Ephesus

MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS… Revelation 2:1-7.

Scriptural Text:

(1) [Jesus said] “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
(2) I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
(3) and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
(4) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
(5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place– unless you repent.
(6) But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
(7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.'”

Interpretation and Comments:

Subject: This letter is addressed to the angel (messenger? pastors?) of the church in Ephesus. (v 1) “Ephesus,” translated from the Greek, means “desirable.” Certainly, this first, apostolic church was most desirable in Jesus’ eyes.

Ephesus in John’s time: Ephesus was an ancient city (many centuries old) in John’s time. It was first a Greek city, and later a Roman city. Associated with a fertile valley and situated on the Aegean Sea, Ephesus became a rich and important center of commerce. Ephesus’ population in the First Century was approximately 250,000 persons, making it the second largest city in the world (exceeded only by Rome). The city was well-known because of the Temple of Artemis (Diana), which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Ephesians were dedicated to the cult of the goddess Artemis (Greek mythology) or Diana (Roman mythology). The city also had a theater, which could accommodate 25,000 spectators. The ruins of this city now lie in Selçuk, Turkey. Paul established the church of Ephesus, and ministered there for three years (Acts 20:31). In addition to Paul, other early Christians ministering at Ephesus included Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy. John likely lived in Ephesus, prior to being imprisoned on Patmos, and died in Ephesus when released after Emperor Domitian’s death.

Today, the Roman Empire’s great city of Asia— ancient Ephesus— is nothing but desolate rubble. This once rich seaport is now located six miles inland. The important Christian church at Ephesus— the church to which Paul wrote his important epistle (Ephesians) — exists no longer. Jesus removed Ephesus’ lampstand because the Ephesians would not repent and return back to Him. Learn this lesson from this church: no denomination, no church, no pastor, and no person is indispensable in God’s plan. God will raise another, if an institution or person fails Him.

Commendation for the church: The Ephesian church was productive for the Kingdom of God, producing many works (deeds); had worked (labored) in Jesus’ name; and exhibited patience. The church detested those who practiced evil. They had tested and rejected false, lying apostles. They had persevered through the persecution of Emperors Nero and Domitian, and had not grown weary. (vv 2-3) This church had seemingly accomplished everything Jesus could ask of it.

Condemnation for the church: The church at first worked tirelessly for Jesus. Apostles founded this church, and apostles served as its pastor. As older members died and were replaced by the next generation, the fervor for service to Jesus waned. Jesus had been the first love of the older members, but the younger members lost the first love of the church (Jesus). In this regard, a church may be like a courtship and marriage. A couple may be very attentive, kind, and loving to each other during courtship and early marriage. The marital relationship may lose its ardor with passing years, and the couple may pull apart and show little warmth, affection, and love for each other. They have lost the “first love” they had for one another. (v 4)

Jesus’ counsel (warning): Jesus warned that He would remove Ephesus’ lampstand (remove her church and place in the service of Jesus), if she did not repent (turn to her first love, Jesus, and serve Him as she did at her beginning). (v 5)

Hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans: The Ephesians hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, as did Jesus (v 6). During His earthly ministry, Jesus bluntly criticized religious persons (Pharisees, temple priests, and religious hypocrites) who failed to follow the teachings of God’s Word. These false teachers had corrupted God’s words and worship practices. He denounced those who made a show of religion (including long public prayers and spectacles of false piety and gift-giving, just to impress others).

“Nicolaitan” is a compound word (two words blended into one). The Niko- portion comes from the Greek, meaning “victory, conquest, triumph, conquering, or domination.” The -laitan portion comes from the Greek laos, meaning “people.” Thus, a Nicolaitan uses religion to gain a victory or triumph over the people.

The early church was simple, meeting in homes (Acts 2:46). Jesus, the humble Shepherd, led by simplicity and lived in poverty (Luke 9:58). As the Church became rich, some church leaders and organizations— both Catholic and Protestant— have adopted embarrassingly rich lifestyles and amassed great wealth. Some wealth is so massive that large “museums” are constructed to store treasures in its vast vaults. Jesus said simply (Matthew 6:19-21— read full text): “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,….” The treasury of God’s Kingdom is shamefully wasted, if it is merely stored in vaults, or invested in lavish buildings or expensive trappings. I believe Jesus would counsel any church to divest itself of stored treasure, selling it to spread the Gospel; feed, clothe, and house the poor; and do other things commanded in the Bible. In deciding whether a Christian church is led by a Nicolaitan spirit, ask yourself these questions:
• Is my church over-staffed with layer upon layer of religious officials? There are five offices of the Christian Church (Ephesians 4:11): And [Christ] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. The New Testament elsewhere describes four church leaders— elder (an authority for the conduct and operation of the church), bishop (overseer, responsible for assuring the spiritual well-being of church members), pastor (shepherd, the leader of the church), and deacons (servants of the congregation).
• Do these bureaucratic layers create a cumbersome hierarchy which separates those who purport to serve God from the people who are to be served?
• Do church leaders impose themselves between the believer and his or her God, when the believer needs to confess sin and pray for forgiveness? There is only one High Priest (Jesus). Following Jesus’ crucifixion, believers may approach God’s throne directly. Each believer’s body is God’s temple. Whenever a believer needs to talk to God, God is there within the believer— not domiciled in a church or cathedral. Recveiving counseling or advice from a religious leader is perfectly acceptable, but each believer should approach Abba Father directly in prayer.
• Do church rituals or special clothing separate church officials from the people who are to be served? Every church leader should pattern his or her ministry after Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was humble and lived among the people in a simple manner. Jesus wore no special clothing, and talked to all persons, wherever He found them.

Peter advised church leaders in this manner (1 Peter 5:1-4): The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Any church leader who tries to lead his or her flock by any manner other than the love, humility, and example of our Chief Shepherd Jesus, in reality possesses a Nicolaitan spirit (in my opinion).

Individual appeal: Jesus sadly understood the failure of the Ephesian church. He appealed to individual members of the church (“he who has an ear, let him hear”). Even though a church and her pastor may not be doing God’s will, an individual member can come out of that church and follow Jesus through worship and service in another church. When we study Chapter 3, you will learn that you have two choices of worship in modern churches— the church patterned after Philadelphia or patterned after Laodicea. No one should lose his or her entry into Heaven or eternal rewards because of an ineffective or apostate church or pastor.

 

RIO MARANATHA!