April 13 | Revelation 2:1-11

Dave Mann
4 days ago
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Appreciation and Faithfulness

By Dave Mann

This week, we are reading short letters to churches in Asia Minor. Please note that these messages are directed primarily to communities of believers. Secondarily, they can be interpreted as messages to individuals.

In verses 1-7, the Spirit directs his message to the church in Ephesus, a group of believers who are well grounded in faith. The first word of the Lord to Ephesus is Gospel. He assures the church that the Lord is walking among them. He holds the seven stars (angels) in his hand, and he walks among the golden lampstands (the churches). He is with them.

This church in Ephesus is known for its deeds, hard work, and perseverance. They have pressed forward, endured hardships, but have not grown weary. This is a church that reads the Word regularly and puts it into action with ministries. It would be hard to find something to criticize about the church in Ephesus. And yet, the Lord is saddened because the believers have left their first love. They work hard; they persevere; they even push through difficulties, but their love for the Lord is waning. Do you remember what it was like in your spirit when you first discovered that Christ died for YOU? Do you recall the deep appreciation you had for the Lord when you had the sense that verses of Scripture leaped off the page and seemed to be written especially for YOU?

The Spirit is speaking to the church of Ephesus, asking to be allowed to call the believers once again to a profound sense of love and gratitude.

In verses 8-11, the first word is again a word of Gospel. The Spirit reminds the believers in Smyrna that Jesus is the First and the Last, and that he has conquered death. The Spirit is calling to the church in Smyrna, a group of believers who are poor and suffering because of the name of Jesus. Their poverty and suffering have not escaped the notice of the Lord. They can expect more suffering and some of their members will be put in prison. But despite their poverty, the Lord proclaims them to be rich! The Spirit challenges them to be faithful, and to look forward to the gift of life as their crown.

These two letters remind us as a gathering of believers to grow deep in love and appreciation for the Lord’s good gifts to us, and to be faithful even unto death because the Lord’s gift of live is our crown.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the joy of knowing that you are walking among us. We look forward to the day when you will give crowns to all who are faithful in life and death, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.