FBC Daily Devotions

“I KNOW…”  

Read Revelation 2:2-3.

God doesn’t take vacations. He doesn’t need to. God never has to get back on track. He is never distracted. God never has His eyes off of us. He not only sees everything, He knows everything. So when Jesus tells the Ephesian church that He knows their deeds, toil, perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness in the truth, He doesn’t just see it, He knows every little detail, every little thought, every action and reaction, every hearts’ pains and joys, every difficulty endured to remain holy and pure.

The Ephesian church was apparently a very strong one. Committed to the truth and determined to ensure its continuance for the sake of Christ, they worked hard to live rightly and holy, making sure that those after them would do the same. They purged evil from their midst; they probably went to great lengths to remain doctrinally pure. God knew how hard they worked, and He commended them for it.

Removing evil and maintaining doctrinal purity – matters that are not popular in today’s churches. Under the umbrella of tolerance, evil (or sin) and lax doctrine seems to be tolerated in an attempt to be more “loving” and “gracious”. I’m all for more love and grace. There can never be enough love and grace extended by our community of Christian faith. But tolerating evil or sin or careless doctrine without calling for a stop or at least an improvement is not at all what God intended. Again, I’m all for more love and grace, but that cannot come at the expense of love for God. In fact, Scripture teaches that love for God is more important than anything or anyone else. And so while it may be difficult to live up to the Ephesians in their zeal for holiness and purity of doctrine, it is commended by God, and as such should be pursued. We mustn’t be ashamed of these because ultimately God knows what we must endure in that commitment. God knows, and that’s the most important thing.

So then, how is your commitment to personal and doctrinal purity? Is it swayed by the world or anchored to God, who knows all things?

FORTY-THREE YEARS LATER

The first of the seven messages begins with the church at Ephesus. But before examining the letter, let me point out a few things common to most of the messages. First, each message contains a declaration by Jesus that He knows their work, and a promise to those who overcome. Each message to the churches (except to Laodicea) begins with a commendation. This is followed by a rebuke (except to Smyrna and Philadelphia), an exhortation, and an encouraging promise to those heeding their respective messages. While each message is personal to each of the churches, they are certainly relevant to us today. So as we begin to dig into this message to the church at Ephesus, take a minute and read the entire message to get an overview: Revelation 2:1-7.

Ephesus – perhaps one of the more famous churches of the New Testament. Paul stayed in Ephesus three years during which time the gospel penetrated much of Asia Minor. Later Timothy had charge of the church where he received several letters from Paul (1 & 2 Timothy). Later still, John made the city his headquarters. The city was a commercial, political, and religious center, ranking with Alexandria and Antioch.[1]

Paul established the church at Ephesus around A.D. 53, about 43 years before this revelation was given. In this time, the church undoubtedly grew and developed a reputation. What would be its strengths and weaknesses? How had they grown since those early years? With the heavy influence of the Graeco-Roman culture, it is remarkable they survived and remained faithful.

Today, we live in a culture not unlike that of Ephesus with its many worldly influences. Consider this: what might Christ write to you 43 years after your rebirth? What would he commend? Think about it – what good things might he have to say (don’t think of this as a boast, but as an evaluation)? What might he rebuke or want you to correct? These will be things to consider as we move through all seven of the messages to the churches. I pray you will heed the messages, overcome worldly temptation, and receive the promises of God.

[1] Ryrie Study Bible introductory notes to letter to the Ephesians.

Think back over Sunday’s message. What truths were presented that you can apply today? How can it make a difference this week?

Think also about your week ahead. What’s coming up? What’s on the calendar? Begin praying now that you might be open to God’s guidance and that you might express Christ in your attitudes and actions.

Re-read Revelation 1:9-20. As read, what stands out to you? What impressions do you get from this passage? How would God have you respond?

Where to begin? This short passage contains small details that cannot go unmentioned. For example,

• The reaction of John to Jesus’ appearance: he fell dead-like before Him in fear. It causes me to wonder how we might react when we see Jesus one day. I’m not sure we can imagine just how incredibly ominous He will be to us on that day. Will we be overjoyed at His appearing or full of fear? I suppose we may feel both.
• John strangely specifies which hand Jesus places on him – his right hand. Maybe it’s nothing, but as you recall from yesterday, the right hand is usually seen as symbolic of power. It is as if Jesus uses His right hand to comfort and assure John of his protection when He says to John, “Do not be afraid.” He is safe under the powerful hand of Jesus.
• He is “the First and the Last.” He is eternal. Similar language is used of God (as opposed to Jesus) in 1:8 where God says of Himself, “I am the Alpha (i.e. first) and the Omega (i.e. last)”. Both of these phrases are later spoken by Jesus to describe Himself in 22:13 where He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” In saying this, Jesus equates Himself with God.
• Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. The implication is clear: Jesus has authority over death and the place of the dead. Jesus doesn’t merely hold a key; He holds the key. No one else owns a key. There are no copies out there.
• The revelation has three parts: the past (the things he has already seen); the present (the things which are); and the future (the things that will take place after these things). These form the general outline of the revelation. The present will include the messages to the churches in chapters 2-3. The future prophecy begins in chapter 4 (note that after the messages were given, John is told that he will next see “what must take place after these things” – 4:1). It is this threefold division of the revelation that forms the basis for a future prophecy rather than as some believe, a description of what took place in 70AD, namely the destruction of Jerusalem. Note that John’s revelation was probably written closer to 90AD – many years after the destruction of Jerusalem.

Certainly there are many more nuggets to be mined here, but suffice to say, Jesus is Lord and worthy of our attention. When He speaks, may we listen. When we are afraid, may we trust His mighty right hand. When we are worried about the future, may we rest in the hope of Jesus Christ, the keyholder.