Rev 2 - Ephesus
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So tonight we get to the the things which are, the second part of the outline in 1:19, the church age. In chapters 2 & 3 we be studying the 7 letters directly from Jesus to the church.
All the letters follow a pattern and have 4 levels of application and interpretation.
The pattern includes: 1. Positive Affirmation, 2. Corrective Exhortation, 3. Eternal Motivation, 4. Prophetic Revelation
Application: 1. Applied Locally, 2. Ecclesiastically, 3. Personally, 4. Prophetically- 7 eras of church history.
What is really interesting is why these particular 7 churches? We could all name several others that were more significant and well known. Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Colossae, Philippi etc..
Well what we will be learning is that each church is representative of a period of church history and that in any other order the message would not work.
Ch 2:1-7 Ephesus , Location - map. Picture
The name Ephesus means: desirable. Famous for the temple of Diana or Artemis. A center of pagan worship and commerce. At the time of writing, Ephesus was a seaport on the Aegean sea. Currently in our present day it is 6 miles inland as the harbour silted up over the millennia.
The city was found about 1400 BC. The city was remodeled under the Emperor Lysimachus to reflect the layout of the ruins that are found there today.
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Ephesus (Place)
Beginning immediately with Augustus’ ascendancy, Ephesus entered into an era of prominence and prosperity. It served as the capital of the Roman province of Asia and received the coveted title “First and Greatest Metropolis of Asia.” The elevation of Ephesus in the dramatic urbanization policies of Augustus is revealed in its architecture.
Ephesus is most well know for the temple of Diana or Artemas, huge in even by today standards and mentioned in Acts 19. It was the largest Greek temple in the world and was known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Luke records that God had used Paul’s preaching the Gospel to greatly interrupt the Dianna cult worship in Ephesus. Picture
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Later in that passage he mentions the theater,
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
The theater may be the best know ruin as it is an amphitheater that seated 25,000 people. Picture
Ephesus also had one of the largest ancient libraries and housed some 200,000 volumes. Picture.
Prophetically this letter represents the early church from AD 33- 100, the apostolic age of the church. It has become known as the Loveless Church. So lets read this letter to Ephesus.
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
V1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
To the angel (greek- angelos). Messenger, actual special angel or perhaps the pastor or leader. Ephesus had many of the best. Paul, Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla, Apostle John. So doctrinally they were sound.
Jesus reveals himself as the writer- the one who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands. Here we see a paradox, Jesus is in the midst of the Church and yet he is holding it in his hand. This should bring real comfort to every true believer, He is both with you and keeping you, protecting you at the same time.
He continues,
V2 &3 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
I know your deeds, your hard work, the word here in Greek is kopos it means intense labour united with trouble and toil. Jesus knows all about what we are doing or not doing for His kingdom. He acknowledges that the work can be intense and included trouble sometimes. He knows what you are going through.
He continues with patience, could also be translated enduring. And also that they cannot tolerate evil. God knows every thing we do. If we are mailing it in or giving our best.
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Jesus commends them for testing false doctrine. How do we know what is false? We compare it to the true, His Word.
Note: We get what is true and right from the Word, not tradition. Interestingly this only about 63 years after Pentecost and we see the Church had problems from the beginning.
This verse reflects Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders as he was leaving to go to Jerusalem.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
It is scary to think that there are some who would come in to the church for the purpose of deception. As Pastors that's part of what we are called to do. Protect the flock. And one of the ways we do that is by knowing what the Word says and recognizing error.
He commends their patience and vitality for the name of Jesus. This church was tough.
Now we get to the part where you learn you have erred. The letters are like a report card. We see what we have done good and where we need improvement.
V4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
–Exhortation begins: The word translated as Nevertheless means a direction from higher to lower, so it’s like saying “in the minus column”. This seems like the perfect church, perfect in doctrine, yet lacked something. What? They had forsaken or left (not lost) their first love.
It’s sad to think that you can love ministry work and service, be doctrinally sound and have no real relationship with Jesus. Be careful that you remain connected to the vine, Jesus
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
We know the fruit of the spirit is Love and without love we are worthless. We become “the frozen choosen”. It has been said too much doctrine we dry up and too much spirit we blow up. We must have both.
How can you tell if your love is waning? Does fate the lost move you, do you care about others, do you love to spend time with Jesus?
If you sense that you’re lacking he gives us/them the remedy.
V5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
First, Remember from where you have fallen. What was it like? Remember when it was all new and seemed so exciting. But what if I feel indifferent, Bible study is boring, you no longer if ever pray. What then? Well if want to return ask Jesus to give you the want to.
Paul writes
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Second, we are to repent (that is change your ways, literally change your mind). This means that this is an act of your will your choice. You are as close to Jesus as you want to be. Some of us need a check up from the neck up.
and third, Return- that is, do what you used to do. Note the warning, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; if you don’t I will quickly or suddenly (tachos)and remove your light. Just a cold dead cathedral. Consider that the Ephesian lampstand is no longer there. Just ruins. Its always sad to run into someone that seemed to be on fire for Jesus but now it just a memory a ruin. Don’t be that way.
V6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
This is a final affirmation- you hate the deeds of the Nicolatians. Who are they?
Some see a sect that was found by Nicolas one the seven from the Acts. More likely if we study the word it has two parts. 1 Nico = conquer, as in the brand Nike. The second word (laos) meaning people where we get our word laity. Which has come to mean the non-leadership part of the church. Possible hierarchy, ruling class. Shepherding Movement.
Rev 2 verse 15 and some additional information about the Nicolaitans where they are compared to those who practised Doctrine of Balaam, advocating sexual license. Make no mistake about this, sexual sin is a big thing to God.
And he closes with this admonition and a special promise;
V7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
He who has an Ear let him hear. If you have an ear, This is for everyone who is in Christ Jesus. He repeats this to all 7 churches. Jesus now gives a final promise to the overcomers. First what is an overcomer? The Greek word here nikao and means conqueror or victor. Ultimately, its those who endure to the end. Those who cling to the Vine and abide in Jesus. Well, when you do you are promised to get to eat of the tree of life in paradise of God. We of course recognize this from Genesis.
Gen 2:8-9
The New King James Version Chapter 2
8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Heaven will be such a glorious place. To be with Jesus for eternity. I pray you know that you are going there. If your not sure, that bible promises that you can be sure. If you want to be sure pray with me and ask Jesus to come in and save you.