Revelation 2:1-11 — To the Churches in Ephesus and Smyrna
Thoughts about serving others
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Beginning in Revelation 1:17 and going all the way through chapter 3, the words in the NIV Study Bible are all red, all words attributed to Jesus Christ. Let us pause and read carefully.
To the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7)
This church has done many good things, especially their treatment of the heretical sect called the Nicolaitans (2:6). Yet even with strong favorable words we read: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first” (2:4). There are several cross-references for this verse which all seem to point to the central lesson of those whose love cools off over time, the honeymoon is over, the excitement wanes. Lord may this never be said of your servants here! May we wake up each day with anticipation and excitement for what you have in store for us. Forgive me for anything less! Help me to do the things I did at first (cf 2:5).
For each church, we are reminded to listen, with a promise: “Whoever has ears, let them hear…I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (2:7)
To the Church in Smyrna (2:8-11)
Just a few miles north of Ephesus, there must have been trouble brewing in the church, slander and suffering, “even to the point of death” (2:10). Jesus’ words are here to encourage us during these trials, lessons to be learned. “The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death” (2:11), that is, the final judgment.
Encouraging words and strong exhortations lead to a promise, a hope that is worth waiting for. Each revelation has with it something to add to the feast: to eat from the tree of life, to be victorious over the second death and more to come in the next few chapters. Lord help us to learn from your words here today.