Messages to the seven churches tell the story of the Christian church from the time of the Apostolic Church till the end of times. They also provide the answer to the question “Where are we on the cosmic timeline?”

The seven churches in Asia Minor mentioned in the first big section of  Revelation existed and faced the serious issues that Jesus addressed (Revelation 1:10,11). However, there are several reasons why these messages are much more important than just good advice to some small first-century churches.

The churches take on symbolic meaning because they, just like everything else in Revelation have to do with universal, cosmic issues that affect the eternal status of the whole universe.

Ephesus church

This video is mostly about the first message, which is directed to the church of Ephesus.

Jesus told the church of Ephesus, “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, and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name’s sake, and have not become weary” (Revelation 2:2,3).

But something essential is missing that spoils all of their good works: “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).

This lack of love is not a minor issue; it is so serious that Jesus warns, “Remember therefore from where you are fallen and repent…or else I will come to you quickly, and remove your lampstand out of its place” (Revelation 2:5).

The important lesson for us from the message to Ephesus church is that good works are not enough, and not even the real issue. We are not human doings, we are human beings, and what we should be is like Jesus. God is love, and if we lose our love for God and our neighbors we are no longer the lampstand that He intended us to be.

Jesus is the light of the world, and he calls upon us to lift Him up to the world by putting away our human prejudices, resentments, and hostilities and letting Him, through us, love even our enemies.

The message to the church of Ephesus ends on a more hopeful note. “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” (Revelation 2:7).

You can read the full transcript of this video here

You may also like to read:

 The first love of the Apostolic Church

Church of God needs Unity, not Divisions

Remnant of Revelation

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