Revelation 2:1 - 7

1 “To the 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 patience, and that you cannot 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.

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.” ’

The candlesticks represent the various congregations listed in the previous chapter. This verse shows Christ is among the churches and knows what is going on in every congregation.

Ephesus is the same congregation as the one which Paul wrote his letter to. It has several listings in the book of Acts.

Christ approves of the works of which they are doing. They have checked out the false teachers and proven them to be teachers of false doctrines. They have endured and have been patient, they have been hard workers for Christ.

But He does have one problem with them. They have forgotten their first love. They quit doing their works out of love for Christ, and began doing all of the right things but out of a feeling of duty. It was no longer a matter of “want to” but had become a matter of “have to.”

It is more important for us to have the right motivation to accomplish the good works than to do the good works.

If the right reason for works is not found then Christ will remove His support and approval for the congregation by removing their lampstand from its place.

We all have the responsibility to read this instruction to the congregation at Ephesus and to place this in our hearts and make sure what we are doing is for the right reason. If we succeed then we will be rewarded with admittance to the place where the tree of life exists, Paradise of God.