The Letter to the Church at Ephesus.
Background
Ephesus was set beside a natural harbour on the Cayster River. The city was founded around 600BC.
By Roman times, Ephesus had become an important port and centre of trade with a population of some 225,000 people. Its continued growth soon made it the largest city in the Province of Asia. It claimed the title ‘The First and Greatest Metropolis of Asia.’ One Roman writer called it ‘Lumen Asiae,’ the light of Asia. The city was in fact among the largest cities of the entire Roman Empire.
The city was the site of the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple was 343ft (104 m) long and 164ft (50 m) wide with columns that stood 60ft (18 m) high. Within this temple was the statue of the many breasted God Diana, which was said to have fallen from heaven in the vicinity of Ephesus.
Other temples to the Roman Emperors Claudius and Nero made this city a stronghold of pagan religion. Ephesus became a place of pilgrimage for tourist/worshippers who came to visit the great temples. This, in turn, gave rise to the prosperous guild of silversmiths whose livelihood was the manufacture of silver shrines and images of Diana.
There were a number of other noble buildings in this city including a theatre cut into a hillside above the city that was capable of seating as many as 50,000 people. This theatre was so well constructed that even today, some 2,000 years later, a coin dropped on the stage can be clearly heard 64 rows up on the hillside.
The first mention of this city in the Bible is in the book of Acts when the Apostle Paul paid it a number of visits. On one occasion he had trouble with some followers of Artemis who believed his teaching of one God would affect their business of silver statue manufacturing. This matter ended with a riot in the theatre mentioned above. (See Acts -41) The city again is mentioned in a letter of Paul’s written to the church in this city. Our final view of Ephesus is here in Revelation where it is included as one of the seven churches of Asia.
By the time the book of Revelation was written there had been Christians in Ephesus for nearly 30 years. The church at Ephesus was a larger church than the other seven churches of Asia, possibly one of the leading churches in the world at that time.
The Apostle John spent much of the latter part of his life in this area and is believed to have used the city of Ephesus as his base. Mary the mother of Jesus is also believed to have spent the last part of her life in this city following the request made by Jesus on the cross for John to take care of her (see John 19:27).
The Goths destroyed Ephesus in 262AD and it never recovered its former splendour. By 1090AD it was just a small town and by 1500AD it was a deserted ruin as the harbour had silted up leaving no connection with the sea.
Its ruins were rediscovered in 1867AD on a site now almost six miles (9.7 km) inland from the sea. Today much of the site has been excavated and in some cases parts of buildings reassembled. Out of the seven cities mentioned in Revelation, the site of this city has the most to be seen today.
Photos
A map of the ancient city of Ephesus.
The large theatre looking towards the former harbour. This theatre was 685ft wide and capable of seating 50,000 people. This theatre is also very likely the where the riot took place concerning Paul's teaching. (See Acts -41)
Other views of buildings along the main street of Ephesus.
A coin found in the ruins of Ephesus believed to be from the 1st century.
Tourists in Ephesus. Today the ruins are a major tourist attraction.
Ephesus
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“The church who lost its first love.”
Rev 2:1-7
Text Notes
Rev 2:1 The description of Jesus.
“the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand.”
“Walks among the seven golden lamp stands.”
This verse is closely linked to the picture of “a one like the son of man” found in -16. In this picture, we clearly saw a picture of Jesus and so we can be certain that the one talking to the church at Ephesus is also Jesus.
Holding the seven stars in His right hand, a picture of power and love combined, showing His concern for the seven churches. The fact that Jesus is shown to be holding the seven stars in His right hand and also walking among the seven golden lamp stands is clearly an illustration of the close fellowship and intimate knowledge that Jesus desires to have with each church. When He begins each letter with “I know your deeds” we can be sure that He does know their deeds.
Rev 2:2&3 Good qualities of the church.
“I know your deeds…etc.”
1) Your deeds.
There has always been this tension among Christians regarding faith and works. Paul, when writing to the Romans is trying to correct the idea that you will be saved by the things you do. Even though Paul taught that we can not be justified by the deeds of the Law of Moses, he declared that God “….will render to every man according to his deeds.” Rom 2:6. James also emphasised that our faith must be backed up by actions that grow out of our faith. See James 2:14-26. Faith and works go hand in hand, one is the result of the other.
2) Your toil.
Heb “Let us labour therefore to enter that rest….”
The Lord says to the Ephesians, “I know thy works, I know thy labours and I know thy patience…..” He is in effect saying, ‘You have really put forth a lot of effort. You have exhausted yourself doing My work.’
Their labours had cost them because they had worked hard for the sake of Christ. The saints at Ephesus were a hard working church.
3) Your perseverance (steadfastness, patience).
Luke “….who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop (good fruits)”
This is the kind of patience that endures. These believers kept on going in their work for Christ. They were steadfast in their endurance, refusing to give up the work given to them in the name of Christ.
Heb 12:1 “….let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
4) Tested and did not endure evil men.
Isa “…refuse the evil and choose the good.”
Ps 97:10 “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.”
See also 1 John 4:1-6
There is a tendency for us, living in modern times, to try to be at peace with the world around us. This has made us carelessly and neglectful of a true sense of righteousness. We choose to compromise with the world, but we end up compromising our own Christianity, rather than taking a stand for truth and righteousness in the name of Christ.
5) Endured for my namesake.
Paul said “Do all in the name of Jesus Christ” Col -17.
We must never forget why we toil, why we preserve, and why we endure. The saints in Ephesus were recognised for their work and endurance, but here they are also recognised for their endurance in the name of Christ.
6) Have not grown weary.
In spite of all their work and all their toil they have refused to give up and have not grown weary.
7) (See also Hate the Nicolaitans of verse 6)
Here there are six good things that Jesus has to say about the church at Ephesus. These same six good things should also be found in our lives and be a part of our church today. In our churches today do we toil for the Lord, persevere and endure, and stand firm when we are tested by the evil of the world?
“I know your etc…” Again we see the image of Jesus walking among the seven lamp stands confirmed. He has been carefully watching the church at Ephesus just as He is watching you and me today. Here is a powerful message for each of us. Just as Jesus knew about the church and what was going on at Ephesus, He also knows what is going on in our lives and in our church as well.
Too many times people forget about God’s all-knowing and all-seeing nature. We think that we can keep secrets about the sins in our lives. We reason that as long as nobody knows, it’s OK but although we might hide from men we can never hide from God.
Here we have another characteristic of our Lord’s approach to these churches. He usually starts out commending them for what is good. And not until He has done that does he point out what is wrong. Nothing can escape His penetrating gaze. And what He sees he evaluates properly. We are prone to criticize when we see something wrong and overlook what is good. That is natural with us but not with Christ.
Practical Studies in Revelation by Theodore Epp. Vol 1 pg 70-71.
Rev 2:4 Found Lacking.
“left your first love.”
See Acts 20:36-38; Eph 1:15.
So not all was perfect with this church after all. Jesus found them lacking in their love for Him. They had left their first love. They had left behind the love they had for God, for Jesus and for their fellow saints. This is probably not doctrinally wrong but just that the spark had gone out of their love. Perhaps they had forgotten the real reasons behind their worshipping God.
Another view of this is put by Otis Gatewood:-
We should note carefully that the Lord did not say that their love had grown weak; they had left their first love.
The word left say they no longer had the love they once had. What had happened to their first love? It had been replaced with love for and of the world. 1 John says:- “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Christ taught that:- “Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” Matt .
The Christians at Ephesus had returned to the love of the world which they had done before they obeyed the gospel.
The Revelation – God Gave, by Otis Gatewood.
Otis Gatewood makes an interesting point about the Church at Ephesus. He points out that the text says they didn’t just grow weak in their love but they left their first love. This makes a difference in how we view this Church. They were doing many of the things required of them, doing many good works etc, but their motives were wrong, the reason why they were doing it was wrong.
To be sure, there were works, toil and endurance in Ephesus; but all these may be present even though there be a decay in love. A wife, for example, may be very faithful to her husband and may give evidence of bustling assiduity in all matters pertaining to him; and yet, there may be a decay in love. Her sense of duty may cause her to remain faithful in all the details of attention which she bestows upon him, yet she no longer loves him. Similarly, a church member may be very regular in his attendance at the services but, in spite of that, may not be as devoted to the Lord as he formerly was.
More than Conquerors - by William Hendriksen, pg 77-78.
How often do we find people who are active within the church, involved in many activities, and never missing worshipping God? We say what a fine Christian person they are because on the outside they appear to have it together spiritually. But inside it is a different story, their motives for all that they appear to be doing is wrong. I like the example that William Hendriksen uses of a wife doing her duty but no longer in love with her husband.
We need to watch that we do not fall into the same trap. Ask the question of yourself, “Why am I coming to church?” Or put another way, "Do I still love God? Is it because of your love for the Lord or is there some other reason? Maybe it's because of a need to be with people and have social contact with people, then the Church would really be fulfilling the role of a social club in your life. Clearly, this is not what Christ requires of his Church.
Rev 2:5 Advice Given.
“Remember – from where you have fallen”
Remember how things were before when you first became Christians.
“Repent.” Repent means – change one's mind, turn from.
Isa 1:16; Luke 13:3,5
“Do” Do actions, deeds that show your repentance.
To repent is not just to say ‘sorry’. There is much more to it than that. First, you must realise your sins and that you are a sinner, recognise that you have fallen. Next, you must change your attitude towards your sin. Be willing to say that you will make the necessary changes in your life. Finally, you must do actions or deeds that show your repentance. Doing this is not just an outwards show but there must also be a willingness from the heart to turn from your former sins and serve God.
Jesus asks the Ephesians to return to where they were when they first came to know the Lord. He is asking them to get back to basics. To rebuild their love for the Lord, put more enthusiasm into their worship and put real emotion into what they do for Jesus and His church.
Rev 2:5 A Warning.
“or else your lampstand will be removed”
This warning is really stating the obvious. They are on a downward road that will eventually lead them away from God and into the world. Unless they make the necessary changes in their lives, unless they turn back to God, they will end up without Him because their sins are separating them from God. Therefore God will be unable to recognise them as a church e.g. ‘remove their lampstand.’
Rev 2:6 Praise.
“that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans”
Here is a strong point in the favour of the Ephesians. Notice that they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, not the people themselves just their sins and sinful actions. The Nicolaitans are believed to have been the false teachers of a sect started by Nicolas a proselyte from Antioch, who we see in Acts 6:5.
We do not know who the Nicolaitans were, but we know what they were. They believed in the worship of Artemis, the goddess of love and fertility, including sexual immorality. They were causing some members of the church at two of the congregations in this chapter to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.
Some second century Christians supposed that these Nicolaitans were followers of Nicolas, one of the seven men who were chosen to wait on Grecian widows at Jerusalem (Acts 6). They further suppose that Nicolas had later reverted to the worship of Artemis and was advocating that other Christian converts from paganism do likewise. There is, however, no factual evidence to support that theory.
The term ‘Nicolaitans’ is most probably a code name applied to those people who were trying to lead Asian Christians back into immoral pagan worship, just as ‘Jezebel’ is used, in Rev 2: 20, as an alias for a particular female in the church who was leading other Christians astray in the same manner.
A Study of the Revelation by John A. Copeland.
Rev 2:7 A Promise.
“To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God.”
Jesus finishes His letter to the church at Ephesus with a promise. He who overcomes the struggles, the trials and persecution thrown at him by the world will eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life.
The reward here is eternal life.
See Gen 2:9; Gen ; Rev 22:2.
The Tree of Life is the source of eternal life. Originally it was in the Garden of Eden but as stated here it now stands in the Paradise of God (heaven). Later in Rev 22:2 we will see this tree again in the New Jerusalem beside the river which flows from the throne of God.
See also Ezek 31:8; Luke 23:43.
See also The Tree of Life, Rev 22:2.
Rev 2:7 Conclusion.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
Jesus uses this phrase to end each of the letters to the seven churches of Asia. The message here is an encouragement to hear and heed what He says in each of His letters. This meaning here also goes beyond the church originally addressed by each letter because it applies to all Churches who find themselves in similar circumstances to that of the Ephesians. It is almost like Jesus saying “well this is not just for the Ephesians, you others, both here and in the future watch out too.”
The Letter to the Church at Smyrna
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Background.
Of the great cities of the Mediterranean, Izmir or Smyrna as it was known in ancient times, is second only to Athens in its continuous historical importance during the last 5,000 years. Excavations indicate settlement contemporary with that of the first city of Troy, dating from the 3rd millennium BC.
Founded as a Greek colony around 1,000 BC, from modest beginnings, it grew into a stately city in the 7th century, with massive fortifications and blocks of two-storied houses. Captured by Alyattes of Lydia around 600 BC, it was completely destroyed and the surviving people dispersed to live in small villages. Ceasing to exist for 300 years until it was re-founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century on the slopes of a conical hill about two miles (3.2 km) south of the older site. This new city was proud to call itself ‘the city which died and came alive again.’ This was a title that must have caused great offence to Christians. It is also interesting to note that Jesus chose to begin His letter to Smyrna with this very same title.
Smyrna soon emerged as one of the principal cities of Asia Minor. By the 1st century AD, it was under Roman rule, vying with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title ‘First City of Asia.’ The city was primarily a trading city, steadily gaining trade as the harbour at Ephesus became unusable due to the silting problem.
In John’s time the city of Smyrna was set on the coast, some 40 miles (64 km) north of Ephesus, on a small land locked harbour. Starting at the foreshore, the city rose to Mt Pagus, a conical hill covered with temples and other public buildings. It was said to be the most beautiful city of the Province of Asia being known as the ‘Crown of Asia,’ ‘The Ornament of Asia,’ or ‘The Flower of Asia.’ The city had a large population of Jews who in one instance were said to have raised 10,000 denarii for the beautification of the city.
It was at Smyrna that the Jews were especially hostile to the early Christian church. The city was loyal and very supportive of Rome and also an early centre of Emperor worship, a fact that led to many Christians being persecuted and even put to death for their faith.
A famous early Christian was Polycarp, who is believed to have been a young man in the community when this letter was first received. Many years later, as a very old man, he was burned for his faith in this very city at the stadium on Pagus.
(See more on Polycarp at the end of the Smyrna text notes.)
There is less to be found of the ruins of Smyrna than at any of the other seven cities of because the ancient city lies buried under a modern city today. The city is called Izmir and it is the capital city of a western Turkish province of the same name. Izmir is the nation’s third largest city and second largest port. The modern city stretches for many miles around the head of the sheltered Izmir Korfezi (Gulf) on the small delta of the Kizilcullu River (ancient Meles River). Having been captured and occupied during the war with Greece, the city was severely damaged when re-captured in 1922. Since then it has been completely re-built with spacious avenues and many fine modern buildings.
Photos.
Today the site of Smyna lays buried under a modern city. In the left-hand photo notice the small area near the large white building. The most noticeable feature of this site is this line of columns.
Some of the remains are found below ground level as can be seen in these two photos. Notice the natural spring in the right-hand picture.
The statue of a lion and a coin found at Smyrna.
The modern city of Izmir.
Text Notes.Smyrna
“Tribulation to come.”
Rev 2:8-11
Rev 2:8 A Description of Jesus.
“The first and the last, who was dead and has now come to life”
Rev 1:17-18
This claim made by Jesus is much the same as that made by God. The meaning here is he is the one who lived in the distant past, who lives with us now and will still live far into the future. Basically, a way of saying He lives eternally.
“I AM”
“The alpha and omega”
“The first and the last.”
The living God who overcame death.
“I was dead but now I am alive.”
There is no other claim greater than the one Christ makes here. I died but I overcame death and rose again. It is this claim that is the corner stone of Christianity. If this claim is true then all that Christ teaches can be excepted as true but if this claim is false then what makes Christianity special, makes it different, has been removed.
This verse would have given great assurance and hope in the promise of Jesus Christ. It is also closely linked with the picture of Jesus we found in Chapter One. Therefore those in the church at Smyrna and of course, us today, can be in no doubt as to whom this letter came from.
Rev 2:9-10 Condition of the Church.
“I know your…”
Jesus knew the condition of the church that was at Smyrna. Here again, we see Christ’s all-knowing and all-seeing nature. He knew what trials they were facing and how well they were standing up to these trials. This is a return to the idea of Christ walking among the churches, knowing and observing each of them.
“tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)”
Jesus knew how much tribulation they faced. He knew how daily they were persecuted for their faith. This persecution included confiscation of what little wealth they had and their property.
“He humbled Himself and become obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Phil 2:8
The very fact that He mentions this in His letter to the church would have given them great encouragement.
Although they were poor He adds “but you are rich” Perhaps they were poor in material things but they were rich in spiritual things. They had faith and hope and they wore the name of Jesus Christ with their treasures laid up for them in heaven. Christ takes notice of their poverty and owns His people in their poverty because their poverty did not come from sin but rather from suffering for His sake.
“......blasphemy by the so called Jews”
The real issue here is blasphemy against Christians. The Jews were claiming that the Messiah had not come, that Christ had not come. They were claiming that Jesus was not the Christ or God. Since the people of Smyrna were more loyal to Rome than many of the surrounding cities, the Jews used this to attack the Christians, saying they were against Rome. The Roman authorises would not make an arrest unless a charge was laid. The Jews would lay all kinds of charges against the Christians but the Christians would not retaliate. The “so called Jews” were people who really were Jews. They claim to be people of God but because of their persecution and blasphemy against Christians, against Christ, He now calls them members of a “synagogue of Satan.” These were very hard words for a people who for hundreds of years had been known as God’s chosen people. Paul notes the falseness of this when he writes to the Romans, Rom 2:17-29.
See Acts 13:44-52; 14:2-6; .
Persecution. “......you will have tribulation for 10 days”
Some were to be cast into prison. Others were to be tested but the tribulation was only going to last 10 days. Note that this must be taken as a symbolic 10 days rather than a literal 10 days.
The meaning here is a little time, short or limited time. Church history tells us that persecution came to the Christians at the church in Smyrna just as it came to the other churches of Asia.
Martyrdom. “.....be faithful until death”
Remember Polycarp who was faithful until death. Many other brave Christians were also called upon to put their lives on the line for their faith. See more on him at the end of the notes on this letter.
Rev 2:10 Promise to the Church.
1) “Do not fear.”
Matt “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul”
This is a sobering exhortation. It sounds ominous. They have been suffering already but now it is going to get worse. They needed encouragement and hope. Encouragement not to fear what the world can do because all the world can do is kill the outward body. A hope and faith in Jesus Christ.
We should have such faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we do not fear those who seek to physically harm us. What we should fear are those who seek to harm us spiritually, because they could lead to us losing our very souls.
We should have such faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we do not fear those who seek to physically harm us. What we should fear are those who seek to harm us spiritually, because they could lead to us losing our very souls.
2) “be faithful until death.”
Rev 1:5 From Jesus the “faithful witness” those at Smyrna were also asked to remain faithful. The meaning here is to be faithful. It's not become faithful because Christ knew they were faithful already. The call was to remain faithful to Christ even if things turned worse, even if things led to them giving their very lives for Christ.
3) “And I will give you the Crown of Life.”
The Crown of Life, the victor’s crown. So faithful Christians will be crowned with eternal life. 1 Cor
4) “He that overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”
The idea here is that there will be two deaths. The first is one that comes to us all. That is the point when our physical body no longer remains the dwelling place of our souls. The point where our soul and bodies part, our soul to move on into the spiritual realms and our bodies to return to the ground from which it came.
The second death is that which is found in -15. Those who are found by the Lamb to be unworthy will be cast into the lake of fire. Of course, those who are found to be worthy (overcome) will not take part in the second death but instead go on to live with God and His Son Jesus in the New Jerusalem.
That is why the Christians at Smyrna were encouraged not to fear because if they remained faithful, even if it cost them their lives, they would escape the second death and instead, receive eternal life. If they believe in Christ and what he says here, then the hope they would gain could make all the difference when facing the persecution about to come upon them.
See Appendix H;- Death, Resurrection and Eternity.
It is interesting to note that Jesus didn’t find any fault with the church at Smyrna, instead offering only words of comfort and hope.
Rev 2:11 “He who has an ear etc…”
Again Jesus ends with this same ending, encouraging us to hear and to heed what He has to say the Church at Smyrna.
See notes on Ephesus. Rev2:7.
Polycarp AD 69-156.
The story of Polycarp is handed down to us from the 2nd-century writer Irenaeus who is said to have talked with him. Polycarp is believed to have been a student of the Apostle John and he later became one of the prominent leaders at Smyrna. He was possibly a young child in the community when this letter was first received.
During times of persecution ordered by the Emperor, Polycarp was arrested and brought before the Governor. He was offered his freedom if he would curse Christ. His reply was, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ and he has done me nothing but good: How then could I curse Him, my Lord and saviour.” He was taken away to the stadium on the hill of Pagus and burned alive.
It is said that this took place on the Sabbath and Jews were willing to 'work' by collecting the wood required so Polycarp could be burnt. Really nice people, aren't they?
It is said that this took place on the Sabbath and Jews were willing to 'work' by collecting the wood required so Polycarp could be burnt. Really nice people, aren't they?
This famous early Christian was known through history for his faith. In the great city where he had learnt at the feet of John, as a very old man, Polycarp was burned for his faith. In a stadium where athletes were accustomed to competing for a crown of leaves, which faded, Polycarp won a victory through death and received a crown of life.
This fine example of faith was an example of the persecution Christians faced on a daily basis all over the Roman Empire in the 1st century. Being burnt alive was only one of many deaths that faithful men and women were forced to suffer. It is hard for us to relate to this as most of us today do not face the threat of death every time we worship God.
When I read accounts of Christians remaining faithful even when they faced terrible deaths such as Polycarp did, I sometimes wonder how I would face such persecution. I pray that if ever my faith is tested the way Polycarp’s was, I will be able to stand strong and remain faithful even as he did.
