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The Seven Churches: Ephesus (Loveless), Revelation 2:1-7
Updated: Oct 9, 2020
The Lord's Revelation
"These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" (Revelation 2:1).
Revelation 1:16: "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."
Revelation 1:12-13: "And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band."
Strengths of the Church
"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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary" (Revelation 2:2-3).
Psalm 1:6: "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
John 6:5-6: "Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do."
1 John 4:1-7: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
2 Corinthians 11:12-15: "But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
Galatians 6:9-10: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Hebrews 12:3-4: "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."
Hebrews 12:5-6: "5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:“ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."
Faults of the Church
"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love" (Revelation 2:4)
Instructions to the Church
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" (Revelation 2:5).
Matthew 21:40-42: "“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?"
Warning to the Church
" I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent"( Revelation 2:5).
Challenge of the Church
"But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (Revelation 2:6)
Promise to the Church
"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” (Revelation 2:7)
Revelation 22:2: "In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
Revelation 22:14: "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie."
Genesis 2:9: "And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
Genesis 3:22: "Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”
Background Information about Ephesus: The City of Change
Ephesus was colonized by the Greeks no earlier than 1200 BC.
Location:
It was located by the Aegean Sea.
Boasts:
At the present day Ephesus has all the appearance of an inland city, caused by natural changes in the coastline.
A major harbor and caravan gateway for trade to all of Asia Minor and beyond.
By the first century, Ephesus was already an established city.
Predominant in the Roman province of Asia Minor.
Home to the Roman governor.
Besides becoming a city of great wealth, it was noted for the Celsus library established in the second century.
Worship Idols:
The Ephesians worshipped Diana (the Roman goddess of nature and fertility identified with the Greek goddess Artemis).
Founding of the Church:
Paul founded the church at Ephesus.
