Repentance in Revelation 2:5 (2x)

1       Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2       I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3       And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4       Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5       Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Subject Called to Repentance:   The church of Ephesus

Object of Repentance:        The object of repentance is not expressly stated, but can be inferred, to an extent, from the context.  The church of Ephesus is said to excel in works and labor and patience, in intolerance of evil, and standing strong against men who pretend to be apostles.  However, they are accused of "leaving their first love."  Although honest men disagree on the meaning, it appears that that they church of Ephesus had gone into an "automatic mode" and developed good habits in both doctrine and practice, but has lost some spark for their "first love."

Consequence of Failing to Repent:               "I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place" (vs. 5). The nature of the judgment is poetic, but is plainly dealing with temporal judgment of the local church at Ephesus, not eternal judgment.

Repentance in Revelation 2:5 (2x)