Chapter Introduction
The main point of all seven letters, and to all churche is to:
- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength: love your neighbor as yourself
- If #1 is true, you will hold fast to the timeless gospel truth.
- If #2 is true, then you will love the Bible, teach the scriptures, and reject false teaching.
- If #3 is true, you will live a life consistent with the first two.
- A surrendered Disciple
- A living sacrifice
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chron 16:9)
***
In Chapter 1, John wrote about what he saw. Now, in Chapter 2, he begins to write about the things that are. Jesus is dictating a letter to each of these seven churches. These letters were written in the typical fashion of that time.
- Each begins with who the letter is addressed to.
- Then, the author of the letter.
- In every letter, Jesus says, “I know your works.”
- Commendation and joy (Missing from Laodicea – obvious in its omission, says much to them and us.
- Criticism and disappointment. (Missing from Smyrna & Philadephia – obvious in its omission, it says much to them and us)
- At the end of each letter, Jesus alludes to His coming again.
Every church that calls itself a church of Jesus Christ should understand that He knows its works. Is any church able to see its shortcomings? If we heard the Lord say, “This I have against you,” would it not change us?
Can you imagine getting a letter from the Lord? Dear Calvary Chapel Sweetwater, “I know your works.” What would we hear then? Would there be criticism, and would anyone be surprised by it?
The church shouldn't need a letter from Jesus to be on course. If He is at the center of all we do and we’re being led by the Spirit, we should be fine. It is the constant communication from the Lord that keeps us on course. When we part from God's word or forget that he knows our works, we come to error.
These letters are written to you, the church. Too many see the church as the pastor or a small group of leaders. You are part of a body. The body is the church. We should hear commendation and feel criticism, as well as listen to warnings because we are prone to repeat failures. Let’s come to these letters with reverent humility, being teachable, and seeking the truth.
****
Ephesus
The first letter is to the Church of Ephesus. When John wrote this letter, Ephesus was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was a very old city founded in 1100 BC. It had originally been closer to the coastline. The Cimmerians destroyed it in 650 BC. The city was rebuilt nearby but further from the coast. It was involved in many wars. It also suffered damage in 17AD from an earthquake that rocked the area.
In the first century, all the nearby roads converged on Ephesus, making it a hub of that area. Some of the roads also came from further away, making Ephesus a gateway from the east.
- From the Euphrates and Mesopotamia
- From Colosse and Laodicea.
- From Galatia by way of Sardis.
- From the south, the Maeander Valley.
These places and regions found access to the Mediterranean through Ephesus, which was also the highway to Rome. In later days, Christians would be brought across these roads to be thrown into the arena with lions. Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, called Ephesus the Highway of the Martyrs. An ancient geographer (Strabo) called Ephesus ‘the Market of Asia.’
It was known as a “free city” to Rome. As a “Free City,” the Ephesians were allowed to rule themselves since they had served the Roman empire well. Ephesus means darling, maiden of choice. Ephesus was the maiden of choice in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was famous as a cultural and economic center of the region. One source estimates the population of Ephesus to be 250,000. This made it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean. As a point of reference, the Sweetwater population was 6500 in 2023. Ephesus would be 38 times larger.
Paul started the church at Ephesus on his second missionary journey (AD52). He took time to preach in the synagogue and then left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:19). Apollos also ended up ministering there (Acts 18:24). Paul came back and spent a few years (AD54-56). Timothy would later be the pastor there. John came there, probably after Timothy. You might think the church there would be strong and vibrant. However, Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan. Many evil, superstitious, and satanic things were practiced there. Books containing formulas for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city. One source reports that the phrase “Ephesian writings” described documents that contained magic formulas or spells (LBD sites Trebilco, “Asia,” 314).
We see just a glimpse of the demonic activity in Act 19 when a group of amateur Jewish exorcists tried to drive out a demon because they had seen Paul do it. They tried their hand at it, and the demon-possessed man beat them up. They ran away, beaten and naked.
This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Acts 19:17-19)
This city was a major cultural and economic center. It was also a major center for religion. Unfortunately, much of the religion was evil.
Ephesus was probably best known as the home of the Temple of Artemis or the Temple of Dianna. The temple of Dianna made Ephesus the capital of paganism. Dianna was a fertility goddess worshipped with immoral sex. A once famous Philosopher, Heraclitus, said that no one could live in Ephesus without weeping at its immorality.
This temple was an amazing structure with 127 pillars, each of them 60' tall. It was 425' by 220'. This temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Besides being an evil temple, it also served as a major world bank. Kings from all over came to have their treasure stored there and watched over by this goddess. As John wrote this letter to them, the temple to Artemis had been around for some 650 years (although it had been destroyed a few times). This was an ancient city, and the evil was now deeply rooted.
The pagan worshipers didn’t mind the existence of the church. There were many idols and religions. They could all be there as long as none interfered with the Temple of Dianna and that it brought to the city. Besides the wealth of kings and the world's traded goods, the Temple brought the curious and the seekers. When the seven sons of Sceva got whipped by a demon, all the city heard of it (Acts 19:14-20). They were overpowered and ran away naked. The people of the city became fearful and repented, confessing their sins. They brought their books of magic and burned them.
Demetrius didn’t like all this repentance; it was bad for his business, and he began to stir up a mob against Paul. The mob went to the open theater (Acts 19:21-41), which was purported to hold 25,000. The disciples kept Paul from going, knowing he would be torn limb for limb. The city clerk finally quieted the crowd. He said, “What man is there who does not know that the city of Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great goddess Diana and of the image which fell down from Zeus?” There is some historical information that this image was a manmade image that, over time, gained the reputation that it fell down from Zeus. This was probably good for Demetrius’s business. It wouldn’t be unheard of for this to be a meteorite stone that they took as their goddess. The image was one of the most sacred in the ancient world. It wasn’t beautiful by any stretch of the imagination. The image of Artemis is described as a “squat, black, many-breasted figure.” It was so ancient that no one knew where it came from.
Paul was spared from the mob when he moved on. He returned a short time later on the way back to Jerusalem. He didn’t enter the city but called the elders to himself (Acts 20:17-31).
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. 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. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Paul then wrote to the Ephesians around A.D.62. It is possible that John went to Ephesus in A.D.66 when the Jewish wars started. He supposedly took Mary, the mother of Jesus, with him to keep her safe. It was 30 years after that that John wrote to them again from Patmos.
From the beginning, Ephesus had all the makings of a perfect place for a church because the darkness was so prominent. Among all this darkness, the church of Ephesus would be a lampstand for the light of Jesus Christ. Ephesus was a perfect place for a church to feed the truth to the starving souls of mankind.
Revelation 2:1
Salutation
The word “angel” is a Greek word that means messenger. This word was used to speak of men or heavenly beings. The word means messenger, or one called with a message. The angel this letter is written to could mean pastor. Some also see it as the guardian angel assigned to that church. This church would be characterized by that messenger. Whatever the meaning, the angel of this church represents the spirit or conveys the spirit of the church, and thereby, the effectiveness of the church as a lampstand to hold up the light of Jesus. This letter is not just to the angel; it's to the people who made up the church.
Jesus presents Himself as:
He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.
Each of these titles relates back to John's vision of Chapter 1, which puts Jesus at the head of the church as the High Priest. The seven stars Jesus holds in His hand are the messengers to whom the letters are addressed. As the church of Jesus Christ, He has authority and control over the church.
Jesus is the light for the Ephesian lampstand. They exist as a church of Christ, by Christ, for Christ, for the purpose of His calling. Jesus is the light of the church. He is the power and authority behind this church.
Revelation 2:2-3
The Commendation
Jesus said, “I know your works” to every church. He walked among the lampstands and knew what was going on there. He saw their labors and the attitude with which they were done. This “labor” is the difficulty, toil, effort, and the heart with which it was done. It was all known by Jesus. He likewise knew their patience or steadfast endurance. This is the same patience John said he was a partner in because of suffering. It is a courageous and bold walk in this crazy world while being a citizen of the next. I think we can say the Ephesians worked hard at ministry. They took it seriously. They weren't just messing around in their spare time.
Jesus then noted the very real standard of purity in that they couldn’t bear those who were evil. This is not like Stephen King's evil – but the evil of unrighteous acts of normal people. It’s the evil that exists in our hearts and plays out in this world. Those who say they are apostles and are not may well be the evil they hated. Except for John, all the apostles had passed away. Many false teachers and charlatans came around, claiming to be apostles. The Lord knew they didn’t just let anyone in but learned to test those who came with a message.
What was the test? We don’t know. Since they were found not to be apostles of Christ, they either had a different message or a different Jesus. The test likely concerned the cross, resurrection, sin, grace, and the law.
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4)
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
In Acts 20:29-31 as Paul met with the elders of Ephesus for the last time, he warned them:
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 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.
The Ephesians apparently heeded Paul's warning. They were careful and guarded against false doctrine. There was steadfast work for the Lord, courageous and determined. They labored for His name’s sake and no other. This is important. Not all work in the church is done this way. Some are for the name of the pastor, the name of the church, or someone making a name for themselves within the church. Ephesus maintained that work for the Lord. It started in the Spirit and maintained in the Spirit is work that won’t drive you to weariness.
Revelation 2:4
The Condemnation
“Nevertheless” means that even though you did all this good stuff, I have something against you. Ephesus, there’s a problem. All the good didn't cancel out the bad. The bad was that they had left their first love. It's important to note that they didn't lose it; it wasn't taken from them, and they left it.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:20)
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’(Mark 12:30)
The first love of any church must be a love of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Among the church, there should be a natural love for the things of God, for His people, and for all His ways! In Ephesus, in the midst of guarding their purity and in the midst of their hard work they lost their focus and left their first love. Love is the basis for good works, desire for purity, and hate of sin. If they left that basis, they were trending toward empty religion and legalism.
They forgot to guard their relationship with God. Over time, the new wore off. In place of the new and excitement of the initial discovery of God and His glory and grace, there is a maturity and infinite depth available for us to grow into.
As the new wore off and the persecution became more prominent, the relationship was replaced with works; with religion. They failed to deepen and grow their relationship with God, maybe because the costs were high. They failed to hold onto that which was first and that which led them to everything else. How could this happen?
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21)
Revelation 2:5
The Exhortation
Here's what they were to do about the problem they faced. Jesus called for remembrance.
- Remember the great joy of knowing your sins were forgiven?
- Remember when you first understood the idea of God’s grace?
- Remember how you used to spend time in His Word given to us by which to know Him?
- Remember how you used to pray and talk to God?
- Remember the joy of getting together with other Christians?
- Remember how excited you were about telling others about Jesus?
- Remember the hope that moved you through difficult days as you longed for the coming day?
It seems the Ephesians had fallen into an empty religion. Jesus’s words picture a higher place, a place nearer Him—not a place they attained by works but a place unveiled by grace. They had fallen from that place where they lived in His grace, trusting Him for every breath and heartbeat. Now, they feared, worried, and fretted over things. They were busy to the point of allowing their relationship with the Lord to suffer.
It was important for the Ephesians to repent, agree, and turn around. Change direction and return to their first works. They were once characterized by that first love? A review of that would leave them wondering, “How did it slip away?” Some of the more important lessons learned and lasting impressions on our minds come from the exercise of remembering our former state, of the person, of a church, a people, and a race. Whenever we discover we’re separated from God, the first act is to return to where we last knew Him. Then, we return to the place where we best knew Him (purpose of communion). Then, figure out how we got separated and don’t do that again.
The “or else” ought to get everyone’s attention. The church cannot be called a church if the love of God is not there. They could not proclaim Christ if they acted like the devil. There had to be a fervent desire to never part from their first love.
Revelation 2:6
There are several theories about the Nicolaitans' deeds. An early church father wrote of them, saying they led lives of unrestrained indulgence. They were indifferent to matters of morality and purity. These were the guys who said spiritual matters had nothing to do with physical matters. Therefore, live however you want to live and indulge yourself. You might find the Nicolaitans talking about Jesus one moment and then making their way to the temple of Dianna later to take part in Pagan carousing.
- Irenæus said the Nicolaitans were characterized by their promiscuity and eating things offered to idols.
- Eusebius stated essentially the same thing. He said there was a tradition that Nicolaus had a beautiful wife and was jealous of her. He renounced all relations with her and took part in illicit pleasure.
- Tertullian spoke of the Nicolaitans as a type of Gnostic.
- Neander considered them Antinomians (those rejecting traditional moral boundaries; God’s laws have no bearing on our life.)
- Some hold the opinion that Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch, one of the seven deacons. The authority of his position was used to found a sect.
- Others think the Nicolaitans were simply a group of people who made a habit of enticing Christians to participate in the sacrificial feasts of the temple, which involved temple prostitutes, among other things. There are some who see them as the forerunners of a clerical hierarchy to rule over the laity. They see nikaō, meaning “to conquer,” and laos, meaning “the people.”
The Nicolaitans were like any other deceiver that comes from within the body of Christ. They claimed they weren't harming Christianity but that their ways and teachings or habits were enhancing it, making it better or maybe more progressive.
We are to be people characterized by love, and we love even our enemies. The Ephesians hated these people's deeds, and the Lord commends them for their hatred of them. They hated what the Lord hated. It is a hatred of sin and not the people.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies. (Psalm 139:21-22)
Revelation 2:7
The Promise/Hope
Who has an ear? We all do, and we are all to hear this message. Within the letter to each church is a promise. He who overcomes will have the right to eat from the Tree of Life. This promise isn’t just for those of Ephesus but for Christians across the ages. This is a general promise to the church. It’s not some special award for those who attain a high place among churches. The norm of what is expected of us as a church is perseverance to the end and eating from the Tree of Life. As a church of Jesus Christ, we are to be overcomers. What did they need to overcome?
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
***
Note: I studied and taught this in the middle of December 2020 in the midst of what was called the COVID-19 pandemic. While this virus was bad, the response to the virus was more devastating than the virus itself. One of the damaging responses was people separated from the church. They suffered from a crisis of faith. Too many have put their church life, calling, and faith on hold, as if they could set it aside for a bit and pick it up later. But God’s commands are not nullified by a virus. The call He placed on us can’t be thrown off for a season. More importantly, it is in this season when those without faith need us to be the light. Many churches claim it an act of love and light to close the doors so someone doesn’t get sick. There is something worse than getting sick and something worse than even dying from a virus or anything else. Life without Christ is a life without hope, but death without Him is an unthinkable, eternal hell.
The distractions that caused any church to leave that first love seem so small in comparison to an eternal hell, making your own payment for sins. Our life in the church isn’t about our happiness, health, wealth, and joy. We were purchased by the precious blood of Christ. In that redemption, we are called to a new life of service.
All that might draw you away from your first love, no matter how enticing, fruitful, or valuable it might seem, is not from the Lord. We each have to overcome the things of the world that would draw us away from God. These things come from inside the church as well as outside.
****
Ephesus is now a tourist attraction and an archeological relic. The ruins of a theatre, the circus, and the stadium are amazing sites that give you a glimpse into history. It once held the most famous games in Asia (like the Olympics). You can see what’s left of temples and palaces that once drew honor and wealth of the nations. However, among it all, there is no shred of evidence of the church. There is no evidence that the church at Ephesus heard the call to repent. It appears the church became extinct there, and the lampstand was removed from the midst of the Lord. Maybe this is the lesson for us in our times.
Neither Paul, Priscilla and Aquilla, Apollos, Timothy, or John could save a church that had lost its first love. The church was born of the Spirit and could only be maintained by the Spirit. Those ministers, messengers, and workers could only point to the work of the Spirit, call for repentance, and plead for their ears to hear and that it would make it to their hearts.
When and where the church fails, the culture fails.
Ephesus is a tourist site. In 262 A.D., the Goths destroyed Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. There was some restoration, but the city never regained its glory. In 431 A.D., a council was held in the Church of Saint Mary in Ephesus. The Church of Mary, or some form of it, seemed to survive until the seventh century. What’s left is the Muslim city of Selcuk, Turkey. There is a small Protestant church there.
Facebook