-PART 1 OF 7-
 “THE LOVELESS CHURCH”

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, this message is the first of seven where we will be focusing on the seven letters written to the seven “churches” in the book of Revelation.  Keep in mind during the readings of these 7 messages that when the scriptures reference the “church”, it is not referring to a building of sort, nor a particular denomination, but is referring to bodies of BELIEVERS scattered in various parts of the world.  Thus, EVERY PROFESSING BELIEVER is REPRSENTED in one of these letters.  Keep in mind also that there are only TWO “churches” (bodies of believers) out of the seven that were not openly criticized by the Lord, and from the two ONLY ONE will be raptured up before the great tribulation period.  NOW is the time to truly examine our hearts my friends, for if any would be represented in the letters where the “church” was condemned, REPENT…….. REPENT…… REPENT….., or else you are choosing to be left behind.  Remove the masks, that the truth may be exposed so you may TRULY LIVE!  Salvation and/or damnation IS ETERNAL!

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.   Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”  (Rev 2:1-7)

This is the first letter.  It was written to the “church of Ephesus” whom the Apostle Paul spent many years establishing, encouraging, exhorting, admonishing, and strengthening with the truth of Jesus Christ our Lord.   At one point (in the book of Ephesians) the believers were commended for their love, and yet they were also encouraged by Paul and strongly commanded to GROW in this Love.  However, somewhere during the course of their walk, their love began to diminish to the point of being NON existent.

In these seven letters to the seven “churches”, the very first thing the Lord declares is “I KNOW THY WORKS”. Be it positive or negative works…HE KNOWS as there is nothing hidden from Him. In this letter, the believers at Ephesus “works” was not the problem as their works were commended by The Lord.  Therefore, it was not the source that would cause them to lose their place.  Despite their works in doing that which was good, and coming against that which was evil, these believers STILL had need of repentance for although they continued in their works, they had in the process LOST their passion for whom it was they were serving. They lacked a genuine loving intimate relationship with the Lord. They’d LEFT their FIRST LOVE. They were no longer fervent in their Love and Joy for the Lord.   The fire that was once in them had slowly burned out and although their works and labour of patience and taking a stand against those things that were evil was very pleasing to the Lord, their obvious lack of enthusiasm of love and unwillingness to grow in Him was displeasing.  At some point, they severed the intimacy, and were indeed aware of it as the Lord declared: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works…”  These believers knew of the moment they first began to lose their fire of love for the Lord, thus he commands that they REPENT and return back to their first works of serving the Lord with all joy, of returning back to Him with the genuine love they once felt in their hearts upon first receiving Him.  He warns them that if they should not repent, they would be judged quickly and will be removed out of their place.  Although their works were good, it would not have the power to save them.  They needed to RETURN BACK to their FIRST LOVE. 

Now, TODAY there are MANY professing believers behaving in the same manner as those of the “church of Ephesus”.  They were first drawn to the Lord by The Holy Spirit, moved beyond words by his great love for them, and acknowledged with their own mouths their need of a Savior.  They were on FIRE for the Lord; seeking his presence; seeking intimacy with Him; seeking spiritual growth; seeking to be fed of the word; delighting in service to him and the brethren; and full of the Joy of the Lord.   Suddenly, the light that was once in them began to grow dim, and the hunger they once had for the Lord began to dwindle away.  Other things became MORE important to them than their relationship with Christ, and these things took residence in their hearts ABOVE their love for Him.  They became slothful in prayer, lost interest in studying the Word, no longer desired to seek his presence, and although many may continue in “good works”, for some they do it not out of genuine Love for the Lord but out of obligation, necessity or just being the “right thing to do” or perhaps thinking somehow “works” would earn them their place.  For many, what they are doing in the form of “service” has taken priority over intimacy with the Lord.  “Church” functions, programs, activities and such are given MORE attention and labour than time spent alone with the Lord.  There are some that believe they are “spiritually close” to the Lord through their many programs and functions, however the Lord is not concerned over your “church programs”, but MORESO your heart seeking after Him. You CANNOT find him in your programs, you can ONLY find him IF YOU SEEK AFTER HIM by taking the time to KNOW Him. 

There are many that have sought after him, but sadly for the WRONG reasons.  They did it NOT for a relationship with him, but became caught up in what “things” could they receive from him, commissioning him for this and that with no attempt to give him anything in return.  For such, he became their “genie” in a bottle that would be called upon whenever there was a need OR a want.  Nothing more to them than a modern day “Santa Claus” for if he visited them with a sack full of “gifts” He was openly received, but to come empty handed would mean a subtle rejection.  But, yet they give great “lip service” in that they speak highly of their “love” for the Lord, but yet hearts are far from Him.  “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Is 29:13) One cannot speak of another they truly have not known. When an individual PERSONALLY and INTIMATELY knows another, he is qualified then to share what he knows about that individual through personal knowledge.   However, if he’s not taken the time to get to KNOW the individual, then he truly has NO personal knowledge of him, and can only speak that which he has HEARD or read about.  How then can he share the truth of the heart of that individual to another?   For a friend will reveal his heart to a friend.

There are also many within the “Church” whose hearts have become hardened towards The Lord.  They started out full of fire for the Lord, and now, there isn’t even a glow visible in the heart.  They have allowed anger and bitterness to swell so big within their hearts that it’s smothered and overshadowed the Love they once professed to have.  The cause of anger towards the Lord has been what they perceived to be “unanswered prayer”.  Things of which they’ve prayed for and have yet to see it’s manifestation.  And now, they’ve placed themselves in a very dangerous spiritual position for at the time they should have been drawing NEARER to The Lord,  they ceased altogether in even attempting to develop a personal relationship with him.  They no longer pray, refuse to worship and give thanks to Him, and have lost faith in His word.  Some have even foolishly believed that their pouting and silly tantrums would eventually cause the Lord to cave in and grant their request.  However, the truth of the matter is this sort of dangerous behavior will only cause the heart to become MORE hardened, and eventually cause that brother or sister to lose his/her place in the kingdom of heaven.  One has to wonder why such a person came to the Lord in the first place.  Was it out of love or the desire for things?  For salvation is not a game, but a way of life and we come to Him in repentance, recognizing our absolute NEED of a Savior for we can do NOTHING of ourselves.  We come to Him because he, having done NO wrong, laid down HIS LIFE  for we who ARE sinners that we might be saved and we LEARN how to love, through receiving HIS GREAT LOVE!  When we come to him, we should come SEEKING HIM and not seeking his gifts for HE IS THE ULTIMATE GIFT!

Knowing all this, when we read this first letter written to the “church at Ephesus”  we can clearly see that it was not only for them, but also for those believers today who are as they were. There isn’t time left to hide behind a mask, and attempt to hide the truth that others may not see.  The Lord KNOWS the heart and judgement shall begin with “The Church”.  And the SAME criticism and WARNING that was given THEN, APPLIES NOW! To such who’ve turned away The Lord says…REPENT!  And RETURN BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE!  “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and LET HIM RETURN UNTO THE LORD, and He will have mercy upon Him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Is 55:6-7)

Now, as you carefully examine this letter ask this question and TRUTHFULLY answer: “Does this letter to the church of Ephesus represent me?” “Have I left my first Love?”   There are seven letters, and ONE represents you, and me!  We know which one it is.  The TRUTH is in our hearts and will SOON be made known to ALL!  For that which is hidden, WILL be made manifest in the LIGHT!

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember:  Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)……..

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God