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.