LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

It is important we remind ourselves that we have seen from the introduction, that the book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus to His Church. To each of the Churches Jesus revealed Himself in different ways, and when we put together these seven ways in which Jesus revealed Himself, it becomes the whole that we need in our time.

The Book of Revelation is divided into two parts. Revelation 1 to 3 is one part which is HISTORY, while Revelation 4 to 22 is another part, which is prophecy (Revelation 4:1). The Book of Revelation is actually meant to prepare us for persecution in the coming days. We may not want to talk about it but we cannot escape it.

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Revelation 2:1-7

THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
Historical Background

This is the very first letter among the seven letters addressed to the Church in Ad30-Ad300 it means DESIRABLE. The account has it that it is the ‘loveless church’. It was also the leading Church of the group where Paul laboured of great success and the leading point of John’s ministry. 

Introduction
Revelation 2:1
Jesus revealed Himself to this Church as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand. He’s the one that walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Jesus’ introduction to this Church means that the Church of Ephesus was already losing focus off Him.
So the question we should ask ourselves as an assembly, as an individual is that, is He still our/my focus?

Approval
Revelation 2:2
Jesus said He knew their works, their labour, their patience. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.  By saying He knew their works meant God takes records. Jesus noted and commended their good works. He noted their sound doctrine by standing against the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans held impure and immoral doctrines, and that eating meat offered to idols was not evil.

This means that we have to watch the doctrine we have embraced
 
Accusation
Revelation 2:4, Proverbs 14:14, Matthew 24:12, Jude 21, Hebrew 10:38, Romans 12:11

Jesus had several things to commend about the Ephesians’ Church but also had something against them. "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love”. What Jesus had against them was the identity that was given to the Church “LOVELESS CHURCH”. This Church eventually got wiped away because of this one thing.

We need to pay attention to everything God is calling our attention to. Jesus has already told us that as we draw closer to the end, there will be more pressure on our love walk. There will be pressure for us to love less and begin to walk in unforgiveness. We can be in church and yet, drawing back. Pleasant times and pressure times can separate us from the Love of God.

Jesus’ accusation of this Church meant they were adhering to what is commonly accepted. The backsliding believer who is persistent in Church but his love is already growing cold. He’s losing spiritual touch and spiritual fervency. Activity is ongoing but fellowship does not exist.

Key Lessons
i. Where I was is not as important as where I am now. In other words, where I was is only relevant to where I am now if it has any bearing to my future. Don’t let where you were distract you or become a tool in the hand of the enemy to rob you of your future. Where you were is not as important as where you are now.

ii. Revelation 2:5, 1Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9, Song of Solomon 2:15. That one little is enough to spoil or destroy all. We need to look into our lives and find out that one thing that can rob us of so much and ‘deal with it’. We must stop using what God commends us about to justify that one little. iii. Don’t be a victim of the old prophet syndrome. We are boasting about what we did but are losing spiritual flavor by the day, we know the history of the Church but we don’t know the mind of God.

Advice
Revelation 2:5   
Jesus says to remember and repent from where we have fallen. We should call to mind where we have fallen. True repentance is not just saying I’m sorry or regret or be remorseful. However, true repentance involves regret and being remorseful. This is because you can repent and still go back to doing that same thing over and over again. If you are truly sorry/repentant, it requires a turning away, a change of action. What you are sorry about or repented of, you do not repeat. Repentance has fruits.

Assurance
Revelation 2:7, Luke 24:41-42, Matthew 26:29
There is an assurance to everyone that overcomes. Jesus says to him that overcomes He will give to eat of the tree of life. This tells us that even in our glorified state we will still be eating. Everyone must overcome for himself by taking heed to His counsel. We must not compromise our fellowship and walk with God for anything.  

Appeal
Jesus says he that has ear let him ear. If we give attention to His word, we will do His word.

Prayer
*I have ears and I hear. I remember and I repent.
*I overcome by faith, Hope, and Love