The Book of Revelation

REVELATION Chapter Two
Translations:
2:1 Ephesus was the captial of Asis Minor, a center of land and sea trade, and, along with Alexandria and Antioch in Syria, one of the three most influential cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The temple to Diana, one of the ancient wonders of the world, was located in this city, and a major industry wdas the manufacture of idols of this goddess (see Acts 19:21-41). Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years and warned the Ephesians that false teachers would come and try to draw people away from the faith (see Acts 20:29-31). False teachers did indeed cause problems in the Ephesian church, but the church resisted them, as we can see from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, John spent much of his ministry in this city and knew that they had resisted false teaching (2:2).
The one who "walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (or among the seven churches) is Jesus (1:11-13). He holds the leaders of the churches "in his right hand," indicating his power and authorty over the churches and their leaders. Ephesus had become a large, proud church, and Jesus' message reminds them that he alone is the head of the body of believers.

2:1ff Does God care about your church? If you are tempted to doubt it, look more closely at these seven letters. The Lord of the universe knew each of these churches and its precise situation. In each letter, Jesus tell John to write about specific people, places, and events. He praises believers for their successes and tell them how to correct their failures. Just as Jesus cared for each of these churches, he cares for yours. He wants it to reache its greatest potential. The group of believers with whom you worship and serve is God's vehicle for changing the world. Take it seriously--God does.

2:2 Over a long period of time, the church in Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city noted for the immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Diana. We also are living in times of wide-spread sin and sexual immorality. It is popular to be open-minded toward many types of sin, calling them "personal choices" or "alternative life-styles." But when the abody of believers begins to tolerate sin in the church they are lowering the standards and compromising the church's witness. Remember that God's approval is infinitely more important than the world's.

2:2,3 Christ commends the church at Ephesus for (1) working hard, (2) being patient, (3) resisting sin, (4) critically examining the clams of false apostles, and (5) suffering patiently without quitting. Every church should have these characteristics. But these good efforts should spring from our love for Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and John stressed bortherly love as an authentic proof of the Gospel (John 123:34; 1 John 3:18, 19). In the battle for maintaining sound teaching and moral anddoctrinal purty, it is possible to lose a charitable spirit. Proloonged confict can weaken or destroy our patience and affection. In defending the faith, guard against any structure or rigidity that weakens love.

2:4 Paul had once commended the church at Ephesus for its love for God and others (Ephesians 1:15), but many of the church founders had died and the second-generation believers had lost their zeal for God. They were a busy church---the members did much to benefit themselves and the commlunity---but they were acting for the wrong reasons. Work for God must be motivated by love for God, or it will not last.

2:4,5 Just as when a man and woman fall in love, so also new believers rejoiice at their newfound forgiveness. But when we lose sight of the seriousness of sin, we begin to lose the thrill of our forgiveness (see Peter 1:9). In the firest steps of your Christian life, you may have had enthusiasm without knowledge. Do you now have knowledge without enthusiasm? Both are necessary if we are to keep love for God intesnse and untarnished (see Hebrews 10:32). Do you love God with the same fervor as when you were a new Cahristian?

2:5 For Jesus to "remove thy candlestick out of his place" would mean the church would cease to be an effective church. Just as the seven-branched candlestick in the Temple gave light for the priests to see, the churches were to give light to their surrounding communities. But Jesus warned them that their lights could go out. In fact, Jesus himself would extinguish any light that did not fulfill its purpose. The church had to repent of its sins.

2:6 The Nicolaitanes were believers who compromised their faithin order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of Ephesian society. The name Nicolaitanes is held by some to be roughly the Greek equlvalent of the Hebrew word for "Balaamites." Balaam was a prophet who induced the Israelites to carryout their lustful desires (see 2:14 and Numbers 31:16). When we want to take parat in an activity we know is wrong, we may make excuses to justify our behavior, saying that is isn't as bad as it seems or that it won't hurt our faith. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.
Through John, Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for hating the wicked deeds of the NIcolaitanes. Note that they didn't hate the people, just their sinful actions. We should accept and love all people and refuse to tolerate any evil. God cannot tolerate sin, and he expects us to stand agains it. The world needs Christians who will stand for God's truth and point people toward right living.

2:7 To "overcome" is to be victorious by believing, persevering, remaining faithful, andliving as one who follows Christ. Such a life brings great rewards (21:7). Two trees were in the Garden of Eden---the tree of life and the tree of the knoledge of good and evil (see Genesis 2:9). Eating from the tree of life brought eternal life with God: eating from the tree of knowledge brought realization of good and evil. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge, they disobeyed God's command. So they were excluded from Eden and barred from eating from the tree of life. Eventually, evil will be destroyed and believers will be brought into a resored paraise. In the new earth, everyone will eat from the tree of life and will live forever.

The Book of Revelation

REVELATION : Chapter Two

The Loveless Church

2:1 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;

2:2 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 wich sy they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

2:3 and hast borne, and hast patience, and foe my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

2:5 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.

2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, whilch I also hate.

2:7 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.

The Book of Revelation

Prologue / Chapter One Continue:

JOHN'S GREETINGS AND PRAISE TO GOD

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come. the Almighty.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tributlation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the fist and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laosicea.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlestickes; and 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. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furance; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And 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.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead,; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things dwhgich thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right ha n, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thour sawest are the seven churches.

REVELATION: Prologue

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The Book of Revelation - Introduction KJV

REVELATION

With tiny wrinkles and cries, he entered the world and, wrapped in strips of cloth, took his first nap on a bed of straw. Subject to time and to parents, he grew to manhood in Roman-occupied Palestine, his gentle hands becoming strong and calloused in Joseph's woodworking shop. As a man, he walked through the countryside and cities, touching individuals,preaching to crowds, and training 12 men to carry on his work. At every step he was hounded by those seeking to rid the world of his influence. Finally, falsely accused and tried, he was condemned to a disgraceful execution by foreign hands. And he died-spat upon, cursed, pierced, and hung heavenward for all to deride. Jesus, the God-man, gave his life completely so that all might live.

At God's appointed time, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus will burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is Lord of the universe! Those who love him will rejoice, greeting their Savior with hearts overflowing into songs of praise. But his enemies will be filled with fear. Allied with Satan, the enemies of Christ will marshal their legions against Christ and his armies. But who can withstand God's wrath? Christ will win the battle and reign victorious forever! Jesus, the humble Suffering Servant, is also the powerful, conquering King and Judge.

Revelation is a book of hope. John, the beloved apostle and eyewitness of Jesus, proclaimed that the victorious Lord would surely return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked. But Revelation is also a book of warning. Things were not as they should have been in the churches, so Christ called the members to commit themselves to live in righteousness.

Although Jesus gave this revelation of himself to John nearly 2,000 years ago, it still stands as a comfort and challenge to God's people today. We can take heart as we understand John's vision of hope: Christ will return to rescue his people and settle accounts with all who defy him.

John begins this book by explaining how he received this revelation from God ( 1:1-20). He then records specific messages from Jesus to the seven churches in Asia (2:1-3:22). Suddenly, the scene shifts as a mosaic of dramatic and majestic images bursts into view before John's eyes. This series of visions portrays the future rise of evil, culminating in the Antichrist (4:1-18:24).
Then follows John's recounting of the triumph of the King of kings, the wedding of the Lamb, the final judgment, and the coming of the new Jerusalem 19:1-22:5). Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ's soon return (22:6-21), and John breathes a prayer that has been echoed by Christians through the centuries: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (22:20).

As you read the book of Revelation, marvel with John at the wondrous panorama of God's revealed plan. Listen as Christ warns the churches, and root out any sin that blocks your relationship with him. Be full of hope, knowing that God is in control, Christ's victory is assured, and all who trust hm will be saved.