In verse 3, Jesus commends the Ephesians for their hard work and perseverance:
“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”
The church at Ephesus had faced many challenges and difficult times, but they kept going. They didn’t give up or become discouraged. They stayed faithful to their work, teaching, and witnessing about Jesus, without turning away from the truth. Up until this point, they were doing very well.
A Serious Problem Losing First Love
But, despite all their good qualities, there is a big problem. Jesus says to them:
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” (Revelation 2:4)
Even though the Ephesians were hardworking and kept their faith, they had lost their initial passion and love for Jesus. They had become busy with activities but had forgotten the deep love and devotion they once had for Christ. This was a serious issue. Jesus warns them that if they don’t change, he will remove their lampstand, meaning their ability to share God’s light with others. The church could still be busy with religious activities, but without love for Jesus, they would have no real spiritual impact Guided Tour Ephesus.
The Consequences of Losing First Love
Jesus explains that losing their first love would have consequences:
“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:5)
This warning shows that it’s not enough to just continue with their work or follow the right teachings. Without a deep love for Jesus, their church would lose its spiritual influence. They might still be active, still faithful in teaching the truth, but without love for Christ, their efforts would have little or no impact. They would become a church with no light, no influence, and no real connection to the power of God.
A Final Encouragement
Jesus does offer one positive note in the letter to the Ephesians:
“But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2:6)
While they had a serious issue with their love for Jesus, they did have the right beliefs. They hated the false teachings of the Nicolaitans, and this was something Jesus also approved of Paul’s Warning to the Church in Ephesus.
