In this series of blog posts, we\u2019ll dive into the seven letters from Jesus to the churches in Revelation chapters 2-3. As we do, we\u2019ll discover what Jesus has to say to these churches that, with one exception, needed to be revitalized.<\/p>\n
King Jesus knows His churches, Rev. 2:1<\/strong><\/p>\n The first letter \u2013 to the church in Ephesus \u2013 gives us a glimpse into Jesus\u2019 sovereignty over His Church. He begins the description of Himself by saying, \u201cThus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands\u201d (Rev. 2:1). Jesus says that He holds the seven stars (most likely referring to the pastors of the churches) in His right hand, and that He walks among the churches themselves (seven golden lampstands).<\/p>\n So, pastor, no matter what you may face in the ministry, be encouraged by these truths. King Jesus holds you in His right hand and He walks among His churches. He knows, intimately, the problems and joys you face on a daily basis.<\/p>\n The good, Rev. 2:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n Then Jesus tells the Ephesian church what they\u2019re doing well. First, they have labored and endured for the sake of Jesus\u2019 name. (We see this in the beginning of verse 2 and the end of verse 3.) Jesus commends them for their labor and for enduring hardships for the sake of His name. Secondly, they take holiness and doctrine seriously. At the end of verse 2, Jesus says \u201cYou cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.\u201d<\/p>\n Both of these things are important. Enduring hardship for Jesus\u2019 name and pursuing holiness and right doctrine matter for a local church. Being a follower of Jesus \u2013 not to mention a spiritual leader \u2013 in our world is hard business. Jesus commends those who hold to the truth of Scripture without wavering, even \u2013 especially \u2013 when the world ridicules and persecutes us for holding to the truth.<\/p>\n The bad, Rev. 2:4<\/strong><\/p>\n While the Ephesian church had some great things going for them, they had one monumental, glowing deficiency: \u201cYou have abandoned the love you had at first.\u201d They were doing some good things, but they had taken their eyes off Jesus. Maybe they became a wonderful social club. Maybe they had all kinds of good ministries that helped people. But they were no longer serving King Jesus.<\/p>\n The remedy and the danger, Rev. 2:5<\/strong><\/p>\n Thankfully, Jesus doesn\u2019t stop at telling them where they fall short. He gives them options. They can repent, or they can face consequences. How do they repent? \u201cDo the works you did at first.\u201d Wait, is Jesus telling them to earn their salvation? Not at all! Instead, He\u2019s calling them to recover the love they had for Him at first. He\u2019s calling them to return from simply doing good things to following Him. They have time to get their house in order.<\/p>\n If they do not, however, He says, \u201cI will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.\u201d What does that mean, exactly? It means He would remove His Spirit from the church. So, whatever they might continue to be, they would not be a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n This is the danger for any church that turns its back on God\u2019s Word and their community. If you refuse to hold fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), Jesus will remove His presence from your church. Whatever you continue to be, your church will not be a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n