January 5 - Revelation. Ephesus

January 5 – Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

The seven letters were written to churches in major postal centers in what was called Asia Minor. We would recognize this location as southwestern Turkey. Many of the cities are still recognizable today.

The first verse tells us who the letter is from. “These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” (Rev. 2:1)

Be assured that Jesus is present among His congregations. No matter what is occuring in your church, Jesus is there. You may not invite Him to participate, but He is most definitely there, waiting to be asked. As He walks among the churches, He is hoping to touch you, to reach you, to get your attention.

The church in Ephesus received good words from Jesus, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary.” (Rev. 2:2-3)

The first mention of Ephesus is in Acts 18:19-20:38. Paul left Priscilla and Aquila to build a church there. When he returned, he performed miracles and brought many to Christ. When he wrote the first letter to the Corinthians, he was with Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus. It is believed that John and Jesus’ mother, Mary moved to Ephesus several years after Jesus’ resurrection. There are churches that exist there now that are located where those two lived during the first century.

Ephesus was a wealthy city. It was the only home of Diana (Roman name) or Artemis (Greek name), the goddess of the hunt. (Acts 19:24) The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The floor of the temple and one pillar remain to this day. The city also began emperor worship with a temple to Julius Caesar, transferring its loyalty to each emperor in turn.

The church in Ephesus was a mature church. If you spend time in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, you will discover that because the church existed in a city filled with heathen temples, Paul called the people to put on the whole armor of God. These people had learned what it meant to live in the world and they were strong.

Yet, Jesus had something important to say to them, “Yet I hold this against you. You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Rev. 2:4-5)

They were so concerned with being strong Christians and standing against the enemy, they had completely forgotten how to love Jesus. They weren’t excited about Him, they were just focused on the work they thought they needed to do. This is not the type of Christian that Jesus wants in His church.

Who are the Nicolaitans? (Rev. 2:6) Well, there is actually no history of them and they no longer exist. We’ll look at this a little more closely when we get to Pergamum.

To the overcomers, Jesus gives the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in th e paradise of God. (Rev. 2:7)

The first time we see this tree is in Genesis 2:9. It is in the garden along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam wasn’t told to refrain from eating from the tree of life, but once they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they couldn’t be allowed to live forever. So, they were banished.

But, when we get to Revelation 22:2, we find that in Paradise, the tree of life bears great fruit and there is no longer any curse. We are invited to finally eat from that tree.

The word ‘paradise’ comes from the word ‘Paradeios’ derived from a Persian word describing a pleasure garden and park with wild animals built for Persian monarchs.

God placed Adam and Eve in that garden. They were banished for their sin. Jesus promises the overcomer a place in Paradise – the garden – where we will be invited to finally eat from the tree of life.

We just have to overcome.