Rev - Ch 2: Letter to - Ephesus

What we cover tonight

Chapter 2: letter of Jesus to: Ephesus

Welcome

(Opener for each class ) who am I: Ken Geer

Thanks for visiting our church. If your a member of another church, you remain a member of that church, and we bless your church, and thank you for joining us for this study. We look foreword to more unity in the body of Jesus.. each church of Jesus is a candle in the dark and we are praying that we may all grow brighter, in these end times. we must all work together.

Other churches may have slightly different perspectives on Revelation . That is just fine. I am comfortable with that . It is OK to have differences. I will give you my view, and why I hold my view. I will do my best to accurately represent other major views. we are looking to study the Bible, not confirm our bias. so we must be willing to study.

Our desire is to be like the good Bereans. they were challenged with a strange new teaching that Jesus was the messiah and had been crucified. they had to deal with a pretty unsettling set of thoughts. but they got through it.

If you do have a corrections for me. you may briefly state you concern in the class in the form of a question, but it would be best for others if we hold our discussion/or disagreements on these things till after class. - I am happy to learn and grow. I am not the final authority on revelation. For that I refer you to Jesus.

Pray

Invite the Holy spirit, ask him to give us a spirit of humility unity and love. Make us more like Jesus.

Jesus let us know and LOVE with our whole heart: “Your word, your Will and your Ways”

Video (What would Ancient Ephesus have looked like?)

to catch attention, and pull people in - but then do intro.

See the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcemMtXm9Ns

Intro

Imagine yourself as a member of a tiny and embattled church. False and unscrupulous teachers are splitting your congregation. Members of a rival religious group are stirring up trouble for you in your community. Even the government is making it dangerous for you to remain faithful to the Lord. Now a letter arrives from the most respected Christian leader in your area, and you are asked to read it to the assembled church.

The Navigators, LifeChange: Revelation, ed. Karen Lee-Thorp, The LifeChange Bible Study Series (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2011), 21.

the events of this last 4 years has reveal to many that we no longer have to use much imagination for this. We see net drawing in even here in America, and “Christian Nationalists” are not considered to be dangerous, as dangerous as terrorists, and not a few people would not only stand behinds those words but riot on behalf of them.

These are critical days for us. and I want you to fully identify with these churches, and the guidance and discipleship Jesus is bringing to them and to us.

Starting Assumptions to Revelation:

1st and foremost about Jesu

Revelation is designed to be understood

Revelation is about real events that will happen

These events are imminent. Matt 24

Jesus expects us to know the signs and season of his return. Matt 16:3

There are actionable, moral imperatives given in this Book.

1st and foremost about Jesus. Jesus is the center piece - about Him and not about events! Are you embarrassed by end time theology. Jesus was not. Is it time to repent and pay attention? (yes).

Revelation is designed to be understood. The book is a pastoral letter from the great Shepherd Jesus to addressed to the angles of 7 churches. but is sent to the churches, and it is expected they would share it and read it aloud in the congregations, to it is expected all Christians at that time will understand. Not so that they will be mystified. Don’t let pride, and previous teaching blind you to the plain clear meaning of Revelation. we may not agree on a few parts, but the bulk of this book is understandable if we don’t try to get to complicated. It is written to 1 century Christians that had allot of OT understanding. It should be interpreted in light of the entire Bible. It is written in a visual style, using imagery that is a bit like a comic book of today using lots of pictures,and visual meanings… the symbols are mostly interpreted in the text. and they fit with the rest of the Bible, so we don’t have to agonize over it and create exotic interpretations.

Revelation is about real events that will happen. we read about the plagues in exodus, believe they were literal and real. Therefore the events in Revelation would also best be interpreted as if they were literal.

These events are imminent. Matt 24 gives us the timeline. The Gosple must be preached to the whole world and then the end will come. that has not happened yet, but it could very soon. The generation that sees that happen (Fig tree signs), will be at the gates. We are living at the beginning of the generations leading to these events.

Jesus expects us to know the signs and season of his return. Matt 16:3. Jesus expects those that teach spiritual truths should know the signs and seasons of his return. Jesus commands us to watch several times. Matt 24:42, and Matt 25:13. Revelation said we are blessed if we watch Rev 16:15 and are ready.

There are actionable, moral imperatives given in this Book. There is a lifestyle we are to adopt and maintain, in light of the message of this book. This is a message and teaching that is best communicated within a powerful visual narrative that is both shocking and stunning in its implications. It is designed to keep us awake, and not sleep. And that is what is needed at this time.

Revelation 1:3 ESV

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Triple blessed

Blessed are those who read it, Blessed are those who Hear it, Blessed are those the Keep it. (for the time is near)

We read it out loud - wash yourself with it. have Revelation Reading Parties. (Dalton Thomas’ Idea)

We Read it. We Hear it. We Keep it.

Take it seriously. Treasure the faces of Jesus you see in it. Fall in love with this Jesus. Recognize how you have a warped picture of Jesus that needs to change to accommodate the real Jesus.

When we read Revelation we Declare the message of it unto death. (we will not abandon this message)

The world power structures will not like the truths of Revelation. It speaks of their end and their agreement with evil. The message of Revelation is to them like coals of fire.

Don’t be tempted to explain Revelation away — let it say what it says and instruct us.

It is popular today to “deconstruct your faith”.

Our church will fight for a cooperate culture that will cherish this word. (Revelation)

Lets Peruse it with diligence.

We are blessed if you hear it!

I would not be surprised if God does not ask us to give a full year to focused intentionality in revelation.

Will you walk with me on this journey?

Summary Chapter 1

John is the 80 yr old messenger boy who wrote down the message from Jesus. He focuses on the most amazing being in the universe: Jesus, His Friend, His rabbi, His Lord, His Master, His God.

almost every verse is describing the Glory and character of Jesus. These descriptions are going to be referenced throughout Revelation. Here they are a Foreshadowing key aspects of Christ's ministry to the church.

Summary: 7 Letters to 7 churches, each with a lamp and an angel.

We are at the start of revelation inside the first vision described in Revelation. Jesus among the 7 lampstands (churches) dictating his letters to the 7 angles of the 7 churches, who bear their 7 lamps. The messages are both specific to the church, and general to all churches, just like the other letters to the churches in the New Testament.

Seven is for completeness of God’s work. On the seventh day he rested.

See Chart on page 3 of Jack Hayford’s handout.

https://www.jackhayford.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Studies-in-the-Book-of-Revelation.pdf

Summary: church in Pergamum Rev 2:12–17

An interesting video Pergamum: Where Satan Dwells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ND_5JBnIw

City: Pergamum

Called “the most famous place of Asia” by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) (Pliny, Natural History, 5.126). Before the capital was moved to Ephesus.

The Temple of Athena was filled with Prostitution

The Temple of Zeus was constructed to look like a giant throne. And perhaps this was called Stan’s Throne? Hitler thought so and had it move to Berlin.

The Temple of Dionysius (DI-OH-NEES-IUS)- the god of Wine and festivity. and fertility and again sexual sin.

The Temple of Asclepius (ASS-KLEEP-IUS) - A god who heals with the use of snakes.

Plus Many more temples!

Christ’s Person: sharp two-edged sword. sharp two-edged sword. Penetrating sou & spirit. dicerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:12

Hebrews 4:11–13 ESV

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Christ’s Commendation: They live where Satan's throne is at. But have not denied Jesus

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: They are falling into the trap of Balaam Num 22 - 24 allowing themselves to continue to be exposed to stumbling blocks of of sexual temptation and eating food sacrificed to idols, perhaps even getting some financial benefit to this compromise. This allows unsteady souls to be enticed into sin. (see 2 Peter 2:14–16)

Nicolaitans (skip)

They are also holding to the teaching of Nicolaitans. We cover them in the letter to the Church Ephesus.will get to them soon And lean more about who they are.

Christ’s Consequence(Rev2:16): Therefore repent. If not, Jesus will come and the words of his mouth (the sharp double edged sword), will war against them.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers:

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches:” To the one who conquers(overcomes):

Christ’s Consequence, or Promise to overcomers: (Rev 2:17)

Revelation 2:17 (ESV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches: Note that this prescription is not just to Pergamum.

Do you have hears, but not hear? This is a prescription to all churches:

What does the Christians at Pergamum (and all churches) need to do to CONQUER/overcome?

Simply hang in there! simply overcome… Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.

What reward will the overcoming Christians at Pergamum (and all churches) receive?

Hidden manna

Overcomers will receive some of the hidden manna

What is this stuff? Not clear to me. Several ideas:

what do you think it might be?

Stale manna from the ark of the covenant. Placed in the new temple for our messianic end-time feast. (yum!)

Communion bread you know and love.

Some kind of spiritual hidden food only available to those who overcome but hidden from others.

The hidden manna is Jesus and he has been hiding in Heaven.

Per Jewish tradition food of the new messianic kingdom (2 Baruch 29:8).

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Revelation 2:17)

Osborne provides five common interpretations for the phrase “hidden manna,” which he notes are not mutually exclusive and could all be a part of the meaning of John’s phrase (Osborne, Revelation, 147–48).

1. In step with the Jewish tradition, “hidden manna” refers to the physical bread that was kept in the ark of the covenant and buried during the exile (2 Maccabees 2:4–7; 2 Baruch 6:7–10; 29:8; Sibylline Oracles 7:148–49), to be revealed by the Messiah on the last day when He places the ark in the new temple. In this view, hidden manna is connected to the messianic feast of the end times, along with its new-covenant benefits. This is the most common view of the use of manna in Rev 2:17. Ken: YUCK! stale bread for supper.

2. “Hidden manna” is equated to the Eucharist celebration (which also anticipates the final messianic feast) mentioned by Paul in 1 Cor 10:3–4. Ken: Hiding the representation of Jesus & his word (Manna)in our heart as exemplified on the communion celebration but this cannot be what is being talked about for it is something they will receive after they overcome.

3. The spiritual food is made available only to those who conquer and is “hidden” from the rest of the world. Ken: lame explanation. God’s word is spiritually discerned always, but why is it more available after over comming.

4. “Hidden manna” refers to Christ, as Jesus calls Himself “the bread of life” in John 6:35. As this bread, Jesus provides the sustenance of eternal life. It is hidden to unbelievers and will be revealed to the believers on the last day. Ken Yes, this apears to be the heart of it.

5. In line with Jewish tradition, “hidden manna” is the food of the new messianic kingdom (2 Baruch 29:8). Ken: Yes this

1 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

But the Idea that I like the best is related to the Passover Seder:

In the Passover celebration there is a element of the tradition called yahatz that calls for breaking the Matza bread. Matza bread as you know is unusual in shape as it is a cracker made with out yeast, and had stripes and pierced with holes. This breaking happens early before the great declaration, and is known as “the bread of affliction”. In silence, a matza bread that is in the middle of two other whole pieces of matza bread is selected. And while In the seder there is a blessing said over over just about everything, there is no berakhah [blessing] recited over the yahatz. It is broken into two unequal peaces. There is a motzi [blessing for bread] spoken over a broken piece of unleavened bread; The larger part the afikoman is hidden inside white napkin someplace in the house. The finding of the hidden Matza bread happens at the end of the seder and the children get to find it. The bread must be ransomed from the child that finds it (they get a gift). THe ritual of eating the Afikomen is called tzafun wich means “hidden”. it is eaten in silence without a benediction, before midnight. After the eating of the afikomen, no food is to be eaten, except the final 2 cups of wine.

rewritten elements from: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-hidden-matzah/

The hidden matzah is the greater part. The promise of the future time with Jesus. Were he will be our Manna. He will be the WORD that is our sustenance, and our Life.

White Stone with a secret name.

I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.

will we also receive this same reward if we overcome?

Yes we will

Summary: church in Smyrna Rev 2:8–11

City: Smyrna

Video Smyrna | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlLRxFlnLo8

Famous beautiful pubic buildings on the hill

Population of 100K people!

Temple to emperors.

Many guilds and membership required sacrificing to a pagan god

Christ’s Person Rev 2:8: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

Christ’s Commendation Rev 2:9-10:

Revelation 2:9–10 ESV

“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus knows they are in Tribulation & Poor, but He calls them “rich”!

Synagogue of Satan

Jesus knows they are slandered by fake-Jews (synagogue of Satan) mentioned again to Christians in Philadelphia (Rev3:9) (are they Jews? NO!) The 7 Churches documentary indicated that there were advantages for Jews at that time. They had an “exemption” from the “worship the emperor” requirement as an official state sanctioned alternative. Deep State Bureaucracy causing more evil! First they create a problem (worship a human), then solve it by giving favors to special classes. (somethings never change) EVIL!

Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

We do not like suffering! Neither does Jesus. BUT Jesus was willing to suffer out of love for us, because it accomplished a greater purpose. It was painful and heart wrenching not just for Him, but for His mother and all his followers. It was an event filled with Evil, and demonic activity. But Jesus showed us how to go through dark days like this. He knew how to pray. He had trained himself for a long time, and this payer in the Garden was the most intense, and grueling that I have ever seen described. Sweat like drops of blood indicates micro-capillaries were bursting from the straining pressure. the strain of that prayer was intense. We may never have to pray that level of intensity, but he showed us it could be done. I had a friend in college were we discussed the passage “wrestling in prayer”. He was convinced Prayer was easy like Jesus taught his disciples and that wrestle in prayer was a idiom for doing this easy thing allot. He was a wrestler, and I think he knew better than I how hard Wrestling was and did not want his prayer times to be that hard. It is true we are not to wrestle against God (we will get hurt that way!). but in Colossians 4:12–13 we wee that we can wrestle or labor earnestly in prayer for something. I think this is what Jesus did when we was faced with his greatest trial of suffering.

Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

Again I don’t want to go to prison and be tested. But Jesus is telling them beforehand that it will happen for a time. This is a hard word to accept. one that I would be tempted to challenge and say “are your sure? lets get another confirming word on that. it does not sound like God to me. But we know in this case it is God’s word of revelation to this church. It is not to discourage them. But to strengthen them. They are being told in effect that this is God’s will for them. This is a challenging test. But God is in it. I am not saying He is causing this to happen. That is wrong. Rather, he is allowing it. He is effectively taking an evil situation, and producing some Good out of it. It is not clear what that Good is. IS someone going to get saved? I think that somehow this will somehow produce more good in the world on the whole than evil. Like Jesus death on the cross. It was extremely cruel and costly. but it produced more good.

Notice Jesus give them no promise to save them in this life, but instead a crown of life, for the next life. What is clear is that this life is not the important thing. The important thing is exiting this life as Overcommers! This message is repeated for us in James. James 1:12.

Crown of life (Wreath)

What is this crown of life?

Revelation 2:10 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” They must be faithful all the way to the end. Just as Jesus was. Yet, they will gain a victors reward. “A Crown of life”. This is not necessarily meaning they they will all die at the end of 10 days of prison. Some of them may indeed die. But this message is preparing all of us for that day of the first death. For it is appointed once for man to die, and then the judgement. Heb 9:27.

This is not an empty promise, for it comes from the one that is the symbol and evidence of out Hope for Resurrection! Jesus is the first fruits of Jesus resurrection. It has been verified. we can trust it! I

The Greek language has two words meaning “crown.” ([[Volume 39, Page 17 >> https://ref.ly/logosres/messbblstd?ref=VolumePage.V+39%2c+p+17&off=1712]]

“diadem” = a king’s crown, a person who is royal by his nature and by his position. you would think this word would be used in revelation when describing the crown that Jesus wears in Rev 14:14 were we see him . but the word diadem is never used in revelation.

“stephanos” = a crown (or wreath) given to an overcomer, a victor, one who has won a race. (like the Olympic games) This is available to believers because they overcame in the spiritual warfare and are now crowned at the Judgment Seat of the Messiah.

In the Scriptures we see crown/wreaths mentioned several times. Are they they same or different?

A Crown of Life. Given to those that endure trials and testing while loving Jesus, See James 1:12, and also seen here in Rev 2:10 were it may imply suffering, slander, prison, perhaps even death. But overcoming up through death. and afterwards receive the crown.

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Imperishable crown. A blessing of the Gospel. Given to those who by discipline run the race of the spirit-lead life fulfilling God’s purpose in their life without being disqualified. See 1 Cor 9:19-25

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (ESV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

A crown of joyful boasting. When Jesus comes again Paul says that the church in Thessalonica will be his Hope, Joy, Glory, and a crown of boasting for he through God’s power had a hand in their salvation through the Gospel. see 1 Thes 2:19-20.

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Crown of Righteousness. Again it is Paul describing finishing the race while keeping the faith, and that he will receive a crown from Jesus on the day of judgement or appearing. Not just Paul, but all who love the Appearing of Jesus. see 2 Tim 4:6-7.

Crown of Glory is mentioned by Peter who had ben commissioned by God to feed His sheep 3x. Peter explains that when the chief shepherd appears we will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away. (Imperishable). see 1 Peter 5:2-4.

1 Peter 5:1–4 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Are these all different Crowns? or the same?

They have many similarities.

given at end of life at jesus appearing /judgement.

imperishable. explicit or implicit

require faithfulness,righteousness, or love till the end.

No need to multiply crowns. simplest explanation is often best. I feel there is only 1 crown because we only have one head. The simplest explanation is that we will receive an imperishable crown of Life, Glory, and Righteousness indicating our Righteousness and Glory in Jesus our Messiah. It will be a crown that somehow connects to our works of love don in and for Jesus that resulted in the Salvation and Growth of others in God’s kingdom.

True riches

Jesus tell us that there are reward in heaven. And we can loose them, when we have wrong motives. The hypocrites who act religious in order to be seen publicly; have their reward already, but the Father will reward those who act in secret, or are not looking for an earthy reward or advantage (Matt 6:1–18). They were disqualified for their reward and crown.

Matthew 6:6–18 ESV

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

How shall we live, so we are not disqualified?

The Christian in Pergamum were Poor, but Jesus said they were rich. it was because there were riches stored up for them in Heaven. In Prov 22:4 , it said that God gives a reward (ʿēqeb) for humility in the form of riches, honor, and life. This sounds very much like this crown! for obviously, in this life there is not always such a physical reward for His people. In Psalm 58:11, reward (pĕrî) refers directly to a reward for the righteous from God. God promises blessings if Israel stays loyal to the covenant. The Hebrew word for reward here (pĕrî) is the word for FRUIT This helps explain why the rewards in heaven are not really Gold and silver and crowns and cold metal things that have value on earth but are destined to perish. Instead they are things that grow as a consequence of our righteous walk with God and act according to his ways.

Christ’s Accusation & Approval:

What there is no accusation. (like church in Philadelphia in this respect) This church is doing well, other than going through tribulation, poverty and slander.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: (Rev 2:11)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches: Note that this prescription is not just to Smyrna.

Do you have hears, but not hear? This is a prescription to all churches!

What does the Christians at Smyrna (and all chruches) need to do to overcome?

Simply hang in there! CONQUER, (Overcome): a description of devotion to God: Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.

What reward will the overcoming Christians at Smyrna(and all churches) receive?

Second Death

Not be hurt by the second death. the one that happens at judgement.

not be hurt by the second death. The Second Death is one that happens at the great white throne judgement in Rev 20:14-15

Revelation 20:14–15 ESV

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

will we also receive this same reward if we overcome?

Yes we will.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus

Read out loud Rev 2:1–7 The Message to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1–7 (ESV)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

City of Ephesus - 250K people

video: Ephesus | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpJ-IWw5_Mc

Video: What would Ancient Ephesus have looked like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcemMtXm9Ns

Over a quarter of a million people lived in Ephesus, the chief seaport of Asia and one of the foremost cities of the Empire. Through Ephesus passed goods from China and the eastern provinces bound for Italy. Wide avenues, huge public buildings and squares, and luxurious private homes were designed to impress tourists. The theater could hold twenty-five thousand people. Ephesus flaunted dozens of temples for various gods, but it was world famous for the one dedicated to Ephesian Artemis, a mother-goddess. Gold, marble, and jewels adorned this 425-foot-long structure. The citizens also prided themselves that Ephesus was the warden of two temples dedicated to the worship of the emperor.2 Further, the city was known for magical scrolls called “Ephesian letters.”

By the end of the first century, the church in Ephesus was probably the largest and most influential one in the world. The apostle Paul and his colleagues established it in about 52–55 BC (see Acts 19), and he later sent his protégé Timothy to pastor the church there (see 1 Timothy 1:3). Tradition has it that John himself lived there before and after he wrote Revelation.

The name Ephesus means “maiden of choice” or “desirable.”

The Navigators, LifeChange: Revelation, ed. Karen Lee-Thorp, The LifeChange Bible Study Series (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2011), 34.

major trade route thriving city. But its harbor was filling with silt. It’s days were numbered.

Christ’s Person: Walking among the lampstands

Revelation 2:1 ESV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

7 stars(angels of the churches) in right hand, walks among the churches (lampstands) - from chapter 1 but now we know he does not just stand among the center of the churches, but he walks among them. that is an encouraging thought.

Christ’s Commendation: Working and not grown weary

Revelation 2:2–3 ESV

“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

These things trip up many churches today.

Are churches today Known by their works?

We see Christians that don't even go to church, or vote the values of the Bible. But Ephesus has got this! They are doing well. The were known by God for their works. Faith without Works is Dead.

Are we bearing up under the pressure of the World?

Jesus told us we must have Patient Endurance, and bear up for the name of Jesus… never failing to strive for his Glory. Ephesus was doing that!

Does the Church today bear with those who are evil?

I think the church today feels that tolerance of evil is a virtue. It is not. Ephesus new what evil was. They were known for the occult spells scrolls that were sold in their city, and many of them gave those up and burned them because of their recognition of the evil, and lost a fortune, but gained a savior.

Are we doing that today? are we bearing with those who are Evil?

Does the church today put up with False Apostles?

Pastors that teach that God loves Choice more than Life? That each their congregation to love the WORLD and avoid conflict. We are to LOVE God and our Neighbors. We will be hated for it. It will cause conflict. We must expect our pastors to teach the truth or get them out. are we testing our Pastors? and Teachers? How can such major sins be held in secret for so long only to be exposed after many years of sin? Perhaps we should be testing our pastors more than

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: Lost first love

Revelation 2:4 ESV

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

This is a hazard of the last days: Jesus told the disciples that is was one of the signs of the last days before his return. Matt 24:12, “the love of most will grow cold. BECAUSE of Lawlessness. It is happening Now to us. we must be willing to sacrifice to love others.

How important is LOVE? It is everything.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

First and greatest commandment

Matthew 22:37–38 ESV

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

without Love, Not only are we unaffected, we are annoying or worse.

1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

You cant get to heaven on roller skates. cause you roll past those pearly gates…

You cant get to heaven without Loving God, cause you’d just be a great big fraud.

Oh, you can't get to heaven On roller skates, [rocking Chair][Limousine][motor car][pogo stick][washing machine][rocket Ship] 'Cause you'd roll right by Those pearly gates.

[Cause a rocking chair Won’t get you there.]

[Cause the Lord don’t sell No gasoline]

[cause a motor car wont go that far]

[cause all that jumping will make you sick]

[cause God don’t care if you close are clean]

[cause there no rocket that can make that trip]

All my sins have been washed away I’ve been redeemed.

Christ’s Call to Repentance and Action:

Revelation 2:5 ESV

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Why is this so serious that it merits the threat of removal of the lampstand (see 2:5)?

The solution to being in love, is focus, attention and time… just like you had at first. And guess what, that is why God is doing everything the can to pull you away and make you forget, how much love and peace and joy you have in God.

It the Church is loosing the culture war, (and it is in America) it is because we are No longer in love with Jesus

TO be in love with Jesus like Jesus described, with all our heart, all our soul, and all our Mind can be best described by studying the Shema in … Deut 6:4-5

Every morning and night Israelites will say. “Hear O Israel, the LORD is our God, the Lord is one. and as for you, you shall LOVE the Lord your God, with all of your HEART “Lev”, with all of your SOUL “Nephesh”, and with all your STRENGTH “Me’od”.

Hebrew word “lev” = HEART (source of life, knowledge, understanding, wisdom discernment, emotions, were we make choices, center of affections and desires, must be circumcised, and made pure, and turned from stone to flesh)

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Hebrew word “Nephesh” = SOUL (700x, not “spirit” rather it literally means “throat” but is used to describe both living and dead “people”, as well your neck and throat. So in this context it means to devote your entire physical being and existence to your creator with all it’s capabilities, and limitations.

Psalm 42:1–2 NKJV

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Hebrew word me'od = STRENGTH, means “Very” or “much”. Me’od can intensify any word’s meaning to its total capacity. then loving God with all you Me’od is to Love god with all your “Muchness” with your entire capacity, leaving nothing out. the Greek new testament translated it dunams, meaning “POWER, or STRENGTH. and the Aramaic translation of the bible (Septuagint) it was translated “WEALTH” IN the NT Jesus used the words MIND and POWER. It is a call to love God without bounds, all that you have.

Got it? - I hope so for it is the only hope of our WORLD.

But wait… at least they are HATING well...

Revelation 2:6 ESV

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Nicoaitans

who are Nicolaitans?

This is the theory:

Nicolaitans Nikeo (to overcome or Conquer) = Nike = Winged goddess of victory in the acropolis (high City) The city of Ephesus will knew this God. Nice also occurs as a surname of Athena, under which the goddess had a sanctuary on the acropolis of Athens.

wiki: Nikee was closely identified with the goddess Athena and at times was little more than an attribute of the goddess. Nike was sometimes multiplied into a host of Nikai (Nicae, Victories). most popular of the god’s for bringing victory.

Nicolaitans = Laos = Laity = The lay people of the church.

Essentially this word could be like “Uber-Laity” or Super-Laity” indicating that there is a hierarchy to Clergy ruling over the people instead of being shepherds, that served the congregation.

While Athena and Artemis are legends stretched to extraordinary proportions or complete products of imagination, they did affect history.

It is believed that the Nicolaitins promoted the clergy over the laity. A class structure mandated by the church. God hates this. It is OK to have love and respect for your pastor and those that help you in the Lord. - But they are not over you in the Lord.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers.

Revelation 2:7 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches: Note that this prescription is not just to Ephesus.

Do you have hears, but not hear? This is a prescription to all churches!

What does the Christians at Ephesus (and all chruches) need to do to overcome?

But What does the Christians at Ephesus need to do to overcome? They must REPENT, and BE IN LOVE and DO THE WORKS THEY DID AT FIRST. Essentially return the the Shema, the Greatest Commandment.

What reward will the overcoming Christians at Ephesus (and all churches) receive?

Paradise of God & the Tree of Life

Return to Paradise! We see the garden of Eden Tree of life making it’s return. Revelation is indeed the Bible capstone.

THINK OF IT! Overcomers get to eat the tree of life! This is something that has not been done since Adam and Eve first sinned. Gen 2:9, Gen 3:22-24.

Genesis 2:9 ESV

And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:22–24 ESV

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Revelation returns Those who overcome back to the intent of the original garden state were we can eat of the tree of life.

God’s Garden paradise is not really destroyed!

The future paradise is particularly important for Ephesus to know. This world, as amazing as Ephesus was as the center-point of much of the known world the pinnicel of civilization at that time, was passing away, and the real world is with God.

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The picture of the tree of life and Paradise is a picture of once again walking with God in the cool of the morning. I think is why Jesus introduces himself as the one who is walking among the lampstands. It is picture of us walking side by side, hand in hand with the loving creator that captures my imagination of love most dynamically. It is I think a better picture than a child sitting on Jesus’ lap because it includes the picture of the journey, the traveling of meeting each challenge of each day with our LORD.

will we also receive this same reward if we overcome?

Yes we will.

End of Part 2

Next week

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, Lodicea

Chapter 4 - the Throne of God in Heaven

Chapter 5 - The lamb and the scroll

Outline of revelation

ch1 The Introduction: The revelation of Christ’s Person, Authority, and Presence

ch2, 3 The Epistles to the Churches: The revelation of Christ’s Administrating of His Church

ch4, 5 The Throne of God in Heaven: The revelation of Christ’s Right and Claim to Earth (The Lamb receives title to this planet.)

ch6 The Breaking Open of Seals 1-6: The revelation of Christ’s Ministry as Savior and Judge (Savior, “going forth”; Judge, “great wrath”)

ch7 The 144,000–The Redeemed Host: The revelation of Christ’s Own: Sealed and Delivered (Both are the Church; on earth/in heaven)

ch8, 9 The 7th Seal–the first 6 trumpets : The revelation of Christ’s People Precipitating release Through Prayer (Opening a mighty concept)

??? NOTE: The 7th Trumpet–The Last Trump 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess.4:16–appears as Revelation 11:15-19.

ch10 The Mighty Angel Announcing the End: The revelation of Christ as Consummator of History and as Commissioner of the End Times’ Message

ch 11, 13 Two Witnesses Christ’s, The Wonder Woman, The Beast: The revelation of Christ’s Church in Confrontation with Evil (In persecution, in spiritual warfare, and in conflict with the world-system)

ch 14 The 144,000 and Six Angelic Actions: Christ’s Own Redeemed in Triumph (Each angelic action indicating victory)

ch 15, 16 The 7 Vials of God’s Wrath: Christ’s Commission Unto Final Judgment (Set in an atmosphere of worship)

ch 17, 18 The Destruction of Babylon: Christ’s Sovereign Triumph Over Evil’s Spiritual and Economic Control of Mankind

ch 19, 20 The Two Last Battles: Christ’s Final Triumph Over and Banishment of All Evil (Pre- and post-millennial)

ch 21, 22 The New Heaven and New Earth: Christ’s Ultimate and Eternal Union With His Own Bride

Tribulation

Wrath

How long is the tribulation?

Is the Tribulation 7 yrs? or 3.5 years? or longer? Good teachers have decide there is a credible proposition that it could be much longer. (Jack Hayford). Jack thinks the tribulation started with Jesus leaving. In the World you have “tribulation” but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.

Come Quickly (for god it is quick)… and if you are upset about it that he has waited 2000 yr, it is not His fault. It is your fault for not recognizing that it could be up to him to decide what it means.

Rapture

Who will be taken when the Lord returns? Question Jack Hayford asked his mom as a young boy. His Mom came back with this after prayer. Those that are taken up with him now, will be taken up with him then.

Cessationism (distortion of scripture)

Often caused Christians to be filled with hate. Came up with the idea of Dispensation. Dispensationalism, is been given such a great spotlight, but not well defended by scripture. filmsy.???