1. Address:
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;
Ephesus was a large, popular city with a famous church. Paul pastored there for 3 years, Aquilla Priscilla, Apollos, Timothy, as well as John himself preached there. Ephesus had the notable temple of Diana, who was a fertility goddess worshipped with immoral sex. This tremendous temple to Diana in Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was supported by 127 pillars, each pillar sixty feet tall, and it was adorned with great sculptures.
2. Introduction of Jesus:
These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who, walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
- Jesus holds the Pastors or Ministers in his right hand, and walks throughout the church.
- Seven always indicates completeness or totality throughout the Bible.
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 laboured, and hast not fainted.
- This Church was diligent in preserving doctrinal purity. He said you could not bear those that are evil, meaning they tried the spirits. They guarded their church from wolves in sheep's clothing. Before he left, Paul warned them of this threat. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29-31)
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Not everyone who steps behind the pulpit preaches the truth of the gospel. The church of Ephesus was watchful. As the church of today, we must also guard against false teaching. How can we know what is false, unless we know what is true? It is important for us to learn the gospel for ourselves. Study your Bible and do not take for granted that what that preacher tells you is the truth. Learn it for yourself. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Tim. 2:15)
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted - They persevered and had patience, and labored for his name's sake and did not become weary. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal.6:9)
- There is never a good time to become weary or tired in your walk with the Lord. Especially not in these end times, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, and be about our Father's business. It is up to us to tell everyone we know, everyone we meet, about what Jesus has done for us.
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Definition of nevertheless- Despite; however
- Regardless of the many things about this church, that Jesus was pleased with, that did not cancel out the bad. Sometimes we think that because we do some good things, it cancels out the bad we do. However, if we are a child of God, we will strive to be obedient. Not because this obedience saves us, but because we desire to please the One who sacrificed himself to save us.
- They did not lose their love, they left it. There is a big difference. This can be described as "a definite and sad departure." (Robertson)
- This church at one time had a love, and now they do not. When our love lessens, it shows up in all we do. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. (1Cor. 13:3) "A church has no reason for being a church when she has no love within her heart, or when that love grows cold. Lose love, lose all." (Spurgeon)
- Everything looked great on the outside. But, without love, everything we do is in vain. There are two kinds of love: love for God, and love for God's people. When we truly love God, it will show up in the love we have for people. When we lose love, church becomes a rigid religious system of rules.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
- Do you remember how it was when you first fell in love with Jesus? How you were overwhelmed by an overwhelming fervent love? This should never go away, but deepen. It should go from infatuation to mature, deep love.
- Right now, if you are reading this, and you realize you do not have the love for Jesus that you used to, there is a cure. To revive our first love, repent. Study the Word. Pray, not only for a little while, pray until you have prayed through, and have peace in your heart. He will revive His Son in your heart.Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Jas. 4:8)
- Apparently, at least in the short term, the Ephesians heeded this warning. In the early second century (not too long after John wrote to them,) Ignatius praised the love and the doctrinal purity of the Ephesians. "You, who are of the most holy Church of the Ephesians, which is so famous and celebrated throughout the world . . . you, being full of the Holy Spirit, do nothing according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit. You are complete in Christ Jesus." (Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 8 From the Ante Nicean Fathers Volume 1, page 52)
- Jesus is saying here, that unless things change in your heart and in your life, judgment would come. He does not say for sure in what way, but any time we stand before Jesus as Judge, it is a very serious matter!
- The Nicolaitans, like all deceivers which come from the body of Christ, claimed "not that they were destroying Christianity, but that they were presenting an improved and modernized version of it." (Barclay)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
- This is a call to anyone and everyone who will listen. Although these letters were addressed to very real churches, the issues dealt with concerning them are still present in the church today. We can find ourselves all throughout these words, if we read with an open heart and open spirit.
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
- Jesus was promising the church, that if they would return to the place where love governed the church, and they were fervent in their love for Jesus, they would be restored to the state of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before their fall. They were promised Eternal life. This is talking about the assurance that, we as believers, have that Heaven is prepared for us!
