THE EPHESUS AND THE SMYRNA CHURCH

 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INT'L, REIGNERS CENTRE, AJIBODE.

Theme: I Know Thy Works - Time For Critical Self-Examination

Topic: THE EPHESUS AND THE SMYRNA CHURCH

Texts: Revelation 2:1-11 HYMN: 226:  Christian Seek Not Yet Repose.       Tuesday: 24th Nov., 2020.

BACKGROUND OF THE EPHESUS CHURCH’-- The Church Forsake is First Love

Ephesus was a leading wealthy ancient city in the province of Asia. It was located in a rich farming area close to Patmos. The temple of Artemis: one of the seven wonders of ancient world and the great trade port in Ephesus made the city a place of worship and tourist attraction. The Ephesians were proud worshipers of Artemis, the many-breasted goddess of fertility and believed this image "fell from heaven" (Acts 19:35). The city is filled with idolatry, immorality, debauchery as well as religion, philosophy and cultures. (Acts 18:19-27). 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AUTHOR OF THE LETTER (REV. 2:1)

Holding the stars in His right hand, not left hand and walking amidst the lamp stands symbolically indicates that Jesus Christ was active in the Church at Ephesus. He was acquainted with the activities and services in the Church. He walked in the midst of His people and beheld all, top secrets inclusive. All that is hidden to man is exposed and known to Him. This is an excellent picture of the early Church, where the presence of the Lord was constantly in power to save souls and perform other miracles. Our lord still desires to be present in such power in Church services today. Eph. 5: 23b. Is Christ at the center of it all in our lives, family, business and others?

 COMMENDATION AND CHASTENING OF THE CHURCH (REV. 2:2-4, 6)

The statement "I know your deeds" indicates that the Ephesus Church was an active Church. While "good deeds" don't save a person, they are indications of his spiritual vitality. We are not saved by faith and work, but by faith that works (Rom. 3:28). With hard work and patience the Church performed many righteous deeds:

They did not tolerate sin in the Church

They allowed only sound doctrine to be taught

They suffered for Jesus Christ

They hated the practice of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6). This was a sect who "1ord things over the church".

Examining these commendations, one will conclude that the congregation is just above perfect; however, the one among the lampstands, who saw into the heart and diagnosed that the Church has left, "fallen" from his first love (Rev. 2:4). First love here is the Agape love, giving oneself in totality holding nothing back from God. Labour is not substitute to love. Individually and collectively as a church we must have both. Where have we forsaken our first love? Is there a need to retrace it? 

COUNSEL AND CHALLENGE OF THE CHURCH CH (REV. 2: 5, 7)

Believers love for God had not remained fresh and alive; therefore; the Lord of the Church issued 3 sinister, simple warning and counsel or face the music of their lampstand being removed.

a Remember the height where they had fallen.  a desire to regain that close commitment once again.

b. Prepare to have a change of mind confess and turn to the Lord ( John 1:9)

c. Return to the first Love: the Church is counseled to repeat and restore the spiritual fellowship that was broken by our sins and neglect. This means regular prayers, Bible reading and meditation, obedient service and worship. Jesus promised all overcomers would receive fruits from the tree of life in paradise, this is a challenge.

BACKGROUND OF THE SMYRNA CHRUCH – The Persecuted Church

Smyrna was one of the most beautiful cities of its day. Some historians even debated that Smyrna was the most elegant city that the Grecians ever built. The city sloped down toward the sea and along the sides of the hill was a very large Amphitheatre where over twenty-thousand people could sit. It was there that worship to Caesar was granted. Those who refused to embrace this total act of allegiance to Cesar, became marked men and were noted as traitors of the government. The torture that were inflicted on Christians is almost unspeakable.

COMFORT TO THE PERSECUTED (REV.2:8-9)

Jesus was reminding the Pastor and the Church in Smyrna, that He is the First and Last. Jesus was assuring the Church that He was the one that spoke the world into creation and that He will still be their God after Satan is thrown into the burning lake of fire. Jesus was also assuring them that He died on the cross for their sins, but He also rose on the third day and He sits at the right hand of God the Father. This is not only a message of comfort to the Church in Smyrna but also to us. God is in control then and He remains in control today and will be in control tomorrow and always. The Church at Smyrna was hit by pressure, poverty and persecution. Yet, Jesus brought no condemnation; the Lord has no complaint to speak. The character and conduct of the Church at Smyrna was such that it was above reproach.

ENJOYING TRUE RICHES (REV. 2:9)

Christ was telling them that He knew that they were being persecuted and that they were very poor. The Christians were being thrown into prison and even killed because they refused to worship Caesar. Because of their refusal to obey the Roman laws, they were not allowed to belong to the labour unions of that day, thus they were not able to obtain decent paying jobs to support their families. They were in extreme poverty. Wealth and fame are good indeed but they are not our ultimate success. God has promise that He would provide for our needs; food, clothing and shelter. Evern though they were in poverty, Christ said they were rich! Lord is greater than any riches that we could ever hope for. If you have Christ in your heart and are living a true Christian life, then you are the richest person in the world.

A CROWN TO THE FAITHFULS (REV.2:10-11)

Christ told them that the devil would put some of them into prison to test them. They would suffer persecution for a short period of time. satan wants, more than anything, to have a Christian turn away from God. 

Many Christians have turned from the faith when this has happened to them. Jesus told these Christians to be faithful even to the point of death and He would reward then with the crown of life. (James 1:12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. What other benefits do you observe?

WE SHALL CONTINUE THIS SERIES NEXT WEEK