Rev. Johnson V.
21st March 2010

The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelations, are letters from God to seven churches. These seven churches characterize followers of Christ and churches, around the world today. The letters are structured in such a way that each letter introduces a different aspect of Christ, it contains a commendation or appreciation, a correction or a fault to rectify and a promise to those who overcome. The letters show God’s nature in handling each Church and His provision to those who put their trust in Him.

In the second chapter of Revelations verses 1 – 7, our Lord writes to the Church in Ephesus. In verse one, our Lord Jesus is revealed as holding seven stars in his right hand and walking among the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are a representation of the seven angels that represent and lead the church. The lampstands represent the church. Jesus is in the middle of the church and has to be the center of everything. 

Our Lord then goes on to commend the church of Ephesus. He says,

• I know your works – God tells the church that He knows the things that they have done for Him and in His name. Our Lord sees the intention with which we do everything.
• I know your labour – He also says that He knows the efforts they have made. God sees the things we do but which does not always have the right result.
• I know your patience – God has seen that the church has persevered.
• I know you cannot bear evil – God tells the church that He knows they desire holiness, whether or not they managed to keep themselves holy.
• You have tested false apostles – God calls us to test those to bring God’s Word to us to ensure that they are authentic messengers from God. God does not heal, bless , anoint or save you based on how much money you give Him or to a particular ministry. Sometimes anointed ministers can also have the wrong message. God commends the church at Ephesus because they tested the apostles.
• You have borne burdens without fainting and with much joy – The Lord tells the church at Ephesus that they endured, even in less than ideal situations. Their joy didn’t diminish and they joyful served Him.
• You hate the practices of the Nicolaitians, which I also hate – The Nocolaitians were a heretic group (verse 6) that began to deviate from the truth and encouraged the practice of wrong doctrine. The church at Ephesus steadfastly refused to accept their doctrine.

Then comes the admonishing. God tells the church that He has only one thing against them, and that is that the church has lost its first love. The Bible commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. If you love God, the devil will have no victory in your life. God warns the church that unless it rectifies itself, it will lose its influence. The candlestick represents the church’s influence in the world – the light that dispels the darkness, the blessing. And if it overcomes, there is greater blessing and rewards.