Rekindle That First Love!

Jesus' first message is to the congregation in Ephesus, at that time a thriving coastal city of Asia Minor close to the isle of Patmos. He commands John: "To the angel of the congregation in Ephesus write: These are the things that he says who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." (Revelation 2:1) As in the other six messages, Jesus here draws attention to a feature denoting his authoritative position. He reminds the overseers in Ephesus that all elders are under his own protective oversight and that he is inspecting all the congregations. Down into our 20Th century, he has continued to exercise this loving headship, watching over the elders and kindly shepherding all associated with the congregation. From time to time, he adjusts congregational arrangements so that the light can shine more brightly. Yes, Jesus is the Chief Shepherd over the flock of God.-Matthew 11:28-30; 1Peter.5:2-4.

Jesus then sets a pattern for all but two of his seven messages by opening with warm words of commendation. For the Ephesians, he had this message: "I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars. You are also showing endurance, and you have borne up for my name's sake and have not grown weary." (Revelation 2:2, 3) Years before, the apostle Paul had warned the Ephesian elders about "oppressive wolves," apostate disturbers of the flock, and had told those elders to "keep awake," following his own tireless example. (Acts 20:29, 31) Since Jesus not commends them for their labor and endurance and for not growing weary, they must have applied that counsel.

During the Lord's day, too, there have appeared "false apostles" who "speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves." (2Corinthians 11:13; Acts 20:30; Revelation 1:10) They see good in all the conflicting sectarian religions, claim God does not have an organization, and deny that Jesus received Kingdom power in 1914. They fulfill the prophecy at 2Peter 3:3, 4: "In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: 'Where is the promised presence of his? why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning.' "

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