Why would God forsake a Church?
Revelations 2:1-7
This final written message that John recorded to the congregation in Ephesus was one of approval and also correction. What I see God relaying to this assembly was that He too detests the false teachers, but He also sees that the church has moved away from their first love or their most important purpose and that was to win souls to Christ and baptize them as Paul and his disciples had taught them to do under the leading of the Holy Spirit.God said - "to all who can hear" - this signifies that there were some in their assembly who were fooling people into believing that they were followers of Christ, yet who were not able to hear the words of the Spirit speaking through God's messenger. So God said to them, "listen closely church! Don't get caught up with who is obeying and who isn't, but pray for them and keep moving in the right direction!"
Finally, God lays down some conditions for this congregation and the true followers of Christ. He warns them that they had better repent and get back to their first love (witnessing) or He will come swiftly and remove their candlestick unless they repent. God isn't going to put up with compromising, lukewarm people claiming Him as their God, yet not even living for His purpose.
On the other hand, those who did what the messenger instructed them to do; God said that they will eat from the tree of eternal life in the paradise of God (yet to come). Look at the drastic difference of outcomes that are presented here by God Almighty to the church of Ephesus. Yes, it applied to the issues at hand in their church, but could we apply it to our congregations today? Sure we can. Some will tell you it doesn't, but I ask, "Why not?" Some will say God is changing with the times and people are different and that God views the world and the church different. Then why hasn't He sent more disciples to rewrite the Bible and why does the Holy Bible prophecy the destruction of the world?
Would we be afraid of this kind of message if an angel showed up in our churches across the globe today? Would we need to make any changes in our behavior and repent?
Bottom line, are we doing what we were first appointed to do as believers? Were we taught about the first love of witnessing and how a believer is to serve God in word and deed?
Spreading the gospel is the message to the early church and it still ought to be our first love today. We must do more than just agree. We must act on the great commission of our Lord to reach out to the world around us for Christ. The candlestick represents the light of God's Word shining in a world where sin is prevalent. Christ wants the flame of His candlestick (the church) to be used to light your and my candles and then we will go and take this flame to light the way of our neighbors and our associates and family members who do not have this light shining in their lives already.
This is our first love! Keeping the candle's flame shining forth and I truely believe that those who do this will one day eat from the tree of life that grows in the middle of the paradise of God. Yes, eating with the church of Ephesus and all who carried the Light since the world was created. (Rev.2:7)
But to those who do not listen, "Take Heed!". God also warns that He will take this candlestick away without repentance and returning to their first affection and first work. (Rev. 2:4-5) What would life be without the presence of His Light in our lives?
"Desolate" is the word that comes to my mind. I would be desolate and lost in my iniquity (my sinfulness). The warning of the desolation of the sinner (to be left to themselves) has been proclaimed once more in this final book of Revelations and it's message is directed with no doubt to the members of the church; but only those who will hear will respond to the Spirit's message.
Revelations 2:7
"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the middle of the paradise of God. "
