Revelation 2:1-7 Church of Ephesus
Prologue
Described as a wealthy and prosperous seaport at the mouth of the Cayster River, Ephesus was the largest city of the Roman province of Asia with a population of perhaps 300,000.
The city had a large theater which held about 24,500. Other important buildings were the agora or marketplace, library, baths, gymnasium and burial monuments. It was the center of the mother goddess worship of Artemis (Greek) or Diana (Roman) and the site of the great temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Paul visited this city at the end of his second journey and spent three years here during his third journey (Acts 18:19-21)
Study Questions
1.How does Christ describe himself in Rev 2:1? Compare Rev 1:12b; Rev 1:16b
b) What does the name Ephesus mean ? (search Bible study tools online)
a) Describe three virtues these church was commended for? Rev 2:2-3 Compare Ephesians 6:6; Romans 5:3-5; 2nd Timothy 3:8
b) Why was the Ephesus church rebuked by Christ? Rev 2:4-5 compare Jeremiah 2:2
3.Highlight the promise given to this church and how does these apply to us today? Rev 2:7 compare Genesis 3:24; Rev 22:2