Revelation 2:1-7

The Letter to Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus”

The angel here refers to the pastor or the representative of the church. (See chapter 1 v. 20 “angels of the seven churches).

The place - Ephesus

A Handbook on The Revelation to John Revelation 2:1

Ephesus was the most important city in the Roman province of Asia; it was a busy seaport, had a thriving commerce, and was the center of the cult of the goddess Artemis (see Acts 19:27, 35), and also a place where magical arts were practiced (Acts 19:19). As the book of Acts shows, it soon became a very important center of Christian activity, and at the time of the writing of this letter, it may have been the most important Christian church in the Roman empire.

First let’s be quick to note - this was a REAL church. This doesn’t just have symbolic meaning, it was written to an actual congregation of people that needed to hear certain things from the speaker.

But also, it’s important to note that these churches are also symbolic of churches that would exist in the future as well.

“The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands”

The words that John is writing on this scroll - this letter that he is writing down is coming from Christ himself. Christ is the one who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands.

So - this is Jesus’ letter to His church in Ephesus. And it’s His letter to every church that resembles it to come from then till He returns.

The good -

First Jesus commends the church for some good qualities that they held. They did have some good things that they were doing. And we can’t overlook these things. But we must look at the “spirit” behind the act. We must look at the motivation for the actions, not just the actions themselves.

“Toil, patient endurance, removal of false prophets, bearing up for the name of Christ, not growing weary”

These are all good things. Very good things. It looks like they are very active in many aspects of the faith. They are working, they are patiently enduring, they are kicking out of the church those who are false prophets, they are enduring persecution for Jesus name, and they are “staying the course”.

So - from the outside - you’d look at this church and be very impressed. It would be very active, very busy. It would be very doctrinal (not wavering on any doctrinal issues).

Make no mistake - they were doing some good things. But why were they doing them?

The bad -

Revelation 2:4 “4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Abandoned the “love you had at first”

This isn’t marriage counseling - but let’s think about this in terms of the marriage relationship. And it’s OK that we compare this to the marriage relationship, because that is how Christ relates to His church right? The bride of Christ is the Church!

So - let’s think about “the love you had at first” for your spouse. What was it like?

The why behind the what matters!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Christ and the Churches, Part 1 (Revelation 2)

What we do for the Lord is important, but so is why we do it!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Christ and the Churches, Part 1 (Revelation 2)

Just think of it: it is possible to serve, sacrifice, and suffer “for My name’s sake” and yet not really love Jesus Christ! The Ephesian believers were so busy maintaining their separation that they were neglecting adoration. Labor is no substitute for love; neither is purity a substitute for passion. The church must have both if it is to please Him.

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Concern

They had sunk to the place where they were carrying out their Christian responsibilities with diminishing love for their Lord and others.

Horae Homileticae Vol. 21: Revelation—Claude’s Essay—Indexes Discourse 2482: Epistle to Ephesus (Rev. 2:2–6)

[Once they were full of love to Christ; and that had for a season been the spring and source of all their obedience. But now “their love was waxed cold;” and their obedience was become rather a dictate of their understanding than the fruit of genuine love. As far as was visible to man, their lives were nearly the same as in their better days: but He who searches the heart saw an immense difference; there being now almost a total want of that principle which once animated and inspired their whole conduct.]

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Christ and the Churches, Part 1 (Revelation 2)

The church of Ephesus was the “careless church,” made up of careless believers who neglected their love for Christ. Are we guilty of the same neglect?

verse 5

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Counsel

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips. Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses; nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in You the orphan finds mercy.” (Hos. 14:1–3)