Jesus is speaking to the church of Ephesus
Revelation 2:2-5 NLT “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.
3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”
Jesus is saying that HE sees and knows how hard some are working for Him with patient endurance and they even hate evil practices. In fact, suffered patiently without quitting. BUT, HE says such people may show a lot of effort but lost their First Love with Him and His people. These are Christians who can still say they believe, pray at times, and go to church but are tired and fed up with many people including their spouses, and maybe life. They are just going through the motions. Such people are jeopardizing their salvation. We must not become deceived.
There is a threat to remove the lampstand if we do not properly repent. The lampstand represents loss of authority and positions. The lampstand represents the church/authority, and Jesus is the Light that guides His people in the darkness. His Light is Life itself. It is the source of joy and peace.
Pastor Steve Kim