The book of Revelations, popularly referred to as the Apocalypse is among the most interesting books in the New Testament. It contains prophetic imagery such as bizarre celestial creatures, loathsome plagues and multi-headed beasts attacking the sinning humankind (Heitzig, 2011). However, Revelation is considered as one of the books of encouragement and exhortation for the suffering saints. Additionally, it is a book of warning and admonition for Christian people who are straying from the path of a Godly life. Though the book is addressed to Asia’s seven churches, its message is meant for every generation of churches. This essay will focus on one of the 7 messages written to the angels of the seven churches addressed in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3. The essay begins by presenting an interpretive exposition on the message to the angel of the church at Ephesus. Then, it will detail the specific application of the message as received by the 1st century church to whom the message was addressed. The final part will explain legitimate applications of the message to the church today.
Interpretive Exposition on the Passage
Revelations 2:1-3 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know what you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”
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Jesus is the one who instructed John to write this letter to the church in Ephesus (Gunter, 2011). Therefore, Jesus is the real author of the letter. Each word contained in this letter came from His mouth. Here, John acted as a mere penman, putting down the words that Jesus told him.
Ephesus was one of the flourishing, prosperous and major cities in Asia Minor. It housed the temple of Diana; this temple was categorized as one of the seven world wonders. However, this was not a model city in any way. It contained rampant idolatry and prostitution (Barclay, 2001).
It was in this pagan but wealthy city that the Apostle Paul during one of his missionary journeys established a christen congregation (Barclay, 2001). He spent a significant amount of time in the city of Ephesus and it is believed that his ministry here was hugely blessed. Paul had much love for the Ephesian Christians, which made them to love him in turn. After Paul left, Timothy took over and some years later. Apostle John also served as the pastor of this congregation (Barclay, 2001). Until today, who the pastor was when the book of Revelation was being written remains unclear. But, knowing this is unnecessary. Simply, Jesus directed John to address this letter to the angle of the church in Ephesus.
In the chosen passage, Jesus goes ahead and identifies Himself by saying: “These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” We can see in the previous chapters that Jesus explained that the seven stars represent the seven angels, pastors or messengers of the seven congregations. Jesus says that he has these pastors in his right hand may imply, on one hand that they are instruments in the savior’s hands and on the other hand, that He is using them to perform the responsibilities of the pastoral office (Heitzig, 2011).
Certainly, the fact that Jesus had all these pastors in His right hand also symbolizes that they are enjoying His protection (Barclay, 2001). As they perform their God-given duties every day, they have the comforting assurance that Jesus is guarding them and that no one can pluck them out of the Savior’s hands. They are living under his special guidance and care.
In this passage, Jesus is also concerned about His churches by saying that He is “walking among the seven golden lampstands” (Barclay, 2001). He impresses us once more because it means He is present among His congregations in an intimate manner. This implies that He is observing everything that is happening and nothing can escape his eye. He is watching what His people are doing and how they are doing it. Though sometimes He observes a lot that is amiss, it must be noted that He walks amidst His congregations to help, guard and guide them before they perish.
For the church in Ephesus, Jesus commends the Christians by saying, “I now your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance” (Barclay, 2001). As previously stated, Jesus sees everything that His people do. He knows their deeds and misdeeds of faith. He understands their hard labors of love, their patience, endurance and perseverance that were all evident in their sufferings and persecutions that they underwent due to their loyalty to Him and His Gospel.
Application of the Message as Received by the 1 st Century Church
By the time the book of Revelations was being composed, the Christian churches in Ephesus had been in existence for almost half a century. Over the years, these congregations had evidently started to take God for granted. As far as they were concerned, God’s law and the Gospel of Christ had lost much of their meaning and purpose. Consequently, they lost the burning zeal and fiery love for the Lord. But, they remained active; they did a lot of Christian work and were still willing to ensure sufferings and persecutions (Barclay, 2001). However, it is obvious that one important thing was missing; that initial and burning love for Christ.
It is evident that the believers in Ephesian had lost some of their love for Christ. Interestingly, they seem to have concentrated on the proper interpretation and application of the letter to the angel of the church at Ephesus. This love for a Christian doctrine is what motivated them to dislike the work of the Nicolaitans as portrayed in Revelations chapter two (Gunter, 2011).While today’s christens would wish to keep their love and not abandon Christ like the Ephesians did, they could model their focus on the Scripture. Though they failed to model their love for Jesus in a manner that today’s believers would wish to follow, but, their models for concentrating on the Doctrine and liking the truth are ones that today’s believers should apply to their lives.
Applications of the Message to the Church Today
What a lesson for the church of today. Though this message was addressed to the churches that existed at that time, the struggle of those churches and the messages that Jesus gave extend to the churches of today and the future. Christians should never think that believers in Ephesus were the only ones promised the right to the tree of life (Heitzig, 2011). All the warnings and promises that Jesus made in the message to the angel of the church at Ephesus are for all generations of churches. This is supported by the grammar used in writing this verse as it says, “What the spirit says to the churches” (Gunter, 2011). Jesus gave this message to a church. However, this message contains a plural element meaning that the message to Ephesus is equally applicable to all the churches. Although Jesus addressed His message to individual churches, the message is intended for all churches. Therefore, the message to the angel of the church at Ephesus also applies to the entire church of today in so long as they are in the same situations. It is sad to note that many churches today ignore this portion of the Scripture. Whereas many visit the epistles of Paul and other parts of the New Testament in pursuit of church truth, they often forget the letter to the angel of the church at Ephesus. Though this message comes directly from Jesus Himself, it is completely neglected. This ignorance has made churches of today to fail to conform to God’s perfect will.
References
Barclay, W. (2001). Letters to the seven churches . Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox.
Gunter, D. M. (2011). Seven letters to seven churches: Lessons from the book of Revelation . Kansas City, Mo: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
Heitzig, S. (2011). You can understand the book of Revelation . Eugene, Or: Harvest House Publishers.https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=9FC6504C-CDAE-4A25-9666-CD5C58A3F60A.
