READ Revelation 2

Revelation two and three are the present tense portions of the book. John was commanded to write the things which he had seen (chapter 1), the things which are (chapters 2 and 3), and the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22).

The messages of chapters two and three are addressed to the seven churches of Asia.  This morning we will examine the message given to the church at Ephesus. Make sure to acquaint yourself with verses 1-7 of chapter two.

Our all-knowing Saviour addressed His messages to the pastors of these respective churches. Jesus provides a description of Himself, He compliments what He can, and then points out their failure or sins and the need to repent of those sins.

The church of Ephesus mirrors much of what we see in our fundamental churches today. The church is commended in verses 2 and 3, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” However, Christ points out a problem in this church. Verse 4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

The church was giving the Lord their service but not giving Him themselves. They were outstanding in their work for the Lord, but they no longer had the intimate fellowship with Him they once possessed. There had been a time when the church responded to Christ’s love by pouring out their hearts fervently in love and praise to Him. The church seems to be busy in its labour but barren in its love for the Saviour.

Christ speaks about how to correct their problem in verse 5, “Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen: and repent, and do the first works.” The church is called to remember their former spiritual state of loving Christ, they are called to repent, so they might enjoy a great loving fervor that is directed to Jesus, they are called to do the first works, which were works of love, works done in response to the outpouring of Christ’s love in their hearts.

May all that we do for Christ come from a heart that is filled with love and respect for the Saviour.

 Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Describe how you perceive the message preached by Jesus to the church at Ephesus.

2.  Is your love for Christ burning strong or has it waned over the years? 

3.  What is the three-fold directive given by Christ in verse 5 to the church at Ephesus?  How might this help you to focus your life on loving Christ?

4.How do you perceive the warning in verse 5, “…or else I will come unto thee quickly: and will remove thy candlestick out of his place: except thou repent.” Look at Revelation 1:20 to understand the meaning of the word “candlestick”.