How then, it may be asked, does all this bear upon the Apocalyptic addresses to the seven churches in Asia? In this way, that although Laodicea may represent the last phase of the church, viewed in its progressive history on earth, and thus, as far removed from apostolic times, it nevertheless is no less responsible than Ephesus to continue in the truth as revealed— “the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Both, receiving the same apostolic epistle, were alike privileged and responsible to “walk as children of light,” who, “at one time darkness,” were “now light in the Lord.”
In the address “to the angel of the church in Ephesus,” we have before us those who had been favored with the personal ministry and oversight of an apostle, and he had “not shunned to declare to them all the counsel of God.” In Laodicea, on the other hand, we have those who had not been so privileged, yet had they, as we have seen, this same apostle's written words, if not his presence—words affecting every saint on earth, both as to his present blessings in Christ in the heavenlies, and his responsibilities, individual and corporate, down here.
We see how the Lord values the love of His own, in that He is not content with activity of service where first love is lacking. “But I have against thee that thou hast left thy first love. Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” (Revelation 2:4, 54Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember 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 out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:4‑5)). What is our love worth indeed, we might say? Yet does He value it, look for it, is not satisfied without it, and calls to repentance where this love is wanting. Oh, what a rebuke of our inconstant hearts! His love is unchanging, and never fails. Why should we not be on to know and appreciate it better that so His love may indeed call forth ours in deeper intensity?
Looking, then, at these several addresses as not only sent to seven actually existing churches of the apostle John's days, presenting the respective features here disclosed to us, but as also prophetic of the successive phases of “the church” condition (and in the case of the last four, going on concurrently after they have severally arisen), during its existence on the earth, we shall be prepared to appreciate the singular appropriateness of the Lord's touching appeal to our own very selves in this our day.
By “the church” is meant not the aggregate of believers from Abel down to the end, but those converted and formed into one body by the Holy Ghost sent down at Pentecost as the consequence of Christ's work and exaltation on high. As our Lord predicted (Matthew 16) that upon Himself, the Rock, He would build His church, so we find that saints now are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (of the New Testament), Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone (Ephesians 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)). Before Christ died, He was alone (John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)). There could be no “union in incarnation,” for death was before Him, and the judgment of our sins, and into that judgment the blessed Lord would not take His own. The believer comes not into judgment (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). It was “by Himself He made purification for sins” (Hebrews 1:33Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)). Alone in life and on the cross, He, the Risen One, is no longer alone. Now living, to die no more, He can say, “Go to my brethren.” For His God is our God, His Father is our Father.
So also we see that His death was not for “the nation” only, but to “gather together into one the children of God that were scattered abroad,” and it is because He has been “lifted up from the earth” that He draws all to Him.
Clearly, then, it is not before but after Christ's death that this is brought about. “Being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.” This is the explanation of Pentecost, and later, we learn by another apostle, that “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles” (Acts 2:3333Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33) Corinthians 12:13)..(To be continued)
(Continued)