October 10, 2002 (31)
SEVEN CHURCHES IN SEVEN CITIES IN ASIA. Depicted as the seven candlesticks or light bearing bodies, the church, with the Lord, in their midst. Rev. 1:13 The amazing thing is, that in spite of the Lord being in their midst, they are grossly different one from another. Mass them together into one body and the sum is a picture of the church today. All of its good points and all of its bad become glaringly evident. The diversity of problems and spiritual benefits cannot be found in any one church any where in the world today. The nature, the character, the attitude and the atmosphere of these seven churches is scattered throughout the modern church world. We therefore look to find smatterings of the spirit of the seven churches in each and every present day church. Out of this muddle the Lord will develop the church of His desires. She will be that glorious church, perfect in all her ways.
THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS. The traditional, permissive church. The city was called <The light of Asia>. It was a sea port, a thriving commercial city, situated at the junction of several roads. They were not wanting of the presence of the Lord. They were about to be commended and also rebuked with a command to repent. Rev. 2:1
HIS COMMENDATION to them was pertaining to their < WORKS >, their willingness to help. Good deeds, acts of kindness and charity. Many times this becomes a substitute for waiting on the Lord. He understood their < LABOR >, their difficulties, weariness and troubles. Anyone involved in spreading the Gospel will understand the perplexities that are often faced and the fatigue of body, soul and spirit that accompanies that labor of love. < PATIENCE > What a beautiful virtue. The person possessing patience is a person who is greatly blessed of the Lord. Often one must face a segment of humanity that is grossly unrighteous in an attempt to win them for the Lord. It is then that patience has its reward. Rev. 2:2 A
CHURCH POSSESSING DISCERNMENT. A most essential gift of the Spirit for any assembly. They did not put up with those who were unrighteous and wicked. Those who would gather together with them, but their hearts were not right before the Lord. Men possessing ungodly and ulterior motives. Jude calls them, spots, blemishes in their feasts of charity. Jude 1:12 They had discerned certain APOSTLES who had been found in their midst and found them to be false, liars, men without integrity. They tested and examined these false Apostles until they were satisfied that they were not of the Lord. The church is given the right to judge any and all of the works or utterances of the < fivefold ministries >. We have the Word of the Lord and will measure all things, accordingly. This is necessary for the church of today more so than any past generation. May the Lord grant wisdom and understanding that every voice that says; < Lord, Lord > is not of the Lord. Rev. 2:2