Message to Ephesus: Recapture Your First Love!

Let's examine the universal spiritual advice Jesus Christ gave for Christians of all time in his message to the church in Ephesus.

Many people today think of Jesus Christ's messages to the churches in the book of Revelation as simply historical warnings to the specific congregations addressed. While it is true that these were warnings to specific congregations, there is also a much broader application. The messages to each congregation are relevant today to all the people of God. This timeless instruction is strikingly applicable to events Christians continue to face.

Christ's admonition: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” is repeated within the message to each congregation (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). This warning tells us that we need to carefully consider and heed all of the messages. Let's examine the universal spiritual advice given by Jesus for Christians of all time. To better understand what Christ is telling us today through these messages, it is helpful to examine the history of a specific congregation and then consider Christ's instruction as we make the spiritual application for today. Let's take a close look at the message to Ephesus.

Ephesus was a large and important city on the west coast of Asia Minor. According to Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, “A number of factors contributed to the prominence which Ephesus enjoyed.

“The first factor was economics. Situated at the mouth of the river Cayster, Ephesus was the most favorable seaport in the province of Asia and the most important trade center west of Tarsus. Today, because of silting from the river, the ruins of the city lie in a swamp 8 to 11 kilometers (5 to 7 miles) inland.

“Another factor was size. Although Pergamum was the capital of the province of Asia in Roman times, Ephesus was the largest city in the province, having a population of perhaps 300,000 people.

“A third factor was culture. Ephesus contained a theater that seated an estimated 25,000 people. A main thoroughfare, some 35 meters (105 feet) wide, ran from the theater to the harbor, at each end of which stood an impressive gate. The thoroughfare was flanked on each side by rows of columns 15 meters (50 feet) deep. Behind these columns were baths, gymnasiums, and impressive buildings.

“The fourth, and perhaps most significant, reason for the prominence of Ephesus was religion. The Temple of Artemis (or Diana, according to her Roman name) at Ephesus ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As the twin sister of Apollo and the daughter of Zeus, Artemis was known variously as the moon goddess, the goddess of hunting and the patroness of young girls. The temple at Ephesus housed the multi-breasted image of Artemis which was reputed to have come directly from Zeus (Acts 19:35).

“The temple of Artemis in Paul's day was supported by 127 columns, each of them 60 meters (197 feet) high. The Ephesians took great pride in this grand edifice. During the Roman period, they promoted the worship of Artemis by minting coins with the inscription, 'Diana of Ephesus'” (electronic database, article “Ephesus”).

To be contd.

God bless you all.