The book of Revelation holds the most important message for Christians and Christian Churches. It is the only book in the bible that holds a blessing to those who read it. So, please - read it! Rev1:3 "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
Because it is a prophetic book, it is extremely difficult to understand. That only means we should study with patience and perseverance until it reveals its beauty. I'd like to focus on the character of the churches described in Revelation chapters two and three. We can deduce many meaningful insights from it that are applicable to our own lives in this our day and age - especially because after giving a message to each church Jesus repeats "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." That means each and every one of us needs to listen. We must listen because we are the church. If we fail - the church fails. The church is nothing but a group of believers united by their love for God. But our bodies are also temples for the spirit of holiness which Jesus gives to all who love his word and believe in the truth of his teaching. What good is a church of stone if it has no heart?
The message to the churches follows a specific form:
- Jesus presents himself in a certain way
- Jesus states what makes the church unique
- Jesus criticizes the church for something its doing wrong
- "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches"
- Jesus promises a unique gift to some of the churches
It is a ritual that repeats seven times with minor variation that Jesus is preforming as High-priest. We need to understand every part of the ritual to understand the whole meaning of the message. I'm not sure that I have all the pieces to this puzzle but I will do my best and share what I have. I pray that Jesus will give me wisdom to do this right. And I ask you to correct me if you find something wrong.
Ephesus
Rev2:1-7
The city of Ephesus was John's residence before his exile. It was a powerful commercial and religious center and had one of the first major Christian communities. Jesus presents to this church as "he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." From Rev1:20 we understand that the seven stars in his right hand are the angels of the seven churches and the churches are symbolized as seven golden candlesticks. The right hand is usually a symbol for work and power. Jesus is walking in the middle of the candlesticks - in the middle of the churches. He presents himself as a priest to the church of Ephesus having power over the Angels. He reveals to us that his Spirit is working through the churches and the Angels who watch over them.
He recognizes that the church of Ephesus has accomplishments, hard labor, consistency, doesn't tolerate evil, is discerning against false teachers - especially hates Nicolaitans whom Jesus also hates. The church is one of sustained endurance and effort. It is my opinion that Nicolatians were Gnostics who sought mystical knowledge and power from the bible. To achieve this knowledge usually two extreme methods were used - sensual deprivation including self-inflicted suffering or sensual overload by ritualistic intoxication and fornication. Both methods are unbiblical, indeed forbidden by scriptures. Nikolaos when translated means victory over people and is very similar to Baalam - master of people. We know Baalam corrupted the Jews by introducing idol-worshiping prostitutes to them. It may be possible that something to this effect was attempted against Ephesus by the Nicolatians and Ephesus resisted by adopting a monastic lifestyle.
Jesus scolds the church of Ephesus "thou hast left thy first love". When the early church was formed it was a community of equals. Members would sell all their possessions and give to the community which would distribute the goods to the neediest and poorest among them. They would provide for each other and the Lord would provide for them. This model worked for some time but people started distancing themselves from the world seeing that their lifestyle was incompatible with secular lifestyle. Those who would deny themselves more and more were elevated in rank because of their often extensive knowledge of scripture - and perceived holiness. Suddenly hierarchies formed and laypeople were considered less than equal members until only the highest members of clergy regarded themselves as deserving of God's mercy since they and only they knew his word and believed that only they kept it. So what is the first love? The world. By leaving their first love - the world, they also distanced themselves from God's plan to spread the word to the community and to love their neighbor as they love themselves. We all love the world before we learn the love of God. Of course we can't love both God and the world but we shouldn't leave the world as well. Other believers as well as non-believers need us to endure the problems of life. By distancing ourselves we don't receive the spirit of holiness but the spirit of fear and arrogance - spirit of Satan. Rev 2:5 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works" Get back out there and spread the good news with peace and truth and don't leave your first love - we are to be faithful to the end.
The special gift Jesus promises to the Church of Ephesus is the fruit from the tree of life which is in the garden of Eden. Access to the tree of life was forbidden because Adam disobeyed God and ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Overcoming the world will bring back this privilege. But I'm guessing that God is giving us a hint here - by obedience to his word we will overcome. And maybe also by asking our wives what's for breakfast.
Please post your comments below, I'd like to hear your take on this.