We have an example of this in verse one of Revelation chapter two, where Jesus is speaking to the angel, or the messenger, of the congregation at Ephesus.
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"To the messenger of the Out-Called of Ephesus...." ~~ Revelation 2:1-6
This letter was written to a specific person. It was delivered and read to a specific congregation (group within the Ek-Klesia, the Out-Called). It was not written and delivered to a spirit being such as an angel.
The seven stars in this verse are defined in Revelation 1:20, as being the angels (the messengers) of the seven congregations of Believers scripturally called, both individually and collectively, the Ek-Klesia, which literally means the Out-Called. The seven candlesticks are identified as the Out-Called. The Body of Christ.
The Greek word for apostle also means messenger. So, it is likely the letters were written to the apostles who founded the congregations of Out-Called located in what is now modern-day Turkey (Türkiye).
In Revelation 2:2, Jesus has words of praise for the messenger of Ephesus. He acknowledges the hard work this person is doing. He acknowledges the godly perseverance. He saw fit to praise this messenger for not falling for every wind of doctrine or new “move of God,” by following false apostles. These were tested, exposed, and rejected.
The seven groups of the Ek-Klesia, the Out-Called, described in The Revelation, were literal groups that had issues relevant to the Out-Called at that time, as well as to the Body of Christ throughout all history, at any given time.
Today, due to the ease of mass communication and corresponding accelerated demonic activity, we are faced with a proliferation of false apostles. The numbers are staggering. But the problem of false apostles has been with the Out-Called from the very beginning. Peter addressed the issue, as did John, Jude, and Paul.
In Revelation 2:3, Jesus continues to praise the messenger of Ephesus' work, patience, and perseverance. There is no doubt this person contended for the faith with accuracy, else the praise would not have been there.
Nevertheless, in verse four, Jesus threw a fly into the ointment with a big “BUT.”
In essence, Jesus said, “In most everything, dear messenger, you are doing great! BUT we have a problem—a BIG one.”
This person had good works, was a hard worker, persevered, did not falter or become easily discouraged, and all this despite living in an incredibly sinful city. The faith was boldly contested for. Those who made false claims to apostleship, were tested and exposed for the liars they were.
Jesus found all this praiseworthy.
But all of this was apparently not enough for this messenger’s ministry and the entire congregation not to be jeopardized. We see, in verse five, that Jesus threatened to remove not only the messenger (the apostle of that congregation) but also the entire congregation itself, out of their places.
What does all that mean?
Once Jesus finishes his messages to the messengers of Out-Called in Turkey (Türkiye), The Revelation, from chapter four on, is a prophecy, still future, as of today. And one of the reasons it begins with an overview of the Out-Called of John's day, is because the issues the earliest Believers dealt with would be accelerated as the end of the age draws near. The Ek-Eklesia today faces everything early Christians faced, ... to an even greater degree. Scripture declares this to be so.
Back to the messenger of Ephesus: What was this, apparently “good” messenger’s problem, a problem so serious that Jesus threatened to remove not only the messenger but also the congregation (the candlestick) out of their places?
The Bible says those who follow Jesus are lights of the world. That is only because Jesus dwells in Believers who are to reflect his light. The individual and collective candlestick of the BODY OF CHRIST is intended to be seen. It is intended to be a beacon of safety in a dark and dangerous world.
The messenger of the Out-Called of Ephesus had a serious “heart” problem that no amount of “good work” could cure or save from.
This person was told to return to something they and their followers had obviously left behind, ... their first love. Doing all the right things doesn't cut it ... if our hearts aren't in the right place. We can start off right, but if our motivations shift, all the good works in the world will not save us.
What caused the hearts of the messenger of Ephesus and the Out-Called there, to shift?
Scripture does not say.
We are only told that this person had left their first love. Their relationship with Jesus had shifted from a relationship of love, loyalty, and commitment, to one of simply ... compliance.
And our Creator and Savior does not want mere compliance.
David understood the subtleties of this issue. He defined it in Psalm 51, where he wrote, “...for you desire not sacrifice (compliance to your law) else I would give it You delight not in burnt offering The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit A broken and a contrite heart O God you will not despise.”
Serving God is always a heart thing. It is a love thing. Hating sin always begins with us being sorry for our own sins. The messenger at Ephesus contended for the faith and could not bear those who were evil. This person worked hard and exposed the false apostles among them.
This was a good thing.
But while attempting to remove splinters from the eyes of others ignored the huge log lodged in their own eye. Could not see how their own motivations had been skewed.
And Jesus bluntly commanded this messenger and the Out-Called in Ephesus, to get their hearts right, ... or else.
How many of us have experienced motivational shifts in our relationship and service to Jesus? We start out in love with our Savior. Our relationship with him is joy. Our work for him is a pure-hearted labor of love.
But somewhere along the way, ... something changes.
What caused the change?
Fear?
Do we now work hard “for Jesus” because we are afraid we will lose God’s approval? Our salvation? Our “ministries,” if we do not?
Have we focused so much on building "the ministry” that the thing no longer belongs to God? Is no longer a service to God? The ownership of it has shifted? And it now owns us instead, ... and our lives are spent doing what needs to be done in order to make sure “the ministry” survives?
Has "the ministry" now become our God?
Jesus said, “You have left your first love.”
Do we give tithes and offerings because the Bible says to, but are resentful when we give the money?
God doesn’t need our money, nor does he simply want our compliance. He wants our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver.
Could ambition, lust for power, money, or desire for spiritual experiences [other than those given by God] have caused the allegiance of our hearts to shift?
Issues of the heart and our love relationship with our Savior are so important to him, that he sees it as utter rejection when our affection cools and loyalty shifts. When that happens, we begin cheating on God. We start committing spiritual adultery. That's grounds for divorce.
The Bible says our maker is our husband, our spouse. When we cheat on God, we begin lying to him, to ourselves, and to everyone around us, about where our true affections lie.
The Bible says the lying tongue hates those who are afflicted by it.
Jesus says to remember from where we have fallen. He commands us to repent and do our first works over, or else he will come quickly and remove our candlestick.
When messengers leave their first love, it not only has detrimental effects on them personally, but also on those who follow them. Jesus said so when he said, “The blind lead the blind and they both fall into the pit.”
Messengers can become Pied Pipers. Take care not to let that happen.
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