August 7, 2023

Revelation 2:1-11  (HCSB)
The Letter to Ephesus
2 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise. The Letter to Smyrna
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.

Adrian Bullard
What a way to begin the week! It is encouraging that Jesus notices and compliments the church of Ephesus for their diligent faith. Through our walk with Christ sometimes we begin to question our path, but we see here that God acknowledges and appreciates our endurance in hard times. “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance and that you cannot tolerate evil” (vs 3). The church of Ephesus has begun to live outside of the faith and Jesus is telling them they need to get back on track, because He still has a place in heaven for them. How are we able to get back on a straighter path with God? Repent. To repent is to turn around and go the opposite direction. God knows we will sin but repentance is the opportunity to apologize and live well with Him again. “... I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place-unless you repent” (vs 5). In the last verses of this passage we get a visual of how the church of Smyrna has been suffering. Jesus encourages them to continue being faithful and not forsake His name through their upcoming trials and a place in heaven will remain for them. “Share in suffering as a good soldier in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2-3)