Monday, May 4, 2020

EPHESUS! 

Today’s Reading: Revelation 2:1-7

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

This theatre is the most magnificent structure in the ancient city of Ephesus. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC, but then during the Roman Period it was enlarged and formed its current style, with a seating capacity of 25,000. It is believed that here the near riot took place as a result of the preaching of Paul (Acts 19:23-41).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

 

God willing, we’ll have one day in our reading schedule for each of the seven churches. They are short readings, so we may want to increase our understanding by reading the entire book of Ephesians (click here). If that’s too much for time available, how about just reading Ephesians, chapter four (click here). Also, we could revisit June 1, 2015, when Ephesians 4 was our focus (click here). Why revisit the Apostle Paul’s letter (62 A.D.) to the members of the Ephesian church? It’s because we can check up as we read today’s reading as to how the Ephesian church progressed or regressed over a 30-year period.  Also we may want to read the story of the founding of the church in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20).

The word “Angel” used here can also be translated “Messenger.” This is probably addressed to the Pastor of the Ephesian church. The Pastor is answerable to God for the spiritual and moral health of those he cares for as an under-shepherd to the Great Shepherd, Jesus! Jesus’ assessment is (1) they have perseverance, (2) they have patience, (3) they have not become weary, (4) they have left their first love, (5) they are to remember (read Ephesians), (6) repent and experience revival, (7) they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (professing Christians who continued to practise black magic and participate in pagan worship of other gods), (8) Those who responded in repentance and renewed their first love received from Jesus a marvellous promise. Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for grace to learn the same lessons in my personal life which You taught the Ephesian believers. I repent! I pray fervently for revival of my first Love! I dare not live as the Nicolaitans, with one foot in a pagan culture and another foot in the church. By Your grace, I desire with all my heart to be one who overcomes and who will eat of the Tree of Life in Paradise. In Your Name! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m constantly reading ahead of the current reading. The day after tomorrow, God willing, I want to write more about the compromising theological liberals known as the Nicolaitans. Throughout 60 years of public ministry as a pastor/teacher, evangelist and a Christian who needs God’s grace daily, I have had to deal with several powerful personalities who sought to manipulate others in a way that was contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. A strong stand for the historical understanding of the Christian faith is absolutely essential. This was taught by the Apostles and in the writings of their immediate successors, who established the creeds, which I believe to be accurate statements of Christian doctrine and practice. For example, here are the Nicene and Apostles Creed (click here). These statements are foundational to our Christian faith. They were agreed to by the leaders of the universal Church (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Evangelicals) during the early centuries in order to stand for the truth and to stand against the very false doctrines against which Jesus warned the church at Ephesus.

Yours in the “saved by grace” expectation of someday eating “from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God”!!!

David

P.S. I’ve asked David Reynold for an extra photo of what’s left of ancient Ephesus. I understand that this city was partially destroyed by a disastrous earthquake in 614 A.D.

Off the beaten path in Ephesus you can walk down some of the main roads from ancient times.

This is an artists rendering of what the ancient Temple of Diana (or Artemis in Greek) may have looked like. It was located in Ephesus and known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

 

9 thoughts on “Monday, May 4, 2020

  1. Another divine rainy morning, here. So very moved by our scripture, David’s prayer and historical photos. It is surely in our overcoming this world that we will be nourished as we eat from the tree of life, in God’s Paradise, in the midst of His very Presence. Our hearts are assured truly by Your Word, Lord. We thank You God! We thank You! Amen. God bless you, fellow saints in the Lord.

    Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
    Luke 23:43 ESV

    Sing To Jesus by Fernando Ortega
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1O_rpfvFo

  2. Such great pics Reynold. Thank you.
    Got the book “When to Walk Away” which was advertised on a 100 Huntley St. program. Enjoying the read…well written and helpful.

    “Running with the wrong crowd and seeking and following ungodly never leads anywhere good. We have the choice of the people we associate with and who we ask for advice. Why not choose to associate with Godly people and seek Godly counsel?”

    Have a blessed day all dear saints.

  3. Thank You, Lord God, for assessing us and giving us feedback on how we’re doing. You do this through Your Word and Your Spirit, using the people and circumstances of our lives. Please help us to listen and heed the things You are teaching us everyday. Bless all Your people today, Lord, and guide each one in Your ways, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen

  4. DESPERATE, NEED PRAYER; EVERYTHING GOING SIDEWAYS NEED SOMEONE TO RENT BACK ROOM PRAY THE LORD BRINGS SOMEONE ACROSS MY PATH;
    PRAY MY CHILDREN ARE ALL DOING WELL;
    PRAY FOR HEALING ON MY LOWER BACK; APPOINTMENT CANCELLED WITH CHIRO; GO ON THE 11th’
    PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD FOR THE CAR HE GAVE ME; SO THANKFUL;
    REQUESTING SOME HELP FROM A NON PROFIT TO HELP PAY THE REST FOR FIXING WASHING MACHINE; SO THANKFUL MACHINE BROKE WHEN I WAS HOME;SO THANKFUL A HOSE DID NOT BREAK; THE REPAIRMAN CHECKED THESE HOSES; TIGHTENED WHERE HE COULD; VERY NICE PERSON NAMED CARLO; THAT NIGHT HIS 2017 FORD 250 WAS TAKEN BY SOMEONE AND ALL OF HIS TOOL;S WHERE IN THE TRUCK; PRAYING THAT THE TRUCK WILL BE FOUND UNHARMED AND THAT ALL THE TOOLS WILL BE RETURNED;PRAY THE LORD CONVICTS THE PERSON WHO DID THIS VERY SINFUL THING TO ANOTHER PERSON IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEN AMEN AMEN

  5. agreeing with each of your prayers and comments: in particular Davids prayer and comment.

    Great pictures Reynold Thank you Mainse family for this daily blog!!

    it rained here too.

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