Revelation 2
Rediscovering Our First Love: A Call to Repentance and Kingdom Living (Revelation 2)
In Revelation 2, we find John addressing the churches in a deeply personal way. This chapter is a powerful reminder for us today, as it not only speaks to the church communities of the past but challenges us as individuals and as a collective body of believers. Let’s walk through the text and reflect on what stands out and how it calls us to live differently, with an eye on both eternity and how we engage with the world around us.
An Invitation to Eternal Kingdom Living
One of the overarching themes in Revelation 2 is the call to live in light of eternity. The promise in verse 7 is profound: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” This isn’t just a futuristic hope, though—it’s an invitation to live in a way that aligns with God’s Kingdom now, investing in what will last for eternity.
The world, as we know, is not our permanent home. We are sojourners, living in the tension of an already-but-not-yet Kingdom. The way we live now—how we follow Christ, how we relate to others, how we embody the gospel in our everyday actions—has profound implications for the future. We are called to build lives that point to the life to come, to be a witness of the Kingdom as we navigate this temporary world. Our choices, our time, our investments—these are the “seeds” we plant today that will bear fruit in the eternal Kingdom of God. So, we ask ourselves: How are we investing in the Kingdom? What does our life reflect about the Kingdom we are awaiting?
The Ephesians Church: A Warning and a Call to Repentance
As Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, He first commends them for their hard work and perseverance. He acknowledges their efforts to stand firm in the faith, their unwillingness to tolerate wickedness, and their commitment to truth. In many ways, the Ephesians embody a model of Christian zeal—they are doctrinally sound, diligent in their work, and unwavering in their commitment to purity. But, as Jesus points out, something is amiss.
In verse 4, He says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Despite their commitment to truth, the Ephesians had lost the warmth and passion of their first love for Christ. Their zeal for doctrine had overshadowed their zeal for people. This is a striking reminder for us today. It’s so easy to get caught up in “doing” for God, in striving to be right, in winning arguments, and in maintaining the purity of doctrine that we forget the heart of it all—love. Love for God and love for others. If our love for God is not the motivation behind everything we do, then we have missed the mark.
Jesus’ words to Ephesus are a call to repentance: “Consider how far you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first.” There’s a grace here, an invitation to return to the heart of our faith, to rekindle our passion for Christ, and to align our actions with His love. It’s a personal call and a communal one. Just as the Ephesians were a church body, we too must examine whether we, as a community, are still fueled by our first love or if we’ve allowed other things—success, comfort, pride, or even knowledge—to take precedence.
Repentance here isn’t just about feeling sorry for what we’ve done wrong; it’s about a radical turning back to the source of our life—Jesus. It’s about returning to the heart of the gospel, where love is not just a principle but the power that drives us forward. The call to remember, repent, and return is a daily one. It’s not a one-time fix but a continual process of alignment.
How Do We Cultivate This Love?
We must ask ourselves: How do we cultivate this “first love” relationship with Jesus in our daily lives? It’s easy to get distracted by the busyness of life—work, family, ministry, social media—but the key is intentionality and receiving what God first gives. We must begin each day receiving God’s love. 1 John 4:10, 19 remind us that we love only because He first loved us! As we remember this, here are some questions to help us refocus:
What are we giving our attention to? The things we prioritize—whether it’s our job, our hobbies, or even our relationships—reveal what is first in our hearts. Our financial and emotional investments often reveal where our heart truly lies. Are we investing in the things of God’s Kingdom, or are we letting the things of this world take up too much space?
Are we still passionate about people? The church in Ephesus had a love for truth but had lost their love for people. The two must go hand in hand. The gospel isn’t just about being right—it’s about loving others the way Christ loves us.
Are we still in love with Jesus, as we once were? Do we long for Him above all else? And are we living in a way that reflects this love to those around us?
Perseverance in the Face of Suffering: A Call to Faithfulness
The church in Smyrna. John, writing to them, acknowledges the immense pressure they face under the reign of Emperor Domitian, who demanded worship of Roman gods under threat of death. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was martyred for his unwavering commitment to Jesus, choosing to face a fiery death rather than compromise his faith. His story reminds us that following Christ can—and sometimes does—require everything, even our very lives.
Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 10 that we need not fear those who can harm our bodies, but rather, we should fear the one who can destroy both body and soul. This is a sobering reminder for us in the West, where we are insulated from such extreme persecution. We can become so accustomed to comfort that when difficulties arise, our faith can falter. We need to remember that suffering is a part of the Christian journey, not an anomaly, and we are called to remain faithful even in the midst of hardship. Faithfulness, even unto death, is the crown promised to those who endure.
The Danger of Compromise
In Revelation 2, we also encounter the church in Pergamum, where the faithful are wrestling with internal division and the influence of false teachers. Some within the church have been seduced by teachings that deviate from the gospel, led astray by the false prophet Balaam’s teachings. The church in Pergamum is rebuked because they failed to uphold sound doctrine and allow these heretical teachings to take root. You could say the church tolerated ideas that weren’t godly and they ended up in a very bad place.
We must take heed of this warning. The church in Pergamum shows us the dangers of tolerating sin and false teaching within our communities. While our culture often celebrates tolerance at all costs, the church is called to a higher standard—one that involves guarding the truth of the gospel and standing firm against teachings that lead people away from Christ. Allowing sin to remain unchecked within our communities can have disastrous consequences, both for individuals and for the church as a whole.
Jesus calls the church to repent and return to sound teaching, promising victory and the "hidden manna" (the manna is Jesus as said in John 6:31)—a deep spiritual sustenance that only those who remain faithful can partake of. It’s a reminder that, while the world may offer temporary comforts, the true reward lies in faithfulness to Christ.
Cling to the Truth: Repentance and Hope
Finally, in the letter to the church in Thyatira, we are faced with the spirit of compromise embodied by a woman named Jezebel. This figure leads people into sin, particularly through sexual immorality and idolatry. The church is rebuked for tolerating her influence, and Jesus warns that unless they repent, judgment will come. It’s a sobering reminder that false teachings and sinful practices do not go unnoticed by God.
Yet, there is hope. Jesus offers forgiveness and victory to those who repent. In the end, it’s not just about avoiding sin—it’s about clinging to the truth of the gospel and allowing it to transform our hearts. God promises a reward for those who remain faithful, including a "white stone" with a new name—a symbol of our identity and security in Christ.
As we reflect on these messages, we are reminded of the importance of standing firm in our faith. In a world that pressures us to conform, the call of Revelation 2 is clear: remain faithful, even in the face of suffering, resist compromise, and hold fast to the truth of the gospel. The crown of life awaits those who endure.
