Revelations 2:1-7
When Christians Lose Their First Love For God
By Rev Tan Eng Boo
Concluding the book of Ephesians... See Ephesians 6:18 onwards; where Paul speaks of "reinforcing" the armour of God.
v18 - Pray! For ourselves AND for others.
Reference Acts 19:9-10, the beginning of Christianity in Ephesus, the beginning of the Church in Ephesus.
But today, in modern Turkey, Ephesus is no more.
So what happened?
Back to Revelations 2... and take note not to end up like this.
37 years later, this is the report of the Church from the Lord; a warning.
v1 - Jesus walks in the midst of His churches. Jesus controls (holds) the messenger/pastor of the churches.
v2 - Jesus knows the Ephesian church's work and specifically, her toil/labour. Jesus knew their patient perseverance. Jesus knew that they fought against evil (cf v6).
v3 - Jesus knew that they have not grown weary in the work.
v4 - but Jesus had something against them; they have left their first love. In the space of time (around 40 years) from when Paul established the church, the second generation of Christians should have taken over. Perhaps it was them who lost heart.
How about us? Have we lost our zeal for Christ? Have we grown cold?
Analogy of husband losing love for wife. This would destroy the marriage relationship.
Likewise, our loss of live for Christ will cause the same damage.
In addition, there is a loss of testimony.
v5 - Jesus gives the instruction for repentance;
REMEMBER from where they fell
REPENT from that fall
REDO the first works
Or He will suddenly come and remove the church.
v6 - see v2.
v7 - who will hear, will be rewarded by Christ.
