The Book of Revelation begins by revealing the heart of the resurrected Jesus for those He has left behind. He appears to the Apostle John in a vision while John is incarcerated on the island of Patmos for preaching the Good News of Christ. This Good News would have been offensive to the worship and loyalty of the many gods in the Roman Empire. Through John’s vision, Christ gives seven personal letters to seven churches (Revelation 2 – 3) that stood in contrast to the culture that was around them. These churches were located in what is now modern-day Turkey and were in one way or another probably started by the Apostle Paul. Christ begins with the church in the city of Ephesus which at one time was led by the Apostle John.

(Revelation 2:1-7)

“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise. 

People would have flocked to the city of Ephesus 2000 years ago because it was one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world. But right in the middle of this bustling pagan city was a thriving group of followers of Christ. Paul, John, and Timothy all ministered in this church. Tourists still flock to see the ruins of this city.

Something called the agora, which was the town market, was the place where most of the action happened in the city. Goods from all over the known world were sold and traded in this place. Some have said this was a modern-day mall on steroids. It was the center of life in the Roman world. But unfortunately for Christians, to gain entrance to the agora each person was required to stop by an incense burner to offer incense to the emperor as an act of loyalty. This would have been a challenge to Christians. How could they be loyal to Christ and to the emperor?

Ephesus was also the center of worship for at least 14 gods and goddesses, the goddess Artemis being the most famous. She was the goddess of fertility and life. A temple was erected for her that was one of the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus was the headquarters for worship to her. Worship to her was so vital to people that eventually the temple became the financial center of most commerce. In other words, the temple served as a bank. There were also festivals at the temple that often ended in orgies being led by hundreds of male and female prostitutes. What a challenge for Christ's followers! But possibly the greatest challenge to Christians was the worship of the emperor Domitian.

Ephesus had two temples for two different emperors. One to Augustus the divine and then the largest and most famous to Domitian. His temple was designed and constructed with statues of all the other gods holding up his structure signifying he was the greatest of them all. His statue alone was over fifty feet tall. This would have all been intimidating to the early church because, besides the horrible emperor Nero, Domitian was the worst in his persecution of Christians. Some of the names that these leaders would have used are savior, lord, master, son of man, and god. Everyone was to worship Caesar. John would have been exiled to the island of Patmos because of this kind of rule.

For the first three verses in chapter 2, Jesus commended this church. He praised them for working so hard in serving others and the church. He praised them for not tolerating evil. There were oracles or priests serving these gods, dwelling in the temple to Didymus, who interacted with demons and would do miraculous wonders powered by the underworld. These wonders would have manifested themselves as the priests would lead people into uncontrollable frenzies. But the church had not fallen into this evil and Jesus was praising them for it.

The Apostle Paul had preached in Ephesus. Preaching ideas like forgiving your enemies, showing love and compassion to all, and bringing your children up in the admonition of the Lord. This contrasts with the gods who said nothing like this. He was asking them to be like Christ in a Christless world. It seemed there was no compromise among them.

They had the opportunity time after time to give homage to these gods and just get along so they could live a stress-free life in the community. Jesus said they even hated the practices of the Nicolaitans who believed what was done in the body didn’t matter, it was only the soul. Therefore, they could eat meat sacrificed to idols and participate in sexual morality. But according to Jesus, they never gave in.

But then Jesus said something no one wants to hear, “I have something against you, “You have abandoned the love you had at first.” First means first in the order of priority and motivation. It’s what is most important.