Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-12-06
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
lesson M.-Fourth Quarter, For
Dec. 10, 1916.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text Of the Lesson, Rev. II, 1-17-Msm-
ory Verse, 7-Goldsn Text. Rev. ii, 10.
Commentary Prepared by Rev. D. NJ.
Stearns.
Although three OF the seven episties
are included In this lesson. we must try
to consider somewhat the whole seven
for they are the last messages from the
risen and assembled Saviour TO His
church on earth. perhaps some sixty
years. as we count time. after He as
cended. and contain His heart mes
sages concerning that which He ap-
proves or disapproves. These seven
churches represented all the churches
of that time and now and between
then and now, and as individual be
ievers we must lay to heart the les
sons. the warnings. admonitions anu
announcements for our personal use
in our daily life.
| have found it helpful, and many
others also. to write down these love
letters In seven parallel, vertical col
umns on a large sheet of paper, plac
ing opposite to each, horizontally. like
matter in each epistle. beginning each
column with the greeting to the church:
then His titles. which are different in
each; at the foot of each column the
promise to the overcomer. which Is also
different in each. and then the admoni-
ton, He that hath an ear let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches" which In the first three
comes before the overcoming promise
and in the last four follows it. The
words of comfort and encouragement
and warning and admonition come In
between these first two and last two
items. Let US pray to know Him more
as He reveals Himself to
each church according to their need.
He holdeth the messengers to each
church in His right hand and walks
in the midst of the churches Chapters
|, Is. 20; ii. y.
This helps me personally. for | am
glad to be in His hand and for His
pleasure. and l am always reminding
nv own people and the Bible classes
that He Is In our midst, according TO
Matt. xviii, 20, and we must sing and
pray and mediate and worship with
an offering, as II we really saw Him
in our midst To Smyrna He was the
irst and last, who was dead. but now
alive chapters |. II. Is; II. 81. This
was what they specially needed. for
they were being prosecuted unto death
III, 1o), and their overcoming promise
was that the second death. which Is
the lake OF fire, would never touch
them iii. IL: Xxx, IA. To Pergamos He
was the one who had the sharp sword
with two edges Il, 16: Ii. 12'. and be
cause of evil teachers tolerated there
this was as they needed to know Him.
He encouraged the Ephesians to think
IF the tree of life in paradise. and He
would have these to eat real mama
now. true bread from heaven. and
think OF the hidden mamma. the white
stone. and the new name reserved for
them iii, I, 10.
To ThyatiTa lie was the Son OF God.
with eyes like unto fame of fire. and
His feet like fine brass Il, IA, 10: ii. Is,
They. too. had false teachers. and
much Of the world. and knew some
thing of the depths Of Satan. but their
to be overcomers was
most wonderful and unthinkable II he
had not said it-power over the ma
tons, such as the Father had given
Him. and Himself as the morning star
(ii, 26-2S; Ps. ii. 8. o; cxlix. 90. Rev.
xxi, l6). What glorious things to win
us wholly to Himself during this little
while Of temptation! To Sardis He
was the one who had the seven Spirits
Of God and the seven stars Il. 4, 16.
iii, u. for they had dead ones there
who had only a name to live and need
ed the quickening Of the Spirit. Their
promise was that Of white raiment.
named in the book Of life and confess
ed before God and the angels If they
should prove themselves overcomers
dii, 81.
To Philadelphia He was the Holy
and True One. having the key Of Da-
vid, opening and shutting at pleasure,
and the encouragement to overcome
was that of being a pillar In the tenn
pie of God. with the name Of God.
and the city of God. the New Jerusa-
lem coming down out Of heaven from
God. and His own new name dii. I. ~
There is a special promise here con-
corning being kept from the hour Of
temptation which shall try all that
dwell on the earth Oil. 10). which may
include our being taken away before
the great tribulation. That we shall
be taken before that awful. time is
sure.
To Luodicea He was the Amen. the
faithful and true witness, the begin
ming of the creation Of God. and to
this worst phase Of church life. or
lack Of life. the promise to the over
conner was the greatest Of all. to sit
with Him in His throne Oh. IA. 21,. II