He tells us again that in the Orthodox way of life, “you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Heb. He also prays that Christians would be directed in “the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thess. Paul echoing Christ’s words teaches, “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory honor and immortality, He will give eternal life” (Rom. “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (Lk. Keep in mind even when these words were written near two thousand years ago, false teachers were assailing the Church.Ĭhrist Himself tells us, “In your patience possess your souls” (Lk. The Christian life is founded upon faithful diligence – to the end. Yet, overall, the image of diligent labor is a constant theme in the Scriptures. Toil and patience are clearly related to the fact that the Church of Ephesus would not endure false teachers, who are called “evil ones.” Indeed, they labored diligently to hold fast the Faith which was given them (Cf. The Ephesians are praised for their labor and patience. I will elaborate more on this when examining the Church in Smyrna. This is important to note at the offset because of false teachings such as Sola Fide. 1:2-4).Ī reoccurring theme with all seven churches is the fact that Christ Jesus opens His words to them by saying, I know your works. And you have tried those who count themselves to be apostles and are not, and found them to be liars and you have patience and did bear for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary” (Rev. “ I know your works, and your toil, and your patience, and that you are not able to bear evil ones. ![]() What does our Lord praise in the church at Ephesus? Let us see. Jn 1:9), those who have become enriched by His illumination are like candlesticks which illuminate the darkness of the present life” (St. Again Christ walks in our midst He is ever directly present in His Church and is the One to Whom all will answer. Gold indicates the purity to which the members of the Church are called. The Scriptures are saturated with references to seven, generally speaking seven always has to do with the work of God. ![]() ![]() Elsewhere in Revelation there will be seven seals and seven angels who are given seven trumpets (cf. 1 & 2) and the seven-branched candle-stand which stood in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple (cf. Seven is indicative of the seven days of creation (Gen. ![]() Arcimandrite Athanasios comments, “bishops do not govern the Church as representatives of Christ, but Christ governs the Church and the bishops govern in the presence of Christ.”Ĭhrist the Lord is speaking to His house, to His Church.Ĭhrist the Lord consoles His Church, as if saying, “I’m intimately close.” He walks in our midst, the midst of the lampstands. Christ the Lord shows His direct authority over His Church by holding the seven stars in His hand. 2:1).Īccording to the Patristic understanding, the seven stars represent bishops and the lampstands the churches. “ To the angel of the Church in Ephesus write: ‘These things says the One Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One Who walks about in the midst of the seven golden lampstands” (Rev.
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