DEMAND LAID UPON THE EPHESIAN CHURCH

The Demand Laid Upon This Church

This is Imposed by the Lord himself and is Authoritative

"Remember from whence you have fallen."

There is no hope for this church, or any church, unless it can retrace its steps to the place where it once was and see how far it has wandered from the original position.

Repent of the present condition

This means more than being sorry. This calls for a change of mind, which is equal to a spiritual revolution. The result will be emotional sorrow. But the sorrow is only a symptom of what has really taken place. Too often all that exists is sorrow for the outcome without any change of mind with respect to the cause.

Return to the first works

Returning to the first works is genuine evidence of real repentance. Any repentance which does not so result can never be labeled true repentance. By first work he is not ignoring the motive of those works. He has in mind works that followed so naturally and enthusiastically from the motive of love.

Return of the Lord at any moment

The imminent return of the Lord is the motivating event. The present tense is used here to show nearness and immanency. If there is any consciousness of this pos­sibility, there will be response to the warning.

Removal of the church is threatened

In due course of time this church disappeared. It was quite evident that the church did not respond. Which is probably evidence that they did not think the Lord would return. They had no fear of being ashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28). As a result, the church took a natural course. Coldness and formality lapsed into deadness and disinterest. Evangelism disappeared, people left the church, and finally it closed its doors completely.
"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
This exhortation is addressed specifically to new Christians, but it surely applies just as urgently to all Christians.
If we “love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8) and are “looking for Him” to “appear the second time” (Hebrews 9:28), then we will naturally be careful to seek to please Him daily in our thoughts, words and deeds, as well as being diligent in studying His Word.
Being ashamed not mean loss of salvation, but rather shame and loss of confidence if we are behaving inconsistently when Christ returns.