What did Jesus mean in the book of Revelation when He told the church at Ephesus that He would remove their lamp stand? What do the lamp stands represent?


Let's review two different texts that will show us what the lamp stand represented.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.
(Rev. 1:20 NKJ)

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 lamp stands: 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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

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 will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place - unless you repent."
(Rev. 2:1-5 NKJ)

There was an actual church located in a city called Ephesus. This congregation met in a building and was made up of ordinary people.

In Heaven, or in the unseen realm, the lamp stand is symbolic of that church which met on the earth. Jesus said He walked in the midst of the lamp stands. This means that His presence was in that church.

The church at Ephesus had lost their zeal for God and were only going through the motions of serving God. When a church loses its zeal for God, Jesus will remove His presence from that church. This can happen to any church and would be a terrible tragedy.

To assure the presence of God being in our churches, we must stay zealous, excited, and "on fire" for God.

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