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Ephesus- from the death of Christ until the end of the Apostles

Ephesus means “first” or “desirable”. The beginning of the gospel message to the world was accomplished by the first “church”. These early Christians had received the purity of Truth from Christ, Himself. The world has never seen anything like the spread Christianity in the first century. We have the records of the New Testament which attest to much of this early work. Filled with a burning desire to spread the Gospel of salvation, there was nothing too difficult to undertake, no sacrifice too great to make, no journey too far.

Every country into which they went were filled with pagans, “science falsely called so”, and Jews who claimed to worship Jehovah, but who had mingled with the heathen to such an extent that they had lost the Spirit of Truth. But no attempt was made to find points of “common agreement”- the straight Truth was presented. Their love of God’s Truth gave no room for allowing evil of any form- those who claimed to be “apostles” but who spoke NOT the Truth were exposed as such:

2CO 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him….13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

1TI 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2TI 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

The Truth went forth with great and supernatural force as the power of the Holy Spirit filled the hearts of those who loved the Truth. They endured unimaginable hardships, some even making the ultimate sacrifice of their own life.

But, with the death of each apostle, the vigor with which they went forth began to wane. The admonition given in verse 5 is a call to remember from whence their knowledge of salvation came- from those who gave up all to spread the Truth to all the world. The promises made to the Christian are not on the sole condition of belief alone- they must act upon their faith. The candlestick signifies the light and privileges of the Gospel.

MAT 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Ancient Israel, or the “church in the wilderness”, was to have been the lightbearer to the world:

ACT 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

So, too, was the church AFTER Christ’s death to continue that work. And like the nation of Israel, if they failed to do that work, it would be taken from them.

No one knows for sure who the Nicolaitanes were, but the implication is that they were a group who claimed to be believers, but who had false or corrupt beliefs. If they were simply pagans, there would be no need for the statement since we well know how abominable to God heathen beliefs are. Their deeds, whatever they were, were corrupt, which implies that they had perverted His Truth. Christians are to hate the “sin”, not the sinner”, and we are to labor for their salvation. But no provision is made to allow corruption of the True faith. And in verse 6, God commends the church for holding fast to this hatred.

His message to the first church ends with a very important promise in verse 7. Since the message is to the CHURCH, which consists of believers, isn’t it strange that here is given a condition to receiving the promise of eternal life?- “To him that overcometh…” After all, isn’t the promise of eternal life given to all believers? Well, that is the predominant belief today. But the apostles constantly were admonishing the believers to be careful, and persevere until the end:

2PE 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

HEB 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

The life of a Christian during this age was fraught with hardship and severe persecution. Paganism, through the efforts of Satan and his fallen angels, was making it’s last stand for supremacy in the world. The Roman Empire was still the world power, and had respect for the religions of all nations. But the Christians were not a nation, and instead were considered a sect of a despised race. They denounced all other religions and separated themselves from the customs and practices of the heathen, who were sometimes their friends and relatives.

But something evil was making inroads into the church. With the death of the apostles, there were no longer any true prophets of the Lord. False teachings began to spread. The philosophy of the Greeks led to false interpretations of the Scriptures. Men with pride in their hearts arose who claimed to be inspired of God, but were actually inspired of Satan. In verse 9, Christ speaks of the blasphemy of those who claim to be Jews, but are not:

ROM 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

ROM 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

GAL 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The admonition is against those who claim to be “of God”, but who are clearly not. False doctrines were now making inroads among the true believers.

Severe persecutions against the Christians began under Nero. They were falsely accused of horrible crimes and blamed as the cause of earthquakes, famine, and other great calamities. Burned alive and cast to wild animals, they were forced to hide, leaving behind everything they owned. But as thousands were slaughtered, thousands more would come to the faith and replace those who had given their lives.

The worst period of persecution was during the reign of Diocletian. Here is brought to view verse 10- “…and ye shall have tribulation ten days:…” Applying the “day equals a years” principle, we understand this to be a period of ten years. “But in 303 the State began its supreme effort to destroy the Church by starting a violent persecution that lasted until 313.” ( “History of the Christian Church” by Lars P. Qualben, 1933, Thos. Nelson and Sons, NY, p. 102) Four edicts were issued, the last of which demanded that the Christians sacrifice to the pagan idols or suffer death.

Again Christ ends His message to the church with encouragement- but it is especially meaningful that He gives the promise twice. Facing torture beyond our imagination, hundreds of thousands must have clung tenaciously to those words, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

The second time He gives the promise of eternal life, a very important point of doctrine is brought to view- a truth which would soon become greatly perverted in the beliefs of the church and which would be put to the most evil of uses. “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Satan had seen Christians suffer the martyr’s death time after time, and how many others were won to the faith through the witness of their martyrdom. He would very soon introduce into the church beliefs which were designed to control the people through fear of death and an “afterlife”. These doctrines would completely contradict the Word of God, and make of “none effect” the very promise here made by Christ.

It is very important to here note the changes that began to take place within the organized church. In the New Testament, Christ told His disciples how they were to commemorate His death-

1CO 11:23 … the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Yet, one of the first serious controversies the church suffered was setting the date for Easter. “Easter” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “Eastre”, the goddess of spring and fertility, who is also known as Ishtar in Assyria and Babalonia, and Ashtoreth in Syria and Canaan. Thus, by edict of the church, a pagan fertility festival was cloaked in Christian symbols and instituted to commemorate Christ’s death. But the blending of “heathen” with “Christian” was only beginning.

In His salutation, Christ opens with, “These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.”

HEB 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Everyone is familiar with the old saying, “If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em.” When Satan realized that he could not destroy the church by destroying the members and intimidating them through fear, he changed his strategy.

By Constantine’s bestowing upon the church official recognition, protection and state funds, the way for the union of church and state was first begun . Pagans joined the ranks of believers only for the sake of social advancement and power. Though “converts” increased in number with great rapidity and church buildings began to spring up all over the empire, the religion was quickly becoming perverted, intermingled with heathen practices and doctrines, which were brought in to make it more acceptable to the heathen. The “popularized” religion began to bear little resemblance to the faith once delivered to the saints. Satan was now gaining control of the “official church” through unconsecrated men.

But the union of church and state was not yet complete. Though the emperor influenced the church in some respects, there were still Godly men fighting to preserve its purity. In theory, according to Roman law, the emperor was considered to have supreme direction in all religious affairs. But thus far, he had no power to decide internal questions concerning the church’s worship, discipline and doctrine. To decide these matters, General Synods, or Councils, were convened. The battle ranged intensely.

And to the true believers, Christ gave consolation and encouragement. He knew well what they were facing, and that Satan was working with all his might right in the midst of the church. In the face of corruption and apostasy, God had His faithful followers who never waivered in their zeal for His truth.

Little by little, leaders in the “official church” began to seek more and more power over civil affairs. History does not record an individual by the name of “Antipas” (in verse 13), but the name seems to symbolically represent a class of people. “Anti” means “opposed” and “pas” means “father”. The fact that “Antipas” is here mentioned as a “faithful martyr, who was slain among you” indicates that “he” was “martyred” for a cause, which was lost. What “cause”? We believe “Antipas” refers to those who opposed the growing civil power of the church leaders, or bishops. Christ had told the people and His disciples:

MAT 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

The time was near when the “official church” would elevate one man to a position equal to that of “king”, and would call him “father”.

Christ next chastises the church for having among them those that “hold the doctrine of Balaam“. The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22 and 31. It began when the children of Israel were about to enter the promised land. They pitched in the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho. Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid because he had seen what they had done to the Amorites- when Sihon, their king, refused to let Israel pass through his land and went to battle against them, “Israel smote him with the edge of the sword” and took all the land of the Amorites.

Balak sent messengers to Balaam, whom we know had once been a good man and a prophet of God (see Num. 21:15-21). The messengers told Balaam of Balak’s request- that he “curse” the children of Israel. In return for this, Balak had sent a great reward for Balaam. The Lord spoke to Balaam and he knew he could not curse Israel because the Lord had blessed them. But Balaam’s desire for the riches offered by Balak led him to resolve to accomplish the deed by another means- Balaam proposed to Balak that he lead Israel into apostasy by seducing them into idolatry. The plan succeeded:

NUM 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

Because of this abomination of idolatry among the Israelites, the Lord brought forth a plague and 24,000 died. What connection does the doctrine of Balaam have with the church at Pergamos? Balaam was once a true man of God as is evidenced by the fact that God spoke with him. And Balaam obviously feared God, for he would not curse Israel. BUT his desire for riches led him to betray the people of God- he knew that if they were seduced into idolatry, God, Himself, would visit them with His curse. And Balaam expected that Balak would then give him the riches of reward he had first offered him.

So it was with the church. As they mingled more and more with the world, they saw the riches that came with power and prestige. In order to gain the favor and prestige they so desired, they betrayed the church into idolatry. Though not as obvious as the incident with Balaam and the king of Moab, the church was seduced into accepting idolatrous practices within the church, all in the name of “God”, of course. The result would be the gradual fusion of church and state.

Again, we find within the church the same group mentioned in the message to the first church (Smyrna)- the Nicolaitanes. Only now, instead of “hating the deeds” of this group, we now find“them that hold the doctrine” within the church. The Lord’s anger against those that call themselves by His name is evident. The doctrine of Christ was being corrupted.

And it would get much worse. And again, the admonition is given that ONLY “to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna…” The promise of eternal life has never changed, only the doctrines of devils which have perverted the truth.

In the next issue, we will conclude this brief discussion. Hopefully, it will bring into a clear light the last great conflicts between God’s Truth and the darkness and lies of Satan, which are now shrouding the earth in a great darkness.

REV 2:1 Unto the angel of the church 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 candlesticks;

2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3   And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6  But this thou hast, that 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 churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9   I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)… and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10   Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; …and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

12   And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13   I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14   But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15   So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16   Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.