第171章

Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks.Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches.He is in constant communication with His people.He knows their true state.He observes their order, their piety, their devotion.Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth.With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going out.If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the Lord's house, the true warden of the temple courts.His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.

Christ is represented as holding the seven stars in His right hand.This assures us that no church faithful to its trust need fear coming to nought, for not a star that has the protection of Omnipotence can be plucked out of the hand of Christ.

"These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand."Revelation 2:1.These words are spoken to the teachers in the church--those entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities.The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are bound up with God's ministers, who are to reveal the love of Christ.The stars of heaven are under His control.He fills them with light.He guides and directs their movements.If He did not do this, they would become fallen stars.So with His ministers.They are but instruments in His hands, and all the good they accomplish is done through His power.Through them His light is to shine forth.The Saviour is to be their efficiency.If they will look to Him as He looked to the Father they will be enabled to do His work.As they make God their dependence, He will give them His brightness to reflect to the world.

Early in the history of the church the mystery of iniquity foretold by the apostle Paul began its baleful work; and as the false teachers concerning whom Peter had warned the believers, urged their heresies, many were ensnared by false doctrines.Some faltered under trial and were tempted to give up the faith.At the time when John was given this revelation, many had lost their first love of gospel truth.But in His mercy God did not leave the church to continue in a backslidden state.In a message of infinite tenderness He revealed His love for them and His desire that they should make sure work for eternity."Remember," He pleaded, "from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works." Verse 5.

The church was defective and in need of stern reproof and chastisement, and John was inspired to record messages of warning and reproof and entreaty to those who, losing sight of the fundamental principles of the gospel, should imperil their hope of salvation.But always the words of rebuke that God finds it necessary to send are spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every penitent believer."Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,"the Lord declares; "if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20.

And for those who in the midst of conflict should maintain their faith in God, the prophet was given the words of commendation and promise: "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name." "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." The believers were admonished: "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Verses 8, 10, 2, 11.

It was through one who declared himself to be a "brother, and companion in tribulation" (Revelation 1:9), that Christ revealed to His church the things that they must suffer for His sake.Looking down through long centuries of darkness and superstition, the aged exile saw multitudes suffering martyrdom because of their love for the truth.But he saw also that He who sustained His early witnesses would not forsake His faithful followers during the centuries of persecution that they must pass through before the close of time."Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer," the Lord declared; "behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation:...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10.

And to all the faithful ones who were striving against evil, John heard the promises made: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Verse 7; 3:5, 21.