Question 185: What is meant by “Because thou have left thy first love?”

Answer:

These words (in Revelations 24.) were addressed to the believers at Ephesus. The "first love" does not refer to any person or influence other than Moshiach, but simply means that the Ephesians had lost the intensity of their affection and zeal for Moshiach. The Ephesian Church had had special opportunities and blessing. Under Paul's ministrations its members had received the gift of Ruach HaKodesh (Acts 19:1-6); the apostle had resided with them for three years (Acts 20:31); he had later written to them what is perhaps his most spiritually exalted epistle. Their experience of love for Moshiach had been warm and keen. In his message sent them through John the Master is reproving them for having allowed their love for him to grow weak and cold.