Dec. 23, 2024

The most important city for the Roman Empire in Asia Minor was Ephesus. It was a port city with great wealth and influence. And their influence largely came from their worship of the goddess Artemis and their practice of magic arts - black magic. Their entire economy was built on idolatry and magic arts. When the Gospel transformed the Christians in Ephesus, the economy felt it. When the church in Ephesus was first founded, they shook the core of the darkness of Ephesus by their bold proclamations and work in the community.

Over time, they became less concerned with bringing light to the darkness and instead grew more concerned with protecting their light. In Revelation 2, 45 years after the church in Ephesus was established, Jesus sees what is happening and calls them out on it. He calls them back to the works they did when they were a young church.