REVELATION 2 - The Church at Ephesus
Revelation is often hidden from us as God speaks to us using symbols, forms and signs. I believe God does this so that we'll spend time understanding the symbols in relation to other parts of the Bible…And in so doing, we will learn the moral lessons and principles needed to truly understand the revelation.
Chapters 2 and 3 teach the moral lessons and principles that make revelation come to life…Not just to mind.

As we study these seven churches we will uncover four levels of meaning…To literal churches…To every church throughout all times…To our understanding of church history…And lessons and principles to us.
Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
The number seven symbolizes completeness…These seven stars are angels of any and every church. (1:20) Golden lampstands are the valuable holders of light…The church holds the light of Jesus Christ in the world. And, Jesus holds the church's in his right hand…His hand of power and authority…He is there…He is here.
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
This church knows doctrine…They have not grown weary in service, hardships and well doing…

Rev 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
Yet, they neglected their first love…Foremost: primary, principal...First in place…First in rank…At first… They forgot God's love for them and consequently they didn't show love (charity KJV), or pass it on…
This caused them to show their consideration for scripture, while being inconsiderate in ministry…
1 Cor 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Rev 1:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
This loss of love caused God to begin to remove their witness and eventually their impact and influence…Can you see why today's church's witness and impact is shrinking? Does this problem remind you of you?
Rev 1:6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The Nicolations controlled the church by coercion and intimidation rather than leading by a loving example.
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Are you willing to listen to the voice of Jesus? He is asking the church to remember, repent and re-do…
Remember: God loves you enough to save you at the cost of his own son's life…Remember the gospel.
Remember: Christ was crucified for you…Remember, he requires that you take up your cross, daily.
Remember: It's not your deeds or perseverance…But, that it's love that expresses Christianity best.
Remember: Doctrine is essential…But, unless it's combined with love, it's like nothing or no one is there.
Remember: God's gifts are crucial…But, used without a loving sensitivity, they're like noisy instruments.
Repent: Think differently…Change your mind… Remember what's really important.
Re-do: Do to others what you would want for yourself… Be sensitive, considerate and always loving.
As we hear and do what Jesus is telling us, we will be nourished and strengthened, growing strong in the pressures and struggles that come our way…And, we will find our faith and our spiritual life flourishing.