Revelation 2:5-6 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.But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans,which I also hate.
The Ephesian church had fallen from where it was earlier. In the New Testament, we learn quite a bit about this church from Acts, the Epistle to the Ephesians, and 1 and 2 Timothy. It had a lot of potential. It was the leading church of Asia-minor. They basically needed a revival of commitment. Something had caused their commitment to slide away and they ended up in sin. The answer to sin is always repentance. God is more than willing to forgive sin because God is love. God wants all people to repent and come to salvation (1 Tim 2: 4). The Ephesians needed to repent and return to what they did at first.
Jesus gives them a dire warning of what would happen if they do not repent: their lampstand would be removed. It is difficult to know what this means. The lampstand could represent Jesus’ presence and protection. Without these, the church will cease to exist. The church is made up of individuals who all needed to repent. There is both a corporate and an individual sense to this verse.
At least the Ephesians have recognized the false teachings of the obscure group called the Nicolaitans. They are aware of some of their challenges and issues. This is always a good start for any renewal movement. We must know why we are where we are. How did we end up here? Where have we landed? This will help us begin to change our ways and return to where we should be.
For older posts, click here.