Revelation chapter 2: Seven Churches - Ephesus

I. Ephesus – Background - Major commercial, cultural, and religious center. Important seaport on the Aegean Sea. Extremely wealthy city. It had a theater that could 25,000 people, sports arenas, library, etc. Comparable to New York City. Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, located in Ephesus. Source of great pride among the Ephesians. People from all over the Roman Empire came to worship Artemis. Also the center of Christianity in Asia Minor. Church in Ephesus founded by Paul. Christianity grew rapidly among the populace. At the time Revelation was written, Ephesus probably held an influential position over the other churches in Asia Minor. May explain why of the seven churches Jesus addressed the Ephesian church first.

1. How does Jesus introduce Himself? The one who holds the seven stars (pastors) in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands (I’ve walked in the churches)

2. Words of praise - I know your works (good deeds, ex. hungry, widows, orphans, sick, imprisoned, etc.), toil , perseverance (hard work, perseverance – roll up sleeves and get the job done no matter how long it takes), don’t tolerate false teaching – put men who claimed to be apostles to the test. How? Compare what they teach to Scripture/Paul’s teachings. Ex. Nicolaitans – name means “conquer laity.” Nothing much really known about them. Believed their teachings were a mixture of Christianity and pagan religions (idolatry and immorality.) It was like a weed growing in the flower bed of Christianity. Jesus despised the Nicolaitans and so did Ephesian church. Perseverance in the face of persecution.

3. Words of criticism - Abandoned the love you had in the beginning when you were established and nurtured by Paul. The love that motivated you in the beginning to do good works, to serve others, to do the hard work of ministry. If love was not motivating the church to do the previous, what was? Why are they doing these things? Tradition, routine. Ephesian church now about 50 years old. Tradition beginning to set in. Do good works because that is what a church is suppose to do. Motivated out of tradition/routine not because of a love for God and fellow man. Attend church not because of a love for God but because they were born into it. Their hearts are not involved in what they are doing. Everything a Christian/church does from attending church on Sunday to ministry to acts of service has to originate in a love for God. Not from tradition, sense of guilt, or pride. Jesus pleaded with Ephesus to remember from where you have fallen and repent – remember what you were like years ago under Paul when your love for me motivated you to worship Me, to learn about Me, to minister to others. Turn away from tradition and routine and recapture that love for Me. Another example – marriage. Beginning full of love and passion. Year 5– where’s the passion/love?

4. If they don’t repent… - I will remove my Light from your presence. I will no longer be in your midst. You will be swallowed by the Darkness of this world. Right now, Jesus is in the Ephesian church. He sees all that they are doing. Commends them for it. But. He also walking in their midst asking the members “do you love (agapao) me? Do you want to know me … share your heart with me? This relationship as it stands now is not working for me.”

5. Promise if they overcome - Eternal life