Revelation 2:1-7 (NKJV) “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
V1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands…” The word angel is understood in two ways: 1) the pastor of the church—messenger (James 2:25, Luke 7:24, Luke 9:52, and Matthew 11:10) or 2) angel—a spirit being messenger ( Hebrews 12:22, Acts 6:15, Galatians 4:14). The Greek word “angel” is (G0032) ἄγγελος aggelos, which means messenger. If it is human, then messenger; if a spirit, then angel. I don’t think Jesus is addressing the pastor whose works, patience, etc. are addressed but the church who is addressed. The pastor is the recipient whose duty is to read it to the church. Those there are those who think it is the pastor who is addressed and actions analyzed and critiqued. If so, then the pastor of the Ephesian church is the Apostle John according to history. Jesus is the Lord of the church, so He is seen as holding the seven stars. Jesus is among the churches and is aware of all that happens.
V2 “…“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…” The Greek word for “know” is (G1492) εἴδω eídō, which means to know by seeing (perceive, observe, and inspect). Jesus knows their works (deeds as in their daily life and actions), labor (related to faithful work), patience (instead of instant anything), and bear (as in tolerate) those who are evil. All wonderful traits of any church and Christian.
V3 “…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.” Jesus also knows these things (persevere in trouble and affliction), patience in tribulation, and labor to share the Gospel and Christian life. They did not become tired because God’s grace gave them strength.
V4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” The only criticism—they left their first love. Some things we have as our first love—sports, politics, money, work, status, games, hunting, etc. Let us beware. Jesus must always be first, so we must prioritize our lives so that prayer, Bible reading and study, fellowship, etc. are first. Jesus is Lord, not the other things.
V5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Their first love was for Jesus, now it is not. No marriage would be pleasant if the spouses had other first loves. Repent refers to confessing sins, asking for forgiveness, and not doing that sin again. What is the result if this church does not repent? The church will no longer exist. I wonder how many churches still meet but God’s blessing is not there?
V6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” The Nicolaitans are hated by Jesus. Who were they? Some believe they are a Gnostic group.
Comments:
From some of my previous notes:
“Promising salvation through the attainment of special knowledge of spiritual truths.
“Material, physical, chemical, etc. are inferior and evil. Spiritual is superior and good. God is good; He is spirit; He cannot come in contact with material. So there are steps to enlightenment. Often, the lowest level is Jesus who was manifested to teach gnosis. When people are taught the secrets, they can advance into repentance, then being one with the Pleroma (thus removal of the material person).
“Quotes:
Wikipedia: The Syrian–Egyptian traditions postulate a remote, supreme Godhead, the Monad.[67] From this highest divinity emanate lower divine beings, known as Aeons. The Demiurge arises among the Aeons and creates the physical world. Divine elements “fall” into the material realm and are latent in human beings. Redemption from the fall occurs when the humans obtain Gnosis, esoteric or intuitive knowledge of the divine.
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) Followers of Nicolas (see Acts 6:5), according to early church Fathers. These were apparently a sect that advocated license in matters of Christian conduct, including free love, though some understand from the meaning of the name (“conquering of the people”) that they were a group that promoted a clerical hierarchy (see v. 15 also).
Clement of Alexandria says, “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. (Precept Austin comment on this verse)
V7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’” Jesus says, “Listen up, listen to the Spirit’s word (these words and the Bible), and don’t do these things anymore. There is a promise of blessing for those who do repent and forsake this evil. The Tree of Life is now in heaven. The Paradise of God is heaven. The Paradise that the thief went to (Luke 23:40-43) has now been transferred to heaven.
We learn:
• Jesus knows what we believe and do in church.
• Jesus critiques us.
• When we need to repent, let us do so quickly.