THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS – PART 1: EPHESUS

THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS

by Leland Earls

To the church of nineteen hundred and sixty eight write. To my special messengers, those sent by me, speak my will and my purpose for this hour in human history. These things says the one who yet walks in the midst of the seven golden lamps, and holds even more securely the messengers whom Hehas chosen in His right hand. (Rev. 1:13, 20). I speak to My church in this hour. I speak to make known that which is recorded in the scriptures. For I speak only what unveils that which has been once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3). He that speaks not according to the scriptures, let him be anathema.

 

Have I not spoken to you by means of the seven letters to the seven churches ofAsia? (Rev. chapters 2 & 3). For seven is the number of my church, and the seven letters portray a prophetic picture of the course of my church thr­oughout the dispensation which is now drawing to a close. Therefore hear, and by the Spirit of revelation I will anoint your eyes to see the full meaning of that which has been written for your admonition. For this is the day that all things pertaining to my church are coming to a consummation, and ere long the final trumpet shall sound the call to battle. Dur­ing the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of your God shall be finished, and only those prepared by me shall be able to stand victoriously and help bind the power of Satan’s fury. (Rev. 10:7).

 

 

[Ephesus]

 

Did I not speak first to the church at Ephesus? (Rev. 2:1). Of the seven churches mentioned, only to the church of the Ephesians did the apostle Paul write an epistle. This is significant, says the Lord, for it shows that the letter which I sent to Ephesus portrays the condition in the early church during the days of the apostle Paul and those associ­ated with him. Even though it was conveyed through John to that church a number of years after Paul’s ministry was sealed by death, it portrays by symbolic representation, the church of the apostolic period. This is why I am represented as the one ‘that holdsthe seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.’ (Rev. 2:1). For in those days I was still in control of the ministries of my church, and I was still walking in power in the midst of my people. I am still walking in the midst of my people, but I am not manifesting the living Word and power through them as my heart desires, because they are as yet unwilling to give me all the glory, and I will share my glory with no man. I am still holding in my right hand cer­tain special ministries of my choosing, and they are being prepared in this hour for a mighty work; but so many of my ministries are as yet unwilling to let me hold them completely, having so many desires and ambitions of their own. So by my Spirit I brood over my people and ministries, longingly wait­ing for the time that I can once again assume full control and Headship over all that is mine. This I will do, and very shortly, for none shall be able to thwart my purpose, and those who have been prepared shall rise up in power as ONE MAN, fitly joined together as My Body, ready to fulfill their destined calling in this end time.

 

Now the glory of the apostolic church is seen in the words of commendation which I spoke unto it. ‘I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you cannot bear them which are evil; andyou have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: And haveborne, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have labored, and have not fainted.’ (Rev. 2:2-3). The early church was vigilant against evil which corrupts and against false apostles sowing seeds of error. But they were lax in guarding against the intrusion of Interests which began to capture their attention and affection to the extent that their love for me was no longer the primary, all-consuming, focus of their lives. Therefore did I say, ‘I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.’ (Rev. 2:4). Here is the key, my people, to maintaining freshness and vigor in your Christian life, as well as vitality and pow­er in the church. Ever make me the object of your love and adoration. Let no person or thing become more important in your life than me. Let not your primary concern be the doing of things for me, but let it be the outpouring of your love to me as you spend much time in the secret place of meditation on my Word and the uplifting of praises to me. When you become primarily occupied with the doing of things FOR me, in works and labors, you are focusing your attention on that which is secondary, and like those in the early church you are in danger of leaving your first love. Live in my love; let it consume your very being; then your labors shall indeed be great. But they shall be a demonstration of LOVE WROUGHT OUT, and not merely the attempt to gain something: whether that be in the sight of men, for praise and recognition, or in my sight, to gain my favor and reward. I care not for your works, as such, but I prize highly that which represents love poured out, in obedience and faithfulness.

My admonition to the church at Ephesus, as represent­ative of the apostolic period, was to “Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will cometo you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent.’ (Rev. 2:5). The ‘first works’ which I wanted them to return to were the works of obedience, demonstrating love. For those who love me keep my commandments. I am not interested in my people doing works for works sake. I am interested in my people loving me and obeying me. When the early church began to get its eyes on labors and works, no matter how well intentioned, forgetting to look to me in obedient love, to do my will, then were they commanded to repent. But having failed to heed my warning, their lamp was removed, and the glory and power of the apostolic period began to wane until it was as a lamp which had ceased to shine.

 

But there were those who rose above the wayward tend­encies of their brethren. They were sensitive to the Spirit’s wooing and leading. To them did I speak: ‘He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.’ (Rev. 2:7). The ‘overcomers’ were given special promises because of their fidelity to me and obedience to my Word, overcoming the tendency to laxness in seeking me and my will first. They were privileged to eat of the tree of life. This tree is none other than my own life and righteousness imparted to those who receive me by faith. But the eating of the fruit thereof speaks of the joys and blessedness of those who have so yield­ed to me in love and obedience, that the fruits of righteousness, the fruits of the Spirit’s working in their inner be­ing, have been brought forth in profusion. This is the tree of life bearing its fruit in the midst of the paradise of God. The paradise is none other than the ‘garden’ of the human body, in the midst of which divine life is at work, watered by the Word and the Spirit, and quickened by the warmth of reciprocating love.

 

For one more attribute did I commend the church at Ephesus. ‘But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.’ (Rev. 2:6). The Nicolaitanes were those who slyly sought to elevate certain lea­ders above the people in such a way that they gradually assumed sacerdotal importance, even as the priests of the pagan religions. But such deeds were clearly detected in those who were followers and promoters of false apostles, and the true saints refused to be misled by those who sought to substitute spiritual authority for authority appointed and en­forced by men. If my people in this day are to enter into my purposes, and receive the glory awaiting, they must have the spiritual perception to discern between the false and the true, and ‘hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes’ even as the early Christians. My true ministries do not need the carnal ways of man to fulfill their calling, and I will hold my peo­ple accountable, that they be not deceived by those who would exalt and promote the flesh of men as a substitute for true spiritual authority and power. That which is highly es­teemed among men is an abomination in my sight. (Luke 16:15).

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