THE MESSAGE TO EPHESUS
REVELATION 2:1-7
The name Ephesus means to let go, to relax: it was a backslidden church.
The town of Ephesus was an important commercial and political centre at the time the letter was written, similar to Alexandria and Antioch, and it contained a famous temple dedicated to Artemis (Diana of the Romans). The gospel was preached there by Paul during his second missionary journey, with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18-19). In his third missionary journey, Paul stayed there for over two years (Acts 19), making disciples, and after that Timothy stayed some time with the church which had been formed there (I Tim. 1:3). Later, the apostle John moved there, becoming one of the church's elders.
The Lord Jesus describes himself as the one who holds the seven stars and walks among the lamp stands: the overseers of each of his churches (the stars) derive their power and office from him, and he holds them in his hand to watch, warn, praise, and advise them, as he is now doing in these letters to the churches, among which he is walking and observing.
The church is commended for its works, labour, patience, abhorrence of evil people, careful testing of newcomers to ensure they were genuine (see Acts 20:29-30), and perseverance in the work it does for the sake of the name of Christ.
It is, however, reprimanded for having lost its first love: this is not an accidental, but a conscious action, where their love for Christ is proved by their love for one another. Only about 30 years earlier, this church had been commended by Paul for their love for all the saints (Ephesians 1:15-16). They must look back, see how they have fallen, repent and return to the practice of brotherly love. If they do not repent, Christ will remove their lamp stand, probably meaning that the church will cease to be operational as a witness for Christ.
In their favour, they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Christ also hates: over the centuries there has been much speculation about who the Nicolaitans were, as there is no explanation in the Bible. Many believe they were followers of someone called Nicholas (Acts 6:5?); it is, however, most unusual for an explanation not to be found in the Bible itself, and, in this case like many others, it is in the name: in the Greek language, in which the book was originally written, it comes from nico which translates to conquer, to overthrow and laos which translates people, from which we have the word laity, etc.
The object of the Nicolaitans was therefore be to establish a holy order of men and to place them over the laity, a kind of priestly order after the model of the Old Testament. They prevailed in Pergamos.
Historically, Ephesus is a close description of how the majority of the churches developed up to around 170 AD: mostly founded by the apostles, they were at the time of this letter largely made up of believers of the second and third generation. Persecution from the Roman authorities was subdued as Christians were looked upon as a Jewish sect, and the Jewish religion was tolerated by Roman law.
As in all other letters to the churches, there is a word to he who has an ear: he is to listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. In each is mentioned one of the many blessings to he who overcomes, i.e., he who is born of God, the believer in Christ Jesus I John 5:4-5. In this letter the promise is that he will eat of the Tree of life in the Paradise of God, i.e., he will inhabit the New Jerusalem, in the presence of God (chapters 21 and 22).
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 labour, your patience, and that 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 laboured 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. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' Rev 2:1-7 (NKJV)