If, as we believe, the Spirit of God has given us in the epistles to the seven churches, a picture of the moral phases of the church's history from the time of its departure in heart from Christ, until its utter rejection by Him, must we not look for a less limited application of the last than some would seem to hold? The last four are clearly found at the end, and are the result of the first three, which, in brief, seem to be: first, at Ephesus, leaving the first love, the heart having gone from Christ, no activities in judging evil could compensate in His estimation for that, and that whilst it exposed the church to His judgment, left also an open door for other evils which soon followed.
At Smyrna there were two divisions in the church, those who held to the truth and suffered at the hands of the world for it, and those who set up an earthly legal system to oppose. The clearly marked division within into two parts existed, those who maintained the true, and therefore heavenly calling, and those who set up Judaism, an earthly calling, with christian names for things. It is remarkable that we only get "those who say they are Jews," &c., again mentioned in Philadelphia, where, after a long period of forgetfulness of these truths, the Lord has revived the heavenly side of Christianity. Smyrna is followed by Pergamos, and the church now has openly accepted the patronage of the world, and its downfall is complete. What the enemy cannot successfully oppose, he will change his attitude towards, and under his patronage, more deadly than the shade of the fabled Upas tree, it is sure to wither. When Balaam accused to God it was of no avail, when he got at the people and allied them with the Midianites his ends were accomplished.
One need not dwell on popery, with its dark history of idolatry, blood, and crime, which Thyatira presents. The eyes must be blind that do not see its character depicted here. Yet it has its remnant, who are discerned amidst the corrupt mass by the searching yet gracious eye of the Master-those who have not known the depths of Satan, and who are counseled to hold fast till He comes.
Sardis, well recognized as giving us a picture of Protestantism; the state religions of the Reformation, when God raised up deliverers for His people, in faithful love, from the yoke of their oppressors, and gave back to the church an open Bible, and the precious foundation-truth of justification by faith, through chosen and honored vessels. But how soon to sink down, as Israel under the Judges, into forgetfulness of the God who had wrought for their deliverance! State churches are necessarily but the stereotyping of the truth as far as it has been known, with a gross admixture of worldliness and politics; whilst one gladly owns the faith and faithfulness of the many honored servants of the Lord who have been used of Him to maintain something of life towards God amidst it all. So here, too, is a remnant of faithful ones who will be fully owned of Him in that day; whilst the dead and formal part will meet the world's judgment at His coming, as it is only that really, with the heightened guilt of the Christian name attached to what openly dishonors Him.
Philadelphia is the revival of the truth of the heavenly calling, and the knowledge of the Person of Christ, and a care for His name and glory. Its condition of "a little strength " is answered by the pledge on His part who has "all power in heaven and earth" of an "open door which no man can shut." Nothing can hinder the testimony save the unfaithfulness of those who should maintain it. But it will be a testimony to Him, and not to our own knowledge or zeal, if it is to meet His approval. A warning is here given to "hold fast," lest the crown be taken by another, and the encouragement, "Behold I come quickly." To limit it in its application to any select company savors of the narrowness of man's heart and mind. Doubtless it points to the revival of God's truth, which manifestly is found amongst His people to-day (as the wise virgins wake up to trim their lamps), and to seek to define its limits would be to forget the widespread dissemination, and let us hope love of Christ and truth; though many sad blemishes are found in the ways of those who are content with a wider path than many are assured is the one the Lord delights to have His people found in. But all will get their share of praise or blame when He who silently is taking account of His people's ways shall manifest everything in the penetrating light of His presence.
What, then, of Laodicea? It seems hardly a gracious thing for saints to brand each other with this mark. Yet few, if truthful, cannot find a measure of it not far distant to be judged and confessed, unless sufficiently blinded by a good opinion of themselves to have forgotten the measure of the Christian's responsibility and path-the obligation or the call to walk as He walked. How much room for confession this leaves! How little for boastful pretension! Yet if it humbles, how it also cheers to look at Him and His blessed pathway through a world of sin and sorrow-ministering, not ministered to, save by the hands and hearts of those who out of His fullness were receiving "grace upon grace."
If I look around in Christendom, I need not be at a loss to discover what is really Laodicea. Popery, state churches, and those who can claim to have the character marked in Philadelphia, may be clearly discerned, as well as the opposers of the latter, marked by a spirit which finds its fullest expression in Britain in Puseyism and Anglo-Israel, and in America in Materialist Adventism.
But here is another thing which has outward pretensions of no mean extent, and which, because of good mixed with it, one fears to wound the hearts of some by speaking too plainly about.
But lukewarm is a mixture of hot and cold, and modern revivalism is just that. The alabaster box of ointment has been forgotten, and man is the object of many an earnest worker who creates a stir amidst what otherwise would soon be seen to be dead enough towards God. But wealthy churches, where the poor have no place, popular and eloquent preachers, sensuous music, and religious songs which the world can adopt; all this, whilst, save in a remnant, life to God is wanting, it is to be feared, we see growing rapidly to-day. Laodicea is to Philadelphia, I believe, what Pergamos was to Smyrna. Popularize truth and you have spoiled it effectually. Adapt the gospel to man's tastes and you most effectually take away the offense of the cross; and if the whole counsel of God is not declared, the world will thank you for so yielding the cross as to make it attractive.
The sensuous in religion is eagerly sought to-day, and all that appeals to the natural man; and this in its broad features, is Laodicea. The Lord recognizes those mixed up with it who are really not of it, and whose hearts can only be kept awake by the rebukes and chastening which love inflicts. But for them Christ knocks at the door. He proffers the most intimate fellowship with those who care for His company. "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
The mass, however, know Him not at all. Like the foolish virgins, they have no oil. The Lord counsels them to buy of Him what they lack. Gold tried in the fire, is divine nature and righteousness, or perhaps faith more precious than gold, and white raiment which is clearly human righteousness-the practical side, as the gold seems to point to the nature as born of God, and its accompaniments. The Holy Spirit too, which is His gift to those who believe, to give sight of things otherwise unseen. All this they need,
We may not yet have seen the full development of these things. He only knows how far they may be allowed to go; but enough is plainly discernible to make one look with fear upon the certain result.
If we look at these four pictures as thus developed one from another, and then each continuing as a distinct thing with those that preceded it until the end, we must not forget that instead of closely defined edges they are found to overlap, and interlace at their edges; whilst the nearer we get to the distinctly pronounced character of each, the more marked the lines will be and separate.
May the Lord give us discernment as to these things that we may avoid what is offensive to Him, and be content with His approval and His company, until He calls us up through that open door in heaven, to share His throne and glory and to view from thence the execution of this well-earned wrath upon those who in a day of grace have refused to own Him Lord. R. T. G.