“To the [a]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: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “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.” ’
Revelation 2:1-7
The loveless church. Jesus begins by commending the church at Ephesus. He knows their works, labor, patience, and discernment of evil. They test the spirits and identify the liars. They have persevered for Christ and not become weary. However, Jesus chides them for abandoning their first love.
They became so involved in ministry that they left the Minister behind. They forgot that spirit which overcame them when they realized their first love – Jesus – loved them first! He warns them to repent and do the first works (produce fruit in keeping with repentance – Matthew 3:8) lest he return to them and remove their lamp stand, their divine appointment.
Jesus again commends them for righteous hatred of the Nicolatians, heretics who taught false doctrine, a sin that God also righteously hates. The church was doing a good job in many ways, but its fruit was lacking because they had turned so far from the love of Jesus Christ.
To him who overcomes, God will give to eat from the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God. Ephesus is so close, all they must do now is repent, love Christ, and bear the fruit that comes from that love.
