The Reigning Christ Speaks: Ephesus

We often approach Revelation looking for timelines, end time expectations, global headlines, etc.. But the opening line of the book gives us something far more searching: “The revelation of Jesus Christ…” (Rev. 1:1, ESV)

And in that revelation, we see the risen Christ walking among seven golden lampstands (Rev. 1:12–13). The lampstands represent real churches in real places… including Ephesus, whose ruins still stand today along the western coast of modern Turkey. There’s stone streets, collapsed temples, and weathered amphitheaters. The church Jesus addressed once gathered there, and what He said to them still applies to us today.

Over the next seven weeks, I’ll be sharing what the Lord has been making clearer to me, as I’ve attempted to listen carefully to what the reigning Christ says to His churches in Revelation 2–3. These letters were first addressed to actual congregations in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Though specific instructions to specific churches in a specific time and place, they are also addressed to every church that has ears to hear… including ours.

Ephesus: A Church That Was Right… But Cooling

In His first message, to the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1–7), Jesus begins with commendation. They tested false apostles. They endured hardship. They refused to tolerate evil.

This was not a careless church, it wasn’t compromising. It wasn’t drifting doctrinally. And yet, Jesus says, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Rev. 2:4, ESV)

That line should cause every serious, Bible-loving church to pause. Because the question is not merely: Are we doctrinally sound? The question is: Is our love warm? Is it visible? Is it costly? Does it look like Christ?

Jesus cares deeply about both truth and tenderness, because truth without love is not maturity Throughout the New Testament, love is never treated as optional sentiment. It is covenantal evidence.

As the Apostle John writes elsewhere:
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar…” (1 John 4:20, ESV)

Love for Christ and love for His people are inseparable. You cannot guard the truth faithfully while neglecting the relational life that truth is meant to produce. It is possible to be careful in doctrine, clear in discernment, courageous in resistance, and yet quietly drift into a colder, sharper, less patient posture.

What’s going on is not scandalous, nor overt… it’s subtle. It’s potentially unrecognizable. The church in Ephesus had not denied the faith, they had cooled in affection. And Jesus takes that seriously.

Why This Matters for us… We live in a moment where clarity matters. Cultural pressure is real. False teaching is not imaginary. Conviction is necessary, but vigilance can slowly turn brittle. It's concerning when discernment becomes suspicion, or correction replaces compassion, or being right matters more than being gracious... becuase the church begins to lose something essential.

It’s important to grasp the reality that Jesus doesn’t rebuke Ephesus for their doctrine… in fact, He commends them for it. But… He will not allow doctrine to replace love.

So here’s the remedy he proposes: His call is simple and rather piercing “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Rev. 2:5, ESV) Notice: He does not say, “Feel what you once felt.” He says, “Do what you once did.” Love is rekindled through obedience… through embodied action… and through costly care.

Friends, love looks like:

• Staying calm when someone disappoints you.
• Giving your time when it would be easier to scroll or withdraw.
• Opening your home, even when it’s not perfectly clean.
• Telling the truth gently, as a means of grace.
• Choosing to stay when relationships get hard.
• Forgiving instead of keeping score.
• Praying for someone instead of criticizing them.

But love doesn’t only show up in “public” spaces, there’s opportunities to love in our kitchens and family rooms. Love also looks like:

• Being patient with your kids when you’re tired.
• Listening fully instead of multitasking.
• Saying, “I’m sorry,” first.
• Refusing to gossip.
• Encouraging more than correcting.
• Serving when no one notices.

That’s what love looks like, because that’s what reflects Christ.

An Invitation: You're invited to join me as I reflect on and consider each of the remaining 6 letters to the churches. Each one reveals something searching and strengthening about the church’s life under the reign of Christ:

1. A church that lost warmth.
2. A church that endured suffering.
3. A church tempted by compromise.
4. A church tolerating corruption.
5. A church with a reputation but no life.
6. A church with little power but real faithfulness.
7. A church that was lukewarm and self-deceived.

Each letter ends the same way: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7, ESV) Not to them only… but also to us. Revelation is not primarily a puzzle to decode. It serves as a mirror for us. It is an unveiling of the reigning Christ who searches hearts, strengthens saints, and calls His church to endure in love.

You can have your theology neatly lined up on the shelf… and still have a heart that’s grown cold. Jesus isn’t only asking, “Are you correct?” He’s asking, “Are you loving?”

So… Is our love warm? Is it visible? Is it costly? Does it look like Christ? The One who walks among the lampstands is near… that’s comforting, terrifying, and clarifying.

"Let us hear what the Spirit says to the churches."