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Christ’s Eternal Vigilance, October 31
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that
holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy
patience.
Revelation 2:1, 2
.
The picture reveals eternal vigilance. Christ is in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks, walking from church to church, from congregation to congregation,
from heart to heart. He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. If the
candlesticks were left to the care of human beings, how often the light would flicker
and go out! But God has not given His church into the hands of men. Christ, the
One who gave His life for the world, that all who believe in Him may not perish but
have everlasting life, is the Watchman of the house. He is the Warder, faithful and
true, of the temple courts of the Lord.
“These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand.” The words
are spoken to the teachers in the church—those entrusted by God with weighty
responsibilities. The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are
bound up with God’s ministers, who are to reveal the precious love of Christ. The
stars of heaven are under His control. He fills them with light. He guides and directs
their movements. If He did not do this, they would become fallen stars. So with His
ministers. They are but instruments in His hands, and all the good they accomplish
is done through His power. Through them His light is to shine forth. The Saviour is
to be their efficiency. If they will look to Him as He looked to His Father, they will
do His work. As they make God their dependence, He will give them His brightness
to reflect to the world.
Christ walks in the midst of His churches through the length and breadth of
the earth. He looks with intense interest to see whether His people are in such a
condition spiritually that they can advance His kingdom. He is present in every
assembly of the church. He knows those whose hearts He can fill with the holy
oil, that they may impart it to others. Those who faithfully carry forward the work
of Christ, representing in word and deed the character of God, fulfill the Lord’s
purpose for them, and Christ takes pleasure in them.
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience.” Christ is acquainted with
the history and experience of every one who has accepted Him. To His people He
says, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” He cherishes carefully every
act of love and endurance performed by them.... Christ holds the stars in His right
hand, and it is His purpose to let His light shine forth through them to the world.
Thus He desires to prepare His people for higher service in the church above.... Let
us show forth in our lives what divine grace can do for humanity (
The Review and
Herald, May 26, 1903
).
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