The first of the seven churches addressed by the Lord in the book of Revelation was located in Ephesus. The New Testament tells us more about this church and the city in which it was located than any of the other churches of Revelation. This letter teaches us the importance of doing what is right for the right reason.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God’” (Revelation 2:1-7).
After the Lord’s church began in the city of Jerusalem, it expanded throughout the Roman Empire until it reached the capital city of Rome. The inspired history recorded by Luke ends here (Acts 28:16, 30-31), but the message of the gospel continued to spread throughout the world. Wherever it was preached, and people were converted, local churches were formed, made up of those who were turning to the Lord.
