(Revelation 2:1-7)
The message to the church of Ephesus is a call to remember, repent, and return to the love and devotion they once had for Christ. This study aims to:
Understand the historical and prophetic significance of Ephesus.
Recognize the danger of losing our first love for Christ.
Examine Christ’s warning and encouragement to overcome.
Claim the promise of eating from the tree of life in paradise.
Before we begin, let us reflect on this prayer thought from Ellen G. White:
📝 “The very first work of a Christian is to be reconciled to God. The love of Jesus must pervade the soul, sanctifying and purifying the life; then it will be made manifest by our words and deeds.” — (The Review and Herald, June 7, 1887)
🔹 Prayer Focus:
Pray for spiritual revival and a renewed love for Christ.
Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to recognize areas where we may have lost our first love.
Seek God’s grace to repent and return to true devotion.
“These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.”
Christ presents Himself as the One who upholds His church and is always present among His people.
The seven stars represent the leaders (angels) of the churches, and the candlesticks symbolize the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil…”
The church of Ephesus was hardworking, patient, and zealous for truth.
They tested false teachers and rejected evil.
They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which represented compromise and corruption in doctrine.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Despite their strong doctrinal stance, they lost their passionate love for Christ.
Their faith had become mechanical and routine rather than heartfelt devotion.
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.”
Remember: Reflect on the past love and devotion they once had.
Repent: Recognize the spiritual decline and turn back to Christ.
Do the First Works: Return to the genuine faith, love, and service they had at the beginning.
“Or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
→ Warning: If they do not repent, their light (church) will be removed.
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
→ Promise: Those who return to their first love and remain faithful will be granted eternal life.
Ephesus represents the first phase of the Christian church (Apostolic Era).
It was founded by the apostles and known for strong faith and labor.
Over time, some began losing their first love, turning Christianity into a routine rather than a relationship.
The Danger of Losing First Love
“A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. When fastings and prayers are practiced in a self-justifying spirit, they are abominable to God.” — (The Desire of Ages, p. 280)
→ Christianity must be driven by love, not mere duty.
Returning to First Love
“There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church.” — (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 124)
→ Revival comes when believers remove barriers and return to God.
The Reward for Overcomers
“To eat of the tree of life is to receive eternal life. Those who overcome in the strength of Christ will be rewarded with life in the paradise of God.” — (The Great Controversy, p. 649)
→ Overcoming leads to eternal life in God’s kingdom.
The Church’s Decline and Call to Repentance
“The message to Ephesus is a warning to those who have left their first love and need to repent. Those who fail to heed the warning will be removed as a candlestick.” — (SRod, Vol. 1, p. 145)
→ A loveless church will lose its place in God's work.
Testing False Teachers
“The church at Ephesus was commended for testing those who claimed to be apostles. This work is still necessary today as false teachers continue to arise.” — (SRod, Vol. 2, p. 103)
→ God's people must test all teachings by the Bible.
The Overcomer’s Reward
“Only those who overcome will be granted access to the tree of life. This is a reminder that salvation requires endurance and faithfulness.” — (SRod, Vol. 2, p. 157)
→ Faithfulness leads to eternal life.
✅ Ephesus represents the early church that worked hard but lost its first love.
✅ Christ calls His people to remember, repent, and return to true devotion.
✅ The warning is serious: If love is lost, the church’s light will be removed.
✅ The promise to the overcomer is access to the tree of life and eternal life.
1️⃣ Have I lost my first love for Christ?
2️⃣ Do I serve God out of routine, or is my heart fully engaged?
3️⃣ How can I rekindle my passion and devotion to Christ?
📖 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." – Revelation 2:7