A lampstand, of course, is a place upon which a lamp is set so it can give light to everyone in the room. It is the church's job, then, to show forth and display the light of Christ. The Lord praises the Ephesian Christians for their hard work for the gospel and the kingdom. They boldly proclaimed the Good News of the gospel even if it meant suffering. The Lord also commends the church of Ephesus for its perseverance.
Perseverance means they never gave up.
Yet, they never quit on their faith or their hope. They remind me of John Wesley. Sunday p.m., May 12, preached at St. George's, kicked out again. Sunday a.m., May 19, preached at St. somebody else's, deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return. Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street.