Revelation: Rekindling the Passion

Revelation 2:1-7 

Can a person be doctrinally sound and spiritually dead? Can you do significant things for Jesus, but not have a passionate love for him? Let’s consider those questions in Revelation 2:1-7.

Jesus revealed the message of Revelation to an angel, who then delivered it to the apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. The message was meant for seven actual churches in the Roman province of Asia. Today’s passage specifically focuses on the church in Ephesus. 

Ephesus was a major seaport with a population of 250,000. Its ruins reveal that the city had a large stadium, marketplace, and theater with seating for 25,000, built on a hillside overlooking the harbor. The massive Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, was in Ephesus and drew thousands of visitors each spring for the Artemis Festival. 

The Ephesian church had a significant impact on Christian history. During his third missionary journey, Paul stayed in the city for three years (AD 52-55). And the apostle John led the church there both before and after his exile to Patmos. However, there were some issues the believers needed to resolve. 

Reading the seven letters to the individual churches reveals a pattern in their content. Starting with the message to the church in Ephesus, we will use this structure to discuss each letter: Person of Jesus, Praise, Problem, Solution, Consequence, and Promise.

The Person of Jesus (Rev. 2:1)
Jesus is described as the one “who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and walks among the seven golden lampstands” (Rev. 2:1). We learned earlier that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the lampstands represent the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). We see a picture of Jesus firmly grasping the churches with his protective and authoritative right hand. He also walks among the churches, meaning he is present among us. 

Nothing should boost every believer’s confidence more than knowing we are in the safety and sovereign care of Jesus, and that he is present among us. Jesus has promised that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:20).

Praise for the Ephesian Believers (Rev. 2:2-3, 6)
Jesus commended the Ephesian believers for their service to him and their perseverance. They remained steadfast during difficult times. They stood firm for Jesus and didn’t give up or grow weary in serving each other with their good works. They also did not compromise on doctrinal purity, as shown when they tested those claiming to be apostles and “found them to be false.” They rejected the “works of the Nicolaitans.” We do not know exactly who this group was, but “apparently were a sect wrong in practice and in doctrine.”[1]

Yet, there was this one thing…

The Problem of Lost Love (Rev. 2:4)
Jesus said, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Jesus did not say the Ephesians had lost their love for him. A believer cannot lose the gift that God has given. But the Ephesians’ love (Grk: agape) had cooled. It was not as passionate and vibrant as it had been when they first trusted in Christ. They had lost their spiritual vitality. 

Let’s analyze this carefully. Believers who do good for Jesus but lack genuine, wholehearted love for him are in a risky position. It’s easy to become prideful and self-promoting, shifting our focus from serving out of love for the Savior to seeking self-glorification. Our hearts can easily deceive us (Jer. 17:9). Without passionate love for Christ, our actions tend to revolve around ourselves, and we will drift spiritually. This isn’t just an issue for the Ephesians; it’s a danger for every believer. 

The Solution: Remember. Repent. Return (Rev. 2:5-6)
Jesus instructs the Ephesians (and us) to do three things. First, we need to “remember . . . from where you have fallen.” We should reflect on the moment we first met Christ, recalling the joy, excitement, and wonder that accompanied it. It is also important to identify when our love started to fade and figure out what caused it to grow stale. 

Second, we need to repent. The Greek word translated as “repent” (metanoeo) is composed of two parts. The first part (meta) means “to change.” The second part (noeo) means “to think” or “understand.” So, to repent means to “change one’s mind,” or "think differently." A change in thinking leads to turning away from sin and toward God. 

Finally, we return to embrace what Jesus has called us to do. Jesus said, “Do the works you did at first.” This includes not only the actions but the attitude. Jesus is telling us to do the things we used to do with the passionate love we once had.

Without remembering, repenting, and returning, there will be consequences.

The Consequence of Neglect (Rev. 2:5)
Jesus said, if the Ephesian church didn’t repent and return, “I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” The “lampstand” represents the light of witness. Jesus indicates that the consequence for continued sin would result in the Ephesians’ witness being extinguished.

The church in Ephesus stayed strong throughout the fifth century, hosting major church councils in AD 431 and 449. However, the city of Ephesus faced a sharp decline in the seventh and eighth centuries due to silt buildup in its harbor, which made it unusable for ships, and the Muslim conquests. By the 1300s, this once-thriving city was abandoned. Be sure to check the link below for a virtual tour of this ancient city. 

The Promise to those who Conquer (Rev. 2:7)
Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). Victory is always given to those who know Jesus. To them belongs eternal life “in the paradise of God” (see Rev. 22:1-2). 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 2:1-7. Focus on the Ephesian problem—abandoning the love you had at first.

Talking to God: Which of the three steps—remember, repent, and return—do you sense God prompting you to take today to rekindle your first love?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist you as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond shortly. Also, let us know if you would like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you're seeking spiritual guidance.

Link for virtual tour of Ephesus: https://livinggrounded.org/blogs/daily-tours/letter-to-the-church-in-ephesus