Revelation 2:1-6  "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;

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:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

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.

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."


Revelation 2:1-6 contains important lessons for individuals, churches, and leaders. It was a letter from Jesus to the church in Ephesus, encouraging the Christians there to remember their first love, and warning them of the consequences of disobedience.

The first lesson is the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In verse 4, Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for their good works, their perseverance, and their ability to discern false teachers. However, He also pointed out that they have “left [their] first love.” In other words, they have become so focused on doing good things in the name of Jesus that they have forgotten the personal relationship they once had with Him. This is a danger that can affect any Christian, and it is a reminder that our faith is not about following rules or performing tasks, but about knowing Jesus and being known by Him.

No one can walk for God beyond his walk with Him


The second lesson is the need to guard against false teachings. In verse 2, Jesus praised the church in Ephesus for their ability to test those who claim to be apostles and are not, but He also warned that they must continue to remain vigilant. False teachings can be subtle and convincing, and they can lead individuals and entire churches astray. It is therefore important to know the truth of God’s Word, be discerning about what we hear and read, and be willing to correct others in love when necessary.


The third lesson is the importance of perseverance in the face of trials and difficulties. Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for their endurance and perseverance in the midst of hardships (verse 3), but also warned them to continue holding fast to their faith, lest they be led astray by false teachers or become complacent in their walk with God. Similarly, today’s Christians must remain steadfast in their faith during difficult times, trusting in the sovereignty and goodness of God even when circumstances seem unbearable.


The fourth lesson is the need to repent when we have fallen away from God. In verse 5, Jesus warned the church in Ephesus that unless they repent and do the works they did at first, He will remove their lamp stand. This is a serious warning, as the lamp stand represents the presence of God in the midst of the church. If the church in Ephesus did not repent, they would lose the very thing that gave them light and life. This is a reminder that when we sin or fall away from God, we must quickly repent and turn back to Him.