Issue 1363 – Seven Churches – Part 1 – February 6, 2024
On Sunday, the pastor of the local assembly we attend began a sermon series on the Seven Letters to the churches from Revelation 2 and 3. Although written nearly 2,000 years ago, those letters are still relevant to the church today.
Our Monday evening community group follows along with the sermon, digging in a bit.
Since the seven letters are still appropriate, I thought I would follow along here, doing one or two Gleanings a week after each sermon has been taught. The messages won’t be all-encompassing; rather, I will touch on a few points from each letter, highlighting some key points.
Join us as we follow the Roman postal route from Ephesus to Laodicea (in what is now the country of Turkiye) and see what the Lord says to the church. It would be beneficial if you read Revelation 1-3 prior to beginning.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’Revelation 2:1-7
Let’s begin with the word angel since each letter is written to the “angel” of each church. According to Strong, the Greek word aggeloj (pronounced ang’-el-os) means to “bring tidings; a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication, a pastor:–angel, messenger.”
Some have suggested that each church has an actual angel that watches over it, and while that might be true (or not … Scripture does not tell us a lot about angels or their duties), it doesn’t make sense to me to have John bring a letter to an angel. Elsewhere in Scripture, the angels are often the messengers of God. It seems to make more sense that John writes to the pastor (or elder(s)) in each congregation. However, the church has debated that for centuries, so it’s not a place to get too dogmatic
That could make a more contemporary reading, “To the pastor of the church of…” In this case the pastor of the church of Ephesus.
In its day, Ephesus was the most influential city in the Roman province of Asia. It was a centre of trade and religion. In many ways, it was the crossroads between Africa, Asia and Europe.
Ephesus was home to the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana). A centre of pagan goddess worship, this temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was 425 feet long by 220 feet wide, with each of its 120 columns reportedly donated by a king. In Acts 19, we read about a collision between the Apostle Paul and the worshippers of this goddess.
By the time Revelation was written, Ephesus had a thriving local church. Paul had laboured there for three years, preaching and teaching (Acts 20:31). It was the home of Priscilla and Aquilla (Acts 18:36). Paul’s beloved and faithful friend Tychicus has ministered there (Ephesians 6:21). Timothy has been a pastor as well. Apollos the evangelist, had been there (Acts 18:24)
John was instructed to bring … “The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
The message is not a message composed by John, it was dictated to Him by the Christ. Each of the letters to a church contains a descriptor of the Christ.
The church is His and under His sovereign control. While we may well (and should) identify both the strengths and weaknesses of each church, we must remember that the church is built on the foundation of Christ and sustained by Him. There are no perfect churches.
Here Jesus is described as “him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
Seven is the biblical number for perfection. Jesus is the creator and protector of the stars—they are held in His right hand, and they are secure and in a position of favour. They were created with a purpose.
In among the lampstands, Jesus walks closely with them, even if they choose to walk away. He will never leave or forsake His bride. There may be times that He stands back and lets her feel the consequences of her sin, but He will never forsake her fully.
There is powerful encouragement for the Ephesian church, the church today and all believers to know that we are held in a favoured position, in His right hand and that He walks among us with the light.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at some specifics about the Ephesian church.
Hold fast, church; Jesus is in control. That’s a great blessing.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
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