The Seven Churches: Ephesus

From: Short Lessons From Church History By: Nicolas Simon

• 8 min. read • grade level: 10

In the first chapter of Revelation, Christ is seen as the Son of Man, not in the character with which the Apostle John was familiar, but clothed for judgment (Revelation 1:13-16¹³And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. ¹⁴His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; ¹⁵And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. ¹⁶And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:13‑16)). John sees Him in the midst of seven candlesticks, which are the seven assemblies that are addressed. The assemblies are seen here in responsibility as light bearers — testimonies in the world (Revelation 1:20²⁰The 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. (Revelation 1:20)).

Chapters 2 and 3 address these seven assemblies — a complete testimony. Various expressions such as “till I come” in Revelation 2:25²⁵But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:25) and “hereafter” in Revelation 4:1¹After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. (Revelation 4:1) help us to understand that this is a historical outline of the Christian profession, not simply seven letters to first century churches.

The first three assemblies describe successive periods. Ephesus, the church of the first century, is characterized as having left her first love (Revelation 2:4⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4)). Smyrna is the persecuted church of the second and third centuries, which Satan as a roaring lion sought to devour. In Pergamos we see the activity of the deceiving serpent. Under the Roman Emperor Constantine, Christendom united with the pagan political world.

At Thyatira — that system over which Rome holds sway — there is a change. We now have the exhortation to “hold fast till I come” (Revelation 2:25²⁵But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:25)), and “he that hath an ear” is no longer addressed to the church as a whole (Revelation 2:26, 29²⁶And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Revelation 2:26)
²⁹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:29)) but to the listening faithful remnant. The final four churches (beginning with Thyatira) represent successive overlapping states that continue until the Lord’s coming. Thyatira is followed by Protestant Sardis. Philadelphia is a moral state; they have kept His Word and have not denied His name (Revelation 3:8⁸I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)). The hope of the rapture has been restored, for they are kept “out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world” (Revelation 3:10¹⁰Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10) JND). Laodicea describes the moral state of Christendom today; claiming to be rich and in need of nothing, its wretched condition is exposed. The Lord is seen as outside the assembly knocking (Revelation 3:20²⁰Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)). Apostate Christendom will ultimately be spued out of His mouth.

Ephesus

There are at least four recorded communications that address the saints at Ephesus. The first is recorded in Acts chapter 20. There Paul addresses himself to the elders (Acts 20:17¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)). He tells them to: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28²⁸Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)). Of particular note is the solemn warning:

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:28-29²⁸Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:28‑29)).

There was no question as to whether grievous wolves would come in. Paul was departing and there was no successor. But the word of His grace is “able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32³²And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)).

The second communication is the Epistle to the Ephesians. Here the Apostle brings out the whole truth of the mystery of Christ and the Church.

The third communication is indirect. In the first Epistle to Timothy, the Apostle writes to Timothy — having besought him to abide still at Ephesus while he continued on to Macedonia — “that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3³As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3)). Already the wolves had entered in seeking to draw away men. In the second epistle to Timothy, the apostle could say: “all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15¹⁵This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)) — which must include Ephesus. Indeed Paul’s concern at that time was such that he sent Tychicus to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:12¹²And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. (2 Timothy 4:12)).

Final Message to Ephesus

The final recorded communication to the church at Ephesus is in the book of Revelation.

“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; I 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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He 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” (Revelation 2:1-7¹Unto 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 labor, 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 labored, 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. (Revelation 2:1‑7)).

Here the aging Apostle John is guided by the Spirit to write to seven churches in Asia, of which Ephesus is the first. Here the church is viewed as a candlestick — that which bears a light — though not the light itself. The candlestick speaks of our responsibility — what use is a lamp without oil, or a candlestick without a candle?

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4)).

While they are commended for rejecting evil and for their labors, they had left their first love — Christ. They had not lost it, but they had left it. Their works were commendable, but He would rather that they do the first works — works that flowed from that first love. How easy it is to let something fall into a repetitious routine. The candlestick would be removed if they did not repent.

The End of the Apostolic Period

Even before we reach the end of the Holy Scriptures, we see the giving up of these precious truths.

“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Philippians 2:21²¹For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. (Philippians 2:21)).

Disconcerted by the Apostle’s chains, his companions quickly deserted him: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15¹⁵This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)). The problems described in the first two chapters of this book (Paul’s second letter to Timothy) transpired in the Apostle’s lifetime. In the third chapter of that same epistle, Paul writes: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)). Here he foresees what was about to be — the last days would begin when apostolic gift was removed from the church. The description parallels that of the heathen found in the first chapter of Romans, but with this awful difference: professing Christendom would have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). “As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” (2 Timothy 3:8⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8)) — a mere imitation of the truth.

“Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” (2 Timothy 4:10¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)). How encouraging to see that there is one, Onesiphorus, who had not forsaken the imprisoned apostle: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found [me]” (2 Timothy 1:16-17¹⁶The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: ¹⁷But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. (2 Timothy 1:16‑17)).

Peter, too, in his Epistles warns them of like precious faith: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2¹But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ²And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:1‑2)). Neither in Paul’s final letter (2 Timothy) nor in Peter’s (2 Peter) do we find any suggestion that there would be apostles to follow. In Jude we have the exhortation:

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:3-4³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ⁴For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 3‑4)).

John also warns: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:18-19¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1 John 2:18‑19)).

In the midst of such a scene Timothy was not to give up nor to withdraw himself — though he is exhorted to walk in a path of separation — but rather he is instructed: “watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5⁵But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)).

“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14‑17)).

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