TEXT: Revelation 2:1-5
More facts on Ephesus
Ephesus was the political capital of Asia.
Roman government resided there.
Located in SW Turkey (ASIA MINOR) at convergence of three great highways.
Trade center of the area then "The Vanity Fair Of The Ancient World."
Religiously it was center of idol worship.
Acts 19:24 - "Artemis" or Romanized as "Diana."
The CHURCH AT EPHESUS was founded jointly by Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul (Acts 18:19-19, 19:1-10).
The apostle John spent a great deal of his life preaching the gospel there.
When John was banished the pastoral leadership fell to Timothy.
Letters to Timothy parallel Christ's admonition to Ephesus; warnings too.
2 Tim. 2:6, 15; 4:5, 1 Tim. 1:7
Despite being devout there was no energy or enthusiasm.
"STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD."
Christ is speaking the same to US tonight and the remnant church in America!
Only the remnant of true believers MAKE UP THE CHURCH!
Ephesus - 2:4-6
Left their first love-departure from the cross.
Lead to ruin without repentance.
They fell from grace - left faith in cross (Galatians 5:4).
REPENT, do the first works over.
Or ELSE - I will come quickly.
Remove your candlestick- - "Except you repent."
Christ is source of light, cross in means.
Also speaks of ministry influence.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
A. "Laity Conquerors"
B. Exploitation instead of spiritually developing them
C. All false doctrine does this.
D. Leads to not just error but sin.
E. Nicolas taught sexual sin, fornication carried no price - it does.
10. Ephesus "Hated this" Thyatira "Held to this" (PAPALCY).
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