Rev. 2:1-7 Devotional Scripture - Walk in His Redeeming Love

In Revelation 2–3, Jesus writes letters to seven churches. We can understand the state of each of the churches and our own walk with the Jesus by looking at what Jesus has to say to each church. Each letter represents Jesus in a role that is uniquely fitting for that particular church. The first letter he wrote was to the church at Ephesus.  In this letter Jesus introduces himself as:

He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.       Revelation 2:1

These images point to the authority of Jesus in the church and His immediate presence in the church. He holds these churches securely in His right hand.  In the same way, Jesus holds you securely in His righteous right hand

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.      Isaiah 41:10

He commends the church for their hard work and how they didn’t put up with false prophets. He applauds them for the way they endure, with patience, their trials and adversities and how they labored tirelessly but did not grow weary.  He has one rebuke for this church:

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Revelation 2:4

Everything looked great on the outside but on the inside there was no love within their heart. Jesus warned them to remember how they used to love Him and love others. He told them to repent, to change their attitude and their conduct and do the deeds they did at first.  He is saying to them, “Remember how you used to spend time with Me in My word? Remember when you would pray to Me and ask for My guidance and direction? Remember how you used to get together with other Christians and how excited you were to tell others about Jesus? Go back to doing that.”  If not, Jesus warns them:

 I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:5

If they didn’t repent, Jesus was going to remove their light and His presence. Jesus promised a reward for those who overcome:

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.   Revelation 2:7

To those who overcome the coldness of their hearts and lack of love, they would see the Paradise of God. In addition to making it to heaven, they would see the effects in their own lives as they walk in Jesus’ redeeming love.