Library of Celsus Originally built in AD , this restored facade is a highlight of the ruins today. The interior measures 70 by 80 feet and held approximately 15,000 scrolls. This library was dedicated to Celsus the proconsul of Asia.

The Agora The Agora was a marketplace and town center were governmental discussion and commercial exchange take place.

The largest city in Asia Minor. There were 300,000 inhabitants in the city.

Temple-of-Artemis/Diana

 Verse 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”. There is an angel assigned to every church. This angel are given the task of watching over these churches. There is an angel assigned to every church. This angel are given the task of watching over these churches. Jesus directly address the churches this why he explicitly says “These are the words of him….” All scriptures ultimately comes the Lord. Jesus is also speaking today Jesus directly address the churches this why he explicitly says “These are the words of him….” All scriptures ultimately comes the Lord. Jesus is also speaking today.

 Verse 2- “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ” Jesus always starts with affirmations /encouragements before confrontation/correction. GOLDEN NUGGET : “Affirmation before Confrontation” Jesus always starts with affirmations /encouragements before confrontation/correction. GOLDEN NUGGET : “Affirmation before Confrontation” These is a church that had gone through so much adversity and persecution. There was tremendous opposition to the Gospel in Ephesus, especially because it was the center of the worship of Artemis. Despite this hardship this Church continue to “PERSEVERE” These is a church that had gone through so much adversity and persecution. There was tremendous opposition to the Gospel in Ephesus, especially because it was the center of the worship of Artemis. Despite this hardship this Church continue to “PERSEVERE”

 Verse 2 Conti..- “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ” These was church that was very dutiful. They had no room for wicked people and false ministers that tried to infiltrate the church. They were great gatekeepers/defenders. These was church that was very dutiful. They had no room for wicked people and false ministers that tried to infiltrate the church. They were great gatekeepers/defenders. This church listened to what Paul said in Ephesus 4:14 This church listened to what Paul said in Ephesus 4:14 when he said “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming”

 Verse 3- “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” This church had suffered and endured hardships ever since Emperor Nero to Emperor Domitian. This church had suffered and endured hardships ever since Emperor Nero to Emperor Domitian. The Christian historian/writer, Tertullian (c ) called The Christian historian/writer, Tertullian (c ) called Nero the 1 st persecutor of Christians The Pagan historian, Tacitus mentioned that Nero furiously tortured and killed Christians after the Roman fire of 64AD The Pagan historian, Tacitus mentioned that Nero furiously tortured and killed Christians after the Roman fire of 64AD When Jesus spoke to John around 96AD, Domitian was emperor and he was very passionate about restoring and preserving Roman culture and religious tradition. So, he exiled or killed anyone that was seen as disrupter to those traditions. Domitian even called himself master and God When Jesus spoke to John around 96AD, Domitian was emperor and he was very passionate about restoring and preserving Roman culture and religious tradition. So, he exiled or killed anyone that was seen as disrupter to those traditions. Domitian even called himself master and God

 Verse 3- “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” The Apostle Paul who helped grow the church in Ephesus (52-54AD), also experience hardship in the Ephesus.-Apollos a Jewish Alexandrian came to started this Church The Apostle Paul who helped grow the church in Ephesus (52-54AD), also experience hardship in the Ephesus.-Apollos a Jewish Alexandrian came to started this Church In Acts 19, Paul hardship in the hands of Jews(v.9), Demetrius the silversmith (v )and Ephesians (v.28) In Acts 19, Paul hardship in the hands of Jews(v.9), Demetrius the silversmith (v )and Ephesians (v.28)

 Verse 4- “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” The Church at Ephesus had forgotten their first love and they become mechanical. They were no longer streams, they become stagnant ponds. The Church at Ephesus had forgotten their first love and they become mechanical. They were no longer streams, they become stagnant ponds. They had forgotten what Paul wrote to them in the letter to the Ephesians(60-62AD) when the told them they were not saved by works but by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Essentially they forgotten God’s Abundant grace They had forgotten what Paul wrote to them in the letter to the Ephesians(60-62AD) when the told them they were not saved by works but by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Essentially they forgotten God’s Abundant grace

 Verse 4- “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” The Church at Ephesus had forgotten they needed to grounded in love as Paul told them in The Church at Ephesus had forgotten they needed to grounded in love as Paul told them in Ephesians 3:17-18 Ephesians 3:17-18 They had forgotten that the love of God can fulfill them. Ephesians 3:19-21 They had forgotten that the love of God can fulfill them. Ephesians 3:19-21

 Verse 5-7 “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent x and do the thing s you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand y from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, c which is in the paradise d of God. x c d The Nicolaitans(Acts 6:5) were anti-law practitioners that celebrated self-indulgence. The Nicolaitans(Acts 6:5) were anti-law practitioners that celebrated self-indulgence.

 Didn’t tolerate wickedness/wick-men  They were hard-working; not lazy  Great Perseverance  They hated Apostasy  They hated false religions ( ex. Nicolaitans, Worship of Artemis )

 They had forgotten their first love. They were mechanical They numb and callous They were on survival mode

 Jesus tells them to repent (180 degrees).  Jesus tells them to remember from the height they have fallen.

 Jesus tells them that they will overcome- 1 John 5:4  Jesus tells them they will have the right to eat from the tree of life.- Genesis 3:22-24, Revelations 22:2, 14, 19