Returning to our first love
The opening chapters of the book of Revelation contain seven letters dictated by the risen Christ to seven churches in Asia Minor. These were real churches, with real people and real struggles, yet the Spirit intended their messages to echo across the centuries into the life of the global church. In each letter, Christ examines the heart of His people, commends what is commendable, warns what is dangerous, and promises eternal reward to those who endure in faith.
Revelation 2:1–11 addresses two congregations, Ephesus and Smyrna. Both faced spiritual pressures, yet their challenges differed. The Ephesian church was orthodox and disciplined but spiritually drifting. The Smyrna church was persecuted and poor but spiritually rich. Taken together, these letters remind us of the deep concern Christ has for both the truth we proclaim and the love we cultivate.
At the center of this passage is a piercing rebuke:
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4)
The church at Ephesus was diligent in ministry, discerning in doctrine, and steadfast in endurance, but something essential was missing. Their love for Christ and for one another had cooled. They had the structure of devotion but lacked the fire of sincerity. This is the danger for every believer because we're all prone to make the mistake of maintaining activity for God without fostering intimacy with Him.
Let's walk through this passage, verse by verse, to see what Christ said to Ephesus and Smyrna, and what He says to us.
Christ Among His Churches (Revelation 2:1)
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.’” (Revelation 2:1)
Before Christ addresses the Ephesian church, He reveals something about Himself. He holds the seven stars (messengers of the churches) and walks among the lampstands (the churches themselves). This imagery reminds us of two truths:
- Christ’s authority — He holds the stars in His hand. Nothing escapes His control. He isn't a distant observer. Rather, He sustains and governs His people.
- Christ’s presence — He walks among the lampstands. He is with His church, inspecting, caring, and correcting.
In many respects, this reminds me of the Old Testament imagery of God walking among His people that we see later in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 26:12 says, “And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” The risen Christ fulfills this covenant promise, dwelling with those He has redeemed and ensuring that their witness shines.
This is both comforting and sobering. Comforting, because we are never alone. Sobering, because Christ examines us closely. He knows the truth of our devotion.
Commendation for the Church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:2–3, 6)
“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” (Revelation 2:2–3)
“Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2:6)
Jesus begins this message with an affirmation. The Ephesian church excelled in labor, endurance, and doctrinal discernment. They weren't casual about sin or sloppy about truth. They tested teachers, exposed false apostles, and resisted corrupt practices like those of the Nicolaitans (a group promoting compromise with idolatry and immorality).
From a human perspective, most of us would probably say this was a model church. If you visited Ephesus, you would find serious Bible teaching, faithful service, and moral clarity. They endured hardships for Christ’s name without quitting. Even today, if you were visiting a local church for the first time and witnessed some of these traits, you would probably be impressed.
But as important as these virtues are, they aren't enough. Orthodoxy without love becomes cold. Service without affection for Christ becomes mechanical. Discipline without devotion becomes lifeless.
For this reason, Jesus rebukes the church at Ephesus. There was something key that they had made the mistake of abandoning. What was it?
The Rebuke: Losing Our First Love (Revelation 2:4)
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4)
This is where we're shown the heart of the issue. Despite all their strengths, Christ saw what was missing. Their first love, which was their original devotion, joy, and affection for Christ, had waned. They were still active, but their activity lacked intimacy. They were still orthodox, but their orthodoxy lacked warmth.
This is one of the greatest dangers for mature believers and seasoned churches. Over time, it can be far too easy to replace a vibrant relationship with Christ with routines, programs, or theological correctness. We begin with passion, but risk settling into performance. Sadly, I have personally witnessed this pattern play itself out in multiple churches over the course of my life. It's heartbreaking.
The prophet Jeremiah recorded God’s lament over Israel regarding a similar issue:
“I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.” (Jeremiah 2:2)
But then He adds:
“What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?” (Jeremiah 2:5)
Do you see the similarity? The Ephesians had lost the freshness of their early devotion. This wasn't a minor issue. Christ said, “I have this against you.” The seriousness of His words should stand out to us and sincerely convict us. A church can be busy and correct yet still fall short of what Christ desires most, which is love.
The Remedy: Remember, Repent, and Return (Revelation 2:5)
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5)
If we're willing to take Christ's admonition to the church personally, we can see that He provides a helpful, threefold prescription. Each part of the prescription should be easy for us to recall because all three aspects begin with the letter "R".
- Remember — Recall the freshness of your early devotion. Think back to when the gospel first captured your heart, when worship was joyful, prayer was natural, and sincere love overflowed.
- Repent — Turn back. Don't excuse or minimize the drift. Repentance isn't only for unbelievers. It's the ongoing posture of those who believe. We confess our cooling hearts to Jesus and seek renewal.
- Return — Do the works you did at first. This doesn't mean more activity, but renewed motivation. Serve Christ out of love, not obligation. Pray with longing, not duty.
Christ warns the church that their failure to repent would result in the removal of their lampstand. Their witness would be extinguished. This echoes Israel’s experience in the Old Testament. When they forsook their covenant love, God allowed their temple to be destroyed and their nation to be scattered. Love is not optional. It's central to God’s covenant people.
This also calls us personally to examine our own hearts. Have we drifted? Do we serve out of routine instead of delight? Do we defend truth without showing love? Jesus isn't only concerned with what we do but with why we do it.
The Reward: To the One Who Conquers (Revelation 2:7)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Christ concluded His message to Ephesus with a promise. To those who conquer (who repent, return, and persevere), He offers eternal life in God’s presence. The “tree of life” brings our minds back to Genesis 2–3, when Adam and Eve were barred from it after sin. Through Christ, access is restored. Paradise lost becomes paradise regained.
This is our motivation. Not fear of lampstand removal, but hope of eternal fellowship with Christ. Love fuels endurance because it's rooted in the promise of glory.
The Smyrna Church: Faithful in Suffering (Revelation 2:8–11)
After addressing Ephesus, Christ turned to Smyrna:
“The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Revelation 2:8–9)
Unlike Ephesus, Smyrna received no rebuke, only encouragement. They were persecuted, slandered, and impoverished, yet they were spiritually wealthy. Christ identifies with them as the One who “died and came to life.” He is the model and guarantee of their victory.
Jesus tells them:
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Whereas Ephesus needed to rekindle love, Smyrna needed courage to endure suffering. Both challenges require the same root, which is deep love for Christ. Love empowers us to repent when we drift and to endure when we suffer.
Returning to Our First Love
So, what does this mean for us? Revelation 2:1–11 calls us to examine two key areas:
- Our affection for Christ — Have we abandoned the love we had at first? Do we still delight in Him, or has our walk become mechanical?
- Our endurance in trials — Are we willing to suffer for His name, trusting His promise of life?
Let’s apply this personally.
1. Love Before Labor
Activity isn't a substitute for affection. We can preach sermons, teach classes, volunteer in ministries, and defend sound doctrine, but if our love for Christ is waning, we're in danger.
Think of marriage. I have been married for almost three decades at this point. A husband may provide, protect, and remain faithful in action, but if his affection for his wife has grown cold, the relationship suffers. In the same way, Christ desires our hearts, not just our hands.
When Israel was commanded to love God, it wasn't primarily about rituals but relationship:
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
This is still God’s expectation for His people.
2. Repentance as Renewal
The call to repent isn't condemnation, but an invitation. It means we can be restored. No matter how far our love has drifted, Christ offers renewal if we turn back.
David prayed after his sin:
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)
It's stands out to me that he prayed not only for forgiveness but for renewed joy. That is what Christ offers: joyful intimacy restored.
3. Love That Endures
Love not only draws us back when we drift but also sustains us when we suffer. Smyrna’s faithfulness in persecution flowed from their love for Christ. When He is our first love, we will remain faithful even in the face of death because we know He has conquered death.
Song of Solomon 8:7 says:
“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” (Song of Solomon 8:7)
Many trials cannot quench the love of a heart rooted in Christ.
Hearing and Heeding
Christ ends both letters with the phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This isn't just history; it's the Holy Spirit’s living word to us today.
There is urgency to this message:
- To the orthodox but loveless: Return to your first love.
- To the persecuted but faithful: Endure to the end.
And to all: Christ promises life, paradise, and glory.
Don't make the mistake of settling for mechanical religion. Don't fear suffering. Let's be people who love Christ passionately, serve Him faithfully, and endure courageously.
Like the psalmist says;
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)
May our first love always be our greatest love, our Lord Jesus Christ.
© John Stange, 2025