The Loveless Church

The estimated size of the city was around 250,000

Contained a large theater capable of seating 24,000 which is where the crowds gathered against Paul brought together by Alexander the coppersmith.

Worship of Artemis was very popular in Ephesus and she was an important figure of civic pride. The temple to Artimis that was there was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.

Timothy was the Pastor of the church at Ephesus. This is where John lived at the time.

Read 1-7

This church I identify with the most. I don’t like bad or false doctrine. I will examine the hermeneutics of pastors to make sure that what they are preaching is correct, as such I have the problem with being unloving sometimes.

The Angel of the Church

The word means the messenger. This could be a literal angel. Or it could mean the pastor over that church.

Because John is being told to write to the angel I’m inclined to think it is the pastor he is speaking of.

Stars and Lampstands

The seven stars are the seven angels. The statement saying that Jesus is the one holding, giving strength to the messengers.

Walking in the lampstands shows the immediate presence of God in His church among His people.

Works and Toil

It becomes clear that Jesus is speaking of them warring with heresy in the church later.

Works- The way they live their conduct in life.

Toil- The work kopos can be translated wearisome labor, grief, beating, wailing.

Jesus is making it clear that He sees the pain that they are going through.

Their pain isn’t missed by God.

Patient Endurance

They have not lost strength, they have not grown wearisome. They continue forward. The suffering they have experienced has taught them to persevere.

Romans 5:3–4 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Tested

They don’t allow wolves in their midst. They test people’s doctrine to see if it is correct. They are doing what Paul had called them to do.

Acts 20:28–30 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Paul in this passage is speaking to the elders in Ephesus. They have adhered to his warning and are testing those who are false.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ESV

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

1 John 4:1–3 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

People are going to try to deceive you. Test what they are saying according to the standard of the bible.

Anyone can make a claim, it has to be proven against scripture.

If it’s false, reject it and continue on.

Left Their First Love

Most likely, 1) lost the love for Jesus or 2) lost their love for others.

Love for Jesus

Is it all about knowing more about God, a head knowledge where you don’t let it change you from the inside out.

It becomes about proving others wrong rather than spending time with your Lord and making sure that He is rightly represented.

Love for others

This might seem like a lesser sin but.

John 13:35 ESV

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Our love for one another is how people see that we are disciples of Jesus.

This is missing today. Christians attacking one another. Not handling things in a Godly manner. We must make sure that we do all things biblically.

Nicolaitans

Not much is known about them. We can assume that they are wrapped up in some idolatrous practice or some form of heresy.

Jesus also hates them.

Our command to love does not give us the excuse to be doctrinally lax.

The One Who Conquers

This idea is used time and time again. We are to be conquerors.