I believe that studying the seven churches of the Book of Revelation (which also happens to be a bible study I am currently leading in a small group setting) might be the best way to continue along the line of the previous postings. My studies in preparation for this small group study has convicted me in many areas. The Word of Jesus to these seven churches is powerful in its ability to convict!
Let's begin in Rev. 1:19:
Let's begin in Rev. 1:19:
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.
The things "which thou hast seen" refers to the vision that Jesus is giving John, the apostle who is currently in captivity on the island of Patmos; some of which things "are" in John's own time period then, and others which "shall be hereafter" in the future pertaining to future churches. This indicates that the praise or criticism that Jesus gives each church applies not only to the church by that name in the time of John, but also to a church by another name somewhere in the future. There is nothing to indicate whether this "future" church is a single-event, or happens several times throughout history. But we do know that it is prophetic not only of the early apostolic church, but also of the future church. In other words, the same problems happen over and over again in the history of the church of Jesus.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks...(Rev. 2:1)
This describes Jesus who is holding the seven stars (the angels of the seven churches according to Rev. 1:20) in His right hand and the seven candlesticks (also as explained in Rev. 1:20) are the seven churches that form the second and third chapters of Revelation. Jesus is standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks, indicating that He is always very aware of everything that goes on in these seven churches; as He of course would be since He is the head of them.
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne and hast patience and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. (Rev. 2:2-3)
"Works" speaks of their deeds; "labour" speaks of their continuing effort in which they have not grown weary or "not fainted"; "patience" speaks of their perserverance.
Regarding those that are evil: Ephesus was a major seaport and major center of worship to Artemis, the pagan goddess of the moon, of fertility, of both human and animal nature, represented in Ephesian statues as a many-breasted woman. The temple to Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was supported by 127 columns that were each 197 feet high; I think that might be somewhere around twenty stories tall. Try to imagine that if you can. The Roman Empire took great pride in this temple, even minting coins to its goddess whom they called Diana.
There was found in Ephesus a Christian inscription that reads:
"Destroying the delusive image of the demon Artemis, Demeas has erected this symbol of Truth, the God that drives away idols, and the Cross of priests, deathless and victorious sign of Christ." [Wikipedia: Artemis]
One such "evil" man, named Demetrius, gave Paul and the church at Ephesus much grief. Demetrius was a silversmith, a maker of "shrines" to the goddess Diana (Artemis). Paul and the church had the potential of wrecking the livelihood of Demetrius who went to great lengths to cause the Christians trouble, even inciting riots around Paul. The entire chapter of Acts 19 concerns the trouble begun by Demetrius. The church at Ephesus had some strong persecution going on against them. They were blessed to have Paul residing with them for three full years. Eventually, they were left with Timothy as the bishop of the church to help them withstand the evil of their day. It is believed also that John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, lived there after his exile to Patmos and was buried there. I believe it must have been a large church. And yet, there is one criticism that Jesus offers to the church:
"Works" speaks of their deeds; "labour" speaks of their continuing effort in which they have not grown weary or "not fainted"; "patience" speaks of their perserverance.
Regarding those that are evil: Ephesus was a major seaport and major center of worship to Artemis, the pagan goddess of the moon, of fertility, of both human and animal nature, represented in Ephesian statues as a many-breasted woman. The temple to Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was supported by 127 columns that were each 197 feet high; I think that might be somewhere around twenty stories tall. Try to imagine that if you can. The Roman Empire took great pride in this temple, even minting coins to its goddess whom they called Diana.
There was found in Ephesus a Christian inscription that reads:
"Destroying the delusive image of the demon Artemis, Demeas has erected this symbol of Truth, the God that drives away idols, and the Cross of priests, deathless and victorious sign of Christ." [Wikipedia: Artemis]
One such "evil" man, named Demetrius, gave Paul and the church at Ephesus much grief. Demetrius was a silversmith, a maker of "shrines" to the goddess Diana (Artemis). Paul and the church had the potential of wrecking the livelihood of Demetrius who went to great lengths to cause the Christians trouble, even inciting riots around Paul. The entire chapter of Acts 19 concerns the trouble begun by Demetrius. The church at Ephesus had some strong persecution going on against them. They were blessed to have Paul residing with them for three full years. Eventually, they were left with Timothy as the bishop of the church to help them withstand the evil of their day. It is believed also that John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, lived there after his exile to Patmos and was buried there. I believe it must have been a large church. And yet, there is one criticism that Jesus offers to the church:
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Remember, therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.
Or else I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. (Rev. 2:4-5)
Some form of love is missing. It is called "first" love. Is it love for God? Is it love for the brethren? Is it love that sends them out into the streets seeking the lost? Is it the love that a bride has for her bridegroom?
Here are some things that Paul tells the church at Ephesus during his time:
For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:15-16)
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Eph. 4:15-16)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Eph. 5:1-2)
Paul indicates in the first passage that the church at Ephesus is famous for its "love for all the saints" - the brethren, in other words. So it doesn't sound exactly like brotherly love is lacking. But the next two passages do seem to indicate some personal growth is lacking, and that holiness ("imitators of God") might be lacking as well.
Paul urges them to walk in love; the same kind of love that brought Jesus to the cross.
This speaks of obedience! The love that is missing is the obedience by which we are known to love God according to the book of 1 John.
It appears that the Ephesian church is busy with many "works" and continuous in its "labours" and even "cannot bear" the evil that surrounds them pertaining to this false goddess, Artemis. And Jesus even says that He recognizes that they are laboring for His "name's sake." So all that they are doing, they are doing in the name of Jesus.
Yet, they are neglecting the "first" thing, the "first" kind of love; love that I believe speaks of obedience that can come only from the heart that is grateful, and very aware at all times, of all that Jesus has done for it. And it is a very dangerous thing to be lacking as the candlestick will be removed if they do not repent of this thing.
Here is another scripture, but not from Ephesians. These are the words of Jesus Himself:
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. (Matthew 24:9-12)
Jesus is speaking of a split in the church, at least in what was called the "early church." The split, of brethren against brethren, will come about because of false prophets, also known as false teachers, who do not teach the law, but instead teach lawlessness. And brother will turn against brother as the church splits. And the love of God, and thus of one another, will grow cold because the law is not being teached, so that lawlessness abounds.
Without the fear of God, without working out our salvation with fear and trembling, there is no need for obedience and there will be no obedience, but only lawlessness.
Jesus tells the church at Ephesus to "repent" - this means repent of disobedience which is sin, for there is nothing else to repent of except the sin of disobedience or rebellion to God's will. He tells them to remember the lawlessness that they came out of and to repent and return to the "first" love. And He tells them to do so quickly, or He will remove their candlestick.
This speaks of removing their "light" to the world; of them losing their testimony to the world. They will be a church with no testimony; powerless against the world that surrounds them. Flavorless salt that is only worth being trampled on.
All because they lost that "first" love; the thing that produces obedience - righteousness before God.
Not much different than our churches today: busy in projects, self-denying even in terms of their time, yet neglecting God, hardly mindful of Him, at least in terms of personal obedience and what was once known as the Christian disciplines of prayer and fasting and study of the scriptures.
Some form of love is missing. It is called "first" love. Is it love for God? Is it love for the brethren? Is it love that sends them out into the streets seeking the lost? Is it the love that a bride has for her bridegroom?
Here are some things that Paul tells the church at Ephesus during his time:
For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:15-16)
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Eph. 4:15-16)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Eph. 5:1-2)
Paul indicates in the first passage that the church at Ephesus is famous for its "love for all the saints" - the brethren, in other words. So it doesn't sound exactly like brotherly love is lacking. But the next two passages do seem to indicate some personal growth is lacking, and that holiness ("imitators of God") might be lacking as well.
Paul urges them to walk in love; the same kind of love that brought Jesus to the cross.
This speaks of obedience! The love that is missing is the obedience by which we are known to love God according to the book of 1 John.
It appears that the Ephesian church is busy with many "works" and continuous in its "labours" and even "cannot bear" the evil that surrounds them pertaining to this false goddess, Artemis. And Jesus even says that He recognizes that they are laboring for His "name's sake." So all that they are doing, they are doing in the name of Jesus.
Yet, they are neglecting the "first" thing, the "first" kind of love; love that I believe speaks of obedience that can come only from the heart that is grateful, and very aware at all times, of all that Jesus has done for it. And it is a very dangerous thing to be lacking as the candlestick will be removed if they do not repent of this thing.
Here is another scripture, but not from Ephesians. These are the words of Jesus Himself:
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. (Matthew 24:9-12)
Jesus is speaking of a split in the church, at least in what was called the "early church." The split, of brethren against brethren, will come about because of false prophets, also known as false teachers, who do not teach the law, but instead teach lawlessness. And brother will turn against brother as the church splits. And the love of God, and thus of one another, will grow cold because the law is not being teached, so that lawlessness abounds.
Without the fear of God, without working out our salvation with fear and trembling, there is no need for obedience and there will be no obedience, but only lawlessness.
Jesus tells the church at Ephesus to "repent" - this means repent of disobedience which is sin, for there is nothing else to repent of except the sin of disobedience or rebellion to God's will. He tells them to remember the lawlessness that they came out of and to repent and return to the "first" love. And He tells them to do so quickly, or He will remove their candlestick.
This speaks of removing their "light" to the world; of them losing their testimony to the world. They will be a church with no testimony; powerless against the world that surrounds them. Flavorless salt that is only worth being trampled on.
All because they lost that "first" love; the thing that produces obedience - righteousness before God.
Not much different than our churches today: busy in projects, self-denying even in terms of their time, yet neglecting God, hardly mindful of Him, at least in terms of personal obedience and what was once known as the Christian disciplines of prayer and fasting and study of the scriptures.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev. 2:2-7)
We will discuss these last passages, a recommendation to the church of Ephesus, in the next posting.
We will discuss these last passages, a recommendation to the church of Ephesus, in the next posting.
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