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The Vision of the Son of Man & The Letter to Ephesus
1:10–2:7
Introduction: It is striking to be in one of these seven churches when the reader stood up and began to read the words of 1:10-11. This is not just a “letter” written by John. This is a letter from Jesus and we suddenly we hear John describing a vision of Jesus in which he actually described what Jesus looked like. Consider that Isaiah’s prophecy began with a throne scene vision of God, but God was not described. And again, when Ezekiel was called as a prophet, his message began with an elaborate vision of God on his throne, but God was not described.
The significance of this is evident when we realize that most first century Christians never saw Jesus, and when persecution arose, many appeared to doubt:
- Mark wrote to Roman Christians seemingly struggling with their belief – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…”
- John wrote his gospel to help the belief of Christians who were teetering in unbelief.
- And John began his letter (1 John) with, “we have heard, we have seen with our eyes, we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.”
- Now just imagine how a vision of the One who was dead but now is alive forevermore! Such encouragement in the midst of persecution.
- Vision of the Son of Man
- “On the Lord’s day” – appropriate timing of the revelation. It could refer to nothing else than the first day of the week. Jesus rose on that day; Pentecost was on that day; the L.S. on that day; giving on that day. That it is the Lord’s day, we ought to treat it as such.
- “One like a son of man” connects him to Daniel 7:13-14 when a “son of man” ascended to the Ancient of Days and was given “dominion, glory, and a kingdom.”
- When John heard a loud voice as a trumpet, he turned and saw seven golden lampstands with a son of man in the midst.
- These lamps are defined as churches (20). They are seven distinct and separate lamps, independent of each other and yet bound together by a common Head who is in the midst.
- They are lamps! They are light-bearers. Their purpose is to give light to the world. When a church is no longer shining forth the light of the gospel, they are not fulfilling their very nature and purpose.
- They are golden – of great value.
- Christ is in the midst. He knows every facet of the their life. He is there for counsel, comfort, and leadership. He is acutely aware of their circumstances and of their every need and is ready to come to their aid. But in the letters, he is also willing to rebuke them.
- The character of Jesus is indicated by how he is described:
- Garment: indicates His dignity, rank, and high office.
- Head and hair: His purity and holiness.
- Eyes like a flame of fire: penetrating deeply into the heart and soul of every person and church.
- Feet: burnished brass to tread down the wicked into ashes (Mal. 4:3).
- Voice of many waters: mighty, powerful, with authority.
- Seven stars in His right hand: indicates the messengers bringing the letters are under His protection and control.
- Out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword: He is ready to do battle with His words by judging, discerning the right, and convicting the hearts of men.
- Countenance as bright as the sun: perfect in character.
- This is the One we worship and who is in our midst in every worship and with us every hour of the day. How can we offer ourselves half-heartedly to Him?
- John’s reaction to the vision: fell at the feet of Jesus as though dead. The knowledge was too much for him; the presence of the King of kings too overwhelming and fearful. But the words of Jesus are the most precious we could hear. Wonderful comfort:
- “He laid His hand on me” – personal tenderness.
- “Do not be afraid” – no need to fear, He is the first and the last. Whether past, present, or future, he has this!
- “Dead but alive forevermore” – He was not defeated in death, but victorious, never to die again. He has led the way to our victory as well.
- “Keys to death and Hades” – no need to even fear death. He alive to open the doors of death for us.
- Application: The vision illustrates for us that serving Jesus is worth all that we do to sacrifice for him and honor him. When we can appreciate seeing him in this vision now and live accordingly, how much better than waiting until judgment and seeing him then with sorrow and fear!
- The Letter to the Church in Ephesus
- First, consider that Jesus is writing to churches. Jesus is walking in the midst of churches. Jesus is communicating to, evaluating, and judging churches. This is not to take away from the fact that each individual will stand before God on Judgment. But these letters indicate our work within and as a part of a local church is extremely significant in evaluating our salvation. Further, it matters what kind of church we are a part of.
- The church in Ephesus is an impressive church, especially considering the idolatry and wickedness of the city. Notice that Jesus speaks in the first person and begins the letter as he does all these letters to the churches: “I know your works…” Jesus is clearly letting us know, this is his church and he is always aware of what is going on. Nothing is hidden from him.
- Ephesus was exemplary. They labored in God’s cause. They exercised “patient endurance” just as John highlighted in 1:9. They didn’t put up with false teaching nor those who tried to invade the church with false claims of being apostles. They even “labored for his name sake” (for the sake of glorifying Jesus), and did not grow weary! Super impressive!
- Surely the Ephesus church would have been highly regarded throughout the brotherhood. We today would be thrilled to find a church like this. It is the truly the description of a faithful church…. Until verse 4.
- This sentence is translated two different ways:
- NASB: “…you have left your first love.”
- ESV: “…you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
- The object is either Christ being our first love above all else or abandoning the original love they had for Christ. Either way, Christ is not the number one object of their love nor do they pursue him passionately like they did in the beginning.
- Since Jesus pictures our relationship as a bride with her bridegroom, it is not difficult to understand the Lord’s analogy. Can you imagine your spouse telling you that because of obligation he/she will continue to do all the duties of a faithful spouse, but “please know that I do not love you like I did when we married. Sorry honey, but I just don’t have those kinds of feelings for you anymore.” Can you imagine how hurtful?
- Can you imagine a member coming to your aid, but after you expressed your deep appreciation for what they have done, they reply, “Well, I just did it because I knew I had to. It isn’t because I really care about you that much.”
- This sin on the part of the Ephesian Christians is likely the greatest problem within churches both then and now. Most of us grew up taught to serve the Lord out of obligation “lest we go to hell.” If you serve Christ simply because you are trying to avoid Judgment, it is imperative that you carefully consider this letter.
- Do you see the end of verse 5? Jesus said, “If you don’t change, I will remove your lampstand.” In other words, you are no longer my church. You are lost. You have abandoned this marriage. The consequences are on you.
- The Remedy
- Jesus never exposes sin without giving the key to the way back into a relationship with him.
- Remember therefore from where you have fallen.
- If you are married, you can easily look back to the beginning when you were dating, when you got engaged, the wedding, and the honeymoon. So exciting! So passionate! So special! Is that still the way you feel? You should, and even better!
- Now remember when you came to Christ. How thrilling to have found a Savior to bring us out of the prison and bondage of sin. How exciting to serve the One who truly loves us, so much that he even died for us. And how that love created a commitment in us to give our lives for him. Do we remember that?
- Do you know what is sad about Jesus’ command to “remember?” Some Christians can’t remember that original passion and love…because they didn’t have it. Their baptism was just fire insurance; just an escape from hell, but not a passion for Christ. In those cases, we need to discover Jesus all over again.
- How do we lose that “first love” experience? Consider the words of Jeremiah: “Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the LORD, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the LORD our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.” (Jeremiah 5:22–24 NLT)
- “Repent, and do the works you did at first.”
- Every Christian needs to regularly do a self-inspection. Each of us need to honestly ask ourselves, are we really serving the Lord as we should? That question deserves an answer.
- You cannot approach change by thinking, “This will be easy.” Repentance is not easy because when we are not living and loving like we should it means we have developed other habits that are hard to break. We are living and loving something & someone other than Christ and his people!
- So how does a person correct a waning love for God? Have you considered how challenging that is? Remember the song, “You’ve Lost that Loving Feelin’”? Yes, that’s the problem! When love wanes, the result is that we just don’t feel like it any more. I’ve run into that problem repeatedly in marriages. Upon urging a spouse to put more effort into the marriage in order to renew it, I get the answer, “That may seem easy to you, but those feelings are gone! How am I suppose to get back that loving feeling when I just don’t feel it?”
- What would you tell a spouse like that? Is it possible? How would you answer that question?
- First, yes! It is possible. How do I know? Because God told wives to love their husbands and God told husbands to love their wives, and he didn’t say a word about whether or not we feel like it!
- Second, the process is not complicated. It starts with obedience (Rom. 12:2). The Lord’s said, “test me” and see. Spend time with God. Spend time in pursuing him to know him more deeply. Spend time in helping others spiritually and asking others to help you. Access the company of Christians – that’s why we assemble! In other words, there is and old saying that works quite well: act yourself into a new way of feeling. That’s exactly what Jesus is saying with the words, “Do the works you did at first.”
Berry Kercheville