The Oracle to Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)
Jesus, through the Spirit, addresses the church in Ephesus through John’s literary work. The church is commended for their endurance and good works as well as their discernment with regard to false apostles and the Nicolaitans. However, though outwardly conforming to the way of Jesus, they had abandoned the orienting and grounding practice of love, whether for God, neighbor, or both. Jesus encourages faithfulness and promises access to the tree of life for those who overcome (who are victorious, nike!).
For more detailed discussion, click here.
Below is a helpful visual orientation to the city of Ephesus at its Roman height of influence and power. It was a city invested with temples for the imperial cult as well as other temples, including one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, that is, the temple of Artemis. The city population is estimated to be around 200,000 at the end of the first century and the beginning of the second century.
For the class video presentation in addition to the above video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZTdxq9lhKE
Introduction: Command to write the words of Jesus to the angel of the church in Ephesus (2:1)
Commendation (2:2-3): I know . . .
- Your works, your toil and your patient endurance
- You cannot tolerate evildoers
- You tested those who claimed to be apostles and found they were false.
- You have not grown wearing in bearing my name with patience endurance.
Warning (2:4-6): I have this against you . . .
- You have abandoned your first love
- Remember, repent, and do the works you did at first
- If not, Jesus will come and remove their lampstand from its place.
- Yet, you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hates.
Conclusion: Eschatological Promise and Call to Hear (2:7)
All seven oracles have a similar pattern.
| Ephe | Smyrn | Perga | Thya | Sardis | Philade | Laodic | |
| “To the angel of the church” | 2:1 | 2:8 | 2:12 | 2:18 | 3:1 | 3:7 | 3:14 |
| Command to “write” | 2:1 | 2:8 | 2:12 | 2:18 | 3:1 | 3:7 | 3:14 |
| Appearance of Jesus | 2:1 | 2:8 | 2:12 | 2:18 | 3:1 | 3:7 | ? |
| Acknowledge: “I know” | 2:2-3 | 2:9 | 2:13 | 2:19 | 3:1 | 3:8 | 3:15 |
| Warnings and Imperatives | 2:4-6 | 2:9-10 | 2:13-16 | 2:19-25 | 3:1-4 | 3:8-11 | 3:15-20 |
| Eschatological Promise | 2:7 | 2:11 | 2:17 | 2:26 | 3:5 | 3:12 | 3:21 |
| Admonition: Call to Hear | 2:7 | 2:11 | 2:17 | 2:29 | 3:6 | 3:13 | 3:22 |
Opening and Closing of the Oracles in Revelation 2-3
| The Seven Churches | Appearance of Jesus | Jesus Identified | To Those who Overcome | Promises in the Rest of Revelation |
| Ephesus | Holds seven stars in his right hand and of the seven golden lampstands (1:19) | Holds seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands (2:1, 5) | The tree of life in the Paradise of God (2:7) | Tree of life in the new heaven and new earth (22:2, 14, 19) |
| Smyrna | I am the First and the Last (1:17) | The First and the Last who died and came to life again (2:8) | Will not be harmed by the second death (2:11) | The second death is the lake of fire (20:6, 14; 21:8) |
| Pergamum | Has a sharp, double-edged sword (1:16) | Has the sharp, double-edged sword (2:12. 16) | Given manna and a white stone with a new name (2:17). | No further mention in Revelation |
| Thyatira | His eyes were like blazing fire (1:14) | The Son of God with eyes like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze (2:18) | Will be given authority to judge and the morning star (2:28) | Given authority to judge (20:4), and Jesus is the morning star (22:16) |
| Sardis | The seven spirits before his throne (1:4) and holds seven stars (1:19) | Words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1) | Will be clothed in white robes and not blot their name out of the book of life (3:5) | Those around the throne are dressed in white robes (4:4) and their names are in the book of life (13:8; 21:27) |
| Philadelphia | I hold the keys of death and Hades (1:18) | Holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open (3:7) | Pillar in the temple of God and receive the name of God, Jesus and the city of God (3:12) | Name on the forehead of the saints (14:1; 22:4) |
| Laodicea | Faithful witness and ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5) | The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation (3:14) | Will receive a place with Jesus on the throne (3:21) | There are thrones in the in presence of God (4:4; 11:16; 20:4). |