Ephesus was a large seaport city on the Aegean Sea. The apostle Paul himself helped found this church within the great commercial and religious center of Asia. At the heart of the city was the temple to Artemis [Diana], one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a temple four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens. In 600 BC the temple had been destroyed, but when they rebuilt it, they made it one of the grandest in the world. It was 450 ‘ x 250’ wide, with 120 columns 60’ high. Artemis was the goddess of fertility and was represented by the multi-breasted woman. Ephesus was the worldwide center of worship to Artemis. The temple also acted as a bank, where people deposited their money, and it was lent out at interest, making the Ephesians very wealthy.
Paul almost lost his life in the courageous stand he took against Artemis [Acts 19]. He spent 2 years building this church, and Ephesus became the center from which the Good News of Jesus Christ spread throughout Asia. Ephesus is where John lived, and tradition has it that Mary the mother of Jesus lived there with him.
There was also a 27’ high statue of Domitian located at a temple there that could be seen for miles – from sea or land. Domitian claimed to be the god of gods. Periodically a procession would move through Ephesus and stop at the roadside altars, and anyone nearby had to bow and proclaim that Caesar was lord – on pain of death. John was clearly on Patmos for refusing to worship any but Jesus, and may have been awaiting his execution.
Jesus description of himself is: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands. Jesus has characterized himself as the Faithful Companion, he who would walk in the midst of the churches, and stay in daily communion with them through his angelic messengers.
Paul’s final words to the Ephesians when he left [Acts20: 29-31] were: “ 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.”
The Ephesians must have taken Paul’s words to heart since the Lord complimented them on testing of those who claim to be apostles, They also were complimented on works, labor, endurance, and intolerance of the wicked. The Lord reiterates endurance, and also commends them on suffering without growing weary. This is a pretty commendable list of things. But often we do religious things without the heart that God desires. The Lord chastises them and us for having lost their first love. We go through the form but do not have the spirit desired by God. God looks deep into our hearts and at our motivations, and he desires his bride to be on fire with love for him. The consequences of inaction are removal of their lampstand, their source of light, In the coming darkness, the light and the spirit will be desperately needed, so this is a dire threat.
The Lord then goes on and compliments them again for hating the works of the Nicolaitians. They have not compromised with the world and corrupted the truths of God.
Overcomers promise: eat from the tree of life in Paradise – never to die, never to suffer from poor health, eternal youth and beauty, health and vitality, and no end of days.
Who/what are the Nicolaitans?
