Preparing for the imminent return of Christ:
Consider the words spoken by the “…one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength” (Revelation 1:13b-16 ESV).
Apocalyptic literature frequently contains the use of “like” and “as,” for the author struggles to record, as best they possibly can, a vision which they are grappling to comprehend and to describe. It was “like” this, which is an attempt to describe what may be impossible to express.
What is written cannot begin to compare with what they actually witnessed.
Though this letter was addressed to each of the seven churches named in Revelation 2, of course, we find application for our own churches today, for these churches, though actual first-century churches, stand in as various pictures of what our own churches may still look like today.
Our circumstances may be different, but the application of the instructions given to them by Christ himself is still appropriate.
How does this apply to us?
The Lord Jesus said: “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” (Revelation 2:1 ESV).
“‘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. (Revelation 2:2-3 ESV).
Ephesus merits high praise. Consider your own church. Is this what occurs within the halls and walls of the church building and in the homes and daily lives of the members?
“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“ (Revelation 2:4-5 ESV).
The church members of Ephesus had abandoned their first love. Church history indicates that this church may have included the apostle John, Mary the mother of Jesus, who was in his care, and possibly Mary Magdalene, who also cared for Jesus’ mother. I doubt the abandonment of their first love was true of this group of three, but the church itself, once prominent in that region, had grown cold.
Let’s consider where we are spiritually. Consider our churches. Are we merely going through the motions? Has our first love grown cold?
In light of Christ's imminent return, let's consider where we are spiritually. Consider our churches. Are we merely going through the motions? Has our first love grown cold? #EndTimes #bgbg2 Click To TweetHave we embraced the lie of Christian nationalism, subjugating our faith in Jesus to our politics, even though Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world?
In light of Christ's imminent return, are we prepared? Or have we embraced the lie of Christian nationalism, subjugating our faith in Jesus to politics, even though Jesus' kingdom is not of this world? #bgbg2 Click To TweetThe prescription is to “remember from where we have fallen” and once considered and examined, to “repent, and do the works we did at first.”
If we are a true believer and our church a true church, there will be action.
Turn around and go the other way (the meaning of “repent”), retrace your steps to when and how you loved the Lord with passion, couldn’t get enough of his Word, talked to him continually in prayer, and reached out in love and service to aid others. This is what a true believer would do in this situation.
If there is no repentance, the lampstand is removed, for faith was not genuine.
This “means that both in the near future and when Christ returns, they would lose their status as a church and Christ would treat them like apostate Israel.”1.
Lack of repentance in our lives is an indication of a lack of faith.
Lack of repentance in our lives is an indication of a lack of faith. In light of Jesus' imminent return, how should we then live? #EndTimes #bgbg2 Click To Tweet
Do we truly believe? What is the evidence?
“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.” (Revelation 2:7 ESV).
"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 (Revelation 2:7 ESV). #conquer #bgbg2 Click To Tweet
- ESV Study Bible note on Revelation 2:5, portion on the lampstand.
Lack of repentance and lack of humility may be our undoing as a society. The Church must lead. We must be the “My people, called by My Name…
Amen to that, Nancy! The Christian life is a life of humility and repentance. If we don’t see this happening in our lives and churches, we must evaluate, responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t bear the fruit of love and good deeds, self reflection and change is required.
I agree ?. Lack of repentance and always thinking something is not my fault are contributing to our society woes. We, as the church, need to set the example and lead the way. Thanks for being a blessing and helping us in our walk.
Thank you for your kind words, Yvonne. This type of humility and self-reflection is the essence of Christianity. When we only see the flaws of others, rather than our own flaws, we’re not living the Christian life. Pride and self conceit are not the marks of a true believer.
Convicting.
Action (going through the motions) is not enough. What are my motives? And if I’m honest about this, my motives are not always pure.
Sigh.
So true, Ava! We can easily go through the motions of doing good, reading the Word, helping others, but our motives aren’t in line with humility and seeking to please the Lord alone, rather than others. Are we doing good deeds because the Holy Spirit is leading and we are acting in obedience to him? Or are we just doing good works for selfish motives.
We are called to live for Him. Yes, we make mistakes. When we fail, we can go to God and ask for His forgiveness. So sad that many people don’t rely on Him and only rely on self.
Melissa, you raise such a good point. We must rely on the Lord! We cannot live a faithful and committed Christian life in our own strength. The power and enablement of the Holy Spirit is required for us to live as we ought to as God’s own children, redeemed and dearly loved.
Great message as usual, Melinda. I pray to continually evaluate my heart on whether or not I have indeed lost my first love. And to repent and do that about-face back to the Lord and stay in love with Him.
It seems repentance is lacking these days. Even taking ownership of one’s sin is often deficient, much less, the next right step of confession and repentance.
Karen, thank you for commenting. I think the church in America has largely ignored the reality that it isn’t simply one and done with prayer and confession. In truth, reality calls for daily, maybe hourly, confession of sin and again turning away from sin and toward Jesus. We are sinners. Redeemed, yes, but still sinners.
Thank you so much for this! Repentance and faith are DAILY actions. Every single day we must remember and fall in love with Christ anew.
That’s so true, Jessica! Do we remember him, talk to him, and fall in love with him daily!
Such wisdom and truth in this message, Melinda. May we soberly take stock of ourselves and our churches before the One who is returning with fire in His eyes and a sword piercing from His mouth. Gratefully, in this letter, Jesus confirms what is good, but warns of what is lacking. Holy Spirit, refresh our hearts, stir us to greater love for our Savior. Our first love.
That’s an excellent point, Melissa! The instruction given by Jesus himself, which I detailed in part one, emphasizes being prepared. Really each of these posts have done the same, as they are addressed to the various churches, and all needed to be ready for we don’t know the time of his coming. Thus, these also apply to us, and the admonition needs be embraced with desire and hope and trust in the Lord.