Returning to First Love.

[Carl Emerson]

Hi there,

I raised this topic on another thread and it was not well received by some.

So I have let it rest for a week or two.

After further prayer and consideration I feel to raise it again.

Firstly the admonition in Revelation for the Ephesus Church was to return to their first love.

‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Firstly this passage is addressed to the church at Ephesus as a whole.

So what were the deeds they did at first?

The early church beginnings recorded in Acts were fresh in their minds and they would have treasured the memory of it.

If you study the first five chapters of Acts there were notable elements present that are largely absent in most of our churches today.

Some of these are:

The believers being a family even to the extent of having all things in common.
Those with much shared with those with less.
Believers breaking bread from house to house.
Meeting in public places as a body of believers daily as at pentecost.
Public believers baptism's.
Having meals together daily.
Public Praise.
Street evangelism.
Bold public preaching.
Strong anointing of both the Fear and Love of God.
Unity among the believers
Visible Love among believers.
Angelic intervention against opposition.
Multiple conversions as the public witnessed the healing power of God.

This is the first love in action referred to in Revelation.

We had a glimpse of this in Mexico in the 60's (Read "Miracles in El Paso") or watch 'Viva Christo Rey'.

So this is my message, and it is within our grasp if only we are prepared to review present traditions, and come before Him humbly with a fresh sheet of paper and await instructions.

It is time.

I love you all.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I appreciate you starting this thread topic, i was just posting on that in the other thread.

 

[Carl Emerson]

What was the thread title Michael?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What was the thread title Michael?

The 7 denominations of the book of revelation.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Got it thanks.

 

[mama2one]

following

 

[Kenny'sID]

‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

So is that basically saying unless they repent of their sin they will not see heaven?

And if not, I can only assume for the moment that has something to do with what removing the Lamp stand signifies. What does removing the Lamp stand mean to you?

 

[Deborah D]

Hi there,

I raised this topic on another thread and it was not well received by some.

So I have let it rest for a week or two.

After further prayer and consideration I feel to raise it again.

Firstly the admonition in Revelation for the Ephesus Church was to return to their first love.

‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Firstly this passage is addressed to the church at Ephesus as a whole.

So what were the deeds they did at first?

The early church beginnings recorded in Acts were fresh in their minds and they would have treasured the memory of it.

If you study the first five chapters of Acts there were notable elements present that are largely absent in most of our churches today.

Some of these are:

The believers being a family even to the extent of having all things in common.
Those with much shared with those with less.
Believers breaking bread from house to house.
Meeting in public places as a body of believers daily as at pentecost.
Public believers baptism's.
Having meals together daily.
Public Praise.
Street evangelism.
Bold public preaching.
Strong anointing of both the Fear and Love of God.
Unity among the believers
Visible Love among believers.
Angelic intervention against opposition.
Multiple conversions as the public witnessed the healing power of God.

This is the first love in action referred to in Revelation.

We had a glimpse of this in Mexico in the 60's (Read "Miracles in El Paso") or watch 'Viva Christo Rey'.

So this is my message, and it is within our grasp if only we are prepared to review present traditions, and come before Him humbly with a fresh sheet of paper and await instructions.

It is time.

I love you all.

I appreciate this thread. Sadly, your list shows how far many churches have fallen from what God created His Church (meaning the Body of Christ, all believers) to be. I believe that revival is the only remedy, and I pray that His Church will be revived worldwide!

 

[Danthemailman]

This is part of the first of the seven letters in Revelation 2-3 from the Lord to seven local churches in Asia Minor. Clearly the Lord wanted the members of the church at Ephesus to repent "change their mind" regarding their works. "You have left your first love/repent and do the first works." Works of love no longer characterized the church at Ephesus. Although the church was not totally displeasing to the Lord (He commended the Ephesian church for maintaining doctrinal purity in the face of false teachers in the Ephesian church) yet the latter is not a substitute for the former. So what did the Lord mean when He spoke of removing the church's lamp stand if they did not repent? The removal of the lampstand is clearly figurative language. This does not mean that individuals will lose their salvation, but the church can forfeit its place of light bearing and witness. Ephesus is a city now over taken by Islam. The light of the church has indeed been removed there.

 

[Carl Emerson]

So is that basically saying unless they repent of their sin they will not see heaven?

And if not, I can only assume for the moment that has something to do with what removing the Lamp stand signifies. What does removing the Lamp stand mean to you?

I am no expert but I think the removing of the lamp stand means that the Holy Spirit will withdraw.

 

[Carl Emerson]

following

I think a prayerful study of the first 5 chapters of Acts will paint the picture very well.

You would also appreciate Viva Christo Rey - I will try and find the link for you.

 

[~Zao~]

So is that basically saying unless they repent of their sin they will not see heaven?

And if not, I can only assume for the moment that has something to do with what removing the Lamp stand signifies. What does removing the Lamp stand mean to you?

My thought is that we have left Love far behind. Gone into the world where the inheritance first given has been squandered. Has the Father still our names written in His heart? How much loss of reward will leave us bankrupt? The first message is that we are saved completely but then we wander away from grace and join to things of the world that replace our first love.
There’s a version of Jewish folklore that involves the story of the prodigal son. He leaves home and the father gives word to him that wherever he is the father will meet him halfway should he decide to return. Jesus’ story of the prodigal has him returning himself to the father and the father watching for him. It doesn’t say if his inheritance is returned, just that there was rejoicing. All except for the elder who had never left.
The lamp stand could be the light that we all have been given.

 

[~Zao~]

My thought is that we have left Love far behind. Gone into the world where the inheritance first given has been squandered. Has the Father still our names written in His heart? How much loss of reward will leave us bankrupt? The first message is that we are saved completely but then we wander away from grace and join to things of the world that replace our first love.
There’s a version of Jewish folklore that involves the story of the prodigal son. He leaves home and the father gives word to him that wherever he is the father will meet him halfway should he decide to return. Jesus’ story of the prodigal has him returning himself to the father and the father watching for him. It doesn’t say if his inheritance is returned, just that there was rejoicing. All except for the elder who had never left.
The lamp stand could be the light that we all have been given.

That reminds me of Psalms 2 about rebellious mankind.
‘Kiss the Son, lest He be angry'
verse 1-3 is the rebellious attitude of the nations, 4-6 is Jehovah’s decree, 7-9 is Christ’s decree, and the latter is an exhortation to the kings of the earth to submit to Him during the time of long-suffering. Psalms 3 proceeds to ‘Perfect Man rejected’
Psalms are great!

 

[Kenny'sID]

I think a prayerful study of the first 5 chapters of Acts will paint the picture very well.

You would also appreciate Viva Christo Rey - I will try and find the link for you.

My thought is that we have left Love far behind. Gone into the world where the inheritance first given has been squandered. Has the Father still our names written in His heart? How much loss of reward will leave us bankrupt? The first message is that we are saved completely but then we wander away from grace and join to things of the world that replace our first love.
There’s a version of Jewish folklore that involves the story of the prodigal son. He leaves home and the father gives word to him that wherever he is the father will meet him halfway should he decide to return. Jesus’ story of the prodigal has him returning himself to the father and the father watching for him. It doesn’t say if his inheritance is returned, just that there was rejoicing. All except for the elder who had never left.
The lamp stand could be the light that we all have been given.

The scripture does say they should change their ways so if it is loss of salvation, as with the prodigal son or anyone, they do have the option to fix it. And that is assuming it is loss of salvation, something I'm not positive of, but it bears looking into.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Carl Emerson]

OK here is the link I promised.

It is interesting that God did this through a Catholic group as if to say that He is unconstrained by the human systems that man has purposed to carry His faith.

Please do not let this put you off seeing what simple obedience to the bible can do...

Vivi Christo Rey

 

[Carl Emerson]

Back in the 70's I took this video around several churches and still remember the silence that fell upon the congregations after seeing this...

 

[Martyr's Crown]

OK here is the link I promised.

It is interesting that God did this through a Catholic group as if to say that He is unconstrained by the human systems that man has purposed to carry His faith.

Please do not let this put you off seeing what simple obedience to the bible can do...

Vivi Christo Rey

A powerful video message! Also touched me into tears. What happened in the time of Elijah and Elisha, and during the time of the new testament, can still happen today! A lot of people have grown dim in their faiths in Him and what He can do, they no longer believe in His written Word, nor in the power of God!

There is much unbelief being sown into these times, especially in westernized countries! But I believe in God working on this part too, by waking up more of His servants and loved children! Jesus Christ's Name and Salvation will be proclaimed everywhere, and all of this will be revived again!

 

[Martyr's Crown]

I also wanted to say that the type of church they had in the early church beginnings seemed as very nice fellowship, which would have been lovely seeing in churches today!

But truly; I do believe it will be happening again. I have in earlier years thought a lot about this and prayed for it, and I have began to pray for this again. Seeing a strong and genuine unity among true Christian believers! As those who truly belong to Jesus Christ, will get more love for their sisters and brothers in Christ, and they will also have a deeper connection between them, even if they haven't known nor been a long time together! As the Holy Spirit connects us all together as one big family in God!