Jesus’ Message to the Churches
In Chapter one, we met Jesus. The Lord presented His credentials. In chapters two and three, He transmitted this information and applied it to the church, the people of God. These chapters are instructions to the seven churches in Asia Minor. However, these warnings and corrections are for all the churches; the Body of Christ throughout the ages. The conditions in these seven churches are alive and well. The admonishments are as real today as in AD 65.
For example, do Nicholaitans lurk in our midst today? We’ll soon find out.
Each of the letters to the individual churches holds a key idea. Each key gives us a vision of Jesus and how He operates as He holds the reigns (stars) of the churches in His right hand. Remember, the right hand represents authority. The Head of the church is going to tell us what He expects of us, His body.
The Church of the Lost Love
Chapter 2:1-7
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus, write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand; who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches …’”
Ephesus was a chief city in Asia Minor, and the Roman capital of the province. A city of immense wealth and splendor, the city sat at the crossroads of major trade routes from the Middle East and China; a perfect location to spread the Gospel. Many Jews of Roman citizenship lived at Ephesus, which contained a major Jewish temple.
The apostle Paul lived in Ephesus from 52 to 54 AD and attended the Jewish temple there. He organized several missionary journeys from Ephesus. But the apostle became exasperated with the hardness of the hearts of the Jews and moved to a smaller city nearby.
Ephesus also embraced a major shrine to the goddess Artemis. (The temple is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.) Artemis was also known to the Romans as Diana, the moon goddess, huntress of the sky and the goddess of fertility. One of the duties of the temple priestesses was to have sex with the worshipers, both male and female. This was also true of Ashtaroth and Baal of the Hittites and Canaanites. Jezebel lived as a priestess and temple prostitute of Ashtaroth. (1 Kings 16:31-33) In this chapter, her name represents a demonic spirit of adultery and sexual debauchery. More about her later in the chapter.
Key: The key to the church of Ephesus is found in verses 1 & 5. “… repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place …”
The lampstand is the key. Jesus gives light and life to the church. We are to reflect His light to the world through our love.
Verse 2. “… you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars …”
See also Acts 20:29-31. The Jews were strong in Ephesus and tried to stomp out Christianity, referred to as “the Way.” They claimed Judaism the only true way, and Jews the only true Sons of Abraham. These were the false apostles Paul warned about in Galatians 3:25-29, when he compared them to ravening wolves among the flock.
In verse 3, Jesus affirms the church of Ephesus. “… and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”
To accept Jesus as your Savior is only the start. Disciples must remain alert and aware. Satan, like a roaring lion, does his best to try to steal your joy, blessings, and the Word of God from you. He can’t steal your salvation and eternal life. Nor can he take your life against the Word of God. Deuteronomy 28:1-8, 15-24. Also, Psalm 91.
Satan can ruin your confession and your life if you let him. Jesus is telling us, the church, to persevere, keep your guard up, and not become weary.
4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
The word “first” is the Greek word, protos, which means; beginning, chief, best. The word translated “love” here is agapē, Godly love, affection. (Mathew 24:12)
Three types of love are spoken of in the New Testament. The first is eros, fleshly, sensual love. This is the root of our word, erotic. It is natural human love; the love of husbands and wives for each other. Love through familiarity.
The second is philéō; friendship, kindness, brotherly love; the love of siblings for each other and their parents. This love is a feeling. We find philéō in the word philanthropic, where the rich give away portions of their wealth to the poor. Also, in the name of the city of Philadelphia, “the city of brotherly love.”
The third is agapē, God’s love; the love of God for His Son, or for His children. The love God gives us at the time of our rebirth, to share with Christian brethren and the world. Not a natural love; rather, this love is supernatural and comes only from God. You can only love your neighbor as yourself with God’s love. Agapē is not a warm, fuzzy feeling; it is a choice we must make. We must choose to love with God’s love.
In John 21:15-17, Jesus drew Peter aside after their supper, to question him. Jesus said, “Peter, do you love (agapē) me?”
Peter responded, “Yes Lord, you know I love (philéō) you.”
The Master was asking Peter, “Do you choose to love me with the love with which I love you? Or is it a warm feeling of friendship for me?”
Agapē can also refer to Agape feasts, or “love feasts.” In the early church, Christians would gather after the Lord’s Supper (communion) and hold what we today call a “pot luck.” Everyone would bring something for the meal, according to their ability. The rich would bring the most, and the poor, or those of limited means (born again slaves), would bring little, but be welcomed in as a way to share Christian love.
The church Ephesus contained many of the rich and powerful. They began to belittle and ostracize the poor or enslaved Christians, and make them wait until all the important people finished. They could partake in what remained. James 2:3 is a rebuke about judging the poor.
Temptations to licentious living taught by the Nicholaitans, pagans, and Diana worshipers, caused many Christians to yield to the lusts of the flesh (eros), rather than continuing in their first love, Jesus (agapē). Had they left off “assembling themselves together” as Paul commands in Hebrews 10:24-25?
What Jesus is saying to the church of Ephesus, is this: Eliminate the religious junk, pray for the Father’s Agapē, and follow me, as you did at first. A sifting is coming. Will you be wheat or chaff?
5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
This verse is the key to the message to Ephesus. Remember, lampstand represents the church. Jesus is the one who establishes and removes churches.
An earthquake hit Ephesus in AD 25 and badly damaged the city. When Jesus threatened the removal of their lampstand, the destruction forty years earlier must have been fresh in the Ephesians’ minds. (Ephesus was again destroyed by earthquake in AD 175.)
6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
The sect of the Nicholaitans infested Asia Minor with the teachings of Balaam. (Numbers 25:1-2, 31:16) Balaam was a diviner and seer, and a polytheist. He taught Jehovah was one of a pantheon of gods, along with Baal, Artemus, Asherah, Diana, and even the emperor. Nicholaitans believed Christians could eat foods dedicated to idols, and commit other heathen excesses with impunity because of their salvation. This included all sorts of lewd acts, such as the ceremonial worship of Diana and temple prostitution.
Does this sound familiar? (Acts 19:11-20, Acts 20:29-30)
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
In Matthew 11:15, Jesus said; “Let him with ears listen and understand.” This statement is repeated ten times the Gospels. Ten is the number of responsibility, trials and testing. In this verse, Jesus is giving this instruction to the churches. How many are listening?
He is telling the church what is required to eat of the tree of life in heaven. Overcome. Works are not sufficient, as we will learn in Chapter two, part two. Neither will religion nor religious tradition. Your parents’ or grand parents’ Christianity won’t succeed for you, either. You must overcome the lies of the devil and peer pressure from your friends, and be born again for yourself. There is no other way to the tree of life. John 10:1
In part two, we will meet the churches of Smyrna and Pergamos, and encounter the persecuted church.