To the Church of Ephesus….
Revelation 2:1-7
Key Verse:
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Review
What is the primary purpose for the book of Revelation?
The primary purpose of Revelation is not necessarily to give every detail of how Christ will return but its purpose is to warn his people of the difficulties and trials to come and to encourage them to endure faithful to the end.
What do the seven stars in Christs right hand represent?
-The seven stars in Christ right hand represent the angels(or ministers) of the seven churches
What do the seven candlesticks represent?
-The candlesticks represent the seven churches.
What picture did we see of Christ and His church as it relates to the candlesticks and the angels?
-It is a beautiful picture of Christ in the midst of his church(the candlesticks) giving direction to those(angels) who are ministering to the believers.
Although it uses the word angel, when speaking to the churches, it would indicate that he is referring to ministers, apostles, elders, bishops, or even shepherds, who are spiritual leaders of the flock of Christ and are worthy of respect and honor.
Angels were uniquely created by God to be servants and messengers of His will.
-They work under His authority and diligently do as they are instructed.
-Their wisdom and power is God-given and limited to their individual work.
To call pastors of the churches angels is therefore not that extraordinary. They are to serve the church with all diligence and humility, as ministering spirits.
The angels of the churches are still susceptible to error but those that serve honorably will receive a greater reward.
The greatest responsibility of an angel is to be a servant in the Kingdom of Christ, and this is true for a pastor as well.
Introduction and History:
The individual letters to the seven churches contain a wealth of concise warnings, praise or encouragement, and promises. Why the Holy Spirit selected these particular churches of Asia out of the many other choices available is unknown, though He may of chosen them bases on the message He wanted to give to the timeless church of the Gospel Age. Christianity had spread widely throughout the Roman world and beyond by the time of John’s writing. The seven churches form a rather ragged geographic circle, with Ephesus being the closest to John in the Isle of Patmos. It is a sad fact that today none of these churches exist any longer, though some of the cities remain inhabited in modern day Turkey.
Revelation 2:1 ¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
- What did the church of Ephesus lack?
- Is it something that they had always lacked?
- And what was the consequence if they did not repent?
Revelation 2:1 ¶ Unto the angel(or minister) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Who is holding the seven stars and walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks?
So, what we are about to hear is coming from the One who gives you and me Salvation?
Most of the words of Christ that are recorded in the Bible come from his ministry on earth before the New Testament Church was established.
What Christ is saying in Revelation is after the New Testament Church has been established and had spread all over the known World.
Christ knows those who are his.
-He Loves them.
-He cares for them.
-He upholds them.
-He knows when they have fallen.
-He knows when they are about to fall.
-He knows the thoughts and intent of the heart.
-He knows if we truly love Him or not.
-He knows everything!
There are no grey areas with him.
We are either in his camp or out of his camp.
We are either following Him or we are not following him.
We are either obedient or disobedient.
We are either righteous because of redemption or a disgusting, filthy, vile sinner doomed for the lake of fire.
Jesus said:
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Are your works important to God?
Why?
Many have tried to down play the importance of works, but it is clear that God does not overlook them!
Are works essential, in order to gain heaven?
Martin Luther said it this way: Faith and Works are co-laborers in man’s reconciliation with God. At Salvation, the first step is by faith, and the next step is in works because of that faith. The true walk of the man of God follows this pattern; a step of faith, then one of works until the goal is reached.
No man can live for Christ without Faith and works laboring in harmony.
Works are a decision or choice. They are a denial of self and a commitment to build up the body of Christ.
Works are both offensive and defensive.
Some works are outgoing acts of love while other works are overcoming the temptations of the flesh.
The fact that Christ knows our works suggests two things:
- God is watching and sees our labor of Love for the sake of His Church.
- God also knows when our works are lacking and when we have become complacent and lazy.
The evidence of our love for Christ is shown by our ______________to His commandments.
2John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
The Church of Ephesus:
– It was a church that excelled in works, labor, and patience.
-They knew their doctrines well.
-They did not let false prophets deceive them.
-Evil was noted and spoken against.
-False teachings were uncovered and rejected.
-The church looked good on the outside and things seemed to be in order.
…..but something was wrong.
What was wrong?
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
They had left or departed from their first love!
Although works are important for the Christian, they have a rightful place.
Christ was looking in their hearts and what He saw was not perfect.
Although much of what they had and did was 100% right, their love, commitment, and passion for Christ was becoming cold.
Their first love, which should have been for Christ, was being replaced by a formal, knowledge-based worship.
What is God looking for in believers today?
- Is it Love?
- Or is it obedience?
- How about Love and Obedience….Faith and Works?
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
What was this church told to do, for Christ to remain with them?
- Remember or consider what they had fallen from.
- Repent
- And return to a life of thankfulness, devotion, and Love for Christ.
Are we in danger of falling into the same trap as the church in Ephesus?
Have we lost our first love while endeavoring to do church the right way?
Is my relationship with Christ of utmost importance and does my life show evidence of it?
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Has God spoken to your heart today?
Are your spiritual ears listening to the Spirit of God?
Will I be numbered with those who have overcome?