Revelation 2:1-7

Letter to the church of Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7: The angle of the church is the messenger or preacher who would deliver the message. Paul had live and worked in Ephesus for three years. (Acts 20:31) Ephesus was the city where Aquilla, Priscilla, and Apollos labored. (Acts 18:24-28) It was a city where Timothy had labored. (1 Timothy 1:3) This was a place of great privilege. They had heard great preaching.

Ephesus was also a stronghold of Satan. The temple of Diana and other pagan temples were located there. (Acts 19:28) In a city where God's authority was not respected Jesus described Himself as one with great power, "These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." The sobering truth is that Jesus looked at His church in Ephesus and knew what was going on with them. He knew that they needed to repent! He also knew of all the good the church had done. "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not..."

The church at Ephesus was a working church that was doctrinally pure. However, they had left their love for God or for the brethren. God called on this church to "Remember" and "Repent" and promised great blessings if they did. He said, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."