THE ZEALOUS CHURCH
REVELATION 2 : 1 - 7 (KJV)
PART 1 of 3
1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;PART 1 of 3
2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3) And hast borne, and hast patience, for My Name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5) Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (KING JAMES VERSION, public domain)
COMMENTARY
One of the mysteries of the Book of Revelation is that the churches that were to receive the letters were real churches, but they also were also representative churches (they represented church history): :
- Ephesus The Apostolic Age before A.D. 100
- Smyrna Age of Persecution A.D. 100 - A.D. 313
- Pergamos Imperial Church Age A.D. 313 - A.D. 590
- Thyatira Age of Papacy A.D. 590 - A.D. 1517
- Sardis Reformation Age A.D. 1517 - A.D. 1730
- Philadelphia Missionary Age A.D. 1730 - 1900
- Laodicea Age of Apostasy A.D. 1900 - ?
The Apostle John, the Apostle Paul, and Timothy had all ministered to the Church of Ephesus. Here, Jesus commends the Church for their zeal and steadfastness, done in the Name of Christ. However, He warns that they have left their first love: their love for one another, for the lost, and for The Lord. God is love, so we must love. Paul closes his epistle to the Church of Ephesus thus: "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity". A "first love" is a sincere love. While love is not just a feeling, but it is an action word also, we must search ourselves to be sure we are not just busy with "Christ things", but that we are in The Word, and praising Him, and asking Him to search us, that we may be more LIKE Him. Studying His Word, therefore, is commendable.
Let me try another way to explain "your first love": remember that first person you fell in love with? How your every thought was of them? You wanted to stay in their company all day. You would do and say anything to please them. THAT is how we are to be with our LORD. Have the praise music on our radio, study the Holy Bible, attend church, minister to others.
Christ asks the Church to return to their first love or their angel would be withdrawn and The Holy Spirit would no longer remain in their midst. Here is another promise of God: "He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says unto the CHURCHES: To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Don't you want that? Be zealous in your love for Christ. Be sincere in your love for Him. Overcome apathy for Him, don't be too busy "doing" for Him, and take time to "sit at His feet" and adore Him.
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so, our first love is like a child following their Dad, stepping in the footprints he leaves behind, and like a young person who wants to favorably impress the object of their affection?
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