Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent.
Jesus is calling on the Ephesian church to recall its former position. We must recall that our Lord is now talking to a body of individuals, each member contributing to the whole of that particular church. He warns them to remember where they stood formerly, or what their previous position was.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
The KJV translates the verse, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The ESV renders the verse, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
Paul once wrote that, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us though many," 2 Corinthians 1:11. A part of our showing care for and love of the brethren is prayerfully joining them in their various ministries, lifting them up to the Lord, that He may hear and accept our requests on their behalf so that they may bear fruit. And we, through our prayers, may spiritually partake of their ministry.
Revelation 2:3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
The Lord continues to praise the Ephesian church for their fidelity. He says of them, that they persevere. Oxford defines persevere to, “continue in a course of action in spite of difficulty or lack of success.” Verse 2 fills in details as to what the Lord means by this.
