"To
the church of nineteen hundred and sixty eight write. To my special
messengers, those sent by me, speak my will and my
purpose for this hour in human history. These things says the one who
yet walks in the midst of the seven golden lamps, and
holds even more securely the messengers whom He has chosen in
His right hand. (Rev. 1:13, 20). I speak to My church in
this hour. I speak to make known that which is recorded
in the scriptures. For I speak only what unveils that
which has been once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3).
He that speaks not according to the scriptures, let him
be anathema.
Have I not spoken to you by means of the seven
letters to the seven churches ofAsia? (Rev. chapters
2 & 3). For seven is the number of my church, and
the seven letters portray a prophetic picture of the
course of my church throughout the dispensation
which is now drawing to a close. Therefore hear, and by
the Spirit of revelation I will anoint your eyes to see
the full meaning of that which has been written for your admonition.
For this is the day that all things pertaining to my
church are coming to a consummation, and ere long the
final trumpet shall sound the call to battle.
During the days of the voice of the seventh angel
the mystery of your God shall
be finished, and only those prepared by me shall be able
to stand victoriously and help bind the power of Satan's
fury. (Rev. 10:7).
[Ephesus]
Did I not speak first to the church at Ephesus? (Rev. 2:1). Of
the seven churches mentioned, only to the church of the
Ephesians did the apostle Paul write an epistle. This is
significant, says the Lord,
for it shows that the letter which I sent to Ephesus portrays the
condition in the early church during the days of the
apostle Paul and those associated with him. Even
though it was conveyed through John to that church a
number of years after Paul's ministry was sealed by
death, it portrays by symbolic representation, the
church of the apostolic period. This is why I am
represented as the one 'that holds the seven
stars in his right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks.’ (Rev. 2:1). For
in those days I was still in control of the ministries
of my church, and I was still walking in power in the
midst of my people. I am still walking in the midst of
my people, but I am not manifesting the living Word and
power through them as my heart desires, because they are
as yet unwilling to give me all the glory, and I will
share my glory with no man. I am still holding in my
right hand certain special ministries of my
choosing, and they are being prepared in this hour for a
mighty work; but so many of my ministries are as yet
unwilling to let me hold them completely, having so many
desires and ambitions of their own. So by my Spirit I
brood over my people and ministries, longingly
waiting for the time that I can once again assume
full control and Headship over all that is mine. This I
will do, and very shortly, for none shall be able to
thwart my purpose, and those who have been prepared
shall rise up in power as ONE MAN, fitly joined together
as My Body, ready to fulfill their destined calling in
this end time.
Now the glory of the apostolic
church is seen in the words of commendation which I
spoke unto it. ‘I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you cannot bear them which are
evil; and you have tried them which say
they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: And have borne, and have patience, and for my
name's sake have labored, and have not fainted.’ (Rev.
2:2-3). The early church was vigilant against evil which
corrupts and against false apostles sowing seeds of
error. But they were lax in guarding against the
intrusion of Interests which began to capture their
attention and affection to the extent that their love
for me was no longer the primary, all-consuming, focus
of their lives. Therefore did I say, ‘I have somewhat
against you, because you have left your first love.' (Rev. 2:4).
Here is the key, my people, to maintaining freshness and
vigor in your Christian life, as well as vitality and
power in the church. Ever make me the object of your love and adoration. Let no
person or thing become more important in your life than
me. Let not your primary concern be the doing of things
for me, but let it be the outpouring of your love to me
as you spend much time in the secret place of meditation
on my Word and the uplifting of praises to me. When you become
primarily occupied with the doing of things FOR me, in
works and labors, you are focusing your
attention on that which is secondary, and like those in
the early church you are in danger of leaving your first
love. Live in my love; let it consume your very being; then your labors shall indeed be
great. But they shall be a demonstration of LOVE WROUGHT
OUT, and not merely the attempt to gain something:
whether that be in the sight of men, for praise and
recognition, or in my sight, to gain my favor and
reward. I care not for your works, as such, but I
prize highly that which represents love poured out, in
obedience and faithfulness.
My admonition to the church at
Ephesus, as
representative of the apostolic period, was to
"Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do
the first works, or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove
your candlestick out of his
place, except you repent.' (Rev. 2:5). The
'first works' which I wanted them to return to were the
works of obedience, demonstrating love. For those who
love me keep my commandments. I am not interested in my
people doing works for works sake. I am interested in my
people loving me and obeying me. When the early church
began to get its eyes on labors and works, no matter how
well intentioned, forgetting to look to me in obedient love, to do
my will, then were they commanded to repent. But having
failed to heed my warning, their lamp was removed, and
the glory and power of the apostolic period began to
wane until it was as a lamp which had ceased to
shine.
But there were those who rose above
the wayward tendencies of their brethren. They were
sensitive to the Spirit's wooing and leading. To them
did I speak: 'He that has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches; To him
that overcomes will I give to eat of
the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise
of God.' (Rev. 2:7). The 'overcomers' were given special
promises because of their fidelity to me and obedience
to my Word, overcoming the tendency to laxness in
seeking me and my will first. They were privileged to
eat of the tree of life. This tree is none other than my
own life and righteousness imparted to those who receive
me by faith. But the eating of the fruit thereof speaks
of the joys and blessedness of those who have so
yielded to me in love and obedience,
that the fruits of righteousness, the fruits of the
Spirit's working in their inner being, have been
brought forth in profusion. This is the tree of life
bearing its fruit in the midst of the paradise of God.
The paradise is none other than the 'garden' of the
human body, in the midst of which divine life is at
work, watered by the Word and the Spirit, and quickened
by the warmth of reciprocating love.
For one more attribute did I
commend the church at Ephesus. 'But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.' (Rev. 2:6). The
Nicolaitanes were those who slyly sought to elevate
certain leaders above the people in such a way that
they gradually assumed sacerdotal importance, even as
the priests of the pagan religions. But such deeds were
clearly detected in those who were followers and
promoters of false apostles, and the true saints refused
to be misled by those who sought to substitute spiritual
authority for authority appointed and enforced by
men. If my people in this day are to enter into my
purposes, and receive the glory awaiting, they must have
the spiritual perception to discern between the false
and the true, and 'hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes'
even as the early Christians. My true ministries do not
need the carnal ways of man to fulfill their calling,
and I will hold my people accountable, that they be
not deceived by those who would exalt and promote the
flesh of men as a substitute for true spiritual
authority and power. That which is highly esteemed
among men is an abomination in my sight. (Luke
16:15).