Ephesus was a large city with an excellent harbor, and it was known at this time as the marketplace of Asia. It was also a banking center because of its great vault in the Temple of Diana, which was considered the safest place in Asia Minor.

Ephesus was also an important religious city. The temple of Diana (or Artemis, as the Greeks called her) was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The goddess, Diana, was the patron of all the prostitutes and, with her image, represented fertility and sexuality. Many writers in ancient times described the immorality of the city.

One pillar in the Ephesian economy was the production of silver images of Diana by the many silversmiths who plied their trade their. Devotees of this goddess brought much gain to the city as discussed in Acts: Acts 19:23-27

Acts 19:23-27 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty." (NIV)

Black magic was also widely practiced in Ephesus. Paul met these occultists head on and led some of them to Christ as savior: Acts 19:13-19

The Christian church at Ephesus was extremely well-taught, having had Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and John as pastors. The Book of Ephesians in the New Testament was written by Paul to the Ephesiasian saints while he was in prison in Rome about A.D. 60.

2. DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST

Jesus describes Himself here as the One who "holds the seven stars (messengers) in His right hand." Each church "messenger" was both protected and held accountable for faithfully conveying God's message of grace and coming judgment.

As the Lord walks among the churches, He is intimately aware of their thoughts and attitudes. He sees what they have had to endure, where they have succeeded, and where they have failed. This intimate knowledge becomes extremely important in His evaluation of their affections and motives.

3. COMMENDATION

There was much in this church to commend and praise. The believers were zealous of good works and service for the Lord. Twice the letters speaks of how they labored for the Name of Christ. These saints knew how to trust the Lord consistently under trial, which is the meaning of the word PATIENCE. They had held up under stress and been faithful.

Doctrinally speaking, these believers were not only competent but militant in their stand against false teaching. This was evidenced by their examination and expulsion of false apostles who had come to them.

They also labeled immorality exactly for what it was and cast out the Nickelodeons--false teachers who claimed the actions of your body didn't affect your spirit, so go out and sin up a storm! Or, as our modern theologians might say, do whatever feels good, the end justifies the means.

From all outward appearances, the church of Ephesus certainly looked like a model church, worthy of a high commendation.

4. REBUKE

Despite all these "PLUSES" the Lord discerned a deadly danger creeping into their attitudes: they had "left their first love", Christ Himself! Though outwardly warm, they were inwardly cold! Day after day they went through the right routines, said the right words, dished out the right spiritual platitudes--shriveling up a little more inside!

No wonder Christ rebuked them, for He alone could see their inner motivation. No husband would be happy for very long with a wife who didn't really love him, no matter how well she cooked his meals and did the housework. Of course, today we have adapted to a mentality that no longer considers cooking and cleaning as woman's work.

Could this be partly the reason the church today no longer sees itself as the bride of Christ, the cooker of meals and house cleaners for our Lord. We no longer raise our children – we ship them off to others whom we would often not trust to come into our home when we were not there. And Christ wasn't happy with His bride in this church either. She was a cold fish!

I've seen this pattern develop in both churches and individuals, and it seems to be the special weakness of those who are Biblically well-taught. I wouldn't for a moment suggest that the deep teaching of God's Word promotes spiritual coolness. However, any prolonged study of the Bible which doesn't produce a greater love for Christ is unprofitable.

5. EXHORTATION

The Ephesians are exhorted by Christ to REMEMBER and REPENT. These are two very significant words because many Christians suffer from short memories! Each time they get into a hassle they forget how Christ brought them through the last one. They forget how He met their needs for so many things in the past, and that since He was faithful then He will be the same in the present crisis!

Jesus tells the Ephesians to REMEMBER that love is the only acceptable motivation for Christian living. He urges them to REPENT of their loveless Christian duty and to get of their "works trip," returning instead to the love which they had when they first came to know Him--when they were flushed up with the wonder and excitement of their new relationship with Him.

6. PROMISE

To the one who listens and overcomes, Jesus promises that he will eat of the "Tree of Life" in God's everlasting paradise. You will see in Chapter 21 just what a fantastic promise this is! The Apostle John tells us in another writing that "the overcomer" is the one who believes in Jesus as the Son of God and has received him as Savior and Lord. 1 John 5:4-5

7. PROPHETIC APPLICATION [ A.D. 33-100]

(see Jesus' parallel in Matthew 13:3-8; & 16-17– The Sower)

The Ephesian church is a prophetic picture of the Apostolic church. Like the church of Ephesus, the dominant historical characteristics of this era were correct doctrine, circumspect conduct, and zealous labor for the Lord, but waywardness in heart attitudes. As their love for Christ began to wane, they more and more served out of a sense of duty. In their own estimation, their acceptance by the Lord depended on their performance for Him. This opened the door to legalism. One of the crucial issues for a vital faith is pure motives. As we remember how Christ has loved us, our natural response is to love Him in return. 1 John 4:9-10

1 ~ Church Of Ephesus ~ DUTY WITHOUT LOVE - Rev 2:1-7

2 ~ Church Of Smyrna ~ POOR AND PERSECUTED, BUT RICH - Rev 2:8-11

3 ~ Church Of Pergamum ~ COMPROMISE WITH THE WORLD-SYSTEM - Rev 2:12-17

4 ~ Church Of Thyatira ~ THE GREAT COUNTERFEIT - Rev 2:18-29

5 ~ Church Of Sardis ~ DEAD ORTHODOXY THE REFORMATION AREA Rev 3:1-7

6 ~ Church Of Philadelphia ~ REVIVAL AND EVANGELISM - 1750 -1925 A.D. - Rev 3:7-13

7 ~ The Church Of Laodicea ~ COMPROMISE AND APOSTASY Rev 3:14-22

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