Rekindle That First Love -EPHESUS

JESUS' first message is the congregation in Ephesus, at that time a thriving coastal city of Asia Minor close 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 lampstads." (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 his is inspecting all the congregations.  Down into our own time, he has continued to exercise loving headship, watching over the elders  and kindly shepherding all associated with the congregation  From time to time,  he adjusts  congregational arrangements so that light can shine more brightly. Yes, Jesus is the Chief Shepherd over the flock of God. - MATTHEW 11:28-30; 1 PETER 5:2-4. 

Jesus sets a pattern for all but two of his seven messages by opening with warm words of commendation.  For the Ephesians, he has 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 own tireless example.  (Acts 20:29. 31)    Since Jesus now 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." (2 Corinthians 11:13; Acts 20:30; Revelation 1:10)   They see good in all the conflicting sectarian religions, claim that God does not have an organization, and deny that Jesus   received Kingdom power in 1914. They fulfill the prophecy at 2 Peter 3:3, 4:  "In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying:  'Where is this promised presence of his?  Why from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creations beginning." 

These ridiculers rebel at the thought of making public declaration of of their faith.  (Romans10:10)   They have enlisted the support of Christendom's clergy and the aid of news journals and TV stations to spread lying reports about their former associates. Faithful ones soon find that the speech and conduct of these deceivers do not ring true.  Like the Ephesians, Christians today "cannot bear bad men," so they disfellowship them from their congregations. 

Next time: Rekindle That First Love - Conclusion of EPHESUS

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