Revelation 2:4 "I hold this against you. You have left your first love..."
- lklinda63
- May 14
- 9 min read
OUR BORDERS [within and without]:
So Went Israel, So Goes the Church, Leaving Your First Love: As we watch our nation and those around the world being shaken with greater intensity, we should be prepared to see similar shaking in many churches intensify. In Part 2 of my blog miniseries, “So Went Israel, So Goes the Church,” we’ll discuss how Israel left their first love of Yahweh God and how it is relevant to us today. To see more clearly, we must set aside preconceived notions, traditions, denominational ties, political persuasions, ideologies, and our unique cultural differences, for if our identity is rooted in anything other than in Christ Jesus alone, our faith is displaced and could be shaken away, revealing our faith may never truly have been in Him.
What does it mean to leave your first love? Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines the word ‘leave’ as to withdraw, to turn aside, to depart from, to desert, or to abandon. Bible Hub’s online concordance reveals that the Greek word translated as ‘leave’ or ‘abandoned’ is ‘aphiémi,’ literally meaning ‘to send away’ and could be defined as ‘to omit’. Hmm, this is serious when applied to our first love of God in Christ Jesus, who epitomized the greatest, truest, and purest form of Love. After all, Love comes from God and God is Love as it is written. [1 John 4:7-8]
This love described is so important. The English word 'love' comes from various Greek words, each with unique meanings, so it is helpful to look up these original Greek words for a deeper understanding of Scripture. Let’s examine this word ‘love’ translated from the Greek word Agapé, meaning an unconditional, sacrificial, selfless love that seeks nothing in return. Unfortunately, many Bible translations equate Agapé with ‘charity,’ misleading its true significance! While charity stems from Agapé, they are not the same.
Jesus gave some serious warnings to the church [ekklēsias] in Revelation 2-3, and going through these letters can be our “Readiness Test” to meet Him whom we say we believe in and serve. Today, let’s check our hearts and ensure we haven’t left our first Love in our busyness, our good works, our charitable acts, and even in our abilities to spot false apostles, etc. For this is exactly what happened to the first church mentioned in Revelation 2: the church of Ephesus.
To understand the consequences of abandoning one’s first love for God, we need look no farther than Israel, who ‘sent away’ [omitted] their first love of Yahweh God. The same God we also serve. Israel stopped seeking Him wholeheartedly, relying instead on sacrifices and rituals without genuine commitment or understanding of what they were pointing towards. This led to a loss of intimate knowledge and reverential fear and awe for the LORD. They began going through the motions without a sincere heart’s seeking Him. They left Him behind for tradition.
In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus had John write this to the church in Ephesus, who, as many are today, were doing the same thing. After listing some very honorable commendations, He said, “I hold this against you. You have abandoned [left, sent away, omitted, or forsaken] your first love. Therefore, remember [consider] how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the first works. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” This is a strong warning to us, the church. I don’t want God to remove His Lampstand, His Spirit’s Light within me, to shine outwardly to those around me. Do you?
With that, let’s consider and personalize individually what was written to Israel back then through the prophet Jeremiah:
The Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah [to you; to me]: “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD [Yahweh], the firstfruits of His harvest. All who devoured her were found guilty; disaster came upon them,” declared Yahweh. [Jeremiah 2:2-3]
“Does a maiden forget [mislay or misplace] her jewelry or a bride her wedding attire [her decorated head dressings and bridal gown]? Yet my people have forgotten Me for days without number.” [Jeremiah 2:32]
“I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you came and defiled My land and made My inheritance detestable. (8) The priests did not ask, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ Those who handled the law no longer knew Me, and the rulers rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols. (9) Therefore, I will contend with you again,” declares Yahweh, “and I will bring a case against you and your children’s children. [Jeremiah 2:7-9]
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken [left] Me, the Fountain of Living Water, and they have dug their own cisterns [pits, wells], broken cisterns that cannot hold water. [Jeremiah 2:13]
“Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God [Yahweh Eloheka], and to have no fear of Me,” declares Yahweh Adonai [Lord GOD]. [Jeremiah 2:19b]
[Jeremiah Weeps] “O Yahweh, the Hope of Israel, all those forsaking You will be put to shame. All those turning away from You will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned Yahweh, the Fountain of Living Water. [Jeremiah 17:13]
Right away, we see that forsaking [leaving] our first love in God leads us away from God into idolatry of self-works and self-righteousness, similar to the Pharisees and Sadducees in the days Jesus walked the earth. Instead of seeking Him and receiving His sustaining Living Water, many seek to build their own unreliable sources that leak. God’s Agapé flows from His Spirit in us and is life-sustaining. Forsaking our first love leads us down a slippery slope to further shame and emptiness. It is “a form of godliness but denying [refusing] its power,” as stated in 2 Timothy 3:5, a “laying aside the commandment of God to hold to the tradition of men” [Mark 7:8], which breeds lawlessness. And, as it is written in Matthew 24:12, “Because lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold.” Consider the consequences outlined in this chart of 'leaving behind' our first love of God in Christ Jesus. God has revealed this pattern repeatedly throughout the history of humanity, of Israel, and of the ekklésias [i.e., churches] in Scripture. Yet, today, a growing number of professing Christians appear to be leaving behind their first love; many are abandoning it altogether. Here are some things to ponder regarding leaving behind Agapé [Love] written to us:
If I should speak in the tongues of men and of angels and have not love [agapēn], I have become as a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I should have prophecy and should understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith to remove mountains, but have not love [agapēn], I am nothing. (3) If I should give away all my possessions, and if I should deliver up my body that I may boast, but have not love [agapēn], I profit nothing. [1 Corinthians 13]
-- This full chapter further talks about the fruit of Agapé [Love] that never fails. --
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in Heaven. (22) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform mighty works?’ [I’ll add, ‘Didn’t we do good works and labor for you. And did we not hate evil and expose liars who falsely claim to be apostles without growing weary and persevering and enduring many things for Your name’s sake (Rev 2:2). And did we not hate the Nicolaitans, the thing you also hate? (Rev 2:6)]’ (23) Then I [Jesus] will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew [egnōn, had intimate relationship with] you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” [Matthew 7:21-23, combined with excerpts from Revelation 2:2, 6]
-- This is one of the most fearsome reminders of self-achievements that are indicated when we leave behind our first Love. --
What must we do if we have left His Love behind? Repent, meaning having a change of mind and heart, and turn back towards God by doing what you did in the beginning. Make getting to know Him through His Word a priority, setting aside all labors for Him to sit at His feet, to commune with Him, to praise Him. The truth is, without Him, we truly can’t do a thing worthwhile, nor should we want to. Let’s endeavor to keep our communion with Christ first, our love and devotion to Him first, and He will see to it that the rest of the work He plans for us, along with our transformation, even when difficult, will be completed at His appearing.
Question: What is it that you love and focus on the most each day? This could be anything from a person to an object, or even a nation and its leader. It could include a family member, such as a child or a spouse, a mother or father. Left unchecked, omitting agapé in Christ Jesus [communing with Him] and doing that which He called us to do without Him will always lead to lawlessness, deeper sins, and deceptions. We will see this when we discuss the next church: Pergamum, who held to teachings of Balaam.
In closing, let’s again end with Revelation 22:20: He who testified to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha! He is the only ONE WORTHY!
Click here to listen to the song of the hour: Oh Lord You’re Beautiful + Spontaneous Chorus (Live) [Heartcry of David] / I encourage you to listen to the following related messages: Do I Know the Time So I Can Be Ready On Time? [Verse by verse teaching on Mark 1:14-20 by JD Farag] / Greek & Hebrew Meaning of the Word Love! [Wakeupfromslumber.com]
BIBLE PROPHECY Update:
Let us continue to pray for joy, peace, strength, and healing during this time of loss in the Farag family, as well as for others around this globe currently facing life’s storms in this, the last minute of the last hour.
Be Careful And Prayerful About What You’re Seeing And Believing [2026-03-29] Pastor JD talks about the need for discernment in everything one is hearing and seeing, as misinformation and disinformation are revealed in new propaganda wrapping paper, a last-days deception. [PDF Transcript & Resource Links]
What The World Says! What The World Says! [2026-03-15] Pastor JD Farag speaks to all the voices clamoring for our attention, begging the question of who or what am I listening to? [PDF Transcript & Resource Links] Other Prophecy Updates I would encourage you to check out can be found @ JDfarag.org/bible-prophecy.
PROPHECY IN DAILY HEADLINES:
Rise of idolatry around the world! Leaving behind the first love, who is Christ, in our self-performance, can lead to various other forms of idolatry as previously mentioned. Today, this is a growing trend through idolizing a certain pastor(s) and/or teacher(s); a nation, by elevating normal godly patriotism to an extreme level of prideful nationalism; emphasizing our own knowledge of scripture even, particularly that of prophecy, over the Spirit of Prophecy, who is Jesus. In this mini-series, “So went Israel, So Goes the Church,” we will explore some of these issues in more detail as they manifest in our world today. So, stay tuned for all of this is fulfilling what God said would be, and now is, and will intensify around us. The truth is: “If you want to follow Jesus because He will give you a better life, that’s idolatry. Follow Christ for the sake of Christ. He is WORTHY.” – Paul Washer Quote. Related teaching: Let’s Really Get To Know The Real Jesus [Verse by verse teaching on Mark 1:39-45 with Pastor JD]
COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT...
Government Centralized AI Framework: While the US-Iran War distracts many, significant changes in AI governance are taking place in the US through the enactment of legislation that should be concerning. The National Policy Framework under Trump aims to nationalize AI policy by creating a centralized AI policy in the United States, which could affect internet and social media use in the near future. While many are praising this initiative, behind it is another step towards total control over you and me through AI and digital identification. Coincidence? I think not. Click here to be in the know and learn more: TRUMP AI: National Policy & Absolute Control [Wretched Watchman YouTube].
SILVER LINING
Jesus, the Beginning and the End! Have you ever wondered how one can be so confident in our Great God, Jesus the Messiah? The truth is, when you start really seeking Him verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book, through the Scriptures, you see His beautiful tapestry throughout, from Genesis to Revelation. Everything points to Jesus and to the will of the Father through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, working a work only He can do. As it is written in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel [Hear, O Church], the LORD our God, the LORD is ONE” – this is a central truth for us. We can have confidence knowing He is the Beginning and the End, and everything between. If you haven’t seen this cross-reference chart by Chris Harrison, you may want to check it out. What a beautiful illustration of God being the center of eternity, showing the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end that will culminate in the new heavens and new earth. Click here to learn more: Chris Harrison Bible Cross-References.
WAKE UP GEAR FOR LIFE:
Wake Up Gear For Life YouTube continues to slowly but surely add new videos to: Beginnings, A Journey Through the Bible / We Are Here – Bible Prophecy Unfolding / Blog Am Watching, a different kind of blog, providing a Biblical perspective on world news and Biblical Teachings for the readiness of the appearing of Jesus Christ / Wake Up Gear Shop – Proclaiming Our Blessed Hope through quality, sustainable, durable comfort, sharing our inner faith out! Don’t be shy: contact-me@wakeupfromslumber.com. I would love to hear from you all out there!
Comments