Lampstand - 7 Churches of Revelation | Part 1 - Ephesus
July 13, 2025
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. —Revelation 1:9-13
And the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. —Revelation 1:20b
“Lampstand”
The seven lampstands are the 7 churches. Jesus walks in the midst of the lampstands! He is in the
Jesus has always been building His church, He is with His church, and He is in His church.
If deposits were not
The Revelation of Jesus Christ. —Revelation 1:1a
“Revelation”
- “means “
- Jesus will be revealed in us before He comes for us.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened. —Ephesians 1:17-18
“To the One Who Overcomes”
- Overcoming is the purpose and
But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. —Proverbs 4:18
- Revelation and overcoming are
“To the seven churches which are in Asia”
Church, Ekklesia - a “company of called out ones.” They are
To each church, the general outline is Revelation, Commendation, Correction, and Promise.
Ephesus – the “Successful” Church
1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ —Revelation 2:1-7
1. Vs. 1-2 - Revelation. For each church, there is a specific aspect of Jesus revealed that they needed in order to to overcome.
- This introduction is a reminder of the
2. Vs. 2-3 Commendation. Everyone was laboring together, and they had no
in them!
4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love] —Revelation 2:4 (AMP)
- They had allowed the good to become the enemy of the
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and great commandment. —Matthew 22:38-39
Doctrinal purity replaced devotional passion.
His counsel - Remember, and repent.
The Nicolaitans:
- Promoting idolatry (eating food sacrificed to idols)
- Encouraging or