The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-12-07
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
LESSON TExT-Rey. 2l.l7.

death. and | will give thee the crown OF
| llfe.-Rev. 2:i0.
This passage most wonderfully Illus.
trates that dominating purpose of
Paul's dfe. More than most lessons
nap will be necessary to locate dis
tinctly the places mentioned. There
are interesting stories In connection
with each of the seven cities and
churches. II might be wise to give to
seven different people the task of bring
ing information to the class regard
ing each one mentioned.
|. Ephesus, whose love Is waning
wv. ID. The key word to these mes
sages is the word "overcometh." In
each Of the messages our Lord de-
scribes himself In u different way ac-
cording to the peculiar needs of that
particular church. Here he Is repre-
sented as holding the stars (messen-
gers of the churches, Oh. / :2O) In his
right hand, and keeping them secure,
controlling them while he walks in the
midst Of the seven golden lamp stands.
literally churches. The symbolism 0f
'lamp stand" Is used because the
churches were intended to be light
bearers us they held forth the light
given by the oil of the Spirit tMnth.
:1G; Phil. 2:l6; Zech. :2-6). Ephesus
was the capital Of province said to
be one of the richest In the Roman EN-
plre. In 1t was the great temple OF
Diana. Here Paul had labored and
had various experiences, and to Ephesus
he had written letter (See lesson g.
third Quarter), but there were goo1
things to be found In this Ephesian
church wv. 2,3). Forty years after be-
ing founded, John writes this message.
lie knew their works" their general
moral conduct, especially its active and
passive sides through its trials, its
dealing with lmpostors and Its prac-
teal energy and enterprise; and Its pa
tlence (llterally steadfast assurance)
in bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew Of their never wearying endur-
ance. Surely these things would indi'
cate pretty nearly n model church.
oJesus says, "No, there is something
seriously wrong" so seriously wrong
that unless repented of he would re-
move them out of their place.
u. Smyrna, the church with crown
Of life wv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or 90
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
a city of 250,0O0 inhabitants. To this
church the Son of Man (Ch. 1:lD
sends another message. 1t Is interest
Ing to note that this church and the
one at Philadelphia received from the
Master unqualified praise. II had
works, activities; II also had tribula-
tlons, riches and poverty (for thou art
rlch) rich In good works, rich toward
God, rich In treasures laid up In
heaven; however, 1t was in the midst
Of persecution. II was here that Poly
carp labored, who afterward, as bishop
of Smyrna, was martyred (see v. 10y.
OF Polycarp 1t is said that rather than
save his life by renouncing Christ. he
cried out, eighty and SIX years have
served him, and he has done me no III
how then can l blaspheme my king
who hath saved me-" The crown is
eternal life, the crown of victory. The
second death is the final condemns
tion which sinners undergo at the judg'
ment seat of God. The first death Is,
on the other hand. the natural one
There was great hardship just ahead
for this church. These hardshlps pa
tiently and Loyalty endured would bring
the crown mentioned.
There are doubtless great persecu'
tlons Just ahead for believers of the
present day. but we should not judge
them but rather rejoice in them, since
potiently endured, they will bring to
us a crown and n throne (Math. 5:lO
II; II Tim. 2;l2).
~. Pergamos, the church In a strong
hold Of faith (vv. 12-lO. Our glorliiet
Lord knew that the church In Pergamos
was in n peculiarly difficult situation
that II was Satan's headquarters, his
throne" ". 13); hence they were IL
especial need of defender and the
Lord is represented as "he that hati
sharp, two-edged sword" the wort
of God (Heb. 4:12-13; John :22). Per
gamos was almost fifty miles north oi
Smyrna. a city of about 1900 inhabl
tants, and the capital of the province
To II were brought many Of the earl,
Christians who were compelled to suf
fer martyrdom. Again we have @
church whose works are commended
whose steadfastness Is mentioned II
that they "held fast to my name, ant
not denied the falth"-martyrs wv
13. However, dangers threatened
them for there had been compromise
with the world and with other sys
tens of faith, what we would call to
day liberality In doctrine and breadth
in view In teaching: (D Some Of thell
number had accepted and practlceC
the doctrine of Baalim dude IL; Mum
31-l6). (2) These teachings cast I
stumbling block before the children o
Israel ". 14). This was done by per
suadlng the Israelites to join In th'
ldolatrous feasts and revellngs of tn,
heather. and also their impurity o
worship. (3) Some of them had hel'
to the teaching of the Nicolaltans re
ferred to under the admonltion a
Ephesus. These taught that the tiesl
had no part In the divine life, ant
might be regarded as something In
different; In other words ethical per