Revelation 2-3

Chapter 2 is the beginning of the first sevenfold series in the Book of Revelation, which is followed by seals, trumpets, and bowls.

All of the writings beginning in Chapter 2 consist of 7 letters or royal edicts (order issued by a person of authority) and each follow a specific pattern.

The royal author describes himself in terms from chapter 1. The words “I know” introduce his diagnosis of each church's condition whether that be good or bad in nature, with comforts and commands flowing from the diagnosis.

At the end of the letters, all of the churches are commanded to hear and heed “what the Spirit says to the churches” and a blessing is promised to “the one who conquers,” which foreshadows the final visions in chapters 21-22.

The order of the letter are: Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

Ephesus was the capital of Asia minor, a center of land and sea trade, and was one of the three most influential cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire along with Alexandria and Antioch in Syria.

The Temple of Artemis (the goddess of wild animals, hunting, vegetation and childbirth), was located in ancient Ephesus or modern day Turkey and the manufacturing of images of the goddess was big business in the region. Acts 19:21-41

In Acts 20, we see the Apostle Paul warn the Ephesians that there would be false teachers who come and try to draw them away from the Lord, however the Ephesians had resisted them as we see in Paul's letter to them. John was mindful of the Ephesians resistance to false teaching as we read about in Rev. 2:2

Revelation 2:2 - “ ‘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.

The “One who walks among the Seven Lampstands” (the seven churches) in verse 1 is Jesus. It says “He holds the seven stars in His right hand” (messengers of the churches), which indicates His power and authority over the churches and their leaders.

This was a reminder to the Ephesian Church that though they had become a large, proud church - He alone was the head of His bride.

So as we think about this: Do you believe that God cares about the church? And not just any church but this church, First Baptist Church, and the people who make it up.

When we are tempted to doubt that, we should look at the letters of Revelation more closely, and what we will realize is that the God of the Universe knew each one of these bodies and their specific situation.

Jesus instructed John to write to specific people, in a specific church, who lived in a specific place and experienced specific circumstances.

He praised them for the successes and gave them instructions to fix their failures and just as He cared for those specific people and churches, who lived in a specific place and experienced specific circumstances, He also cares for you!

Jesus’ desire for us is to reach our greatest potential, to be “THE” vehicle for changing the world for the sake of the gospel and we should be serious about our task - God is.

We see in verse 2 that Christ commended the Church at Ephesus for their steadfast refusal to tolerate sin within their church. This would not have been an easy task in a city that was known for immoral sexual practices in their worship of the goddess Artemis.

Today, we live in similar times to the Church of Ephesus, in that, widespread sin and sexual immorality has permeated our culture and our world. It is popular today to be open minded to many different types of sin, as we designate them personal choices or alternative lifestyles.

We (The Church) must be mindful as the people of God, as the body of believers known as First Baptist Church, that to tolerate sin in our church, will lower our standards and compromise our witness for Christ. In these days in which we live, I pray we always remember that God's approval is infinitely more important than the approval of the world.

Christ commended the church at ephesus for 1. Working hard, 2. Persevering, 3. Resisting sin, 4. Critically examining the claims of false apostles, 5 enduring hardships without becoming weary. I think we could all agree that every church should have these qualities.

However, these good characteristics are not common to man, but spring up out of our love for Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and John stressed love for one another as an authentic proof of the gospel.

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

in the battle to maintain sound teaching, and moral and doctrinal purity, it is possible to lose our charitable spirit.

When a church allows conflict it weakens and destroys our patience and affection. We must remember to guard against any rigidity in spirit as we defend our faith, so that our love for Christ and love for others is not weakened.

Truth without grace is a hammer…but Grace without truth is a license…