02.07. 7 Churches- 1- Ephesus
EPHESUS (Text: Revelation 2:1-7) The Seven Churches of Asia
Introduction:
1. The composition of the letters to the 7 churches have the same literary arrangements. There are seven points:
1)A salutation to the church addressed; 2)A description of the speaker [Christ] with emphasis on an attribute described in Revelation 1:1-20 which had direct relation to the spiritual condition of that church; 3)What is right with the church, a message of praise; 4)What is wrong with the church, a message of reproof; 5)Exhortation to make correction; 6)Admonition and a threat; 7)A promise of reward to him that overcomes.
2.Note the chart with all seven churches depicted. The large circle represents the fellowship of the churches in Christ. One church Laodicea has nothing to commend, and two, Smyrna and Philadelphia have nothing to condemn. The seven churches of Asia also describe the conditions that congregations may be found in at any period of time. Some are strong, some are weak, some are dead. Every church can see itself somewhere in these letters and they serve as an opportunity for a church to make a self-evaluation.
3. EPHESUS - BACKGROUND
1)A great seaport and commercial center, located on the trade routes to the west, north and south. The most important city of Asia. 2)A religious center where the Temple of Diana was located. 3)Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos at Ephesus and a brief visit by Paul at the end of the second journey (Acts 18:18-28). 4)Paul returns on third journey, stays three years (Acts 19:1-41, Acts 20:1-38) 5)Paul met elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17-20 ff ) on way to Jerusalem. 6)Timothy at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3. 7)The Ephesian epistle (one of the prison epistles). 8)Later tradition: John’s preaching in Ephesus and Asia 9)Letter of Revelation 2:1-7 1. ADDRESS Revelation 2:1 1.It is addressed to the "angel" or messenger of the church. 2.It is to be communicated by him to the congregation. a.This is probably the "reader" of Revelation 1:3, the "messenger" or minister of the church.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SPEAKER Revelation 2:1-2
Though written by the hand of John, the letter was dictated by the Lord Jesus. A two-fold description is given of him here.
1."Holdeth the seven stars in his right hand." He is the possessor and upholder of his ministers. 2."Walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" The candlesticks (lampstands) are the churches (Revelation 1:20). God is present with them. Where two are three are gathered in his name, Jesus is there (Matthew 18:20). 3."I know" Another attribute of the Lord, he "knows" their condition (See John 2:24-25; Hebrews 4:13) 3. WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH Revelation 2:2-3 First he always points out the good. He seems more intent on finding good than evil.
1."I know thy works and thy labor" Nothing good or bad escapes his notice. a.Their life and work was commendable. We all must work. Php 2:12 and James 2:14, James 2:26. "Keeping house" is not enough. 2."Thy patience" or steadfastness. They did not grow weary in well-doing. Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:13. 3."Thou canst not bear them which are evil" They were right in their practice of church discipline. a.It is right to bear with a weak brother (Romans 15:1) but not with a false one (2 John 1:10 f; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). b.Note play on word "bear." They couldn’t bear evil men (Revelation 2:2), but they had borne a heavy load for the sake of Christ (Revelation 2:3). 4."Tried them which say they are apostles" a.Another indication of the early date for Revelation. An indication that "apostles" (plural) may still be alive would be an argument for the early date for Revelation. b.It is interesting to note that Paul’s prophecy of Acts 20:28-30 when he met with the Ephesian elders was fulfilled. These false apostles were rejected. c.Thus, "doctrine" is important. 1 Timothy 4:16; Matthew 15:9. 5."Thou hattest the deeds of the Nicolaitans." a.These deeds of the N. involved a compromise with paganism, participaton in idolatrous feasts and fornication. The teaching of Nicolaitans was like the teaching of Balaam. [In fact, some scholars point out the possibility that the name Nicolaitans ("conqueror of the people) may be a Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Balaam (possibly derived from a word meaning destroyer of the people.) Thus, Nicolaitans would be symbolics name given to them rathern than an actualy name borne by them, cf "Jezebel" in v.20. ] They taught that these things were indifferent, that God’s grace licensed them to sin (Jude 1:4 b; Romans 6:1 and also Romans 2:14-15, Romans 2:20?). b.Notice he said they hated the deeds, and not the people. The church at Ephesus was active, they had persevered, and were doctrinally correct and morally pure. What possible could be wrong with a congregation that worked so diligently to protect the purity of the Lord’s name?
4. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHURCH Revelation 2:4
1.There was just one ailment, but that was a serious one. They had left their first love. They had failed to retain that ardent and strong affection for God and spiritual things, which they had when they first received the truth. (Ephesians 1:15) 2.Their love had waned. They were still obeying God, but mechanically. The motive and spirit of love and reverence toward God had disappeared. ("The honeymoon was over.") 3.Perhaps like Ephesus many churches in their zeal to be right, lose sight of the reason for being right, to be pleasing to God and acceptable in his sight. The purpose for being doctrinally correct is to win souls for Christ, not to grow self-righteous and bitter. 4.To hate error and evil is not the same to love Christ. See Acts 19:18-20 for the first love at Ephesus.
5.EXHORTATION AND ADMONITION Revelation 2:5 a In order to revive fading love, he summoned three things into play: 1.Memory "Remember" the way it was in the beginning. (See Psalms 137:1-9; Luke 15:17 f) 2.Will "Repent" Change your way of thinking that led to this present state (Acts 8:22). This is in the tense and voice indicating that each member was to repent of his absence of love toward God and Christ. 3.Activity "do the first works" must have love and fervency. They had once had love (Ephesians 1:15) and had showed that love for the saints in some manner.
6. THREAT (Or a Warning) Revelation 2:5 b
1."Will remove thy candlestick" Their extinction in God’s sight was threatened. No church can be a light for Christ without love. 2.There is no church in Ephesus today, perhaps a testimony to the fact they didn’t repent, or if they did, some later sin caused their disappearance.
7. PROMISED REWARD -- (An Encouragement) Revelation 2:7
1.Their encouragement was to hear the words of the spirit. The heart that opens to God’s words shall be filled with blessings. 2.The reward is promised to the overcomer. 3.The reward will be opportunity to "eat of the tree of life." a.This is the first mention of the tree since Genesis 3:24. b.It was forfeited in Eden when man became disobedient. c.Man was separated from it lest he should eat and live forever in sin. d.But now the one victorious over sin with Christ’s help can partake of the true of life in the new paradise and live forever with Christ and the Father.