Jesus Christ Revealed: "To the Church in Ephesus"

Revelation 2:1 (GW):

“To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: The one who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says": 

In the seven individual letters, we see the careful logic involved in deciding why each church received the section of the description that it did. Jesus Christ purposefully presented Himself to each of the churches in a way that would be historically and culturally relevant to them. 

The “self-descriptions” of Jesus Christ are not just general facts about His nature; they are specific pieces of revelation intended to deeply connect with the hearts and situations of these churches. 

This is also how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through prophecy. In these letters, Jesus Christ delivers His prophecies in a very personal manner.  He gives each church a piece of revelation regarding what He is like and who He is that is especially applicable to them in their situation.

Ephesus: The Seven Stars and Seven Gold Lampstands

The letter starts out with a description of Jesus Christ: “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 gold lampstands.” To the Ephesians, Jesus Christ emphasizes His role as the “One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands.” These seven stars and seven gold lampstands, according to Revelation chapter 1 are symbols. The seven gold lampstands are the seven churches. This echoes Jesus Christ’s description of believers as lights in the world: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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” {Matthew 5:14–15}. 

So, the seven gold lampstands are the churches, and the seven stars are the angels at each church or their local leaders. It seems that Jesus Christ was reminding them that He holds the local church leaders in His right hand, and He has sovereign control over the leaders of the seven churches and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands or churches; Jesus Christ is powerful over and present with His people. 

The right hand is the one that reaches the heart; the right hand symbolizes power, strength, justice, and righteousness (this statement should give encouragement and comfort). The fact that Jesus Christ holds the leaders in His right hand while walking among the churches, shows the unity of these churches as the larger body of Jesus Christ. Though these churches are in different cities, Jesus Christ is with and among them, unifying them in purpose.

As the church in Ephesus faced impending difficulty, Jesus Christ in His “self-description” assures them, that they are not alone. Not only is Jesus Christ with them, but they also have the community of believers throughout the region (believers in Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea).

Jesus Christ holds all the church leaders in His hand and walks among all the churches. He knows them intimately (He is present and knows their hearts) and cares about them deeply. So, Jesus Christ describes Himself to the church in Ephesus by emphasizing His loving presence and care.