Monday, March 2, 2015

Revelations 1:18-20, Revelations 2: 1-7


Revelations 1:18-20, Revelations 2: 1-7


Rev 1:18  I am the living One. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Rev 1:19  "Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. Rev 1:20  This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

This should have been included the blog from February 26, 2015, We have been traveling so apologies for not keeping up. For the next thirty days or so It may be that way. Please keep on checking Revelations is an amazing book .

 
THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
Revelation 2:1-7

Life Application New Testament Commentary: The first letter is addressed to the church in Ephesus—the crossroads of civilization—considered to be a city of great political importance. Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul had planted the church in Ephesus (see Acts 19); Timothy had ministered there (1Timothy 1:3); John, the writer of this letter, was closely associated with the church. The carrier of this letter to the churches would have landed at the port of Ephesus and begun his journey by visiting the church there.

The basic problem with the church in Ephesus is that even though church members had stood fast against evil and false teaching, they had left their basic love for Christ and for one another.

Rev 2:1  "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

The first verse clearly establishes who is saying this even though John was writing the letter Jesus was dictating these words. Ephesus had been warned against false teachers Act_20:29-31  and they had held up that very well in this area and most other areas so why is the letter to Ephesus being written?

Rev 2:2  "I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. Rev 2:3  You have patiently suffered for Me without quitting.

 The church of Ephesus seamed to be doing everything right, but Still doing everything right they had an issue between them and God.

 Rev 2:4  "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love Me or each other as you did at first!

What did Jesus mean when he said but I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you first. The church of Ephesus had become arrogant. They started to believe that they were first in God's plans. Act_20:29-30, They had been warned, John_13:34; 1John_3:18-19,  Jesus commands us to love one and another. That cannot be done if we do that in a bubble. I remember watching a TV show called Dome. I stopped a long time ago I didn't think it was that good. The reason I mention it was that the people in the dome were isolated from the outside world. They could not impact it nor could the outside world impact them.  Ephesus had the same ill. They were satisfied in Christ and did nothing to further Christianity into the world. Do you remember what Mat 28:19 Said? Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. There lies the problem. This is the same problem many people have. My Church, Hidden Valley, (hiddenv.com) lives by Matthew 28:19. We have grown our church not only by people moving into the neighborhood, but by conversion to Christ.
                  
Rev 2:5  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first. If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Rev 2:6  But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. Rev 2:7  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

These verse about what you have done right and what you have done wrong. There would have been a penalty for doing wrong. Their lampstand would have been removed.  What difference would that have made? I am not sure but they would not have been standing on the right hand of Jesus where it is safe, other places not as safe. Ask the Canaanites they were great and powerful and then they met God.
Neh_9:24  "They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them. Even the Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were powerless! Your people could deal with these nations and their kings as they pleased.

Agape

Dave

 

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