We read in the book of Revelation about seven churches. These churches, found in Asia Minor (present day Turkey), are representative of various churches throughout history, and including the present day. The good things as well as the bad, are revealed in these letters. Some are admonished to repent of their errors and compromise, others are encouraged in their faithfulness. These seven letters are just as applicable to us today. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things that are written in it; for the time is near (Rev 1:3 NASB).
The first church mentioned is the church found in Ephesus. This would be the church found in the nineteenth chapter of Acts. Paul found a group of twelve men who were disciples, but had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul stays on on Ephesus for about two years and a church is established. This same church was the recipient of what we refer to as Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, found in our Bibles. Shortly before his arrest, Paul admonishes this congregation, as they would never see him again, warning them of false teachers who would eventually rise up from among them (Acts 20:17-38).
This church had a lot going for it. It was planted by Paul, who spent quite a while with them, building them up and teaching them. But that is no guarantee of their future faithfulness. By the time John received the Revelation on the isle of Patmos, Ephesus was in trouble.
Revelation 2:1-7 contains the letter addressed to the Ephesian church. Jesus tells them He knows their deeds. He has seen their hard work, and their perseverance in it. They were meticulous in weeding out false teachers and evil men. Perhaps they were taking Paul's earlier warning quite seriously! These are all good things, and all Christians everywhere should be as judicious in maintaining doctrinal purity. However they lacked one thing. At one time they were passionate about Jesus, but now their love had diminished considerably. They had left their first love. The love that they initially had for Christ had driven them to labor tirelessly for His kingdom. Now they were still working as hard as ever, but it was a hollow empty work, spurred on by tradition. They were doing what they did because this was the way they always did it.
What really matters is faith that works by love (Gal 5:6). We read that all of our good works are empty efforts without love (1 Cor 13:1-3). And Jesus warns this church that they are about to lose their lamp stand. He urges them to repent and do the deeds they did at first. They must rekindle that love they once had, and allow that to motivate their deeds done for Christ.
What about us? I can relate to this in my own life. I remember the early days of my salvation. Everything was new and exciting, and I felt that there was nothing that I would not do for my Savior. Of course we do not live in constant excitement, but we should not let our love grow cold. Sadly, many of us lose our love without realizing it. Our lives seem to stay the same. We may attend church faithfully, pray, read the Bible, and do all kind of good things. However, what is motivating us? Are our religious deed mere habits, or are they born out of a passion for Jesus? As we see the last days approaching we should be ever mindful of Jesus' words, Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most will grow cold" (Matt 24:12).
Instead of losing our lamp stands, let us as the church put them out for the world to see.
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