The Book of Revelation

“Ephesus: Your First Love” - Rev. 2:1-7

About the 7 letters

4 Levels of interpretation

1. Local - these are actual churches with real needs

2. Admonitory - “churches” all seven letters apply to all seven churches

3. Homiletic - “he that has an ear…” it speaks to the individual

4. Prophetic - in this particular order they lay out the entire history of the church from Acts through the tribulation.

7 churches - He is speaking to the church as a whole.

Ephesus: neglected priorities - Apostolic age - to 100

Smyrna: satanic opposition - Age of persecution - 100-313

Pergamos: religious compromise - Imperial Church - 313-590

Thyatira: immoral practices - Age of Papacy - 590 Tribulation

Sardis: spiritual apathy - Reformation - 1517 - Tribulation

Philadelphia: lost opportunities - Missionary Church - 1730 - Rapture

Laodicea: material prosperity - Apostolic Church - 1900 - Tribulation

Ephesus - Background

Ephesus - Maiden of Choice, darling

1400 B.C. founded before the time of David.

Center of trade and business. Seaport, and naval base. The capital of Asia Minor and the largest city.

Possibly 500,000 population. 25,000 seat amphitheater.

Pagan city with idolatry and immorality dominating its religious and social life.

Location of the temple to Artemis ( Diana) - the goddess of sexuality and fertility.

Study Acts 19-20 and the Book of Ephesians

Address to the Church Vs 1

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:”

Angel - messenger.

These are literal angels of the churches Heb. 1:14.

Description of Jesus: him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven lampstands.

Stars - the angels of the churches

lampstands - the churches

Rev. 1:20

Praise for the church Vs 2-3

Every letter - “I know…” 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15

1. Deeds

2. Works

3. Cannot tolerate wicked men

4. Tried and tested false apostles

5. Persevered

6. Endured hardship

7. Not grown weary

8. Hate deeds of the Nicolaitans (nico - rule laity - the people)

Acts 19-20 Paul’s prophetic warning against false teachers coming to Ephesus

Criticism for the church Vs 4

“I have this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”

Good works are commendable but Jesus wants our devotion, our passion, our love.

First - protos - love of rank, best love

Espousal love. 20 times mentioned in the Book of Ephesians

Martha and Mary.

David and Solomon.

Greatest commandment - love the Lord your God with all your heart.

1 Cor. 13 - love is the greatest.

Exhortation for the church Vs 5-6

How do we get back to our first love?

1. Remember

2. Repent

Forsaking our first love is rarely a decision but a matter of drifting. Heb. 2:1-4

Without repentance your ability to shine for Jesus is lost.

“He who has an ear let him hear…” Vs 7

“He who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches” - to all churches, to all individuals.

Promise to the Overcomer Vs 7

The promise in the first three letters comes after the letter. Post script.

The last four letters the promise comes within the letter. Present

The Overcomer - true believer

A tale of two trees:

1. The tree of life

2. The cross

A tale of two gardens:

1. Eden

2. Gethsemane

We will one day eat of the fruit of the tree of life in the paradise of God.