Jesus’ evaluation on the church of Ephesus teaches to always stay passionately in love with God (Acts 18:19-20:38)!

REVELATION 2:1-7

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write [Acts 19:1-20,23-41;20:17-38]: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. [Revelation 1:20] 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. [Ephesians 6:24] 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

BREAKDOWN

JESUS’ OPENING DECLARATION

  1. Jesus holds the seven stars (messengers/pastors) in His right hand
  2. He walks among the seven golden lampstands (churches)

FIRST PRAISE FOR THE EPHESIAN CHURCH

  1. The Ephesian saints don’t tolerate wicked people
  2. They have endured hardships and not given up

REBUKE

  1. They have forsaken their first love

INSTRUCTION

  1. Consider how far they have fallen
  2. Repent and do the things done at first

WARNING

  1. If they do not repent their lampstand will be removed

SECOND PRAISE FOR THE EPHESIAN CHURCH

  1. They hate the practices of the Nicolaitans

JESUS’ CLOSING DECLARATION

  1. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
  2. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.