2:1Revelation 2:1

Christ himself speaks to the church at Ephesus as the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.STGC 13.2–14.1+4 The seven stars are his ministers and messengers, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.AA 586.3+4 His holding them and walking among them means his constant, personal presence with his churches, with supreme authority, care and protection over his workers and full knowledge of their works.AA 586.3+4 He commends labor, patience and faithfulness to truth, yet charges the church with leaving its first love and calls it to remember, repent and do the first works, warning that without repentance its lampstand will be removed.STM2 26.2+4 That warning comes down through the ages to the end of the world, applying especially to God's people in the last days who have had great light.16MR 101.2–3+4

The speaker is Jesus Christ, the True Witness and the First and the Last, who presents himself as the one holding the seven stars in his right hand and walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks and lampstands.STGC 13.2–14.1+4 His words are true because he cannot lie, and he speaks as judge with full knowledge of works, addressing his professing people and the church at Ephesus concerning their works, endurance, and loss of first love.Lt 79, 1901, par. 22+3 He is present among his people, imbuing everyone who loves him, moving with eternal vigilance from church to church, from congregation to congregation, and from heart to heart, neither slumbering nor sleeping as keeper of his people and as the true Watchman of the house and faithful Warder of the temple courts.Ms 50, 1894, par. 9–12+1 The church is not given into the hands of men, and believers are not dependent on earthly priest or minister, for if left to human care the flickering light would go out; believers are kept by the power of God through faith as his gift, and his presence and sustaining grace are the secret of all life and light, secured by him who gave his life so that all who believe will not perish but have everlasting life.Lt 79, 1901, par. 22

The message was given by Christ in person to John on the Isle of Patmos, when the Lord appeared to him in vision, as part of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given to show his servants things that must shortly come to pass.Lt 106, 1902, par. 8–14+2 Christ bade the aged prophet John write it in a book to the angel of the church of Ephesus for the benefit of the seven churches, to deliver truth to the churches and to proclaim Jesus and the character people must perfect through him in order to be saved.Ms 11, 1906, par. 12–13+3 It belongs to the messages John received for the churches recorded in Revelation 1-3, given by Christ from heaven to John, and a message to an angel can be carried through human agents.Ms 11, 1906, par. 12–13+2 It stands with great and solemn truths for this time that are to enter into the very designs and principles of the church of God and to be proclaimed to the world and through papers with all spiritual power, joined to Christ's knowledge of works, labor, patience, rejection of evil, testing of those who say they are apostles, endurance for his name, charge of leaving first love, and call to remember, repent, and do the first works lest the candlestick be removed, with the work of proclaiming the third angel's message whose truths are essential to salvation.Lt 106, 1902, par. 8–14

The message to Ephesus was given by the Lord Jesus Christ to John to be written to come down through the ages to the end of the world, a message Jesus gave John to write for the church through the ages extending to the end of the world.16MR 101.2–3+1 It is repeatedly given as instruction and warning to God's people, beginning with words of commendation pronouncing Well done upon the good and faithful servant, yet also warning about leaving first love.STGC 13.2–14.1+2 Those messages commissioned to be sent to the churches contain vital, important truths bearing on the salvation of souls and must not be set aside as idle tales while time is given to unrevealed speculations about the future life, such as whether children will be born in the new earth.Lt 107, 1904, par. 23 Sent by a mighty angel to John in symbols showing things to transpire until the coming of Christ and preserved in the book of Revelation, understood by only very few, it contains the message for the last days to be dwelt upon much and to be proclaimed clearly and powerfully.Lt 200, 1903, par. 4+1 The truth Christ gave John to give to the churches must be kept pure and taught without mixture to men and women training to be Christian missionaries, for commingling specious scientific errors confuses minds and breathes a seductive influence that deceives and leads away.Ms 70, 1905, par. 6

Christ's presentation of himself as holding the seven stars in his right hand and walking among the golden candlesticks shows his presence among and authority over the churches.STGC 13.2–14.1+2 It introduces a message that recognizes work and endurance, then rebukes leaving first love and warns the candlestick will be removed out of its place unless there is repentance and return to first works.Ms 50, 1894, par. 9–12+1 That return requires revival of his love and care for souls, practicing steady, patient, forbearing love that is never capricious but kind, unselfish, longsuffering toward those most in need, covering sins rather than magnifying faults or exposing the erring unless positive necessity requires it.Ms 154, 1904, par. 26–28+1 His words are repeated over and over to those who talk of principles actuating service and teaching yet reveal neither strict integrity and proper dealing nor a heart transformed by grace, who fail to draw wholesome light and life and grace from Christ to make deep impressions and become more Christlike, but walk and talk like unconverted worldlings.Ms 11, 1906, par. 12–13

The seven stars are the ministers, teachers, messengers and angels of the churches, entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities.AA 586.3+4 They are commissioned to teach all nations and to carry the last message of mercy to the world, with His abiding presence to the end, and they are a greater blessing to the church than stars are to the world.Ms 23, 1903, par. 3–5+2 As His representatives their sacred dignity comes from Him, and under the working of the Holy Spirit they come into order and shine with His brightness as they preach the word.6T 414.1+1 In one place the seven stars are described as representing the churches themselves.Ms 50, 1894, par. 9–12

Holding them in His right hand expresses supreme authority, control, special care and protection over His workmen.AA 586.3+4 God has supreme authority over those appointed to fill positions of trust, who are to take up responsibilities with self-distrust and work under His direction, receiving power from Him to increase the talents lent them in trust.Ms 78, 1900, par. 1–4+1 Ministers receive their office from Him and receive strength and efficiency from Him to do its work, and they must give account to Him in the day of God.AA 586.3+1 They are known in number and called by name, filled with light and guided and directed in their movements as laborers together with Him.AA 586.3+1 No one man is to take jurisdiction as supreme authority to confine the running of an institution, church or sanitarium or to decide all difficulties for everyone, but ministers and physicians are to blend, consult together and counsel with united wise counselors, each acting from his own individual mind while looking to Christ.Ms 198, 1899, par. 31–33

Ministers are only instruments in His hands, and without Him they would become fallen stars.AA 586.3+2 Like stars that depend on God for light, guidance and direction, every good they accomplish comes through His power.6T 413.3–4+2 Through the Holy Spirit He makes them blessings to the church, and as they make God their dependence and look to Christ as Christ looked to the Father, He gives them His brightness to reflect to the world and enables them to do His work.AA 586.3+2 Through them His light is to shine forth, and the Saviour is to be their efficiency.AA 586.3+1 A church faithful to its trust need not fear coming to nothing or perishing, for no star under His protection and under the protection of Omnipotence can be plucked or taken from His hand.AA 586.1–2+1 If a star separates itself from God and falls from its setting, another will take its place, so there will never be fewer than seven, seven being God's symbol of completeness.EDFCP 5.1

Those who are as stars in His hand are His representatives and are ever to preserve a sacred, holy dignity, with simplicity in Christ as the pure, sacred dignity of the truth.Ms 78, 1900, par. 6–7+1 The figures are to be carefully studied by undershepherds and faithfully applied to their own experience, that by tireless vigilance they keep their privilege of securing light from the Source of all light and giving it to those for whom they labor, so the light of the church does not go out in darkness through unfaithful care.Lt 4, 1908, par. 8–10 He is continually imparting knowledge and grace to His representatives, and He expects them to impart to others the gifts they receive, sending them out with the word Go.Ms 155, 1902, par. 13–15 To be stars in the right hand of God means to shine for God by giving light to those who are seeking for light and by denouncing the sinful practices of this generation, proclaiming the laws of His kingdom nigh and afar off and sustaining the ministry.Ms 78, 1900, par. 24 It requires the strictest vigilance by those who preach the Word, practicing the truth in every detail of life, representing the truth by self-denial and victory over appetite, and bearing witness by life to its sanctifying, elevating, ennobling influence.Ms 78, 1900, par. 24 Those who claim to be His ministers are to arise and shine because their light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them, doing the work He did by leaving the churches which know the truth and going forth into the harvest field to establish new churches and present the word of truth to those in ignorance of the warning message.6T 414.2+1

Through His messengers He intends His light to shine to the world.8T 23.3+2 He holds the stars in His right hand for the purpose of letting His light shine forth through them to the world, and He sends them throughout His dominion to communicate His will to His creatures.8T 23.3+1 He is present with them, directs them, and works to sanctify, elevate, ennoble and prepare His followers and His people for higher service in heaven and in the church above.8T 23.3+2

The seven golden candlesticks or lampstands are the seven churches, and they are pictured also as golden bowls to be filled with holy oil so that their light may shine forth in glorious brightness.Lt 27, 1896, par. 24–25+2 The two olive trees are heavenly messengers who empty golden oil out of themselves through golden pipes into the bowls, and soul consecration and receiving of that golden oil makes every worker a living channel of light and a steward of grace in direct connection with the work.Lt 27, 1896, par. 24–25 The seven churches symbolize the church in different periods of the Christian era, and the number seven signifies completeness, showing that the messages extend to the end of time and reveal the church's condition in different periods.AA 585.2–3

Walking in their midst means constant, personal presence with the churches through the length and breadth of the earth and presence in every assembly of the church.ST2 42.2+2 He goes from church to church and from congregation to congregation and from soul to soul and from heart to heart with unwearied vigilance.STA 101.1–102.2+4 He watches their condition and work continually with eternal vigilance, because the words are true as from One who cannot lie and who knows the works.ST2 42.2+2

He is the true Watchman who does not slumber nor sleep and the faithful and true Warder of the temple courts and of the house, even while undershepherds may sleep or be engrossed with matters of small importance.STA 101.1–102.2+4 His walking signifies untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, watching whether the light of any sentinel is burning dim or going out.ST Feb 12, 1902+1 He who gave His life for the life of the world so that all who believe will not perish but have everlasting life keeps Israel and His people without slumbering or sleeping.Ms 99, 1902, par. 5+2

He sees not as man sees and knows the true state of the churches, observing their works and order and vigilance and piety and devotion and spiritual light.ST2 42.2+3 He watches with intense interest whether they are in such spiritual condition that they can advance His kingdom, and He is acquainted with everyone connected with His service by name, with their neglected opportunities and thoughts and words and acts.6T 418.3+2 He knows whose hearts He can fill with the Holy Spirit, pictured as holy oil, so they may impart it to others, and faithful workers who reveal the divine character in word and deed and fulfill the purpose for them are precious and bring pleasure as a well-kept garden with fragrance brings pleasure to him who planted it.6T 418.3+1 His words are repeated to those who talk of principles actuating service and teaching yet reveal in neither word nor deed strict integrity and proper dealing and a heart transformed by grace, who do not draw wholesome light and life and grace from Him to make deep impressions and become more Christlike but walk and talk like unconverted worldlings.Ms 11, 1906, par. 12–13

His presence and sustaining grace are the secret of all light and life, and believers are kept by the power of God through faith as the gift of God and not of themselves.ST2 42.2+4 God has not given His church into the hands of men nor left the candlesticks to the care of human agents or to mere human care, or the flickering flame would languish and flicker and go out and die.Ms 99, 1902, par. 5+3 His people are not dependent on the presence of earthly priest or minister.Ms 99, 1902, par. 5+2 Even the most splendid service will not be accepted unless the work is purified from all selfishness and pride and impurity.Lt 27, 1896, par. 24–25

Though He serves as High Priest and Mediator in the sanctuary above, He also walks up and down among the churches on earth in living communication and communion with His people.AA 586.1–2+1 He remains actively present with His churches on earth, and His care and sustaining grace keep their light alive.6T 418.3+2 He works through angels who descend and ascend on a ladder of shining brightness, reflecting light and glory to give light and grace and strength, and every church has a guardian angel who ministers to it while angels minister to each church and worker in divine cooperation.Lt 44, 1898, par. 5–7+1 He is present when matters are set in order and when His people faithfully cultivate His vineyard in love for Him and the purchase of His blood, and His presence grieves over proud self-sufficiency and domineering over the people that fails to reveal Christlike love.Ms 78, 1900, par. 6–7

Christ commends Ephesus for its works, labor, patience, endurance without fainting for his name, refusal to bear evil, and trying those who say they are apostles and finding them liars, a record showing a high state of advancement in spiritual knowledge.STM2 26.2+4 He knows its bearing and patience and unfainting labor, its rejection of evil and false apostles, and its trial borne for his name's sake.Lt 24, 1890, par. 33–37+2 The message that follows that commendation rebukes the loss and calls to remember the fall, repent, and return to the first works, or the candlestick will be removed.STM2 26.2+2

Despite true doctrine and opposition to evil, the church is charged with leaving its first love, losing the freshness and power of faith.STM2 26.2+3 That leaving is a moral fall and decline in spirituality, brought in gradually through doubt and unbelief.STM2 26.2+2 A church may have commendable works, labor, patience, and rejection of evil yet lack love for God and neighbor, and must remember former devotion, repent, and return to first works or lose its candlestick.Lt 50a, 1897, par. 16–17+1 Drawing near to God and growing in faith and holiness keeps first love fresh and powerful.Ms 50, 1901, par. 20–22

That loss appears as harshness, want of tender sympathy for one another, cold treatment that can injure others, and a spirit of criticism.Lt 24, 1890, par. 33–37+1 Strictness and criticism displace awareness of Christ's love and sacrifice.Ms 12, 1902, par. 28–31 It is seen when brother draws apart from brother and willfully takes a position to combat him from a wicked spirit inspired by Satan, showing Christ is not abiding in the heart by faith and his lessons have not been learned.Ms 43a, 1898, par. 27–28 It is pride, self-love and self-exaltation that appeals to those disloyal to God, joins contention and strife, shows disunion to the world while sinners die, and counterworks Christ's prayer just before he gave his life.Ms 75, 1898, par. 24–25 Leaving first love means not keeping the faith and remaining in doubt and unbelief, bringing an unsettled condition lasting for years.Lt 23, 1904, par. 5–6

First love is the love circulating in the character of God — merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth — to be imparted to and reproduced in his children.Ms 50, 1894, par. 9–12 It is loving God with the whole heart and neighbor as self, keeping the first four commandments in supreme love to God and the last six in duty, brotherly love, pity, and courtesy to fellow men.Ms 50, 1894, par. 9–12 It includes love for fellow believers and for those for whom Christ died, so that when love for people is neglected, love for Christ will soon be lost.Lt 44, 1898, par. 5–7+2 It was first felt at conversion as light, power and love, whose light and power are to be carried into each day.Ms 161, 1904, par. 21–22 When the church returns to its first works, love for God and neighbor, unity, peace, mercy, and benevolence will characterize it, and Christ's love will be evident among its members.5MR 51.1–52.2

Without that love all profession of faith, work, patience, justice and endurance will not save a soul from death nor prevent widespread spiritual failure.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 12–13+2 The church needs conversion to recover that first love, travail of soul for the world, a much higher standard of piety and devotion, action from the highest Christian motives, and becoming laborers together with God in proclaiming the last message of mercy entrusted for a fallen world.Ms 57, 1898, par. 11–12 That love first expressed toward Christ must also be shown toward his followers, especially through caring work for people in need.Ms 159, 1904, par. 8–10 When God's people humble the soul before him and individually seek his Holy Spirit with all the heart, first love is restored and faces glow with the love of God.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 12–13

The call is to remember from where fallen, repent, purify the heart by belief of the truth as it is in Jesus, and do the first works.STM2 26.2+3 Self grown large prevents Christ from being manifested in the life so he cannot own his people, and the church must be aroused to realize her moral fall.Lt 208a, 1902, par. 49–51 Returning means love for God and neighbor in unity, peace, mercy and benevolence, with firm adherence to right principles and no removal of one pin from the foundation of truth built point by point by the Holy Spirit, since yielding one point leaves no surety that others will not be discarded until the whole structure is assailed.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8+1 The warning calls for repentance and return lest the candlestick be removed from its place.Lt 125, 1903, par. 1–2

Unless it repents Christ will come quickly and remove its candlestick out of its place, a warning being fulfilled together with the message to Sardis.STM2 26.2+4 Those who make light of his warnings and refuse to repent and return to first love lose the power of spiritual discernment, call darkness light and light darkness, follow human wisdom with confused judgment, lose interest in saving truth and will not receive it.Ms 48, 1903, par. 7–9 They permit their light to go out amid moral darkness until quenched, and grievous wolves enter, while the faithful who overcome receive the tree of life and take the places of those who refuse to shine.STM2 26.2+2 The Lord has not forsaken his church, but the candlestick of those who refuse is removed.Ms 48, 1903, par. 7–9

The warning is especially directed to leaders responsible for the church's work who were not acting in harmony with God's will or responding to light given, and above all to teachers of the Word who have left first love.Ms 66, 1901, par. 2–4+1 It bears upon those inside the church, acknowledged as believers, who retain guilt and practice evil while building themselves up in assurance because sentence against evil is not executed speedily.Ms 25, 1903, par. 1–2 The messages show Satan's subtle effort to bring dissension into the church, by which he succeeded in destroying much of the good in Ephesus.Lt 31, 1903, par. 6 Until its first work of recovering first love is done, council meetings amount to nothing.Ms 162, 1902, par. 30–34

The seven churches symbolize the church in different periods of the Christian era, covering the entire period from Christ's first coming to his second coming.LS 122.1–123.1+1 The sixth state was those who with one united voice proclaimed the coming of Jesus in the autumn of 1844 and were about to enter a period of great trial from which they would find relief by light from the heavenly sanctuary.LS 122.1–123.1 The number seven signifies completeness, showing that the messages extend to the end of time and that their symbols reveal the church's condition in different periods.AA 585.2–3

The name Ephesus is symbolic of the Christian church in a period of the Christian era, and its place as one of seven indicates completeness and means the message extends to the end of time and is enforced today.1MR 372.1+2 The message portrays the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today, and the figures of the stars and the candlesticks are symbolic of the state of God's professed people.1MR 372.1+1 In that state wheat develops among tares and truth stands on its own eternal basis in contrast with error.1MR 372.1+1 Christ weighs the characters of those who take His name as Christians, being acquainted with every religious experience, thought and intent of the heart, word and act, and whom each loves and serves, calling for close self-examination under His supervision.Ms 81, 1900, par. 54–56

The words to Ephesus apply to His people in the last days who hold the truth, including the remnant church and those in this age who have had great light.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8+4 Leaving the first love represents a moral fall, and there can be no lessening of that love without a moral fall, bringing loss of love for fellow believers, growth of self-love, lack of vital godliness despite works, labor, patience and rejection of evil, and failure to open the door of the heart to the knock of Christ.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8+2 The call to remember, repent, and do the first works means not giving heed to seducing spirits and objectionable theories that endanger faith and spoil experience, but returning to love for God and neighbor in unity, peace, mercy and benevolence.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8+1 No pin is to be removed from the foundation of truth built up point by point by the ministration of the Holy Spirit, because yielding one point leaves no surety that other points will not be discarded until the whole structure is assailed, even as the threatened removal of the lampstand applies to abandoning established truths.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8+1 God calls for unity among His people in these last days, but there cannot be unity without firm adherence to right principles.Lt 95, 1905, par. 5–8

With Revelation 1-3 the message gives earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.Lt 386, 1904, par. 1 It rebukes indifference to the signs Christ foretold and presents evidence that the end of the world is right upon us.Lt 386, 1904, par. 1 The Lord has a controversy with His people because the warnings of heaven have not been heeded, the Spirit of God is withdrawing from the world, and the fires lately raging in New York and other cities were no accident but the hand of omnipotent power.Ms 18, 1903, par. 6 A similar condition is coming in among God's professed people and must be guarded against.4MR 321.2+1

The message is not to be turned from lightly but to be read from beginning to end and studied most earnestly with humble, contrite hearts and a determined desire to understand and keep what is written, with blessing promised to those who read, hear and keep it.Ms 78, 1900, par. 1–4+2 The figures of holding the stars and walking among the candlesticks are to be carefully studied and faithfully applied by undershepherds to their own experience, so that by tireless vigilance they keep their privilege of securing light from the Source of all light and giving it to those for whom they labor, and the light of the church does not go out in darkness through unfaithful care.Lt 4, 1908, par. 8–10 The opening self-description declares supreme authority over workmen appointed to positions of trust, who are to take up responsibilities with self-distrust, work under divine direction, receive power to increase talents lent in trust, and strive to become wise, faithful workers with clear discernment and wise mastery.Ms 78, 1900, par. 1–4+1 Through ministers under special care and protection, known in number and called by name and directed in their movements as laborers together with God, the divine will is made known, for they are commissioned to teach all nations and to carry the last message of mercy to the world with abiding presence to the end, a greater blessing to the church than stars are to the world.Ms 23, 1903, par. 3–5

God's people are to hold now a united position with no opposing work among themselves, but pressing together and working intelligently as one mind and one heart, standing as a united company with faces to the foe to meet him united.Lt 136a, 1898, par. 36–39+1 No one man is to take jurisdiction as supreme authority to confine the running of an institution, church or sanitarium or to decide all difficulties for everyone, but ministers and physicians are to blend, consult together and counsel with united wise counselors, each acting from his own individual mind while looking to Christ, seeking divine wisdom, prayerfully studying the Word and giving all superiority to Christ.Ms 198, 1899, par. 31–33 The charge to Ephesus requires that first love not be left out of councils, but that the line of Christ be practiced by practicing a love that is steady and never capricious, patient, kind, forbearing, unselfish and longsuffering toward those most in need, covering a multitude of sins rather than magnifying small faults into unpardonable offenses or exposing the errors and weaknesses of the erring before others unless positive necessity requires it.Ms 198, 1899, par. 31–33+1 Followers are charged to do their work amid trials and exposure to persecution and even loss of life itself, never growing dim but shining as lights to dispel moral darkness, immorality and sin, uniting to bear one another's burdens as a combined united power in love and efficiency, made perfect in oneness so the world may believe, while selfishness that leaves destitute fields unworked is rebuked and earnest effort is called for to place workers in them.Ms 130, 1901, par. 49–51

Keeping first love means seeking the Lord with all the heart, loving God supremely and neighbor as self, giving due respect to those who have borne the burden of the work, and humbling the heart before God.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 12–13+1 When God's people humble the soul before Him and individually seek His Holy Spirit with all the heart, first love is restored and faces glow with the love of God, and without that first love all profession of faith will not save a soul from death.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 12–13 The call is to turn attention away from every difference of opinion, heed the counsel of the True Witness, remember from where fallen, repent and do the first works, or the candlestick will be removed from its place.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 12–13+2 When this is done truth prospers in the hands of believers and goes forth as a burning lamp, and God sees it is safe to work with and for them, while drawing near to God and growing in faith and holiness keeps first love fresh and powerful.Ms 50, 1901, par. 20–22+1

The opening words present light shining on the churches for believers now to gather and reflect, declaring living communication as Christ walks among His churches, and believers are to be one of those churches and let His light and love shine into their hearts and out upon the pathway of others as the light of the world.Ms 193, 1905, par. 5–11 It sets before believers the work of holding the love that was in Jesus Christ, who gave His life for them and brings them into right relation to Himself, by exercising that same love for one another, for losing that first love is the danger warned against.Ms 193, 1905, par. 5–11 The solemn messages to the churches are meant to awaken them to their obligation to work for Christ without delay in learning how to do the Father's will by seeking to save souls who are ready to perish, and to make personal efforts in Christ's work.Ms 116, 1904, par. 16–17 He is grieved and dishonored when those of any calling, education or position of influence lose their first love and trust their own capabilities as though complete in themselves, and when members exalt themselves, draw apart and do not express warmth of life in words and in relations one to another, for He desires them to present to the world a copy of the heavenly pattern as His beautiful garden and choice husbandry whose order He observes while staying closely related to His church and ministers.Ms 34, 1905, par. 5

The churches are pictured as golden bowls and the two olive trees as heavenly messengers who empty golden oil out of themselves through golden pipes into the bowls so the churches may let their light shine forth in glorious brightness.Lt 27, 1896, par. 24–25 There must be soul consecration and receiving of the golden oil, for even the most splendid service will not be accepted unless the work is purified from all selfishness, pride and impurity, and this connection with divine influences makes every worker a living channel of light, faithful and made a steward of grace in direct connection with His work.Lt 27, 1896, par. 24–25 Every child of God has a living connection with heaven through angels who descend and ascend on a ladder of shining brightness, reflecting the light and glory of God to give light and grace and strength to believers.Ms 188, 1905, par. 32–34 Neglecting prayer in the home refuses that heavenly help, while living prayers going up to God keep believers by the power of God through faith unto salvation, which they must cling to.Ms 188, 1905, par. 32–34

The address to Ephesus means Christ Himself addresses His professing people with full knowledge of their works, calling everyone who has gone out of the way to stand without fault before the throne of God on higher and holier ground, for God is not pleased with their present condition.Ms 34, 1905, par. 1–2+1 His words are repeated over and over to those who talk of principles actuating their service and teachings yet reveal in neither word nor deed strict integrity and proper dealing and a heart transformed by grace, who are not drawing wholesome light and life and grace from Christ to make deep impressions on minds and become more and still more Christlike, but walk and talk like unconverted worldlings.Ms 11, 1906, par. 12–13 The message is a warning repeatedly applied to those who had failed to heed spiritual counsel and needed to repent and return to their first works.Lt 5, 1903, par. 4–7 It is applied to departures from pure, holy principles in institutional management, and it stands as warning and test for those who had opportunity to recognize the Spirit's work, where the opportunity brought decisive evidence and those who failed to respond would become increasingly blinded by the enemy.Lt 63, 1903, par. 18–20+1