

Commentary

THYATIRA - ZOROASTRIAN - Commentary

V.18 John is now told to write to the FOURTH angel, the angel of the church Thyatira in Greece (now Turkey) which was a small town, but is now in ruins and a small commercial center has taken its place. The Greek word Thyatira symbolizes 'sacrifice' which we relate to the Zoroastrian Faith. A description of Baha'u'llah the 'Son of God', is given. His eyes like unto a flame of fire, means that He could read your very soul and His feet like fine brass - meaning that He was firm in His mission as a Messenger from God in spite of tribulations. He is the same Spirit as for all the Major Prophets or what are now called Messengers from God or Manifestations of God.

[19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

V.19 The Commend:
He knows their works and commends the Zoroastrians for their charity, service, faith, and patience. He especially commends them for their patience. The Zoroastrians are a very close-knit community in which they support one another.

[20] Notwithstanding 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.

V.20 The Condemn:
He condemns them for following in lustful inclinations away from the truth that He compares to Jezebel, the temptress of the Bible, who calls herself a prophetess to commit fornication. This is a symbol of their misdeeds. Those who do not repent, He promises great tribulation.(When John was teaching there, apparently there was a woman who led church members away with her evil influences, who earned the code name 'Jezebel')

[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

V.21 Both the Bab and Baha'u'llah appeared in Persia for the followers of the Zoroastrian religion to recognize them, which was a great opportunity for them to change their ways. Many did, but on the whole, just as the Jews failed to recognize Jesus during His presence so did the Zoroastrians fail to recognize the Bab and Baha'u'llah when They walked among them.

To His Dispensation the sacred books of the followers of Zoroaster had referred as that in which the sun must needs be brought to a standstill for no less than one whole month. To Him Zoroaster must have alluded when, according to tradition, He foretold that a period of three thousand years of conflict and contention must needs precede the advent of the World-Savior Shah-Bahram, Who would triumph over Ahriman and usher in an era of blessedness and peace.

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 95

[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

V.22 The Threat:
He is giving a warning to those who commit adultery, which is called the way of Jezebel, and which is therefore materialism and immorality. He says that those who follow this path will suffer great tribulation if they don't reform their ways.

As regards the inculcation of morality and the development of human virtues, there is no difference whatsoever between the teachings of Zoroaster, Jesus and Baha'u'llah.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 168

[23] And 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.

V.23 He says that He will kill their children with death, which means spiritual death. He searches the hearts: we are judged by our works, not our words. Indeed, although even more historically recent than either the Jewish or the Hindu Faiths - the Zoroastrian Faith is much fewer in number and relatively little heard of today. It does no proselytizing and dies off with its children.

[24] But 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.

V.24

This physical world of man is subject to the power of the lusts, and sin is the consequence of this power of the lusts, for it is not subject to the laws of justice and holiness. The body of man is a captive of nature; it will act in accordance with whatever nature orders. It is, therefore, certain that sins such as anger, jealousy, dispute, covetousness, avarice, ignorance, prejudice, hatred, pride and tyranny exist in the physical world. All these brutal qualities exist in the nature of man. A man who has not had a spiritual education is a brute.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 119

[25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

V.25 He tells them to hold fast to the teachings of Zoroaster, until they receive the new message that He, Baha'u'llah will bring.

[26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

V.26 The Promise:
"He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations:" Baha'u'llah is a descendant of Zoroaster, so the power refers to Him, especially when it says He rules with a rod of iron.

A great Baha'i scholar, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, through extensive historical research has verified that Baha'u'llah was descended from Zoroaster and the Sasaniyan kings of Persia, thereby fulfilling certain traditions that the great Redeemer of mankind would be of pure Persian lineage. Baha'u'llah was also descended from Abraham through His third wife Katurah, thus uniting in His own person two branches of the Aryan and Semitic religion

Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 1, p. 7

[27] And 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.

V.27 The ruling with a rod of iron is mentioned also in Psalms 2:9, Rev.12:5 and in Rev.19:15, it is explained in Rev 21 V.15.that the rod will be transformed into pure gold. Since The leaders of Iran have been very much against the Baha'i Faith. The following may be a warning.

Psalms (King James Bible)

2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed,...

2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

All of this is of course not a literal reference. The problem for many people in recognizing their Lord has been that they have taken the Scriptures in a literal sense. Consider this sign and some of the reasons why the Jews rejected Christ.

When Christ appeared, twenty centuries ago, although the Jews were eagerly awaiting His Coming, and prayed every day, with tears, saying: 'O God, hasten the Revelation of the Messiah,' yet when the Sun of Truth dawned, they denied Him and rose against Him with the greatest enmity, and eventually crucified that divine Spirit, the Word of God, and named Him Beelzebub, the evil one, as is recorded in the Gospel. The reason for this was that they said: 'The Revelation of Christ, according to the clear text of the Torah, will be attested by certain signs, and so long as these signs have not appeared, whoso layeth claim to be a Messiah is an impostor. Among these signs is this, that the Messiah should come from an unknown place, yet we all know this man's house in Nazareth, and can any good thing come out of Nazareth?

The second sign is that He shall rule with a rod of iron, that is, He must act with the sword, but this Messiah has not even a wooden staff. Another of the conditions and signs is this: He must sit upon the throne of David and establish David's sovereignty. Now, far from being enthroned, this man has not even a mat to sit on. Another of the conditions is this: the promulgation of all the laws of the Torah; yet this man has abrogated these laws, and has even broken the sabbath day, although it is the clear text of the Torah that whosoever layeth claim to prophethood and revealeth miracles and breaketh the sabbath day, must be put to death.

Another of the signs is this, that in His reign justice will be so advanced that righteousness and well-doing will extend from the human even to the animal world -- the snake and the mouse will share one hole, and the eagle and the partridge one nest, the lion and the gazelle shall dwell in one pasture, and the wolf and the kid shall drink from one fountain. Yet now, injustice and tyranny have waxed so great in His time that they have crucified Him! Another of the conditions is this, that in the days of the Messiah the Jews will prosper and triumph over all the peoples of the world, but now they are living in the utmost abasement and servitude in the empire of the Romans. Then how can this be the Messiah promised in the Torah?'

'Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 44

[28] And I will give him the morning star.

V.28 The morning star is the light that precedes the new day. Since The Bab preceded Baha'u'llah, He is referred to here as the 'morning star'. The Zoroastrian Faith flourished at the time of Christ in Persia, which is now Iran. The Bab was born in Persia in 1819 near the birthplace of Zoroaster.

His Holiness the Bab gave the glad tidings concerning the appearance of the Manifestation of God, and His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, was the Promised One of all the nations and religions. The Bab was the Morning Star heralding the glorious Dawn of the Sun of Reality. Now all of us are under Its shadow and receive the refulgent bestowals from It.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 284

[29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

V.29 The Refrain:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches:

He (Zoroaster) foretold that a period of three thousand years of conflict and contention must needs precede the advent of the World-Saviour Shah-Bahram, Who would triumph over Ahriman and usher in an era of blessedness and peace.

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p.95