The Church at Ephesus, as addressed in the Book of Revelation, presents a profound paradigm for theological reflection. This church, once commended for its steadfastness and doctrinal purity, is later rebuked for having forsaken its first love (Revelation 2:4). This shift underscores a critical theological theme: the primacy of love in the Christian faith. Ephesus, in its zeal for orthodoxy, had neglected the core Christian virtues of love and compassion, which are the very essence of the Gospel. This serves as a poignant reminder to the contemporary church of the danger of reducing Christianity to a mere adherence to doctrines or moral codes, at the expense of a vibrant, love-filled relationship with Christ. Therefore, the Church at Ephesus calls us to a faith that is as much about orthopraxy (right living) and orthopathy (right feeling) as it is about orthodoxy (right belief).
<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/6cb24416-4a25-4fae-b46f-8226d661ef10/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213625.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/6cb24416-4a25-4fae-b46f-8226d661ef10/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213625.jpg" width="40px" /> 1.Ephesus: Known for its steadfastness, Ephesus struggled to keep its first love amidst competing influences. The elemental gift here is the prophetic virtue (arete) that reveals hidden truths and dispels doubt and fear. The fig flower, pollinated by wasps depositing eggs for the next prophetic generation, symbolizes this. The Ephesian mantle given by Jesus opens the doors of utterance for a direct word from heaven's perspective, revealing the secrets of the heart.
</aside>
[seven] - Numerological significance, human genius, gift of Abba in contrast with the gifts of the Son & Spirit; congruent with 7parts1body paradigm in Adam; 7parts1tabernacle in the Exodus; 7spirits1godhead in Isaiah; 7archetypes1glory in Romans; 7endowments1faith in Peter; 7modalities1community in Paul; 7churches1city in John; etc
[City of faith] - A dynamic, time-tested unity of diverse gifts, the "City of faith" transcends denominational, national, and geographical boundaries. It's a robust, ever-growing community, not tied to a specific location, that embodies the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" (Nicea, 325 A.D.) in its truest sense “where two or three (modalities) are gathered together in my Name, there am I among them…” (Matt 18:20, ESV).
[Alethiea]- The future tense of truth (sc. reality) beyond what the eye can see, something not yet present, seen or felt in present time, yet an assurance of a coming reality for the people of God in a future time soon to come; like the promise of fruit yet to be tasted, so also the ecclesial leadership waits in anticipation “for the manifestation of the sons of God” through doors of utterance and “groanings that cannot be uttered” (Rom 8:26).
[spirit of religion]- Ruts and grooves of missed opportunity, failure to recognise times and seasons of divine favour; traditions that shift focus from heaven (ouranos) to man (anthropos); humanistic, self-centred systems that imprison freedom, creativity and innovation; suppression of truth, subversion of reality, goat-like thinking as opposed to spirit-directed learning environments that promote “out-of-the-box” (lateral) thinking modes that trigger the next move of God and attendant revival prayer.
[eye gift] - A key aspect of visual-spatial intelligence, the "eye gift" is one of 7 modalities in Adam. It plays a crucial role in hand-eye coordination, enabling us to navigate the liminal spaces upward, skyward according to the command to “life up your eyes for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
[prophetic genius] - This term refers to the ability to perceive beyond the obvious. It involves challenging norms, transforming traditions for a greater good, and identifying connections that elude the untrained eye. The genius of the Prophetiea lies in its capacity to initiate paradigm shifts, disrupt the status quo, and establish a new order that renders the old obsolete.
[energise] - This term refers to the dynamic shift that occurs following a prophetic revelation. As the news of the revelation spreads, it creates a surge of excitement and activity. The prophet, in response to this 'red-ocean' phenomenon of intense competition or saturation, will often step back to seek new opportunities in uncharted territories, or 'blue-oceans'. This strategic repositioning is a hallmark of the prophetic genius, demonstrating its ability to anticipate and adapt to changing circumstances.
