Rev. Chapter 2-3 The Seven Churches
The first church mention in chapter two is Ephesus verses 1-7. Ephesus represents the church in the apostolic age according to historicists and some futurist.[1] The person addressed in the church is the angel of the church. This could most likely be addressed to the pastor, or the messenger of the church. The leader of the church would be the pastor, and he would be the one that is responsible for the direction and ministry of the church. It would be strange to think that the Lord would address this letter to an angelic being, and go through John to talk to this angelic being. So it is safe to translate this word angel for messenger or pastor.
This is really very important for all of us to hear. Jesus says of Himself, that He is the one who holds the seven stars in His hand, and walks among the seven golden lamp stands. We know, because Scripture translates for us, the meaning of the seven stars and the seven lamp stands. Watch this! He says that He holds the seven stars in His hand. Think about this for a moment. Jesus, who is Head of the church, holds the pastors of the church in His right hand. Next time you think about going against or coming against your pastor, think about the position that he is in, in the Lord.
It is also important for us to see that Jesus is walking among the seven lamp stands in this letter, as described before in chapter one. Some would say that this is an example of Jesus as the High priest caring for the lamps, making sure they don’t go out. There is also the picture I believe of the kings of old that walked among their armies directing their armies in battle. This ought to cause us to rethink the importance of the church in the Lord’s thinking.
It is important here to understand where Ephesus is located. Ephesus was the largest and the most important city in the Roman province, and was devoted to the worship of Artemis, and had a temple for the worship of this goddess. This was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Paul had started this church, and we find him going to Ephesus in Acts 19. There he started the church after some discussion of whether they had been baptized in Jesus or that of John the Baptist. This church was started with twelve men at that time, and there had been quite a number of miracles performed there including the handkerchiefs that had been on Paul’s person.
After a period of time, Demetrius, a silver smith that made images of Artemis for sale to those people that visited the city, became angry by Paul converting and performing these miracles in the city. His concern was that it was taking business away from him because people were not buying these images he and others were selling. That is not the reason he used in the coward, but he stirred up a mob and came against Paul.
In verses 2-3, we find the Lord telling them that He is aware of their battle. One gets the feeling and understanding that the things that Paul fought in starting the church continued even after the church had been going for awhile. Jesus said that He is aware of their toil and their perseverance in this struggle. He also tells them and commends them for not tolerating evil men that have tried to come in their midst and have put them to some kind of test. These men have called themselves apostle, but they were false, and evidently the Ephesian church had recognized this.
It is interesting, and a lesson for us to see that this church had enough on the ball to see that which was false, to stand against it, and stand firm against it, and had held the name of our Lord and Savior high, and still needed to be corrected. The correction that the Lord made was, they had walked away from their first love.
Jesus tells them to remember where they had first come from, repent and return to that place. Jesus tells us that they will know us by our love for one another. It isn’t mentioned whether this loss of love is for Jesus, or for each other, but at the same time does it matter? Scripture tells us that we love Him by loving others. When you do to the least of these you do it to me.
The whole point is that love is an issue of extreme importance in God’s economy. It is love that makes up God’s very nature, and it is that nature that the church is to exhibit to the world, and practice with one another. It is love that Jesus, when asked, said was the two most important commandments. Love God with all of your heart, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor.
Obviously the church can be so caught up in religious work that they forget the reason for doing the religious work. This is a huge problem today; we live in a society where intimacy with people is not big. We live in a day of computers where email takes the place of human interaction, and where time as become, almost, more important than money, and people would rather give money than their time to be at the fellowship functions of the church.
The Lord’s message is to turn from, or to repent from, and to remember from where they had come, and to do the deeds they had first done. The result if they don’t do this, is that they will have their lamp stand removed from its place. Some would argue that their salvation is at risk here. But it is a better translation to say that their witness is to be removed from the location they are in.
The lamp that they are considered to be is light or gives light, we are to be a light onto the world. This is to be understood as the termination of the church in that area they were in. Proof of that is that today, the church of Ephesus is non-existent in the Turkish location that was once Ephesus. By not returning to the place they were once at in the beginning they lost their witness in that area.
Jesus is saying that He would rather have no witness than a bad witness. It is the love that is the witness to him. Doing religious stuff is not the key to reach people. It is possessing and displaying the nature of God that is the real witness for the church today and any other time in history.
How can I return to my “first love” for the Lord?
Rekindling Your “First Love” for the Lord
remember, repent, and do the “first works”
When a person receives Christ as his Savior, he experiences the delight of “first love” for the Lord. God’s Spirit witnesses with his spirit that he is a child of God (see Romans 8:16), and this newfound relationship brings great joy and freedom.
Unfortunately, many Christians fall away from this first love. When a believer does not depend on God to meet his daily needs, his love for God grows cold.
Jesus addressed this issue when He spoke to the church of Ephesus. Jesus said: “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works . . .” (Revelation 2:4–5). If you find yourself in this position, ask God to have mercy on you and to rekindle your love for Him.
Remember, Repent, and Do the “First Works”
Recalling your salvation experience and your first love for the Lord can help you recognize changes that have developed in your relationship with God since then. Do you have a greater or weaker sense of your need for God now? Are you cooler toward God and less passionate about spiritual things than you once were?
If so, repent of your indifference toward God. Repentance involves a change of mind, heart, and direction. Forsake the thoughts, attitudes, and actions that have drawn your attention away from wholehearted love for God. Receive God’s forgiveness, and renew your commitment to do the “first works” of your faith.
Understand the Purpose of Doing the “First Works”
In Revelation 2:5, the word first means “foremost (in time, place, order or importance),” and the word works is defined as “toil (as an effort or occupation).” In other words, if you find that you have left your first love for the Lord, get your priorities back in order and do the most important things.
Obviously, from the definition of work, this involves effort; it is not something that happens without effort on your part or without grace on God’s part. First works could refer to many “important efforts,” and here we will discuss several of them: worship, prayer, Bible study, giving, fasting, and service to others. Each of these activities is designed to deepen your intimate relationship with God.
Worship
One of the ways that we bring glory to God and cultivate our love for Him is by worshiping Him. Take time to ponder God. Consider His acts in creation and in the circumstances of your life. Adore Him. Sing praises to Him. Bless His holy name.
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
Prayer
Each aspect of prayer is designed to remind you of your dependence on God:
- Petitions bring to mind the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs that you face each day. Your resources cannot meet these needs—you need God’s intervention.
- Requests reveal your motives. Are you seeking to advance God’s kingdom, or are you attempting to build your own kingdom (i.e., satisfying selfish desires)?
- Confession recognizes your unworthiness before a holy God and His immeasurable mercy and love for you, His child.
- Thanksgiving reflects an understanding of your dependence on God as you thank Him for meeting specific needs.
- Intercession is the means by which you share the needs of others before God’s throne.
“In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
God’s Word: Study, Memorization, and Meditation
Reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture causes you to grow in grace and in the knowledge of your Lord Jesus Christ. As “newborn babes” you are to “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). The awareness of your need for God will fuel your desire for His Word.
Studying the Bible may lead to discouragement as you learn about God’s holiness and how far short you fall from His perfection. God commands Christians to be holy as He is holy (see I Peter 1:15–16), but instead of fostering discouragement, this understanding can create a deepening sense of need before your loving, merciful Father. (See Romans 5:8, Psalm 103:14, and Philippians 2:12–13.)
Giving
Jesus instructed His disciples, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). Generosity offsets the compulsion to be “rich, and increased with goods” (Revelation 3:17), a state of life that can cool your love for God. Giving a tithe (ten percent of your income) or more is not simply a way to financially support the Church—it is a regular reminder that all you have belongs to God. (See I Timothy 6:17–19.)
Fasting
Fasting effectively demonstrates the reality that life does not consist of the things you possess (see Luke 12:15 and Deuteronomy 8:3) and deepens your awareness of spiritual, mental, and emotional needs.
Serving
Ask the Lord to give you attentiveness to His voice as He brings needs to your attention and directs you to meet them—in His strength, with His love, and for His glory. As you serve in His name, you will know the joy of the Lord, which is your strength. (See Nehemiah 8:10.)
If you have left your first love for the Lord, remember, repent, and return to the first works of your faith. May God rekindle your love for Him!
[1] Ibid, pg. 66