7 Churches of Revelation
1. Ephesus
What It Means to Us
Jesus wants devotion to the King, not just doctrine. Jesus abhors heresy. First commandment: Sh’ma: Deut 6:5. No thought of self: “If I speak with the tongues of men….” 1 Cor 13. First love is the abandonment of all for a love that has abandoned all.
- The 3rd Commandment: Ambassadorship, not vocabulary!
- Devotional life—private worship.
- Commitment, not melodies.
The Prophetic Profile
Ephesus represents the Apostolic Church. Even at the end of the first century (when this was written) the church was in trouble. Thus, even the “Church Fathers” are not a reliable model. Paul’s letter to Galatians exhorts not to “perfect in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit.”
The only exemplar model is the Book of Acts. Study to notice the emphasis on the following:
- Focus on the teaching of the Word; (Satan’s first challenge is against God’s Word; and then to castigate His character.) Used Scripture to authenticate their experiences.
- Commitment to assembly and fellowship.
- Breaking of Bread (“in remembrance of me”).
- Commitment to prayer.
