To the church in Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstand“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1-7 ESV

Ephesus Today

This introductory verse of the letter to the church at Ephesus let’s the reader know the intimate relationship that Jesus has with every part of His body. The visual that is given is that of Jesus supporting His churches and walking among them. It shows that Jesus cares for and tends to every congregation of His people.

In verses two through seven Jesus shares with the church all that he knows about them. He tells them He knows their works, he knows what they are doing as a body. He knows about their endurance and their ability to see false apostles for what they are. He encourages them with these words and then gets down to the point that they need to change.

He basically tells them that their relationship with Him is not what it once was and there needs to be some changes made. He tells them to repent and return to the relationship that they once had with Him. He warns them that if they don’t they will be removed from His presence.

He then ends on a more positive note. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He let’s them know that at least in this area they are still in agreement with Him. He then tells them to listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say to the churches. If they do listen and overcome their failings, they will have a place in paradise and live eternally.

So today, let’s use this message to the church at Ephesus to reevaluate our standing in Christ. Have we abandoned our first love, have we fallen away from the relationship we once Had with Him? If so let’s repent and begin anew.

(C) 2013 Leo J. Woodman

Mystery revealed

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:19.20 ESV

Jesus commands John to write all that he sees, current things and things that are yet to take place. This verse helps us to get a grasp on the revelation. Things that are covered in the book are both current and future. Current to the first century church and future events that are not given a specific time of occurrence. But, they are to come. The time span is not definitive.

Jesus then goes on to explain the meaning of the seven stars and lampstands. In His explanation we see that Jesus is actually present in His churches. He is keenly aware of the activities and circumstances of every congregation.

As we will see when get into the letters to the seven churches in Asia, Jesus has great concern for the members of His body and their spiritual well-being. He knows the influences within and without the congregations  and how faithful every body is.

So today, as we study the revelation we can know that our Lord is very aware of our congregations and our strengths and weakness. As we look at the letters to the churches we can learn from them and apply the lesson to our congregations.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman