(The following article is based on this podcast)
Context
In our previous message, we looked at Jesus’ instruction to John to write what he saw. This included the vision of Jesus amid His churches. Born out of that vision, in this message we consider how Jesus addressed the first of the seven churches. Let’s start by reading Revelation Chapter 2, verses to 7. I’m reading in the English Standard Version.
1To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Of note is that all the words in this passage are Jesus’ and form part of an unbroken dialogue that began in Chapter 1v17 after John saw Him symbolically depicted in the midst of the His churches, and only finishes at the end of Chapter 3.
Jesus Addresses Church in Ephesus
Jesus instructs John to write to “the angel of the church in Ephesus.” You will note that Jesus addresses Ephesus with reference to the first vision, saying, “The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
Addressing Ephesus first and using this picture that depicts Jesus’ broad reach, may reference the fact that they were the mother church to the others. If we look ahead, we will see that Jesus likewise addresses all the other churches too with reference to the vision or what He has said about Himself.
Jesus addresses the church’s behavior by commending, admonishing, urging, and warning them, before reminding them of the promise that they have in Him.
Commending Hard Work and Resistance to Evil
He commends them, saying, “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.”
Admonishing for Abandoning First Love
However, despite what looks like a stellar record, especially against falsehood and evil, He immediately admonishes them, saying, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
This is a huge indictment because it is the breaking of God’s command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . [and] . . . your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12: 30-31).
Some translations read, “You have abandoned your first love,” which implies the breaking of the first commandment. Either way is equally sad and sobering considering how well they were doing.
Urging to Love
Jesus, then, urges them, saying, “5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” Here love is equated to “works.” After all, though we are not saved by works, works are the fruit of true faith.
Warning of Loss
He then warns, saying, “If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” This may be a reference to removing their ability to be an influence as light in their world.
Encouraging Again
Then, encouragingly, Jesus again commends them, saying, “6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Here, Jesus highlights a particular evil in their midst, pleased that they hate what He hates.
Broadening Reach of Message
Finally, Jesus addresses all seven churches, and by implication His entire Church throughout history, when He says, “7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In other words, what He said to this church, in particular, is to be a guide to all churches.
Reminding of Promise in Christ
And, He concludes with a promise, “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” This is not a promise for the future, but a reminder of what they already have in Him and ought to be experiencing by faith. For Romans 8:37 teaches that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” and 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” We are those who conquer and are able to access Jesus, “the tree of Life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Rob Morley
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