AGOGCI - The Seven Churches of Asia Minor

The Seven Churches of Asia Minor
Revelation 2:1, 3:22
Part 1: The Church At Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
This quarter we begin a series
focusing the seven letters to the churches in Asia minor in the book of the Revelation. These historical churches represent the spiritual condition of contemporary local churches as well as that of individual believers in every generation. The first church we will examine is the church at Ephesus. (Rev.2:1-7) Ephesus was one of the wealthiest cities in Asia Minor. In it the temple of Artemis [Greek] or Diana [Roman], the goddess of love and fertility was located. The worship of Artemis involved legalized prostitution. (Acts 19:23-41)

The Ephesian church was
founded by Paul the Apostle with the assistance of Aquila, Pricilla and Apollos. It was pastored for a time by Timothy, Paul’s son in the Gospel. (Acts 18:18-21,24-26; 19:1-10) Of the seven churches, the church at Ephesus was the only one to receive two letters. In one, Paul prays that the church would experience the love of Christ in its fullness (Eph.3:17-19) and in the other John wrote of their failing to continue in their passionate love for Christ. The Ephesian church was the church that had all that a church would aspire to be known as exept that which was most important—a deep, abiding, passionate love for Christ which they had abandoned.
In Revelation 2:1, Christ introduces Himself as ‘Him Who holds the seven stars

(which are the messengers of the seven churches)in His right hand Who goes among the lampstands (which are the seven churches. The letter is addressed to the ‘messenger’ or the pastor of the church whom He holds in His ‘right’ or strong hand. The pastor is to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand, accountable exclusively to Him. Jesus the Christ walks in the midst of the local churches—the lampstands, as their Judge, Corrector and Encourager. The form of the verb ‘to walk’ indicates that Christ is continuously walking. He is ever present as the Good Shepherd to teach, grow, provide, protect, guide and direct the Church. He knows all about each individual church. He is present to give light to the Church which light is to be accurately reflected to the world.