Seven Churches of Revelation (Part 2 : Church of Ephesus)

The seven churches mentioned in Revelation serves as an allegory to all the bodies of Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:1-7 focuses on the the Church of Ephesus. Throughout Revelation, all seven churches were surprised by what Christ said to them. Ephesus was the largest church of the day. It had a strong lineage of amazing leader that spent time teaching there. Yet even a church as alive as this had their own share of rebukes from the Lord.

1. Title of Christ - Jesus announces himself to the church of Ephesus as "him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands." Ultimately, He is telling them that no matter who they are and what they do, God is fully aware and will judge them accordingly.
2. Commendation Rebuke - The church of Ephesus is commended for their diligence and their discernment. They are characterized as a diligent church that are always active. Furthermore, Jesus commends them for their ability to stay doctrinally pure. However, all the good deeds they perform does not cancel out all the bad deeds that have committed. Jesus charges them of being guilty of "forsaking their first love." The Ephesians spent so much time being caught up serving the King, they forgot why they were so zealously serving in the first place. They had a blind pursuit without any relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. Solution - Jesus tells the Ephesus church to remember, repent and repeat. They are called to remember exactly how far they have fallen from the Lord, and seek repentance. For true repentance must bear fruit.
4. Warning - Jesus tells the church "if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place." Ultimately He is telling them that He will remove His presence from them. God is not obligated to come to us. Our worship is an invitation for Him to come and accept our praise.
5. Conclusion - The greatest compliment is to love what God loves and hate what He despises. The Ephesians were so caught up in their Church that they failed to realize that the title itself does not give authority. The true church of Christ lies within us, not in some man-made building.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

--from Nakwon EM July 6th 2008 Sunday Worship Service

God doesn't play dice, He plays scrabble.