Ephesus had been sacred to the worshippers of Diana for centuries, and the temple, which was dedicated to her, was rebuilt after a fire in 365 B.C. It continued to be used and to be a prominent center of worship for this “goddess of fertility” until 262 A.D. This temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world in that day. It was 200 feet wide and 425 feet long. It was four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens. It had 120 columns, each one of them 60 feet high and each one a gift from a king. The image of Diana in this temple was believed to have fallen from the heavens (we can read about that in Acts 19, verse 35: [“And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: ‘Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?’”]). This temple was regarded to be the most sacred in the ancient pagan world. The City of Ephesus took great pride and great pleasure in being referred to and known as the “temple keeper of Artemis.”

Thinking about what we can read about the City of Ephesus and this pagan worship, we could turn to the book of Acts and make some references to some things that we learn there. Acts, chapter 19 [verse 24], talks about the sacred “shrines” that were dedicated to Artemis there. The temple was not only a place of worship, but also a place where great wealth was kept. It was something of an ancient “bank.” It was also a sanctuary for criminals who found refuge there regardless, apparently, of the crime committed. I had not realized that until I read that in my study. You will recall that under the Old Law, the children of Israel had “safe cities.” Those who had committed certain types of crimes were able to go to those safe cities and find refuge. Apparently here in the temple of Diana in the City of Ephesus, any criminal who had committed any kind of a crime could find safe harbor. The distance of safety was a “bow shot” from the Temple. Now I suppose one could argue about how far someone could shoot an arrow from a bow. If you happen to get caught by someone, maybe you could make an argument that you were in that safe distance.

The type of worship to Diana was a mixture of Greek and oriental cultic practices in which prostitution figured very strongly. In addition, Ephesus was the center of worship to the emperors. The officials of the imperial temples are mentioned in Acts 19, verse 31.

Now here is something of a contrast. In the 1^st Century, Ephesus becomes a principal center for Christianity. We know that the apostle Paul was instrumental in establishing the church there. He briefly spent some time in the City of Ephesus on his second missionary journey. We can read about that in Acts, chapter 18. Then on his third missionary journey, he spent a significant amount of time in that city, possibly as much as three full years, Acts 20, verse 31 [Paul, speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus: “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”] The church grew and was so successful in its growth that it had a significant affect on paganism, on this pagan worship of Diana, or Artemis. The effect was such that a riot broke out there in the City of Ephesus. Those who were particularly involved in the trade of selling the images or icons of the idol [Diana] became highly upset because of the influence of Christianity. We can read about that riot in Acts, chapter 19.

While Paul was working in the City of Ephesus, Christianity spread throughout the entire province. We believe that Paul used Ephesus as a base of operations—particularly during the period of time that he was there, perhaps as long as three years—as he went out into other areas of the region preaching and teaching and establishing other congregations. We might also recall that Paul had a meeting with the elders of the church in Ephesus, Acts, chapter 20, beginning with verse 17. We know that they came and met him at a place called Miletus, and there Paul talked to them and they said farewell. During the time that Paul was with them, he warned them about some things that they would face. And it is to this church, the church in Ephesus, that Paul addresses a letter that we know as Ephesians. This is one of his “prison letters,” and was carried to Ephesus by Timothy.

One other thing that is significant about the city is that we know that it is generally believed that Ephesus became the apostle John’s final place of abode, even after he was released from his exile on Patmos. He came to Ephesus and spent the last years of his life there in that city and in that area.

The Lord’s Self-Designation (verse 1)

In the salutation of this letter [verse 1], Christ describes Himself as the one “holding the seven stars in His right hand” and “walking in the midst of” His churches. He is saying that He holds their spiritual life in His grasp, and He is in close proximity to all of His churches. He reminds them that He knows His churches, and His knowledge of His churches is borne out in the letters that follow. The Lord mentions, or makes an illusion to, geographical things, cultural things, things that were unique and specific to a region, or to a city, or to a particular congregation, confirming that He knows. He knew His churches then; He knows His people and His churches now.