Ephesus, Pergamos, and the Most Destructive Thing

I’ve been spending some time in the first few chapters of Revelation recently, working my way slowly through and taking time to study things out. If you’re familiar with the book of Revelation at all, you will probably remember that it begins with a series of messages to seven churches, each addressed to the “angel,” or messenger (probably the pastor) of each church. These messages contain such individual detail, I am convinced they were written to specific churches, local assemblies of real believers who had real problems that Jesus addresses in each message.

But as I began working my way through the brief missive written to each of these seven churches, a contrast stood out between what Christ tells the church at Ephesus and what He says to the church at Pergamos, as well as the others. It is hard to summarize the context without giving you the whole first two chapters of Revelation, which would be too long to fit in a blog post, so if you have your Bible handy, (or a Bible app on your phone) go read that firs chapter.

Now that we have our context, look at what Christ says to the Ephesians:

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.” 2:1-7

Notice that Christ is dealing with the church and its leader on one specific issue. (The word for “angel” here literally means messenger, and probably refers to the pastor.) The warning about the candlestick being removed can be clarified by the last verse of chapter one, which identifies the candlesticks as the individual churches, and the stars as their leaders. So, if the Ephesian pastor and his flock choose not to repent and return to their love for God, their church would die out, and cease to exist.

Now look at what Christ tells the church at Pergamos:

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold to the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 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 hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (2:12-17)

These two churches were very different, with different strengths and weaknesses. But notice that while the Ephesian church has one issue Christ deals with them about, the other has “a few things” to be addressed.

The consequence of unrepentance on the part of the church at Pyrgamos would result in Christ fighting those false doctrines Himself, presumably with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” If they failed to deal with theological error, Christ would, and His Word would feel sharp to them. However, if the Ephesian believers rejected repentance, their “candlestick” (the church itself) would be removed, and the church would cease to exist.

Which consequence seems more serious to you?

I do not think this is an indication that doctrine is unimportant, (because the Bible is unmistakably clear about God’s view of false teachings and those who teach them.) But rather, that loss of love for God is profoundly serious and destructive if allowed to continue.

What’s the lesson for us today? Keep close to God, guard your love for Him, and do not let it dim or fade! Your spiritual health and your the health of your local church depend on your relationship with God remaining close and vibrant.

Dear Reader, take a moment to survey your love for God. Are you doing the right things, but from a heart that has cooled off in its love for God? Have you left the freshness of your first love for Him? Christ gives us the remedy, right in this passage:

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works”

And as you remember what it was like when your love for God was fresh and new, let it rejuvenate you to do those “first works,” the things that were important to you in your relationship with God when you had the joy of salvation spurring you on to do great things for Him. Do the things, but keep your love refreshed!

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” 

Deuteronomy 6:5