The names of the seven churches of revelation are symbolic names and represent the church down through the ages from the beginning of the new testament church, right to the end at the second coming of christ jesus, and reveals the condition of the church at different periods in history. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in. In his letter, ignatius commends them for their faith and love of christ. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Each church is mentioned by name and ephesus is no exception.
The savior commends the church on several points, and then speaks perhaps the most indicting words found in all the new testament. With the penning of revelation we have the ability to go back and look at the history concerning the churches. Each of these messages includes information apropos to each church, and from these messages we can draw lessons. Learn lessons applicable to modernday christians from the commendations, rebuke, exhortation, and promise jesus made to the church in ephesus. Aug, 2009 read this letters full text in revelation 2. Sep 29, 2005 the esoteric meaning of the church of ephesus in the book of revelation apocalypse. Ephesus bible study guide with scriptural cross reference.
That was covered in chapter 1 in the last bible study. Does the book of revelation teach that the church will be. Revelation 2 begins a series of brief letters to seven churches that existed during the apostle johns time in asia minor modernday turkey. Accordingly, paul instructed them more precisely in the gospel, and immersed them into the name of the lord jesus acts 19. The book of revelation is one of the most misunderstood and misused books in the. Jun 17, 2015 this is the second part in the bible study series. Likewise, each church name has a specific meaning that gives and. According to eusebius of caesarea, saint timothy was the first bishop of ephesus. Who are the nicolaitans mentioned in the book of revelation. What does it mean to have left your first love revelation 2. Church of ephesus chakra muladhara from march 21 to april 19, develop your ability to see internal images. Revelation 2 niv to the church in ephesus to the bible. All of these seven churches mentioned in revelation chapters 2 and 3 are literal churches that were located in asia minor.
We will find that important message and hold it up to ourselves for instruction. The city was the center for the worship of diana mother of the gods and in 480 bc the great temple of diana was erected here as a symbol to the world. Now in his revelation to john, the lord of the church identifies. This is the first of seven studies on the churches of revelation chapters 2 and 3, of which there is so much to learn from the great teacher himself, jesus christ, who is the instigator of these seven letters to the churches. To the church in ephesus oak grove church of christ. In this statement jesus advises us to heed the messages given to all of the. The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one. It had big impressive buildings and the largest library around. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. Ephesus was the site of the first congregation that jesus addressed in the apocalypse, and the new testament tells us more about the history of this church than about any of the others. A letter to ephesus seven churches of revelation 2. The letter to the church in ephesus by dennis johnson. If most believers saw these amazing qualities of ephesus in a church or individual they would mistakenly think they are saved. Ask god to open your heart to hear what he wants to say to you through the message to the church at ephesus.
Understand the relevance of the church in ephesus to modernday christians. The revelation of christ revelation 15 seven churches first message, ephesus we now come to the seven messages to the churches of asia in revelation chapters 2 and 3. The church at ephesus was the first church mentioned of the seven churches. Although ephesus had all these amazing qualities it was not enough to meet jesus high standard of requirements for overcomers or conquerors. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. Ephesus was the site of the first congregation that jesus addressed in the apocalypse. In the apostle johns vision of revelation, jesus spoke to the christians in these cities, commending some but warning most. At the time this letter was written, ephesus was a major city of asia minor and a seaport. Smyrna is the second of seven churches in asia minor who receive a spiritual evaluation directly from god through jesus christ. Ephesus was on the coast of ionia, one mile northeast of the presentday town of selcuk in the izmir province of turkey. The seven churches of asia in stained glass in york minster by john thornton. Concluding his message to the church of ephesus, jesus said, he who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.
The church at ephesus had more written to it then to any other of the seven churches in revelation. Church of ephesus chakra muladhara from march 21 to. To him who overcomes i will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of god revelation 2. Dec 05, 2001 with a account you will be able to save items to read and study later. The letter to the church in ephesus by dennis johnson ephesus was the site of the first congregation that jesus addressed in the apocalypse, and the new testament tells us more about the history of this church than about any of the others. It is assumed by pretribulationists that the church is not present on earth during the events spoken of in the majority of the book of revelation.
Eagles wings ministries a study about the letter to the church of ephesus in revelation chapter 2, written by jerry gerald bouey. The esoteric meaning of the church of ephesus in the book of revelation apocalypse. These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and. The specific church being described is the church at ephesus revelation 2. In the opening letter to the church at ephesus, christ is pictured as walking among the seven lampstands, which represent the seven churches 1. It is appropriate that the church at ephesus is addressed first. And to the angel of the church of the smyrneans write. Oct 07, 20 pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the bible from the book of revelation. The churches at ephesus, smyrna, pergamum and thyatira revelation 2 ephesus. Lets explore what this ancient letter had to say to the ephesians in johns time and what we can learn today. The ephesian church appears again in the second chapter of the book of revelation, where, this time, jesus speaks to the church. These things says the first and the last, who was dead but is alive. Revelation 2 lexham english bible leb the letter to the church in ephesus.
Revelation 2 niv to the church in ephesus to the bible gateway. Paul went to macedonia, timothy was left at ephesus 1 timothy 1. The message to the church in ephesus lays an important foundation for the rest of the book of revelation. To the church in ephesus to the angel of the church in ephesus write. Ephesus smyrna pergamos thyatira sardis philadelphia laodicea. The absence of the church on earth from revelation 4 to revelation 18 is consistent with the pretrib view of revelation 3. The city was famous for its temple of diana or artemis, acts 19. The entire revelation of this book is addressed to the seven churches that are in asia vss.
What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in. Ephesus was a city on the western coast of asia minor, near the mouth of the cayster river. This takes place after the book of revelation has already been written and. Why did the church in ephesus receive a direct message from the lord. Ephesus was a prominent citythe gateway to asia minor. Christs letter to the ephesian church praises the congregation for its. In this lesson we look at the message to ephesus, the church that had left its first love revelation 2. This is what the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand says, the one who walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands. The initial visit by paul to ephesus and the powerful preaching of apollos marked the beginning of the church of god in ephesus called simply the church of ephesus in revelation 2. They were a busy church with great statistics, but a church drifting away from heartfelt devotion to christ. We know that the church was established there in ephesus. The revelation of jesus christ webberville church of christ. But i have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. The bible is clear that an angel leads the church at ephesus in revelation.
Many people today think of jesus christs messages to the churches in the book of revelation as simply historical warnings to the. If you want to learn more about the history of the city of ephesus and the other six cities, there are many online resources available. The book of revelation is the ending to the greatest story. What is behind this message christ gave to ephesus that is vitally important for the church in todays world. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation. Pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the bible from the book of revelation. Lessons from the church in ephesus part 1by chris holland. Revelation 2 leb the letter to the church in ephesus. Its more accurate to say that the words churches and church are found 19 times in chapters.
What well see when we examine chapters of revelation that the worldwide church is not mentioned. Love letter to the church at ephesus revelation for kids. Ephesus was the fourth largest city of the roman empire in the first. Ephesus was one of the seven cities addressed in the book of revelation, indicating that the church at ephesus was strong. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the. Ephesus was the largest city of the roman province of asia. Located opposite the island of samos, it is the closest of revelations seven churches to the island of patmos where the apostle john wrote the book of revelation. If we are to correctly interpret and apply the message contained in this passage we must first pause to look at the first three chapters as a whole.
As i read jesuss words to the seven churches and learned about each location, i wondered how these rocks should change my life. Ephesus had some unique challenges for a christfollower in that it was home to the emperors cult and the worship of. Ephesus, in the roman province of asia, is 56 kilometers 35 miles from smyrna. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. Is the ephesian church of the revelation the same group as. Index books of the bible revelation church in ephesus. At the time that john penned these words the church at ephesus was busy working for the lord but had no sincere love for him. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. This is jesus christ telling john to write to the angel of the church of ephesus.
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