THE MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS

Dear Readers:

In Revelation 2 and 3 we find epistles written by the apostle John on the isle of Patmos to the seven churches in Asia. These churches represent the churches of all ages, and concern also the church of today. The Lord did not want John to write one epistle; no, he must write seven letters, in which the Lord gives the general view of the life and guidance of His church. Seven is the number of perfection and points to God’s work in the world for the salvation of the elect. The ways of the Lord are written in these epistles, and they contain much instruction for the church—as well shaming as comforting.

The first epistle is to the church of Ephesus, a famous city in Asia Minor. It was the capital of that province, and was the city where the Roman consul resided. It was also the center of business and culture, science and arts; we must not forget that in this city the (great) goddess Diana was worshipped, making it a stronghold of heathendom.

On his second mission journey the apostle Paul preached the gospel of the crucified Christ here, and it was so blessed by the Lord that a congregation was established. He was there only a short time, but on this third mission journey he spent three years there. When he bid farewell to the elders of Ephesus at the sea side, he warned them to take heed of themselves and all the flock, because after his departure grievous wolves would come which would not spare the flock. Wealth and worldly pleasures were especially great dangers for them, because these were found in Ephesus in such great measure. Vanity and the pride of life caused many to withdraw from the service of the Lord, even as it does today, making us conformed to this world. How has the gold become dim in our days since we are living so much with the world!

John received this commandment to write: “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.” Angel is angelos, meaning the messenger or minister to whom the care of the church is given. This was a great responsibility, because without ceasing he had to preach life and death, blessing and cursing. Terrible will be the lot of every preacher who speaks only smooth things, because he and his hearers will perish!

This angel is a messenger sent by the Lord. “These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand.” The Lord not only calls His servants, but He also holds them in His right hand. Is it not a great encouragement for God’s servants when they fear and are in temptation that the Lord looks down upon them and will keep them? When we see our own inability, we fear that the Lord will never use us, and meanwhile Satan whispers, “It is all your own work.” Yet the Lord upholds His church and keeps it going.

Many churches in these days are discouraged because they remain without pastors for such a long time, and in others the attendance decreases so that they fear for the future. So little is heard about the conversion of young and old, and so few take part in the commemoration of the Lord’s death. There are enough who yet speak religiously, but the fruits are so few, so that many times a question mark must be put behind it. Is not one of the reasons for the darkness in our days that we have forgotten that the Lord reigns? He holds the seven stars in His right hand, sending or keeping away according to His good pleasure. He not only cares for His servants, but for the whole church; “Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.”

The seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches; Christ walks in the midst of them. In His human nature He is in heaven, but with respect to His Godhead, majesty, grace and Spirit He is at no time absent from His church. Often Zion laments, “The Lord has forsaken me and my Lord has forgotten me.” This is never true! The Lord has a pleasure in His church, which He has bought with His blood and renewed by His Spirit. He also provides in their needs, not only keeping them in the common things, but especially instructing them in His Word and in the institutions which are to be kept by His church, so that they hate and flee from sin.

Is this true? In our days it seems that Satan is supreme and that sin is not sin anymore. Satan has penetrated into the church to such an extent. We are not now speaking about the world where sin also multiplies, but about the church which is so far from its place. How necessary it is to emphasize that the church must live separated from the world; this must be further than in words only; it should be visible. How can this be done? In many ways, of course; but think only of our young people. How important it is that they are instructed from their youth according to the Word of God—both at home and at school. The school can be a tool in the hand of the Lord that our young people do not wander away. Does it receive your support, and, of more importance, your prayer that the Lord will bless it? That blessing is indispensable.

The Lord takes notice of everything in the world and in the church. “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.” Also our works are known to the Lord, and even that which lives in our heart. It is possible that our works are as those of the rich young man, but how true it is that by the works of the law no one will be saved. Woe the man who builds on self-righteousness, but also he who lives in sin. This is not forgotten by the Lord, but it will be remembered when we appear before the Lord to give account of our deeds.

There is also a people who come to do with the omniscience of the Lord when the Lord shows them their sin. How they will abhor themselves because of their works and because of their sins committed against a holy and righteous God, Who has bestowed so many blessings upon them. Do we have some knowledge of this? If we never come in time to the knowledge of our sins, they will become visible for us in eternity. Now some people rejoice in the things which pass by and find their life in them, but then it will be so terrible that we shall wish we could do it over again. But it will be too late!

To the comfort of the church, the Lord says here, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience.” To it is added, “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My Name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” This is an honourable testimony for this church, which cannot be repeated in truth for many churches. We must practice usury with the talents received of the Lord. It should never be too much in the service of the Lord, as is also described in this portion of God’s Word. There was no false passivity in Ephesus, but they used their time well to the upbuilding of the church. They knew that they could not do it themselves, but they used the means with a praying heart that the Lord might bless it.

The Lord also made them patient. This was ridiculed by the wisdom of the world, and the powers of the world persecuted them. The church did not defend itself with earthly weapons, but they carried their cross in subjection. The apostle could say (and it was practiced by this church), “We glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” They may run with patience the race that is set before them, “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” They may be followers of Christ. The love of God constrained them to return that love, to hate that which is against the Lord and to love that which is for the Lord.

In Ephesus were found faithful watchmen, who used the keys of the kingdom of heaven in preaching and in discipline. How important for a congregation when the consistory stands behind the truth and wants to defend it, just as was the case in Ephesus. May we say the same of you, brothers? The Lord said of Ephesus, “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.” Certain men preached God’s Word, but showed in their works that they were strangers of the life of grace. They were probably Jews who gave themselves to be apostles, but they were deceivers. They claimed that they brought the full gospel, but they were servants of hell. Long before Paul had warned about them—grievous wolves would come. The angel of Ephesus did not give them time to spread the lie, but searched them out at once. The works of Satan were then revealed! It was very clear that they were no apostles, but were liars. In holy zeal they separated from them, as the Lord had demanded. Over the whole world it is the same—the gospel of Christ crucified is a stumblingblock unto the Jew and unto the Greeks it is foolishness.

What a precious testimony the exalted Mediator gave of this church. They were industrious for the pure doctrine, they rejected heresy, by the grace of God they were patient amidst tribulation. If the Lord would give a testimony of our church, would it be the same? I fear the Lord would say, “I know your slowness to punish the disobedient and to expel the heretics.” Is it not shaming to hear this of Ephesus, and should not a holy jealousy come upon us?

I think that when the angel of the church read these words of the Lord to the congregation, many were satisfied and nodded assent. “That is true what is said of us.” Man likes to hear praise of himself. But this was not the entire message. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” From this we learn that, although externally it was a flourishing church, internally it was sick. They had left their first love.

When I read these words in the Bible, “Thou hast left thy first love,” it strikes me and the church in general. It is the case today with all of us. It is so easy to repeat these words, but when we live it in, it is such a sad thing that it cannot be expressed! Because we have forgotten Him, the Lord hides His face from us and withdraws His hand. We should have more Prayer Days in our churches and in our homes to supplicate to the Lord that He may break the time of darkness. He again must be the first.

How precious was the time of which Jeremiah spoke, “I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals.” Such a time is not strange to the church when they may be lively in prayer, fruitful under the preaching of the Word, may have a desire to go to the Lord’s Supper, and may try to live with the help of the Lord punctually according to God’s law. This is especially true when the Lord has opened their eyes for the work and Person of the Mediator, Who had given Himself from eternity and came in the fullness of time. The love which the Lord bestows upon His people constrains them to return that love and to seek Him above all else.

But now it is past time. If we are honest, there are so many reasons that the Lord withdraws Himself from His church. Imperceptibly a turning has come. Perhaps externally there is not so much change, but internally it is so different. The letter of the truth is kept, but there is no strength in it. They do their duty, but the lively condition is missed, their prayer is a form, the desire is missing. More and more the world begins to charm, and the dependent life is lost. We become satisfied with the benefits, but no longer need the Benefactor. Thus gradually there comes a decrease in the spiritual life. “Thou hast left thy first love.”

Christ cannot endure this. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen.” This hints of the fallen angels, of whom the epistle of Jude speaks. For them salvation is no more possible, but the church of Ephesus can be saved; however, it is impossible without repentance. Then we cannot rest before the Lord shows mercy; “and repent, and do the first works.” Not dead, but lively works of faith which come up out of the root of love. In those works the Lord will be glorified.

It makes the threat which follows more terrifying. “Or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” This threat has been fulfilled, because the Lord has taken away the light from this congregation. The forsaking of the Lord has caused the Lord to let them loose, and at the end they again sank away into heathendom. Ephesus is a terrible example of what can happen.

I am afraid that the same is happening in our churches, as we also have left our first love and have become more and more conformed to the world. Television is for many a common good. What is wrong with it? If the Lord opens our eyes for the danger, we will admit that it is a means of hell to deceive us. It works so wonderfully, for it has defeated its ten thousands! Also in regard to fashion, notwithstanding the many warnings given from the pulpits, it is very evident that our women and girls do not know what is right and what is wrong. What will the end be? Will the Lord take away His Word from among us or give us over to a religion which is so prevailing in these day—You can serve God and mammon.

It was not yet to that extent in Ephesus, because the Lord says of them, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” The Nicolaitans are the antinomians who say that we may continue in sin and grace will abound. If we are honest, this is the attitude of many religions, but it is an abomination unto the Lord. Greatly is that people blessed whom the Lord upholds. They are as the wise virgins who have been awakened and who have oil in their vessels.

It is only out of free grace that blessings are bestowed upon the church, for Christ is the tree of life Who merited, applies and maintains the spiritual life of His church—which is in beginning on earth, but complete in the heavenly Paradise. Of this the Lord speaks, “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.”

Sioux Center, Iowa

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