Revelations 2:2-5 "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: you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and do the first works, lest I come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent."
It's possible to be doing much "for the Lord", laboring, hating evil, standing up for righteousness, testing "false" apostles and preachers, yet to still be missing the mark. I'm wary when all I hear from preachers is what everybody is doing wrong. I believe there is a place for "prophetic" men to exalt truth and stand against deception. But I believe it MUST be balanced with messages on the awesome love and grace of Christ.
As straightforward and real the messages that the prophets of Israel spoke were, remember they also spoke much of the coming Christ and the work of Calvary.
The top priority on the list in God's eyes is loving Him with ALL our heart, mind, soul and strength. Isn't this the essence of revival? "Revive us Lord that we may rejoice in Thee"
It's easy to notice an "Ephesian" church. There tends to be a bitterness in their voice when they preach rather than a "burden" of God. There tends to be alot of zeal with a lack of compassion for others. There tends to be alot of fire and brimstone, and very little on the mercy and compassion of God. There tends to be alot of examination of others and a lack of examining ourselves.
We all (myself included) would do well to daily check our own hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to shed the love of God abroad our hearts.
