DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTHOR OF THE EPHESIAN CHURCH

The Description of the Author

"These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." Rev. 2:1

I have already said that the description in each letter which Christ gives of himself may be found in chapter one. And there is a remarkable relation of the items selected to the condition of the church.

 Two things may be seen here: the first was recognized by the people in this church; the second was lost from view.

The Sovereign Control of the Churches
"That holdeth the seven stars in his right hand."

His performance as Lord. "He holdeth" (kraton).

In 1:16 it merely states Christ has the stars in His right hand.

"And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."

 

In 1:20 it merely states that the stars are located in the right hand.

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

 

But in this verse, Christ declares that he is ex­ercising authority or mastery over the stars.

Christ taught that he would be in his church (Matt. 18:20).

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

He taught that he would be with each individual believer (Matt. 28:20).

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Christ taught that this would be true because He would send His spirit (John 14:16-23).

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

The early church recognized and responded to this: Acts 1:24; 3:16; 4:24; 9:4-6; 18:9-10.

"And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,"
"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
"And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:"
"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:" "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."

His servants the angels. "The seven stars."This is indicative of the fact that his sovereign control is over the greatest of his creatures. And it is also an indication that this extends to the whole of those who care for the church. This is not merely true of the Star that is charged with the Ephesian congregation, but all the congregations.

This will humble pride as well as serve as encourage­ment.

His position around his own. "In his right hand."

It has been pointed out that the right hand is the way of expressing dignity, power, and service. This is especially true in relation to the stars and the churches.

Refuge is certainly indicated by this figure. In his right hand is the place of security and protection (John 10:28-30).

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." "I and my Father are one."

Rest comes to those who are within his hand. Those who recognize the person, his power, and His protection cannot help but rest in peace.

Regulation will follow. For His hand will turn them withersoever He wills. The early church was constantly conscious of this.

 The Supreme Ministry to the Churches
"Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candle­sticks."

This is probably the thing which this church had forgot­ten.

 

His Performance as High Priest
"Who walketh."

This marks the round of his duties. The tense indicates that he is constantly performing them. And here he is pictured as standing, not sitting. To be seated is the way of indicating a ministry is completed. He did complete expiation at the cross and from that ministry was seated. But he then assumed his role as the Great High Priest. This ministry goes on continuously.

His Position of Preeminence
"In the midst."

This is the central place. To every church he is in the place where he can be seen. No church stands in the way of another. In this central place he radi­ates light that is reflected by the light bearers. It is this ministry of shedding light upon the believers that makes him so precious to saints.

It is this that provides for growing in Grace. But it can be so only as the saints recognize that He is in that central place and fix their attention upon His beloved face. In fact, one day His ministry as High Priest will be finished and He will come forth from the heavenly sanctuary for His own (Heb. 9:28).

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

His People, the Churches
"Of the seven golden candlesticks."

Let it be remembered that it was Jesus himself who described the churches.

Completeness was a part of His description.

There were seven. There is no church neglected by Him. One is not higher or lower than another in His view. He ministers in grace to all of them.

Preciousness was a Part of His Description

They are golden. There is real value in them. Value that will be made manifest someday when God's grace has wrought its full work. He bought them with his blood and he will finally work His grace in them and bring it to com­pletion. They may not have in them today all that ought to be, but Christ sees them as they will be.

Called One was also a Part of the Description

The word Church means called out ones.
They were called by God through the Gospel. They were called out of the world. Selection. They were called out to worship and serve the Lord.
This caption makes it clear that the work was one of grace. This supreme ministry of grace in their behalf had doubtless grown dim in their ministry. They were not looking and longing for His return. They had settled down to a workaday drudgery in service. The spontaneity had disappeared from their step. They had lost their first love.