Revelation 2: How Is Your First Love?
Verse of the Day: (V4) “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
1. First (V1-7)
V1 “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;”
God through John revealed His judgment on the seven churches or golden candlesticks and - the first church to be judged was - the church at Ephesus. They had left their first love which was the most important proof of their faith in God. They had done everything right - they preached God’s Word and cast out false preachers - yet God rebuked them for leaving their first love. God warned them that He shall remove the golden candlestick or His glory from them, unless they would repent of their hypocrisy, and return to their first love. Indeed, the church can be serving God, but if they are doing everything mechanically and routinely, and without sincerity and truth - they have left their first love!
2. Fear (V8-17)
V10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
God commended the second church - the church at Smyrna - because they were faithful amid intense persecution and even death. God encouraged them to fear not suffering, persecution or even death, because He shall be with them in life and in death, and one day He shall reward them with crowns of life in His home in glorious heaven. God then judged the third church - the church at Pergamos. Though they had faith in God yet they had subscribed to the doctrine of Balaam - the sins of idolatry - and also the doctrine of the Nicolaitans - the sins of the flesh. In other words, they were living double lives - on one hand, they seemed to be Christians as they attended and worshipped God in church, yet on the other hand, they seemed to be unbelievers as they lived in sins and wickedness.
3. Faith (V18-29)
V19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
God judged the fourth church – the church at Thyatira – and found them guilty. Though they had works, love, service, faith and patience – yet they had not complete faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - they had actually allowed Jezebel, a female false prophetess, to teach and lead them to immorality and idolatry. God warned them to repent of their sins, otherwise they were reaped the severe consequences of His wrath and judgement on them.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always keep my first love with You now and forever.
