Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Brothers and sisters, today we are going to be discussing the book of Revelation, chapter two. We are about to embark on a journey into the heart of a profound message, one often misinterpreted, yet critical for our understanding of God’s dealings with His church. We begin with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, spoken through His servant John, to the angel of the church in Ephesus.
Revelation 2:1-7 reads: “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “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. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’”
Beloved, let us carefully consider the recipient of this stern rebuke. The text clearly states, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write…” Not to the assembly, not to the congregation, but to the angel. This is crucial. In the celestial economy of God, angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (read Hebrews 1:14). It is not far-fetched to understand these “angels” in Revelation as the divine guardians or spiritual overseers appointed to each local church. They are the spiritual representatives, the heavenly watchmen, responsible for the spiritual well-being and direction of the flock.
Therefore, when Jesus declares, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love,” this indictment is primarily directed at the angel of Ephesus. This is not to say the congregation was absolved of responsibility, for the spiritual health of a church often mirrors the spiritual state of its leadership, both earthly and heavenly. But the direct accusation, the personal charge, falls upon the angel.
What does it mean for an angel to leave its “first love”? Could it be that this angelic being, once fervent in its devotion and service to God in its oversight of the Ephesian church, had grown cold, perhaps distracted by the very good works and doctrinal purity that Jesus commends? They were vigilant against evil, discerning of false apostles, persevering in labour for His name’s sake. These are commendable attributes! Yet, amidst all this activity, the flame of intimate, passionate love for Christ Himself had dimmed.
Consider the parallel in the Old Testament. Israel, God’s chosen people, often excelled in their rituals and adherence to the law, yet their hearts were far from Him. Isaiah 29:13 declares, “Therefore the Lord said: 'Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men…'” This speaks to a similar spiritual condition: outward conformity without inward affection. The angel of Ephesus, in its meticulous guarding of the church, may have subtly shifted its focus from adoring Christ to merely managing the church’s affairs, however diligently.
The consequence for this spiritual coldness is stark: “or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” This threat is not directed at the church members individually, but at the church as an entity, its very existence as a functioning assembly in that location. The lampstand symbolises the local church as a light-bearer in the world (read Revelation 1:20). To remove the lampstand means to extinguish its light, to shut down that particular local expression of the body of Christ. It means that the specific congregation in Ephesus would cease to exist as a viable church, its members perhaps scattering to other congregations or ceasing to meet altogether. This is a severe judgment, born out of a profound concern for the purity and passion of His body.
Why such a drastic measure for an angelic being’s loss of first love? Because the spiritual atmosphere of a church, its very vibrancy and effectiveness, is profoundly influenced by its angelic oversight. If the spiritual guardian grows complacent, the church beneath its care will inevitably suffer. The love for Christ is not merely an emotional sentiment; it is the driving force behind true worship, genuine service, and effective witness. Without it, even the most meticulous orthodoxy becomes sterile, and the most fervent labour becomes mere toil.
The message to the angel of Ephesus serves as a powerful reminder for us today. While we are not angels, we, as believers, are called to a similar posture of love for Christ. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
Our works, our doctrines, our perseverance – all these are vital. But without the foundational, burning love for Jesus Christ, they risk becoming empty exercises. May we, both individually and corporately, regularly examine our hearts, asking ourselves: Is our first love for Christ still burning brightly? Are we serving Him out of adoration, or out of duty? For if the very angels who oversee His churches are held to account for their love, how much more should we, His redeemed, be vigilant to keep that flame alive? Let us repent where needed, return to faith, and above all, return to our first love, that His love and grace may continue to shine brightly upon us for His glory.
Stay in health and favour
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