Ephesus, Can We See Us?

John 10:27-29; 1 Peter 2:19; James 1:12;Proverbs 16:7, 24:16; Matthew 16:18; Genesis 22:17; Revelation 2

We are walking in today: Ephesus, Can We See Us?

 We begin with the revelation of Jesus Christ.  The sovereign Christ is described by John in his vision.  The first thing John saw was the lamp stands(the church) and Christ standing strong in the midst of the churches, embracing them.  John 10:27-29 27 ) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  The letters to the churches are history not a mystery.  If we fail to know history, we are destined to repeat it!!  We understand God to be a God of order.  In light of the structure of the book and recognizing it as a plan, authored by God.  1) The first order of business was to set the precedence of God’s Authority.  2) To set precedence that the same power is in the hands of His Son, the Redeemer.  3) And the final order of business is to address the Church.  There are seven distinct periods in history.  The 1st Period,  Revelation 2:1-7 the church of Ephesus:  Loving Him, less.   Americans, for all their religiosity, are suspicious of those who seem "so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good," since they have traditionally valued consistency, stability and hard work.  And yet these values are the first ones to emerge in the book of Revelation, specifically in the message to Ephesus!  The seven churches in general were considered outstanding churches in that day. The area of the Roman empire was likely the most important part of the Roman empire during that era.  The churches were sea side with ports of high business traffic.  Ephesus was a civilization of the Asia Minor west coast of Turkey.  Resembling that of Southern California, only without smog.  This land is extremely rich.  Amphitheatres, statues, museums, a glorious place, an environment surrounded by grandeur.   Yet, as is common in our lives where there is plenty, likewise is the lively vicarious living in the population.  The Ephesus community was grossly inundated in the practice of idolatry and sexual immorality.   The Greek mythology goes hand in hand in Rome, in the area of Ephesus in that time.   The Greek goddess, Diana the sex god was greatly worshipped, who later appears as Sybil as well.  This is where Paul had his greatest ministry the gospel was sounded with a mighty roar from Ephesus!    No not everyone turned to Christ but everyone heard about it.  It is recorded as one of the greatest of what we would call, revival in that area.  For three years Paul made Ephesus his home (Acts 20:31), as well as his base for evangelizing the entire Asian province (Acts 19:10). Paul wrote a letter designated in some ancient manuscripts as a letter to "the saints in Ephesus" (Ephesians 1:2) and in others without reference to a specific location The apostle Paul found there a group that had already believed in Jesus but knew only John the Baptist's baptism (Acts 19:1-7).  God says I know of your works--1. rejecting evil; 2. exercised great patience; 3. commended in their labor; 4. tested false apostles; 5. perseverance (not become weary).  We can and will become weary in the work, but never in the Lord!!  The church of Ephesus proved to be good worker bees--that get the job done quite efficiently, huh?   Yet, much like Martha, did not opt for the good part, getting to know Jesus and loving Him.  You work so hard but have no relationship with ME!  No church reached such a high spiritual level as this church did, but they left their, First Love. Remember, repent and overcome--as Christ has overcome.  The Church of Smyrna-Persecuted for righteousness sake. This letter in Revelation 2:8-11, another plain case, we would likely love to add some mystery to is the letter to the church of Smyrna.  Smyrna the martyred church, the church that died for Him--it means they truly suffered greatly.  This city is still standing as Ismere now and has always been.  He says, “I know you suffer in your poverty."  Jesus stated that they were in poverty in this temporal world, but rich in the eternal.  In addition this is one of the few cities which is still in existence today.  The city of Philadelphia is also still standing--all the others are in ruins.  Smyrna and Philadelphia these are two churches Jesus presented no complaint.  And Christians are still persecuted over there in Turkey to this day.  The city covers period of 100A.D.-314 A.D., the death of John to Constantine--ending the persecution of Christians.  The leaders of the church were first killed at the beginning.   This letter identifies Christ as, the First and Last who died and became alive.  Jesus holds the final disposition of all things.  The persecuted believers need to know this.  The Lord Jesus reaches back and takes out of the vision one of the descriptions that is said about Him and applies it to each church.  He identifies with those who were martyrs, comforting them that He was triumphant over death.   This speaks of the death and resurrection of Christ.  This was severely important to state during that time period in history--as it is estimated that there were approximately 5 million that died for Christ during this period.  Now He says, "I know your works and tribulation and poverty but thou are rich."   Fear nothing, multitudes went to their death praising God.   The Devil or Satan is responsible for the suffering of the saints, not Jesus or God.  But if you do endure--1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  You will get something that no one else will receive except those in your group, the Crown of Life, what a glorious thing!  As D. L. Moody said, "born once die twice, born twice die once."  This is a promise to believers only.  The Church of Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17 12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13) I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.  The Church of Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-24 18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19) I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds 23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.  Take some time to read the book of Revelation this weekend to make ready for our continued walk in this book next week! 

I am the church!  Thank You God--the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, for bringing us these revelations this week!  Our God is so mighty and awesome!!  He is peeling back layers for us to know more and more about Him!!  We are seeing His face!  God is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle.  A church that is steadfast and abiding in His word.  Having done all to stand, stand therefore!  Thank You that our eyes don't see Your word the same way!!  When you walk into church, it should be on fire!  Because we are the church!  Fill us with the Holy Ghost fire, Lord!  You are our source!  Thank You for making a way out of no way, a long time ago.  A way for us to be redeemed back to You, Father.  Your ways are not our ways, nor our thoughts like Your thoughts!  You let us know that without faith it is impossible to please You.  Lord we want You to be pleased with us!  Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Thank You God for revelation in our marriages, our jobs, and ourselves!  We are the church!  Hold on, and trust in His unchanging word.  It is He who gave His only begotten Son, that we would not perish, but have everlasting life!  God is doing a new thing, shall ye not know it?!  Get a revelation in this time and season!  God told us that 2011 is our year of abundance then He comes to put a seal on it with walking through the book of Revelation in the last month of the year!!    He is bringing us out, into our new territory!  Praise Him!  He is surrounding and teaching us His ways.  Thank You for revealing to us that we are the church!   We must repent and return to our first love.  Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.  So get back up, fiveamprayer, rise up again!!  Don't be like the wicked and fall into mischief!  We lift up fiveamprayer, this morning, have us to walk in this new revelation!!  We are already on fire, last week's weekend meditation was, Holy Ghost fire!  We are asking for Your Holy Ghost fire to fall on Your houses this Sunday--For His Glory, Life by Design, and Absolute Word.  God is coming back for a church--you are the church!  God send Your fire on all the houses of worship, open in Your name!  We ask for forgiveness for not acting like God's church.  He is doing a new thing!  Now that we have a revelation, walk no more in confusion and fear.  Thank You for forgiving us, casting our sins as far as the east is from the west, remembered no more.  Teach us how to forgive others, so that we are forgiven and our prayers are not hindered!  We are the church, it starts with us!


We seal this prayer in His precious blood: 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Welcome to the overflow...
Oh come on and get up this morning!  You should have some fire burning on the inside of you!  A new revelation to walk in, this season!!  The best is yet to come!!  Glory to Your name!  Nobody but God can do this!!  Hold on to the revelation!!  The devil wants us to be confused.  Where do you stand!?  Who is on the Lord's side?  Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.  We are the seed of Abraham and co-heirs with Christ!  God is for us, so what can stand against us?!  You are the church, do something!!  Open up your mouth and give Him praise!  Lift up His word in all situations!  Are you still praying without ceasing?!  Are you praying and not fainting?!  This all comes down to relationship--are you spending time with God?  In His word, sitting at His feet?  He is the same God that promised to never leave nor forsake you.  You have a revelation on what the word says.  Bless the Lord at all times, that His praises shall continually be in my mouth!  Let us magnify and exalt the name of the Lord together!  When you go to church on Sunday, that entire row should be on fire!!  Set some stuff on fire--you are the church!  Fiveamprayer has a revelation, we are the church, the blinded eyes now see!  Thank You Lord for this weekend meditation!  I am the church.  Be prepared for church, start your worship and praise at home, pray for your pastors to preach a life changing word!  Give Him praise, stop looking around at others.  And the church says, "amen!"  Visit us on facebook and take time out to read the scriptures for yourself today!  Have a supernatural weekend!  We are the church!  It all starts with you!