February 14 - Revelation 2:5

Jesus said to the church at Ephesus

Remember then from what you have fallen;

repent, and do the works you did at first.

If not, I will come to you and

remove your lampstand from its place,

unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5

 

If you're following along with our Bible in a Year reading, today is pure construction. The people -- headed by Bezalel and Oholiab -- are paying strict attention to detail as they construct the ark, the table, the altars, the tabernacle, and the lampstands.

 

It was Israel's building of the lampstands that reminded me of Revelation 2:5. In letters meant to inspire faith and forestall judgment, it is clear that the people at Ephesus were not paying careful attention to detail. Therefore, the Lord was reminding them (and us) to draw back to the best days of our faith.

 

Individuals need to do this. So do churches. And that's really what Jesus is addressing. Since our Lord and Savior is the light of the world, the harshest judgment upon a church is to have its lampstand removed!

 

Remembering God's call and clinging to the purity of doctrine are the first prerequisites for a healthy church.   

 

Repentance is the second. Congregational repentance involves two things: 1) individuals repenting of their own sin, and 2) the whole church returning to its roots in God's truth.

 

Pray for the lampstand and Christ's light to fill all churches ... more ... and more ... and more.

 

In Christ's Love,

a pastor (and person) 

who tries to focus on

doctrine, repentance,

and most of all, light!