Middletown transcript., 1916-12-09
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
EssoN rExT-Rev. 2:1-17.

This passage most wonderfully illus
trates that dominating purpose Of
Pauls dfe. More than most lessons
a map will be necessary to locate dis
tinctIy 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.
|. Ephesus, whose love Is waning
wv. I'D. The key word to these mes
sages 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 as holding the stars (messen-
gers Of the churches. Ch. :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 If
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 :16; Zech. 4 :2-6). Ephesus
was the capital of 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 and
had various experiences, and to Ephesus
he had written a letter (See lesson 8,
third quarter), but there were good
things to be found in this Ephesian
church (vv. 2,3). Forty years after be-
ing founded, John writes this message.
He knew their "wOrks," their general
moral conduct, especially it's active and
passive sides through it's trials, it's
dealing with impOstOrs and its prac-
tical energy and enterprise; and its pa
tience Qiterally steadfast asSurance)
in bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew of their never wearying endur-
ance. Surely these things would indi-
cate pretty nearly a model church.
Jesus says, "NO, there is something
seriously wrong" so seriously wrong
that unless repented of he would re-
move them out Of their place.
II. Smyrna, the church with a crown
of life wv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or so
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
q city of 25O,000 inhabitants. To this
church the Son of Man (Ch. lid
sends another message. 1t is interest
iOC fO Dofo fbof tbiC oburoh oOd tho
one at Philadelphia received from the
Master unqualified praise. 1t had
works, activities; it also had tribula-
tions, riches and poverty (fOr 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, as bishop
of Smyrna, was martyred (see V. 10Y.
Of POlycarp 1t is said that rather than
save his life by renOuncing Christ he
cried out, Eighty and six years have 1
served him, and he has done me no i'll;
how then can blaspheme my king
who hath saved me-" The crown is
eternal life, the crown of victory. The
second death is the final cOndemna-
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-
tiOns just ahead for believers of the
present day. but we should not judge
them but rather rejoice in them, since,
endured, they will bring to
us crown and a throne (Math. 10
II; II Tim. 2:12).
III. Pergamos, the church in a strong
hold of faith (vv. 12-17). Our gloritied
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 as ''he that hath
4 sharp. two-edged sword" the word
Of God (Heb. :12-13; John :22). Per-
yamOs was almost fifty miles north of
Smyrna, q city of about 1900 inhabi-
tants, and the capital of the province.
To it were brought many of the early
Christians who were compelled to Suf-
fer martyrdOm. Again we have
church whose works are commended,
whose steadfastness is mentioned in
hat they 'held fast to my name, and
lot denied the faith"-martyrs wv.
~. However, dangers threatened
hem for there had been a compromise
With the world and with other Sys-
ems of faith, what we would call to-
lay liberality in doctrine and breadth
n view in teaching: ~ Some of their
lumber had accepted and practiced
he doctrine of Baalim dude IL; Mum.
1-16). (2) These teachings cast
tumbling block before the children of
srael ". 14). This was done by per-
uading the IsraeliteS to join in the
1OlatrOus feasts and revelings of the
eathen, and also their impurity of
Worship. (3) Some of them had held
o the teaching Of the NicOlaitans re-
erred to under the admOnition at
,phesus. These taught that the flesh
ad no part in the divine life. and
hight be regarded as something in.
ifferent; in other words ethical per.
actiOn was in the spirit; the body
light indulge in whatever sifis it saw
t.
This kind of teaching the Lord Jesus
ates.
The one way of salvation was for
hem to repent for the Lord would
lise up faithful and true prophets
'hO would WELD his sword effectuaI-