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Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7). October 28, 2012. Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17) Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). Seven Elements To Each Lett er. Name of the church Title of Christ chosen

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Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

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  1. Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) October 28, 2012

  2. Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) • Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) • Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17) • Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) • Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) • Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) • Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22)

  3. Seven Elements To Each Letter • Name of the church • Title of Christ chosen • Commendation given • Concerns expressed • Exhortation • Promise to the overcomer • Closing – “He that hath an ear…”

  4. Levels of Application • Local churches (real congregations) • Admonition regarding all the churches “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2:11 • Personal application • Prophetic - due to the order they are presented in • Like a report card • Each church surprised

  5. Ephesus (The City) • Means “desired one” - term of endearment • Greatest and most wealthy city in Asia • Highway to Rome (Highway of the martyrs) • Free city • Centre of pagan worship (Goddess Diana) • Very immoral and evil place • Huge theatre and large library • Renowned for amulets, charms, books, incantations • Not a very promising place for evangelism Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

  6. (The Church) • Paul stayed here longer than in any other city • First visit to Ephesus (Acts 19) God worked unusual miracles through Paul Seven sons of Sceva The expensive bonfire Opposition from the local craftsmen • Second visit (Acts 20) Tearful exhortation to the Ephesian elders

  7. Title of Christ • “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” • Our security is in Jesus “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28 • He is Christ of the whole church • He is the one who holds everything together, yet He also desires to be among us • Remember the Garden of Eden?

  8. Commendations • For their works • For their labor (to point of exhaustion) • For their endurance • For their patience • That they cannot bear evil • For testing and exposing false apostles • For not becoming weary

  9. Concerns • “That you have left your first love” Rev 2:4 • They were busy doing things • They were zealous in doctrine • So busy doing the business of the King • Neglected to spend time with the King • What should our first priority be?

  10. Exhortations • Remember look back on - egProdigal Son (Luke 15) • Repent admission that the fault is ours – no excuses and no blaming of others - “Father, I have sinned…” • Do sorrow of repentance not meant to drive us to despair, but to action - “I will arise and go to my Father and say…”

  11. The Nicolaitians • Nicolas (Acts 6:5) • Meaning from two Greek words: “nikan - to conquer and “laos” - the people • Refers to evil influential teachers • Confused Christian liberty with license to sin • That grace would cover no matter what they did • Practiced immoral self-indulgence (just like the pagans) • They were the enemy within the gates

  12. Promise to Overcomer • “I will give to eat from the tree of life” OT (Garden of Eden) Gen 2:9 NT (Heaven) Rev 22:2 • “which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” to be in the continual presence of the Lord

  13. Prophetic Application • Ephesus = the Apostolic Church • Why were these seven churches chosen? • Order they are given corresponds to the state of the church during the seven periods of its history • Coincidence or prophetic? • Picture of first 130 years of the church

  14. Personal Application • God will commend us if it is deserved • God will also attempt to correct us if needed • God actually hates some things • Doctrinal purity is good • Jesus desires our devotion David and Solomon • He wants both Marthas and Marys (Luke 10:38-42)

  15. He Who Has An Ear… • “Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” • Why? • Because in these seven letters we see what God loves about the church and what He does not love • Let us receive the commendation (if deserved) • Let us be open to correction (if necessary)

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