To the Conquerors: Ephesus

Introduction

We have just celebrated Easter, the time in which we celebrate and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.

But what does the resurrection of Christ mean for us? Is it merely a historical event that we celebrate once a year by dressing up in new clothes, eating chocolate and eggs, and having a special worship service? Or does it have more relevance for us now?

Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His disciples that in this world they would have troubles, but to take heart because He has overcome the world.

Easter is the remembrance of Christ’s victory over sin and death and over the troubles of this world. This doesn’t mean that we will not continue to experience trouble. But that we can have hope in the midst of trouble because of what Christ has accomplished for us.

In fact, John, the youngest of the disciples, and now at this point in the writing the book of Revelation is the last living disciple and he is in prison for his faith. If anyone knew trouble it was him.

Look at what he writes, Revelation 1:9

Revelation 1:9 ESV

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

It’s not just John, but its the church he is writing to. They have been experiencing intense persecution from the Roman government. The world is standing opposed to Christ, His Word, and His Church.

And then John describes what he hears and sees while he is experiencing this touble:

Revelation 1:10–20 ESV

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

It is in the midst of the tribulation he is facing that he experiences a vision of the glorified Christ, with a description very similar to the vision that Daniel had of the Son of Man.

And look what Jesus says to John. He tells him not to fear because He is the first and the last, the living one, the One who died and is now alive forevermore! Yes, there is trouble and trials for the church to face. But Christ’s message is “Fear Not!” Fear not because He has overcome the world. Fear not because though He died, yet He is alive now and forevermore. There is now nothing that can prevent Christ from accomplishing all He wills.

As a result, He is asking John to send a message to the seven churches of Asia Minor, which serves as representatives of the church as a whole. 7 being the number of completeness, these 7 churches represent Christ’s people in all places and all times.

Over these next several weeks, we will be taking a look at these messages as we see what difference should Christ’s resurrection make for us as we face a world that is opposed to Christ and His Word.

Read Revelation 2:1-7

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.’

Be Watchful Over What You Do and Believe

Be Faithful to Cultivate a Heart of Love for Christ

Be Diligent to Fight for the Abundant Life Christ Offers