Big Idea: Jesus commends his church for contending for a pure faith but challenges them to do so out of love.

Understanding the Text

Following the prologue (1:1–8) and the introductory vision of Christ (1:9–20), we find messages to seven particular congregations in Asia Minor (2:1–3:22). The focus in chapter 1 was on Jesus Christ, who is now the risen and glorified Lord over all. The seven messages are part of Christ’s “revelation” through John to his servants. Since every church is charged to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” it’s likely that each church was to focus on its own specific message but also to hear what Christ says to the other churches. The message to Ephesus likely comes first because it was the leading city in the province of Asia, serving as the official resi…