The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

“I know thy works”

Revelation 2 & 3

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

“The challenge of

sustaining our first love”Revelation 1:1-2:7

The Isle of Patmos

“…and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

John in exile on PatmosI John, who

also am your brother, and companion

in tribulation, and in the

kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is

called Patmos, for the word of God, and for

the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Gr. thlipsis- pressure

Acts 14:22; Rev. 7:13-14

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The value of the ApocalypseThey are not to be negligent hearers if they would be blessed; they must keep or “observe narrowly the things which have been written in it.” They must scrutinize them, and by their aid “Watch.” “Behold, I come as a thief,” saith Jesus; “blessed is he that watcheth.” But they only can watch to any purpose who “narrowly observe.”

Eureka Vol. 1 pg. 116

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The value of the ApocalypseThe Apocalypse was given to this end—that the servants of the Deity, who are keeping their garments, might be able to discern the signs of the times preceding the apocalypse of Christ; and the real nature of things extant in their several generations. No believer under-standing this prophecy could be seduced into fellowship with the clerical institutions of the world; because he would see them all in their native deformity and sin. Eureka Vol. 1 pg. 116

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The blessings of the Apocalypse1. A blessing to those who accurately study and

then practically apply the message – Rev. 1:32. A blessing is pronounced upon those who are

resurrected to fulfil the prophecy – Rev. 14:133. A blessing for those who watch and who are

ready for Christ’s return – Rev. 16:154. A blessing for those who partake in the

marriage supper of the Lamb – Rev. 19:95. A blessing upon those who inherit eternal life –

Rev. 20:66. A blessing for those who practically apply the

book of Revelation in their lives – Rev. 22:77. A blessing for those who keep Christ’s

commandments – Rev. 22:14

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

“Let him hear”Christ’ s words in Mark 4:9-13 are an important key to the Apocalypse for he uses the same language 7 times in the letters to the ecclesias and again in Rev. 13:9. “Let him hear” means to understand – the converse

is “…and hearing they may hear, and not understand”;

Christ thus expected the Apocalypse to be understood by his servants;

The Apocalypse was given to “show” his servants of things to shortly come to pass – the Greek deiknuo means to show or exhibit;

Therefore, there can only be one correct interpretation of the Apocalypse.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Revelation 1 to 3 – Foundation of Book Gentile ecclesias become the focus of

God’s interest now that Israel had been scattered in AD 70.

True believers are seen to be under increasing pressure from apostasy and persecution by Rome.

Despite dwindling numbers, they hold fast to the things that remain.

False Christianity meanwhile gains more power.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Revelation 1 to 3 – Foundation of Book Christ walks in the midst of the

ecclesias during their suffering (he is with them).

Revelation provides encouragement and a vision of the coming Kingdom for those trodden down.

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out…”

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

“…he that holdeth the

seven stars in his right

hand, who walketh in

the midst of the seven

golden lampstands.”

Rev. 2:1

Judge of all

Determinerof destinies

The multitudinous Christ vision

1:20

The order of the letters follows the logical path of a

messenger delivering them!

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Prophetic Structure of Letters In Eureka Vol. 1 pgs. 419-454, Bro.

Thomas relates the 7 ecclesial states to 7 phases leading to complete apostasy in the time of Constantine (AD 312).

In Apocalypse Epitomised, Bro. H.P. Mansfield applies it across a broader time period.

Ephesian Epoch - AD 96 to 110 when the first love was lost at the close of the Apostolic era.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Prophetic Structure of Letters Smyrnan Epoch - AD 110 to 312 noted for

persecution of ecclesia and manifestation of the synagogue of Satan.

Pergamon Epoch - AD 312 to 606 when Antipas was slain and Balaamites and Nicolaitanes flourished – the Papacy emerged.

Thyatiran Epoch - AD 606 to 1572 when true witnessing came to an end - Jezebel ascendant in the Papal system.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Prophetic Structure of Letters Sardian Epoch - AD 1572 to 1847 - the

period of Protestant Reformation - name of repute but spiritually dead.

Philadelphian Epoch - From 1847 to about 1947 a period of a little strength - the Truth revived in its purity.

Laodicean Epoch - The perilous present - an era of prosperity and complacency - to Christ’s return.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Ephesus In AD 96 a large and thriving

commercial city - known (with Smyrna) as “one of the eyes of Asia”.

Blessed with a fine harbour it attracted all kinds of people, wares and philosophies.

Home of one of the “seven wonders of the world” - the temple of Diana (or Artemis) - 200 yrs to build.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

.The Temple of Diana

Built 356 BC

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

DianaDIAN'A, Latin. (Greek, ARTEMIS). The twin sister of Apollo, the sun-god. She is the moon goddess. The Assyrians named them Adrammelech and Anamelech. Diana was called the goddess of hunting, chastity, marriage, and nocturnal incantations. In Palestine the name was ASHTORETH. The services were performed by women, and eunuchs, and with a high priest. The great temple at Ephesus, and grove at Daphne were the most noted shrines of this worship. The image at Ephesus was said to have fallen out of heaven complete! The great temple was 425 by 220 feet, and had 127 columns of marble, each 60 feet high.

Smith’s Bible Dictionary

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

All that remains of the temple of Diana .

Zech. 5:9-11

“…there came out two women… for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven… Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar.”

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

.Mt Prion

The amphitheatre of Acts 19

Symbol of deep irreconcilable doctrinal division

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

.

“…they rushed with one accord into the theatre.”

“Great is Diana of the Ephesians”

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Ephesus In time, the Cayster River silted up the

harbour and slowly strangled trade and commerce.

Became known as the “city of change” as its fortunes sank.

By 4th century the Apostasy convened a council to officially install Mariolatry – but today Mohammedanism is its only religion.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The harbour silted up by 1400 AD .

Arcadian Wayled to the harbour

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

REVELATION 21Unto the angel of the ecclesia of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands;2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; 6…thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ecclesias; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

EphesusIn withstanding false doctrine

there is a danger of becoming

distracted and hardened.

Sustaining our first love and zeal over the long haul is a

serious challenge.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Ephesus – The hard ecclesia Received Christ's commendation for:

works, labour, patience and intolerance of evil men;

trying of the spirits and rejection of liars;

patient endurance and unwearied effort;

hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. But criticised for:

losing their first love.

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

John 17:26 - And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Eph. 1:4 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Eph. 1:15 - Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints.

Object of first love

God Manifestation

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

What is “first love”? Clue - Rev. 2:5 – “…do the first

works”. Matt. 13:45-46 - Again, the kingdom

of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Gal 4:15 - …for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Forsaking all

Personal sacrifice

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

What is “first love”? 1 Thess. 2:13 - …when ye received

the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Acts 19:5 - When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Col. 1:4 - Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints.

Absolute conviction

Humility and submission

Love of the Brotherhood

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The importance of attitudeThe longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life.It is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than whatever anyone might say or do.It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill.The remarkable thing is that we have the choice to create the attitude we have for that day.

Charles Swindall

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

The importance of attitudeWe cannot change our past. We cannot change the way people act. We cannot change the inevitable.The one thing we can change is the only thing we have control over, that is our attitude.I’m convinced that life is 10% what actually happens to us, and 90% how we react to it.

Charles Swindall

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Ephesus the loyal city Because of its loyalty to Rome, Ephesus

was granted the privilege of adding to its titles, that of Temple Warden Of The Roman Emperor. (Logos Vol. 40 pg. 359)

But what about the ecclesia?Acts 20

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

These had surely left their first love!

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

Next study… God willing

“I know thy works”

Study 2 – “The challenge of holding

fast the name”

The Letters to the Seven Ecclesias

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