Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV Strong's)

To the Church in Ephesus

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.

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

The churches represent the children of light in the body of Christ. The seven stars may remind us that the children of Abraham would be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. These children are filled with the fullness of the seven Spirits of God. He is pleased to have His fullness dwell in the heart of man. The lampstands may remind us that the Church is the light of the world. 

No one can snatch us out of His hand, though we can choose to leave, just as we chose to come. Consider the prodigal son, the many transgressions of Israel, or the betrayal of Jesus by the hand of Judas. 

Jesus came to earth and walked among us. He brought the light of God into the hearts of man, enabling us continue in His absence to shine as His light unto the ends of the earth. 

His light is conspicuous in the darkness of the world. He is separating the light from the darkness and creating a people for His own. His presence is a lamp unto our feet and an ever present comfort as we walk with Him. 

Love lights the lamps of God. If our love fades, the light of our life grows dim. Our works do not save us. Our salvation rests solely on God’s love for us and our love for Him. He demonstrated His love by the gift of His life. We demonstrate our love by obedience to Him. He will remove our light and spew us from His mouth unless we repent and stay in relationship with Him. From that ongoing relationship, knowing Christ grows and deepens with time. We will be fruitful in the Spirit as we follow His leading.