The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-12-08
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNlAXSQlOOL
LESSON
(By E. 0. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1916. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

| LESSON TEAT-ReV. Z:l-Tf.
GOLDEN TExT-Be thou faithful unit
death, and I will give thee the crown O
life.-Rev. 2:1O.
This passage most wonderfully illus
trates that dominating purpose 0
Paul's life. More than most lesson
a map will be necessary to locate dis
tinctly the places mentioned. Their
are interesting stories in connection
with each Of the seven cities ant
churches. 1t might be wise to give tt
seven different people the task of bring
ing information to the class regard
ing each one mentioned.
I. 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-
scri5es himself in different way &C
cOrding to the peculiar needs of that
particular church. Here he is repre-
sented as holding the stars (meSsen-
gers of the churches, Oh. :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.
SIG; Phil. 2:16; Zech. 4 :2-6). Ephesus
was the capital of a 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 Ephesian
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 ard
passive sides through it's trials, its
dealing with impostors and its prac-
teal energy and enterprise; and its pa
tience (literally steadfast assurance)
in bearing witness for Christ. Jesus
knew Of their never wearying endur-
ance. Surely these things would indl-
cute pretty ucdiiy u hioucl Shui Sh-
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 4 crown
Of life wv. SID. Smyrna was 40 or 80
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
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. 1t was here that Poly
carp labored, who afterward, as bishop |
IF 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 l
served him, and he has done me no i'll |
low 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
ion which sinners undergo at the judg
nent seat of God.
III. Pergamos, the church in a strong
,oId Of faith wv. 12-17). Our glOritied
4Ord knew that the church In PergaInos
vas in peculiarly difficult situation,
hat it was Satan's headquarters, his
throne" ". 13) hence they were in
special need of defender and the
4ord is represented as she that hath
sharp, two-edged sword" the word
f God (Heb. 4 :12-13; John 5 :22). Per-
amos was almost fifty miles north of
smyrna, a city of about 1900 inhabi-
ants, and the capital of the province.
% it were brought many of the early
Christians who were compelled to Suf-
err martyrGom. Again we have a
hurch whose works are commended,
hose steadfastness is mentioned in
hat they held fast to my name, and
OF denied the faith"-martyrS wv.
81. However, dangers threatened
hem for there had been a compromise
18th the world and with other syS-
ems of faith, what we would call to-
ay liberality in doctrine and breadth
l view in teaching: a. Some of their
umber had accepted and practiced
he doctrine of Baalirn dude II; Num-
1-1G). (2) These teachings cast
-umbling block before the children of
srael ". 14). This was done by per-
lading the Israelites to join in the
Iolatrous feasts and revelings of the
eathen, and also their impurity of
'orship.
In the remaining part of the chapter
e have sone glinpses of the remain
e four churches, the good that was
} be cherished ard the evil that was
} be overcome.
Perhaps the most suggestive of all is
lat of Laodicea, the lukewarm
lurch.
LukewarnneSS is one of the most
,adly evils to overcome, and hence
e highest. and most glorious of all
e promises suggested ends with II