Revelation Chapter 2

The First Church

VERSE 1 continued, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write…

This is the import of the first phrase with which Jesus introduces Himself to Ephesus:

“…These things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.”

WHO HOLDS THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND

These angels are in his FAVOR (right hand) and in a position of guidance and protection. This message must have seemed of particular import to the early Church (once they received Revelation) because they needed the comfort of knowing that there was, indeed, to be some contemporaneous authority. Most were probably Jews. For centuries they had had the high priest as the authority. But Christianity had displaced the Law, and with it the high priest. IT WAS NEEDFUL that they be assured that EACH stage of the Church would have someone to point the way.

The teachings of the Apostles were excellent, but those teachings, like the Jewish Law, had need of interpretation in the various experiences to come. This was the place of the angels. Thus Paul’s INSPIRED testimony on marriage in 1 Cor 7 was AUGMENTED AND CLARIFIED by his ENLIGHTENED testimony as the angel to Ephesus.

WHO WALKS IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS

This, likewise, is a statement closely tied to the replacement of the Jewish order. God, Himself, was present with Israel in the Shekinah light over the mercy seat. But now there was no visible tabernacle or temple. INSTEAD, Jesus walks in the midst of the lampstands. His presence is constant with the Church in all of its stages —even though unseen (as was the Shekinah light to those dwelling in the Holy.) But the KNOWLEDGE of the presence was enough to sustain Israel.

The fact that there are seven lampstands, instead of one lamp with seven branches, seems to indicate that each individual stage of the Church is a foundation of light (of truth) during its time. The light will VARY from period to period, increasing in its brilliance or magnitude, but will always be held by the golden stand —the Divine support behind each stage of the Church. (1 Tim. 3:15)

VERSE 2 and 3 “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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name’s sake and have not become weary.”

I KNOW YOUR WORKS:

All seven messages begin thus. This statement is a comfort because it assures us of his presence and watching over all the affairs of our lives. (Matt. 28:20.) It is also an uncomfortable thought to any who might think they are getting away with something! The statement also shows that deeds (works) are important. Never are perfect works expected or required, but works —the attempt, the effort —is required. As James stated, “faith without works is dead.”

YOUR LABOR:

Ephesus was a very BUSY Church. Much needed to be done. They were changing from the law and needed to STRUGGLE with what would replace it. They were welcoming Gentiles and STRUGGLING with how to treat them and what to tell them the REQUIREMENTS of the “New Way” were. They were evangelistic because both Jesus and the Apostles impressed upon them the need to be. They were GROWING by leaps and bounds and had all the accompanying STRUGGLES associated with such rapid growth.

YOUR PATIENCE:

In all of these things they were zealous. They had to put up with persecutions from the Jews and, later, from the Romans. As Verse 3 states, they PERSEVERED and did not grow weary. The excitement of early Christianity was intense enough to keep these early brethren from wearying. That example is worthy of great emulation.

CANNOT ENDURE EVIL MEN:

Evil men could not function well in this period because of two factors: (1) The Apostles were present to expose them; (2) The gifts of the spirit helped all of the saints “discern” them. (1 Cor 12:10)

PUT TO THE TEST . . . (FALSE) APOSTLES:

See Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:7; Gal. 1:1; 2 Cor. 11:3 as hints that false apostles existed and had to be distinguished from the true. (Also Rev. 21:14; 12:1)

It is worthy of notice, however, that their perseverance was for “My name’s sake.” The close connection with Jesus was still there. The defense of his character and his purposes was the primary love of the Ephesus period. All that was done was done with Jesus and His plans in mind. Even as Paul said, he was determined to know NOTHING among them save Jesus and him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

While this was the DOMINANT feeling of the period, there was a challenge to this ideal; hence we have the following “BUT (or “Nevertheless”) in Verse 4 which we will take a look at in our next post. (Excerpts taken from the New Albany Notes on Revelation)