The 1st Century context…
Ephesus was a port city in 1st century Asia minor, and the home of one of the seven ancient wonders of the world…the temple of Artemis. It was located on a major trade route that drew merchants and temple cult visitors from all over the world bringing no small amount of revenue to the city coffers. This became an issue recorded in Acts 19:21-41 where a silversmith named Demetrius stirs up a riot against the leaders of the church in Ephesus because as people became followers of Jesus, they no longer supported the worship of Artemis, which began cutting into the revenue of those, like Demetrius, who made their living selling items related to temple cult practices.
The message of Jesus to this church in Ephesus begins with a commendation for their hard work, their patient endurance, and the scrutiny they applied to those who turned out to be false Apostles attempting to deceive them. The Nicolaitans were one of the 1st century sects that sent teachers among the early churches to attempt to corrupt the teaching of the apostles. Jesus commends the Ephesians for recognizing and exposing the danger of this teaching. (Rev. 2:6)
There is only one complaint listed against the Ephesian church and it has to do with the degree of their love for one another and for Jesus. In verse 4 and 5 John writes:
“…You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me (Jesus) and do the works you did at first.”
Revelation 2:4-5
What it means to us in the 21st century…
Jesus message to the church in Ephesus ends with: “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7) I suspect it would be valid to assume that this means it also has an application for believers across the ages, including those of us in the present as well as those yet to come in future generations.
The message I hear for us in this is first of all to love! To love Jesus first, and one another with that same love. If we can remain faithful in our love for Christ first, it will not only affect our ability to love one another, but will also increase our motivation to action in accordance with our calling as followers of Jesus. In addition, when we focus on loving Jesus, and hence loving like Jesus, it allows the Holy Spirit to give us greater discernment in regard to false teachings like that of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus clearly denounces. This is consistent with the way Paul ends the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians:
Three things will last forever — faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13