We continue Alison's series "the labour of love", reflections on the letter to the Ephesians in Revelation 2:1-7. We have considered its author, its recipients and its subject. We have heard how the Ephesian church was persevering and pure, yet passionless. Listen carefully to what comes next...
Having assessed the health of the Ephesian church, Christ then delivers a warning that is as chilling as their love - their light will go out. Christ graciously delivers the warning with a call to repent;
“I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5b).
In John’s vision the church is symbolised by a lampstand. Christ will turn out the lights of the church that labours without love, does not repent and does not act to recover their lost love. Yes, faithful, individual believers will remain, but like unrepentant Israel, the loveless church of Christ will lose their status as God’s people if they don’t repent.
Christ is not speaking of a renovation rescue on the church, but the very real possibility of a knock down!
Christ, the Lord of the church, will not sustain a gathering of people, in his name, whose loveless witness no longer glorifies him. He is perfectly able to build another church that will walk in love.
In Ephesus, apparently there is no longer a Christian church! What is there is a plaque commemorating John the apostle – a sobering reminder of the timelessness of his message!
Isn’t this a wake up call for “last days” people? People like us!
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