TEXT: Revelation 2:1-7

SUBJECT: Exposition of Revelation 1-3 #2: Ephesus

We come this evening to the second sermon in our study of Revelation, chapters 1-3. In chapter 1, we learned the basics about the Book itself: The author is John the Apostle; his aim is to reveal Jesus Christ; his audience is seven churches in Asia Minor; the events he foretells are those "which must shortly come to pass"; his desired result will be the encouragement of God's people.

He wrote to "the seven churches in Asia", addressing each in turn. The nearest to where he is at the time, Patmos, is "the church of Ephesus". This was the most blessed assembly of that age. It was founded by Paul, and served by Apollos and Timothy (for sure); and it is thought, later, by John himself. Thus, no church ever had purer doctrine to learn or better examples to follow. They learned well; their practice, however, left something to be desired.

The little Epistle begins with Christ describing Himself: "These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands..." The symbolism is explained for us in chapter 1: "The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches". What is Christ doing with these "stars"? He is holding them in His right hand. The word for "hold" means "a firm grip". He's not about to drop them. Among the "lampstands", He is walking. This brings to mind the doting priest, who took such care to keep the sacred lamps burning in the Temple. This is a durative: "I keep on walking" in their midst.

Now, what idea is carried by these two portraits? Christ is "holding onto" the stars and "continually walking" among the candlesticks? In a word, "security". Ephesus is a dangerous place for a Christian to live; its whole life is bound up with idolatry. Yet a church is planted there. And, although subject to much persecution and harassment, it remains safe. Why? Not because it has access to the levers of power, but because Jesus Christ is with it.

This thinking is supported by similar statements in the Gospel of John. Christ "holds the seven stars in (His) right hand"? This is reminiscent of John 10:27-28: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand". To be in Christ's hand, therefore, implies safety.

His presence, i.e,. "walking among the candlesticks" carries with it the same idea. In the raging storm of John 6, the Lord comforted the hysterical disciples with these words: "It is I, do not be afraid". The simple fact that He was "with them" was enough to quell every fear.

And so, the "Christ of Ephesus" is Lord Protector of His church.

Now we know who He is. What does He have to say?

He begins with a word of praise. "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My Name's sake and have not become weary...But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."

He approves of their unswerving commitment to truth. Heretics claimed to speak for Christ, and hoped to subtly infiltrate the church with their errors. But the men of Ephesus were too perceptive for that. The errors were discerned, exposed, and rejected.

Christ also thinks highly of their commitment to godliness. Some men professed the truth, but put the lie to it by their lives. The Ephesians did not tolerate them. They "cannot bear those who were evil". They found the Nicolaitans, in particular, loathsome. They, it seems, were early antinomians, men who said "It doesn't matter how you life, so long as you believe the right doctrines". To them, "salvation by grace" became "a license to sin". The Ephesians would have no part of them.

Their practical efforts to promote God's cause in the world were also commendable. They "worked and labored...with patience and perseverance". They didn't start ministries and quickly discard them; they didn't set goals, only to abandon them. These efforts were "laborious". The word means "to labor unto exhaustion". These men weren't triflers; their works cost them "blood, sweat, toil, and tears". And they weren't slacking off in the least! "You...have not become weary".

And so, in many respects, this was a model church. Orthodox, disciplined, energetic.

Yet Christ is not entirely pleased with them. In v.4, He presents a biting criticism: "Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love".

About this, you should note: good works do not compensate for bad attitudes. Also, sin in the church is a personal insult to Jesus Christ. He does not say, "You're doing something wrong...or "This behavior will hurt you in the end...or "It will obscure your witness to the world". No, we find Christ personally offended! "I have this against you".

What is it He found so objectionable? He tells us in no uncertain terms: "You have left your first love". "First" does not refer to the object of love, i.e., Christ. But to its intensity. They're not as loving as they once were. There is no indication that the church is riddled with hate and grudges. It is not a "sin of commission" at all of which they are guilty. But of "omission". They simply don't love as they once did.

And, when you compare v.4 with what precedes it, "You...have labored for My Name's sake", it seems that the "first love" they had lost was for the brethren.

The church had once glowed in its brotherly love; now, the heat has been turned down a bit.

What caused this cooling of affections? We can't say with certainty. But we can offer an educated guess. What things, in general, cause our love to recede?

Here is an idea worth considering. It fits what we know of Ephesus from the Book of Acts and also the immediate context. It goes something like this: The church of Ephesus faced external persecution and internal harassment, which caused them to adopt a "bunker mentality" in which caution became fear and discernment evolved into suspicion. This barred the door of the church--not only to the "false apostles" of v.2 and to the "grievous wolves" of whom Paul warned--but also to weaker and less insightful brethren.

If Christians did not know as much as they did or do as well, they were not welcome in the church. They may have become "second class members" or not received at all.

Thus, "their love for all the saints" which had made Paul so happy before, had been greatly reduced.

They had "left their first love".

This was a serious offense. The Lord threatened nothing less than extermination. "I will come to you quickly and remove the lampstand from its place". If "the lamptand" is the church itself, Christ warned of dissolving the loveless church.

Doesn't this seem a bit harsh to you? After all, "nobody's perfect". And the Ephesians did so well in other ways. They were so hard-working; so doctrinally sound; so disciplined in its membership. Surely, the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Does it? Yes it does. For it is not you or I issuing the threat, but Jesus Christ, who cannot be charged with injustice. He thinks that a people who have "left their first love" have no right to gather in His name.

Why not? Because the church's role in the world is to represent Christ. And Christ is "loving". Therefore, an unloving church (whatever its other virtues) is not a faithful witness to its Savior.

This is a fearful condition for a church because the judgments come swiftly, "I will come quickly" He warns.

But this is not the final word. The Lord extends a hope for those who "overcome". "I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God". What does this mean? The tree of life is the symbol of fellowship with Christ. Thus, when a church returns to its "first love", Jesus Christ will commune with it.

But how do we "overcome" this terrible problem? V.5 tells us: "Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, repent, and do the first works".

In other words, widen the horizons of your love to all of God's people, and stir up the smoldering embers of a love you once felt for them.

And (this brings us full circle) don't be afraid to love God's people. Loving them in their ignorance and folly won't hurt you or the church. Why? Because Jesus Christ "holds the seven stars in His right hand" and "walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands".

This Epistle was first written to real church in a real place and time. But that church is no more, its place is far away, and its time will never come again. Yet, the words of Christ remain as relevant today as it was then. For, v.7, extends the message to "whoever has ears". And the message is "Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".

And what does He say? Simply this: "Return to your first love".

May we all do so, for Christ's sake. Amen.