I know your works and your hard labor and your patience and that you are not able to bear wrong, and you put to the test the ones calling themselves apostles and were not, and you found them liars, and you have patience and bear because of My name and you have not become weary (Revelation 2:2–3).
The letters to the seven assemblies begin with an address to the pastor of the Church of Ephesus. The term “angel” is a transliteration from the Greek, and its definition should be derived from the original language. In Greek, “angel” means “messenger” and can refer to either a spiritual being or a human. In this context, since Christ is addressing the Church, the term is best understood as “messenger.” The messenger of the assembly is the recipient of the information from John, indicating that the pastor is being addressed.
Christ commends the assembly for its diligent labor, patience, and opposition to those who commit wrongdoing. These characteristics illustrate the predominant focus of the Church during the first period on earth following the Apostolic Period, specifically from AD 96 to 170.
This assembly not only remained steadfast in the name of Christ through tireless labor but also exposed individuals falsely claiming to be apostles (Revelation 2:2). According to the Scripture, there are only twelve apostles to the Lamb, all personally chosen by Jesus Christ (John 15:16). Paul was the final apostle to join the original eleven disciples, who became apostles to the Jews, while he was assigned to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 15:8–9). Even during the apostolic era, churches confronted false apostles who claimed greater authority (2 Corinthians 5:11; 12:11). This issue persisted after John’s death, yet the Church continued to expose such individuals as impostors.
Despite its steadfastness against false apostles and wrongdoers, the Church ultimately lost its first love (Revelation 2:4), specifically the love for fellow believers (John 15:12). As a result of failing to heed Christ’s warning, the Church’s lampstand was removed from its place. Consequently, this assembly is the only one no longer active on Earth. The remaining six assemblies persist until the return of Christ, each representing the condition of the Church in its respective historical period.
