Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-12-21
INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
lBy E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union,
FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

This passage most wonderfully illus
trates that dominating purpose OF
Paul's life. More than most lessons
a map will be necessary to locate dis
tinctly the places mentioned. There
are interesting stories Up connection
with each of the cities and
churches. 1t might be wise to give to
seven different people the task of bring
ing information to the class regard
Ing each n mentioned.
!. Ephesus, whose love 10 waning
wv. I'D. The key word to these mes
sages is the word "Overcometh." In
ench Of the messages our Lord de-
scribes himself in u different way nc
cording to the peculiar needs of that
particular church. Here he Is repre-
scented as holding the stars (messen-
gers of the churches, Oh. 1:2O) 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 OF
lamp stand, is used because the
churches were intended to be light
bearers as they held forth the light
given by the oil of the Spirit (Math.
SIG; Phil. 2:16; Zech, 1926. Ephesus
was the capital of a province said to
be one of the richest In the Roman EN-
pire. In it was the great temple Of
Diana. Here Paul had labOred n
had various experiences, and to Ephesus
he had written u letter (See lesson ..
third quurter), but there were GOOD
things to be found in this Epheslan
church. wv. 2,3). Forty years after be-
Ing founded, John writes this message.
He knew their ''works." their general
moral conduct, especially its active and
passive sides through its trials, its
dealing with impostors and it's prac-
tical energy and enterprise; n Its pa
thence LITERALLY steadfast assurance)
IN bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew of their never wearyinS endur-
ance. Surely these things would indi-
cate pretty nearly a model church.
| Jesus says mo, there is something
seriously wrong" so seriously wrong
that unless repented of he would re-
move them out Of their place.
~. Smyrna, the church with a crown
Of life wv. silly. Smyrna was 40 or 81
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
n city of 25O,O00 inhabitants. To this
church the Son Of Man (Ch. lid
sends another message. 1t is interest
ing to note that this church and the
one at Philadelphia received from the
Master unqualified praise. It a
works, activities; 1t also had tribula-
tons, riches and poverty flor thou art
rich) rich in good works, rich toward
God, rich in treasures laid up in
heaven however, it was in the midst
of persecution. 1t was here that Poly
carp labored, who afterward, us bishop
of Smyrna, wns martyred (see v. 10Y.
OF Polycarp it is said that rather than
save his life by renOuncing Christ he
cried out, Eighty and six years have l
served him, and he has done me no Ill
how then can I blaspheme my king
who hath saved me-" The crown Is
eternal life, the crown of victory. The
second, death is the final condemns
ton 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 hardships pa
tiently and Loyalty endured would bring
the crown mentioned.
There are doubtless great persecu-
tons Just ahead for believers of the
present day, but we should not Judge
them but rather rejoice In them, since.
patiently endured, they will bring to
us a crown and a throne (Math. $40
u; II Tim. 2:12).
M, Peruamos, the church In q strong
hold Of faith wv. 12.17). Our glorified
Lord knew that the church In Pergamos
was in a peculiarly difficult situation,
that it was Satan's headquarters, his
"throne" ". 13) hence they were in
especial need Of q defender and the
Lord Is represented al she that hath
a sharp, two-edged sword" the word
of God (Heb, a :12-13; Johns :22). Per;
gamos was almost fifty miles north OF
Smyrna, a city Of about 1900 inhabi-
tants, and the capital Of the province,
To 1t were brought many Of the early
Christians who were compelled to sui.
fer martyrdom. Again we have a
church whose works are commended,
whose s~teadfastness Is mentioned In
that they "held fnst to my name, and
not denied the faith"-martyrs wv,
49,. However, dangers threatened
then, for there had been a 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: ~ Some OF their
number had accepted and practiced
the doctrine OF Baalim Guide IL; Mum
31.l8). (2) These teachings cast Q
stumbling block before the children Of
Israel ". 14). This was done by per
suading the Israelites to Join In the
id0latrous feasts and f~evelings Of the
heather, and also their impurlty OF
worship. (S) Some Of them had held
to the teaching Of the Nicolaitans re
ferred to under the admonition al
Ephesus. These taught that the flesh
had no part in the divine life, and
might be regarded as something In
different; In other words ethical per
lection was In the spirit; the body
might indulge in whatever sins 1t saw
fit.
This kind Of teaching the Lord Jesus
hates.
The one way Of salvation was FOL
them to repent for the Lord woult
raise up faithful and true prophet.
who would WELD his sword effectual