The Letter to the Church at Ephesus: A Description of Christ
"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:" (Revelation 2:1 - New King James Version)
Revelation chapters two and three contain seven letters written by the Apostle John as dictated by Jesus Christ. These seven letters were written to seven actual churches and tell us what Jesus thought of each church. The seven cities mentioned were located in what is now Turkey.
These seven letters are also believed by some to be prophetic statements of different periods of Church History. According to this view, they present the changes in Christianity from the days of the Apostles to the present. I will explain what periods these churches are thought to represent as we study each letter.
Most importantly, these letters contain many lessons that should be applied to our churches today and to our own Christian life.
Each of these letters contain a description of Christ, His comments on the Church and a promise to overcomers. This post will look at the description of Christ in the letter to the church at Ephesus.
Each of these letters is addressed to the “angel” of the church. In the original Greek the word for angel means one sent with a message. These letters were addressed to the pastors of the churches. There would be no need for Jesus to send a letter to a heavenly angel.
A pastor can be considered God's messenger to the local congregation. It is his duty to share God's Word with his flock. Jesus is pictured as holding the pastors of the seven churches, represented by the stars, in His hand and walking among the churches, represented by the lamp stands.
Jesus is described in this manner to remind this church that He is in control of the churches. This church had in the past enjoyed the leadership of the Apostle Paul, of Timothy and of the Apostle John. The leadership of the church was given by Jesus who holds His ministers in His hand. He can send and take leaders as He sees fit.
The lamp stand speaks of the witness of each church and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus walks among these churches examining them, caring for them and judging them. This is a picture that should both encourage us and warn us.
Revelation chapters two and three contain seven letters written by the Apostle John as dictated by Jesus Christ. These seven letters were written to seven actual churches and tell us what Jesus thought of each church. The seven cities mentioned were located in what is now Turkey.
These seven letters are also believed by some to be prophetic statements of different periods of Church History. According to this view, they present the changes in Christianity from the days of the Apostles to the present. I will explain what periods these churches are thought to represent as we study each letter.
Most importantly, these letters contain many lessons that should be applied to our churches today and to our own Christian life.
Each of these letters contain a description of Christ, His comments on the Church and a promise to overcomers. This post will look at the description of Christ in the letter to the church at Ephesus.
Each of these letters is addressed to the “angel” of the church. In the original Greek the word for angel means one sent with a message. These letters were addressed to the pastors of the churches. There would be no need for Jesus to send a letter to a heavenly angel.
A pastor can be considered God's messenger to the local congregation. It is his duty to share God's Word with his flock. Jesus is pictured as holding the pastors of the seven churches, represented by the stars, in His hand and walking among the churches, represented by the lamp stands.
Jesus is described in this manner to remind this church that He is in control of the churches. This church had in the past enjoyed the leadership of the Apostle Paul, of Timothy and of the Apostle John. The leadership of the church was given by Jesus who holds His ministers in His hand. He can send and take leaders as He sees fit.
The lamp stand speaks of the witness of each church and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus walks among these churches examining them, caring for them and judging them. This is a picture that should both encourage us and warn us.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 11:04 AM
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