Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 1 June 1995 — Page 23

The Muncie Times, Thursday, 1 June 199$, Page 23

The seven forms, mysteries of Jesus Christ

The greatest expression of any religious devotion is the expression of Love. Phil. 4:15,16. We are exhorted throughout the New Testament to love one another. Jesus said by this shall men know that ye are my disciples, that he have love one to another. John said: ‘There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him because he first loved us. If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar - For he that loveth not brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen. And this commandment have we from Him that he who loveth God love his brother also.” I John 4:18-21. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: these things saith the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would that thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Rev. 3:14-16. The message to this church is one of condemnation. They are not cold or hot. They are beyond help. There is remedy that is easily given to help the one that is cold or hot. But to the one that is lukewarm it is very difficult to deal with. The person who become self righteous, he thinks the things that he does are righteous, He thinks he sees when he is blind. He thinks he knows when in all actuality he is ignorant. He thinks

Bishop W.J. Duncan, D.D

he is clothed when he is naked. The thing to do with this person is to end it all and begin again. As Jesus said, I am the Amen and the beginning, or I am the ending and the beginning. This concludes our dealings with the various messages that were given unto each church. There were seven different messages given. “John to the seven cnurches which are in Asia grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne,” Rev. 1:4. Now we will consider why Christ uses seven different forms to each church respecting each individual church need. To the church of Ephesus: ‘These things saith He that holdeth the: Seven stars in His right hand; Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the seven messengers with the message. The seven candlesticks represent the seven churches. Rev. 1:20. This church had relaxed and lost its first love. It did not perfect itself in love. They needed to turn around and proceed on to perfection.

The seven is used twice. They need to perfect their works and do it quickly. Rev. 2:1. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick oui of his place, except thou repent. Rev. 2:4,5. “These things saith the: The First and Last; Which was dead, and is alive. The Smyrnian church was a suffering church, a church that was being killed. Christ shows himself as the enduring one, the one who continues to live, the first and last. He outlives all. He is the one that was dead but now is alive. This was consolation to this suffering church. If you die for the Lord, you will live again. “He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” St. Matt. 10:39; John 11:23-26. The church of Smyrna is comforted because he who was dead is speaking unto them, “These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” Rev. 2:12. He is to this church as one who has the two-edge sword. This is a message of rebuke.

truly a sharp rebuke or sword needed, because this church had become worldly. The sword represents the word of God. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edge sword, pmeing even-fco the dividing aiMRder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, «aBHs a discemer of the thought* and intents of the heart’b^HFim. 4:2; 3:16. This dMlPts a mM&ge of rebuke. * * “These tilings saiffc the: Son of God; WhoidPh His ejfes like unto a flaaie of fire. And His feet are like fine brass. Rev. 2:19. This is the appearance of judgment. The Son of God is the Judge. “For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them: even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: . . . And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also because He is the Son of man.” St. John 5:21-27. The flame of firesgjftresents judgment. “I b^jpt till the thrones were OMtown and the ancient of;«i| did sit, whos^|^rm«$| was white as stHtfSb, anti Hfe hair of His head like pure wool: His throne was Kke the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: Thousands ministered unto Him: and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened,” Dan. 7:9.10. “And to you who are troubled, rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be re-

ven with gels. In taking em that and that 1 of our Who ith everfrom the >rd, and of His kl-9. is is the nt in the Everyid with r court g was ns were ythe high priesife r sin are umcrf wiihoqjfe* camp, therefore Jesus also, that le the peole with His GW&Mood suf;red without tife^gate. Let s go forth tbeiSfore unto iitn without camp, eaiani His fiproach.” [|iMi,i2. m' •^|i|Nlrass is% type of ^ |This Church was judgment of must oe saith He Spirits : seven see the sevens •fection.

staHHp ^ n § s which rediBtt^at are ready to die. FC^ItTiive not found thy wofks pCrfect before God.” "‘tire message to this Church is that she should become perfect. Anything that stops growing dies. Jesus is able to perfect me things concerning thee. ❖