PART TWO. THINGS PRESENT. "The things which are." Rev.2v1 to 3v22.

The letters to the seven churches are not prophecies of different periods of Church history, they are messages to each named individual church. However, each letter to the churches has lessons for all of Christ's Church in all ages. We need to take note of the warnings, and rejoice in the promises, that Jesus gives to these churches. There have been many different kinds of churches in every period of Church history. The word of God is the eternal voice of God to His people. The Holy Spirit meets the particular and local needs of each church through His gifts. There is a framework common to each letter.

1. The letters are all addressed to the angels of the seven churches.

“Angelos,” means “messenger,” it occurs 185 times in the New Testament; “archangel,” “archangelos,” occurs in 1Thes.4v16. and Jude.v9.; and “like the angels,” “isangeloi,” occurs in Lk.20v36.. “Angelos” is mostly used of angelic beings, and is used of human messengers only 13 times; of John Baptist, “My messenger,” in Mt.11v10. Mk.1v2. Lk.7v27., quoting Mal.3v1.; John's messengers, Lk.7v24.; Christ's messengers, Lk.9v52.; the spies Rahab received James.2v25.; and the seven messengers to the churches in Revelation.

“Angelos” can hardly refer to an angelic messenger in the letters to the seven churches, for Jesus has no need to write letters to His heavenly messengers, they receive His instructions directly from Him. Some say these seven messengers may simply be the postal messengers to the seven churches. Lk.7v24,27. 9v52. James.2v25. 1Cor.11v10. Others say that they are the presiding elder, pastor and overseer of each of the churches. In the early Church the elder, “presbuteros,” and the bishop, or better, the overseer, “episkopos,” were different names for the same office, one tells us that they were older respected leaders of the local church, the other tells us that they were the overseers and shepherds of the local church, Acts.14v23. 20v17,28. 1Tim.3v1-7. Titus.1v5-9. 1Pet.5v2. The most senior and most spiritual elder presided and took the leading part in the church, and so had the greatest responsibility for the church. Some have thought that the honoured place in the hand of Christ is that of the leading elder and shepherd of the sheep. 1Pet.5v1-4. There is a great responsibility resting upon those who are leading the flock of God, they can make or mar their flocks.

2. Each letter describes some attribute of Christ particularly applicable to each church.

We need to be stripped of all false ideas of Jesus for they mislead the soul, and it is only the truth about Him that gives us victory in the day. This is why the prophets were given notable visions of God, their tasks were so difficult that it was only their vision of God that gave them strength to go on. It is the revelation of God to our soul that brings us life and victory. Jn.6v53-58,63. Ezek.1v26. Dan.7v9-14. 2Chron.18v18. Acts.9v1-16. 22v6-14. 26v12-23. The particular need of each church is revealed by Jesus in the light of some glorious attribute of His own Person, which can meet that need, all we need is in Jesus. Rev.2v1,8,12,18. 3v1,7,14. We are instructed in Heb.12v1,2., to look away from all the distractions and problems of life, and even the cloud of witnesses, and to look instead into the inner being of Jesus and feed our souls on His beauty. “Aphorontes eis,” “looking away into” Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

3. There is a description of the condition of each church.

Christ starts with the solemn words, “I know thy works;” words intended to sober and prepare the heart to listen to Him with a befitting seriousness. Our Lord's address to the church follows the following pattern. He first of all commends whatever He can find to commend, then tells them the things that are wrong with the church, only two churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia escape rebuke. Jesus closes with an exhortation either to hold fast or repent, and warns that discipline or judgement will come upon those churches that do not repent. Christ and His angels watch our lives and works, and a kind but searching examination of the detailed record of our lives and works will take place at the judgement seat of Christ. Unseen watchers record our lives and works, for they show what we are, and the value of our faith. Dan.4v13,17-31. We shall not just be judged on our condition when we meet Jesus, but on our past life as a whole after salvation. 2Cor.5v8-11. Sin that has been repented of will of course be forgiven and forgotten by our gracious Lord, but He will be perfectly honest and just with us. The fire will try our works. 1Cor.3v10-17. Only real repentance will blot out our sins. Mt.12v36,37. James.2v14-26.

The picture of a lamp stand conveys the truth that the churches are intended to be lights that shine in the darkness of the world. The powers of darkness try to extinguish or pollute this light, and so the church is attacked by temptation, persecution, by infiltration of Satan's children into the Church, and by treachery, sin or division from within the Church. Josh.7 all 9v3-27. Acts.5v1-11,13. 20v28-31. 8v1-3. Gal.1v6-9. 5v7,11,12. 3Jn.v9-11. Jude.v3,4,12-21. 2Pet.2v1-3.

4. Jesus reveals the people and means by which Satan attacks the churches.

A. False Religion. This, rather than atheism, is Satan's objective, for by this means he can deceive more people, and his real aim is worship of himself. False religion is seen in the following ways in these churches.

Synagogue. Rev.2v9. Even the order laid down by God can become the instrument of Satan, if only the outward form is carried out, and truth and Christ are rejected in favour of man-made tradition. The Temple of God at Jerusalem became a den of thieves instead of the house of prayer for all nations, and Israel's religious leaders rejected and crucified their Christ.

Paganism. Rev.2v20. The gods of the heathen are really demons, or Satan, who desires to be like God and be worshipped, he is the god of this degenerate world. 1Cor.10v19-21. 2Tim.3v7,8. 2Cor.4v4. 2Thes.2v7,8. Rev.13.

False Doctrine. Jn.8v44. Satan had infiltrated several of the seven churches with deadly false doctrines that included immorality and idolatry. Sensuous evil teaching such as this was part of the teaching of the Nicolaitanes, Baalamites, and the followers of Jezebel, and this kind of lawless Antinomianism has been a bane of the Church throughout its history. The voice of God repeats again and again, “Be ye holy, as I am holy.” 1Pet1v15,16. Rev.3v7. 4v8. 15v4. 6v10. 22v11.

B. Martyrdom. Rev.2v10. What Satan cannot win by seduction he tries to destroy by persecution, he has often used those who have unscriptural traditions, or practice false religion, or have political power, to persecute God's dear children.

C. Worldly Interests. Satan once offered Christ the world in exchange for His cross and he still comes with the same offer to the brethren of Jesus. The church at Laodicea had succumbed to this temptation, and many others who resist Satan in other ways often fall prey to prosperity. We are urged to keep ourselves from the idols of the world and all worldliness. 1Tim.6v17-19. 1Jn.2v15-17. 4v4,5. 5v4. A struggle for power in the church is one of the most dangerous and sinful of the worldly attitudes that can attack the church, this sin cost Satan his place in Heaven, this struggle for power is sometimes disguised by a false claim to divine illumination and prophetic authority, we judge all such claims in the light of the Scriptures. God reveals the truth about the activities of seducing spirits to spiritually minded Christians. 1Cor.14v29. 1Thes.5v19-21. Godly spiritual elders can guide the flock of God out of spiritual danger and deliver the flock from ambitious persons. Heb.13v7,8,17. 1Tim.3v1-13. Tit.1v5-16.

D. An attack on their personal communion with God and their love for God. Our Lord's rebuke to Ephesus was absolutely necessary, for if a church is lacking in prayer and communion with God, it is totally defeated. If Satan can defeat us here, he has defeated us everywhere. A church can have a reputation for evangelism and spirituality, that is quite false, its inner communion with God can be almost non-existent, like Sardis it can be said of it, “thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.” Prolonged earnest seeking of God is essential, if we are to preserve the spiritual effectiveness of a church.

E. Satan's Throne. Satan follows God's pattern and puts angels in charge of the nations. Dan.10v13,20,21. It could be that Satan made himself personally responsible for Pergamos, but it could refer to the Caesar worship that was practised at Pergamos, Satan was certainly the power behind Caesar's throne. Rev.12v3,9. 17v10.

5. There is a precious promise to those who are overcomers.

In Rev.2v7,11,17,26. 3v5,12,21. and 21v7., Jesus uses the present active participle of “nikao,” to be a victor, to be victorious, to gain a victory, to speak of the overcomers. The present tense indicates continuous victory. This verb occurs 16 times in Revelation, see Rev.5v5. 6v2. 11v7. 12v11. 13v7. 15v2. and 17v14. as well. Jesus gives these precious incentives to us, to inspire us to live victoriously, and He tells us to repent if we are living in defeat, or we will not experience a full reward. 1Cor.9v27. 2Tim.4v7,8. 2Jn.v8. “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev.3v11. The grace of God can enable us to overcome. Rev.12v10,11. Jn.16v33. Rom.8v28-39. Phil.4v19. 2Cor.12v9. 1Jn.5v4,5. We have to fight to keep our garments clean, from defilement by the world, the flesh and the Devil, the believer who is living in sin has dirty garments. Zech.3v1-7. 2Cor.5v3. 7v1. 1Jn.2v14-17. Rev.3v4,5,17,18. 19v8. Some have said that the overcomers are a select group among Christians, others, like myself, believe that they are all Christians who get the victory over the trials and temptations of life, and endure to the end. Those who do not overcome are those who apostacise from the faith.

To Ephesus. "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Rev.2v7. All who are saved will eat the fruit of the tree of life, so overcomers cannot be a select group of Christians.

To Smyrna. "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev.2v11. It is unbelievers who are cast into the lake of fire, not Christians. This again shows that overcomers are not a select group of Christians.

To Pergamos. “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it.” Rev.2v17. God gives soul satisfying manna, and public acclaim which is signified by a white stone, and a secret name of precious significance, to every Christian who wins through to the heavenly kingdom.

To Thyatira. “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I have received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. Rev.2v26-28. Power over the nations in the Millennium is promised to the overcomers, a similar promise is given in Rev.3v21.; for further exposition of this, see comments on chapters 12 and 20 of Revelation.

To Sardis. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and the Holy angels.” Rev.3v5. Overcomers do not have their names blotted out of the book of life, but those, who apostatise and lose their faith, do.

To Philadelphia. “He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down from Heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” Rev.3v12. All believers in Jesus have this heavenly calling, and are “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Heb.3v1. Eph.1v18. 2v19-22. 1Cor.12v12,13.

To Laodicea. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev.3v21. A similar promise to that given to the church at Thyatira in Rev.2v26-28.; If we suffer for Christ's sake, we shall reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will deny us. 2Tim.2v12.

To All. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Rev.21v7. All true Christians are heirs of God and joints heirs with Christ. Rom.8v17. In Gal.3v1-5. and 4v4-7., God makes us sons and heirs by redemption grace, and not by attainment through works of the Law. Our inheritance is received entirely by grace, through faith in Jesus. 1Pet.1v3-7,17-19. Col.1v12. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things.” Rom.8v32. All things are freely given to us in Jesus. In 1Cor.3v21-23., Paul said to the wayward Corinthians, “All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's ; and Christ is God's.” However, in 1Cor.3v10-17., Paul warns us that the fire will test the quality of our works, and that if they are not acceptable, they will be burnt up, but we shall be saved , “yet so as by fire.” In this same passage, the destruction of those who defile the temple of their bodies and souls with evil, is also stated by Paul. 1Cor.3v17. Persevering faith and love are the distinguishing characteristics of the overcomer.

6. The saints are exhorted to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

In spite of importance of the Messenger, we can refuse to hear “Him who speaks from Heaven.” Heb.12v25. God is looking for people who will tremble at His Word and obey it, whether it comes through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or His written Word, but, alas, this is rare. Ps.2v11. Ezra.10v3. 9v4. Is.66v2,5. Phil.2v12.

Some examples of those who heard God's Word and obeyed. Noah and Abraham. Heb.11v7,17-19. Rehoboam. 2Chron.11v4. Compare 12v14. Pekah. 2Chron.28v9. Ahab. 1Kings.21v27. Even Ahab gained a respite by trembling at God's Word. Amaziah. 2Chron.25v7. What a good man Josiah was! 2Chron.34v18-33. Paul. Acts.16v19.

Some examples of people who heard God's Word and rebelled.
Noah's contemporaries.1Pet.3v20. 2Pet.3v5. Lot's son in law. Gen.19v1,12-15,24,28. The generation which had not seen the mighty acts of God's power in action in Canaan. Judges.2v1,2,10-19. This is a solemn warning to any movement that is brought into being by the power and grace of God, but which later loses that power. Balaam and Balak. Numb.22v1-12. 24v1-9. 31v8-16. Rev.2v14. Saul. 1Sam.18v12-29. 13v8-14. 15v3,9,15,26. 1Chron.10v13,14. What a warning! Asa, a godly man rebels at God's Word through a prophet. 2Chron.16v7-10. Jeroboam. 1Kings.13v33. Israel. 2Kings.17v13-18. Neh.9v26,27. Judah. 2Chron.24v19-22. 36v15,16. The religious leaders of Israel in Christ's day. Mt.21v32. Lk.7v29,30. Mt.23v1-39. etc. God's people often rejected the Word of God, and the leaders that God appointed. Moses. Acts.7v25,35-39. Samuel. 1Sam.8v1-8. Jeremiah. Jer.42v1-6. 43v1-4. Paul. 2Cor.10v10. 11v4,12,13,20,-22. Gal.1v6-9. People can tremble in fear at the Word of God, they know it is true, but will not accept it, and obey it. Josh.2v9-11. 5v1. 9v9,24. 1Kings.22v14-35. Acts.24v24-27.

Those who had once loved Paul turned away from him in favour of false prophets and false apostles. 2Tim.1v15. The motives of such false prophets and apostles will usually be quite plain. They seek such things as popularity, financial betterment, position, prestige, or a following of worshippers or disciples. 2Chron.18v12. 1Kings.18v19. Neh.6v12-14. Jer.5v31. Lk.6v24-26. 3Jn.v9-11. False prophets condone the practice of the sins that people love. 2Pet.2v1-22. Acts.20v29,30. Jude.v3,4.

The Scripture warns us that there will be a great deal of false prophecy in the last days by the Devil's disciples. 1Tim.4v1-3. Mt.24v24. Rev.13. all. 1Jn.4v1-3. False prophecy comes out of a bad heart, but if the people of God are walking with God, they will recognise the true prophet of God even when they are surrounded by many false prophets who are all saying the same thing. Mt.7v15-23. 2Chron.18v4-27. Jer.20v1-18. 37v19. There is a difference, however, between false prophecy arising from a bad heart and wrong prophecy arising from ignorance and stupidity, for example, when Christians are told to prophecy in faith when they have nothing from God. You only have the authority to prophesy when the Spirit of God has come upon you and given you a message to speak. The honest heart that fears the Lord never need fear, but the Lord will severely punish the wilful false prophet. Jer.28v17. 29v21-32. Acts.13v11. Rev.2v20-23. 19v20. It is very wrong to make a false claim to speak for God.

The Holy Spirit is Lord, He has come to do His will, not ours, and we should obey Him. We should not make our plans and then ask His blessing, we should seek His plans and then His blessing will automatically follow. This shows the importance of genuine prophecy, for prophets are the mouthpiece of God to the churches. Ez.3v1-11. Jer.1v9. Prophets, however, differ a great deal in the importance of the things that they say, and the people to whom they speak. One may speak only words of comfort to the local church, another may speak words of wisdom and knowledge to the church universal. There are many that prophesy, but there are few set in the Church universal as prophets. Compare the importance of Isaiah’s prophecies with those of the old prophet of 1Kings13v20-22.. 1Cor.12v28. Eph.4v11.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit were operating in all of these seven churches, for they had been led into these experiences by the apostles, and about a hundred years later they were still operating in Lyons in France in the church of Irenaeus. It could be that no one was willing to give the messages of rebuke that were necessary for some of the churches, or that the prophecies that were given were ignored and rejected, it is necessary to not only admire, but obey the voice of God through His gifts. We must also take care that we are not stumbled by the kind of person that God uses to speak for Him, for God has chosen some strange people, at least by the worlds standards, to speak for Him. 2Kings.1v8. Amos.1v1. Mt.3v4. Is.28v11-13.

The following things characterise the true prophet of God.

a. An anointing of the Holy Spirit, which on matters of importance will be very great.
Spiritual people will recognise God's prophetic word and witness to its truth. 1Jn.2v20,26-29. This anointing is not to be confused with oratory, a fluent flow of words, or a lot of noise, it can be discerned by a spiritual and prayerful Christian without any difficulty. Ez.3v22. 8v1. 11v5. 1Cor.14v29. 1Thes.5v18-22.

b. A man of God will have a good life. Mt.7v15-23.
The gentleness, tenderness, and love of Christ should be abundantly manifested, even when severe rebukes are given by God. Hos.11v1-8. Mt.11v29. 1Thes.1v6-8,11,12. James.3v13-18. Rev.3v15-20. Compare Dan.1v4,8,17. 10v11,19. with Is.28v7. Jer.23v9-32. See Titus.1v10-16. 2Pet.2v9-22.

c. A prophet's message will be confirmed by other prophets.
Just as the Old Testament prophets did. 1Cor.14v29.

d. If a prophecy contains a prediction, it will be fulfilled. Deut.18v20-22.
However, promised blessing can be withheld because of sin, or judgement withheld by repentance. Deut.13v1-3. Jer.28v9. Jonah.3v3 to 4v2.

e. There will be a patience in suffering if the prophetic word of God brings suffering upon the prophet.
James.5v10. Lk.6v14-29. 2Chron.16v10. 18v26,27. False prophets say nice things to please people, whereas true prophets often suffer for their message. Jer.6v14. 8v11. 2Pet.1v20,21. 2v1. Mt.24v24. 1Kings18v25-41. 22v6-28. Gal.4v16. Rev.11v3-12.

f. A true prophet will never contradict Scripture.
Nor will they claim that their revelations take precedence over Scripture. Is.8v19,20.


1. EPHESUS. Rev.2v1-7.

Ephesus was about sixty miles from Patmos, and the postal messenger would reach it first. It was the most important city of the province of Asia, even though Pergamos was the official capital of Asia. Ephesus was near the sea on the river Cayster, and being on the sea end of the principal trade route with the East, there was as a consequence, a constant flow of trade through its port, which had some problems through the silting up of the mouth of the river Cayster. It was an extremely busy city full of merchants, traders and workmen, and was for a long time the greatest commercial centre of the country, many side roads and sea routes converged there. Corinth was the next great city on the way westwards to Rome. Ephesus was a large busy city, where multitudes of people, and great areas of new people could be easily reached with the Gospel, so we can see why God directed Paul to Ephesus, and why he stayed so long here. Ephesus had one of the seven wonders of the world, it was a great temple dedicated to the worship of Diana, better, Artemis, she had many worshippers, and a very profitable business was done in the sale of silver shrines and magic charms. Acts.19v19,20,24. It was the home of mystery cults, magic, and idolatry, and the conflict with this idolatry finally drove Paul from Ephesus. When the persecutions under the Caesar's started, many of the Christians who were condemned, passed through Ephesus to be executed at Rome.

1. The tremendous privileges that the church at Ephesus had enjoyed.

A. The short visit of Paul. Acts.18v19.

B. Apollos had ministered to them.

Luke states that Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in spirit, he was full of passionate sincerity and heavenly energy, even before Priscilla and Aquila instructed him more thoroughly in Christian things. The memory of this man of keen intellect and burning heart should have kept their hearts burning. Acts.18v24-28. Luke uses the word “zeo” to describe Apollos, it means “to be hot,” and is used to describe boiling liquids and glowing solids. “Zeo” and its derivatives is used in either a good sense or a bad one, either of fervent godly zeal, or ungodly jealousy, indignation and covetousness. Jn.2v17. Rom.10v2. 12v11. 13v13. Acts.7v9. 13v45. 17v5. 1Cor.3v3. 12v31. 13v4. 14v1,39. 2Cor.7v7,11. 9v2. 11v2. Gal.4v17. Phil.3v6. James.3v14-16. 4v2. 5v16. Col.4v13. Rev.3v15,16,19. Let us glow with heavenly love and zeal, not boil with anger, envy or jealousy.

C. Paul was at Ephesus for almost three years. Acts.19v26. 20v31.

There was a tremendous revival with great persecution because of the financial loss that the idol makers suffered due to the reformed lives of many of their former customers. Acts.19. all. N.B. v8,10. Acts.26v18-20. 1Thes.1v9.

D. Paul's meets with the elders of Ephesus at Miletus in A.D. 58. Acts.20v17-38. N.B. v31.

Paul reminds them of his sacrificial and loving ministry among them in the past, and asks them to care for their flocks in the same way. Paul then gives them a prophetic warning that they would be attacked by false teachers from without and ambitious leaders seeking a following of disciples from within. It seems from Paul's letter to the Ephesians in A.D. 64, that his warning was heeded for a time, for there is no mention of any problems in it. However, by A.D. 66 or 67, when Paul wrote in 2Tim.1v15., “This thou knowest, that ALL they which be in Asia are turned against me;” it seems that even Ephesus was estranged from Paul for a while. It appears that by the time that this letter in Revelation was written, any false prophets and ambitious leaders had been rejected. Rev.2v6. We also need to beware of wolves who wear the sheepskin of the Gospel. Mt.7v15-23. 2Cor.11v13-15,26. 2Pet.2v1-3. 1Tim.1v19,20. 1Jn.2v19. 3Jn.v9-10.

E. Paul wrote one of the most spiritual epistles of all to the Ephesian church.

They must have been in a spiritual position to understand Paul's epistle. It was written in about A.D. 64, and in around A.D. 96, about 32 years later, Jesus said that they had lost their spiritual foundation, their first love for Him.

F. They had enjoyed prolonged oversight of the highest quality.

Tradition informs us that Timothy was an overseer here for a long period of time, and he was a very sacrificial and loving servant of Christ. 1Tim.1v3. 2Tim.4v19,20. with Acts.18v24-26. Phil.2v19-22. John, the apostle of love, also had a long ministry here, it was his home and administrative centre, and he returned there from Patmos.

2. The spiritual condition of the Ephesian church when Christ addressed them.

The Ephesian church had many commendable points and by modern standards we would say it was a good church. They had “works,” “erga,” Jn.5v17. 6v29.; had “toiled hard with exhausting work,” “kopos;” had “steadfastly endured,” “hupomene,” and had not grown weary or flagged, “ou kekopiakes,” in their service for God. They had faithfully served God and had rejected false apostles and false doctrine, which other churches had accepted. This church had enjoyed the most spiritual and loving leaders possible, but they had failed in the most vital part of Christianity, they had lost their first love for Jesus, and probably because of this their fervent love for each other. “Aphekes,” the aorist active of “aphiemi,” to leave, forsake, or abandon, is a strong word, they had left their first enthusiastic love for Jesus. What had cooled off their love and zeal for Christ? Was it the loss of their pastor John, the apostle of love? Had they neglected fellowship, earnest prayer and love of God's Word? Did they feel that supreme spiritual effort was no longer necessary? Had they cooled off to become more accepted by the worldlings and Jews to avoid persecution to give their families security? Had the church become more worldly-minded and gone after material possessions? Whatever the cause of this loss of first love, let us remember that nothing can take the place of love for Christ and communion with Christ. We need a tender heart full of deep affection for Jesus, as well as a clear well-informed mind.

Jesus tells them to keep on remembering (“mnemoneue,” the present active imperative of “mnemoneuo,” continue mindful), from where they are fallen and to repent and do (the aorist active imperative of “poieo,” “Do at once”) the first works (“ta prota erga”) and renew the first love which had grown cold. Act.19:20; 20:37; Eph.1v13-16. Action was needed, we cannot live on past memories, even though we may be encouraged and challenged by them. Our love for God must be nourished and kept alive day by day, or the first love, and first works that spring out of that love will die away. The first and greatest commandment directs us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, this will decide the quality of work that we do for our Lord.

The Ephesian Christians still laboured for Christ, they had evangelistic endeavour and good works, but they had lost some of their original power to bless; for Christ demanded a return to both first works and first love. A fullness of ministry can only flow from fervent and genuine Christian love. Acts.2v1 to 4v37. 1Cor.12v31 to 13v13. 1Pet.4v8. Christ knew that unless they repented, they would degenerate to the place where they would have all the words and outward form of Christianity, without the inner reality of the power and love of God, and would end up with a dead form. In 2Tim.3v5. “form,” is “morphosin,” which means, the outline of the “morphe,” without its substance and reality. Rom.2v20. Jesus, therefore, told them to remember the spiritual loss that they had sustained, and to repent and do the first works. This church had great privileges, it must therefore have a corresponding life. To whom much is given, much shall be required. Lk.12v48.

In the first "repent" in Rev.35., Jesus uses the aorist active imperative “metanoeson,” of “metanoeo,” to change one's thinking, to repent, when He said that He would come and remove their lamp stand if they did not repent. The aorist imperative suggests a decisive break; this is in contrast to the present imperative, “repent,” which suggests a continuing attitude. The second "repent" in Rev.3v5., is "metanoeseis," the aorist active subjunctive of “metanoeo.” The removal of the lamp could mean either that the church would cease to exist as a light for Christ, or He was going to move the shining of His light to another place. Since Jesus said he would remove the lamp, not extinguish it, the second is more likely. Jesus could have meant that He would bring a remnant out of the church, or raise up another group of spiritual Christians. It is often easier for God to raise up a new church than to give life to a dead form. Churches can carry on for centuries with a dead form without God's blessing, and can drift so far from the truth that they shed darkness instead of light, and even persecute the true Church of God. Jn.16v1-4. It is our personal affection for Christ that determines our position in the Christian life. This love will be manifested in the fruits of the Spirit and not just in lip praise or emotion. Mt.5v1-16. Mk.4v25. Jn.14v15.

3. False apostles. Rev.2v2.

These false teachers arrogantly proclaimed that they had an apostolic ministry, and assumed an air of authority, the Ephesians had tested them and proved that they were deceivers and not apostles. Paul often had to write in defence of his apostleship, and he tells us how to recognise a true apostle. He states that God, not men, sets apostles in the Church, and confirms their ministry by signs, wonders and miracles. Rom.15v18-20. 1Cor.12v28. 2Cor.12v11-13. Eph.4v11. 1Thes.2v1-14. True men of God have an outstanding revelation of Christ and truth from Christ. Gal.1 and 2. 2Cor.12v1-10. They also manifest a Christ-like life. Gal.1v15,16. 1Thes.2v10. 1Cor.11v1. True apostles have to suffer for their ministry, it is the way of the cross. Paul bore in his body the scars that he had received for Christ's sake, they proved his love for Jesus. 2Cor.11v23-33. 12v7-10. 1Cor.4v9-13. Gal.6v17. Paul had continual opposition from the Judaizers, right from his first controversy with them over whether Gentile Christians should keep the Law in Acts.15v1-34. N.B. v1,24.. Some Judaizers falsely claimed that they were apostles, and they won the allegiance, and corrupted the faith, of many of the churches that Paul founded.

Here we see that over 30 years after Paul's warnings, the church at Ephesus is again plagued by false apostles and by evil false doctrine through the Nicolaitanes and Balaamites. Some say that Nicolas is the Greek version of the Hebrew Balaam, however, Jesus differentiates between them in Rev.2v15,16.. Both groups had immoral teaching in their doctrine, and they appear to have said that it did not matter what your morals were as long as you believed, and that sin made the grace of God to abound more. This evil antinomian doctrine is with us today, those who teach unconditional eternal security go a long way down this dark road. We have been redeemed from the curse of the Law, but we will always have to obey the moral law of God, it will be the basis of the happiness of Heaven. We can never sin and get away with it, for wilful sin destroys the soul. 2Pet.2v9-16. Jude.v4,11. Rom.6. all. Prov.3v18. 11v30. 13v13-15. Ez.18v4,20,30-32.

Jesus closes his exhortation by encouraging the Ephesians with the promise of eternal life in Paradise for those who overcome and faithfully follow Him. Jesus knows all about our lives, and knows if there is any cooling off of our love for Him.

2. SMYRNA. Rev.2v8-11.

Smyrna was about 50 miles north of Ephesus, and was almost as important as Ephesus. It had a very good harbour at the head of a well protected gulf, and was at the sea end of another great trade route, and had a flourishing trade that was almost as good as that of Ephesus. It was a seat of Emperor worship with a temple to Tiberius. There were many Jews here who were very hostile to Christianity, and they joined with the Romans in persecuting and killing Christians. In Rev.2v9.,”tribulation,” is “thlipsis,” which indicates crushing pressure; the word for “poverty” is not “penia,” which means they had only life's essentials, but the more severe word “ptocheia,” which means they were totally destitute. Trench writes, “The “penes” has nothing superfluous, the “ptochos” nothing at all.” The church at Smyrna was financially destitute but spiritually rich. This poverty was probably due to a trade boycott by the traders of Smyrna, and it was probably inspired by the large numbers of Jewish traders at Smyrna. These Jews had rejected their Messiah, and were certainly not looked upon as God's elect; they had set themselves against the Christians at Smyrna, and had become the servants of Satan, and their synagogue Satan's house. The Christians at Smyrna were the spiritually rich poor among the spiritually bankrupt rich, their Christianity was costing them something. Though poverty is not in itself commendable, the poor are looked upon by God with special concern. In his earthly life Jesus was poor and He came to preach the Gospel to the poor, and the early Church was mostly made up of poor people. 2Cor.8v9. Lk.4v18. Rom.15v26. 1Cor.1v26-31. Gal.2v10. There has always been a vivid contrast between the financially poor but spiritually rich church, and the materially rich but spiritually bankrupt church.

Jesus says, “I know thy tribulations and poverty,” this must have given great comfort to these hard pressed suffering saints. He who is the First and the Last has suffered and died for us, and he knows our suffering and lives to meet our every need. “Jesus knows,” these are sweet words when the trials of life beset us. The crown of life is promised to martyrs from a martyr. Trials even unto death are not out of the will of God. There is no certainty of deliverance from, or out of, persecution, but there is a sure promise for grace to have victory in tribulation and temptation. Rom.8v37. Just to be saved and be in God's kingdom will be wonderful, but to overcome all that opposes us and to reign with Jesus, and care for the creation, will be beyond all thought. If we Abide in Jesus we will not be ashamed at His coming. Ezek.44v10-16. Lk.19v11-27. 2Cor.5v1-11. 2Tim.2v12,20,21. James.1v12. 1Pet.1v7. 2Pet.2v9-12. 1Jn.2v28. Rev.16v15. 17v14.

Polycarp.

The church at Smyrna was privileged to have Polycarp as a member of their church, he had been a Christian about 26 years when this letter was written. Eusebius puts the date of the death of Polycarp at A.D. 166, others put it at A.D. 156. When Polycarp was martyred he had been a Christian for 86 years, for he said at his death, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ.” This would, taking the date of Eusebius, A.D. 166, put Polycarp's conversion at A.D. 80; the earlier date would put it at A.D. 70. Polycarp was obviously converted as a child, and had about 20 to 30 years contact with the apostle John. During the lives of John and Polycarp huge numbers of Christians died for their faith. Our Lord never deceives us when He asks us to follow Him, He warns us that it may cost us our life. Ignatius, while on his way to Rome to be martyred for Christ in 108 A.D., wrote a letter to Polycarp which showed that Polycarp was the leader of the church at that time, so he could well have been one of the leaders of the church at Smyrna when Christ wrote this letter to it. Irenaeus writes in his work “Against Heresies,” Book 3. c3. 4.; “Polycarp was not only instructed by apostles and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also by apostles in Asia appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna; whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried on earth a long time, and when a very old man, gloriously and most nobly suffered martyrdom.”

Jesus warns the Christians at Smyrna that greater problems than poverty, discrimination and slander were about to overtake them, some of them were about to die for their faith in Him. Jesus tells them, “Do not at all fear,” “meden phobou,” and arms them against the fear of imprisonment and death by telling them with a strong double negative, “ou me,” that those who are faithful to death will not be hurt of the second death. Untold millions of Christians have been martyred in this century. At the end of this age there is going to be an even worse persecution of Christians, this letter to the church at Smyrna should strengthen the resolve of all who will suffer and die in this future time of trial. Rev.6v9-11. 12v17. 13v7. Mt.24v9. etc.

The name Smyrna was derived from myrrh, with which our Lord's body was embalmed, Jn19v39.; the Christians at Smyrna knew the shadow of death was upon them. Jesus warns them that Satan would be behind the coming persecution, and that he would imprison and kill some of them. Jesus assures them that this trial of faith was for a limited period of time. Satan had corrupted the Church at Laodicea by getting them to compromise and seek worldly things, but he had failed with the Christians at Smyrna, and so he comes in like a roaring lion. The persecutors were the servants of Satan, he was the one who drove and prompted them. The Church has been well warned of these sufferings by Jesus. Mt.10v17-19. Lk.21v12-17. Phil.1v29. 1Pet.2v20. 3v14. Acts.8v3. God allows Satan to try the faith of the saints in order that the world might see and be challenged by the faithful witness of God's people. The faith of Christians is established and proved by such experiences and it is found unto praise, honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus. Deut.8v2,3. 1Pet.1v7. 5v10 James.1v3,12. God uses Satan to try and purify His saints when He knows that it is necessary, e.g. Peter. Lk.22v31-34. Jesus searches our hearts and then allows trials to show the good, as well as the bad, that is in them. While we are in the trial He is interceding for us and making His grace available to us. Tribulation, temptation and trial faced with Christ can only do us good. Rom.5v1-6. Heb.4v14-16. 7v25-28. The Christ who was faithful unto death promises those who are faithful unto death a crown of life, this was the victors “stephanos,” the garland of life, not a “diadema,” a royal crown. 2Tim.4v8. 1Pet.5v4. Jn.14v28-31.

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