Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1916-12-09
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

This passage most wonderfully Illus
trates that dominating purpose oi
PauTs life. More than most lessons
q map will be necessary TO locate us
tinctly the places mentioned. lhere
are interesting stories in connection
with each Of the seven cues anu
churches. 1t might be wise 10 give 10
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
soges IS The word "Overconeth. IN
each of the messages our N;rd ne
scribes himself In different way ac-
cording to the peculiar needs "t 'ha'
particular church. Here he IS repre-
senteJ as holding the stars (mesSeh-
gers of the churches. Oh. :2O) IN ms
right hand and keeping them secure
. controlling them while he walks III the
midst of the seven golden lamp stands,
literally churches. The symbolism 81
lamp stand" is used because the
churches we're intended 10 be Hght
bearers as they held forth the light
.riycn by the oil of the Spirit CMath.
5:I6: Phil. PIG; Zech. I :2-6). Ephesus
was the capital Of province Sald 10
/ be one of the richest in the Roman EN-
! pire. In it was the great temple OF
Diana. Here Paul had labOred ana
had various experiences, and to Ephesus
he had written Il letter (See lesson 8,
third quarter), but there were good
things to be found in this Epheslan
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 its trials, its
dealing with impOstOrs and It's prac-
teal energy and enterprise; and its pa
thence Literally steadfaSt aSSurance)
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, mo, 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 90
miles from Ephesus, and at this time
a city of 100000 inhabitants. To this
church the Son of Man (Ch. lid
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; 1t 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 labOred, who afterward, as bishop
of Smyrna, was martyred (see V. 1O).
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 ill
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 judy
gent 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.
Tbara ORC Inubtlocs narcac,,
/ tons 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 u throne (Math. 5 80
II; II Tim. 2:12).
III. Pergamos, the church in a strong
hold of faith wv. 12-17). Our glorified
Lord knew that the church in PergamOs
was in n peculiarly difficult situation,
that it was Satan's headquarters, his
throne" ". 49,; hence they were In
especial need of 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, a city of about 1900 inhabi.
tants, and the capital of the province
To 1t were brought many of the early
Christians who were compelled to suf
fer martyrdom. Again we have q
church whose works are commended
whose steHdfastness is mentioned in
that they held fast to my name, anC
not denied the faith"-martyrs wv
13). However, dangers threatened
them for there had been Il 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: Q Some of thei
number had accepted and practiceo
the doctrine of Baalim dude IL Mum
31-16). (2) These teachings cast
| stumbling block before the children o
Israel ". 14). This was done by per
suading the Israelites to join in tn
idolatrous feasts and reveliHgs of tn
heather, and also their impurity o
' worship, (3) Some of them had hel,
TO the teaching of the Nicolaitans re
e \ ferred TO under the admonitiOn a
Ephesus. These taught that the fles
| hod No mart i'm tho divine lifa an,