The port city of Ephesus played a prominent role in apostolic times and is mentioned in six New Testament books. Although it was home to a large Christian congregation addressed by the apostle John in the book of Revelation, Ephesus was also a centre of idolatrous worship of the goddess Diana, whose temple (above) was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It also boasted temples for the worship of several Roman emperors, including Hadrian, Augustus and Domitian.
The port city of Ephesus was a short voyage from Patmos. Therefore one could logically send a letter there and then on to the remaining six cities Christ mentioned. The apostle Paul had initiated a large church in Ephesus, and now Jesus addressed the members there with a prophetic message that applied to them and was predictive of the Church’s future. Jesus had told John: “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are (at the present time), and the things which will take place after this (in the future)” (verse 19, emphasis added throughout). Hence part of the message of Revelation would apply to John’s time, and part would be for future generations.
In Ephesus was much evil to avoid— within and without the congregation. Christ recognizes the effort of the Ephesian brethren, in spite of many obstacles, to keep the faith and carry out the commission He had given them. “I know your works, your labor, your patience,” He told them, “and that you cannot bear those who are evil” (Revelation 2:2). Moreover, the Ephesian brethren had to resist the many temptations the immensely popular pagan temple worship offered them.
Thousands of priests and priestesses served the temple; many of the priestesses were dedicated to cultic prostitution. Such was the reputation of ancient Ephesus. It would have been difficult to live as a Christian in the midst of such an immoral city. Knowing this, Christ gives the brethren the hope that if they persevere in the faith they will receive something that all the temple worship of Diana could never give them—the gift of eternal life. “To him who overcomes,” He promised, “I will give to eat from the tree of life (symbolizing eternal life), which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
The Church in Ephesus reflects Christ’ warning to the Church ‘in-vogue’ during and immediately after the apostolic era; when the disciples of Christ were bitterly persecuted by the Romans: Emperors Julius Caesar (B.C. 42 – 37 A.D.); Caligula (37 – 41 A.D.); Claudius (41 – 54 A.D.); and Nero (54 – 68 A.D.), all made life unbearable for the early followers of Christ. These war-crazy Emperors inspired the extermination of Paul, Peter, James the great, James the brother of Jesus, Bartholomew, Barnabas, Phillip, Luke the evangelists, Andrew, and a host of many other disciples –to mention a few – except John, the Revelator.
Christ, in His first letter to the Church in Ephesus, encourages the disciples to be patient in tribulation, and endure the onslaught of the Romans, who were on the verge of wiping the whole Christian family in Asia Minor and the world over. Church historians commonly refer to the period from the mid-first century AD to the middle of the second century AD as the “lost century.” During this period, the visible Church radically changed in appearance, becoming almost unrecognizable due to Roman persecution. Remaining true believers, who were in the small minority, were forced to flee the visible majority, which had departed into error.
In Ephesus was much evil to avoid— within and without the congregation. Christ recognizes the effort of the Ephesian brethren, in spite of many obstacles, to keep the faith and carry out the commission He had given them. “I know your works, your labor, your patience,” He told them, “and that you cannot bear those who are evil” (Revelation 2:2). Moreover, the Ephesian brethren had to resist the many temptations the immensely popular pagan temple worship offered them.
Thousands of priests and priestesses served the temple; many of the priestesses were dedicated to cultic prostitution. Such was the reputation of ancient Ephesus. It would have been difficult to live as a Christian in the midst of such an immoral city. Knowing this, Christ gives the brethren the hope that if they persevere in the faith they will receive something that all the temple worship of Diana could never give them—the gift of eternal life. “To him who overcomes,” He promised, “I will give to eat from the tree of life (symbolizing eternal life), which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
The Church in Ephesus reflects Christ’ warning to the Church ‘in-vogue’ during and immediately after the apostolic era; when the disciples of Christ were bitterly persecuted by the Romans: Emperors Julius Caesar (B.C. 42 – 37 A.D.); Caligula (37 – 41 A.D.); Claudius (41 – 54 A.D.); and Nero (54 – 68 A.D.), all made life unbearable for the early followers of Christ. These war-crazy Emperors inspired the extermination of Paul, Peter, James the great, James the brother of Jesus, Bartholomew, Barnabas, Phillip, Luke the evangelists, Andrew, and a host of many other disciples –to mention a few – except John, the Revelator.
Christ, in His first letter to the Church in Ephesus, encourages the disciples to be patient in tribulation, and endure the onslaught of the Romans, who were on the verge of wiping the whole Christian family in Asia Minor and the world over. Church historians commonly refer to the period from the mid-first century AD to the middle of the second century AD as the “lost century.” During this period, the visible Church radically changed in appearance, becoming almost unrecognizable due to Roman persecution. Remaining true believers, who were in the small minority, were forced to flee the visible majority, which had departed into error.
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