Thirty Years Earlier  

     A preview of what would come. Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There he was transfigured. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared. And they heard a voice say, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! They fell to the ground, terrified. 

Thirty Years Later   

     Only John was still alive, but now in exile. He heard a loud voice, Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches... "John turned and saw someone like the son of man."       

    His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.  

     The first message was for the Ephesians, where Paul and Tychicus had ministered three decades earlier. Jesus complimented the believers for their hard work, perseverance, opposition to wickedness, and for testing those who claimed to be apostles. Yet I have this against you: You have forsaken your first love. If you do not repent, I will remove your lampstand from its place (Rev. 2:4-6).

From The Ultimate Victory by Dr. Horton: They gave service, but not themselves. They lacked self-giving love, as the Father gave his Son to suffer for our salvation. They were to "remember," to realize how far they had fallen. They were to "repent," to adopt an attitude of love. The lampstand represents the presence of Jesus in each of the seven churches. 

Suppose Jesus sent this warning to our church.