The Church in Ephesus

I'm no Bible scholar, but I believe this was the only city Paul visited. It was a large and very important city in it's day.

To the Angel in Ephesus write: "The words of Him who holds the 7 stars in his right hand, who walks among the 7 golden lamp stands." This description is significant because later Christ says if they do not repent their lamp stand will be taken from them.

They were commended for their work, toil, and patient endurance. They would not bear with those who are evil, and tested the false apostles (The hated the works of the Nicolaitans). They remained strong and did not grow weary.

BUT I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had a first.

They were doing the work. They were doctrinally sound. Fine preaching was being done, but what was missing? I believe HEART. They were going through the motions of sorts. Of course they still love the Lord and wanted to work for him, but the PASSION was gone. Passion for Christ and love for each other. Could it be they focused so much on the letter of the law that they lost the heart?

Christ calls them to REMEMBER from where they had fallen. REPENT and do the works they did at first. Remember what is most important. OR their lamp stand will be removed! They would cease from being a church. They would no longer be of any good to anyone.

I will stop short of speaking of specific churches in these post. I want anyone who reads these to reflect for themselves their status and the status of the church they attend. What I truly want is for us all to WAKE UP, REMEMBER, AND REPENT!

To end this letter Christ says: "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. " We will finally be able to eat for real from the tree of life! That which was once forbidden will be offered to the one who conquers (overcomes, over powers, triumphs)! Eternal Life in God's paradise.

May our ears be open and attentive to Christ, and return to our first love!