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The Acts of the Apostles
constant communication with His people. He knows their true state.
He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is
high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented
as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth.
With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to
see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going
out. If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering
flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the
Lord’s house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care
and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.
Christ is represented as holding the seven stars in His right hand.
This assures us that no church faithful to its trust need fear coming to
nought, for not a star that has the protection of Omnipotence can be
plucked out of the hand of Christ.
“These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right
hand.”
Revelation 2:1
. These 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 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
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efficiency. If they will look to Him as He looked to the Father they
will be enabled to do His work. As they make God their dependence,
He will give them His brightness to reflect to the world.
Early in the history of the church the mystery of iniquity foretold
by the apostle Paul began its baleful work; and as the false teachers
concerning whom Peter had warned the believers, urged their heresies,
many were ensnared by false doctrines. Some faltered under trial and
were tempted to give up the faith. At the time when John was given
this revelation, many had lost their first love of gospel truth. But in His
mercy God did not leave the church to continue in a backslidden state.
In a message of infinite tenderness He revealed His love for them and
His desire that they should make sure work for eternity. “Remember,”
He pleaded, “from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works.”
Verse 5
.