Revelation 2:1-11 Letters to Ephesus and Smyrna

Outline of Revelation Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20) Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20) Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22) Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22) Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7) Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7) Church of Martyrdom - Message to the Church in Smyrna (2:8-11) Church of Martyrdom - Message to the Church in Smyrna (2:8-11)

General Pattern of Each Letter Description of the speaker, taken from John’s vision in chapter 1 Description of the speaker, taken from John’s vision in chapter 1 An assertion of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know…”) An assertion of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know…”) A description of the state of the church, whether by praise, promise, rebuke, or warning A description of the state of the church, whether by praise, promise, rebuke, or warning A universal command to hear what has been spoken A universal command to hear what has been spoken A promise to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign A promise to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign

Seven Churches of Revelation: Ephesus

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) Background Background A thriving commercial city, the largest city in Asia Minor A thriving commercial city, the largest city in Asia Minor Its religious life centered around the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:23ff); her temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Its religious life centered around the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:23ff); her temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Like other large cities, it had problems with crime and immorality. Like other large cities, it had problems with crime and immorality. In spite of these conditions, the gospel flourished here under the ministries of both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John, as well as Apollos. In spite of these conditions, the gospel flourished here under the ministries of both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John, as well as Apollos.

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev 2:1-4) Attributes of the Speaker: holds the seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands. Attributes of the Speaker: holds the seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands. Knowledge of the People: their works consist of: Knowledge of the People: their works consist of: Laboring to the point of exhaustion and enduring every burden with great patience Laboring to the point of exhaustion and enduring every burden with great patience Unwilling to put up with evil people, particularly false apostles and especially the Nicolaitans (2:6) Unwilling to put up with evil people, particularly false apostles and especially the Nicolaitans (2:6) Refusing to give up Refusing to give up State of the Church: left their first love; they had lost love for one another because their love for Christ had grown cold. State of the Church: left their first love; they had lost love for one another because their love for Christ had grown cold.

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev 2:5-7) The Lord’s Coming: the basis for the church’s repentance; they must return to their first love for Christ, else their lampstand will be removed. The Lord’s Coming: the basis for the church’s repentance; they must return to their first love for Christ, else their lampstand will be removed. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Promise to the Overcomer: to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev 22:2). Promise to the Overcomer: to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev 22:2).

Seven Churches of Revelation: Smyrna

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) Background Background Another commercially-thriving city, because of its location near the Aegean and on a main road serving the interior Another commercially-thriving city, because of its location near the Aegean and on a main road serving the interior Known for its beauty, with beautiful natural surroundings, well-paved streets (some of which were tree-lined), sturdy protecting walls Known for its beauty, with beautiful natural surroundings, well-paved streets (some of which were tree-lined), sturdy protecting walls Elaborate temples to Greek gods and goddesses Elaborate temples to Greek gods and goddesses Emperor worship was also emphasized here, requiring a certified burning of incense; failure to comply could mean death. Emperor worship was also emphasized here, requiring a certified burning of incense; failure to comply could mean death. Also had a very large Jewish community who would inform on Christians; very dangerous place to be a believer Also had a very large Jewish community who would inform on Christians; very dangerous place to be a believer Smyrna means “bitter.” Smyrna means “bitter.” PERSECUTIONPERSECUTION

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-10a) Attributes of the Speaker: First and last (eternal existence) and the One who was dead and came to life – very significant for this church! Attributes of the Speaker: First and last (eternal existence) and the One who was dead and came to life – very significant for this church! Knowledge of the People Knowledge of the People Affliction - a restricting pressure that burdens the spirit within a person Affliction - a restricting pressure that burdens the spirit within a person Poverty – a lack of everything (not just essentials) because of their identity as Christians Poverty – a lack of everything (not just essentials) because of their identity as Christians Blasphemy – false charges against Christians from the Jews, who were serving as agents of Satan Blasphemy – false charges against Christians from the Jews, who were serving as agents of Satan State of the Church: Commanded to stop fearing anything that they are about to suffer State of the Church: Commanded to stop fearing anything that they are about to suffer

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:10b-11) The Lord’s Coming: only message where it is not mentioned; instead, precise nature of coming persecution is spelled out: imprisonment and 10 day tribulation; commanded to be faithful unto death, in order to receive crown of life. The Lord’s Coming: only message where it is not mentioned; instead, precise nature of coming persecution is spelled out: imprisonment and 10 day tribulation; commanded to be faithful unto death, in order to receive crown of life. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Promise to the Overcomer: He shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev 20:14; 21:8). Promise to the Overcomer: He shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev 20:14; 21:8).

Next Week: Letters to Pergamum and Thyatira Read Revelation 1 and 2