04.16. Letter to the Church At Ephesus

LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.

LESSON TEXT-Revelation 2:1-7.

Ephesus was a sea port town on the western coast of Asia, a city of great; importance. Several nationalities made up its citizenship. Here stood the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world. With the exception of the Jews dwelling there the city, when the gospel was first brought to it, was devoted to the worship of idols. As Paul returned, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, from this first preaching tour in Europe, he stopped off for a short stay in Ephesus, preaching while there, in the synagogue of the Jews. Leaving Priscilla and Aquila there, he took his departure, promising to return "if God will." This may be regarded as the beginning of the church in that wicked city. See Acts 18:18-21. About this time Apollos, an eloquent preacher who knew only the baptism of John, came to Ephesus, and began boldly to preach in the synagogue. "But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26). When Paul returned to Ephesus he found certain disciples. By questioning them, he learned that they had been baptized into John’s baptism. When he had taught them they were baptized into the name of the Lord (See Acts 19:1-7). After the Great Commission became operative, no one could be baptized by divine authority into John’s baptism. But there is not the least evidence that those who were baptized into John’s baptism while it was valid were ever baptized again. These men whom Paul found at Ephesus who had been baptized into John’s baptism were evidently converts of Apollos before he had been taught properly by Priscilla and Aquila. For three months, in the synagogue, Paul spoke boldly the things pertaining to the kingdom of God without serious opposition. Then the opposition became so pronounced that he withdraw with the disciples, and established himself in the school of one Tyrannus where he taught daily for two years. So great were his opportunities and so active was he in preaching the gospel it is said, within the short space of two years and six months spent in Ephesus, "all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord." The influence of Paul’s preaching was so far reaching and revolutionizing in its results that "not a few of them that practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver," about $8,000. The preaching of Paul was endangering the business of Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen, who were engaged in the lucrative business of making silver shrines of Diana. This so enraged them that they headed a mob, and put the city in a great uproar, which was finally quieted by the town clerk. After the uproar Paul delivered an exhortation to the disciples and left the city. Later, as he was passing near the city, he sent for the elders of the church, and made a very striking speech to them (Acts 20:17-35). He also sent Timothy to Ephesus to counteract some false teaching and useless speculations (1 Timothy 1:3-4).

JOHN AT EPHESUS.

We are told that John for a number of years during the latter part of his life lived at Ephesus. From that city this beloved and holy man was banished to the isle of Patmos for the sole reason that he was a preacher of the gospel of Christ (Revelation 1:9). On a certain Lord’s day the Lord appeared to him, and dictated seven letters to be written to seven churches in Asia. He saw the glorified Lord standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks and holding seven stars in his right hand. These seven candlesticks were explained to be the seven churches, and the seven stars, the angels of the seven churches. The Candlesticks. In John’s vision the candlesticks represented churches. This is a significant figure of speech. A candlestick generates no light, but it upholds and sustains that which gives light. So the church generates no light, no matter how learned and wise the membership may be. There is no spiritual light in the schemes, philosophies, and inventions of man. The word of God is a light to our pathway (Psalms 119:105), and the church upheld that light. "Among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life" (Php 2:15). The church does this by living the Bible, and by teaching it as the inspired word of God. The Stars. The stars were angels of the churches. An angel is a messenger. Not all angels are heavenly messengers. A person or being who carries a message is an angel, a messenger, for that is the import of the word. God sent John the Baptist with a message to the people. He called him "my messenger" (Greek, angel) (Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27). On one occasion as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he sent messengers (Greek, angels) on before him to make ready for him in a village of the Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56); and the two spies whom Joshua sent into Jericho to bring him information concerning the land and Jericho are referred to by James as mes­sengers (Greek, angels) (James 2:25).

Angels of the Churches. Various theories have been held as to who or what these angels of the seven churches were. Some hold that every church has a guardian angel who watches over its destinies. We know of no basis for such theory. If there be such guardian angels the condition of some churches would indicate that they were rather remiss in their duties. Besides, the Lord would hardly have had John to write letters and send them to such invisible beings. Others claim that each church had a pastor, and these pastors were angels, or messengers, of the churches. We cannot see in what sense such persons would be messengers of the churches. If a church sent a man somewhere with a message, or for a message, he would be the angel, or message bearer, of that church; otherwise he could not have been the angel of that church. A little reflection, while bearing in mind the meaning of the word angel, will help us to see who these angels, or messengers, were. John’s home was at Ephesus, and the other six churches were not far away. All must have known John. At this time he was an old man, the only living apostle, and a very lovely character. Now he is banished to Patmos, a small island twenty miles from the coast, and almost barren. Such tragedy would touch the heart of every Christian wherever the news went. They would want to have word from him, also to comfort him all they could. We can well imagine that they discussed the matter till each church in that region decided to send some reliable man of their own number to see him, and bring back from him any message he might have for them. One thing we do know: John was instructed to write these letters and send them to the seven churches. Some one was at hand by whom he was to send them, for in no other way was it possible for him to send them. Hence, the command of the Lord to send these letters by the angels of the churches. The Greek can as be translated "by" or "unto."

Condition of the Churches. The letter to each church reveals the conditions of that church. A fair survey of the field then and now will lead one to conclude that churches were little, if any, better then than now. We sometimes hear people say the churches in the days of the apostles were perfect. But not so. Churches were then made of people with the weaknesses people now have. In fact, many churches then were composed mostly of those converted from idolatry. The whole social fabric out of which they were taken was saturated with immorality and ignorance. They had a long way to go to reach the perfection we sometimes hear attributed to them. No wonder so many of them fell so far short of the ideal. Read Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth and see how far they were from what they should have been. The letter to the church at Ephesus shows that church not to have been pleasing to the Lord. Hence, when we become discouraged about churches now, let us reflect that it has always been thus. The Dead-Line. But will the Lord own such churches? He is long suffering (Luke 18:7; 1 Timothy 1:16), and bears with them for a time. If not, none of us could be saved. But there is a deadline, beyond which, if we go, the Lord will cut us off. When a church has had its attention called to an evil in it and then determines to go on in that evil regardless of what the Lord says, their day of doom has arrived. "He that being often reproved hardened his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). The Lord threatened Ephesus, unless they repented. And yet there were things about that church which pleased him.

THINGS APPROVED. Their Works and Toil. "I know thy works, and thy toil," said the Lord; and he approved that. To toil is to work under difficulties and hardships. There is drudgery and weariness about toil. Not all work in the service of the’ Lord is toil. When the church is at peace the Lord’s day worship interesting, uplifting, and inspiring, to do what you can to serve God is work, and the Lord is pleased with your efforts; but there, is no toil about that—it is delightful work. But when everything goes dead-wrong—the church is in confusion, the neighbors regard it as fussing bunch of senseless cranks, the singing is poor, the prayers are mechanical, the spirit of suspicion and cynical criticism is rife so that your best efforts are misunderstood and adversely criticised--and yet, in spite of all, you strive to do your best, there is toil about that.

Ephesus Warned. Years before John wrote to Ephesus, Paul warned the elders of that church: "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:28-30). And when Timothy was left there by Paul, some were teaching a different doctrine and others were wrangling over endless genealogies. No wonder the faithful had toiled. Such continued efforts, under trying circumstances, required staying qualities; and, at least, some had that.

Patience. The Lord had taken knowledge of their patience, and was pleased with it. What is patience? It is to hold on to the right, no matter what the trials, difficulties, or persecutions may be. Patience never quits, never lets up, never lets go. For a fuller discussion of patience see Sound Doctrine, Vol. 2, pp. 170,171. Could Not Bear Evil Men. Notice the wording: "1 know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men." This church was so patient that it could not bear evil men. Sometimes people think that patience will serenely put up with anything, but not so with the patience which the Lord commends. Some things it cannot bear. But their patience, when it could not bear these evil men, ousted them, instead of skulking off home and leaving them in charge. Genuine patience does not say, "Well, if that is the way you are going to do, I’ll quit"; but it does say, "Get out of this church, you evil men; and let us keep the church pure": and then proceeds to make its word good.

Churches Not Careful. Many churches are not careful as to their teachers. They send for preachers whom they know only through reports in the papers. As a result they frequently get trouble on their hands, and the church is injured so that it may never recover. When the tide of innovations swept over Texas many churches could have been saved had the leaders been watchful, and kept designing preachers out. Many elders realized this after it was too late. They were not watchful. Another innovation is now springing up, namely, settling matters by majority vote; and churches are being disturbed, and some of them divided. When it suits their purpose they vote the elders out. Will the elders protect themselves and the churches against this danger?

Ephesus Watchful. "And didst try them that call themselves apostles and they are not, and didst find them false." They would not tolerate pretenders. It is not likely that they had a church trial; church trials usually result in confusion. They give a designing man with a glib tongue an opportunity for mischief. Besides, there is no need for a trial if the leaders are wise. How they proceeded to try them we do not know. They knew what an apostle should be; and, in some way, they put them to the test, and found that they were not apostles.

Narrow and Bigoted? For one to make any headway at pretending to be an apostle, he would have to be a man with some personality and accomplishments. An ignorant man, shabbily dressed, and of no personality, would fool no one. Most likely these men worked up a following. That was a crisis in the church at Ephesus, but they met it in the way the Lord approved. But what would be said now? If an accomplished man with selfish designs, and with the mixing qualities of Absalom, should come to a church, he would keep his selfish designs hidden; and he would gain a following. If, however, he was put out of the church, as were these pretenders at Ephesus, that church would be called a narrow, contracted, bigoted bunch of heresy hunters. But why should that church worry, if the Lord approves? Are not many churches guilty of studying too much about what the world will think of their course rather than of what the Lord will think of them? The Lord requires, discipline, even to withdrawing fellowship, when that is the only remedy. See lesson on Discipline, Sound Doctrine, Vol. 3, pp. 109-121.

Left First Love. "But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen." Can you imagine the scene in that church when the letter was being read. The messenger of the church had returned from John. The disciples whom he met would anxiously inquire concerning the beloved John. Think of the report: "He is well, and has seen the Lord in his glorified state; and the Lord had him write a letter to this church!" A letter from the glorified Lord! What a sensation! That letter will be read next Lord’s day to the whole church! How the news would fly! Sunday comes; not a vacant seat; every member is present. How eagerly they listened, leaning forward to catch every word falling from the lips of the good man as he read that letter. How their hearts must have swelled with gladness as he read the words of praise from the Lord for their work, toil, patience, and discipline. "Nothing wrong with us," they must have thought. Then with measured tones showing deep emotion, for the reader must have shown how he was effected, he read: "But I have this against thee." This pronouncement must have caused consternation for the moment, and the question must have arisen in each heart, "What has the Lord against us?" Then with directness the words came: "Thou didst leave thy first love. Remember whence thou art fallen." A Well-Balanced Church. The church at Ephesus worked, and toiled, and held on. They would have nothing to do with lying pretenders, and they hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, for all of which the Lord approved them. They hated, but they did not love. Some one said, "Love is of God; hate is of the Devil." But that is not always true. "I hate them that regard lying vanities; but I trust in Jehovah" (Psalms 31:6). "I hate the work of them that turn aside" (Psalms 101:3). "Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Psalms 119:104). "I hate them that are of a double mind; but thy law do I love" (Psalms 119:113). "I hate and abhor falsehood; but thy law do I love" (Psalms 119:163). "There are six things which Jehovah hateth; yet, seven which are an abomination unto him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that deviseth wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19). "The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate" (Proverbs 8:13). "Hate the evil, and love the good" (Amos 5:15). "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Romans 12:9). "Thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (Revelation 2:6). The Christian must hate the Devil and all his works, and love God and all his works. But the church at Ephesus had cultivated hatred for the Devil and imposters, but failed to cultivate love for God and the right. All the powers of their souls were consumed in hating. The Christian character is balanced between love and hate. Ephesus was lopsided. Hate the Devil, but not more than you love God. Some good men now, as did Ephesus, cultivate opposition to wrong, and neglect an active interest in building up the right, till they become austere, dogmatic, and little less than a nuisance. They become all back-bone, with none of the gentler graces to make them desirable or helpful. Others cultivate gentleness, sweet-spiritedness, and all the gentler graces, and neglect to cultivate the heroic spirit of opposition to wrong, till they become so soft and flabby that they are practically worthless. A character is properly balanced by cultivating seemingly opposing characteristics. A well-balanced character is a rare accomplishment.

Remedy. Few people can realize that, having labored, and toiled, and kept the church free from imposters, and, like Ephesus, never growing weary of the task, they may, notwithstanding this, be in a fallen condition. It must have shocked Ephesus when the Lord said, "Remember whence thou art fallen." Such characters are usually assertive, and overrate their own accomplishments and loyalty to the Lord. But they had fallen. And the remedy: "Repent and do the first works." Rekindle the love you had in your hearts for the Lord, for the church, and for man, when you first became Christians. "Or else"—you repent, humble your haughty spirit, and rekindle your first love—"or else I will come to thee," not to approve and bless, but I "will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent," that is, I will cease to recognize you as my church, unless you repent.

Encouragement. "To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God."

Applies to All. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." Through this letter to Ephesus the Lord speaks of all churches.

Periods of Church History. Some have advanced the idea that these seven churches in Asia represent seven periods in the history of Christianity, and that we are now living in the Laodicean period, or age. This is a mere conceit, with no foundation in Scripture or reason. The theory involves too much. The seven letters described conditions then existing in those churches; otherwise the letter would have been a mystery to those churches, and they would have been puzzled to know why the Lord would so write to them. But to say that the conditions described in those letters did prevail in those churches, but they still represent periods of church history, would involve the idea that God made those churches so they would fit the periods to be represented, or else he made the periods to correspond with the condition of the churches. That is absurd. Neither does history show any such periods. It is supposed that the church at Ephesus represented the churches of that period. But that will not do, for there are six other churches mentioned in these letters, each one differing from the other, and not one of them like Ephesus. Besides, if Laodicea represents all the churches of this age there is little hope for any of them. Neither do all the churches now seem to be as rich and well-satisfied as was Laodicea, nor are they all lukewarm. The Lord Knows. Though the Lord was seated on his throne in glory, yet he described himself as "he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." He knew their works. They are his churches and he is interested in them; and he still walks among them, and knows their conditions, and knows the heart and life of each member.

* * * TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION.

• Letter to Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11).

• Letter to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17).

• Letter to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29).

• Letter to Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6).

• Letter to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).

• Letter to Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).

QUESTIONS.