Letter to the Church in Ephesus

The letter I chose was the first one, written to the Church in Ephesus. 

This letter opens by showing the strength and power of God. It says that the message comes from the one who, “lives among the seven golden lamp-stands.” With the message opening this way, we are able to see that the message is to be taken seriously because it comes from the head of the church—Jesus.

The letter then continues by showing what the church in Ephesus has done well. It states: “I know your activities” which seems to show that Christ knows both the good and the bad that are happening in Ephesus. By choosing to start with the good, the letter begins on a positive note leading up to the part where the complaint is made. It reads, “I know too that you have perseverance, and have suffered for my name.” I think this part is highlighted because later in the letter it calls on them to remember “where you were before you fell.” By reminding the church in Ephesus of the great time of following and suffering for God, the letter is able to show that it is possible and beneficiary to return to the Lord. 

The letter then moves into the complaint which is that the church now has less love than they used to. But instead of leaving it on a do this better note, the letter ends with a promise of reward. By closing with, “those who prove victorious I will fee from the tree of life set in God’s paradise,” the church at Ephesus is able to see the end goal and thus be able to try to strive to their former glory.