Shalom and all: Destination Ephesus
Review of my previous post:
Our major goal is: To learn how to stay `on fire' as Christians. We need to know how to overcome spriritually in our present society and age.
The Seven Churches are given as examples to us today. They were actual contemporary churches of that day, 7 among many.
The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Church, through the apostle John (the beloved apostle).
The book was written down by John on the island of Patmos; Jesus told John to write it and send it without delay to the 7 churches. This was just at the close of the first great persecution of the Church under Domitian in 95 AD.
The Greek name for the book is Apokalupsis, or Apocalypse, which means to uncover or unveil, or reveal fully.
We should take this book literally, unless it indicates otherwise.
Jesus says that He is who "was, is, and ever shall be", the Alpha and the Omega. The 3 part division of the Book. is past, present (then), and future. Primarily, it is a book of prophecy of the times of the end. Each section is then divided into 7 subsections (i.e. the 7 churches). Jesus declares that He holds the keys of hell and of death. It is He who is the First and the Last; the resurrected Christ.
Jesus says in Chapter 2, verse 1 that He walks in the midst of the candle sticks (the churches). Furthermore, He is dressed as the High Priest with a girdle about the breast, indicating that he is performing his priestly office of judge.
This should remind us that we will individually stand before Him after the rapture to have our works judged. He is performing this same act of `inspection' among the churches.
Background of the City of Ephesus:
This western coast of Anatolia was very important during this period of time. It was the crossroads between East and West (and still is). By 2000 BC there was a civilization along this coast of Asia Minor. It is a very beautiful area, Mediterranean climate (like CA), and fertile land located in the river valleys. In ancient times the heart of the great Hittite nation was located here.
Ephesus was founded very early, about 2000 BC by the Hittites at the mouth of the Maeander River. The river since has changed it's course and empties farther to the South. Smyrna (modern day Izmir) also was founded very early. Most of the other cities of the 7 churches were founded somewhat later. The city of Ephesus was the 4th largest city in the Roman Empire at the time of the writing of this book. The population was about 250,000 persons, which is very large for cities of that day. It was a place of resorts, and the Roman emperors often came there for R and R. It was a city constructed of white marble, a beautiful place, and Paul commented on that.
The impact of the Gospel upon this city was very great. In fact, such was the impact of the gospel here that four great pillars were placed at the entrance to the harbor, and upon them was the emblem of the cross. One monument was dedicated to Matthew, one to Mark, one to Luke, and one to John. Only one pillar stands there today, but it still bears the symbol of the cross. Here, the many pagan temples were converted to churches. It was called by Pliny, the "Light of Asia". It was the chief city of the province of Asia Minor. The theatre held 10,000 people, and the great amphitheater held 100,000 people. At times, as many as 2 mil people would gather here (sort of like the PK event in Wash D.C.)! Paul had his greatest ministry here.
As with all ancient cities, the city first was built as a religions center. It was built around the greek temple of Diana (Roman Artemis), the god of fertility. The first temple was constructed down on the flood plain. The Maeander River carries much silt. As the old temple was flooded and buried in silt each year, it gradually fell into disrepair. Alexander the Great built a great new temple. With clever ingenuity he placed the foundation on a bed of charcoal and animal skins, preventing them from sinking into the soft silt of the river floodplain. The new temple was the largest temple in the ancient world, composed of 100 columns, 56 feet in height, 36 of which were hand carved of green Parian marble. This temple was still standing when John, Paul, and Timothy were there. It was destroyed by the Goths in 256AD. Some of the great columns were carried off to Constantinople (Istanbul), where you can see them today at the Church of St. Sophia.
The goddess Diana was the most sacred idol of heathenism. The idol was many breasted, and carried a club in one hand and a trident in the other. A trident is a three-pronged spear (we see this still as the devils' spear carried by those tricker-treaters on Halloween). King Neptune carried one. It denoted marine supremacy and power. It also was used by certain gladiators as a weapon in the arena. Diana was worshipped by probably more people than any other idol in that day. Around the temple of Diana was performed the grossest forms of immorality. Religious rites were excessive and vicious, including drunkeness, fighting, and sexual orgies. In the interior of the region, this religion changed it's name from Diana to Sybil.
This temple was the `bank' of the ancient world. Wealth was accumulated here and the temple was a meeting place for those involved in commerce and trade. This gives us some background to the city which I feel is useful in understanding the Ephesian church.
The Love Problem at the Church At Ephesus:
The church at Ephesus was a favorite church for the apostle Paul. He founded this church on his third missionary journey. He faced many adversaries there (1 Cor 16:9). The church was surrounded by the materialism, brutality, and darkest paganism. He stayed with them two years, preaching and teaching from the school of Tyrannus. He later wrote them a very tender epistle. He even made a point of meeting with the elders during a layover on one journey home. Timothy was appointed as pastor of this church, and Paul wrote him two more epistles. Tradition says that John arrived at Ephesus as a senior elder in the last days of his life. So, this church was priviledged to be ministered to by these three great apostles. This was a strong, courageous church. They faced many problems and challenges. Paul recognized the church as a very loving and caring church (Eph 1:15-16). However, by the time John writes to this church, their love has waned. Something had happened along the way. The church, involved in preserving the accuracy of teaching and fighting against the heresy and evil practices that surrounded them, lost their vision of Jesus. Let us see what Jesus has to say about this church.
The Message to the Ephesus Church:
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 (Rev 2:1)
Notice that He holds in His hand the church. It is under His control to examine this church and hold it to account. He walks in the midst, i.e. up and down, inspecting the church.
He has seven words of commendation for this church:
I know thy works (1), and thy labour (2), and thy patience (3), and how thou canst not bear them which are evil (4): and thous hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars (5);
And hast borne, and hast patience (6), and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted (7) (Rev 2:2,3)
1. I know thy works: Jesus is speaking to believers. The Lord doesn't ask the lost for good works (Titus 3:5). After you are saved, He wants to talk to you about good works! He has a lot to say about it (Eph 2:8-10)
The Christian should be like a good watch, all gold, open-faced, well-regulated, dependable, and filled with good works.
We need to be living the life NOW in the light of eternity. We will be judged by Christ for our works.
2. I know...thy labour: What is the difference between work and labor? To labor is to `grow weary'. The Ephesians suffered weariness in their labor for Him.
3. I know... thy patience: Patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
4. How thou canst not bear them which are evil: They did not put up with evil men in their midst.
5. Thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not. They tested everyone who came to Ephesus claiming to be an apostle. The would ask them if they had seen the resurrected Christ, and they soon found out whether or not they were really apostles. They rode them out of town if they weren't. My, how we tollerate false teachers today!
6. Hast borne...for my name's sake hast laboured: These people were bearing the cross. They preached an uncompromising word, and they paid a price for their belief.
7. And hast not fainted, i.e. have not grown weary. They wearied IN the work, but not OF the work.
These seven words of commendation to the local church also applied to the entire church period between Pentecost and AD 100.
Now He has one word of condemnation:
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (or best love) (Rev 2:4)
Love is a basic. That's where staying `on fire' starts. And that's what we can especially learn from the Ephesian church. They had lost that intense and enthusiastic devotion to the person of Christ. It is difficult for us to sense the state to which the Holy Spirit had brought this church. He had brought the believers in Ephesus into an intimate and personal relationship to Jesus Christ. He had brought them to the place where they could say to the Lord, "We love you." This may seem like a very unimportant thing to us today, but their love for the Lord was very important to Christ. He was saying to the Ephesians, You are leaving your best love. They hadn't quite departed, but they were on the way. It is very difficult for us, living in a cold, indifferent, skeptical, and cynical society to understand this. The world has intruded into the church to such an extent that it is hard for us to conceive of the intense, enthusiastic devotion the early church gave to the person of Christ. They `adored' Him. We speak of adoration, but do we know what that really is, the depth of that love? Do you know that Jesus wants you to `adore' Him? How long has it been since you just took time to sit in His presence and adore him? We may occasiionally fail Him, but we must never stop loving Him.
Today, we use various `methods' to try to teach people things, positive attitudes, six rules to better health, the 12 step method to escape addiction. It doesn't matter what the system is that you are using, if you don't love Him, it would come to nothing. An intimate relationship with Jesus and His Holy Spirit will make all of the difference. And how about God, or Father? What is our relationship with Him? Do you sense the awe of the Father God in your worship?
The old story of the two girls who meet on the street serves to illustrate this concept of love and service. One asks how work is going. The other replies, Oh, I don't work any more, I'm married. The girl used to work 8 am to 4:30 pm. Now she gets up at 5:30, makes breakfast, makes the lunch, sees her hubby off for work, dresses the kids, get's their breakfast and lunch, then housework, laundry, and she is waiting at the door for her hubby to return. Then dinner, dishes, and finally about 10 pm, bedtime. But it isn't work for her! Or a modern version, where she also works the job, does all of the other things as well. But, it isn't so bad, because SHE LOVES HIM. Men don't understand that kind of love very often. They talk in terms of commitment, duty, pride of achievement. So, who loves more? How many times have I heard it said, well, women are just more spiritual. Yes, they are, but why? Because, women LOVE MORE.
When your home life and your church life become a burden, then there is something wrong with your relationship to Jesus Christ. When you get that straightened out, then other things will straighten out by themselves.
What is the solution?
Jesus gave the Ephesians the solution to their problem:
Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, 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 (Rev 2:5)
The first command is to REMEMBER. Memories are for a purpose. Do you remember when you were converted? Do you remember when you received the Holy Ghost? Do you remember what a thrill it was to worship Jesus after that first encounter? Have you lost that relationship to coldness and indifference? Jesus says, first, remember.
Next, Jesus says: REPENT. Turn around. Go back the other way. We need to be willing to CHANGE DIRECTION. As dear brother Henson was found of saying repentance is not for the unsaved, it is for the believers! The unsaved first need to become acquainted with Jesus, learn to love him and accept His grace. It is the believer who needs to repent. Or what? He will come and remove the candlestick. Is the church empty? People have left? Is it because they do not see the love of Christ in operation? We love Him, and we love one another. Jesus still watches the lamps, and he can snuff them out if He so chooses. This may sound hard, but it is Jesus that is saying it.
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 (Rev 2:7)
Are you performing good works in the church? If so, what is motivating you to do so? Is it because you want to polish your halo? Are you just dressing up the old SELF for public consumption? Is it because you were assigned the task and you just want to keep the church functioning? Do you do it just because it is expected of you? Or, do you love what you are doing, because Jesus has placed that love in your heart?
Can we get weary? Yes, we can get weary FROM the work, but we should not get weary OF the work.
Are we giving true LOVE offerings and tithes? Jesus loves a chearful giver. The other side of that one is that a chearful giver is chearful because he LOVES to give to Jesus; it is his joy to give.
If this inspection has revealed some hard spots, some blemishes in your love garment, then you need to repent, and do the first works again! Fall in love with Jesus again. Get to know Him better and better each day. Rededicate yourself to a life of love for our Lord. Praise him in the sanctuary. Let Him know that, very simply, you love Him.
The Parable of the Sower:
The Ephesus Church was the sower of the good seed throughout the fertile land of Asia Minor. There was real and spiritual fertile soil there, but there also was rocky soil, and soil that was too dry to support the young plants. I believe Jesus had this future church in mind when he gave the parable, but there are also other levels of meaning here. Remember, it is the same person giving the parables and revealing the Word to John, the Beloved Apostle. The great achievement of the Ephesus Church was that it spread the word and established Christianity in the heart or core of the Roman Empire, from which it was to spread to the ends of the earth. This church nourished the planted seed, establishing many other churches within this first, most important region.
Lord, teach us to spread the Word and work dilligently, but Lord, above all else, keep us close to you.
Shalom,
Lee. |
