The Seven Churches of Asia: Ephesus

In this and, Lord willing, the following bulletins, we will be taking a look at the seven churches mentioned in the first three chapters of the book of Revelation. Each of these churches has something said about it, and it behooves us to look at the examples and provided and make comparisons. Does the congregation here exhibit any of the things that are condemned? Do we exhibit any of the things that are commended? Let us bear these thoughts in mind as we look at these congregations.

Revelation 2:1-7
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The Positive:
We see that the church in Ephesus is commended for several things. In verse 2, the Lord makes the statement that they have not been accepting of evil-doers and of those claiming to be apostles, yet are not. In verse 3, they are told they are doing well in continuing to serve the Lord and are unflagging in their efforts. These are surely good things to be said about a congregation! We surely fall short of the goal if, in the name of being nonjudgmental, we accept sin and evil. And we surely fail if we do not test those who claim to be bearing the words of God.

We also see in verse 6 that they have opposed a group called “the Nicolaitans.” What this group was, we do not know the specifics of. But we do know that the Lord hated their deeds, and so did the Ephesian church. It is a great thing to be said about a congregation: that it opposes that which God opposes and accepts that which God accepts. Let us also hate evil deeds!

The Negative:
We see, however, that it is not all good and well with the church in Ephesus. Verses 4-5 state that they have left their first love. In other words, they put forth the effort, but are not as sincere and wholehearted in their effort as they should be. Although the labor carefully, it has become rote and habit more than anything else. From this, they are told to repent. Let us be sure that in our efforts to serve the Lord, both as individuals and as a congregation of the Lord's church, that we do not fail to serve wholeheartedly.

We see the consequences if they do not repent. The Lord states that He will remove their lampstand. In other words, that if they persist in serving by rote and habit, that they will no longer be considered faithful to the Lord and will be cut off. Consider Isaiah 1:1-20 and Matthew 25:31-46 for other such statements. Our actions, without faith and wholeheartedness, are not enough.

Let us strive to be a church which emulates those good examples found in scripture, and which avoids following those examples of wrong and sin!