THE SABBATH SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 30, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 13.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

LESSON II.—THE SEVEN CHURCHES—EPHESUS AND SMYRNA.

(Study for Sabbath, April 9.)

QUESTIONS.

1. WHAT are the names of the seven churches to whom this book of Revelation is dedicated? Rev. 1:11. Note 1. 2. What local church was named as representing the first period in this history of the entire church? Rev. 2:1. 3. What was there desirable at that period of the church? Note 2. 4. Who bears this message to the church of Ephesus? Verse 1. 5. What assurance is there in the fact that He walks among the candlesticks? Rev. 1:20, last part; Matt. 28:20. 6. For what is this church commended? Rev. 2:2, 3. 7. What reproof is given? Verse 4. Note 3. 8. What exhortation? What warning? Verse 5. 9. Suggest some examples of “first works.” See John 1:43-46; Luke 8:38-40; 2 Peter 1:5-9. Note 4. 10. What commendation is given concerning their attitude toward apostasy? Rev. 2:6. Note 5. 11. What is the call, and what the promise of the Lord to the overcomer? Verse 7. Note 6. 12. What may we say of the time of this first period of the church?—It covers the early church to the time when its apostolic leaders had passed away, say to the closing of the first century and the early days of the second, the natural boundary of the first, or apostolic, era of the church, tho no specific year may be given. 13. What church is named for the second period of the history? Verse 8. Note 7. 14. How is the speaker described? Verse 8. Note 8. 15. What comforting assurance is given? Verse 9. 16. What scenes of tribulation were they to pass through? Verse 10, first part. Note 9. 17. What was the cheering promise? Verse 10 (last part), 11. 18. What special period of time is covered by this second stage of church history?—From early in the second century, through the days of pagan persecution, to the time of Constantine, whose professed conversion, in A.D. 323, opened a distinctly third era in church history. 19. What picture does Inspiration set over against these descriptions of times of trial? Rev. 7:13-17.

NOTES.

1. The number seven is used repeatedly throughout the book, evidently to denote fulness and completion. So just seven churches represent the complete history. 2. The word “Ephesus” means “desirable.” The church in this period—in the days of apostolic labor—had enjoyed the doctrine of Christ in its purity; also the benefits and blessings of the Holy Spirit received. 3. The first love, the warmth of affection experienced when the Saviour was first received and the hope of the message first dawned upon the mind, had faded out somewhat in process of years, under cares and trials. “Lord, is it I?” 4. The first love must be renewed by coming to Jesus for the forgiveness of all sin, the full surrender of the heart, and then, constrained by the love of Jesus for others, the new convert, tho perhaps old professor, will have a new experience to tell, a new song to sing, even praise unto God. Then missionary work of all kinds will be not a duty alone, but a joy; yet still a duty to which the believer must sternly hold himself against all the tendency of the flesh to become careless. Just here was the failure of the early church. 5. The sect of Nicolaitanes was one of the earliest of the parties that sprang up within the church, undermining the truth by mysticism and fanciful teaching. Under profession of a higher philosophy of God and a more spiritual understanding of the doctrines of Christ, they brought heathen notions and moral corruptions into the church. 6. This and other references show plainly that the Eden that once was on earth has been transplanted to heaven. 7. “Smyrna,” signifies “myrrh,” fit appellation for the church of God while passing through the fiery furnace of persecution and proving herself a ‘sweet-smelling savor’ unto Him.”—Thoughts on Revelation. 8. “Which was dead and is alive.” This is an assurance that One who has gone down into Satan’s prison-house, conquered death, and brought the key away with Him, was qualified to bear a message of hope and comfort to the church in that age when many were to seal their testimony with their blood. 9. In these times of pagan persecution, the issue was practically the same as we must again face—the Christian principle of religious liberty as opposed to the Roman principle of governmental regulation of religion. The Roman law was: “No man shall have for himself particular gods of his own; no man shall worship by himself any new or foreign gods, unless they are recognized by the public laws.” The prophecy speaks of “ten days.” The last and severest persecution of this period was a sustained effort to suppress Christianity, lasting ten years. Ten days, prophetic time—a day for a year—would be ten years, literal time. “It was not till A.D. 311,” says Lecky, “ten years after the first measure against the Christians, that the Eastern persecution ceased. Galerius, the arch-enemy of the Christians, was struck down by a fearful disease.” He suspended his edict and besought Christians to pray for his recovery.