“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5).
For some, the word “repent” is associated with the image of a wild-eyed radical who carries a sign warning others that “The End Is Near!” However, repentance actually involves a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. Genuine repentance (like the kind mentioned here in Revelation 2:5) thus implies more than just a feeling of sorrow or regret.
Genuine repentance always involves action, much like a motor vehicle driver might stop from going the wrong way by making a U-turn. In this instance, “turning around” for the Ephesian Christians meant returning to Christ as their first love (Revelation 2:4). Those who prioritize their relationship with Jesus through prayer and daily devotional readings in the Scriptures are those who are well positioned to maintain this kind of “first love” relationship with Him.
However, a “first love” relationship with Christ isn’t just a good idea, for there are repercussions for those who choose an alternative path…
“…If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Revelation 2:5 NIV).
If we fail to put our relationship with Christ first, we set a negative example for those around us. We also face the prospect of losing the good things that God seeks to give those who genuinely love Him. In such instances, a church or an individual may continue to self-identify as “Christian” with little or no connection to Christ, except in name only.
Unfortunately, this seems to be the fate that befell the Christian community at Ephesus. That busy, dynamic city of the first century is little more than a ruin today and the church there has long since ceased to exist. This historic overview reminds us that we make real choices in real time each day. Those choices lead to real consequences that may produce a lasting effect in the present, as well as the future. Thus, we ignore this admonition at our risk.
Now this is a point within this letter where we might expect Jesus to conclude His remarks. However, He had one additional message to share with the church at Ephesus: “But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6 NIV). There are only two places in the entire New Testament where Jesus expresses His hatred for something. Those two places are here in Revelation chapter two. We’ll consider this emotionally charged response next.