Revelation 2:1-7 - Ephesus (Outline)

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.' "

The things which are...

1. Commission - To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
1. Evidence angel leaders, God not write to angels, multiple elders complicates
2. 7 churches, not biggest/best, maybe based on condition
3. City of Ephesus
1. Great seaport, greatest Aegean Sea harbor, flock to it, 3mi in, Caytar R., 
2. Commercial city, cross roads, northeast sardis, west babylon through laodicea, north through smyrna, pergamum, south meander valley
4. Citizens of Ephesus
1. Library of Celsus 70x80ft 1500 scroll capacity up to 1200
2. Terrace houses, theater 25,000
3. Complex aqueducts to supply water to city, 4 parts, bath complexes
5. Corruption of Ephesus
1. Sorcery and magic - Acts 19:19 (50,000 pieces of silver) 
2. Temple of Artemis (Diana), 127 marble pillars, 37 gold w/ embedded stones, 427 ft x 220 ft, giant folding doors, seven wonders, also pyramids, massive sculptures, occult female bison goddess, prostitutes, raise to deities, robbers
3. Longnecker on Acts - "The Temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world, where merchants, kings, and even cities made deposits, and where their money could be kept safe under the protection of deity." - Longenecker on Acts
4. Paul, Timothy, prob. John, Apollos, Priscilla/Aquila
2. Commencement - The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands
1. Still there if they leave
   
2. Kept, endure/withstand false
   
3. Also caring
3. Commendation - I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.
1. 2nd gen Paul 30-40 years
2. Toil/patient endurance - we must work/wait
   
3. For his name's sake, not disliked but for Christ. If in His name, then character 1 Peter 1:16
4. Examine people in order to find out false, Jude 3
5. Quote: "A key attribute of those who are not what they appear to be is their self proclamation. In the church of Thyatira, it was Jezebel who called herself a prophetess. Paul says that they transform themselves, patterning their deceit after Satan who transforms himself into an angel of light. This transformation would be entirely effective if the church did not have the Word of God and gifts of spiritual discernment to expose such imposters. Spiritual discernment is necessary because the natural mind is ineffective in the spiritual realm where the seduction takes place. The power of seduction by demonic spirits may be assessed by noting how easily deceiving spirits convince the kings of the earth to participate in the height of folly: going to war against God!" Tony Garland -Scripture references. Life is the same, except praise instead of yourself
6. Ignatius mentions the Ephesians resistance to false doctrine: "But I have learned that certain people ... have passed your way with evil doctrine, but you did not allow them to sow it among you. You covered up your ears in order to avoid receiving he things being sown by them" The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians
4. Condemnation - But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
1. Abandoned different from lost, purposeful, known return
2.  Focus on works, not relationship. Relationship grows out of works. If you represent Christ, then you must know him 
3. Good works do not outweigh bad
4. Martha & Mary
5. Anonymous - a routine can be like a rut which can be nothing more than a grave with the ends knocked out
5. Command & Coming -  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
1. When the Lord has something against you, worry 
1.  The church was removed, false believers dissipated, true relocated. The church cannot be real without devotion to Christ. 
1. Could you say I don't love you but nothing changes?
   
2. Very simple, path with straight y, go back, go other way 
1. Remember, compare with now, see where you are wrong do not be blind
2. Repent change your mind
1. Do works from first, continue where you had left off and where you know you should be
2. Newness - prayer fellowship teach joy involvement witnessing
2.  Always keep new believers around, old age, kids
3. Allusion to 2nd coming in every letter, live for the future
4.  Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
1. Maybe just Pergamum
   
2. Not much known, started by Nichola(u)s, ordained by apostles, left faith, adultery, sacrificed food, nico, nike, conquer, laitan people, balaam, destroyer of people, Acts 6 deacon, position/power use, pregnostic, sex "wisdom" ascended, hierarchical catholic
3. Hated evil men
6. Challenge -  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
1. "We must respond in obedience to that which has already been revealed. If we fail to respond to what He has already revealed, then we stand to lose what we already understand." - Tony Garland 
2. Believers are barred from the original tree of life, but the cross is another. Look not eat, snakes
3. Previous tree in garden with close communion, first love 
4. Overcome
1. Loss of salvation
2. Ultimate triumph of faith or the perseverance of the saints view
3. All believers view, moment of salvation 1 jn 5:5 overcomes world believes that Jesus is Son of God
4. Rewards view, you will be rewarded for overcoming trials/tempt. in life
5. OBEDIENCE view, obey commands and exhortation and you will be received like #1 but not losing salvation just proving whether it is there