• “To the angel [ἄγγελος aggelos – messenger, most likely a human leader; cf. Luke 7:24, 27; 9:52] of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand [emphasizing sovereignty], the One who walks [περιπατέω peripateo – lit. walks about – emphasizing His omnipresence] among the seven golden lampstands [i.e. churches], says this: 2 ‘I know [οιδα oida – to have seen, or perceived; hence to know – emphasizing omniscience] your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure [βαστάζω bastazo – take up, bear, tolerate] evil men, and you put to the test [doctrinally] those who call themselves apostles [i.e. men sent by God], and they are not, and you found them to be false [2 Cor. 11:13; 1 John 4:1; perhaps the Nicolaitans mentioned in vs. 6]; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love [πρῶτος protos – first, chief]. 5 ‘Remember [μνημονεύω mnemoneuo – remember, to call to mind] therefore from where you have fallen [like the prodigal son; Luke 15:17-18], and repent [μετανοέω metanoeo – change one’s mind, or purpose] and do the deeds you did at first [“do” – ποιέω poieo – aor/act/imp – to make, do – i.e. direct the will to action]; or else I am coming to you [divine discipline], and will remove your lampstand out of its place [shut down the church] -- unless you repent. 6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans [a group that endorsed other religions and their licentious practices], which I also hate. 7 ‘He who has an ear [i.e. spiritual capacity and willingness to understand], let him hear [ἀκούω akouo - aor/act/imp – to hear, listen] what the Spirit says to the churches [i.e. requires of all churches]. To him who overcomes [νικάω nikao – to prevail, conquer, overcome – pres/act/part – lit. to him who is overcoming], I will grant to eat of the tree of life [see Rev. 22:14], which is in the Paradise of God [in heaven].’ (Rev. 2:1-7)

Summary:

     Ephesus was the Roman capital city of Asia Minor. “Paul had evangelized it and used it as a base of operations for at least three years (Acts 18:19–21; 19; 1 Cor. 16:8). Timothy had labored there (1 Tim. 1:3) as had the Apostle John.”[1] Jesus identifies Himself as the One who is present at the church at Ephesus and knows their deeds, that they do not tolerate evil men and test and reject those who falsely call themselves apostles (Rev. 2:1-2). He also recognizes their faithful perseverance during persecution (Rev. 2:3). However, in spite of their doctrinal purity and faithfulness, they had “left their first love” (Rev. 2:4). Jesus tells them to remember, repent (twice), and return to practicing the deeds they did at first (Rev. 2:5a). Christian love motivates us to good deeds, and good deeds fan the flames of love. Refusal to love will result in the removal of their lampstand, which is a picture of judgment upon a stagnant church (Rev. 2:5b). Christ then offers praise for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, a group that promoted acceptance of pagan religions, which has no place in the Christian church. Jesus then calls them to hear what the Holy Spirit says to the churches, “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). In one sense, we overcome the world by our faith in Jesus (1 John 5:4-5), and in another sense we ove