The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-12-07
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 1C
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

LESSON TExT-Rev. 2:1-17.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be thou faithful unto
death. and 1 will give thee the crown or
| life.-Rev. 2:10.
This passage most wonderfully Illus
trates that dominating purpose or
I'aul's life. More than most lessons
IL map will be necessary to locate dis
tlnctly the places mentioned. There
are interesting stories In connection
with each Of the seven 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 one mentioned.
I. Ephesus, whose love 10 waning
wv. ~. The key word TO these mes
snges Is the word "overcometh." In
each Of the messages our Lord de-
scribes himself in a different way ac-
cOrding to the peculiar needs Of that
particular church. Here he is repre-
sented us holding the stars (messen-
gers Of the churches, Ch. I :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
clamp 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.
5:16; Phil. 2:18; Hech. :2-6). Ephesus
was the capital of province said to
be one Of the richest in the Roman en-
pire. 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 8,
third quarter), but there were good
things to be found in this Gphesnn
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 It's trinls, Its
dealing with impostors and Its prac-
teal energy and enterprise; and It's pa
tience (literally steadfast assurance)
In bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew Of their never wearying endur-
nnce. Surely these things would indi-
cate pretty nearly a model church.
: Jesus says, "No, there Is something
seriously wrong" SO seriously wrong
) that unless repentcd Of he would re-
move them out of their place.
u. Smyrna, the church with crown
.. . of life wv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or so
miles from Ephesus, ana ut this time
II city of 25O,O0O inhabitants. 10 this
church the Son Of Man (Ch. 1:11)
sends another message. 1t Is interest
Ing to note that this church and the
one Mt Philadelphia received from the
Muster unqualified praise. 1t had
works, activities; it also had trlbula-
tions. riches and poverty (for thou art
rich} rich in good works, rich toward
God, rich in treasures laid up in
heaven; however, 1t was in the midst
OF persecution. 1t was here that Poly
carp lnbored, who nfterwnrd, as bishop
of SMYRNA was mnrtyred (Sce " 1O)
or PolycarD 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 Ele no i'll !;
how then can l blnSphcn,e my king
who hath saved me-" The crown is
eternal life, the crown of victory. The
second death Is the tiEal cundemnu-
tion which sinners undergo at the judg-
mcnt seat of God. Z
III. Pergamos, the church In a strotia.
hold OF faith WV. l2-1T). Our gloriied
Lord knew that the church In pcrgumOS
wnS iii a peculiarly difficult situation,
that 1t was Satnn's headquarters, his
throne ". 13) hence they were In
especial need Of defender and the
Lord is represented as ''he that hath
II sharp, two-edged sword" the word
of God UIeb. 4:12-13; John S 1927. Per
gamos was almost fifty miles north OF
ntt re 7
tnnts. and the capital of the province
70 1t were brought many Of the early
Christians who were compelled to SUI
Ter martyrdOm. Again we have Il
church whose works are commended.
whose stcndfastness Is mentioned In
that they held fast to my name. and
not denied the faith"-martyrs wv
13). However, dangers threatened
them for there had been Il compromise
with the world ard with other Sys-
tens OF faith, what we would call to-
day libcrallty in doctrine and breadth
IN view In teaching: G) Some of tleir
number had accepted and practiced
the doctrine OF Bnaliln Guide II Nun.
3l-16). (2) These teachings cast a
stumbling block before the children Of
Israel ". 14). TEis was done by per-
Suading tie IsrueitcS to join In the
idohltrous feasts and revclings OF the
heather, and also their impurity OF
worship.
In the remaining part Of the chapter
we have some glImpses Of the remain
ing four churches, the good that was
to be cherished and the evil that was
to be overcome.