REVELATION 2
TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
Revelation1:20 to
New International Version (NIV)
To the Church in Ephesus
2:1 “To the angel[b] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
More on the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Occasion and Purpose. Under the
inspiration of the Spirit and the Old Testament, John had no doubt been
reflection on the horrifying events occurring both in Rome and Jerusalem when
he was given "the prophecy" of what was impending – the
intensification of the spiritual warfare confronting the church (1:3) perpetrated
by an anti-Christian state and numerous anti-Christian religions. The purpose of this message was to provide
pastoral encouragement to persecuted Christians by comforting, challenging, and
proclaiming the sure and certain Christian hope, together with the assurance
that in Christ they were sharing in the sovereign God’s method of totally
overcoming the forces of evil in all its manifestations. Revelation is also an evangelistic appeal to
those who are presently living in the kingdom of darkness to enter the Kingdom of Light (22:17).
2:1-3:33 The seven churches addressed were actual churches in
the cities mentioned. They are
representative of all churches of that time, as well as churches in all
subsequent generations. The letters are
to be interpreted historically, pastorally, and practically, with immediate
application instructing the seven actual Asian churches; with ongoing
application to all local churches throughout church history, giving discernment
as to where they stand spiritually before the Lord; and with ongoing personal application,
exhorting the individual to be an overcomer. The structure of the letters fall
into a sevenfold pattern:
- A commission to the messenger of the church named:
- A character description of Christ:
- A commendation, with the exceptions of Sardis and
Laodicea:
- A censure, with the exception of Smyrna and
Philadelphia;
- A connection with various imperatives;
- A challenge repeated seven times. Beginning with
the fourth letter, the challenge follows the covenant promises;
- A covenant promise, which is a facet of Christ
Himself and is a gift to every member of the body of Christ.
Dispensationalists see a prophetic application in the letters, suggesting they also outline seven stages of church history, culminating with the two end-time stages seen in the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea.
2:1-7
Ephesus: An unloving,
orthodox church in the foremost city of proconsular Asia (see Acts 19:20), and
according to tradition, the residence of John before and after his imprisonment
on Patmos.
2:4 Give your love for Jesus
first place in your live. Commit yourself both emotionally and intellectually to Christ.
2:4 The spiritual
vitality springing from love for the Lord had degenerated into orthodox routine.
2:5 I will come
unto thee is present tense, referring not to the Second Coming, but to
a spiritual coming in blessing or in judgment. Remove thy candlestick: A congregation
may continue to exist without being light in the darkness.
2:6 The name Nicolaitanes is symbolic,
meaning "Conquering the Laity." Apparently this group claimed some kind of
superior status that permitted idolatry and immorality (see 2:14,15).
2:7 Overcometh is military
terminology, suggesting combat against the forces of the Evil One (see Eph. 6:10-18). All believers
are overcomers, but these who remain faithful in the midst of persecution and
doctrinal error give proof to their faith.
This is the primary emphasis in Revelation. The tree of life symbolizes
spiritual sustenance to maintain eternal life. Paradise is a Persian
word for garden, which was used to designate the heavenly garden of God (Luke 23:43). The symbolism suggest the perfect fellowship
for God and humankind enjoyed in Eden before the Fall... to be cont’d.
Janet Thomas
Founder/President/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
info@biblestoriestheatre.org
www.biblestoriestheatre.org
No comments:
Post a Comment