REVELATION 2:1-7

 

Verse 4 interpretations: It refers to ...

1. Love for one another (most commentators)

2. Love for God or Christ (unlikely)

3. Zeal in witnessing to the world (most likely in view of Revelation 2:1 – the church is the light of the world)

4. Suppression of their spiritual gifts (minority opinion)

In any case, look at the progression of the church at Ephesus from three letters written 30 years apart:

A. 61-62 AD: Ephesians 1:15

B. ca. 90 AD: Revelation 2:4

C. 110-120 AD: Letter from Ignatius (early church martyr) to the church at Ephesus (1:2-3): “I have heard of your name much beloved in God; which you have very justly attained by a habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ our Savior. How that being followers of God, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ you have perfectly accomplished the work that was natural unto you.”

Apparently, the church responded favorably to the letter John wrote.

Question 1: Do you see any parallels between the church at Ephesus and your own congregation? Does it give us hope today?

Question 2: The Romans were tolerant of Christians practicing their religion until they refused to worship the emperor (probably the Nicolaitan heresy). Is it possible to proclaim your Christian faith without knocking someone else's religion?

How do we sometimes give offense in that area without intending it? We may run into responses such as:

    If I believe that, it will be an insult to my parents, grandparents, etc.

    If I believed that, I would be sending my unbelieving friends and relatives to hell.

    Believing as you do would condemn all those of other religions to hell.

    You can believe whatever you want to, just don't demand that others believe the same way: that is intolerance.

Question 3: The pagan Ephesians worshiped what gave them material prosperity: the temple (false religion) to Artemis and the Roman emperor (the power of the government). Are Christians today ever guilty of doing the same sort of thing?