The Letter to Ephesus

2:1 “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 lampstands.

Here the Lord Jesus reminds us of the mystery of his simultaneous transcendence and immanence. He is at once both the One who "holds the seven stars [angels of the churches] in his right hand" and the One who "walks among the seven golden lampstands [churches]". This is a necessary reminder to the Ephesian church and to us if (when) ever we lose the fear of Him or the desire for His presence and His glory.

2 “‘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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

The Ephesian church was praised for its performance and adherence to sound doctrine. I beg you not to read this as permission to find fault in the ministries of others. It's in the context of discerning spirits that John says this: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Being terrified of deception is misguided, and it should be a warning to pursue greater intimacy with God (John 10:27).

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Now it becomes clear where they fell short; they didn't love God anymore. It looks like they were satisfied just to know about Him and to work for Him. He said he "walks among the seven golden lampstands"; perhaps this was a warning that He didn't care to stop in Ephesus as He made his rounds. Perhaps they needed to be reminded of this because they didn't mourn his absence.

5 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. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 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.’ (Rev 2:1-5)

(Nicolaism was an early heresy, probably tolerant of sexual immorality; probably founded on teaching taken out of context. Thank you Wikipedia.)

Despite their faithful efforts, Jesus warns them to repent, returning to the work of loving God. This is the great and first commandment (Matt 22:37-40). He graciously closes with another compliment, a word to loose their ears, and a conditional promise.

We must be desperate for grace to love God with all our heart, soul and mind (1 Peter 1:13) distinguishing between mercy and grace. Mercy is an opportunity to repent; grace is the power to love God (Eph 2:8).