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OUR PASTOR’S PEN
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH
P. O. Box 326
Abingdon, VA 24212 * 10297 Caney Valley Rd.
Bristol, VA 24202
Pastor/Teacher: Dr. Jerry W. Arnold
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REVELATION 2:1-7
Part 2
THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
A WICKED CITY
The city in which
the church of Ephesus was located was
famous for many things. It is estimated that in New Testament times the
city boasted of a population from between 250,000 and 500,000 people.
The governor of Rome resided there, but there was no Roman garrison in
Ephesus. It had a city theater that could seat around 25,000 people.
It was a self-governing city – in that day it would be referred to as a
free city. The city hosted many athletic events – it was big on
entertainment.
Ephesus was the most
important city in Asia Minor. But it was a city given to wickedness. According to William Barclay,
“Heraclitus, one of the most famous of ancient philosophers, was known
as “the weeping philosopher.” His explanation of his tears was “that no
one could live in Ephesus without
weeping at its immorality.”
Ephesus was well
known for its pagan superstition. You could buy in Ephesus amulets and
charms, which were supposed to be remedies for all kinds of evils that
befall people.
But Ephesus was
known most of all by its goddess Diana (Artemis). Ephesus was the
centre of the worship of Diana. The temple of Diana was one of the seven
wonders of the ancient world. Its size was tremendous. It was
sanctuary for criminals – if they could get there they were guaranteed
safety. The temple grounds were filled with prostitutes, priests,
dancers, and criminals. Furthermore, the sale of Diana idols, and items
associated with the goddess Diana, provided an important source of
income for the merchants and the city.
The worship of Diana
was extremely vile. The idol itself was grow-test, a many breasted
looking thing, which was believed to have fallen from heaven. And it
was against this background that the church was heralding the message of
Christ.
THE
WRITER
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; (2:1)
The message was
given “Unto the angel [pastor, messenger] of the church of Ephesus,” and the messenger
was to give the message unto the church. This is how God mediates His
sovereign rule in the church through its human leaders.
Although, the writer
is not named, we know “he that holdeth the seven stars in his right
hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks”
describes the same person in chapter 1 and verses 13 and 16 – the
glorified Christ. Through the apostle John, Christ writes unto the
churches.
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