The Prayer
Sierra Combs
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4
Several years ago I attended a very in-depth study of the Book of Revelation. We spent an entire year going through it verse by verse. Before we started, I was so excited to finally get some clarity on all of the interesting prophecies and, hopefully, finally iron out my own understanding (or lack thereof) of the end times. I was eager to learn, and while I did learn a great deal, my eschatological views were certainly not ironed out and instead of really understanding the things yet to come, I was just introduced to other interesting prophecies to ponder. While my expectations were not exactly met, I ended up walking away from that study with something so much more. We read in the first few sentences of Revelation that the words are those of Jesus Himself, and He promises blessing on those who read them, hear them, and keep them. As we go through this amazing book this summer, I encourage you to keep this promise in mind. Even if all of your questions are not answered (they will not be), you will walk away blessed.
While I excitedly came to the study yearning for knowledge of the future, it was the words written to a church long ago that I needed the most. In the first three chapters of Revelation, we read exhortations written to seven different churches within the Roman Empire at that time. Each church was unique in its geographical location, local culture, struggles, and strengths. The historical context is rich and yet there is so much to be learned and applied to the church and individual today. I remember the week we focused on the first church at Ephesus and I walked away extremely challenged and convicted. It was as if Jesus was talking directly to me in my own struggles and sin. Revelation 2:2-5 says ”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. 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.” The Ephesian church clearly was doing some things right. Their city was a major metropolis, famous for the temple of the Greek goddess, Artemis. Not only were they surrounded by pagan cult worship, but they also had many false teachers passing through. Because of these influences, Christians in Ephesus had become rich in discernment against heresy and worldliness, and they were commended for this. Unfortunately, they had lost the most important thing, a genuine love for Christ.
At its origin, the Ephesian church was zealous in its love for its Savior. They embraced their salvation with joy, so overwhelmed by the love of the Father which then turned to love for Him and others. In 1 John 4:19, we are reminded, “We love because he first loved us.” This love quickly spilled out into the dark world around them and the church grew as more people were saved through hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, as time went on they lost their zeal and passion for the Lord. Instead of good works overflowing out of love, they started going through the motions, motivated not by love, but perhaps by the works themselves. While their doctrine may have stayed true and pure, it did not matter. They lost their first love, the love for Christ. Without it, nothing else mattered.
This was a serious matter to the church then and it is just as serious (and prevalent) today. On a personal level, it hit me like a ton of bricks. How often do I get so worked up about defending the truth that I throw my love for others out the window? Pride creeps in and instead of love and compassion, I feel anger and judgment. Instead of responding in love, I respond with a critical spirit. I tell myself that I feel these things because of my love for God and His Word, but the gross reality is that when my love for others is lacking, my love for God is lacking. How often am I just going through the motions, doing things because it is how I have always done them? For the Ephesian church as well as for myself, the warning is strong and the consequence is detrimental and terrifying. The Lord warned that if they did not return to their first love, He would remove their lampstand. What was once a church that shined bright for Christ would have its witness taken away.