SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 2:1-7
Daniel and Revelation are two of the outstanding books of prophecy in the Bible. They have an important message to Christians today. They show us that, the creator who began the world and created all that is in it will also bring everything to conclusion he has designed. They show us that he is the God of history and that he is in full control of the future.
The book of Revelation is written in symbols and signs and figures as well numbers. John in the Island of Patmos receives visions and he is told to write the “Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1).
The angel revealed to John: “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
In verse 19 John is told, “Write therefore what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later” (Revelation 1:19). This forms the basis for our understanding the book of Revelation. It is divided in three portions i.e.:
1. What you have seen (the revelation of Jesus Christ)
2. What is now (the church age), and
3. What will take place later (after the church has been raptured)
In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ is active. He speaks, moves, conquers, judges and rules.
In Revelation 1:5, we see that Jesus has been described as:
1. The faithful witness
2. The firstborn from the dead
3. The ruler of the Kings of the earth.
In Revelation 1:4, John begins to write to the (seven) churches. He begins with two commonly used New Testament greetings: grace and peace. We who are
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Christians are aware that a person must experience God’s grace before he has real peace.
What are the purposes/reasons of the letters to the seven churches?
1. First, the seven churches addressed were literal churches in the Roman province of Asia. Furthermore, the situations our Lord described were actually occurring in these seven churches and they needed to be dealt with by the head of the church himself.
2. Second, these seven churches are messages of encouragement, warning and rebuke for all members of the body of Christ. This is indicated by the exhortation to all such individuals that is found at or near the end of each of these letters: “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In these letters, the Christian can see certain things to avoid and certain things which please the Lord. We can all examine ourselves in the light of these letters and the fact that Jesus is coming quickly.
3. Third, the letters to the seven churches pictures the entire history of the church from its beginning on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 through its history to the Day of the Lord.
Apparently these seven actual local churches were not selected because they were more important than other churches in that area at this time. Evidently, they were chosen because certain situations that existed in them would characterize the church at various stages throughout its entire existence.
I. THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS
Ephesus was the leading city in the province of Asia. It had an ample harbour and it was located in a rich farming area. Moreover, this city was exceedingly wealthy. The temple of Artemis stood in the city. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesians honoured Artemis, the many breasted goddess of fertility and abundance, and they believed that this image fell from heaven (Acts 19:35).
They were proud that the city was called the Temple Warden of Artemis. Many priests were dedicated to Artemis, and as many as 3,500 priestesses were committed to serve the goddess. We know that idolatry always produces
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immorality; therefore, it is not surprising that the city was filled with immorality, debauchery as well as religion, philosophy and culture.
The church at Ephesus appears to represent the ‘Pristine’ (original) state of the apostolic church from its birth to about the end of the first century. Near the end of the first century, a marked change occurred in the cultural circumstances of the church that seems to begin a second period.
A hostile world initiated a series of persecutions that lasted for a little over 200 years; again a marked change occurred in the church’s outward circumstances and was reflected in the internal life.
Characteristics of Jesus in Ephesians
Characteristics of Jesus Christ that are implied symbolically in Revelation 2:1 indicate that he is active in the church at Ephesus. He walks in the midst of his people there and he is acquainted with their activity and service.
This is an excellent picture of the early church, where the presence of the Lord was seen constantly in power to save souls and perform other miracles.
Our Lord still desires to be present in such power in church services today. It is one thing to know he is there; it is another thing to allow him to manifest himself in our church services.
Our pattern ought to fit into his program-not to ask him to fit into ours. He knows exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. As we learn to depend on our Lord’s guidance, he will continue to build his church through us (Matthew 16:18).
In John’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus states something he knows about the church. In five of them he states, “I know your deeds”. He knows our activities also, and the motives behind them. In Revelation 2:2 and verse 6, Jesus approves five things in the church at Ephesus. The statement “I know your deeds” indicates that Ephesian church was an active church. While good deeds do not save a person, they are an indication of his spiritual vitality.
We do well to remember that one is not saved by faith and works, but by faith that works (Ephesians 2:8). Hard work which is singled out as a commendable
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virtue sometimes means work to the point of exhaustion. Perseverance, another of this church’s virtue, means determination to keep on going in spite of opposition.
The Ephesian believers were a perceptive group of people, they held a standard of uprightness, and they were very careful to weigh every teaching against the Bible standard. They would not tolerate any false teaching.
While they were not agreeing with false teachings, their first love had grown cold. There need was not to become less discerning and less committed to sound doctrine. Rather, they needed to demonstrate love in all their relationships-even with those whose teachings were contrary to the word of God. God does not love what the sinner does, but he loves the sinner. We too must love those who do not know Jesus Christ, and we must do our best to reach them with the message of the gospel.
Ephesian believers were correct to measure ones doctrine by a scriptural standard, but they were not to abandon their love in the process.
The Ephesian believers were also commended for their attitude toward the Nicolaitans, whose deeds they detested. Nicolaitans referred to a group of people who claimed one could be a Christian and practice all kinds of immorality; they are lovers of pleasure, corrupters of their own flesh. The Lord hated their practice and commended the Ephesian church for its stand against them.
While most of the letter commends this church, verses 4 and 5 gives our Lord’s condemnation of one feature of the church’s life and practice. He warns believers regarding the loss of their first love and he tells them what will happen if they disregard his warning. Love here is translated from the word Agape which is defined for us in John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Agape is the total giving of one’s self, holding nothing back from God. The Ephesian church had forsaken this vital ingredient of that relationship.
Believers’ love for God had not remained fresh and alive; therefore the Lord of the church issues a simple warning: “Repent!” Repent simply: means to change your attitude and; as a consequence your direction. If the relationship is to
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remain intact, we must purpose to live as close to Jesus as we once did. Our relationship demands that fervent love.
Application
1. We need to endure/persevere hardship and persecution for Jesus’ name and not grow weary (Revelation 2:3)
2. We need to hate what the Lord doesn’t approve. Every teaching must be examined through the scale of scripture.
3. We need to go back to the first love we had with Jesus. This love must be genuinely expressed among us-a love that is self-sacrificial.
Conclusion
The characteristics of the church at Ephesus (Zeal for the right doctrine, diligent service and vigorous service indicate the early church period. These characteristics were generally true of the church from its beginning until the latter part of the first century.
The role of the church is therefore to shine forth as we wait for his coming. He is near the church and takes good care of the messengers of the churches. They are in his hands.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
