THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS. Revelation 2:1. Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Revelation 1:4 *). The worship of Artemis, for which it was notorious, is referred to in Acts 19, which also gives an account of Paul's three years-' work in the city. Paul's speech to the eld... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22. THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. These letters are addressed to individual churches, but their messages are intended for the Church as a whole. In every letter there occurs the phrase, He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA. Smyrna was situated about 35 miles N. of Ephesus, and from a commercial point of view was its most serious rival in Asia. We have no information about the church at Smyrna before this letter, and do not know when or by whom it was founded. It was later the home of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT PERGAMUM. Revelation 2:12. Pergamum was a town of great importance about 50 miles NE. of Smyrna. It was one of the most renowned centres of paganism in Asia, and possessed many temples, among them one dedicated to the worship of Augustus. In such a stronghold of paganism... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA. Thyatira, which was about 4 miles SE. of Pergamum, was relatively much less important than the cities already mentioned. It was a commercial centre, and seems to have been chiefly famous for the dyeing trade (_cf._ Acts 16:14 f.). Revelation 2:18. the Son of Go... [ Continue Reading ]