2nd to none!

As I was speaking to the Lord this morning and seeking Him for a word of instruction I heard in my spirit, “2nd to none.” I pressed in to seek further revelation on this and the Spirit of God amplified Revelation 2:1-5 to my spirit.

Revelation 2:1-5 “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 lampstands: 2 “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; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

 

Although the Lord celebrates the accomplishments of the church of Ephesus He then tells them that their works cannot measure up to the hardness of heart that He now sees in them. It is clear that this is of great offense to the Lord as He expresses that He now feels as though He has been abandoned and deserted by them. And though their present works are recognized it is clear that the Lord desires the greater works that they did at first. It becomes obviously that these first works were an outflow and an overflow of their love for Him. They no longer consoled themselves in His Spirit and sought to do works that in His eyes proved to lack in comparison to the deep love and communion that fueled what they did at first. Though their works are notable we can only assume that because they did not come out of hearts saturated with genuine love for Him that they also lacked a deep measure in genuineness and based on their ability to try to appease Him and not truly based on their faith. . The Lord says, “Remember then from what heights you have fallen”. It is obvious that God was saying that they were now in a place that was now destructively and dangerously far from His heart. So He commands them to repent, to change their inner man to meet His will. And do works they previously did which also means these new works deathly paled in comparison to the works they did when He occupied the first position in their hearts.

And the Lord says, Many of you have allowed your love for Me to grow cold and in this I Am displeased. You have allowed your trials to bring you into a place of indifference towards what I have required of you. Today I Am pouring forth abundant grace and mercy as I call you into deep repentance for your own sakes. As you repent and confess of this hardened and coldness of heart that you have allowed to grow deep down inside of you; you will find that you will be empowered to recover your first zeal and passionate desire for Me. Your hearts will become tender once again. You will once again endeavor to pray earnestly, seeking Me above all else as you did at first when you had set your heart towards Me Your First Love. I am to be your first Love, for I Am a jealous God who will be 2nd to none.