Musings of a Winsome Heart: Wolves in the Sheepfold, Ephesus, the Seven Churches

Monday, July 9, 2012

Wolves in the Sheepfold, Ephesus, the Seven Churches

The imagery of wolves in sheep’s clothing, invading a sheepfold is quite colorful. It conveys a strong message to us that we may not have fully grasped. I am reminded of the Looney Tunes cartoons where the coyote spends the entire cartoon trying to trick the sheepdog so he can steal the sheep. That is actually good imagery for what happens in the sheepfold. As we look at the seven churches of Revelation, we will start to get a feeling that any of those churches could be us today. When we look at this section I will stay away from allegories to focus on the practical. Are these churches written in a particular order that is significant to us today? Maybe, or maybe not. But what is clear is that Jesus wanted us to know about the goings on of these churches so that we would be aware of mistakes that people can make throughout all the years between the time this was written, around 90 A.D., to the present. As we know from the Old Testament, there is always a progression o f rules and practice as we move forward in the Lord, such as the commandments; to the Levitical Law, to the Pharisees’ Laws. But, if we are called as Kings and Priests after the order of Melchizedek, we are then walking as Abraham, without written rules and laws, and we therefore do not make doctrines out of experiences. What we will find is that these ideas Jesus wanted John to communicate to us are fluid. First however we should start with the idea of an enemy in disguise in the camp.

Matt 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? KJV

False Prophets NT:5578 pseudoprophetes (psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace); from NT:5571 and NT:4396; a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor: KJV - false prophet.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Clothing NT:1742 enduma (en'-doo-mah); from NT:1746; apparel (especially the outer robe): KJV - clothing, garment, raiment.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Sheep’s NT:4263 probaton (prob'-at-on); probably neuter of a presumed. derivative of NT:4260; something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specifically) a sheep (literally or figuratively): KJV - sheep ([-fold]).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Inwardly NT:2081 esothen (es'-o-then); from NT:2080; from inside; also used as equivalent to NT:2080 (inside): KJV - inward (-ly), (from) within, without.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Wolves NT:3074 lukos (loo'-kos); perhaps akin to the base of NT:3022 (from the whitish hair); a wolf: KJV - wolf.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Ravening NT:727 harpax (har'-pax); from NT:726; rapacious: KJV - extortion, ravening.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:726 harpazo (har-pad'-zo); from a derivative of NT:138; to sieze (in various applications):KJV - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

What we see here is that Jesus tells us to be aware that there are false prophets and also those who are pretending to be sheep who are really ravening wolves. Isn’t it fascinating that the word for ravening is derived from harpazo, the same word used in our gathering together in 1 Thessalonians? Also Jesus uses the same word in the parable of the sower, that when people hear the word of the kingdom and don’t understand it the enemy comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts. This is a great picture of what wolves do. Not only do they disguise themselves to look like everybody else, but they come in and voraciously steal the word out of people’s hearts. I have seen so many wolves in sheep’s clothing, some in the pulpit, some in and among the congregation, some on the outside of the congregation trying to pull people out. It is necessary to understand that they really are all around us. The only way we can really know what someone is about is by their fruit.

Fruit NT:2590 karpos (kar-pos'); probably from the base of NT:726; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively:KJV - fruit.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:726 harpazo (har-pad'-zo); from a derivative of NT:138; to sieze (in various applications):KJV - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Ye shall know NT:1921 epiginosko (ep-ig-in-oce'-ko); from NT:1909 and NT:1097; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge: KJV - (ac-, have, take) know (-ledge, well), perceive.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

We recognize wolves by some mark, as a plucked fruit. Again the word harpazo is a derivative of this word for fruit. Since we don’t pick grapes from thorny vines or figs from trees with thistles we should understand that where a fruit comes from is important. Where a person’s fruit comes from will tell us if they are a wolf or not. As we’ve looked at before, witchcraft works in many ways, is there some form of manipulation going on? Is there coercion or extortion being used on others? Is fear someone’s motivating factor or love? I was saddened to hear some years back that young men were getting into ministry because there was “good money” in it. There isn’t good money in ministry for the honest pastors, but there are those who own their own planes, expensive cars, and multiple houses. A good rule of thumb is to compare pastors as Levites, who were not to own property or possessions. Jesus sent people out with a light suitcase so to speak. Also if the focus of a ministry is not getting the unsaved saved, or taking care of widows orphans and the poor, then there may be some thorns on the vines of the pretend grapes. 1 Peter 5:2 says we are to feed the flock, not for greed. I guess some one wasn’t teaching the seminary students this verse. In fact the disciples all had jobs and worked for money while also teaching and preaching.

Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.KJV

Wise NT:5429 phronimos (fron'-ee-mos); from NT:5424; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while NT:4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and NT:4908 indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):KJV - wise (-r).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:5424 phren (frane); probably from an obsolete phrao (to rein in or curb; compare NT:5420); the midrif (as a partition of the body), i.e. (figuratively and by implication, of sympathy) the feelings (or sensitive nature; by extension [also in the plural] the mind or cognitive faculties): KJV - understanding.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Sagacious: having or based on a profound knowledge and understanding of the world combined with intelligence and good judgment

Serpents NT:3789 ophis (of'-is); probably from NT:3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan: KJV - serpent.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3700 optanomai (op-tan'-om-ahee); a (middle voice) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) optomai (op'-tom-ahee); which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of NT:3708; to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from NT:991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from NT:1492, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while NT:2300, and still more emphatically its intensive NT:2334, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and NT:4648 a watching from a distance): KJV - appear, look, see, shewself.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Harmless NT:185 akeraios (ak-er'-ah-yos); from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of NT:2767; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent:KJV - harmless, simple.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:1 a (al'-fah); of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first:KJV - Alpha. Often used (usually an, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from NT:427) in the sense of privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of NT:260).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:2767 kerannumi (ker-an'-noo-mee); a prolonged form of a more primary kerao (ker-ah'-o) (which is used in certain tenses); to mingle, i.e. (by implication) to pour out (for drinking):KJV - fill, pour out. Compare NT:3396.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Here Jesus says we are to be cautious with our eyes wide open, not emotionally swayed, but as cunning and as sharp as satan, and we are to be not mixed, or mingled, but pure.

Acts 20:28-30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.KJV

Grievous NT:926 barus (bar-ooce'); from the same as NT:922; weighty, i.e. (fig) burdensome, grave:KJV - greivous, heavy, weightier.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:922 baros (bar'-os); probably from the same as NT:939 (through the notion of going down; compare NT:899); weight; in the N. T. only figuratively, a load, abundance, authority:KJV - burden (-some), weight.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Paul here says that the wolves that would come in would put heavy burdens on people. A clue to what he might have meant probably lies in the global view of what he fought for while preaching. Not only did he reveal the mystery of the gentiles coming in but he also fought against the law and those who continually wanted to put people under the law. Remember Romans 5:20 that the law came to make sin abound. Therefore some of the weights Paul might be referring to are the ensnaring of people under the law. Nevertheless when people come into your church or ministry and tell you that you have to do things a certain way, making you feel like you can’t possibly accomplish what they are saying, they may be wolves in sheep’s clothing.

To look at this logically, if someone came into a sheepfold looking like a wolf, with big teeth and drool, we would have no problem identifying them. However to be in sheep’s clothing, they must look like a sheep, act like a sheep, talk like a sheep, smell like a sheep, eat sheep food, and listen to the shepherd. That presents a problem if we are not as sagacious as we should be. From personal experience, good fruit is lacking in wolves. The people that follow a wolf are usually malnourished and beaten down. Remember that Jesus told the Pharisees that they search to find someone to teach and then make them as much a son of hell as they are? Wolves want you to have the same destiny as they do. With this in mind let’s look at the seven churches.

Rev 2:1-3 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;2 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:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.KJV

Labor NT:2873 kopos (kop'-os); from NT:2875; a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains:KJV - labour, trouble, weariness.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Patience NT:5281 hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay'); from NT:5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:KJV - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Them which are evil NT:2556 kakos (kak-os'); apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas NT:4190 properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious:KJV - bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Thou has tried NT:3985 peirazo (pi-rad'-zo); from NT:3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:KJV - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Apostles NT:652 apostolos (ap-os'-tol-os); from NT:649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers):KJV - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Liars NT:5571 pseudes (psyoo-dace'); from NT:5574; untrue, i.e. erroneous, deceitful, wicked:KJV - false, liar.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Firstly we see that Jesus directs this letter to the messenger of the church of Ephesus and identifies himself as the one who holds the angels in his hand and walks among the churches. The messenger in some cultures could have been considered the pastor or priest in those days, not only an angelic being. Jesus says he knows their efforts and their lamenting. He knows how they are enduring under hard circumstances and that they have scrutinized the evil people who say they are ambassadors of the gospel but are lying. This is interesting from the standpoint that we seem to think we are alone when we are going through a hard time. The whole church was going through a hard time because evil people came in saying they were apostles but they weren’t. Sadly we don’t know exactly what these people were saying, which would give us some insight into why this was such a grievous time for them, but we can imagine how liars come into our churches today and destroy entire congregations. I wonder if the vagueness of the actual lies of the evil people is due to making this understandable in our generation. Maybe there are lots of false apostles throughout history and it is our job to discern what they are saying.

Verse 3 has four added words, taking them out along with punctuation, we see this slightly different. And hast patience and hast borne my name's sake and hast not labored. Jesus says you have consistency and have held up my name and have not become tired. Jesus tells them what he likes, and now has to tell them what he doesn’t like.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Love NT:26 agape (ag-ah'-pay); from NT:25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast: KJV - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:25 agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o); perhaps from agan (much) [or compare OT:5689]; to love (in a social or moral sense): KJV - (be-) love (-ed). Compare NT:5368.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:26 agapee, agapees, hee,

it denotes:

1. affection, good-will, love, benevolence: John 15:13; Rom 13:10; 1 John 4:18.

a. Used of the love of men to men;

b. Used of the love of men toward God:

c. Used of the love of God toward men:

d. Used of the love of God toward Christ:

e. Used of the love of Christ toward men:

2. plural,

agapae, love-feasts, feasts expressing and fostering mutual love which used to be held by Christians before the celebration of the Lord's supper, and at which the poorer Christians mingled with the wealthier and partook in common with the rest of food provided at the expense of the wealthy: Jude 12 (and in 2 Peter 2:13, Lachmann, Tregelles' text; Westcott-Hort's marginal reading)

Timothy was in Ephesus and it may be that what Paul had written to Timothy gives us a clue to what leaving their first love means. Being charitable out of a pure heart may be the first love of Ephesus.

1 Tim 1:3-5 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.5 Now the end of the commandment is charity [agape] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: KJV

Paul established Ephesus around 52 A.D. Shortly after that time people came into Ephesus teaching the law, instead of love. The church at Ephesus may have been started by Aquila and Priscilla, and later run by Timothy, but regardless while Paul was there all of Asia heard the word of the Lord in two years, Acts 19:1-12. Seeing from Acts how contentious the times were when Paul started preaching there, for Jesus to write to them concerning leaving their first love we may think that was the least of their problems. The Ephesian church is probably the best model we have for our day and time. We know what the Tabernacle and the Temple looked like, but we do not know what the Church is supposed to look like after Pentecost.

Rev 2:5 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.

Repent NT:3340 metanoeo (met-an-o-eh'-o); from NT:3326 and NT:3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):KJV - repent.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3539 noeo (no-eh'-o) or noieo (noy-eh'-o); from NT:3563; to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed: KJV - consider, perceive, think, understand.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Jesus tells the church to remember where they used to be and change their minds to think that way again. If they don’t he would remove their candlestick out of that location. How many times has a church risen up to prominence in a city or country and then fallen seemingly unexpectedly. If a church has grown in influence, yet has something that exemplifies a falsehood, such as not being loving or charitable to one another, Jesus is willing to remove their church from that location and raise one somewhere else. In the culture of that day love feasts were common, (see end notes), and there may have also been some distortion with that as well. Whatever the Ephesian churches first love was, giving to the poor, works of charitable service, or simply walking in love towards one another, their good example had now become a bad one. Some people speculate that their first love was loving God, and they left God in their hearts. We can make a case for that as well. Yet being as elusive as it is I think the point is to search out Jesus to find out in our own lives what our first love is. This is the only place in the entire Bible that the words first and love appear together. Love is benevolence, a verb not a noun, therefore their first love is active. Their first order of benevolence, or charity was in application. Was that caring for the widows and the orphans and the poor, fellowshipping with God, or was that in other charitable acts, we don’t know.

Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans [3531], which I also hate.

NT:3531 Nikolaites (nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace); from NT:3532; a Nicolaite, i.e. adherent of Nicolaus:KJV - Nicolaitane.

NT:3532 Nikolaos (nik-ol'-ah-os); from NT:3534 and NT:2994; victorious over the people; Nicolaus, a heretic:KJV - Nicolaus.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3534 nikos (nee'-kos); from NT:3529; a conquest (concretely), i.e. (by implication) triumph:KJV - victory.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:2994 Laodikeus (lah-od-ik-yooce'); from NT:2993; a Laodicean, i.e. inhabitant of Laodicia: KJV - Laodicean.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Jesus says he hates the works of the Nicolaitains, which by definition seems to indicate that these were people who were victorious over people, and they were rich coming from Laodicia. So we can derive that they were rich people conquerors. Incidentally when we read in Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil, those Paul was writing to must have loved money. This was Paul’s warning to Timothy while Timothy was at Ephesus and it would seem that the Laodiceans were rich as well and using wealth to control people. Jesus seems to hate that. The Ephesians hated that too, so we know that leaving their first love was not in conquering people with money. But was leaving their first love not being generous enough?

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches [1577]; To him that overcometh [3528] will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.KJV

NT:1577 ekklesia (ek-klay-see'-ah); from a compound of NT:1537 and a derivative of NT:2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):KJV - assembly, church.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3528 nikao (nik-ah'-o); from NT:3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): KJV - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

NT:3529 nike (nee'-kay); apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) the means of success:KJV - victory.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Jesus is saying this to churches not only to the church at Ephesus but to multiple churches. Get out your nikes because if you overcome you will literally eat of the tree of life that is in Paradise. See end notes. To all the people who make up the congregation or assembly, if you prevail, you will benefit, there is a reward. Therefore for our practical purposes we need to test and try the people who call themselves leaders, apostles, pastors, prophets, teachers, and see what kind of fruit they have. Are they putting heavy burdens on you, trying to bind you under the law, or manipulate you with money, or even trying to snatch people away unto themselves. The Ephesian church was in so much turmoil when Paul was there; he even fought beasts as well as started the riot with the souvenir salesmen from the temple of Diana. Yet almost forty years later they were still in existence. Today church type institutions don’t seem to last that long, yet this one lasted even longer, possibly hundreds of years. The one thing they were not doing well had to do with leaving their first benevolence. Did they repent? John spent many years in Ephesus and was buried there. We can learn not to allow wolves in sheep’s clothing to rule in our congregations or assemblies. We can remember to serve in love as well. And when hard times come our way we can also endure.

End Notes

Strong’s #26 Agape used in 1 & 2 Timothy

1Tim1:5, 1Tim1:14, 1Tim2:15, 1Tim4:12, 1Tim6:11, 2Tim 1:7, 2Tim1:13, 2Tim2:22, 2Tim3:10

EPHESUS [EFF uh sus] — a large and important city on the west coast of Asia Minor where the apostle Paul founded a church (see Map 7, C-2). A number of factors contributed to the prominence which Ephesus enjoyed.

The first factor was economics. Situated at the mouth of the river Cayster, Ephesus was the most favorable seaport in the province of Asia and the most important trade center west of Tarsus. Today, because of silting from the river, the ruins of the city lie in a swamp 8 to 11 kilometers (5 to 7 miles) inland.

Another factor was size. Although Pergamum was the capital of the province of Asia in Roman times, Ephesus was the largest city in the province, having a population of perhaps 300,000 people.

A third factor was culture. Ephesus contained a theater that seated an estimated 25,000 people. A main thoroughfare, some 35 meters (105 feet) wide, ran from the theater to the harbor, at each end of which stood an impressive gate. The thoroughfare was flanked on each side by rows of columns 15 meters (50 feet) deep. Behind these columns were baths, gymnasiums, and impressive buildings.

The fourth, and perhaps most significant, reason for the prominence of Ephesus was religion. The Temple of Artemis (or Diana, according to her Roman name) at Ephesus ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As the twin sister of Apollo and the daughter of Zeus, Artemis was known variously as the moon goddess, the goddess of hunting, and the patroness of young girls. The temple at Ephesus housed the multi-breasted image of Artemis which was reputed to have come directly from Zeus (Acts 19:35).

The temple of Artemis in Paul's day was supported by 127 columns, each of them 60 meters (197 feet) high. The Ephesians took great pride in this grand edifice. During the Roman period, they promoted the worship of Artemis by minting coins with the inscription, "Diana of Ephesus."

The history of Christianity at Ephesus began probably about A.D. 50, perhaps as a result of the efforts of Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18). Paul came to Ephesus in about A.D. 52, establishing a resident ministry for the better part of three years (Acts 20:31). During his Ephesian ministry, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 16:8).

The Book of Acts reports that "all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:10), while Paul taught during the hot midday hours in the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). Influence from his ministry undoubtedly resulted in the founding of churches in the Lycus River valley at Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae.

LOVE FEAST A meal shared by the early Christians when they met together for fellowship and the Lord's Supper. The term love feast is clearly used only in Jude 12 (feasts of charity; KJV). But some Greek manuscripts support "love feasts" instead of "deceptions" in 2 Peter 2:13. The love feast is also referred to in 1 Cor 11:17-34, and probably in Acts 6:1-3, although neither passage in English versions of the Bible uses the term. The Greek word for love feast also is the main New Testament noun for love, indicating that the meal was originally intended to be a rich experience of God's love. The purpose of the love feast was to remember Christ, to encourage His disciples, and to share God's provisions with the needy.

In the time of Christ, communal meals to express friendship and observe religious feasts were practiced in both Greek and Jewish cultures. The yearly Passover meal was the most important such event among the Jews. Jesus chose this occasion to institute the LORD'S SUPPER, or Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30). Thus it was natural for the early Christians, whenever they celebrated the Lord's Supper, to do it in connection with a common meal. The "breaking of bread," which the very first disciples did daily, most likely refers to this dual experience of common meal and Eucharist (Acts 2:42,46).

Because of such abuses as those described in the New Testament (1 Cor 11:17-34; 2 Peter 2:13), and probably for reasons of convenience, the meal and the Eucharist became separated in some regions by the second century. The meal-known as the love feast, the agape, and even the Lord's Supper-continued for several centuries. However, at times it became merely a charity supper for the poor and at other times a lavish banquet for the wealthy. After much controversy in the church, it was finally abolished at the end of the seventh century. A few Christian groups, however, still observe the agape.

LOVE FEAST (Agape), 2 Peter 2:13; Jude 12, an entertainment in which the poorer members of the church partook, furnished from the contributions of Christians resorting to the eucharistic celebration, but whether before or after may be doubted. The true account of the matter is probably that given by Chrysostom, who says that after the early community of goods had ceased the richer members brought to the church contributions of food and drink, of which, after the conclusion of the services and the celebration of the Lord's Supper, all partook together, by this means helping to promote the principle of love among Christians. The intimate connection especially in early times, between the Eucharist itself and the love feasts has led some to speak of them as identical. The love feasts were forbidden to be held in churches by the Council of Laudicea, A.D. 320; but in some form or other they continued to a much later period.

NICOLAITANES— The church at Ephesus (Rev 2:6) is commended for hating the "deeds" of the Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos is blamed for having them who hold their "doctrines" (15). They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thus abusing Paul's doctrine of grace (comp. 2 Peter 2:15,16,19), and were probably identical with those who held the doctrine of Balaam (q.v.), Rev 2:14.

Tree of life — stood also in the midst of the garden of Eden (Gen 2:9; 3:22). Some writers have advanced the opinion that this tree had some secret virtue, which was fitted to preserve life. Probably the lesson conveyed was that life was to be sought by man, not in himself or in his own power, but from without, from Him who is emphatically the Life (John 1:4; 14:6). Wisdom is compared to the tree of life (Prov 3:18). The "tree of life" spoken of in the Book of Revelation (Rev 2:7; 22:2,14) is an emblem of the joys of the celestial paradise.

PARADISE (park, garden) - a place of exceptional blessedness, happiness, and delight; a descriptive name for heaven. Originally paradise was a Persian word meaning "a wooded park," "an enclosed or walled orchard," or "a garden with fruit trees." Traditional Hebrew theology held that the dead descended to SHEOL. After the emergence of belief in the resurrection, however, this view was drastically modified. In the period between the Old and New Testaments, the Jews believed that, after the resurrection, the righteous would go to Paradise, a place much like the Garden of Eden before the Fall.

In the NKJV the word paradise occurs only three times (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7). To the repentant thief on the cross Jesus said, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Various commentators have pointed out that when a Persian king wished to bestow upon one of his subjects a special honor, he made him a "companion of the garden." The subject was chosen to walk in the king's garden as a special friend and companion of the king. Thus, Jesus promised the thief that he would be a companion of the King of kings, walking with Christ in the garden of heaven.

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Wolves in the Sheepfold, Ephesus, the Seven Churches