Letter #1

A Letter to the Church in Ephesus

“To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write:

The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says: I know what you have done—how hard you have worked and how you have endured. I also know that you cannot tolerate wicked people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not apostles. You have discovered that they are liars. You have endured, suffered trouble because of my name, and have not grown weary. However, I have this against you: The love you had at first is gone. Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change. But you have this in your favor—you hate what the Nicolaitans are doing. I also hate what they’re doing.

“Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life, which stands in the paradise of God, to everyone who wins the victory." Revelations 2:1-7

The last book of the New Testament is aptly named because it is a book of revelations. It is a book of prophesies -- some of which some have already come to pass, some happening in our present time and the rest are soon to be expected.

This book though starts with short letters written to seven churches in Asia, which in that time was in the land called Asia Minor, now modern day Turkey.

So much like Paul's epistles, John wrote these mini-epistles, which are letters of instructions, warnings, blessings and encouragement. Interestingly Paul also wrote to the church in Ephesus (in the book Ephesians).

And like Paul's epistle, this letter can also apply to churches anywhere in the world, past, present and future.

From time to time, let us reread this short letter and the other letters to the other six churches, to be reminded how easy it is for any of us to miss the mark, and how to get back on track. As well as to be strengthened with words of encouragement and to look forward to the blessings of God for those who listen and obey His Word.