The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-09
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
.EssoN TExT-Rev. .:I-17.

trates that dominating purpose OF
Paul's life. More than most lessons
? map will he necessary to locate dis
hnctly tho places mentioned. There
are interesting stories in connection
with each Of the seven cities and
churches. 1t might be wise to give to
Ieven different people the task Of bring
ing information to the class regard
ing each one mentioned.
I. EPhesus, whose love fs waning
wv. Id. The key word to these mes
bages Is the word "overcometh." In
sach Of the messages our Lord de-
tcrlbes himself In different way ac-
cording to the peculiar needs Of that
particular church. Here he is repre-
sented as holding the stars (messcn-
gers of the churches, Oh. ! :20) 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
rlamp stund' is used because the
churches were intended to be light
bearers as they held forth the light
given by the oil OF the Spirit tMath.
5:16; Phil. 2:16; Zech. 4 :2.6). Ephesus
was the capital Of Il province said to
pc one Of the richest In the Roman en-
pire. In 1t was the great temple OF
Diana. Here Paul had lnbored and
lad various experiences, and to Ephcsus
he had written letter (Sec lesson s,
third quRrtcr), but there were good
things to be found In this Ephesian
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, It's
Healing with impostors and Its prac.
heal energy and enterprise; and It's pa.
Hence literally steadfast assurance)
IN bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew Of their never wearylng endur-
lnce. Surely these things would indl.
rate pretty nearly model church.
Jesus says, mo, there Is something
Jeriously wrong" SO seriously wrong
that unless repented of he would re-
move them out Of their place.
u. Smyrna, the church with crown
" life wv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or so
niles from Ephcsus, and at this time
1 city of 100000 inhabitants. To this
church the Son of Man (Ch. lid
sends another message. It is interest
Ing to note that this church and the
one at Philadelphia received from the
Master unqualified praise. 1t had
works, activities; it also had tribula-
lions, riches and poverty (for thou art
dch) 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
sarp labored, who afterwurd, as bishop
IF Smyrna, was martyrcd (See V. 10Y.
Of PolyCarp 1t is said that rather than
save his life by rrnouncing Christ he
srled out, Eighty and six years have
served him, and he has done me no ill
how then can l blnspheme my king
Who hath saved me-" The crown Is
Eternal life, the crown Of victory. The
second death is the final condcmna.
ion which sinners undergo at the judg.
ment seat of God.
~. Pereamos, the church In a strona.
hold of faith wv. 12-17). Our gloriticd
Lord knew that the church In Pergamos
Eas in n peculiarly difficult situation,
that 1t was SatNn's headquarters. his
throne ". 49,; hence they were in
al 90 =.
Lord is represented MS ''he that hath
\ sharp, two-cdged sword" the word
II God (Hcb. 4 LIB: John :2@). Per
yamos WIS almost fifty miles north of
Smyrna, n city of about 1000 inhahi.
lants, and the capital of the province.
To 1t were brought many Of the early
christians who were compelled to suf-
Ter martyrdOm. Again We have
church whose works are commended.
whose stCadfuSlnCSS is mentioned in
that they held fast to my nume, and
not denied the fnith"-martyrS wv.
l3). However, dangers threatened
them for there had been compromise
With the world and with other SyS-
lens OF faith, what we would call to.
day libcrallty i'll doctrine and breadth
IN view in teaching: Q) Some OF their
humber had accepted and practiccd
the doctrine of Baulim dude II; Mum.
S1-16). (2) These teachings cast a
stumbling block before the children of
Israel ". 1D. This was done by per.
suading the Israelites TO join In the
Idolatrous feasts and revelings Of the
heather, and also their impurity of
worship.
In the remaining part of the chapter
we have some glimpses of the remair-
ing four churches, the good that was
to be cherished and the evil that was
TO be overcome.
Perhaps the most suggestive of all is
that of Laodlcea, the lukewarm
church.
Lukewarmness is one of the most
deadly evils to overcome. and hence
The highest and most glorious of all
the promises suggested ends with ~
will give him to sit down with me in
my throne as also overcamc and sat
down with my father In his throne"
tam. r. w.