Revelation 2:5
Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Therefore, keep in mind
The phrase "Therefore, keep in mind" serves as a call to remembrance and reflection. The Greek word used here is "mnēmoneuō," which means to remember or to be mindful. This is a directive to the church in Ephesus to recall their initial fervor and love for Christ. Historically, Ephesus was a prominent city, known for its wealth and the Temple of Artemis. The church there had once been vibrant and full of zeal, and this phrase urges them to reflect on their spiritual journey and recognize the deviation from their original path.

how far you have fallen
The expression "how far you have fallen" uses the Greek word "piptō," which means to fall or to be cast down. This is a poignant reminder of the spiritual decline that can occur when believers lose their first love. In the context of Ephesus, a city that prided itself on its achievements, this fall is a stark contrast to their former spiritual heights. It serves as a warning to all believers about the dangers of complacency and the need for continual spiritual vigilance.

Repent
The command "Repent" is derived from the Greek word "metanoeō," which means to change one's mind or to turn around. This is a call to action, urging the church to not only feel remorse for their spiritual decline but to actively change their direction. Repentance is a central theme in Christian doctrine, emphasizing the need for a transformative change of heart and mind, leading to a renewed relationship with God.

and perform the deeds you did at first
The phrase "and perform the deeds you did at first" highlights the importance of returning to the foundational works of faith. The Greek word for "perform" is "poiēsis," which implies action and creation. This is a call to return to the initial acts of love, service, and devotion that characterized the early church. It underscores the importance of not just faith, but faith expressed through actions, as seen in James 2:17, which states that faith without works is dead.

But if you do not repent
The warning "But if you do not repent" introduces a conditional clause that emphasizes the seriousness of the call to repentance. The Greek conjunction "ean de mē" sets up a contrast, indicating the consequences of failing to heed the call. This serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency and necessity of repentance in the Christian life.

I will come to you
The phrase "I will come to you" is a promise of divine intervention. The Greek verb "erchomai" means to come or to arrive. This is not just a future event but an imminent one, indicating that Christ is actively involved in the life of the church. It serves as both a warning and a reassurance that Christ is present and attentive to the spiritual state of His people.

and remove your lampstand from its place
The final phrase "and remove your lampstand from its place" uses the imagery of a lampstand, which in the context of Revelation, represents the church itself. The Greek word "kineō" means to move or to remove. This is a severe warning that the church's witness and influence will be taken away if they do not return to their first love. Historically, the lampstand is a symbol of light and presence, and its removal signifies the loss of spiritual vitality and effectiveness. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of spiritual neglect and the importance of maintaining a vibrant relationship with Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Apostle
The author of the Book of Revelation, who received visions from Jesus Christ while exiled on the island of Patmos.

2. Ephesus
The city to which this message is directed. Ephesus was a major center of early Christianity and known for its church's initial fervor and love.

3. Jesus Christ
The speaker in this passage, addressing the church in Ephesus through John. He calls for repentance and warns of consequences.

4. The Church in Ephesus
The recipients of this message. They are commended for their perseverance but criticized for losing their initial love and fervor.

5. The Lampstand
Symbolizes the church's witness and presence. Its removal signifies the loss of the church's effectiveness and standing.
Teaching Points
Remember Your First Love
Reflect on the passion and commitment you had when you first came to faith. Consider how you can rekindle that fervor in your current walk with Christ.

The Call to Repentance
Understand that repentance is not just feeling sorry but involves a decisive change in direction and behavior. Evaluate areas in your life where repentance is needed.

The Importance of Deeds
Recognize that faith is demonstrated through actions. Assess whether your current deeds reflect the love and commitment you had at the beginning of your faith journey.

Consequences of Neglect
Be aware that neglecting to repent and return to your first works can lead to a loss of spiritual influence and effectiveness, as symbolized by the removal of the lampstand.

Continuous Self-Examination
Regularly examine your spiritual life to ensure you are growing and not falling away from your initial commitment to Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific actions or attitudes characterized your faith when you first believed, and how can you incorporate them into your life today?

2. In what areas of your life do you sense a need for repentance, and what steps can you take to address these areas?

3. How does the imagery of the lampstand challenge you to evaluate your personal and communal witness as a believer?

4. How can the example of the early church in Ephesus, as described in Acts 19, inspire you to live out your faith more boldly?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your deeds align with the love and commitment you had at the beginning of your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus speaks of His followers as the light of the world, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a visible and effective witness, akin to the lampstand imagery in Revelation.

Acts 19
Provides background on the church in Ephesus, highlighting its founding and the initial zeal and works of the believers there.

Hebrews 10:32-36
Encourages believers to remember their earlier days of faith and endurance, similar to the call in Revelation 2:5 to remember and return to former deeds.
An Exhortation and Encouragement to Individual ChristiansC. H. Irwin, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Ashes on a Rusty AltarJ. Hamilton, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
BackslidingEssex RemembrancerRevelation 2:1-7
BackslidingP. C. Turner.Revelation 2:1-7
Christ'sR. Hall, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Christ's Care in Glory for His Church's Good on EarthWm. Strong.Revelation 2:1-7
Conquest and ImmortalityBp. Phillips Brooks.Revelation 2:1-7
Decay of LoveRevelation 2:1-7
Declension from First LoveC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Emotion Wanted in ReligionRevelation 2:1-7
EnduranceThomas Manton.Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus -- the Strenuous ChurchA. Mackennal, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
False ApostlesJames Durham.Revelation 2:1-7
First Love LeftH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Forsaking the First LoveE. Griffin, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
God's Voice to the ChurchJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Hatred of Evil Essential to LoveIsaac Williams.Revelation 2:1-7
Heaven, a GardenD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
His Lost IdealJ. Caird.Revelation 2:1-7
How to ConquerF. J. Sharr.Revelation 2:1-7
Inward DeteriorationW. Mitchell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Labouring and not FaintingC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Letter to EphesusJ. Parker, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Loss of the First LoveW. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Love's ComplainingC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Neglect of the Gospel Followed by its RemovalH. Melvill, B. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Neglected LoveW. W. Andrew, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Now, and ThenF. F. Goe, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
On Leaving Our First LoveEssex RemembrancerRevelation 2:1-7
ParadiseJ. O. Dykes, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Peculiarities of This Ephesian LetterCaleb Morris.Revelation 2:1-7
Phases of Church LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Red-Hot ReligionW. L. Watkinson.Revelation 2:1-7
Religion ActiveS. Charnock.Revelation 2:1-7
Religious DeclensionT. Morell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual DeclensionH. Melvill, B. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual Declension Reproved, Admonished, and ThreatenedW. Jay, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual DeclensionsB. Beddome, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Address to EphesusG. Rogers.Revelation 2:1-7
The Coming of Christ a Warning Against DeclensionH. E. Manning.Revelation 2:1-7
The Conflict of the Christian LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Decline of Spiritual LoveE. L. Hull, B. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Enthusiasm of the First LoveJohn F. Ewing, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Epistle to the Church At EphesusS. Conway Revelation 2:1-7
The Epistle to the Church in Ephesus: the Decay of Early LoveR. Green Revelation 2:1-7
The False Apostle Tried and DiscoveredW. Bridge, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Fatal Flaw in the Ephesian ChurchesH. Crosby.Revelation 2:1-7
The Gospel RemovedS. Charnock.Revelation 2:1-7
The Great ConditionS. S. Mitchell, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Heavenly Christ's First Promise to the VictorsA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Nicolaitane Doctrine Hateful to Christ and His ChurchRevelation 2:1-7
The Paradise of GodG. T. Coster.Revelation 2:1-7
The Peculiarities of the Christian's First LoveA. Alexander, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Seven Stars and the Seven CandlesticksA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Tree of LifeA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Tree of LifeR. Watson.Revelation 2:1-7
The True Problem of Christian ExperienceH. Bushnell, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Words of Christ from Eternity to the Congregation At EphesusD. Thomas Revelation 2:1-7
The Words of Christ to the Congregation At EphesusD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Unwearied PatienceT. Adams.Revelation 2:1-7
Watchman, What of the NightH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
What Christ Likes to See in a ChurchC. H. Irwin, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Zeal for Truth Must be LovingW. Milligan, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
People
Antipas, Balaam, Balac, Balak, Israelites, Jezebel, John
Places
Ephesus, Pergamum, Smyrna, Thyatira
Topics
Act, Candlestick, Changed, Deeds, Except, Fallen, Hast, Heart, Hearts, Height, Lamp, Lampstand, Lamp-stand, Mayest, Mind, Mindful, Move, Place-unless, Quickly, Reform, Remember, Remove, Repent, Surely, Swiftly, Unless, Whence, Works
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 2:5

     2009   Christ, anger of
     4830   height
     4909   beginning
     5450   poverty, spiritual
     6195   impenitence, results
     6734   repentance, importance
     8151   revival, corporate
     8466   reformation
     8670   remembering

Revelation 2:2-5

     2045   Christ, knowledge of

Revelation 2:4-5

     4963   past, the
     6156   fall, of humanity
     8764   forgetting God

Library
May 17. "To Him that Overcometh, Will I Give" (Rev. Ii. 17).
"To him that overcometh, will I give" (Rev. ii. 17). A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved. Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life. It is no longer now, "What is the best that I can do?" but the question
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 11. "Hold Fast Till I Come" (Rev. Ii. 25).
"Hold fast till I come" (Rev. ii. 25). The other day we asked a Hebrew friend how it was that his countrymen were so successful in acquiring wealth. "Ah," said he, "we do not make more money than other people, but we keep more." Beloved, let us look out this day for spiritual pickpockets and spiritual leakage. Let us "lose nothing of what we have wrought, but receive a full reward"; and, as each day comes and goes, let us put away in the savings bank of eternity its treasures of grace and victory,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Love's Complaining
Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant work it is to watch them and trim them. No one knows the churches as Jesus does, for the care of all the churches daily comes upon him, he continually walks among them, and holds their ministers as stars in his right hand. His eyes are perpetually upon the churches, so that he knows their works, their sufferings, and their sins; and those eyes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Declension from First Love
But further, Christ says, "I know thy patience." Now there be some that labour, and they do it well. But what does hinder them? They only labour for a little season, and then they cease to work and begin to faint. But this church had laboured on for many years; it had thrown out all its energies--not in some spasmodic effort, but in a continual strain and unabated zeal for the glory of God. "I know thy patience." I say again, beloved, I tremble to think how few out of this congregation could win
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The New Name.
To him that overcometh, I will give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.-- REV. ii. 17. Whether the Book of the Revelation be written by the same man who wrote the Gospel according to St John or not, there is, at least, one element common to the two--the mysticism. I use the word mysticism as representing a certain mode of embodying truth, common, in various degrees, to almost all, if not all, the writers of the New Testament. The
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

That There is no Security against Temptation in this Life
"My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. Thou dwellest among foes, and art attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore thou use not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded. Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast purpose to bear all things for My sake, thou shalt not be able to bear the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Seven Assemblies as a Whole (I. 11).
We must here, at the outset, remove the greatest source of all the misunderstandings which have arisen with regard to these seven "churches." The fact of their being called "churches" has naturally led commentators and students of this book to infer that it is the Church of God, or at any rate the historic Christian Church, which is meant. The difficulty is thus arbitrarily created. The Bible student is at once confronted with an overwhelming difficulty. He has read the Epistles which are addressed
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Fourth
refers to the books of Numbers and Samuel. The promise is, "to him will give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star" (Rev. ii. 26-28). Here again the literary order in the Apocalypse goes forward with the historical order: for it is in the book of Numbers that we have the basis of this promise given to the same People, who were the subjects
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Jesus
C. P. C. Rev. ii. 28 O Name, the psalm and the music That fills the heavenly place-- O Name by which there I enter And see Thee face to face-- O Name, Thou art here the music, And here the sweetness and song, Though the sea and the waves are roaring, And though the night is long. The night--but a night of glory, For there in the heavens I see The Morning Star in its brightness, Thy gift of love to me. I have the pledge of the dawning, The glow of the golden Day, For Thou, O my Lord, hast arisen,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light against Delusions.
1. To bring this matter to an end, I say that it is not necessary for the soul to give its consent here; it is already given: the soul knows that it has given up its will into His hands, [1] and that it cannot deceive Him, because He knoweth all things. It is not here as it is in the world, where all life is full of deceit and double-dealing. When you think you have gained one man's good will, because of the outward show he makes, you afterwards learn that all was a lie. No one can live in the
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

The Dialogue against the Luciferians.
Introduction. This Dialogue was written about 379, seven years after the death of Lucifer, and very soon after Jerome's return from his hermit life in the desert of Chalcis. Though he received ordination from Paulinus, who had been consecrated by Lucifer, he had no sympathy with Lucifer's narrower views, as he shows plainly in this Dialogue. Lucifer, who was bishop of Cagliari in Sardinia, first came into prominent notice about a.d. 354, when great efforts were being made to procure a condemnation
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

The Laodicean State of Christendom.
In Revelation two and three we have seven Epistles addressed to the seven churches in Asia. These Epistles--in keeping with the nature of the book in which they are found--are prophetic in their scope. They record the sentences of the Divine Judge who appears in the midst of these churches (see 1:13-20) inspecting and passing decisions. They contain a panorama of the Church's history. They give us a complete outline of the entire course of the Christian profession, of going from bad to worse, until
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

As Many as were Called by Grace, and Displayed the First Zeal...
As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Vanity of Human Glory.
"The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."--1 John iii. 1 Of St. Simon and St. Jude, the Saints whom we this day commemorate, little is known[1]. St. Jude, indeed, still lives in the Church in his Catholic epistle; but of his history we only know that he was brother to St. James the Less, and nearly related to our Lord and that, like St. Peter, he had been a married man. Besides his name of Jude or Judas, he is also called Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus in the Gospels. Of St. Simon we only
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Job's Regret and Our Own
I. Let us begin by saying, that regrets such as those expressed in the text are and ought to be very BITTER. If it be the loss of spiritual things that we regret, then may we say from the bottom of our hearts, "Oh that I were as in months past." It is a great thing for a man to be near to God; it is a very choice privilege to be admitted into the inner circle of communion, and to become God's familiar friend. Great as the privilege is, so great is the loss of it. No darkness is so dark as that which
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all Its Vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Calling of the Regenerate:
"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called."--Rom. viii. 30. In order to hear, the sinner, deaf by nature, must receive hearing ears. "He that hath ears let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17, 29; iii. 6, 13, 22). But by nature the sinner does not belong to these favored ones. This is a daily experience. Of two clerks in the same office, one obeys the call and the other rejects it; not because he despises it, but because he does not hear God's call in it. Hence
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Theology of Grace.
The theology which Augustin opposed, in his anti-Pelagian writings, to the errors of Pelagianism, is, shortly, the theology of grace. Its roots were planted deeply in his own experience, and in the teachings of Scripture, especially of that apostle whom he delights to call "the great preacher of grace," and to follow whom, in his measure, was his greatest desire. The grace of God in Jesus Christ, conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit and evidenced by the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, is the
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

The First
refers to Genesis ii., the promise being, "I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. ii. 7). God begins from Himself. The Apocalypse related not only to Israel, but to the earth; and the first promise goes back to Eden and to the "tree of life." The way to that tree was lost: but was "kept" (or preserved) by the cherubim (Gen. iii. 24). These cherubim next appear in connection with the way to the Living One, in the Tabernacle, and are thus linked
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter cxxvi. To Marcellinus and Anapsychia.
Marcellinus, a Roman official of high rank, and Anapsychia his wife had written to Jerome from Africa to ask him his opinion on the vexed question of the origin of the soul. Jerome in his reply briefly enumerates the several views that have been held on the subject. For fuller information he refers his questioners to his treatise against Rufinus and also to their bishop Augustin who will, he says, explain the matter to them by word of mouth. Although it hardly appears in this letter Jerome is a decided
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Parting Counsels
'And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Links
Revelation 2:5 NIV
Revelation 2:5 NLT
Revelation 2:5 ESV
Revelation 2:5 NASB
Revelation 2:5 KJV

Revelation 2:5 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Revelation 2:4
Top of Page
Top of Page