Revelation 2:1-11Revelation 2:1-11

Letters to Ephesus and Letters to Ephesus and SmyrnaSmyrna

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation

Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20)Vision (1:1 – 20)

Preparation of the People: Their Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to the Church in Ephesus (2:1-Message to the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7) 7)

Church of Martyrdom - Message to the Church of Martyrdom - Message to the Church in Smyrna (2:8-11) Church in Smyrna (2:8-11)

General Pattern of Each General Pattern of Each LetterLetter

Description of the speaker, taken from Description of the speaker, taken from John’s vision in chapter 1John’s vision in chapter 1

An assertion of complete knowledge of the An assertion of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know…”)people addressed (“I know…”)

A description of the state of the church, A description of the state of the church, whether by praise, promise, rebuke, or whether by praise, promise, rebuke, or warningwarning

A universal command to hear what has A universal command to hear what has been spokenbeen spoken

A promise to the overcomer, which looks A promise to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reignforward to Christ’s future reign

Seven Churches of Revelation: Seven Churches of Revelation: EphesusEphesus

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev To the Church at Ephesus (Rev

2:1-7)2:1-7) BackgroundBackground

A thriving commercial city, the largest city in Asia A thriving commercial city, the largest city in Asia MinorMinor

Its religious life centered around the worship of Its religious life centered around the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:23ff); her the Greek goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:23ff); her temple was considered one of the seven wonders temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.of the world.

Like other large cities, it had problems with crime Like other large cities, it had problems with crime and immorality.and immorality.

In spite of these conditions, the gospel flourished In spite of these conditions, the gospel flourished here under the ministries of both the Apostle Paul here under the ministries of both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John, as well as Apollos.and the Apostle John, as well as Apollos.

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev To the Church at Ephesus (Rev

2:1-4)2:1-4) Attributes of the Speaker:Attributes of the Speaker: holds the seven holds the seven

stars and walks among the seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands.lampstands.

Knowledge of the People: Knowledge of the People: their works consist their works consist of:of: Laboring to the point of exhaustion and enduring Laboring to the point of exhaustion and enduring

every burden with great patienceevery burden with great patience Unwilling to put up with evil people, particularly Unwilling to put up with evil people, particularly

false apostles and especially the Nicolaitans (2:6)false apostles and especially the Nicolaitans (2:6) Refusing to give upRefusing to give up

State of the Church:State of the Church: left their first love; they left their first love; they had lost love for one another because their had lost love for one another because their love for Christ had grown cold. love for Christ had grown cold.

Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: Church of Loveless Orthodoxy: To the Church at Ephesus (Rev To the Church at Ephesus (Rev

2:5-7)2:5-7) The Lord’s Coming:The Lord’s Coming: the basis for the the basis for the

church’s repentance; they must church’s repentance; they must return to their first love for Christ, return to their first love for Christ, else their lampstand will be removed.else their lampstand will be removed.

Command to Hear: Command to Hear: Christ bids every Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church to heed what is said to each church.church.

Promise to the Overcomer:Promise to the Overcomer: to eat of to eat of the tree of life, which is in the the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev 22:2).paradise of God (Rev 22:2).

Seven Churches of Revelation: Seven Churches of Revelation: SmyrnaSmyrna

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) BackgroundBackground

Another commercially-thriving city, because of Another commercially-thriving city, because of its location near the Aegean and on a main road its location near the Aegean and on a main road serving the interiorserving the interior

Known for its beauty, with beautiful natural Known for its beauty, with beautiful natural surroundings, well-paved streets (some of surroundings, well-paved streets (some of which were tree-lined), sturdy protecting wallswhich were tree-lined), sturdy protecting walls

Elaborate temples to Greek gods and Elaborate temples to Greek gods and goddessesgoddesses

Emperor worship was also emphasized here, Emperor worship was also emphasized here, requiring a certified burning of incense; failure requiring a certified burning of incense; failure to comply could mean death.to comply could mean death.

Also had a very large Jewish community who Also had a very large Jewish community who would inform on Christians; very dangerous would inform on Christians; very dangerous place to be a believerplace to be a believer

Smyrna means “bitter.”Smyrna means “bitter.”

PERSECUTION

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-

10a)10a) Attributes of the Speaker:Attributes of the Speaker: First and last First and last

(eternal existence) and the One who was (eternal existence) and the One who was dead and came to life – very significant for dead and came to life – very significant for this church!this church!

Knowledge of the PeopleKnowledge of the People Affliction - a restricting pressure that burdens the Affliction - a restricting pressure that burdens the

spirit within a personspirit within a person Poverty – a lack of Poverty – a lack of everything everything (not just essentials) (not just essentials)

because of their identity as Christiansbecause of their identity as Christians Blasphemy – false charges against Christians from Blasphemy – false charges against Christians from

the Jews, who were serving as agents of Satanthe Jews, who were serving as agents of Satan State of the Church:State of the Church: Commanded to stop Commanded to stop

fearing anything that they are about to sufferfearing anything that they are about to suffer

Church of Martyrdom: To the Church of Martyrdom: To the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:10b-Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:10b-

11)11) The Lord’s Coming:The Lord’s Coming: only message where it only message where it

is not mentioned; instead, precise nature of is not mentioned; instead, precise nature of coming persecution is spelled out: coming persecution is spelled out: imprisonment and 10 day tribulation; imprisonment and 10 day tribulation; commanded to be faithful unto death, in commanded to be faithful unto death, in order to receive crown of life.order to receive crown of life.

Command to Hear: Command to Hear: Christ bids every church Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church.to heed what is said to each church.

Promise to the Overcomer: Promise to the Overcomer: He shall not be He shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev 20:14; 21:8).hurt by the second death (Rev 20:14; 21:8).

Next Week: Letters to Next Week: Letters to Pergamum and ThyatiraPergamum and Thyatira

Read Revelation 1 and 2Read Revelation 1 and 2