insights about the seven churches

good samaritan · #1 07-30-2019, 10:16 PM

"Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

I have always thought that the Ephesians leaving their first love meant they lost their love for Christ. Although, I am sure that is true, I wonder why they are so faithful in serving Him. Jesus compliments the Ephesians for their labours and there intolerance toward the unrighteous. Could it be that they became legalistic in their motivations and lost the source to their righteousness.

I have noticed that some Christians lose that sweet spirit that they began with. Their righteousness becomes a badge of honor instead of a love relationship with God. Priding themselves for their strictness and looking down at others for their lack of godliness.

Jesus compliments them for strictness, but condemns them for their loss of their first love. The greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neigbor as ourself. Being ultra conservative is not a bad thing, but we must never lose the source of our motivation. It must be for a love of God and a love for others. That should be what motivates us to righteousness.

The first love the Ephesians lost could be their love motivation altogether. They began with it but they lost it somewhere on the journey. They where commanded to go back and do their firstworks. Repentence "brokeness, humility, etc...." Repentence is for the heart to become tender. Just some thoughts...

Amanah · #2 07-31-2019, 03:45 AM

good point

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Michael The Disciple · #3 07-31-2019, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

"Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

I have always thought that the Ephesians leaving their first love meant they lost their love for Christ. Although, I am sure that is true, I wonder why they are so faithful in serving Him. Jesus compliments the Ephesians for their labours and there intolerance toward the unrighteous. Could it be that they became legalistic in their motivations and lost the source to their righteousness.

I have noticed that some Christians lose that sweet spirit that they began with. Their righteousness becomes a badge of honor instead of a love relationship with God. Priding themselves for their strictness and looking down at others for their lack of godliness.

Jesus compliments them for strictness, but condemns them for their loss of their first love. The greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neigbor as ourself. Being ultra conservative is not a bad thing, but we must never lose the source of our motivation. It must be for a love of God and a love for others. That should be what motivates us to righteousness.

The first love the Ephesians lost could be their love motivation altogether. They began with it but they lost it somewhere on the journey. They where commanded to go back and do their firstworks. Repentence "brokeness, humility, etc...." Repentence is for the heart to become tender. Just some thoughts...

Good insight. I would still contrast what Jesus said to the Ephesian saints greatly with what's being taught today in many places. With all of the good that was there in Ephesus they were still close to being lost!

Shocking isn't it? Todays Churches and teachers spend much of the time assuring saints that since Jesus died for them they dont need to DO anything. They just need to trust in HIS finished work.

In Revelation Jesus exposes this error with a vengeance. There are things needing to be done. Specifically the will of God, whatever it is. The Ephesians were trying to do the will of God and SEEMINGLY were no longer abiding in the PERSON OF JESUS.

Their works, their doings as important as they were did not allow for them to draw back in their passion for him.

coksiw · #4 07-31-2019, 07:40 AM

They went down in one generation since Paul later:

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
— Ephesians 1:15-16

good samaritan · #5 07-31-2019, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Good insight. I would still contrast what Jesus said to the Ephesian saints greatly with what's being taught today in many places. With all of the good that was there in Ephesus they were still close to being lost!

Shocking isn't it? Todays Churches and teachers spend much of the time assuring saints that since Jesus died for them they dont need to DO anything. They just need to trust in HIS finished work.

In Revelation Jesus exposes this error with a vengeance. There are things needing to be done. Specifically the will of God, whatever it is. The Ephesians were trying to do the will of God and SEEMINGLY were no longer abiding in the PERSON OF JESUS.

Their works, their doings as important as they were did not allow for them to draw back in their passion for him.

I have read where the nicolaitins were heretical sect of Christianity that took Christian liberty as a license to sin. If that is the case they would be the opposite from the Church of the Ephesians. This seems to be mainstream Christian teaching today. When I say "mainstream" I am refering to denominal church world. Modern Christianity has become easy believism and unconditional eternal security. very few get taking up our cross and following Jesus.

Esaias · #6 08-02-2019, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

"Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

I have always thought that the Ephesians leaving their first love meant they lost their love for Christ. Although, I am sure that is true, I wonder why they are so faithful in serving Him. Jesus compliments the Ephesians for their labours and there intolerance toward the unrighteous. Could it be that they became legalistic in their motivations and lost the source to their righteousness.

I have noticed that some Christians lose that sweet spirit that they began with. Their righteousness becomes a badge of honor instead of a love relationship with God. Priding themselves for their strictness and looking down at others for their lack of godliness.

Jesus compliments them for strictness, but condemns them for their loss of their first love. The greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neigbor as ourself. Being ultra conservative is not a bad thing, but we must never lose the source of our motivation. It must be for a love of God and a love for others. That should be what motivates us to righteousness.

The first love the Ephesians lost could be their love motivation altogether. They began with it but they lost it somewhere on the journey. They where commanded to go back and do their firstworks. Repentence "brokeness, humility, etc...." Repentence is for the heart to become tender. Just some thoughts...

Sounds like their relationship became a mere religion.

good samaritan · #7 08-02-2019, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias

Sounds like their relationship became a mere religion.

That is alot of Christians today. I spoke with someone tonight about obedience to the Holy Ghost. Religion is filled with rules concerning unaccepatable behavior, but relationship is allowing God to speak to us in the grey areas. It is not enough to say that we have kept a few commandments. We need to have lives that are surrendered to the Holy Ghost. Speak Lord thy servant hears. I need more depth in this area myself.