“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstand
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.’
Comment: The story of the origins of the church in Ephesus is told in Acts ch 18 and 19. It is an exciting story with a major point being the hatred of the followers of the goddess Artemis for the message of the gospel was destroying a very lucrative business. Many of the church stood firmly to the exclusivity of the gospel message and the need for living in the freedom bought by Jesus to live for God alone. Christians were despised and poor because of strong opposition by the wealthy idol worshippers. As the church grew the followers of one deacon Nicolas sought to make Christians more accepted by teaching that Christians could eat things offered in worship to Artemis and be involved in their fertility rites, thus making them ‘business parters’ with the locals. Jesus, whilst praising their initial good behaviour told them that their love and zeal had diminished. ‘Sit up and listen! Repent and build on the past; don’t grow weary and half-hearted!’ ‘The conquerers will get the benefits of eating from the Tree of Life, residing in the Paradise of God’ Jesus promises!
Prayer: As I grew older may I ever grow fresher in my love for You, my Master.
As I read it! 