Evening star., 1916-12-09
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

lower Of the Lord and in His COM
munity life. No man. institution or
Jesus warned the Ephesians Of their
danger Of being rejected MS a light bearer
OF the living Lord unless they repented.
They evidently needed che warning be-
next generation. But though the judg-
ment was deferred. it finally came. Tho
little railway station, hotel and few poor
dwelling houses of Ayasaluk. which now
commands the ruins OF the city. are eio-
Quent Of the doom which has overtaken
both Ephesus and its church." because
they did not continue faithful and obtain
the promised crown Of life.
To the suffering. stricken saints OF the
Smyrna Church their Lord sent mes
sage fun OF tenderness and sympathy for
them in their toll. trouble and tribuiation
The one who was tempted in all points
Ike His followers draws near 10 them
in their dark hours to help, aid and assist
power. His attitude toward this poverty
stricken and suffering church removes
for ever the thought that trials prove .hat
the suffering one is not child OF God-
The fact Is that it is more apt to estao-
lish their fellowship and faith. for whom
the Lord loveth He chasteneth.
The poverty of this church in that
wealthy city Is remarkable. Their oes-
titution may have been due 10 ,ne
class whence their converts came
or 1t may have been caused BY the
heavy demands made upon them to re-
lieve the distress of sister churches IL
Is also quite possible that their imam
cial condition was due TO the religious
persecution and pillage. In that dark
hour the encouraging word came tnat
caused them to stand fast in the nd
erty wherewith Christ had made them
Free" because Jesus pointed out 70
them their imperishable wealth. When
they knew the Savior shared their sac
rifices, sufferings and sorrows. their
tribulations were transformed into
glorious experiences. All Christians
throne of grace how Gods love removes
all danger of failure and death.
The opponents claimed to be Jews,
but the Master says they were not. Tor
the tools of SATIN have no right 10
chosen people. 1t makes no difference
as to the form of organization; whether
1t Is claimed to be pagan. Jewish or
Christian. If it is opposing the cause OF
evil. Those who are faithful in trials
may count that IL they continue to the
end they will obtain the crown Of
life, and that they need not be afraid
of the judgment, when Cod shall pass
His final decision Of condemnation upon
the sinner. for they SHALL not be hurt
of the second death.
The Pergamos Church was located in
a stronghold of iniquity. They, like
the Ephesians. had been influenced by
their environment. They had been too
Ienient in their discipline because they
had kept in official positions OF pres
tige, power and personal 1nnuehce
vicious teachers and members. When
evil approached in the garb of piety
the membership was easily led astray.
II is easy to depart from God under
the name of liberality. One has no
right to be liberal in the Interpretation
of Gods express commands. only by
the most rigid opposition to sin will
one be able to experience any personal
joy.
The one who keeps his love for Christ
by worldly alliances will re-
ceiye from him the white stone. or pledge
OF mutual friendship. in recognition OF
their secret affection for one another.
which REQUIRED no external proofs during
their experience in the world. 1t can be
understood only by those whose lives are
moved by love for Christ to be faithful
unto the end. The friends of the Lord
Jesus clearly understand how strongly he
opposes sin in the life Of either the church
or the Christian. because 1t interferes
with the expression of His passion for
gram and the extension of His
power. Whenever He has removed any
organization that professed but did not
possess His life Christ has always drawn
near to His true followers to encourage
them to continue faithful unto death SO
that they could obtain the promised
crown of life as an evidence Of their con-
ouering power. He still offers to all that
will endure to the end the same prize for
their fidelity and faithfulness to Christ
and His church.