Jesus Doesn't Forgive

 I have this against you, that you forgive Jezebel—What Jesus has against the whole church is their acceptance of the false teacher.  This teacher is causing great sin to occur in the fellowship, but the fellowship just accepts her without correction.  Jesus is not pleased with this at all.

I gave her time—Jesus, in the past, already warned the false prophet, the leader of the sect, to stop the false teaching, but the teacher didn’t listen to Jesus, so Jesus is going to punish her.

Throw her to a couch—The prophet and (her) group of followers will be made seriously sick until they repent.  This is a common thing for God to do against those in serious sin (see Psalm 32)

Repent of their deeds—Jesus wants them to stop their actions. 

I will kill her children—Some of the followers will die of the sickness.

Perhaps this seems severe on Jesus' part.  Okay, it absolutely seems severe on Jesus' part.  But we need to see the circumstance from Jesus' perspective.

What this sect is doing is forsaking the kingdom of Jesus, the only way that one might obtain eternal life.  Not only are they forsaking this way of life, but they are giving strength to the enemy that persecutes the way of life. In the long run, Jezebel is killing people, in the most permanent way possible.  Jesus has given her a chance to stop killing people, but she refuses.  Jesus isn't taking any more chances that she might kill more people in his kingdom.  He is taking serious action-- making her and her followers sick and some of them will die.  This will show them all the seriousness of her sin.

Interestingly enough, the original Jezebel also killed people when it served her purposes.

Jezebel the Seductress

Jezebel is used here as a metaphor for the false teacher who is in the church in Thyatira.  Jezebel in the Hebrew Scriptures was the wife of the evil king Ahab, a foreign woman who encouraged her husband to be involved in Baal worship.  She was not involved in literal adultery, but to be a ruler in Israel and to encourage the worship of another god is adultery against God, if not her husband. (I Kings 16:31; 21:25)

"Jezebel" was a religious leader, almost certainly a woman, that was teaching the Thyatira church to worship another god.  There were a number within Thyatira's church that accepted her teachings. 

Jesus accused Jezebel and her followers of committing porneia (sexual immorality) and eating that which was sacrificed to idols.  What does this mean? The sect within Thyatira encourages compromise with the world.  This is not surprising since Thyatira was run by craft guilds that demanded worship of their gods.  This sect of the church probably encouraged compromise by being partly involved in worship—especially though the eating of clearly marked idolatrous meat—in order to be better accepted by the world.  

How would this work?  The guilds in Thyatira held all the prosperous employment.  To be a part of the guild, one would have to worship the emperor and take part of the guild feasts, which would probably include meat which was sacrificed to idols.  Jezebel taught the church of Thyatira that participating with the guilds was acceptable. Jesus is telling the church that Jezebel is leading them to forsake Jesus for another god. 

The Good Stuff

Jesus description of Thyatira includes love, faithfulness, service,and endurance.  

The church in Thyatira is a church that does good work.  They act in love to those in need and remain loyal to those around them.  It probably implies that they are faithful to Jesus as well.  In this brief description, it is almost the perfect church.  At least part of it. 

Self-Description

How Jesus described himself is significant to Thyatira's situation of being challenged to worship the emperor of Rome. 

The Son of God—Jesus is reminding the church that He is the true emperor of all the earth

Eyes of flame, feet of brass—They could indicate the fact that he is a judge, but since they reflect the description of the powerful angel in Daniel 10, they probably remind the church that Jesus is not of this world, but of the spirit world, and that his power is of the other world.  Thyatira needs to remember that worship is in spirit and in truth, not as a makeshift for this world's matters. 

Thyatira

Thyatira, ruins and modern city

An insignificant city in Roman Asia Minor, it had a strong guild system, in which almost everyone in the city worked in some way for the craft guilds.  These also required worship of specific guild gods, as well as casual worship of the emperor.

For more information about Thyatira, check out the International Biblical Encyclopedia

Translation of Jesus' Letter to Thyatira

And to the angel which is in the fellowship of Thyatira, write: 

This says the Son of God, who has the eyes as a flame of fire and his feet are like brass. 

I know your deeds and your love and faithfulness and service and your endurance and your later deeds are greater than the first.  

But I have against you that you forgive the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and she teaches and leads astray my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat that which is sacrificed to idols.  I gave her time so that she would repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.  Behold I throw her to a couch and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering unless they repent of her deeds.  And I will kill her children with death and all the fellowships will know that I am the one who examines the minds and hearts and I will give to each of you according to your deeds.  

And I say to you, the rest of those in Thyatira, who do not have this teaching, who have not known the "deep things of Satan" as they call them, I put upon you no other burden.  But what you take hold of until I come.  

And he who conquers and he who keeps my deeds until the end I will give to him authority over the nations and he will watch over them with a rod of iron as the vessels of the potter are broken, as I also have received from my Father. And I will give to him the morning star.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships.  

Jesus Letter to the Christians in Washington D.C.

A loose translation of Revelation 2:12-17

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of God’s people in Washington D.C.:

This is a message from He whose sword—the Word of Power—cuts both against the world and the people of God.

I know the difficulties you face, and that you live in the city of Satan’s throne, where people worship politics as the replacement of God.  But you did not deny me, even in the days of Martin Luther King, my witness who faithfully spoke the truth, who was killed by Satanic forces. 

But I hold these things against you: 

The teaching of Balaam, who taught Barak how to compromise the people of God by seducing them and leading them into false worship, is rampant among you.  I have taught to love your enemies and you teach that killing your enemies at times is justified.  I have taught that the least shall be the greatest, but you uphold the boasters, not the humble.  I have taught to seek God’s kingdom, but you teach to seek the kingdom of this world.

You also adhere to the teachings of those who advocate compromise with the government of the world, so that the church can have success in this life.

You need to turn away from compromise of all kinds.  If you stand with the world, then when I come to judge the world, I will judge you as well.  Only those who remain steadfast in me, in opposition to the ways and powers of the world, will remain standing on the final day, for I will cut down every compromiser with the word of my mouth.

If you have an ear, hear what God says to His people.

The steadfast, victorious one will receive the loaves and fishes from my hand.  That one will receive the “not guilty” verdict from the jury of the council of heaven.

Jesus' Response to the Pergumists

Wage war—Jesus will wage war on his enemies.  Jesus is saying to the church to be careful not to put themselves in the enemies’ camp.  By participating in emperor worship, one would be forsaking Jesus (unlike Antipas) and standing with Jesus’ enemies instead.

Hidden manna—Manna is the provision of God for Israel in the wilderness.  It is secret or hidden because for now it is unseen—it probably symbolizes the kingdom of God to come.  This manna, given by God, is in opposition to the meat of idolatry mentioned earlier.

White stone—The white stone is given to one who is acquitted.  Jesus is acquitting his church—though they have compromised with the world, nevertheless He is granting them pardon if they would but repent.

Sexual Immorality In Revelation

The Greek word, pornea is translated "sexual immorality" and sometimes "adultery."  It occasionally is in scripture used as a symbol for worshipping other gods.  John is probably warning the church not to participate in any kind of idol worship here.  In Pergamum, it would be easy for them to take part in emperor worship, in addition to Christian practice.  But Jesus strongly warns them not to take part in it.

Eating Meat Sacrificed To Idols

Could I have some of that smoked salmon up front?

Meat sold in the marketplace was often offered to idols first.  There was an early Christian (and Jewish) debate whether one should eat meat in the market or not.  Jewish scholars eventually emphasized “kosher” or rabbinicly approved food.  But most Jews (and Christians) went one of two ways—re-blessing the food or refraining from all meat. 


Paul said that on the surface either way was fine, but that those who “re-blessed” shouldn’t cause those of the other group to sin by encouraging them to eat the meat (I Corinthians 8-10; Romans 14).  John is clearly of the other group, not wanting the people of God to be impure by taking part in idol worship.

Balaam

All you ever needed to know about Balaam is right here in this song. 

He was a prophet of Yahweh in the time of Moses.  He was paid to curse Israel, but he only blessed Israel instead. (Numbers 22-24)  The text suggests, and later stories spell out, that Balaam taught Barak, the king of the Moabites, how to defeat the Israelites—to have his young women seduce the young men of Israel and convince them to worship other gods. (Numbers 31:13-18)  Balaam was eventually killed by the Israelite army. (Numbers 31:8).  In the Jude tradition, Balaam became a byword for a teacher of God who does so for personal profit (Jude 1:11; II Peter 2:15).

In Revelation, Balaam is a picture of a prophet who knows just enough truth to be dangerous and uses that knowledge to draw people into idolatry.  At the time of writing, there were people teaching Christians that it is okay to give into worshiping Caesar... add Christian excuse after.  "God will always forgive you after."  "You need to get along in the world."  "Sometimes a compromise is the best."

Martyr of Pergamum

An icon of Antipas of Pergamum 

Antipas—We know nothing of him apart from the information in Revelation.  Only that he was a martyr for Jesus’ faith, that he stood by Jesus even though threatened.  It was common in the second century for Christians to be forced to choose between emperor worship and their faith in Jesus.

There are a number of later traditions written about Antipas. It is said he was told, "The world is against you, Antipas"  He is said to have responded, "Then I am against the world!"  You can read a fuller story about Antipas here.

My witness, my faithful one—These titles spoken about Antipas are the same titles as given to Jesus in chapter one.  “Witness” in Revelation is the word “martus” from which we gain the word “martyr”.  The book of Revelation is the book that began the use of "martus" for one who dies for his faith.

Satan's Throne

There are two strong possibilities for what "Satan's throne" was in Pergamum.

1. The Temple of Zeus

There was a huge and famous temple of Zeus in Pergamum (the photo above is a reconstruction of the Western side of this temple).  The question would be, how would Zeus be seen as Satan?  Satan is often associated with Baal, the Canaanite god of war and thunder, who defeated El, the Father God, to rule over heaven and earth.  Zeus is the Greek counterpart to Baal, a god of thunder, who defeated his father, Saturn, to rule over heaven and earth.  In the creation story of Genesis 1, El reorganizes heaven and earth to restore it to his possession after the powers of darkness and water had taken over.

As all three personas are seen as pretty much the same, Satan's throne could be seen as Zeus' largest temple in the Roman empire.


2. Emperor worship

Pergamum was also famous as being a center of emperor worship.  In the first century B.C. they would hold processions for Augustus, the first emperor of Rome.  This worship grew through the time of Trajan in the early second century A.D., where Pergamum was the capital of its province in Asia and was the focus of emperor worship in Asia.

How would emperor worship be seen as the "throne of Satan"?  The Roman persecution of Christians would be seen as an act of judgment on the innocent, and thus an act of Satan, the "prosecutor" and the "accuser of the brothers."  Worship is a symbolic act of reverence to a powerful emperor, whether a god or a man.  Thus, the center of worship is a kind of throne of an emperor.   So emperor worship could be considered "Satan's throne".

F.F. Bruce on emperor worship in Pergamum

Cuts Both Ways

Jesus emphasizes that he has a two edged sword to the church of Pergamum. This is a sword that cuts two ways and is used both for defense and attack.  In the context of a church that has a group of heretics, Jesus is probably saying that he could use it either way for the church.  He could defend them in their time of need, when being attacked, or he could judge them if they remain on the side of compromise. 

Pergamum

Ruins of Pergamum

An important Roman city, it used to be the capital of an empire in modern Turkey.  It had a huge altar to Zeus, and also a temple devoted to the worship of Trajan, the Roman emperor in the early second century.

For more information about Pergamum check out this site

Jesus Letter to Pergamum

And to the angel of the fellowship in Pergamum, write: 

This says the one who has the sharp two-edged sword: 

I know where you live, where the throne of Satan is and you hold to my name and did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed from you where Satan lives.  

But I have against you a few things because you have there some who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.  Thus you also have in the same way those who hold to the teaching of the Nikolatians.  

Therefore repent, or else I come to you quickly and I will wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.  He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  

To him who conquers I will give to him the manna which is hidden and I will give to him a white stone and a new name which is written that no one knows except he who receives.

Letter to the Underground Church

A less-than-literal translation of Revelation 2:8-11

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of God’s people underground in China:

I am the ruler of all things from the least to the greatest.

And I am the one who was killed unjustly, but God vindicated me by raising me from the dead.

O My people, I know your great suffering and your poverty in the sight of all around you—

Yet, here with Me, you have great wealth!

I know about the traditionalists, the so-called “congregation of God” who speak terrible slander about You

But they are not of God’s congregation, but Satan’s.

Don’t be afraid of your suffering—that which you have received nor what is coming.

The Great Liar and Evil Prosecutor is going to throw some of you into prison

For a limited period of time.

This is done to test your faith.

If you remain true to me—even to death—then I will give you the reward of life that never ends.

If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.

The Victor may die, but won’t be touched by the death which comes at the judgment of all people.

Synagogue of Satan

Jesus is not calling all Jews of Satan, but certain ones.

"Satan" is not a name, but a title, which means "accuser" or "prosecutor".  He is the one who judges all people, whether guilty or innocent.

Thus, when Jesus calls a group of Jewish people the "synagogue of Satan" he means that they act like Satan-- they are persecuting and judging the innocent.  There are other synagogues who do not act this way, but any church or synagogue or mosque that acts in judgment on others and persecutes them is of the spirit of Satan. 

Riches in Poverty

Notes on sections from the Letter to Smyrna:

Who was dead and came to life—Jesus himself suffered under human courts and died.  Yet he was vindicated by God the Father which is what Jesus expects for the Smyrnans.

Suffering, poverty—The Smyrnans are being persecuted and they are enduring severe poverty.  It is likely that the poverty is a result of economic sanctions because of their stand with Christ.  If they stand with Jesus, they are being considered "atheists" by their Roman neighbors and business people.  Thus, they can't gain any economic gain because of their "immoral" position.

But you are rich—The Smyrnans are obtaining more honor and riches before God.  So their state on earth doesn’t reflect their true status in the heavens.  This is as Jesus said, that the lowly would be raised.  Note that this is the opposite of the church at Laodikia, who is wealthy, but Jesus said that they are in poverty.

First and Last

"First and Last" is a title for an emperor, like this Chinese one. 

Jesus' title reminds the Smyrnans that he alone is the King of kings.   Jesus alone is the one with all authority to make determinations.  Even though the Symernans are suffering humiliation in the human courts—even those that claim to speak for God—Jesus will vindicate them.

Smyrna

Smyrna was a significant city in the Hellenistic period, but dwarfed by Ephesus’ importance in Romans times.  It was situated on Mt. Pagos, near the Gulf of Smyrna.  It had a huge open market/teaching area called the Agora. Smyra had a significant Jewish community, out of which came the Christian congregation, which was significant to the Asian church throughout the second century.

For more information about Smyrna, click here.

Modern day Izmir, near the location of ancient Smyrna.

The Letter to Smyrna: A Literal Translation

And to the angel which is in the fellowship of Smyrna write: 

This says the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:  

I know your suffering and your poverty, but you are rich, and the blasphemy from those who call themselves Judeans and are not but of the synagogue of Satan.  Do not fear what you are about to suffer.  Behold the devil is about to cast of you into prison in order to test and you will have suffering for ten days.  

Be faithful unto death and I will give to you the crown of life.  He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships.  He who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.  

The Letter To The Evangelicals

(A less-than-literal translation of Revelation 2:1-9, the letter to Ephesus)

John, take this dictation.

To the Power which rules over the congregation of Jesus’ people, the Evangelicals:

This is from the King, who rules over God’s stars, the Powers that stand before God.

This is from the High Priest of the congregations, who brings the prayers of the people of God to God’s throne.

I know all that you have done for Me, all of your service.  I know that you have upheld my name despite those who deny me.  I know that you won’t put up with false teachers, but test every so called “apostle” or “prophet” or “teacher” that comes in my name.  Some you have found to be untrue, denying Me, and you have rightly labeled them “heretics”.

I know that some have attacked you because of your stand for me, and yet you are ready to continue to be standing on my behalf.

But there is a serious issue that I take stand against you:  You have walked away from the love you initially lived out.  You would be kind to all my brothers, helping the weak, and now you deny them, and so you deny Me.  You have forsaken your love for the needy and so forsaken Me.

Correct yourself.  Remember the acts you did previously and do them again.  If you do not, I will take you from God’s presence and your prayers will not be heard.  Heaven will become a ceiling to you, unless you renew your love.

Admittedly, you are opposed to the “Victorious People”, whom I am opposed to as well.

If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.

The conquering heroes will receive fruit from the tree of life and so obtain eternal bliss in the paradise of God.

He Who Has An Ear

I guess Van Gogh's out, huh?  Oh, he still has one left...

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”—This phrase is used in every letter.  It is a phrase used to call attention to the significance of each letter.  It is based on Jesus’ commonly used phrase, “He who has hears to hear, let him hear.” (e.g. Mark 4:9)  

This means if one has the ability to physically hear then that one should pay attention because this is important. 

The addition, “what the Spirit says to the churches” makes it clear that this is a prophecy that John is receiving from the Spirit and it is being given to Jesus’ churches.  Again, this emphasizes the importance of the message.

The fact that it is repeated after each letter not only makes it seven-fold significant, but points out the fact that each letter was, in fact, a separate letter, to be sent to each church, not just a general revelation.

The Tree of Life

Couldn't help it.  If you want to read my analysis of the film "The Tree of Life" please click this link to Just Another Movie Blog

In Revelation the "tree of life in the paradise of God"  is an obvious reference to Genesis 2 and 3, where the tree of life stood in the garden of Eden.  Those who ate of the tree of life would never die.  Thus, Jesus is making a double promise—Those who repent in Ephesus would be in God’s final paradise, as described in Revelation 21, and that they would never die (again).

The Conquering Hero

Usually translated "He who overcomes", it is probably better translated, "he who conquers" or "the victorious one". 

The Greek term "ho vikom" is a military term, indicating winning a battle.  Jesus is using it to refer to those who listen to the exhortation in the letter.  In the case of the Ephesians, to repent of their lack of love and to endure in the faithfulness they have already stood in.  For the other churches, it might be one who endures through persecution, or the one who resists idolatry. 

Song Break: John The Revelator

Classic blues song, "John the Revelator" by Sons of Anarchy.

So cool.

The Power of Jesus-in-the-Pancake Will Save Us

Sumerian Idols

Jesus gives a concession to them that they also hate the Nikilatians.  The word means “those of the victorious people.”  In a later letter (a third century commentary on Revelation by Victorinus of Pettau) we find that the Nikilatians are those who encourage Christians to participate in idolatry, probably to avoid persecution from the Roman state.  The Ephesians reject this practice and accept whatever persecution they have to in order to be faithful to Jesus in this way.


For more on the Nikilatians or Nicolatans, check out this article from a Bible encyclopedia.

What are modern idols?  An idol is worshiping an image as God.  It could be worshiping a false god or the true God.  It is not the same as worshiping in front of a statue or image, for even the ark of the covenant, which God placed before the people to worship, had images.  The important aspect is whether one considers the image to be a god or God itself. 


In the Nikilatian's case, it was probably worshiping Caesar (lighting incense before an image of Caesar), for protection or for one's business while also worshiping the Father of Jesus.  Revelation is clear that the true God alone should be worshiped, no matter what the consequence. 

"Take Away Your Lamp"

"Take Out Lamps"... get it?

If they do not do acts of love, then Jesus will take away the lamp of Ephesus.  

The lamps are the equivalent of that in the Temple of God as described in the lampstand blog in Rev 1.  At the very least it means that their prayers will not be in the temple of God in heaven.  They will be cut off from heaven and blessings. But it more likely means that their very presence will be taken away from God.  They will no longer be a part of the Congregation of God.  If they are out of the Temple, it may also mean that they are out of the kingdom, because to not have a representative before God means displacement from God’s direct rule.

To not love others has serious consequences. 

"You Have Left Your First Love"

We just saw that the Ephesians endured in Jesus, so the "love" they have left isn't Jesus himself.  "First" in this case, however, doesn't mean "primary" or "most important".  It probably means "initial" love.  But what love is Jesus talking about?

At first blush “first love” might indicate an inadequacy of one’s love for Jesus himself.  But the things they were commended for must be taken into account, for they were commended for standing against false teachers—those who teach against what Jesus said—and for standing in Jesus in the midst of persecution. As I said, it couldn't be Jesus, and it unlikely to be God. 

It seems likely, then, that the love Jesus is calling inadequate is love for others.  To truly "love" Jesus is to obey His commands and his "new" command is to "love one another" (John 13:34; 14:15) .  To observe the law, according to Paul and Jesus and James, is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Rom. 13:8; James 2:8; Luke 10:27-28)  

The church at Ephesus might be very orthodox, but they are ethically lax.  It is pointed out by some commentators that the vagueness surrounding the “love” might be because to love one’s brother is the same as loving God (I John 4: 20). 


Thus, when the Ephesian church is labeled as "fallen", Jesus says so because they are not loving each other or their neighbors as they should be.


Doesn't this sound familiar?  It is so easy to focus on doctrine and orthodoxy, but lose sight in our churches of our "first love"-- the need to care for the needs of the needy among us and around us.  As important as strong doctrine is, strong compassion is just as important.

Endurance

To endure means to stick to it, to have fortitude and not stray away.  This is as aspect of faith and Jesus requires it for salvation: "The one who endures to the end will be saved." (Mark 13:13).  It usually has an aspect of enduring through difficulty, like a trial or persecution.

There was probably some minor persecution Ephesus endured because of holding with Jesus.  Jesus commends them for their faithfulness to him in this.

Endurance is an important aspect of faith in Revelation (Revelation 2:2, 3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12)

False Apostles

Is Robert Duvall a true or false apostle?

"Apostolos" in Greek literally means "sent one".  In first century Judaism it meant anyone sent from Jerusalem to convey official messages from the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.  Usually an apostle would just declare they were sent from Jerusalem.  Jesus sent his apostles from Jerusalem as well, which is why the apostles always had the opportunity to speak in synagogues.

There were more than 12 apostles in the early church.  Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, and Junias (Rom 16)  were all counted apostles, but not of the 12.  In Luke 10, 70 were sent from Jesus and Mary Magdalene was sent from Jesus with a message to the 12, so they would count as "apostles" as well. 

A Christian apostle is one who is sent from Jesus himself, not from the Christian leadership in Jerusalem.  Paul argued this in Galatians 1, where he is saying his authority comes from Jesus, not from James (the brother of Jesus) or Paul.  But many came in the name of Jesus or in the name of the 12, but had wrong teaching.

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (1John 2:19)  The Elder John states that some were "from us", probably meaning in their name, but they didn't stay with the teaching of the apostles.  

True apostolic teaching is the teaching that Jesus taught.  Those who oppose what Jesus taught are false apostles, not really sent from Jesus. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. (II John 1:9)   If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing. (1Timothy 6:3-4)

 The congregation at Ephesus knew the difference and didn't accept the apostles who came "from the 12" but weren't of Jesus.  They rejected the "false apostles" and wouldn't have them teach at the church.  Jesus approved of this. 

Seven Stars, Seven Lampstands

Why was Jesus clutching a pack of smokes? 

Jesus' self-description includes "seven stars" and "seven golden lampstands".    Both of these images emphasize that Jesus is the Lord over the churches of God.  It may be an emphasis here that Jesus is to be listened to alone.

Ephesus was the lead church in the region of Asia Minor, being home, at times, to Paul and John the apostle, and having other important leaders later on.  Jesus might be reminding Ephesus that it is only a single church among the seven, all under the rule of Christ.

The Pleiades, also known as "the seven stars"

Ephesus

Ephesus was a significant Roman city in Asia Minor.  It is and was a port city, inhabited at least by 6000 BC to the present day. At the time of Revelation, it had the huge temple to Artemis, which was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.  Paul ministered for long periods of time there, and it remained significant for the Christian church for centuries.

For more information about the ancient city of Ephesus, click here

For images of ancient ruins of Ephesus, click here

What's A "Church"?

What is likely to be the first Christian church, located in Capernum, Peter's house. 

We use the term "church" pretty loosely today.  It could mean a religious building, a group of people, or every person who believes in Jesus. 


In the book of Revelation, the word translated "church" is ekklesia which literally means "called out" and is used for a group of people gathered together for a purpose.  In the book of Acts it is once used for a mob (Acts 19:32) and in the Greek Hebrew Scriptures ekklesia is often used of the congregation of Israel, namely those who are able to enter the temple (e.g. Deuteronomy 23:1).  


In Revelation, ekklesia is speaking of Jesus synagogues.  This makes sense since the Greek synagogue is a synonym of ekklesia in the Greek OT.   It is best to translate ekklesia "congregation" or "fellowship" in Revelation. 

Jesus' Letter to Ephesus Rev. 2:1-7

To the angel which is in the fellowship of Ephesus, write:  

This says the one who holds the seven stars in his right, He who walks in the middle of the seven lampstands of gold: 

I know your deeds and your work and your endurance and  that you are unable to endure evil and you have put to the test those who call themselves apostles and are not and you found them to be false.  And you have endurance and have born because of my name and have not been overburdened.  

But this I have against you that you have left behind your first love.  Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the first works.  Or else I come to you and move your lamp from it's place unless you repent.  But this you have, That you hate the works of the Nikilatians which I also hate.  

He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships.  To him who conquers I will give to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.