Revelation 2:12-17. "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges."
2:13. Satan’s Seat: “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.
2:13. Satan’s Seat: “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.
The word seat is from the Greek word 'Throne,' that is, satan is enthroned in the synagogue. In context, the phrases "satan's seat" and "where satan dwells" mean: “in the
synagogue of the unbelieving Jews who were persecuting the Christian's to the death.” See verses 2:9
and 3:9, that is, “The synagogue of satan.”
Antipas had been martyred there. It was considered a
righteous act by the synagogues to kill Christians because they were considered
to be heretics. (See John 16:2; Matthew 23:34).
We find this same doctrine in the Talmud as interpreted even today; that is, that Christians are heretics and therefore should be killed.
2:17. Hidden Manna: “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....”
The original Ark of the Covenant had contained a pot of manna. The "hidden manna" may be a reference to
the fact that there were five things missing from the second Temple after the return from Babylonian captivity: 1. Fire from on high; 2. anointing oil; 3. the Ark, which contained the manna; 4.
The Holy Spirit; 5. Urim and Thummim.
When Ezra returned to Jerusalem after the captivity, he excluded from the priesthood as unclean, those who could not be found enrolled in the genealogies. These were not to partake of the holy food "until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise," (Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65).
This promise to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:17 is to those who have qualified for the priesthood by the righteousness of Christ. Christ is that Priest with Urim and Thummim that Ezra had foretold should come. He is therefore qualified to designate those who can eat of the holy food, the "hidden manna." In Christ the Ark of the Covenant is fulfilled.
This lesson is an edited excerpt from my book Revelation In Context. My Book is available at the Living Word Bookstore in Shawnee, Oklahoma and is also available online at www.amazon.com or www.xulonpress.com. Free downloads are available at www.revelationincontext.sermon.net.
When Ezra returned to Jerusalem after the captivity, he excluded from the priesthood as unclean, those who could not be found enrolled in the genealogies. These were not to partake of the holy food "until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise," (Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65).
This promise to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:17 is to those who have qualified for the priesthood by the righteousness of Christ. Christ is that Priest with Urim and Thummim that Ezra had foretold should come. He is therefore qualified to designate those who can eat of the holy food, the "hidden manna." In Christ the Ark of the Covenant is fulfilled.
This lesson is an edited excerpt from my book Revelation In Context. My Book is available at the Living Word Bookstore in Shawnee, Oklahoma and is also available online at www.amazon.com or www.xulonpress.com. Free downloads are available at www.revelationincontext.sermon.net.
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