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SARDIS...
"But unto the angel of the church in Sardis, write." Rev. 3:1. Sardis is the fifth church mentioned in the Revelation. At the time of John's vision on the isle of Patmos, there was a congregation of God's people located in this city. Let us notice the conditions and environment which surrounded this church, then let us make a spiritual application to the Sardis candlestick age in the gospel day, from 1730 to 1880 A. D.
The geographical location of the city of Sardis was about 28 miles southeast of Thyatira. This would signify that the people had moved out of the Thyatira age over into more light on the word of God, as they move east, the source from which light comes. Also, it would signify a warmer climate spiritually. In this, which some call the 'Wesleyan age,' sanctification and holiness was preached. The light of this candlestick age was brighter than the one which preceded it, because of more light on the Word of God. There was a road from Pergamos to Sardis by the way of Thyatira. In the sixteenth century there was a road opened from the Catholic faith to the experience of justification by faith in Christ. In the Wesleyan age the road was opened, by light on the word of God, to the experience of 'entire' (as some referred to it) sanctification or 'holiness.' A reformation has begun which will lead God's people from the dark Papal night to the blessedness of the "evening light."
Sardis was a prosperous commercial city. Many of its traders ceased their traveling and settled down to business in their home shops. Certain kinds of manufacturing had their beginning here. Dyeing and coloring of wool garments was discovered here.
In making a spiritual application we can readily see the people of God in the Sardis age were surrounded by some conditions of which the city of Sardis afforded conditions as true symbols. The people in this age, while they made merchandise of people and churches, became more settled and did not move around as in the previous age. In the preceding age the people had only the experience of justification to twist and color, of which the dyeing of cotton goods was a symbol. Now they have the doctrine of 'entire' sanctification or holiness to reject, twist and color. It is a greater art to color wool than it is cotton.
There was much idol worship in the city of Sardis. The temple of Cybele was noted and bore marks of architecture of human hands. Its large, high columns were outstanding features, two of which outstripped the others in their grandeur. In Greek mythology this temple is called the 'mother of the gods' or often the 'great mother.' Spiritually, this 'goddess,' or 'mother of the gods,' is a symbol of the sectarian institutions or man-made churches, which arose in the fifth candlestick age. The true church that Jesus built is our spiritual mother. "Jerusalem, which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." Gai. 4:26. The great temple of man-made churches and creeds became the mother of its children or subjects. To many, it was their idol. They worshipped their sect or creed.
In this spiritual temple, in the Sardis age, all sectarian churches are considered a part of it. While they disagreed and fought each other in many ways, yet they were of the same spirit. In their structure too much was "wood, hay and stubble." Only a small part would stand the test. At the present time only two columns of the temple Cybele are standing; all the rest of them have crumbled, were ground into lime and hauled away. There were only two things preached that still stand as monuments to the Sardis age. They are justification and sanctification. The rest became wood, hay and stubble, and would not stand the fire of truth. They crumbled and were carried away. In the Sardis age many things were preached and practiced, making many columns and piers in the great structure of Protestantism. Justification and sanctification were two that still stand, and will stand until Jesus comes.
Mention is made of Sardis being the ancient home of the Kings of Lydia, many of whom are buried at the north side of the city. The Sardis church age was the home of many great leaders in the Protestant reform, many of whom died spiritually, refusing to walk in more light as it was shined on their pathway.
"Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and are dead." Rev. 3:1. This is a message to the people of the Sardis candlestick age. As a group, they were dead; only had the name. Many did not live up to the light and standard they had preached to them. Individuals and even groups chose rather to stay with their sect or movement, than to accept new light against opposition. Many of the spiritual leaders of the Sardis candlestick age (kings) belonged to the group, which had a name that they lived but were spiritually dead. Like the dead kings of Sardis, they should have been buried on the north or cold side of the city.
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God." "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 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." Rev. 3:2-5.
We are told here that there were a "few names even in Sardis who had not defiled their garments." They had walked in all the light they had: that is what it takes in any age to keep clear before God. They were warned to "remember how thou hast received and heard" the word of God, to hold it fast and repent of their negligence of those things that caused a failure in their perfection before God. There is a white robe for each one who will measure up to the word of God. In speaking of the masses as a whole, he said, "They had a name that they lived but were dead." No doubt God had to remove the names of many from the book of life. This is a sad picture. It just means that many lost their souls who, at one time, were gloriously saved. [ a note from Jerry…It could be that the 'writer' may have 'gone a little overboard here'…It seems reasonable that the meaning might have been…that many lost their 'spiritual life' at 'that time' (?) ]
The old city of Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake and a new city is further to the north, and a railroad is now running through the new city to the city of Philadelphia.
"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and Io, there was a great earthquake." Rev. 6:12. This was a spiritual earthquake, which took place at the opening of the sixth seal or the Philadelphia candlestick age, 1880 to 1930 A. D. At this time more light came on the word of God. Like an earthquake, it shook and destroyed man-made churches and creeds. Like the two columns of the temple of Cybele, justification and sanctification are the only two things that survived the confusion of the Protestant age. Since the earthquake of the sixth seal brought the first cry "Babylon is fallen," there is a new, modern city being erected a little further to the north (cooled off), which we are told is not so important as a commercial center as the original city.
We now stand at the close of the Sardis age, 1880, with justification and sanctification being preached. The fourth and fifth candlestick ages had broken the dark papal night, and souls are once more saved from sin, their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. More light is yet to come. It comes in like an earthquake, and shakes and crumbles the great columns and pillars of Protestantism until all that is left standing is justification and sanctification. The new city is "The World Council of Churches," Babylon the Great, and is still bartering their earthly wares of man-made religions.
PHILADELPHIA...
"And unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. 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. Be hold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:7-11.
Both history and the Bible seem to be clear that there was a church established in the city of Philadelphia by the apostles and early Christians. This church was here at the time of John's writing of the Revelation about A. D. 96. This is one of the seven churches of Asia. God seems to have arranged in His divine Providence to fit the sixth candlestick age in the gospel day, dating from A. D. 1880 to 1930.
Philadelphia is located about 28 miles south cast of Sardis. It was founded and named by Attalus Philadelphus; B. C. 140, as a mart for the great wine district, which is celebrated by Virgil. It is on the little river Cogamus, which joins the Hermus near Sardis, surrounded almost by an amphitheater of hills, bowered with orchards, in the midst of extensive gardens. The rock is basilic…, but covered with deep, black rich soil. The great staple is opium, which is entirely monopolized by the government. Herodotus says that sugar cane was anciently cultivated, and mentions a confection made of tamarisk and wheat, which is today the favorite sweetmeat of Philadelphia (called halca), after a continuance of over 2,000 years. When Xerxes was on his way to Greece he rested under a great plane-tree near the city, and so much admired its beauty that he appointed a keeper for it, and adorned it with golden ornaments. Plane-trees still flourish here, which surpass all others in the country. (Smith's Bible Dictionary).
Philadelphia lies in one of the most beautiful and fertile valleys of Asia Minor. It seems to have the natural environment for a prosperous city. These, when given a spiritual application to the church, in the sixth seat age, would mean a growing, victorious, prosperous church. In God's great plan, more light has come. The Philadelphia church age has light, which the Sardis church age did not have. With justification and sanctification having been preached, one more great Bible doctrine now comes to light: UNITY OF GOD'S PEOPLE AND A DIVINE CHURCH. This new light began to shine forth. D. S. Warner, followed by many others in the sixth candlestick age, preached a divinely organized church, free from man- organized churches, doctrines and creeds, which had divided the Christian people into many groups. The word of God was preached in such a clear way that the sin of division was exposed and division makers were marked. The Bible standard of divine healing and holiness was preached, together with the ordinances of feet-washing and the Lord's supper. Like the beautiful, rich, fertile valley of the Hermus, with its orchards and gardens, the church grew and was fed on the sweetmeats of a full gospel message.
Philadelphia is located about 28 miles south east of Sardis. Now let us notice that we have spiritually moved south into a warmer climate, and a little closer to the horizon in the east "from whence our light cometh."
This city was located on a flat plateau of four hills, about 600 feet above sea level, and was never invaded by an alien army. It was in an amphitheater, with mountains all around it. The TRUTH, preached in the sixth candlestick age, built once more the Church of God as in the days of the apostles. This gold, silver, and precious stones will stand until Jesus comes. It will never go clown. Some people have and will slip and go into apostasy, but the TRUTH which brought the great earthquake in the sixth seal (Rev. 7:12-13) burned up the "wood, hay, and stubble" of Babylonian confusion in man-made organizations, and assembling once more the true people of God into the one body of Christ, the Church.
D. S. Warner and others, who saw the truth concerning the church, saw the name "Church of God." In like manner, as the church in Philadelphia was surrounded by ranges of mountains, so the Church of God in the sixth seal was surrounded by the mountains and hills of Babylonian confusion. The ministry preached a clear message as to a divinely organized church, made it clear that Jesus was the Head and governor through the work and operation of the Holy Spirit. They preached against organizations in the church, which would rob the Holy Spirit of his place of leadership. The ministry was careful about appointing official boards, councils, committees, and such a thing as an earthly headquarters was preached as an abomination in the sight of God. The message preached, put all the ministers on an equality--no big I's and little you's. No partiality was to be shown. Each minister was urged to get his leading and messages from Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. An endeavor was made to keep the way open for God's man to have the pulpit. Divine healing for the sick was preached, not only as a privilege, but as a duty each one owed to God to trust Him instead of man. Holiness was preached with much emphasis. A salvation was preached that would save people from ALL sin. Worldliness was not tolerated; modest apparel was emphasized. Much criticism is offered today to justify a departure from these standards. We are not dealing with some individuals who may have been fanatic or backslidden at heart; we are dealing with the fundamental principles of the word of God as it was taught by the ministry as a whole.
Now regardless of what you or I may think about it, let us turn to the word of God and see what He says. Let us notice what he says to the Philadelphia church. "I know thy works, and 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." Rev. 3:7. God has not offered one word of criticism against this church. He says they have kept his word. This would lead us to believe the message generally preached and practiced by the group as 'a whole' was acknowledged by God Himself as His word. "I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews (Christians) and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and TO KNOW I HAVE LOVED THEE. Because thou HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PA- TIENCE I will keep thee from the hour of temptation." Rev. 3:7-11. These words make it plain that God highly commends the people of this Philadelphian church age. He even says he would make others get down at their feet and worship just like they did. What more is needed to prove God was pleased with their standard of faith and practice? Near the end of this Philadelphia candlestick age, which ended 1930, some began to depart from the faith and slip from the standards of the word of God, which were being taught. "Hold that, fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." No doubt many have lost their crown by departing from God's TRUTH.
In Rev. 3:12 we read: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. . . ." He just means that those who live out this candlestick age and start the next one, lifting these standards of truth with victory, God will be able to use such a one, in the next candlestick age, to His glory, and make them pillars in His temple or church. Sad to say, many coming out of this age into the next one, lost the victory, compromised and sacrificed many of the fundamental principles previously practiced. Such a one is in no condition to become a pillar in the next age.
We notice it is said, "I set before thee an open door." Thank God, that door has never been closed. The way is open for "whosoever will" to go right into the light of the seventh candlestick age, and become a pillar in God's church. Like the city of Philadelphia, the truth during this age was not invaded by any alien force. At the same time, there was a spiritual opium, used by the kings of spiritual Babylon, which put many to sleep in sectism and division, whom the glorious truth was never able to awaken.
LAODICEA...
We are now coming to the last candlestick age. We are told in Rev. 1:20 that the seven candlesticks are the seven churches of Asia. We are told that those who overcome in the Philadelphia age, God would make pillars in His church in the Laodicean age. There is a greater revelation of truth to be revealed in this last age, which will never be accepted by those who are not victorious in the truth of the previous age.
"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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcome, and am set down with my Father in His throne. He that hath an car let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 3-14-22.
Before I enter into the discussion of the conditions of the church in this age I want to make some quotations from Smith's Bible Dictionary, page 277. "LAODICEA, an ancient city on the Lycus, in the valley of the Meander, forty miles east of Ephesus. Its site was on seven hills, which were drained by two brooks, the Asoprus and Caprus. The ruins are of a stadium, in very complete preservation, three theatres (one of which was 450 feet in diameter), bridges, acqueducts, and a gymnasium, which testify to its ancient wealth and importance. Its original name was Diospolis, which was change to Rhoas, under which title it became the largest city in Prygia. Antiocus 11 gave it the name of his wife, Laodicea."
Now let us notice the city of Laodicea, which is located south east of Philadelphia and due east of Ephesus, the church of the apostles' time. This would mean the spiritual climate is getting warmer and more light as it has moved east from Philadelphia. The seventh candlestick age carries light on the Revelation and prophecy, that the Philadelphia church age did not have. Its site being located on seven hills would mean that the light of the seven candlestick ages is revealed. We are told in Rev. 10:1-3 that a mighty angel (the ministry of the seventh candlestick age) "set his right foot upon the sea (Catholicism), and his left foot upon the earth (man-made earthly institutions), and cried with a loud voice, as, when a lion roareth, and when he had cried seven thunders uttered their voices." This is the ministry who came out of the Philadelphia age with victory in all the light they had, who now have received and accepted the light of the seventh seal age, whom God is making pillars in his temple. The voice of the seven thunders is bringing the understanding of the seven ages corresponding to the seven mountains on which the city, of Laodicea was located. Only a. few accept this message, consequently, only a few will become "pillars in the temple of our God." This city on seven hills was drained by two brooks. In this seventh seal age, there are two streams, which drain the city, the true church, keeping it clean and removing those who will not walk in the light. One is, those that say, "What I have is good enough for me, and I am not looking for anything else; I am with a group whose prestige and honor I will not sacrifice." There are a great number who have accepted the light of the sixth candlestick age, but who will not have the light of the seventh. They fall into a stream of spiritual stagnation, "drawing back", refusing and fighting the truth of God. This is one of the streams that drain the spiritual city, and many are drowning in its waters of fearfulness. I am personally acquainted with many preachers who accepted the light of the Revelation message of this seventh candlestick age, had it preached to their congregations, and said it was the best thing they had heard. As time went on, they found the group they held to, had rejected the message. They decided to recant rather than to lose their prestige and standing with the group. This proved conclusively that they loved the applause of the group of old association more than they loved light and truth.
The second stream, which is draining the Laodicean candlestick age and causing the unstable ones to fall, is the stream of compromise. About the closing of the Philadelphia candlestick age (1930) many, who called themselves Church of God, had slipped from the practices of the standards of truth they claimed to stand for. The standard of holiness was lowered so as to tolerate worldliness. Some ministers scarcely mention divine healing and, of course, they do not practice it. Jesus is the head of the church ONLY IN NAME. The governing power, that Jesus should have, is now vested in the ministerial body, who meets annually at a certain headquarters, with all minor details and schedules working out of that. All local pastors and preachers, in order to be in good standing, must center all things toward this centralized movement. I say this to show how some have compromised the truth once preached in the sixth candlestick age. Such things were absolutely preached against and condemned, with plenty of Bible to condemn them. Such a group of people will not accept the seventh candlestick message, because it condemns such unscriptural procedure. We must preach and practice the truth for which God commended the saints of the Philadelphia church age; this still stands in full force and binding upon the church. The seventh candlestick age has brought understanding of the symbolic language of the Revelation and prophecy which condemn this compromise trend. This is the main reason it is not accepted. Daniel says, "And some of them of UNDERSTANDING shall fall, to try them and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end." Dan. 11:35. We are certainly living in the "time of the end." Thousands are being swept down by one or the other of the two streams cleaning out those who refuse to walk in the light.
"And it shall come to pass, in all the land, saith the Lord, TWO PARTS THEREIN SHALL BE CUT OFF AND DIE; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." Zech. 13:8-9. Here Zechariah is telling about the two parts cut off and the third part brought through the fire of persecution. Only a few will stand the persecution; too many are drowned in the two streams, which drain the city.
The two parts, which are being cut off by the truth of the seventh seal message certainly persecutes those who accept and preach the message that cut them off.
The city of Laodicea was overthrown in the 12th century A. D. According to Smith's Bible dictionary the ruins are still preserved and show three theaters, bridges, acquiducts, and a gymnasium. The true people of God, who accept this light and truth, are in the midst of the well preserved ruins of fallen Babylon. These theaters are made clear in Revelation 16:19 and 13, "And the great city was divided into three parts." This division was according to the working of the three unclean spirits of verse 13. The bridges would represent the conveniences of the apostate doctrines taught in the Laodicean age. The gymnasium furnishes a place for entertainment and worldly amusements, which are certainly given a place in the modern religious world in the present age.
Before this city fell, in the 12th century, it changed its name and became the largest city in Prygia. The great city of Laodicea, which is the city of Babylon, in the seventh candlestick age, changed its name to the World Council of Churches, and is now "BABYLON THE GREAT."
Antiocus II gave this city the name of his wife, Laodicea. The analogy is not hard to make. The second ruling powers over this city has changed its name to WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, calling it the wife or BRIDE OF CHRIST. This is a false claim. The true bride of Christ is HIS true worshipers, and are found in the midst of and surrounded by these modern Laodicean conditions.
Here is another quotation from Smith's Bible Dictionary: "The emperors were also deified…It became the seat of an archbishop, and in its cathedral church were gathered several councils; in one of which, a system of supplying the villages or small societies in the interior with church services by itinerating the presbyters, was adopted under the direction of the bishop of Laoclicea…The acquiduct (which supplied the city, and is now almost perfect), which conveyed water down one hill, across the plains, and up another, in stone pipes, prove the Romans to have been acquainted with the hydrostatic law of water finding its level. The stone pipes have a diameter of 2 feet, and are fitted into each other at the ends, and the calcareous deposits from the water has incrusted them, forming almost a continuous pipe without a visible joint." "The seats in the stadium have let- ters and numbers; their owners are the keeper's marks."
These historical quotations have a spiritual meaning in this Laodicean or Babylonian city in the seventh candlestick age. They actually tell us spiritual things in the so-called religious world. Without question, the great all wise hand of God has directed it all.
We have just quoted that the people in their procedure deified their rulers; this was in the city where God's church was located. In this Laodicean age of today the influential, noted leaders are exalted and placed on a high pedestal of honor, with a spirit of praise ascribed to them, which God only should have. The ARCHBISHOP spirit is dominating, today, in all groups that have an earthly centralized headquarters, even in some groups that preach much of the Bible. The 'church of God' people, that had God's approval in the sixth seal age, have slipped, have a headquarters and are using the itinerating system of supplying pastors to the churches; All state, district and local assemblies must recognize the ARCHBISHOP dignitaries located at headquarters. This is the practice of the denominational or sect- arian world; any group of people that practice it IS A PART OF "BABYLON THE GREAT," which is fallen.
There are high seats in this human system of operation which are marked and kept for certain dignitaries, who are introduced with pomp as Dr. 'so and so,' who fill 'this or that' GREAT PLACE in our GREAT ORGANIZATION. The water line in tact and operation could mean nothing more or less than the great stream of the water of life, which, thank God, is still going and cannot be interrupted by the apostate system of men. It hits the high ground and the low with equal strength, power and force, and can be enjoyed by all who will deny and humble himself, and walk in the light as God flashes it on his pathway.
"Hierapolis has lately furnished a fine proof of the truth of an account of Strabo, who speaks of a deadly vapor, which kills any animal that approaches the place. The experiment was tried by Svoboda on two fowls, and resulted fatally to both in death." (S. B. D.)
If you have been getting the message thus far, it will not be hard to understand the spiritual meaning of this poison. Dear saint of God, there is much poison in the borders of this Laodicean city of today. The Only thing, which will make you immune from this deadly poison is the truth of this seventh seal age. It is God's remedy. When the light shines, and is rejected, the poison kills. The great city of Babylon is filling the entire world today. Its systems discredit God. Its poison is killing. Groups and movements are promoting great programs with money-raising campaigns, who are in the swamps of muck and rnire, in the city of "BABYLON THE GREAT," and who have lost contact with the great stream of life.
There are many preachers today, some of whom once knew the truth of God, who have been swallowed by the apostate trend of lukewarmness, scattering this deadly poison that kills wherever it gets a hold in the hearts of people.
Now let us turn to the letter in Revelation 3:14-22 written to the people of this Laodicean age. "And unto the angel of the church of Laodicea." This message is first to the angel or ministers of the church. If they do not hear God's message and declare it to the people, all will suffer together. "Write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness." This is God's message to His ministry. It will pay us to look into it. Many know this message and many more will have the opportunity, with the responsibility resting upon them. If only the ministry of today could realize the importance of thus "Saith the Amen," and that God has said "The flock will I require at their hand." "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." God is making himself clear that He is not pleased with the works of the 'professed' church. Religious education, teaching the art of HOW TO DO THINGS, is the great motto in the colleges, seminaries and churches, which is resulting in great programs. But because of the lack of spiritual fervor God would rather spue such a people out than to own them.
There is no question about 'lukewarmness' working in all evangelical groups today. It is a leprosy that is making spiritual paralytics. Many are affected with coldness and indifference; other things seem to have first place. Being spued out of the mouth of God is a tragical condition. Its final analysis is death. It is not hard to see churches and movements that have lost their power. This had its beginning with individuals who saw light and truth, and failed to keep pace. Many of these have fallen under strong delusions and turned to believing a lie and are damned. I do not say this to criticize, but for the purpose of warning. It does not pay us to deny or ignore facts. We should face them squarely and fairly, because we will have to meet them at the judgment bar of God.
To be spewed out is to be without the spirit to guide us. We are then left on our own wisdom (wisdom of the world), which God says is foolishness to Himself. No wonder many, who once knew the truth of the true Church of God have gone back and adopted the wisdom and customs of BABYLON THE GREAT. It is no wonder Holy Spirit leadership and government has been taken out of the hands of God and vested in boards, committees and a centralized headquarters. Men of "understanding" have, and are, falling. Men who once seemed as solid as 'concrete' have become 'jelly fish.' God had a people in the sixth candlestick, or Philadelphia church age, with whom he did not find any fault. This cannot be said of the masses in this age. Only a few will stand the test of the fires of persecution and opposition; only a few will stand true to God and truth when the old crowd, church. or movement begin to fossilize around apostate principles, which are contrary to the word of God.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. 3:17. Here we are told the reason for lukewarmness and being spued out. Prosperity motivates a feeling self-security, which robs one of the feeling of a need for God. There never was a time in the history of the church, that it felt so prosperous in a temporal way. I am thinking particularly of the 'Church of God' as it emerged from the sixth candlestick age. It has made great strides in a financial way. It owns millions of dollars worth of property; great money-raising campaigns are put over. They no longer can say, "Silver and gold have I none," and with this gain they have lost the virtue to say, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise and walk." In the past twenty years healings, miracles and spiritual power have diminished; just a few in comparison, and they are generally among the lay-members. Signs should increase with numbers, but sad to say, they are not. The church is not clothed with humility, faith, power and victory; it is bare and naked before the world, to their shame and regret. Poor in spiritual things and so spiritually blind that they cannot see it. This is a tragedy.
Many have fancied that because some gospel is preached and a few souls get saved, that God's approval is upon all they are doing. A Pentecost storm would be worth far more than a million dollar campaign.
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy, nakedness do not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear thy voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. 3:18-21.
Here is the warning, and remedy given. Unless people are willing to open their eyes, see and acknowledge these sins, with a sorrowful and penitent heart, they will never get back to God. They are lost when spued out of the mouth of God.
The lukewarmness of this Laodicean age has brought a dreadful spiritual blight in the church. The ministry was first smitten. "Awake, 0 sword against my shepherds, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones." Zech. 13:7. Some of these were once the true shepherds, stood for the true word of God; they were his "fellows," meaning God's ministers. They no longer ask for "the old paths." They are giving an uncertain sound. The sheep, the saints of God, are being scattered. They are no longer drawn into the one unified body with the truth of God's word. Many are scattered into the modern practices of "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS." Many preachers are saying the church of God is "just a movement among movements." That is the way they see it. They have lost their vision. Many preachers who have come up in the past fifteen or twenty years never heard a message teaching and clarifying the true church of God… free from man-rule and organizations of men. Such a message can only be preached by men who are free from such things. Such messages as: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, and the hole of every foul spirit," are not preached any more. Consequently the other voice (Spirit) which says, "Come out of her, my people," is not heard. In the sixth candlestick age these messages were preached; they gathered a people out of confusion into the UNITY of the FAITH, in whom God said, "I find no fault in them." The truths that brought out a people in the past age are not preached and the sheep are being scattered. The city of Laodicea was located in the valley of "Meander," which means "to wander." God said, "I will turn my hands upon the little ones." Many have become too big for God to handle them. Those that have become "heady, high-minded, proud, boasters, lovers of themselves more than God," are too big for God to lead them. Such as these are included in the two parts cut off, and the little ones are those who are brought through the fire of persecution, standing for truth.
There are some honest souls today who do not know, and who have not seen the things I have written about in this booklet. Some know things are wrong, but do not know what it is all about. I pray God the eyes of many will be opened…that they may see the abominable things, which are causing God to spew many out of his mouth.
God has a few who are true to God and souls, and these he can trust to "awaken His sword," expose sin and deception and lift the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ high, so as to "establish the mountain of the Lord's house in the top of the mountains."
The Laodicean church age is the last age symbolized in the gospel day. It brings us to the end or second coming of the Lord Jesus. I am fully persuaded by the signs of the times that the "fig tree is budding." What we do, we must do quickly, for soon "time shall be no more." The Revelation tells us "there will be no more going out." The next move will be going up. "He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Father's throne." The next move for the people of God will be heaven. Thank God! "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." "But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Rev. 21:4, 8. This will be the end of all timely things and the final separation of saint and sinner. In reality the separation is being made now. We make the choice of the group and place where we will be in our long ETERNITY. Amen and amen.
God has a true people today who are striving with all their hearts to overcome all the effects of this lukewarm age, and who accept new light as fast as it comes and refuse these deceptions as fast as they are exposed. God does not want his people to support with money or influence ANY THING THAT IS WRONG. Some support the wrong because there is some good in it. That is not holiness in principle. "Come out of her, my people," be separate, and be one of that number without spot or wrinkle. From the housetop shout aloud, "This is the way, walk ye in it." [the end]
