<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF REVELATION" Letter To Ephesus (2:1-7) INTRODUCTION 1. In the vision of the Son of Man, John was given instructions to write letters to seven churches in Asia (modern day Turkey) - Re 1:11 a. They were written to "the angels of the seven churches" - Re 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14 b. These "angels" (i.e., messengers) were possibly men who delivered the letters 2. The first letter was written to the church in Ephesus. Some background information... a. The city of Ephesus 1) The leading city in Asia, "the greatest emporium in the province of Asia Minor" (Strabo) 2) It had a population of about 250,000 - Revelation: Four Views 3) It boasted the temple of Diana (Artemis), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world 4) The theater in Ephesus could host 25,000 spectators - New Bible Dictionary ("Ephesus") 5) It would later become a center of the emperor cult - ibid. -- Today you can still visit remains of this great city b. The church at Ephesus 1. Perhaps started by Paul during a short visit on his second missionary journey - Ac 18:19-21 2. Aquila & Priscilla, together with Apollos were early members of the church - Ac 18:24-26 3. Paul returned and stayed three years on his third missionary journey - Ac 19:1-20:1 4. He later met with the Ephesian elders in Miletus - Ac 20:17-38 5. From prison he wrote the epistle to Ephesians - Ep 1:1; 3:1; 4:1; 6:20 6. Timothy was at Ephesus when Paul wrote to him - 1Ti 1:3 7. John himself may have been at Ephesus prior to his exile to Patmos - NBD -- Paul spent more time in Ephesus than any other place on his missionary journeys [With such a storied and privileged background, one might assume the church in Ephesus would remain strong in their service to the Lord. But it was not long before all was not well. The letter to the church begins with...] I. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (1) A. "HE WHO HOLDS THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND"... 1. As seen earlier in the vision of the Son of Man - Re 1:16 2. The seven stars explained as the angels (messengers) of the seven churches - Re 1:20 -- The letters are written to the "angels", but are clearly messages for the churches B. "WHO WALKS IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS"... 1. Also seen in the vision of the Son of Man - Re 1:12-13 2. The seven lampstands explained as the seven churches - Re 1:20 -- An image suggesting that Jesus is present with His churches - cf. Mt 18:20 [In most of the letters to the seven churches, the self-designation is then followed by...] II. THE LORD'S COMMENDATION (2-3,6) A. FOR THEIR WORKS, LABOR, AND PATIENCE... 1. They cannot bear those who are evil, having tested those who say they are apostles but were liars 2. Their perseverance, patience and labor for His name's sake, not growing weary -- Clearly steadfast in their opposition to false teachers! B. THEY HATE THE DEEDS OF THE NICOLAITANS, AS DOES THE LORD... 1. Some (e.g., Ireneaus) think it has reference to Nicolas from Antioch - cf. Ac 6:5 2. Who is supposed to have given his name to a group in the early church to work out a compromise with paganism, so Christians could take part in social and religious activities without embarrassment - New Bible Dictionary ("Nicolaus, Nicolaitans" ) 3. It is possible that "Nicolaitan" is a Greek form of Hebrew "Balaam" and an allegorical reference to those groups condemned also by Peter & Jude (2Pe 2:15; Jude 11) - ibid. -- With strong disdain for the practices of false teachers [With such steadfast opposition to false teachers and their deeds, one might think the church in Ephesus was truly a "sound" church! But in one important area they were sorely lacking...] III. THE LORD'S CONDEMNATION AND WARNING (4-5) A. HIS CONDEMNATION... 1. The Lord had this against them: "you have left your first love" 2. Their love (passion & enthusiasm) they once possessed had diminished 3. Suggesting that in opposing false teachers they were simply going through the motion -- It is not uncommon for Christians and churches to become apathetic in their service B. HIS WARNING... 1. Remember from where they have fallen; repent and do the first works a. The antidote to apathy in one's service to the Lord! b. Go back to the fundamentals (e.g., Bible study, prayer, assembling, good works) 2. Or the Lord will come quickly and remove their lampstand from its place a. Not His final coming, but as a judgment upon a city or nation (cf. the OT) b. As seen in the vision: Jesus walks among the lampstands c. To remove their lampstand suggests they would no longer enjoy His blessings -- Note well: a congregation can cease to be a true church of Christ! [If we find our faith and love for the Lord waning, it is a matter to be taken seriously! To encourage the Ephesians (and us today), the condemnation and warning is followed by...] IV. THE LORD'S EXHORTATION AND PROMISE (7) A. "HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR"... 1. An exhortation spoken frequently during His earthly ministry - Mt 11:15; 13:9,43 2. Calling listeners to give special heed to what is being said - Mk 4:23-25 -- How well do we hear when the Word of the Lord is read or spoken? B. "WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES"... 1. The letter to the church at Ephesus was for other churches as well! 2. As with all the epistles in the NT, they are for us to heed! -- Written to others, but preserved for our benefit! - cf. Ro 15:4; 1Co 10:11-12 C. "TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES"... 1. The one who remains faithful, loving, obedient, even if it means death 2. Despite false teachers, or persecution, even at the cost of life -- "Overcoming" is a major theme throughout this book! D. "I WILL GIVE TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD"... 1. The tree of life - last seen in the Garden of Eden - Gen 2:9; 3:24 2. In the future - in the New Jerusalem - Re 21-22; esp. Re 22:1-2 -- Many of the promises mentioned in the letters to the seven churches will be described in their fulfillment later in Revelation as the events are foretold CONCLUSION 1. Let us not assume that because we may have been faithful and steadfast in the past... a. Even to the point of standing fast against false teachers b. Enduring persecution for Christ in any of its forms -- That we are in good standing before the Lord! - cf. also He 3:12-15 2. To receive the promises such as those in the Book of Revelation, heed also Paul & Peter... a. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified." - 2Co 13:5 b. "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;" - 2Pe 1:10 -- Be willing to examine yourself, to make your calling and election sure! Through His letters to the seven churches in Asia, Jesus helps us to examine ourselves that we might be sure to overcome and inherit the promises found in the Word of God! Next we shall consider the letter to the church in Smyrna...<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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