If someone told you, “You hung in there while going through sorts of problems (because of me), and somehow you’re not exhausted.” – what would you think? Maybe – I sure hope it was worth it? How about – you really owe me now? Or – “I try not to show it, but I am very exhausted”. Actually – let’s make it simpler. Were they congratulating you – in awe of you – just making an observation – something else? Did you ask yourself at some point in all this – “What was I thinking? I had no idea it was going to be like this. If I knew he’d be this much trouble, I would’ve just walked away.
You just gone through years or difficult times, survived many troubles, all for the man standing in front of you. All he says is, “You hung in there while going through sorts of problems (because of me), and somehow you’re not exhausted.”
What does that even mean?
Now, imagine he didn’t even bother to show up. He just had someone send a letter to be read to you, and it said, “You hung in there while going through sorts of problems (because of me), and somehow you’re not exhausted.”
What does that mean?
Whatever it does mean, is it the message you’d expect to be delivered, based on the expectant posture and looks of anticipation on the people he’s addressing?
Maybe some context is needed here?
I mean, honestly, by itself, when someone says, “You hung in there while going through sorts of problems (because of me), and somehow you’re not exhausted.” – how are we supposed to know what it means?
In the image, the guy delivering the message looks bored and exhausted.
The people obviously expect something good.
But I dare say, if those were his only words, and based on his looks, that wasn’t the message these people hoped to hear.
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name
OK – obviously, this isn’t about that guy in the field. But it is about a group of people who did go through all sorts of problems because of someone. Because of Jesus.
The letter was delivered by someone else: the Angel of the church in Ephesus. Not because Jesus couldn’t be bothered to do it Himself. Rather, because Jesus returned to Heaven by this time, and He truly loved those who were suffering in His name.
Really – He did. But that was the message? So non-descript. Here’s the verse:
To the Church in Ephesus – Revelation
Rev 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
…
3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
…
Now, maybe you noticed, that’s not the whole letter. And maybe that first thing you wonder is – what’s in the rest of it? There must be something about how this is more than it sounds like.
Maybe. But far too many Christians are willing to take the one verse that applies to something and do one of two things. Apply the verse to something else. Apply it to the correct thing, but with their own interpretation and with no concern as to what the rest of the letter says. And all too quickly, pass on what they “learned”.
That’s one of the reasons I always write – “context matters!”
The Letter to the Church in Ephesus
So – let’s get some context. Nothing like going to the full source.
To the Church in Ephesus – Revelation
Rev 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Rev 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Let’s do a quick review of this letter:
- All seven of the letters to the churches are from Jesus.
- Each letter is sent to the angel of that church.
- There are always words to describe something of Jesus that’s applicable to that church. In this case, scary words.
- A statement, followed by examples.
- Deeds, hard work, and perseverance.
- Lack of tolerance for wicked people.
- Testing of Apostles and ability to identify false ones.
- The current one: You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
- Other comments – both good and bad.
- An appeal to listen to the Holy Spirit.
- A reward to overcomers.
So – is “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. good, bad, or indifferent?”
All things considered, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary”, by any account, is positive. Here’s why:
- I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance
- I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men
- that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false
- You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary
I arranged the list to show you something about verses 2 and 3. They follow a pattern of writing and speaking that’s still used today.
- Tell people what you’re going to tell them.
- Tell them.
- Tell people what you just told them.
There are two bolded sentences. You can see then, the bolded sentences frame the two examples in the middle.
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance – in and of itself have no indication as to being good or bad. They just state a fact.
Then the two examples give the reader the sense of whether they’re good or bad.
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary – now turns out to be a reminder of what the people in Ephesus (in general) have done. And what they did, while not easy, were good things. They aren’t something to be questioned, second-guessed, feel inappropriate, or any of the other possible negative responses in the opening.
But wait. If they’re positive, why the apparent lack of emotion?
Is something missing from the letter – like emotion?
A young woman with a guitar leading worship in a church. People are joyously raising and waving their arms, jumping, and singing throughout the church.
But –
What if this was the scene while the letter was being read? Would the delivery be like this? Would the response be like this? What would you think if this occurred during the reading of the letter to the church in Ephesus?
If you think there should’ve been more excitement, more congratulations, anything of that ilk, I’m not sure it would be appropriate. Let’s consider that.
The adjacent image represents a church today, with modern worship and joyously active worshipers and leaders. Looks exciting.
But think about the letters being delivered to the churches. Ephesus wasn’t the best, to be sure. I mean, Jesus told them they’re close to losing their status as one of His churches. That’s not good, no matter how you look at it.
Given that, how much excitement is appropriate for surviving the few things they did well?
Is any level appropriate?
Given the looming loss of their status – at best a lot of sorrow, some fear, a huge measure of contriteness, and a firm commitment to do better seem like they should be front and center of whatever response there is.
And, by the way, how weird would it be to have the person reading the letter to flip back and forth between excitement and deep sorrow as the various portions of the letter are read?
No – I feel like solemnity is the appropriate emotion for what’s going on here.
What about other emotions?
There are likely other emotions present. Although, the ones I’m thinking of are probably more personal, private, and very much tied to each person’s relationship with the Lord.
Fear of the Lord
One that comes to mind right away is “fear of the Lord”. But remember, this phrase has two very different meanings.
One meaning, the one Christians ideally have, is awe of God. It’s hard to imagine not feeling awe, whether because of or in spite of what was just heard.
At the same time, there also pretty much has to be the fear side as well. Given that I think every Christian has a role to play in the state of their church, I feel like everyone has some level of responsibility here. Not to say the leaders don’t matter – they actually matter very much. They are, after all, pastors, elders, staff, teachers, leaders of some sort, and all have at least some responsibilities in their own areas. Maybe more, depending on the dynamics of each church.
All that though, doesn’t leave out everyone else. A church should be, hopefully is, a community of believers. As part of the community, the example going back to the early church, is that every member of the community has a part to play in the community. You may remember something Paul wrote about that.
One Body, Many Parts – 1 Corinthians
1Co 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1Co 12:14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
1Co 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1Co 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
The part I highlighted is good. But, there’s another one I help back.
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment.
Yes, Paul was specifically writing about the physical body. But let’s not forget, it was an analogy for the church body. We probably disagree with each other over which people would go into which category. But the point is that no part of the body – no individual – is indispensable.
For instance, let’s take the ever-popular target – the “pew warmers”. Of course, these days it’s probably the chair warmer. But here’s the thing. Look more closely at the people you think are pew-warmers. And while we’re at it, remember something Jesus said.
Judging Others – Matthew
Mt 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Mt 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Are all the planks out?
Great – now, take a look at – no, not the pew-warmer – at the person in the mirror. Does everyone in the church see everything you do at church? I hope not. If they do, you’re probably a bit too obvious. But seriously, the chances that even most people know everything you do – it’s not that high.
Now – take a look at that pew-warmer. Do you follow them around 24-7, 365 days a year? Of course not. Now consider that Church isn’t what’s inside the walls, or inside the perimeter of the church property. It’s everywhere. It’s very possible that person you look down on interacts with people outside of church. But even if they don’t, but they do live a reasonably good Christian life, acknowledging no one’s life is perfect – when, not if, but when they are seen by others, guess what they did?
Salt and Light – Matthew
Mt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Mt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Yes – they very quietly, and maybe unknowingly, performed the Great Commission by being a light on a hill.
And so, now we see that every single person does have at least some responsibility for the state of their church. Then, with that kind of message, there’s pretty much got to be some form of fear. Not that it’s a bad thing to have. It should be a motivator.
Should there be celebration that we have persevered and have endured hardships?
With all that, the question remains: Should there be celebration that we have persevered and have endured hardships?
Based on the overall tenor of the message, I feel the answer’s no. At least not from us.
Should Jesus celebrate that we have persevered and have endured hardships?
You know, some of us may very well think so. But let’s look at some of what Jesus said about perseverance, hardships, and growing weary.
Each day has trouble
Do Not Worry – Matthew
6:25-33 pp — Lk 12:22-31
Mt 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Mt 6:28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“
We may or may not pay attention, remember, or even believe this – but Jesus did warn us that things weren’t going to be easy. And this is one of the least of His warnings.
Trouble when we go out to spread the word
Before going into this, I need to point out something. This was said/written at a time when the events described in it really happened. For the most part, in Western countries today, this doesn’t happen. However, in other parts of the world it’s becoming more and more common. We have a tendency, I think especially in the U.S., to think all of this is easy to do. It’s safe. A nice Sunday outing to a different neighborhood. But it’s not like that everywhere. And a time will come, when it won’t be like that anywhere.
So, while you read it, try to compare your life today, especially if it’s in a safe area of the world. It’s important, because this was all written for people whose life is very different from what many of us see today. The only way we can understand the message is to put ourselves in their place. And then, the only way to get meaning from that message, and tie it to other things like the seven letters to the seven churches, is to “hear” what they heard when these letters were read out loud in their churches.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve – Matthew
0:2-4 pp — Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Ac 1:13
10:9-15 pp — Mk 6:8-11; Lk 9:3-5; 10:4-12
10:19-22 pp — Mk 13:11-13; Lk 21:12-17
10:26-33 pp — Lk 12:2-9
10:34, 35 pp — Lk 12:51-53
Mt 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
…
Mt 10:11 “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Mt 10:17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Mt 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
…
Mt 10:26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Mt 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Mt 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“ ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
Mt 10:36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Mt 10:37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mt 10:40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Obviously, there a lot in there. But pay special attention to this part – all of it, not just the highlighted portion.
Mt 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sounds a lot like the letter, doesn’t it? Hardships because of Jesus. People hate because of Jesus. Yeah, there’s a pattern there. And the outcome isn’t congratulations along the way.
What do we get from the hardship other than not being weary?
What does “weary” mean?
But hang on a second. What, exactly, is “weary”? The guy at the top looks weary. Is that what it means?
Well, no. Not even close. Take a look at what the Greek word meant:
✏️ In the NT κοπ- is used in the sense 1. “to weary,” literally in Jn. 4:6 (ἐκ τῆς ὁδοιπορίας), fig. of the confessing community which has not fainted under assault (Rev. 2:3, with → ὑπομένω). 1Hauck, F. (1964–). κόπος, κοπιάω. In G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 3, p. 828). Eerdmans.
Theological dictionary of the New Testament
Dod you catch that: the confessing community which has not fainted under assault.
No wonder Jesus spoke of standing firm until the end. Even standing is a good thing.
But then, why does Jesus say we must “stand firm”?
Well, it’s something that makes all this worthwhile. And something that’s all the encouragement we should really need.
The wedding feast of the lamb.
This is part of a series in Revelation – but even the Revelation series is part of a larger series titled “Genesis to Feast: Scripture & Culture”. Notice – it’s not Genesis to Revelation – but Genesis to feast. The Wedding Feast of The Lamb. That’s after all the wars, bowls, and everything else that fascinates us with the fiction books and therefore with Revelation. But really the feast is what we should all be looking forward to. That’s the celebration.
For instance, one of the verses about it is this one:
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
We’ll get more into that as the series progresses.
But I wanted to give you this much to show why not growing weary, in and of itself, is a miracle. We’re only standing firm because of the strength from God. His presence is our source for strength, power, love, peace, and joy, among other things. Yes, we need reminders to get back to the path when we stray, but being back on the path gives us everything we need.
Footnotes:
- 1Hauck, F. (1964–). κόπος, κοπιάω. In G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 3, p. 828). Eerdmans.
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