Letter to the Church in Ephesus
Bible Study Guide
As a young man, I spent some time in the Air Force as a jet engine mechanic. There were long periods of time when I was not able to make it home to visit. This was especially true when we were restricted from gaining leave because we were supporting a special mission. During these times it was always very exciting to get a care package or a letter from home.
I imagine that John’s former congregation of the church in Ephesus was even more excited when they learned that he was going to return to the church to address them with a personal letter. Even more so, when they found out that the letter he was going to present was directed at them from their Lord and Savior, Jesus.
The anticipation in the sanctuary must’ve grown rapidly as they were about to hear the loving words from their very own Messiah. But there was a catch!
Pattern of the Letters to the Seven Churches
As we begin to explore these very important letters, pay close attention to the pattern that is revealed in the order of the letters. Notice that while the flow of the message is the same, each of these short letters is different than the other.
The pattern begins with the location of the church. This is followed by the One who is addressing the church. While different in each letter, it’s the same One addressing the church.
Jesus then reveals what He knows about each church. After that, what trails behind are words of encouragement. Only five of the seven churches will receive words of encouragement.
Then, surprisingly to five of the seven churches will be a rebuke. After that will a challenge to repent and turn back to the straight and narrow path to five of the seven churches. Lastly, there will be the promise of a reward to those who hold true to the faith.
To the Church in Ephesus
(Verses 1-4) Ephesus was a hustling and bustling port city in Macedonia. Many travelers and those seeking commerce passed through Ephesus. This made it a very strategic location for Paul the apostle to spread the word of Jesus and His crucifixion. It was Paul who established the church in Ephesus.
Eventually, Timothy would be put in place to lead this young church. John the apostle of Christ would find himself as the pastor before his exile to the isle of Patmos.
Jesus addresses Himself to the Ephesus church as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. This is to serve as a reminder that Christ is always among His churches. It also let’s them know that He sees all their paths and what they do.
It must’ve created a warm glow in the hearts of the congregation of Ephesus to hear their Lord’s words of encouragement as they flowed from the pages of John’s letter. But there was a problem. Despite all their hard work in serving the Lord, there was something He held against them.
I Hold This Against the Church in Ephesus
(Verses 4-5) Jesus’ warning to this church would not be the first time they hear of this particular cautioning. While Ephesus was a very busy and prospering city, it was also an idolatrous and sinful city in the eyes of God. Ephesus was also the home to one of the designated Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Diana.
The Temple was originally built around 8th century BC as a Greek temple and dedicated to the goddess of fertility, Artemis. Thus it was known as the Temple of Artemis.
After experiencing several rebuilds due to destruction over several centuries, it found itself under the control of the Romans by the 1st century AD. The Romans rededicated the Temple of Artemis to become the Temple of Diana. The locals appeared fine with this as it didn’t seem to interfere with their idolatrous practices of worshiping false gods.
This rebranding of the temple was especially fine with the silversmiths of that day. It didn’t prevent them from their lucrative practices of peddling their miniature shrines of goddess Diana and Artemis. That is until Paul the apostle came on the scene to preach of Christ and against their false gods (Acts 19:23-31).
After Paul’s departure from Ephesus, He delivers a stern warning to the elders.
“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31)
This is the very same warning that Christ holds against them in His letter. The savage wolves have infiltrated their ranks and have diluted the message of Christ. This has in turn taken them away from the true relationship that we all ought to have with Jesus. It’s that first love we experience when we come to know and accept Jesus as our Savior as new Christians.
Who Are the Nicolaitans?
(Verse 6) After His warning, Jesus offers the congregation a glimmer of hope. He sees that they despise the sinful actions of the Nicolaitans. This reminds them that there original love for the things of heaven and contempt for the things of this world is still within their hearts. They must use this favor to bring themselves back on the path to Christ and Christ alone.
The exact origin of the Nicolaitans is not made clear to us in the Bible. Whether from an early disciple named Nicolas who fell away from the true faith or from the Greek word Nicolah, meaning “let us eat,” which meant to eat food dedicated to false gods, both led people astray and away from their true faith and relationship with Christ.
The Letter to the Church in Ephesus Was Meant for All Who Have Ears
(Verse 7) The last verse in the letter addressed to the congregation in Ephesus is an all inclusive statement. We know that Jesus dictated this letter to John meant for this particular church. The messages true intention is for all churches throughout all generations. And most importantly, it’s meant for this current generation as we watch all the signs and warnings of the last days converge before our eyes.
So unless you have no ears, you need not heed His warning.
Do you see your church in this letter? Is Jesus speaking about your church and how it has fallen away from the true faith? Is He warning you about the false gospels of those like the prosperity gospel, social justice gospel or even the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) gospel? Beware of these cults that call themselves Christian churches. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
If this is your church, will you heed Christ’ warning with seriousness or sit silently and take no action? What would Jesus want you to do?
Unless, we heed this warning from Christ along with His warning on the Mount of Olives on the events of the last days…
“For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)
Or take the advice of John the apostle in his first epistle…
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3)
We are all susceptible to falling away from our first love for Christ.
Watch More on the Teaching of Revelation 1:12-2:7
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