Beyond Sunday: Holding On

[Editor's note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to carry you through the week.]

Focus Verse of the Week

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:3, ESV)

Classic Commentary

Each of the seven epistles in this and the third chapter, commences with, "I know your works." Each contains a promise from Christ, "To him that overcomes." Each ends with, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches." The title of our Lord in each case accords with the nature of the address, and is mainly taken from the imagery of the vision, Revelation 1:12-16 Each address has a threat or a promise, and most of the addresses have both….

1. Ephesus - famed for the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world. For three years Paul labored there. He subsequently ordained Timothy as superintending overseer or bishop there: probably his charge was but of a temporary nature. John, towards the close of his life, took it as the center from which he superintended the province.

The title of Christ here as "holding fast the seven stars (from Revelation 1:16), and walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks," accords with the beginning of His address to the seven churches representing the universal Church. Walking expresses His unwearied activity in the Church, guarding her from internal and external evils, as the high priest moved to and fro in the sanctuary.

(Adapted from Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown's the commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible, revelation 2.)

A Thought to Keep

How are you holding up against the onslaught of the world? Are you depending on the strength that comes from Christ? We at BibleStudyTools.com pray that you will stand strong.