The church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

3“and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

4“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

6“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7¶“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

Jesus holds on to His own and walks in the midst of His church. This alone speaks volumes. The early church, a short bit after Jesus' resurrection, had left their first love. They strayed from grace for works. They were well disciplined with their labors but lacked the basic simple realities that made them, like grace, love, and faith thru Christ. Jesus' antidote for this, remember where you fell, repent, and redo those first works, which really wasnt works but grace. Enjoy Jesus once again. To soak up His love & grace. The word nicolaitans came from 2 words: ruler & laity. Ruler over the people. They loved power over Gods people. God hates this as did this church. Jesus is the head of His church. Personal application is clear, keep things simple, stick with Jesus, our first true love. If we stray from this, remember, repent, redo.