Good News

To the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him Who holds the seven stars [which are the messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, Who goes about among the seven golden lampstands [which are the seven churches]:  I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.  I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary. Revelation 2:1-3.Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

There is a stylized structure to all the writings to the seven churches.  It begins with a description of Christ.  Generally, there is good news and then bad news—but not always.

Seven and seven

We are told earlier that the seven stars are the angels (probably guardian angels) of the seven churches.  The seven lampstands are the churches themselves.  It is typical of the imagery;  lampstands are earthly things;  stars are heavenly things.  So is it not fairly obvious that our Lord—who is Lord of All—is equally Lord of things on earth (churches, lampstands) and things in heaven (angels, stars)?  He walks among them, equally at home in both realms.  Thus it is that he can be counselor to those of us on earth, and advocate before the Father in heaven.

Good News

He commends the church of Ephesus for these things:

• Their good deeds.  Faith without works is dead, and theirs was a very lively faith indeed.
• Hard work.   We sometimes forget that this is a virtue.
• Perseverance.  How often we see someone quit just at the moment when things begin to turn around!

But this is not all.  He commends them for their attitude.

• They cannot tolerate wicked men in the church.  How different from our day, in which every form of sexual immorality is seen as "an expression of God's love."  "Tolerance" is the mantra chanted to drive out righteousness.  These people were intolerant, and our Lord commended them for it.
• They tested those who claimed to be Apostles.  Not content with hearing smooth speeches and glossy words, they measured these men by the Scripture—as should we.
• They endured hardship, and did not grow weary.  Persecution is the inevitable lot of the Christian;  some mild; some strong.  But it will continue until our Lord returns.  Therefore we must decide what to do about it.  They decided to keep persisting in good deeds, not wearying because of the hardship but growing stronger.  Your attitude is a decision, not something the world forces on you—right?