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Revelation Lecture 3

RESTORE YOUR FIRST LOVE

Revelation 2:1-11

Key Verse 2:4-5a

1. To whom is each of the seven letters addressed (2:1a, 8a, 12a, 18a, 3:1a, 7a, 14a)? What was the historical background of the church in Ephesus (Ac 18:19-21; 19:1-20)? How does Jesus describe himself, and what does this reveal about his relationship with his churches (1b)?
2. What does Jesus commend the believers in Ephesus for (2-3)? What do “the practices of the Nicolaitans” refer to (6)?
3. What does Jesus hold against them (4)? What does it mean that they had “forsaken the love they had at first”? What does Jesus urge them to do, and what warning does he give them (5)?
4. How does Jesus describe himself in his message to the church in Smyrna (8b)? What does Jesus know about their afflictions, poverty, and persecution (9)? In what sense are they rich?
5. How does Jesus encourage them to face their coming suffering (10)? What does it mean to be “faithful, even to the point of death”? What promises does Jesus give to those who are victorious (7, 10b-11)?

Revelation Lecture 3 Aug. 23, 2026

YOU HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR FIRST LOVE

Revelation 2:1-7

Key Verse 2:4-5

“⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ 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. ”

Today, we begin our study of the seven churches in Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. All seven churches were located in the western part of present-day Türkiye. We can imagine a messenger arriving at Ephesus with the letter of Revelation and then traveling along the Roman road system from city to city. At each church, the whole book would have been read aloud to the congregation before being carried on to the next city. Therefore, Revelation was probably not sent as seven separate letters, one to each church. Rather, the entire book was a circular letter intended to be shared and read among all seven churches.

Of course, these were not the only churches in Asia Minor. There were also churches in places such as Colossae, Hierapolis, Miletus, and Troas. Why, then, did Jesus choose these particular seven churches? One reason may be that their spiritual conditions present a picture of the many different strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and dangers that churches may experience. The church in Ephesus worked hard and faithfully defended the truth, but it had forsaken its first love. The church in Smyrna suffered affliction and poverty, but it was spiritually rich. The church in Pergamum remained faithful to Jesus, but some of its members compromised with the world. The church in Thyatira was known for its love, faith, service, and perseverance, but it tolerated false teaching and sexual immorality. The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but in reality, it was spiritually dead. The church in Philadelphia had little strength, yet it remained faithful to God’s word. Finally, the church in Laodicea was materially wealthy but spiritually lukewarm. Now, do you know which two of the seven churches received commendations from Jesus without any rebuke? Yes, they were the churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia. I have heard that because of this, the members of Philadelphia UBF are very proud of their church’s name!

The messages to the seven churches generally follow a consistent pattern. First, Jesus commands John to write to the angel of the church. Then Jesus describes himself in a way that is especially meaningful to that church. Next, he commends the church for what it has done well. In most cases, he then identifies its sins or failures and calls the church to repent. Finally, he gives a promise to the one who overcomes it.

What do you think was Jesus’ purpose in sending these messages to the seven churches? Did he send them simply to condemn the churches? No. Jesus gave them these messages because he loved his churches. He wanted them to repent, be purified, bear abundant fruit, and glorify God. As we learned last week, Jesus is present among his churches. He sees their faithfulness, but he also sees their hidden sins. He wants them to overcome their weaknesses and stand firm in their faith. This is also what Jesus wants for us. As we listen to his messages to the seven churches, he wants us to examine our own spiritual condition honestly. He wants us to recognize and repent of our sins, receive his grace, and be spiritually restored.

Some interpreters believe that the seven churches prophetically represent seven successive periods of church history, beginning with the apostolic age and continuing until the second coming of Jesus. This is commonly called the “church-age interpretation.” However, rather than limiting each church to one particular period of history, I believe these seven churches portray various spiritual conditions that can be found in churches of every time and place. Therefore, Jesus’ messages to each church are also his words to our church today. We must examine ourselves honestly in light of his word, repent, and continue growing into a spiritually healthy and faithful church.

To be honest, preaching on Jesus’ messages to the seven churches is not easy. These passages contain very strong words of correction for his churches. We enjoy hearing messages about God’s love, grace, and blessings. But we do not always want to hear the words, “Repent.” This message is difficult for me to preach as well, because before I can call others to repentance, I must first repent myself. As I prepared this sermon throughout the week, I felt deeply troubled in my heart. I had to examine my own spiritual condition before the Lord. Still, this is the word of God, and we need to hear it. So, relying on the grace of Jesus, I will share this message with you. I pray that all of us may humbly open our hearts, listen to the voice of Jesus, repent of our sins, and experience true spiritual restoration.

Please look at verse 1. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” The words, “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write,” introduce the message. The same expression is repeated at the beginning of Jesus’ message to each of the seven churches. The word translated “angel” is the Greek word angelos, which can mean either “angel” or “messenger.” Some scholars understand this angel to be a leader of the church. Others believe it refers to a heavenly being who represents the church before God. But whatever interpretation we follow, the message is clearly intended for the whole church. Jesus is speaking to every member of the congregation.

Jesus then describes himself as the one “who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” We learned from Revelation 1:20 that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Notice that Jesus walks among them. Jesus is present among his churches. He knows their circumstances, their suffering, and their faithful service. He also sees their weaknesses, compromises, and hidden sins.

What kind of city was Ephesus? Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and the administrative capital of the Roman province of Asia. As a major port city, it was prosperous and commercially important. Religiously, Ephesus was famous for the worship of Artemis, a goddess associated with fertility and prosperity. The enormous temple of Artemis in Ephesus was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ spread powerfully even in this deeply pagan city. The apostle Paul first briefly visited Ephesus with his coworkers Priscilla and Aquila. Later, Apollos came to Ephesus and spoke boldly about Jesus. Afterward, Paul returned to Ephesus and remained there for about three years. He taught the word of God and raised disciples. Through this ministry, the gospel spread far beyond the city, and all the Jews and Greeks living in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Ephesus became an important missionary center for the evangelization of Asia Minor. After Paul left, he urged Timothy, his spiritual son, to remain in Ephesus and protect the church. By the time John received Jesus’ message for the Ephesian church, probably around thirty-five to forty years had passed after Paul’s ministry there. A new generation had entered the church, and its circumstances had changed considerably.

Look at verses 2 and 3: “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” These verses contain Jesus’ commendation of the church in Ephesus. What did Jesus praise them for?

First, the Ephesian believers worked hard and persevered for the name of Jesus. The city was filled with idol worship, yet the Ephesian believers continued to confess Jesus as Lord and serve him faithfully. They worked hard. They gathered for worship faithfully. They studied and obeyed the word of God fervently. They preached the gospel and cared for people in need. Even when they experienced opposition and hardship because of Jesus’ name, they persevered. They did not grow weary in their commitment to Christ.

Second, the Ephesian believers faithfully defended the truth. They refused to tolerate evil practices and false teaching within the church. During that time, traveling teachers sometimes visited churches, claiming to be apostles and teaching false doctrines. The Ephesian believers did not accept everyone simply because they claimed to speak for God. They carefully tested their teachings according to the truth of the gospel and discovered that some of them were false apostles. They knew the gospel, stood firmly on its truth, and protected the church from spiritual deception. Verse 6 also says that they hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. We do not know exactly who the Nicolaitans were, but they appear to have encouraged compromise with the surrounding pagan culture, including idolatry and sexual immorality. The Ephesian believers firmly rejected such practices.

The church in Ephesus seems like an excellent church, doesn’t it? But there was also something deeply important missing from their life of faith.

Please look at verse 4: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” The expression “I hold this against you” is very strong. This was not a small problem that Jesus could simply overlook. Their failure was so serious that it overshadowed all the good things Jesus had just mentioned. They worked hard, persevered through hardship, and defended the truth. Yet one thing was missing, and that one thing was essential.

What was their most serious spiritual problem? Jesus said, “You have forsaken the love you had at first.” What does this mean? It does not necessarily mean that they had stopped loving Jesus altogether. They were still working hard for his name, enduring hardship, and defending the truth. Their faithful service showed that they still loved Jesus. But Jesus was no longer the first and greatest love of their hearts. When they first received the gospel, they were overwhelmed by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. He was their greatest joy and most precious treasure. They wanted to know him, spend time with him, and please him. They also loved one another deeply because of the love they had received from him. Serving Jesus was not merely a responsibility; it was their joy. But over the years, something gradually changed. They continued doing many of the same good works, but their hearts were no longer as deeply devoted to Jesus as before. Their service remained, but the love that had once inspired it was fading. Other things had begun to compete with Jesus for first place in their hearts. Outwardly, they still looked like faithful believers. Inwardly, however, their hearts were drifting away from Jesus. They had not abandoned their Christian faith, but they had abandoned the wholehearted love they once had.

Why was this so serious? Was Jesus being too harsh? No. Jesus knew that religious activity without a loving relationship with him could not sustain them forever. If their hearts continued to drift away from him, their service would eventually become nothing more than duty. They might continue doing many things for Jesus without actually enjoying fellowship with him. It is like a marriage in which a husband and wife continue fulfilling their responsibilities but no longer share their hearts with each other. Imagine a married couple who have lost their first love. They still live in the same house. They go to work, earn money, care for their children, buy groceries, and take care of things around the house. They may even prepare gifts for birthdays and anniversaries. Both of them faithfully fulfill their responsibilities. But they no longer look into each other’s eyes and talk. They are no longer interested in what the other person is thinking or feeling. They live together because they are supposed to, not because they enjoy being together. They continue doing all the right things, but the warmth of love is gone. Of course, love is more than a feeling. After many years of marriage, a husband and wife may no longer feel the same excitement they experienced when they first met. But that does not mean they have lost their love. In fact, their love can grow deeper over the years as they understand, protect, forgive, and care for one another. A marriage that has lost its first love is different. The problem is not simply the loss of romantic excitement. The problem is that the relationship has become little more than duty. The husband and wife continue doing what married people are supposed to do, but they no longer share their hearts with each other.

In the same way, the Ephesian believers continued doing the work of Jesus, but they were losing their loving relationship with Jesus. Their hands were busy serving him, but their hearts were drifting away from him. Jesus did not want only their hard work; he wanted their love. He did not want them merely to work for him. He wanted them to enjoy fellowship with him. When we lose our first love for Jesus and begin to love other things more than him, our hearts gradually drift away from him. This can happen so slowly that we hardly notice it. But if we continue in that direction, we may eventually turn away from Jesus. That is why God commands us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” God desires our wholehearted love because only he can satisfy and sustain our hearts. He does not want to be merely one of the many things we love. He wants to be the first and greatest love of our lives.

Think back to when you first met Jesus. Do you remember the joy and excitement you felt at that time? When I first met Jesus, I was deeply moved by his love and fell in love with him. From that moment on, my life completely changed. Filled with the joy of my first love for him, I wanted to spend time with Jesus every day and know him more deeply. I listened to praise songs on my way to school. I enjoyed my Bible studies. I got up early in the morning to pray. Every day, I read Daily Bread and wrote a reflection. I also wrote long reflections after Bible studies. I gave up my personal dreams and decided to live for Jesus. At the age of twenty-five, I went to Venezuela as a missionary, even though I knew almost nothing about the country. I worked hard on the mission field. There were many difficulties, but I was happy because I loved Jesus and believed that I was living for him. However, there have also been times when I lost my first love. Whenever that happened, Jesus helped me recognize my sin and turn my heart back to him.

But how am I doing now? To be honest, I was physically exhausted last week, perhaps because I was still recovering from my recent mission trips. As my body grew tired, I began to lose the joy of spending time with Jesus. I could not pray deeply. Even preparing a sermon began to feel burdensome. I was still doing the work of God, but my heart was not fully enjoying Jesus. Through this passage, Jesus helped me examine my heart. He reminded me that he does not want me merely to work for him. He wants me to love him, enjoy his presence, and serve him out of that love. I realized that I needed to turn my heart back to Jesus and renew my first love for him.

Jesus says, “Consider how far you have fallen!” The first step in recovering our first love is to recognize and honestly accept our present spiritual condition. In other words, Jesus tells us, “Remember where you once were, and look at where you are now.” We need to remember how we loved and served Jesus in the beginning and honestly compare it with how we love and serve him today. How eagerly did we once seek him? How joyfully did we study his word and pray? How willing were we to sacrifice for him? And what is the condition of our hearts now?

Then Jesus says, “Repent and do the things you did at first.” Repentance means turning our hearts and lives in a new direction. We must turn away from whatever has taken first place in our hearts and return to Jesus. We must also “do the things” we did at first: spending personal time with him, listening to his word, praying sincerely, worshiping him joyfully, obeying his commands, loving others, and sharing the gospel. We do these things because we love Jesus and want to draw close to him.

Jesus then gives a serious warning: “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Since the lampstand represents the church, removing it means that we will lose our purpose as Jesus’ church if we refuse to repent and recover our first love. May God help us honestly examine our hearts. May we repent of whatever has taken the place of Jesus, return to him, and recover our first love. Amen.