Embedded Files
- To the Church in Ephesus
- “has a firm grasp on” = holds onto the seven angels within his right hand
- 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following:
- “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand—the one who walks among the seven golden menorahs:
- In Zechariah 4 the Lord of all the earth stands in the midst of the two menorahs. Here the Lord Yehoshua stands in the midst of the seven menorahs. The standing in the midst is the identifier of the vision. In the seven there are two groups. The first of four is Ephesus. The first of the last three will be Sardis. Therefore it is again stated in the message to Sardis that Yehoshua, the one speaking, holds the seven stars. See there how they are associated with the seven spirits of God.
- The letters are not the primary level. The vision of the Lord walking amidst the seven menorahs is the primary level. When this is seen, it is seen that the letters themselves are a magnification of the vision. This is a different vision, a hidden vision, of the two witnesses. The seven assemblies are a special form of the two witnesses. Another form is the 144,000 both in chapter 7 and in chapter 14.
- Ephesus on the witness stand
- The assemblies of the left column are shown being prepared to take the witness stand, each through aspects of discernment, in accordance with the attributes of the left column.
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- Each assembly is seen as a menorah, having seven facets. Here there are seven facets of the menorah called, Ephesus. These are not one to one the items of praise toward Ephesus. Rather, they are the seven lower attributes of the Tree of Life each from the perspective of Gevurah.
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- If these attributes are found within the assemblies, then these attributes, expressed in the hour of preparation are themselves inner revelation.
- When a threat is made that a menorah can be removed from its place, the meaning is that the testimony of its attributes will be given to some other assembly, and this assembly, by name, will not be called to the witness stand for this purpose.
- All preparations will be accomplished for the hour of the witness stand.
- The attributes will be seen in different specifics in different assemblies in different times an places, but the seven attribute areas will all be represented faithfully on the witness stand.
- It is not that there are going to be just seven assemblies representing all others. Rather the reason for the seven, as said, is these are the seven lower attributes of the Tree of Life. Each assembly of the vision is tied to the full seven because it is a menorah of seven candlesticks. Every assembly conforms to one of these attribute areas and, when called to give its testimony adds to its aspect.
- The testimony is ultimately given in the aspect of the two witnesses, the aspects of Moshe and Aaron, the left column and the right column.
- 2:2 ‘I know your works as well as your7 labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate8 evil. You have even put to the test9 those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.
- works, labor, even steadfast endurance, as well as intolerance toward evil all have to be put into the light of the loss of the convert’s love. This is regenerate love. There is only natural, self-willed motivation for a defending of the truth, if there is no regenerate love. But it can be hidden and will be revealed when tested.
- not apostles =
- they say they are, but no one ever sent them.
- This is 1st John 4. Where there is balance in the Lord, in the centre column, there is only need to not believe the false apostles, who advocate replacement theology, divide Mashiach from Israel. There is no need to create aggressive warfare. Perhaps Ephesus is doing this, or perhaps is only in danger here of doing this.
- 2:3 I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of the Lord’s name. But lest pride come in even here, the motivation can only be regenerate love.
- 2:4 But I have this against you: You have departed12 from your first love!
- 2:5 Therefore, remember from what high state13 you have fallen and repent! Do14 the deeds you did at the first;15 if not, I will come to you and remove your menorah from its place—that is, if you do not repent.16
- 2:6 But you do have this going for you:17 You hate what the Nicolaitans18 practice19—practices I also hate.
- 2:7 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers,20 I will permit21 him to eat from the tree of life that is22 in the paradise of God.’23
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