Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-12-07

death, and I win give thee the crown of
life.-Rev. 2:lO.
This passage most wonderfully Illus
trates that dominating purpose Of
Pauls life. More than most lessous
n map will be necessary to locate dis
tinctly 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 Is waning
wv. I'D. The key word to these mes
sages is the word "overcometh." In
each of the messages our Lord de-
scrlbes himself in different way &C
cording to the peculiar needs Of that
particular church. Here he is repre-
scented as holding the stars (messen-
gers of the churches, Oh. 1 :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. 2 rs; Zech. 1920. EphesuS
was the capital of a 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 q letter (See lesson 8,
third quarter), 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.
lie knew their works" their general
moral conduct, especially its active and
passive sides through its trials, its
dealing with impostors and its prac-
teal energy and enterprise; and its pa
thence Literally steadfast assurance)
| in bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew of their never wearying endur-
ancc. Surely these things would indi-
cate pretty nearly n model church
Jesus says, mo, there is something
seriously wrong" so seriously wrong
that unless repeated 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 30
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
II city of 250,000 inhabitants. To this
church the Son Of Man och. lily
sends another message. 1t 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-
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. It was here that Poly
carp labOred, who afterward, as bishop
of Smyrna, was martyred (see V. 10).
OF Polycarp it 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 me no i'll /;
how then can 1 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.
III. Pereamos, the church In a strong
hold of faith wv. 12-17). Our glorified
Lord knew that the church in Pergamos
was in a peculiarly difficult situation,
that it was Satan's headquarters, his
throne" ". 49,; hence they were in
especial need Of a defender and the
Lord is represented as "he that hath
sharp, two-edged sword" the word
of God (Heb. A :12-13; John :22). Per
gamos was almost fifty miles north Of
Smyrna, a 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 wv
49,. 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 llberality in doctrine and breadth
In view m teaching: ~ Some Of theil
number had accepted and practicet
/. the doctrine of Baalim GUIDE IL; Mum
31-16). (2) These teachings cast {
e stumbling block before the children o.
Israel ". 14). This was done by per
suading the, Israelltes to join in thu
idOlatrous feasts and revellngs of thu
|, heather, and also their impurity o
worship,
MISCELLANEOUS MARKETS.