7 Churches - Ephesus

What this episode covers

[teaching text] “ 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which much shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,2 who bore witness to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:1-3. Revelation: disclosure of that which was previously hidden or unknown “The book is the record of what the Apostle John saw and head with the purpose to provide the setting for the revelation of Jesus Christ.”- Study Bible “9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, to Laodicea.’12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 his feet were like fine brass, as if refined in the furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.’” “This book is the revelation OF, CONCERNING, and FROM Jesus Christ”- Susan C. Howell “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “Early Christians gathered in small private homes, known as house churches, but a city’s whole Christian community would also be called a church.”- Susan C. Howell “John’s life work was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation through him...he was told to stop teaching about Jesus. He did not. His punishment was to be shipped to Patmos.”- Susan C. Howell #1. “Things which have been seen” (Rev 1:1-20) • ThisisthePatmosvision #2. “Things which are” (Rev 2:1-3:22) • The7churches #3. “Things which must take place after this” (Rev 4:1-22:5) • Thepartthatconfuses,fascinates,worriesmost “seven golden lampstands” and in the midst of these he sees “one like the Son of Man” 1) His head and hair were white as wool, white as snow o “Represent his purity and eternity”- G. Cambell Morgan. 2) His eyes were as a flame of fire o “The suggestion is that of infinite and infallible knowledge, eyes that pierce and penetrate, from which no secret thing can possibly be hidden.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 3) His feet like burnished brad, as if refined in a furnaceo “The feet are the symbols of procedure and indicate the continued activity of Christ.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 4) His voice is the voice of many waters o “There is no subject upon which He has not something to say. Many waters, many messengers, many messages, yet one voice, one word, one revelation.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 5) In His right hand seven starso “The right hand is mark of authoritative administration.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 6) Out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword o “Here is symbolized another aspect of His speech to men, that namely of His pronouncement on things of men...It’s double action condemns the fault and approves the excellence.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 7) His countenance has as the sun shineth in his strength o “The countenance is the sum total of all the features of his face.”- G. Cambell Morgan. John is writing to churches that have been in existence for some time now, have heard the good news and been moved by this love of God like John, have face continued persecution, and now are receiving a message from an awesome glorified Jesus who stands in the midst of them CHURCH OF EPHESUS-the loveless church “1To the angel of 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 labor, 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 labored 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 “You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 The Nicolaitans are thought to have taught Christians could practice idolatry and immorality and it was permissible to practice such things and remain Christian. The idea was whatever was done in the body did not affect the soul. This teaching could allow such things as participating in temple prostitution, compromising their faith, or a confession of Cesar as Lord.”- Thomas Penney LaboredforHisname’ssake Patienceandperseverance CannotbearthosewhoareevilliketheNicolaitans Testedthosewhoareapostlesandarenot,findingthemto be liars “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev 2:4 “The church of Ephesus was still a remarkable church, but it lacked the element of that enthusiasm...He says in effect, there is much of excellency, but I miss the first love.”- G. Cambell Morgan “remember therefore from where you have fallen repent and do the first works...” Rev 2:5 In the consciousness of the infinite love of His heart your love was born, and the first flesh of that young love of yours was pure, unselfish, humble, bur...

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