Watch Out or You Will Leave Your First Love!
Notes
Transcript
Where Did The Phrase “Leave your first love” Originate?
Where Did The Phrase “Leave your first love” Originate?
This phrase originated in Jesus’ words to the Assembly at Ephesus found in Revelation 2:1-7.
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.” ’
Note particularly verses 4 and 5.
“Nevertheless I have this against you , that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I am coming to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.”
What Did Jesus Mean By This?
What Did Jesus Mean By This?
Perhaps a clue is found in Rev 2:5 which uses the simple Greek word ἔρχομαί erchomai = I am coming. Jesus - over and over again - uses this word to speak of His IMMINENT RETURN TO RECEIVE HIS ASSEMBLY = THE RAPTURE.
For example, note....
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11, NKJV)
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15, NKJV)
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12, NKJV)
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20, NKJV)
Jesus’ Coming for His Assembly is Repeatedly Emphasized in Revelation
Jesus’ Coming for His Assembly is Repeatedly Emphasized in Revelation
It is very clear that - from beginning to end of this book - the RAPTURE is strongly emphasized. For example...
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
In fact, in the very last verse, John uses a present imperative (command) saying “Even so COME, Lord Jesus!”.
It is abundantly clear that I should be WATCHING for Christ’s imminent return.
And it is totally in keeping with His commands in the Gospels...
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Watch?
What Will Happen If I Don’t Watch?
Jesus told a parable which speaks to this very point. He said....
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Note verse 48 which says..
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ (Matthew 24:48, NKJV)
The SAME SERVANT = BELIEVER turns EVIL and begins to now think “My Lord is not going to come right now” and it strongly effects his CONDUCT and DEEDS.
He begins to lash out at other believers in the Assembly and also fall into sin.
And - because he doesn’t REPENT of these things - he is found at the JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST at a loss and forfeiting his privilege [inheritance] to RULE WITH CHRIST.
Something to Think About......
Something to Think About......
If I fail to obey Christ’s command to WATCH for His return, do I really love Jesus Christ?
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Note the phrase “have loved His appearing”.
If I am indifferent about the imminent return of Christ, do I really love Jesus Christ?
What Will Be the Impact on Me and on My Assembly?
What Will Be the Impact on Me and on My Assembly?
WATCHING or NOT WATCHING for the RETURN OF CHRIST will have an significant impact on both myself and my local Assembly.
If I am WATCHING for Christ’s return, I will be greatly REWARDED at the Rapture. For one. I WILL SHARE CHRIST’S REIGN...
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
CHRIST - in eternity - will HONOR ME .....
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.
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.” ’
NOT WATCHING will result in REBUKE at the JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST and NOT RULING WITH CHRIST in His eternal kingdom. [This, however, does not mean exclusion from His kingdom.]
50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
If an ASSEMBLY is WATCHING , it will experience BLESSING....
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
I think this quote from George Steinberger [In the Footprints of the Lamb] is very powerful and correct...
We are all deeply aware of the fact that our congregations need a spiritual renewal. "How can this take place?" I asked a missionary. "When the hope of the Lord's return becomes living in our congregations," he answered. Seen in the light of Scripture, this is the best answer. Paul says to the Thessalonians, "Put on for a helmet the hope of salvation." The helmet of hope is surely nothing else but the Living Hope of the Lord's return.
The first Assembly in Jerusalem seems to be watching for the Lord’s return in daily celebrating the Lord’s Supper....
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
However, FAILING TO WATCH FOR CHRIST’S RETURN will result in what Jesus says to the Ephesians...
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.
Eventually their Assembly disappeared and had no influence for Jesus Christ.
What about You and Your Assembly?
What about You and Your Assembly?
What about you, believer? Are you watching for the imminent return of Christ? Is the RETURN OF CHRIST proclaimed in your Assembly? Are you saying with the Apostle John...”Even so come, Lord Jesus” [Rev 22:20].