16 Nov. John writes to the church in Ephesus
"Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus:"
"The One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands says this: I know what you do, how you work hard and never give up. "
"I know you do not put up with the false teachings of evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but really are not, and you found they are liars."
"You have patience and have suffered troubles for my name and have not given up."
"But I have this against you:
You have left the love you had in the beginning."
"So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first."
"If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place."
"But there is something you do that is right: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I."
"Every person who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit from the tree of [everlasting] life, which is in the garden of God."
(Revelation 2:1-7)
The 'mother' church at Ephesus was founded by Apollos (see Acts 18:24-26), but nurtured by Paul during his three year stay at Ephesus on his third missionary journey in 52-56AD (see Acts 19:1-41). John became the pastor of this church after Paul's death, probably after he escaped from Jerusalem at the outbreak of the Jewish war with the Romans in 66AD.
From this church, evangelists carrying the Good News about Jesus founded 'daughter' churches in Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These are the "seven golden lampstands" among whom God walks, shining out the gospel message of Jesus across the Roman province of Asia (see Revelation 2:1).
In the message to the church at Ephesus, John tells the members of his 'home' church that, despite their hard work and perseverance, they have lost their initial enthusiasm and love of Jesus.
They are told to "change your hearts and do what you did at first." And are warned that, unless they do so, they will cease to be a shining light in the pagan world of the Roman province. "If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place." (Revelation 2:5)
John finishes his brief message to the Ephesians by reminding them of the promise of eternal life to all those who believe in Jesus as their Saviour: "To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit from the tree of [everlasting] life, which is in the garden of God." (see Genesis 2:9)
The photo shows the view across the port of Skala from St John's Monastery on the island of Patmos. John received his 'revelation' or vision when exiled from Ephesus to the island of Patmos in c.90AD (see Revelation 1:9).
You can read more from John's revelation to the seven churches of Asia Minor @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/the-messages-to-the-beli…/