Jesus Letter to The Church of Ephesus

Background

Church Life

Introduction : The ancient Greek word translated Revelation is apokalupsis (apocalypse). The word simply means “a revealing, an unveiling.” It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the sense that it belongs to Him, He is the one doing the revealing. Written around 95 AD, Ephesus had developed into a significant center for Christianity but was also facing spiritual decline, as indicated by Jesus' admonition to "remember your first love" (Revelation 2:4). Apostle John is now around 90 years at the island of Patmos (He had been a pastor and a leader of the churches of Asia Minor) because of his dedication for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. In his vision John sees the Son of Man, but He’s not like the Christ that John saw before the ascension. He is now in full glory. John sees the glorified Christ, the Lord of the church, moving in His church – the Alpha and Omega, The First and the Last (Rev 1:9) and the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.

What does the word church mean? Ecclesia (or ecclesia) is the Greek word translated in the New Testament as "church." It comes from ek, meaning "out from and to" and Kaleo, meaning "to call," and has to do with a group of people called out from one place and to another. It is an assembly or a congregation. The ecclesia in the New Testament is a group of people who have been called out of the world and to God; it is the church.

Postal Route: The letters to the seven churches in Revelation were delivered along a specific postal route that formed an approximate circular path through Asia Minor. The route began with Ephesus, making it the first recipient of John's message. Order of the postal route was: - Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea (Note the order in Rev 1:11). There are 7 letters to 7 congregations in Asia minor. These churches are real churches.

Address to the church of Ephesus To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars [which are the messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands/candle sticks [the seven churches]	This angel may be the pastor of the church at Ephesus, or messenger (spiritual leader) of the church at Ephesus. Word is Angelos in Greek or Malaki in Hebrew (Malachi 3:1). In some way, this angel represents this church; but the letter is written to the whole church. Ephesus (means desirable) was one of the most prominent cities (port city) in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), strategically located near the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River. This position made it a vital commercial hub, facilitating trade between the East and West. The city was renowned for the Temple of Artemis/Diana - fertility goddess, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (bigger than a football field), attracting countless pilgrims and contributing to Ephesus's wealth and cultural significance. Worship of Artemis often involved immoral practices, and the emperor proclaimed himself as God above all, creating a challenging environment for early Christians to work, live. Church Context : The church at Ephesus was spiritually strong. It was founded by the Apostle Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 19) and taught by the best possible leaders. Paul spent approximately 3 years there teaching at the synagogue and after few months he moved to the Hall of Tyrannus, a public lecture hall. He taught there for about 2 years, mostly during the hottest part of the day (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Later Timothy pastored the church, Tychicus and finally apostle John, Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos. Paul's teachings had a profound impact on Ephesus, leading to significant conversions and transformations among both Jews and Gentiles. Many individuals who practiced magic renounced their former ways, publicly burning their books and artifacts associated with idolatry. This shift threatened local silversmiths who profited from crafting idols of Artemis, leading to a notable riot instigated by a silversmith named Demetrius.
Revelation of Jesus to Ephesus	He who holds the seven stars [which are the messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand - Authority of Jesus in the Church (He holds the seven stars). The churches belong to Jesus, He is the Head. He is upholding and supporting them. He who walks amid the seven golden lampstands/candle sticks [the seven churches] - His immediate presence in the Church, He walks in the midst
The commendation of the church - a remarkable church Overall a church that was hardworking, persevering, intolerant of sin, knowledgeable in true theology to be able to discern true teachers and false teachers. And they did it all “persevering, enduring, for My name’s sake.”	Jesus says, “I know your deeds.” Jesus looked at His church, and He knew its condition. It was no mystery to Him. This was a church of people who toiled for the sake of the gospel. They weren’t lazy. They weren’t indifferent. They were busy. Not only were they known for their deeds and their toil/labour in those deeds, but for their perseverance/sufferings and persecution. Their deeds were honourable, God-glorifying deeds. They worked hard at it, and they stayed under the difficulties and persevered. They were hard-working, relentless, and indomitable without becoming weary. What a wonderful church. The Ephesian church pursued doctrinal purity, could not tolerate evil men and were intolerant of sin. They were sensitive to the presence of evil. They hated evildoers as God hates evildoers. They resented evil. They resented sin in the church. They recognized the damage that sin does to the fellowship and the testimony. They were able to defend God’s Word. Discerning church: Their theology was so sound that they could measure anyone against the truth and expose error. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans – which Jesus also hates. (a challenge also to church at Pergamos v15). As per Irenaeus (AD 130-202, Smyrna in Asia Minor and a student there of Polycarp (who was a disciple of the apostle John, in his book Against Heresies) - The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven (“full of the Spirit and wisdom”) first ordained deacons (Acts 6) by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrifice to idols. Some believe Nikao-laos means literally “to conquer the people.” - people who loved to rule and dominate people to build themselves up, be the authority not submit to authority or lift others up. Are these issues still valid in the church these days?
Verdict from Jesus Regarding the condition of the church at Ephesus. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love	Nevertheless : despite what has just been said or referred to / done. Jesus had something to say against them after considering all they did and were commended for. They have left – not lost – their first love. This is a deliberate act. Spurgeon says “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)” They did things out of rote behaviour/knowledge but not out of love. For the Ephesians, devotion to Christ was becoming replaced by a kind of dutiful, doctrinal coldness. The heat of that first love was gone. This is very dangerous, because the cooling of love for Christ leads to spiritual apathy which in turn is the forerunner of love for something else. What does “first love” mean? It means the flaming love that you had for Christ the day you were delivered from the kingdom of darkness. The greatest commandment (Matt 22:37-39) - Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Command from Jesus What Jesus wants the church at Ephesus to do?	When the heart grows cold, you’re in danger. How serious is this? It is SIN. Start by remembering. Go back and remember how it was when you were truly converted. REMEMBER : The Lord says, “Therefore, remember from where you have fallen.” Go back and remember the glorious experience when you came to the Lord. Joyful relationship with Him. Joy in getting together with other Christians Excitement we had when we first met Him, zeal, passion REPENT : Need to repent at throne of grace. Change your direction - metanoia Repent of your lack of love If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) RETURN : God has given us free will and we have a choice to turn back to Him. We love because He first loved us. He laid down His life to redeem us and this love is through the covenant in His blood. Rev 1:5-6, To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Go back and do the deeds that you did at the very start. Go back and start again. Let us not treat grace cheaply but thank God for no condemnation. This is not a minor defect. It is a stern warning. Unless they repent, He will remove their light and His presence. The purpose of lampstand was to manifest God's glory. When their lampstand was removed, they could no longer be a true church of Jesus Christ. It would be the church where the glory had departed.
General exhortation to all believers He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.	This qualifies everyone – or at least everyone who will listen. All Christians in all churches must understand the danger of leaving your first love and finding your exhilarating passion in something other than Christ and His kingdom. It is written to us and valid to us – even the church in India in 2024. Each one of these seven letters apply to all churches.
Promise of reward To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.	Jesus made this promise to him who overcomes. All true believers are already positionally overcomers - Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5) Not all believers are overcomers practically day by day and that is the challenge for us all to be overcomers and to overcome the condition like the coldness of heart and lack of love. We are to deny ourselves daily and take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Matt 16:24) Adam and Eve sinned, listened to enemy, rebelled and eat of fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil but those who overcome will be given the privilege to eat the fruit of tree of life. Rev 22:2 - Down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. This speaks of fellowship, eternity and the eternal relationship with the Yeshua - a garden of delight where God dwells . See the contrast between garden of Eden and garden of God (Eden restored)

Applications - “If Jesus wrote to Kainos today, what would He say?”

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

• Jesus wants His people to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Rev 1:3 says that there was a blessing for those who read, hear, and keep what is written in this book.

• Does my home, work reflect heaven on earth? Is coming to church a non-negotiable?

• We must guard against complacency in our walk with the Lord. And we must be careful that we don’t allow the lax standards of worldly morality to creep in and influence our minds, family, our worship, our lives, our homes. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:14–16)

• Under the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are to examine ourselves. Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!

• Ask God to reveal to you your own areas of weakness, open your ears to listen and accept the counsel He gives and make you a healthy, growing member of His Body.

Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love

• How do you compare yourself today to when you were first saved? Is your personal love of Him growing or has it become more routine and derived from a sense of duty?

• Ponder if you have lost that fresh, passionate love for Jesus. In a marriage relationship, wise couples are intentional about rekindling that love. They plan ways to “mix things up” and “re-light the spark.” Should we do less for our relationship with Jesus?

• REMEMBER your first love, REPENT, RETURN BACK & Start again. Renew mind with word of God (Rom 12:2)

DISCERNING & Contend for the word of God

• Eph 5:11 – Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Tolerance is not an option in this case, we are called not just to wink at wickedness but call it out as holy ones in the Lord – displaying a holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:11) and even contend for the faith/word of God (Jude v3)

• It is important for believers to be discerning. Even the spiritually mature church at Ephesus in AD 90 was not immune to false teaching, we should learn to test whatever we read or hear with God’s Word (Bereans in Acts 17:11).

Service out of Love: Rising of Sons & Daughters

• Ephesus was the wisdom/knowledge capital of the world, immorality capital in ancient times – yet the church at Ephesus persevered and laboured for Jesus’ sake. Like Ephesus, Bangalore too is a hub for education, IT and startups capital. This is an encouragement for the church of Bangalore to make a heavenly kingdom impact.

• Consider your service to the Lord. Are there areas where you used to serve and don’t anymore? Have you given up some ministry or outreach? If so, prayerfully consider as to whether God will have you take it up again. There can be good reasons for serving God in different ways. Let us serve God and His body, starting in church as ‘Sons and Daughters’ not as hired ones. Have we grown cold or weary in doing good? Let our service be out of love for Him first diligently and with perseverance. Remember → He first loved us.

Closing Thoughts :

What is the current state of the city of Ephesus or the temple of Artemis? It is ruins. Let us return to our first love, our deeds reflect our love to Jesus and build up treasures in heaven where the author and builder is Jesus, and which is imperishable and lasts from age to age.

Closing Prayer : Ephesians 3:14-21