1: The angels of the individual churches were likely the ministers of each church. God does hold his leaders responsible for communicating his word to the congregation. All who have been entrusted with the word are responsible to spread it. He has written to us. This is for more purpose than just information. He has written for indoctrination and dissemination. We must plant his word into this world.
Ephesus would likely be the foremost among the seven churches. It was a ministry of Paul, Timothy, and even John himself. It would likely be the center of leadership in the church for that region. Jesus thus speaks to this church as the one who is in charge of it all. Though the saints of this church might see themselves as spiritual leaders to the rest, they must remember that all are under Christ and his leadership.
2: Jesus here begins a list of eight positives. He commends them for these eight things. Quite interestingly, three have to do with work. Three have to do with patience. And, two have to do with dealing with sin. What an interesting combination! Faithfulness in their case must be made up of equal percentages of hard work and endurance, with a little bit of watching over their shoulder for danger mixed in!
The reference to their ‘works’ is talking about their ministry activities. They were busy serving the Lord at all times. Their ‘labour’ is a bit more specific. It refers to the manner of this service. It means that they worked hard. They were not afraid to stay busy until they were tired. They could never be called lazy. Patience is then connected with this as well. Even when the work became more difficult on occasion, they kept at it. They did not get overwhelmed, thinking they could never hold up under the load.
The Ephesians were wary of false teachers. They would not support those who taught and did evil things. As a result, they found themselves learning to be good judges of the truth. They tested many false teachers, who claimed to be authoritative. They were adept at finding these persons out for what they really were. They not only refused their teachings, but revealed the perpetrators for the benefit of others, who might be led astray.
3: Though they would not support those who taught false doctrine, they did support those who legitimately needed their help. They worked for that which was worthy; and, they did it patiently. They patiently worked for the right purposes in spite of hardships as a result of false doctrine, persecution, and afflictions of various kinds.
Their work was also not misplaced. They were not building bridges to nowhere. they were successfully doing the work of the ministry. They were advancing the name and kingdom of Christ. In this they had continued without admitting the weakness that sin so easily causes. They had realized that their strength comes from Christ alone.
4: A danger had recently sprung up in the Ephesian church. It is one that has had many congregations in its clutches down through the centuries. The Ephesians had become so strong in their convictions, that they had lost sight of the Beginning and Source of their faith. It seems undeniable that Christ himself was their first love. Only he should be the ‘first love’ of any congregation. The Ephesians, though strong on the outside, had lost touch with the Person of Christ on the inside. They had, in the past, avoided fainting by leaning on Christ. But, now, out of touch with Christ, they would become dependent upon themselves. They would become a camp, rather than a church. An army of battle-hardened soldiers, rather than Christ-bearing ambassadors. They could shrivel up and die while still thumping their Bibles with all their might.
Though God’s Word is at the center of the faith, it is attached to a Living and Divine Being, not a dead orthodoxy.
5: Christ proscribes three things to this hard-working church. First, they must remember the One that they have left out. They must look back to see the One who has been left behind them. Without this, there was no hope for their ministry. Secondly, they had to repent. Many will call themselves to revival, rededication, new commitments, etc. But, few want to call it repentance. They had to call sin sin and get right with God.
Finally, he told them to return to their old ways. In other words, moving forward is not always the most spiritual thing to do. Moving God-wards is. There are certain things in the Christian life that cannot be left out, no matter how busy, or strong, one might become. Simple devotion to Christ in daily works of praise and communion cannot be replaced by heady ministry goals and fighting false teachings.
They were warned that their candle would be removed quickly if repentance was not forthcoming. Jesus does not play around. He knew that their new problem could take them from being the strongest to being the most stubborn. They would become a bad taste in the mouth of all who knew them. They would be a detriment to the gospel, rather than champions of it.
6: Christ commended their hate of the actions of a particular sect called the Nicolaitans. The specific beliefs or practices of this group are obscure. It cannot be said with certainty what they espoused. However, the most likely scenario is that their doctrines were similar to the doctrine of Balaam, which is mentioned just before them later in this same chapter. Thus, it seems that they may have sought to trip the believers up with false teachings concerning fornication and idolatry. This seems likely mainly because such perversions would probably be found in Ephesus. The city was very devoted to the fertility cult of Diana, and was a hotbed of emperor-worship. Both were a source of endless problems for the believers.
7: With a statement that is characteristic of the Lord Jesus, he shows that the Spirit of God is bringing these things to the attention of the churches. The Persons of the Godhead work in tandem. This book of the Revelation is no less authored by the Spirit than by the Son.
He that overcomes clearly refers to those who will enter into eternity. All of these things at the end of the passages to the churches are brought to pass at the end of the book of the Revelation, which is at the beginning of eternity future.
The original garden, which man fell from, will be, in some form, found in heaven. It is the same tree, of which we have been forbidden to eat because of sin. This will be the eternal blessing of those who enter into life with Christ. Truly, this is paradise regained.
Personal Journal Entry #12048
Prayer Journal Entry #12048
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7:1-89
Praise Journal Entry #12009: Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness is wonderful. You have worked with mankind for all of these years in a gracious manner. What a testimony to Your patient goodness! May Your name be praised from one end of this globe to the other. People must recognize Your glory. I must sing Your praises. To You be all the Glory! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.