Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-12-08
INTERNATIONAL
SUNINSQNUN
LESSON
(By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
the Sunday School Course in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago0
Copyright. 1916. Western Newspaper Union-l
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
LESSON TExT-Rev. 2:1-17

trates that dominating purpose OF
Pauls life. More than most lessons
a map will be necessary to locate dis
tinctly the places mentioned. There
are interesting stories in connection
with each of the seven cities and
seven different people the task of bring
ing information to the class regard :
ing each one mentioned
|. Ephesus, whose love is waning
wv. Id. 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
I;articular church. Here he is repre-
sented as holding the stars (messen-
gers of the churches, Oh. l :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
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-
5:16; Phil. . Is; Zech. :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 its active and
/ passive sides through its trials, it's
dealing with impostOrs and its prac-
| teal energy and enterprise; and its pa
/ tience (literally steadfast assurance1
in bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew of their never wearying endur-
ance Surely these things would indi-
cate pretty nearly 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 crown
of life (vv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or 50
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
city of 250,000 inhabitants. To this
church the Son of Man (Ch. 1:11)
sends another message. It is interest
ing to note that this church and the
one at Philadelphia received from the
Master unqualified praise. It had
works, activities; it also had tribula-
| tons, 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 lsbored, who afterward, as bishop
| Of Smyrna. was martyred (see V. 1Ol.
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 i'll (;
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 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,
patiently endured, they will bring to
us a crown and a throne (Math. 5 10
II; II Tim. 2:12).
III. Pergamos, the church in a strong
hold of faith wv. 12-1D. Our glorified
Lord knew that the church in PergamoS
was in peculiarly difficult situation,
that it was Satan's headquarters, his
throne" ". 13) hence they were in
especial need of Il defender and the
Lord is represented as "he that hath
sharp, two-edged sword" the word
of God (Heb 4 :12-13; John :22). Per
gamos was almost fifty miles north of
Smyrna, 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 a
church whose works are commended,
whose steadfastness is mentioned in
that they "held fast to my name, and
not denied the faith''-martyrs (vv.
13). However, dangers threatened
them for there had been 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: ID Some of their
number had accepted and practiced
the doctrine of Baalim dude IL; Mum.
31-16). (2) These teachings cast a
stumbling block before the children of
Israel (v. 14). This was done by per-
suading the Israelftes to join in the
idolatrous feasts and revelings of the
heather, and also their impurity of
worship. (3) Some of them had held
to the teaching of the Nicolaitans re-
ferred to under the admonition at
| 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-
might indulge in whatever sins it saw
fit.
This kind of teaching the Lord Jesus
hates.
The one way Of salvation was for
them to repent for the Lord would
| raise up faithful and true prophets
, | who would WELD his sword effectuaI
| ly against such monStrous forms of e1.
ror, which were warning against the
truth.
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.
Perhaps the most suggestive of all is
that of Laodicea, the lukewarm
church.
Lukewarmness is one Of the mos
deadly evils to overcome, and. hence
the highest and most glorious of al