Revelation #2: / The 7 Churches: Ephesus – The Working Church

The 7 Churches: Ephesus

Today, we begin chapter two of the book of Revelation. You may recall that the general outline of this biblical text is described in chapter 1, verse 19. This verse highlights three distinct times: the past, the present, and the future. The Lord instructs John to write in a book: First, “the things you have seen” (chapter 1, the revelation of the glorified Jesus Christ). Second, “the things which are” (chapters 2 and 3, the time of the Church). Third, “the things that must take place after these” (from chapter 4, what will happen after the Church age). Thus, chapter 4 begins with exactly the same words, “after these things.” Therefore, chapters 2 and 3 describe “what is” (1.19), the time of the Church. In these three chapters, the term “Church” is mentioned 19 times. From chapter 4 to the end of chapter 20, the Church is not mentioned at all. We should ask ourselves: where is the Church during this time, a time of global tribulation? It is not on earth; this is why it is not mentioned even once. In chapters 2 and 3, Jesus describes the state of seven local churches from the first century. The Lord chose seven, which illustrate the characteristics of various churches throughout history. Just as Paul’s Epistles were addressed to specific churches, these letters are directed to the entire Church of Jesus Christ. This is also true for the messages to the 7 Churches in Revelation: the Lord speaks to His Church today. Many believe that these letters provide an overview of the Church’s history over the centuries. The Church of Ephesus, the first mentioned, represents the apostolic Church of the first century. Laodicea, the last mentioned, symbolizes the apostate Church of the end times. But let’s return to Ephesus, which was an important city in Asia Minor, a great religious and commercial hub. It was here that the temple of Artemis (Diana, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) was located and various immoralities took place.

Scripture Reading and the Lord’s Description

Reading from Revelation 2:1-3: Verse 1: “To the angel of the Church in Ephesus write: ‘These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.'” Verse 2: “I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” Verse 3: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” The Lord introduces Himself as “he who holds the seven stars in His right hand” (2.1). The stars, the messengers—perhaps the leaders of the Church—are in the Lord’s hand: they are under His protection and authority. Do you have a ministry within the Church? The Lord holds you firmly in His mighty hand. The Lord “walks among the seven golden lampstands.” The lampstands represent the Churches. The Lord walks among His Church, He is omnipresent: He sees all, and knows all, nothing escapes Him. What does He see? A fervent church or one that is self-satisfied? Jesus loves His Church; He gave Himself for it and desires that it belongs entirely to Him! Regarding His approval, He states, “I know…”: He knows your needs, your difficulties; He knows everything! “Your deeds”: Ephesus was a Church full of activities. The Lord knows our deeds, but also our motivations behind those deeds. “Your hard work” (Greek “kopos”, meaning “labor”): believers experienced fatigue and weariness. The Lord knows what you do for Him. You understand fatigue, but you must press on. “Your perseverance” (Greek “hupomoné”): what the Lord entrusted to you, you wish to carry through to the end. John mentions in verse 3, “You have endured hardships for my name” (the same verb as in verse 2, “you cannot tolerate the wicked”). This Church bore many burdens for the name of Jesus, but they did this for Him. How many believers, when faced with various difficulties, do not “bear” or persevere? Let’s take the example from the Church of Ephesus—which had learned to carry burdens and persevere!

Remember Your First Love

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…” (v. 5a). Through three powerful verbs, the Lord calls us to engage actively in our faith. “Remember… from where you have fallen.” Can you recall when you first converted, how deeply your heart was moved? The joy and love you experienced were immense. At that time, the only thing that mattered to you was your relationship with the Lord. Everything flowed from this love-driven relationship. But what occurred that led you to drift away from your first love? “Repent.” Come back to the Lord, just as you were right after your transformation. Years ago, a pastor in a Presbyterian church in Hollywood said, “I have never known a couple that pursued divorce after they prayed together on their knees every day for a week.” Praying together allows couples to confess shortcomings and restore harmony. When you confess your personal faults and ask forgiveness from your partner, the door is wide open for renewed harmony. The Lord now tells us: “Return to the beginning!” “Do your first works.” Do you remember, at the beginning, when your love for the Lord overflowed? He didn’t need to tell you “Go to church, read the Bible…” You regularly gathered with your brothers and sisters, spending time each day in His Word and in prayer. You had a passion for lost souls. Jesus Christ was the priority in your heart and your life. Oh! Remember, repent, and practice your first works – those deeds born out of your love for the Lord! “Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent” (end of verse 5). These are solemn words. The church in Ephesus would cease to exist because its testimony would dim. Historically, this is what occurred. Today in Turkey, the cradle of Christianity, there are very few Christians remaining. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (v. 7). As we see, the Lord addresses the churches – and thus us as well – and not just the church in Ephesus.

Promises of Encouragement to the Overcomer

Did you know that the Lord ends each letter with a word of encouragement? How often do we converse with someone without offering any encouragement? This is not the way of the Lord. He knows we need encouragement, and He is the first to provide it. The Lord makes a promise to the overcomer: “To the one who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (v. 7). What does John mean by “to the overcomer”? He defines it in his first epistle: “Who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). This promise is not a reward for a special group of Christians; it is for all who recognize Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Through this promise – given to all believers – the Lord wants to encourage us to return to our first love. Jesus mentions the tree of life; this tree first appeared in the Garden of Eden in Genesis (2:9). After the fall, man was banished from Eden and deprived of the tree of life (Gen 3:22). However, we find the tree of life in the new Jerusalem, descending from heaven onto the new earth (Rev 22:2). Reflection: Adam and Eve had the choice between the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life. They made the wrong choice. Humanity faces the same choice today. Do not blame Adam (or Eve) for all your problems, for God gives you the choice of the tree of life. The cross of Jesus brings life to all who believe and place their trust in Him. Nothing is lost. Sin has only delayed the enjoyment of God’s promises, but it has not nullified them. Because of sin, man was cast out of the Garden of Eden, losing access to the tree of life. Yet in the new creation, we will fully inherit that right.

A Call to Stillness

In conclusion, I invite you to heed these words from Charles Spurgeon (a preacher in 19th-century London): CHURCH, BE STILL! “… I invite the members of this church, and I recommend members of all churches to arrange to do the following: let us cry out to God for a blessed silence in His presence, until we sit as servants awaiting the Master’s word, and stand as sentinels awaiting the Master’s arrival. Lord, send this solemn silence upon all Your people now. We desire fewer words from man, and more from Him who is the very Word of God. BE SILENT and let Jesus speak. Let His wounds speak to you; let His death speak; let His resurrection speak; let His ascension and the ensuing glory speak to you; and let the trumpet of His second coming resonate in your ears…”

-sermon series by Pastor Michel Bohrer

 Questions and Answers Relating to the Seven Churches in Revelation