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Jan 4, 2022 · Jesus warns His church of impending judgment if they did not repent: “I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Revelation 2:5b). In other words, their punishment would be the disbanding or destruction of the Ephesian church. The light in Ephesus would go out.
- Nicolaitans
Jesus commends the church of Ephesus for hating the deeds of...
- First Love
Revelation 2:1-7 contains Jesus’ message to the church in...
- Seven Churches
The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven...
- Ephesus
The believers at Ephesus, struggling beneath the weight of a...
- Nicolaitans
Jan 4, 2022 · The believers at Ephesus, struggling beneath the weight of a godless and immoral culture, had maintained the letter of the law but had lost the Spirit of the law (see Romans 2:29). Jesus commended them for their hard work, perseverance, rejection of false teaching, and hatred of sin.
- Distinctive Features About The Seven Churches
- The City and The Assembly
- The Author and The Answer
- The Commendation Or Approval
- The Condemnation Or Ailment
- The Counsel Or Admonition
- The Alternative—Removal
- A Second Commendation Or Approval
- The Call Or Appeal
- The Certainty Or Assurance
Before actually beginning the exposition of the message to Ephesus, it would be helpful to consider a few of the distinctive and common features that can be observed in each of the messages to the churches of Asia Minor as we find them in Revelation 2and 3.
Ephesus was located near the mouth of the Cayster River only three miles from the coast. It became the capitol of Asia Minor, was connected by highways with the interior of Asia and all her chief cities, and became a great commercial center. The emperor had made Ephesus a free city and it was given the title “Supreme Metropolis of Asia.” It also co...
“The One who holds the seven stars.” This is a note of warning and comfort. It stresses Christ’s authority, control, possession, and provision for the messengers of the local churches who have the responsibility to lead and teach God’s Word. They are in the hand of the risen Savior to whom all authority in heaven and earth has been given (Matt. 28:...
The Lord’s Knowledge
The opening words of verse 2, “I know,” serve to stress Christ’s omniscience, interest, and evaluation of the works, life, and activity of the church. Nothing escapes Him, nothing! Compare 1 Corinthians 3:12f; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Psalm 139:1-12.
Their Works
“Deeds” is the noun, erga, the plural of ergon, and refers to “a deed or action or task (this was an active church), to occupational or official activity or service (shows Christ was aware of their official ministries and service, i.e., elder, deacon, teacher, helps, etc.), and of achievements, accomplishments (Christ knew what they had done on His behalf). Compare 1 Corinthians 15:51. “Toil” is kopos, and referred to a toil or labor to the point of weariness. It stresses the depth and degree...
Their Moral and Doctrinal Purity
“That you cannot endure evil men.” “Endure” is the Greek bastazw, “to bear, carry as a burden,” and then, “to endure,” “tolerate.” Now compare Galatians 6:1-5. However, when men refuse to respond to the Word and personal rebuke, there comes a time when believers should no longer tolerate their actions and must take the necessary steps as outlined in the Word. Point: The Ephesian church had refused to allow apostasy and immorality to go on in the church. They exercised church discipline when m...
“Forsaken first love.” The word “left” is the Greek word afihmi, “to leave, forsake, depart.” It stresses an act for which one is personally responsible. This is not LOST LOVE, but LEFT LOVE and suggest three particular problems: (a) they had moved away from their original position of devotion and fervor for the Savior by a gradual departure (Heb. ...
The church as Ephesus from all outward appearances was a very spiritual church for it was certainly a church that was very active in the work of God. They toiled for the Lord, endured much, were doctrinally sound, and took a strong stand against the deeds of the Nicolaitans (vss. 2-3, 6). Nevertheless, something was wrong. They were guilty of a sin...
Removal of their lampstand or witness is the alternative. Our Lord was and is saying, either do the above three or else you will lose your light-bearing capacity. Left love means lost light. The church of Ephesus does not stand today. Its light has been not just dimmed, but completely snuffed out.
They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. Scholars differ on their understanding of this group. Some think they were the followers of Nicolas according to early church Fathers (cf. Acts 6:5). Since their heresy seems to be associated with the doctrine of Balaam in 2:14-15, some believe this was an antinomian sect that advocated license in matters of...
A final exhortation (2:7a). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This is a loving call to hear what the Holy Spirit is teaching in these seven messages. Note the change from an appeal to the individual, “he who has an ear,” to the plural, “what the Spirit says to the churches.” This change broadens the appeal of e...
Each message of Revelation 2 and 3 concludes with a promise to the overcomer, but there is a great deal of disagreement over the meaning of the overcomer promises. “Overcome” is the nikaw, “to conquer, prevail, triumph, overcome.” But the question is how exactly are we to understand these promises to those who overcome? This is where the disagreeme...
Aug 13, 2004 · This chapter focuses on three major events: (1) the meeting of the “12 disciples” and their coming to faith in Jesus as the Messiah, receiving baptism as an evidence of their faith, and being baptized by the Spirit as an evidence of God’s reception of them into His church (verses 1-7).
- 8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But wh...
- 11 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons437 were even carried from his body to the...
- 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists,439 who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lo...
- 23 And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver sh...
- 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And also some of the Asiarchs449 who were friends of his sent...
- 35 And after quieting the multitude, the town clerk450 said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ep...
The church in Ephesus had much to be commended for but there was one unseen elephant in the room! See how this letter reminds us all of Him who is to be our first love.
May 1, 2009 · As He walks among His churches, much of what Jesus sees at Ephesus attracts His approval. The church has taken to heart Paul’s warnings about predators from without and home-grown deceivers from within, so Jesus commends the church for its theological discernment in exposing fraudulent apostles (v.
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Jan 25, 2024 · The church at Ephesus was featured in the Book of Acts, in the Book of Revelation, and in one of Paul’s letters directed specifically to the Ephesian church. Why was this ancient church important to the growing Christian church at that time, and why is it important to us today?
