Studies In Revelation: Church Of Ephesus Series

Title: Losing and regaining your first love

Theme: To show that love for Christ can be lost even in the midst of work for him

Text. Rev 2:1-8

Interpretation and application:

1. Contemporary-what it meant to the early local church

2. Composite-what it means to the church as a whole

3. Chronological-what is means compared to church history. Dispensation Seven distinct periods of church history. From Ephesus (the apostolic church) 10 Laodicea (the apostate

church; our church age)

Ephesus-Apostolic Age to 100 AD Church of the departed love

Smyrna-Martyrdom Age 100 to 314 AD Church of fiery persecution

Pergamos-World Alliance 314 to 590 AD Church of world alliance

Thyatira-Dark Ages 590 to 1000 AD Church of Rome

Sardis- 1517-1800 AD Church of the Spiritually Dead

Commendation

Philippian-1750-1900 (some say rapture) Church of the Delivered

Ladocian-1900- Church of the Lukewarm

Format of each letter

1 There is some feature of the glorified Christ that is emphasized in addressing each

church.

2. The letters are addressed to the angels of the church. Some believe that these are the pastors or leaders.

3. All begins with these words, “I know thy works”

4. Common format: Word of commendation then word of condemnation. Notice there is

no word of condemnation for the church of Smyrna (the martyred church) or Philadelphia(the missionary church) also there is no commendation for the church of Laodicea (the apostate church).

5. Each letter concludes. with the warning of “he that hath an ear let him hear.”

Description: 1 Center of Grecian trade which means there was a lot of different cultures and people which in turn brought many religions. 2. Had a great goddess to the temple Artemis (Diana) We read about this in Acts 19.3. Paul spent nearly three years here (Acts 20:31) longer than at any other on his three missionary journeys. Acts 19:10 says he won many converts 4. Timothy was stationed he in later years (1 Tim 1:3) 5. John is believed to have spent his last years here.

Revelation 2:1. Unto 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;

2 I know thy works,

This tells us that he is speaking to believers, Jesus does not ask the world for its good works.. Titus 3:5; Romans 4:5

It is important that we have works before the Lord we need to show our works to others. James 2. Most of all we need to understand that he does know our works and we will answer for them he also knows

and thy labour, not just works but hard works. Works that show the suffering that we do for Christ.

and thy patience. Fruit of the Spirit

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:

They were not embarrassed to question anyone who claimed to be a prophet. They had a standard that must be met and if it wasn't then they reject them.

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured,

All of what was mentioned would be useless if it was not for the sake of Christ. For the name of Christ and hast not fainted. They get tired in their labours but they never got tired of their labours.

Condemnation

Vs. 3

This seems to be a strange statement after all we see that the church of Ephesus had done. All the works that they do. How could they leave their first love?

First I want you to notice that they have not lost their first love but they seemed to have swayed and in a sense forgotten about it.

It reminds me of the story and Jesus and Martha and N4ary. (Luke 10:38-42 Martha was doing all the work while Mary was Sitting at Jesus feet. So Martha all upset ask him to say something to Mary but instead Jesus praises Mary Why? Martha got so caught up in her works that she forgot about who she was working for. She was working for Jesus.

5 Remember 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.

How to get back?

1. Remember-reflect on the past. Look back to way it used to be. Remember the love that you felt when you became a Christian. Them big arms wrapped around you. Oh what love it is still there remember. which should lead you to

2. Repent- when you remember then ask God to forgive you.

3. Return (restore)-go back to the way it used to be. If you know what you need to do then do it.