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NASB | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ¶ The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: "These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches): |
Bible Question: Regarding in Rev 2 vs 1-7 when Jesus speaks about the church in Ephesus, it sounds that He is please with many things they did, but held against them that they had forsaken their first love, telling them to repent or He would remove their lampstand from it's place. He states that he who overcomes will give the right to eat from the tree of life. Do these versus indicate that these folks are saved or not and that their salvation is lost, or that they were never saved? |
Bible Answer: Hi docandlinda2, Wow, thank you for your question. it inspires me. But I won't get into all that could be discussed, thankfully to most, I presume. Rev 2:7 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. I see a problem with your question right off the bat, and I hope you accept my apology for that. What it is, is, that you question one passage in Revelation to one church that is mentioned. Please allow me to share the key that I have learned about Revelation. -The KEY to understanding Revelation is to understand the rest of the Bible. It is not "Revelations" It is the 'Revelation' of Jesus Christ. (not plural, but singular.) There are actually two churches that Jesus did not hold anything against. All other churches, He held Some-thing. But He praised ALL 7 churches. An important note, is He gave praise to all before He brought up any failures. Is that not just like our Lord? No, I do not believe these verses that you point to indicate salvation, or lack of. Salvation is through Jesus, and none other, let no man boast. For ALL our works of righteousness are as much as filthy rags to Him. Consider the Book, The Bible, and its general purpose, without trying to look for any special key ingredient (verse) to gain understanding into what is the Will of God. -Rely on what the Spirit leads you to, and you will rarely be misled (although I can ((without discretion))say it does happen) Remember this: The Entire Bible, -From Genesis to Revelation- is a love letter from God to mankind, (and within is contained) God's entire plan for the salvation of mankind. In the beginning, (in Genesis) there was God, in perfect fellowship with the epitome of His creation, (mankind,) and they existed happily (at least temporarily) in the Paradise of Eden. -Until sin entered through disobedience. Throughout (ALL OF) the following chapters of His wonderful Love Letter, is God's perfect plan for the salvation of mankind. In the end, at the last chapter of Revelation, is once again, God and mankind ,-enjoying one another's existence in paradise, at last, -and for eternity. Amen? When you point to a particular church mentioned, who is to say, at this day and age, which church it is, when it is, who belongs, or whatever? There are many churches in the Body, and many in the church may or may not make the 'cut', Consider the following parable from our Lord: Mat 13:24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. Mat 13:25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. Mat 13:26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. Mat 13:27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' Mat 13:28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves *said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' Mat 13:29 "But he *said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.'"" The main point here is that there is one true church and that is the Body of Christ. One Body, One Christ, One who is all in all. (I could go on about denominalationism but that would be pointless, because it lacks Fruit. The KEY is Fruit, but Fruit does not lead to Salvation) In your service and His, keliy |