Where's the Love?!

The Book That Promises a Blessing!

A study of the book of Revelation

by Pastor Frank Rice

Revelation 2:1-7

The above query is usually heard among jovial friends and is normally intended to bring laughter or at least a smile. But someone has said that behind every bit of humor there is a bit of truth. Seriously, there are certain occasions that we expect love to be expressed in a tangible way. When love is not sensed, we may wonder about motivation. “I don’t feel the love” is not funny.

As we begin our study of the seven churches, we discover that most of them are not ideal. They’re not what God intended. So what does He intend for His people? Figure it out and fix it! Let’s get started.

 

v      Note the pattern of seven in the seven letters to the churches!

1.      Each letter is addressed to the pastor in a particular city.

2.      Jesus is depicted in His glory in terms introduced in chapter 1.

3.      Intimate knowledge associated with each church is shared.

4.      A commendation or a correction is offered as needed.

5.      A prescription for correcting deficiencies is written.

6.      There is warning of future reprisal if the prescription is ignored.

7.      An eschatological promise is given for positive responders.

v      Keep in mind the following:

1.      Some have understood the seven churches “as a historical plan prophesying the seven future periods of the church age” from the day of Pentecost to the rapture of the church. That is an intriguing possibility but not a probability. 

2.      These are real and representative churches of every period of church history and every area of the world. Their problems are typical as are their positives. Churches pass thru phases of each.

v      Main characters in this first letter are introduced (v. 1).

1.      The letter is written to the pastor (this seems to make the most sense) but every letter will be read to every church on the circuit (v. 7a)! The Spirit to the churches.

2.      The city and assembly in Ephesus is where John had invested significant time and energy as their pastor.

3.      The ultimate Author of this letter is described in striking terms.

(a)   Jesus is the one who cares for, controls, authorizes, and holds accountable the pastor of each church! (Sobering!)

(b)   Jesus is the one who watches and watches over believers in each local church. (Both comforting and convicting.)

v      This assembly has multiple commendable qualities (vv. 2-3 & 6)!

1.      This congregation is commended for their deeds and for their dedication (vv. 2a & 3). They had worked, labored, and endured to the point of exhaustion! They are not slackers or spectators!

2.      Jesus had observed their busyness and their constant efforts to minister to the needs of others. It did not go unnoticed!

3.      This congregation is commended for their doctrinal stance (vv. 2b & 6). They’d examined men claiming apostolic authority and exposed them as liars. They despised, as did Jesus, those who used religion to oppress the masses.

4.      The term tested “is the basic term in both the OT and NT for a critical examination of a person’s claims.” (Osborne)

5.      There is no room for niceties when it comes to labeling heretics! “It was evident that they were a pack of liars, pretending to be something they were not.” (Osborne)

6.      Jesus had noticed their sincere concern for guarding truth. Doctrinal discrimination is essential. It must be rightly motivated and graciously done. Jesus hatred is directed toward the practices of certain people not the people! (Take note.)

v      This assembly needs to make corrections in only one area (v. 4)! But this is a major area!

1.      In spite of all their commendable qualities, there is one area that does not pass muster; Jesus said so!

2.      They had forgotten or drifted away from their first love. This undoubtedly refers to their motivation for doing the above.

3.      This seems to be a clear reference to the great commandment to love God and love people (Mark 12:29-31 & 2 Cor 5:14).

4.      Doing lots of what’s right never excuses doing what’s wrong! “All that the Ephesian Christians are doing right is not sufficient to excuse what they are doing wrong. The fatal flaw in their behavior is their lack of love.” (Keener)

 

v      Jesus provides the steps to recovery from lovelessness (v. 5). They are simple and straightforward!

1.      The first step in recovery is to remember and reflect. There used to be a time when you were enraptured with your newfound relationship with Jesus. Remember?

2.      The second step is to repent. Repentance is a mental thing eventuating in changed behavior, an admission of wrong, request for forgiveness, and change of attitude and affection.

3.      The third step is to return. Do what you did initially, but with a renewed love for the Savior. The first works were not wrong, but these same works had become wrongly motivated.

4.      If steps to recovery are not taken seriously and implemented (individually & corporately), Jesus will personally and suddenly shut things down! (This is sobering and scary!)

 

v      Jesus closes His correspondence with an urgent promise (v. 7).

1.      The individuals who make up the church are urged to listen attentively and apply what the Holy Spirit is saying to them and to the corporate church!

2.      This is no place for Pharisee-ism! “Lord, I thank you that we are not like the church at…”

3.      Those who believe the Gospel are born of God and are promised eternal life (1 John 5:4-5). They will participate in the Tree of Life in the presence of God (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor 12:4).

 

Good deeds and doctrinal sincerity are important, but love for God eventuating in love for people cannot be overlooked.