在一次去以弗所的旅行中，我走过了曾经是一片房屋和街道的街区。在一扇门前的石头上刻有一个像鱼一样的符号。根据传统，这可能表明这所房子是基督徒居住和聚会敬拜、祷告和团契的地方。
在启示录第2章中，耶稣让约翰写信给以弗所教会，说：“我知道你的行为、劳碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。 你也能忍耐，曾为我的名劳苦，并不乏倦。” 以弗所的信徒们因在这世界的黑暗中高举基督的光而受到称赞。
使徒保罗曾提醒以弗所人：“因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些......管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战”（弗 6:12）。今天，那恶者的目的仍然是要伤害教会，直到耶稣再来。
耶稣称赞以弗所教会坚定地捍卫了福音。今天，神给我们的话语依然如故：要刚强，要知道光明与黑暗的区别，要有智慧，要准备好“行事为人当与蒙召的恩相称。”（弗 4:1）。
主耶稣，求你坚固我们的力量，让我们忠心地侍奉你，用你的光照亮这世界。阿们。
启示录 2:1-7
1“你要写信给以弗所教会的使者说：‘那右手拿着七星、在七个金灯台中间行走的说：
2我知道你的行为、劳碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。
3你也能忍耐，曾为我的名劳苦，并不乏倦。
4‘然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。
5所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。
6然而，你还有一件可取的事，就是你恨恶尼哥拉一党人的行为，这也是我所恨恶的。
7圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。’
"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." — Revelation 2:3
On a trip to Ephesus, I was able to walk through what had once been a neighborhood of houses and streets. Etched into a stone in front of one doorway was a symbol that looked like a fish. According to tradition, this may have identified the house as a place where Christians lived and met together for worship, prayer, and fellowship.
In Revelation 2, Jesus tells John to write to the church in Ephesus, saying, "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. . . . You have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." Jesus' followers in Ephesus are commended for holding up the light of Christ against the darkness of this world.
The apostle Paul had earlier reminded the Ephesians, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Still today, the devil aims to harm the church until Jesus returns.
Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for standing strong in defense of the gospel. God's Word to us today remains: Be strong, know the difference between light and darkness, be wise and ready to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1).
Lord Jesus, strengthen us to serve you faithfully, shining your light into this world. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
