Rev. # 4~the Church Of Ephesus Series

REV. # 4~1:17-20 CHURCH OF EPHESUS 5-9-09

Today we’ll continue our study of this great book of prophecy, this is # 4 0f our study.

Before we go into chapter 2: I want to point out once again that the key verse of the Revelation is 1:19.,

The Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that contains an inspired outline of the entire book. The Lord said to John the writer;

1:19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

I. THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST SEEN ch. 1:** John’s vision of the exalted Christ

II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE - chs. 2—3** --The messages to the seven churches that had began in John day and would continue until the rapture of the True church, its been being built now for over 2000 years, and by the things that are happening in the world today, the rapture could happen just any time.

III. THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER ---chs. 4—22**

Listen as I read part of verses 12-13 & 16 to get our thought line back on track,

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars:

Verse 20 the Lord explains the mystery of the seven golden candlesticks, and seven stars.

20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,** and the seven golden candlesticks:

The seven stars are the angels** of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

In Scripture, “mystery” refers to what was before unknown but is then revealed by revelation from God. It’s not something mysterious, but previously unknown.

The candle sticks, are the churches portraying their function and purpose in the world, and the stars are the angels or messengers of the seven churches.

The spiritual significance is that these angels are messengers, or the Ministers who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of these seven churches and are in the right hand of the Son of God, indicating possession, protection, and sovereign control.

As the churches were to cast off light as a lamp stand, or candle stick as it is here, the leaders of the churches were to project light as stars The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:

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With the Church of Ephesus, we begin with the 2nd part, the things which are.

THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS ~the time period of about ~30-100 A.D

Listen as I read Chapter 2: 1-7 and lets notice that its all in red writing as it’s the Lord doing the talking.

1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

“the things which are”. The 7 churches. The church age. The messages to the churches have a threefold meaning.

First, each message has a direct bearing upon the church to which it was written. Each message was a measuring rod by which each church could know it’s standing in the sight of the Lord Jesus who is the Head of the True Church.

Lets not forget that there was only one letter and it was sent to all 7 churches, so all-7 churches could read are hear how the Lord saw each assembly.

Paul sent 7 letters to 7 churches, and a 2nd epistle to some. R-C-G-E-P-C-Th.

Ø Also lets keep in mind that each letter has a personal application as well.

To each church, and to each church member Christ says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.