Today we begin looking at the letters to the 7 churches. These 7 churches lie on the postal route of the day, and even this simple fact reminds us that Scripture was not written by people separate from real life. Scripture was written in real time, real place, real geography and falls in real history. These are real letters to real churches written by a real Jesus.
Scholars have read and understood these 7 churches in 1 of 3 ways. In the first view, it can be these referred to real churches with real problems, but what's written here can be applied to all churches of all time too. The second view holds that these letters were written for all churches, for 7 is the number of totality. Lastly, some hold to the view that the 7 churches represent a church's life and the stage it goes through. Whatever view you hold to, it is a historical fact that these cities existed, and these are the words of Jesus.
Every letter has a similar structure. Begins with addressing the angel, then describes Jesus differently. The description each time follows the implication of the description and the assessment of the church. Jesus gives a reasonable assessment -- both good and bad -- and always ends with a promise.
(A) The Lord of Ephesus: Jesus Christ, head of the church (Rev 2:1)
This letter is addressed to the angel, and the word "angel" basically means messenger (Rev 2:1a). One group of Bible scholars believe that this angel has spiritual authority over that church. Another group thinks it just refers to the pastor, the one who is bringing the message to the church. The latter seems more plausible and this tells us something about how He gives us His word. God gives us messengers to bring His word, and this message can be tested.
Do you also see how Jesus wrote to the church. This is intentional for Jesus did not address us as individuals. While there are a few books in the NT addressed to individuals -- 1 and 2 Tim, Titus, Philemon -- it is more common to find Scripture addressing groups of people. So what this means is, where do we fit in His Kingdom? Where is the "angel" or pastor that brings us His word? God is not that interested in empowering isolated individuals. He has always desired to gather a people for Himself, because God's name is uniquely glorified in His people. The church of Ephesus knows this, because earlier on, Paul wrote to them. Eph 3:9-10 speaks of the "manifold wisdom of God" being made known to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly place" The word "manifold" used here is the same word used to describe Joseph's multi-coloured coat in Genesis. Thus, God intends to show a special kind of wisdom through the church. He works to put sinners together and join together by His Spirit. So, if our Christian life is one lived individually and dependent on just listening to podcasts, we are not able to show God's manifold wisdom! Are you part of the church? Do you love the church?
This letter is from Jesus, but note how Jesus is being described. It is from "him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands" (Rev 2:1b). This was previously also used in Rev 1:12, 20 and highlights the authority and control that Jesus has. He has rights over these lampstands and they belong to Him. He is also the one holding the stars (the messengers) and He gives them to the church. Jesus is basically claiming the church as His own. What is even more amazing is that He is not exerting His control from afar, but is also claiming them with His own presence. He walks among His church, as we have seen in Zec 4. Jesus makes these claims but HE is not the kind of claimant that continues to leave it alone. Jesus claims it and will do something about it. This reminds us that the church does not belong to us. He did not die for the Bride so she could be someone else's or be left alone. He died for the Bride so that She could be his! Do you believe that Christ who died, washed, cleansed the church will also claim and work in it? Do you pray for the church or merely seek to find a million ways to solve problems within with plans? Do not forget that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which when sown, is the smallest of all seeds, but grows to become larger than all garden plants and the birds of the air can make nests within its large branches (c.f. Mark 4:31-32). This is the church that is Jesus' own.
(B) The Church in Ephesus: doctrinally orthodox but cold and loveless (Rev 2:2-4)
Two words mark the beginning of Jesus' address to the church in Rev 2:2 -- "I know". What comfort this is, that God, through Jesus, knows the church? Jesus goes on to commend the church in Rev 2:2-3,6. They were commended for their persevering toil and endurance but more specifically, it was their enduring doctrinal orthodoxy and vigilance. They knew the doctrines and truths, and worked tirelessly to obey and keep the truths. This was a church that knew doctrine but were also brave enough to call out those that preached false teachings. Don't scoff or gloss over this. Jesus cares about doctrine, and here, He's commending this kind of church!
What would this look like practically in our churches today? This kind of a church would hodl to creeds and have a statement of faith, conduct regular Bible studies, and would be brave enough to believe that there is such a thing a false teaching and calling it out. When we look at this description and commendation, how apt it is that it is like a church that holds out its light (c.f. Matt 5). We should be thankful for churches that teach the Bible, even though it might not be cool. We should be thankful for pastors that plough through the text and teach the Bible faithfully, and not resort to things like music and lights to draw in the crowd.
But that was not all that Jesus said to the Ephesian church. Rev 2:4 marks a turn, as He points out the problems of that church -- "But I have this against you". What a terrifying phrase! It might surprise many of us that gentle Jesus meek and mild can be against things. The Jesus in Scripture makes it clear what He is against. This Jesus went to the temple and cleared it. It is no surprise that He is against things. He uses this strong tone against this church here.
What might also come as a surprise to some of us is that the church can be doctrinally sound, true, right and passionate for the truth and not love Jesus. These were not people that did not love Jesus, but like Israel in Jer 2:2, they displayed a love and devotion initially and yet, this has been lost. These are haunting words. What it means that you can do all the right things -- teach a Bible study, even stand up for the truth -- and yet your heart can be cold! Rev 2 challenges us to pause and do some self-reflection today. When was the last time you spent time with Him? When did you come before Him and ask for His help to know Him more? I'm sure we all remember what it was like when we first came to Christ and enjoyed it and be amazed by it all, to be overjoyed when we sing of how our sins have been nailed to the cross wholly. Be honest -- if these things that once filled you with so much joy no longer does, your heart may be cold. Does Phil 3:1-11 describe your heart and resonate with your soul? Rev 2:4 warns us today to watch our heart. The more we fill it not with images of God's glory, but with our own desires, we will not be in love with Jesus. It takes work to stay in love in Jesus.
(C) The Lesson from Ephesus: remember, repent and do (Rev 2:5-7)
Jesus then gives three actions for the Ephesians to do perform -- remember, repent, do the works you did at first (Rev 2:5). These are simple, but sometimes the best things are simple. Remembering is a mental action with no outward manifestation, yet is an important start, for we cannot bring ourselves anywhere if we don't remember where we came from. To repent calls us to turn away and is marked by fruit for it is an observable change. This is important because to get back the first love involves letting go of something and regaining something in the process. Thomas Chalmers, a Scottish minister wrote in his book The Expulsive Power of a New Affection how we cannot get rid of an old love unless something better comes. It is also certainly no passive thing. D.A. Carson, a Bible scholar has said, "No one drifts towards holiness" and this is so true! There is active action and change that needs to be done. What is pulling you and keeping you away from your first love today? Let it go.
Rev 2:6 seems a bit out of place, however, its position helps us to understand the necessary 'works' that are needed (Rev 2:6). While there doesn't seem to be immediate clarity about what the Nicolaitans hold to, it is enough for us to know that they are a group of false teachers. Verse 6 therefore seems to be a comfort but this verse also shows that loving Jesus also can involve hating the things he hate. Rom 12:9-10 shows us how to love and hate things. It may not be like the love that they first had for Jesus, but their response towards false teachers is not necessarily wrong. We are to love God also by hating what he hates and loving what He loves, motivated out of love for Him and not our own desire to be right or to do the right thing.
At this end of this letter, Jesus has a warning and a promise that He holds out. He warns and calls them to repent, "if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent" (Rev 2:5b). He warns that if they remain unrepentant, He will remove the church and the church's right to be authentic. What a terrifying thought that Jesus could withdraw HIs lampstand from a church. If Jesus could withdraw His presence from His congregation, what does this mean? A church can stop being a true church! Ponder and think over this and take that into your prayers and your worship on Sunday. Is Jesus sustaining your church? Praise God and continue to pray for her!
The promise in Rev 2:7 is that Jesus "will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God". Though Jesus issues a warning, he also gives a promise with the tree of life. Isn't this amazing? Recovering and turning back to that first love will give life. After all, what is loving Jesus but life? And what is life without love for Jesus.? Later on as the book of Revelation closes, we know that this tree represents God presence -- his nourishing, healing, hope-dispensing presence (C.f. Rev 22:1-3).
If you go home tonight and try to find Ephesus, you will only find ruins and remnant of the library of Celsius. This was a church that received this letter and the letter to Ephesus written by Paul. Acts 19 and 20 also write of the great founding of the church. They also had Timothy (c.f. 1 Tim 1:3). This church does not exist today. Think about that!
At the Fellowship, we all come from different churches, and when we read this passage and think about the church at Ephesus, we will not doubt think of this question -- will our churches exist in a couple hundred of years? How do we ensure that? Rev 2:1-7 tells that we need to remember, repent and do the works we did at first. To this person, the promise of Rev 2:7 will come true. As we end this study, here are some reflection questions that are worth pondering over:
Have you lost your first love? What is the state of your current relationship with Jesus Christ
Do you love the church? What is your current relationship with God’s loved ones?
What is one thing you can do differently based on God’s word to you today?