Christ rebukes the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:4 for leaving their first love, a stark contrast to the earlier praise for their faith and love toward the saints. Despite their steadfast labor, fight against evil, and guard against false teachers, they lack the deep, heartfelt devotion to Christ and the brethren that once defined them. Christ accuses them of settling for a mechanical, less passionate form of service, even as their church appears successful by many standards. Christ offers a remedy through a three-part exhortation in Revelation 2:5. He urges the Ephesians to remember from where they have fallen, encouraging a sincere self-examination of their spiritual condition and a thoughtful comparison of their current love with their initial, God-centered zeal. He then calls them to repent and do the first works, recognizing and correcting their errors by returning to the fervent state of mind they experienced upon their early faith and justification, where peace from God motivated their service. Christ refers to this first love as a profound action, not mere affection, driving good works from a sincere desire to serve God and man without selfish motives, allowing God's nature to guide their actions. Christ also warns the Ephesians of the serious consequences of their spiritual fall, threatening to remove their lampstand—expulsion from the fellowship of the Body of Christ—if they fail to repent. This forceful warning aims to provoke urgency to remember and return to their first love while there is still time. Yet, He concludes with a promise of hope, assuring that to those who overcome, He will give to eat from the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God.

In addressing the church at Ephesus, Jesus Christ highlights their loss of first love, the ardent desire to please God, amidst mounting trials and persecutions. He notes that their focus had shifted to the surrounding problems and events, leading to strife, mistrust, and suspicion among them. Christ emphasizes the importance of first love, describing it as the purest kind of spiritual love that demonstrates a heart completely given to God. He instructs the Ephesians to remember from where they have fallen, to repent, and to do the works they did when they first had this love. He warns that failure to follow these commands will result in severe consequences, as He will remove their lampstand from its place. Christ's message urges a return to the zeal and dedication shown at the beginning of their faith, when they diligently obeyed, studied, prayed, and stood firm in their beliefs. This first love, sparked by God's revelation of Himself, filled them with awe and a vision of being part of His Family. Though years may have passed and the newness of God's way has worn off, Christ commands them to stir up that initial gift of love and return to it in spirit, attitude, and works. He assures that regaining this godly love, now seasoned with experience and maturity, will enable them to pursue godliness with both youthful zeal and the wisdom of age. Remembering this first love is a vital step in reestablishing an intimate relationship with Him and throwing themselves on His mercy.

The message to the church in Ephesus urges a return to their first love, a devotion that had waned over time. This call to recapture earlier zeal stems from the challenges they faced, as hope for Christ's return diminished and difficulties mounted. Their high expectations were unmet, leading to a drift in their relationship with Him, much like a couple growing apart when attention falters. Persecutions, social ostracism, and economic hardships compounded their weariness, causing them to neglect their bond with Christ. As a result, the Spirit of God diminished within them, and they grew weary in well-doing. Christ warns them in Revelation 2:1-7, identifying their problem and offering guidance to correct it. He acknowledges their works but notes the loss of their initial love, urging them to redirect their energies back to former devotion. This loss of affection for Him showed in their actions, as they allowed worldly influences to pull them away, neglecting what He was doing for them daily. Despite their longing for His return, their spirituality weakened, and they became passive in the relationship, spurning His constant efforts through the apostles and the church. The solution lies in remembering that without Him, nothing can be accomplished spiritually. He is the vine, and they are the branches; daily, He prepares them for the Kingdom, forgives them, leads them, and provides for them with patience. Yet, they looked to the world for gratification, following their emotions rather than His steadfast love. To overcome, they must sow the right seeds, rekindle their attentiveness, and trust that His Word will produce fruit. The harvest of well-being begins soon when energies are turned back to devotion, ensuring that love for Christ manifests in works that honor Him.