LECTURE
7
The Unknown God
The Glorious Sequel.
“HIGH above the modern city, the blue sea seen far off between the columns,
and sunlight touching the creamy marble.” So has one writer described
his impression of The Parthenon.
“Descending from the
Acropolis by a narrow path, an ancient staircase leads to the top, where the
rock bears trace of having been artificially leveled. This is The Areopagus.”-Morton.
“In the Agora- market
place in the Bible- were statues representing some of the gods of
“Whoever (in ancient
PAUL AT
TOWARDS this place
the Apostle Paul wended his way, after having preached the gospel of God, in
the name of Jesus Christ, at Thessalonica and
Paul came in contact
with some of the people daily in the market place. There he found Jews and
Greeks, and knew well the characteristics of the Athenians. “For all the
Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but
either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” Not by any means the better type of
hearers to whom “the unsearchable riches of Christ”
might be presented. They loved to hear; they loved to tell! ‘Twas sport to them; by it they whiled away the hours of day-
as many still do. But to know the reason why- “to reason together” that they
might understand, believe and obey, was beyond their thoughts and inclinations.
Jews were there- men
who should have been instructed in, and believed in, the knowledge of the Holy
One of Israel. They should have known that there is none other God than their
God! How did they feel about this apostasy? What effect had all these altars
and idols upon them- did they feel as Paul felt, when “his spirit was stirred
in him”? Perhaps those Jews were so accustomed to seeing the sights of
We have already shown
that eternal life could not be obtained by the Mosaic Law alone. This is
demonstrated by Paul, and conclusively stated by him, in the words, “For if
there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness
should have been by the law.” (Gal. 3: 21). Faithful compliance by the
Jews, with the many and varied requirements of the Mosaic Law, could only give
to the Jews the temporal blessing that The Law was designed to bestow; and to
free them from “the curses” which were to come upon them if they failed to obey
the commands of God, as set forth in The Law.
Paul therefore
reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, and also in the market daily with
certain “devout persons” whom he met there. Then “certain philosophers
encountered him.” They had doubtless heard of the “new thing,” which was being
talked over in the market place. Some contemptuously remarked, “what will this
babbler say?” The word translated “babbler” in the A.V. is said to be a “slang
term,” which means “seed-picker;” it was applied to those who went about the
market-place, “picking up odds and ends.” Hence, it was not a very
complimentary expression when applied to the Apostle. Of course, those who used
it did not know the true value of the stranger within their gates. To them he
was probably nothing more than many others who had wandered in to hear or to
tell something new- a base fellow. The basis of their contempt was their own surmisings of something they did not understand. “Jesus”
and “Anastasis” were unknown to those philosophers-
they were aware of so-called “gods many,” and were willing to offer their
respects even to unknown gods, rather than let them go without recognition.
What more natural, then, but to conclude that “Jesus and Anastasis”
were but more gods!
The record of these events is as follows, using Dr. Young’s
translation; “Therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the
Jews, and with the worshipping persons, and in the market-place every day with
those who met him. And certain of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers,
were meeting together to see him, and some were saying ‘What would this seed
picker wish to say?’ and others, ‘Of strange demons he doth seem to be an announcer;’
because Jesus and the rising again he did proclaim to them as good news. Having
also taken him, unto the Areopagus they brought him,
saying, Are we able to know what is this new teaching that is spoken by thee,
for certain strange things thou dost bring to our ears? We wish, then, to know
what these things would wish to be; and all Athenians, and the strangers
sojourning, for nothing else were at leisure but to say something, and to hear
some newer thing.” (Acts
There we see Paul, in
the midst of Mars’ Hill- the highest court in
Too religious! That is
something to think about! Religion without a foundation; a profession, based
upon custom- but not intelligence; ignorance blinding their eyes, yet their
minds soothed by tradition. Such was the apostle’s estimate of the men before
him. Could he take away the veil, and help them to penetrate the density of the
darkness in which he knew them to be? Whether this could be accomplished or not
the Apostle nevertheless had a message to deliver, a Truth to declare and to
defend. Whatever the outcome, Paul must unfold the manifold wisdom of God- the
only true God; “He who formed the eyes, shall he not see.” (Psa.
94: 9).
The God in whom Paul
believed and whom he served was altogether unlike the gods of the Athenians.
Such gods, “like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s
device,” might be acceptable to the men of Athens; but the One they knew not
was not of that class, as saith the Psalmist,
“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.”
Paul met the case by politely referring to the position of the Athenians,
“in language plain; and plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste, and natural in
gesture; much impressed himself, as conscious of his awful charge;” and then,
having complimented (as they might understand it) his hearers, he quietly swept
aside their “gods many” as of little account, by directing their attention to
their own admission of “One Unknown.” Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship!
This they could not resent, for had they not engraven
it upon the altar? It was something they could not speak of- they knew it not.
But Paul knew, and of it he could speak with authority. Not by “seed-picking,”
but by revelation from the Most High God; Hence his confidence. This he
displayed in his affirmative defense, which he submitted in answer to the
request, “May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest,
is?” Having, as it were, noted and then dismissed from view their “devotions,”
or, gods that ye worship, Paul- with the same calm certainty we saw given “In
the beginning”- affirms “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing
that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in
temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he
needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and
breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to
dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before
appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord,
if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from
every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”
Would the Athenian
intelligence object to this claim, presented to them without hesitation or
apology? Paul did not wait to hear from them, but emphasized his announcement
by calling upon their own writers to second his claim “As certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” The seed-pickings of this
“babbler” did not give offal for meat; but gems from their own
recognized poets; at least two of whom are known to have used that expression
in their works- Aretas and Cleanthes.
Basing his logical conclusion upon the word of their poets, Paul continued;
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
Such was the difference between “the gods that ye, Athenians worship,” and “the
only true God” worshipped and served by Paul.
The “men of
Hitherto the word of
God was “to the Jews, first.” The Gentiles were in “times of ignorance;” the
offer of salvation not being extended to them. They were in this sense
“overlooked;” but now, they were being invited, under the mercy and favor of
God, to “come out of the world” of ungodliness “and be separate unto God.”
Such, indeed, is the power and purpose of the Gospel. The word “commandeth” in the A.V. has been misunderstood, and
consequently misapplied. Acts 17: 30 is not primarily of individual
application, it is a statement of contrast; for whereas in time past the
development of God’s Plan had centered in Israel- the people of whom God said,
“You only have I known”- it was no longer so confined. It was now to “All
men everywhere.”
Now it was to “Jew and
Greek, bond and free, male and female;” all of these being “one in Christ
Jesus” if, and when, they responded to the call of the Gospel to repent. For
whilst the extension is “to all men everywhere,” only they who respond by
repentance (under the terms of the Gospel) are brought nigh to God. The
true sense of the verse under consideration is given in the margin of the R.V.
“declareth to men.”
“The times of this ignorance God therefore overlooked; but now He declareth to men that they should all everywhere repent;
because He hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in
righteousness by a man whom He appointed; whereof He gave assurance to all men,
by raising him from the dead.” -The Corrected English New Testament.
The diplomacy of Paul
is here manifest. He did not agree with Athenian conceptions of religion; of
all their “objects of worship” he was interested in one only, and that THE ONE
they did not understand. And yet he did not openly condemn their folly; for
like his Master, he “came not to condemn, but to save.” (John
It was then, and still
is, a future Day in which One who had been raised from the dead was destined to
rule the world in righteousness- a quality then, as now, conspicuous by its
absence. And what would be the part in this coming Day, of those who should
“repent,” believe and obey? As the Gospel is fully understood the answer comes,
clarion clear; “Thou has made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign
on the earth.” (Rev. 5: 10). Even so, as a prophet has spoken, “Behold,
a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” (Isa. 32: 1). “He shall judge thy people with righteousness,
and thy poor with judgment.” (Psa. 72: 2). In
presenting this thought (verse 31) the Apostle was saying none other than what
had previously been heard, in the synagogue and the market; there he had
“preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” It was beyond their ken, for
“when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked:” whilst others
said, “We will hear thee again of this matter.” So Paul departed from among
them.
THE UNKNOWN GOD REVEALED
THE DIFFERENCE- between those “gods, which are yet no gods” (Jer.
Man cannot “by
searching find out God,” even though he delve into some of the manifestations
of infinite power. Just as “Eye hath not seen . . . the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him” (and would know nothing of them apart from
divine revelation) so it is regarding God Himself; we may only know that which
it pleases God to reveal, even as the Apostle continues; “But God hath revealed
them unto us by his Spirit.” ( l Cor. 2: 9,10). We
join with Paul in his testimony; “We know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called
gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many), But
to us there is but one God, the Father of whom are all things, and
we in him.” (l Cor. 8: 5, 6). Of this “one
God” we read,
“God is not a man,
that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent; hath he
said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it
good?” (Num. 23: 19).
“There is none like
unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth
upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath
are the everlasting arms; and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;
and shall say Destroy,” (Deut. 33: 26).
“The fool hath said
in his heart. There is no God. God is in
the generation of the righteous.” (Psa. 14: 1, 5).
“The fool hath said in
his heart, There is no God. They have not called upon God.” (Psa. 53: 1, 4).
“O Lord of hosts, God
of Israel, that dwelleth between the cherubims, thou art the God, thou alone, of all the
kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.” (Isa.
37: 16).
“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the
Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no
God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for
me, since I appointed the ancient people?” (Isa. 44:
6, 7). “Is there a God beside? Yea, there is no God; I know not any,”
(verse 8).
“Assemble yourselves
and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no
knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that
cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them
near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient
time? Who hath told it from that time?
have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all
the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isa. 45: 20, 22).
“To whom will ye liken
me, and make me equal and compare me, that we may be like?” Who indeed? Now
note the contrast, “They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in
the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a
god: they fall down, yea, they worship. They bear him upon the shoulder, they
carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth;
from his place shall he not remove; yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not
answer, nor save him out of his trouble.” A challenge to all; “Remember
this.” With whom can we compare the only true God? “Remember the former
things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is
none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the
things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all
my pleasure? I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I
will also do it.” (Isa. 46: 5, 11).
“For I am God, and
not man.” (Hosea 11:9).
“Jesus answered him,
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one
Lord: And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for
there is one God; and there is none other but he.” (Mark
“For God is not of
confusion, but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14: 33).
It is written, “No man hath seen God at any time.” (John 1: 18). We
may therefore know Him only by revelation, and by the characteristics and
attributes made known in such revelation. Jesus was the manifestation of God,
hence the verse just quoted continues, “the only begotten Son, which is in the
bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Jesus, who was “God with us,”
exclaimed, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14: 9). Yet no one by simply looking at The Man
known as Jesus (whether as a babe, man, or in the tomb) would necessarily “see
the Father.” This is implied in the
words of Jesus to the disciple who had questioned Him; “Have I been so long
time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?” The true sense of “seeing” and “knowing”
is revealed by Simeon’s acclamation when he took up “the child Jesus,”
whom he recognized as “the Lord’s Christ,” and said, “For mine eyes have seen
thy salvation.” Therefore Jesus said to Philip, “Believest
thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak
unto you I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works. Believe me
for the very works’ sake.”
If, then, we would
know something of THE UNKNOWN GOD we must see Him in His manifestation, and
know Him by His attributes. These are
many and varied, yet they all reveal something of His character, in relation to
His Plan and Purpose in the earth. A brief consideration of some of these is
now submitted.
THE ONLY TRUE GOD IS THE CREATOR
“REMEMBER
now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the
years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them.” (Eccles. 12: 1).
Hast thou not known?
hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the
ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?
there is no searching of his understanding.” (Isa.
40: 28).
“Wherefore let them
that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to
him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (I Pet. 4: 19)
GOD IS ALSO FATHER.
“At that time Jesus
answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it
seemed good in thy sight.” (Matt. 11: 25).
“Wait for the promise
of the Father, which ye have heard of me.” (Acts 1: 4).
“Christ was raised
from the dead by the glory of the Father.” (Rom. 6: 4).
“To them that are
sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.” (Jude
1).
“After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.”
(Matt. 6: 9).
GOD IS ETERNAL.
“And Abraham planted a
grove in
“Before the mountains
were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
earth, and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psa. 90: 2).
“But the Lord is the
true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king.” (Jer.
10: 10).
“Art thou not from
everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One?” (Hab. 1:
12).
“Now unto the King
eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour
and glory for ever and ever.” (1 Tim. 1: 17).
GOD IS ALMIGHTY.
“The Lord appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect.” (Gen. 17: 1).
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psa. 91: 1).
“Alas for the day! for
the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it
come.” (Joel 1: 15).
“And will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6: 18).
“Great and marvellous are thy
works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.”
(Rev. 15: 3).
GOD IS FAITHFUL.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10: 23).
“Know therefore that
the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth
covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a
thousand generations.” (Deut. 7: 9).
“Blessed be the Lord; there hath not failed one word of all
his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” (1 Kings
“Nevertheless my
loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to
fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my
lips.” (Psa. 89: 33).
“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations.” (Psa. 119: 90).
“God is faithful.” (1 Cor. 1: 9).
“Faithful is he that calleth you.”
(1 Thess. 5: 24).
GOD IS HOLY.
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy
is his name.” (Luke 1: 49).
“For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify
yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy.” (Lev. 11: 44).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation.” (1. Pet. 1: 15).
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his
works.” (Psa. 145: 17).
GOD IS IMMUTABLE.
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for
he is not a man, that he should repent.” (1 Sam. 15: 29).
“The counsel of the Lord standeth
for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” (Psa.
33: 11).
“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psa. 119: 89).
“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob
are not consumed.” (Mal. 3: 6).
“Wherein God, willing
more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the
immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” (Heb. 6: 17).
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning.” (Jas. 1: 17).
GOD IS INVISIBLE.
“Oh that I knew where
I might find him! Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but
I cannot perceive him: On the left hand,
where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth
himself on the right hand, that I cannot see: but he knoweth
the way that I take.” (Job 23: 3, 10).
“No man hath seen God at any time.” (John 1:18).
"Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen
his shape.” (John 5:37).
“Who is the image of the invisible God?”
(Col. 1: 15).
“Whom no man hath seen nor can see.” (I
Tim. 6: 16).
“By faith, as seeing him who is
invisible.” (Heb. 11: 27).
GOD IS OMNIPRESENT.
“Whither shall I go
from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into
heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I
take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psa. 139: 7, 10).
“Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar
off?” (Jer. 23: 23).
GOD IS OMNISCIENT.
“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.” (Prov.
5: 21).
“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. For
there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest
it altogether.” (Psa. 139: 1-6).
“Thus saith the Lord; Thus have ye
said, O house of
GOD IS
UNSEARCHABLE.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his
greatness is unsearchable.” (Psa.
145: 3).
“Canst thou by
searching find out God?” (Job. 11: 7).
“Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find
out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet shall he not find it; yea
farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find
it.” (Eccles. 8: 17).
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his
ways past finding out!” (Rom.
GOD IS JEALOUS.
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to
them (other gods), nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” (Exod. 20: 5).
“For they provoked
him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their
graven images.” (Psa. 78: 58).
“Then will the Lord be
jealous for his land, and pity his people.” (Joel 2: 18).
“The Lord God,
merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (Exod. 34: 6).
“Gracious
is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” (Psa
116: 5).
“For
thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all
them that call upon thee. Full of
compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and
truth.” (Psa. 86: 5,15).
“If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious.”(l Pet. 2: 3).
“Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6: 36).
“For his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psa. 136).
“The
Lord is gracious; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” (Psa.
145: 8).
“I have surely seen
the affliction of my people which are in
“Jesus said, Father,
I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest
me always.” (John 11: 41).
Jesus “was heard in
that he feared.” (Heb. 5: 7).
“Then they that feared
the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord
hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for
them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” (Mal. 3: 16).
BUT BAAL COULD NOT
HEAR!
“O Baal, hear us.” “Cry aloud,” said Elijah, “for he is a god; peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.” And they cried aloud, until evening, but “there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” (1 Kings 18).
“AM I a God, at hand, saith the Lord, and not a
God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. How long shall this be in the heart of the
prophets that prophesy lies? Which think to cause my people to forget my name
by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour,
as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. He that hath my word, let him
speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith
the Lord.” (Jer. 23: 23, 28).
A SUBLIME PRAYER
THIS phase of our theme is brought to a close with the
sublime utterance of a King, in the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the
temple; who said, “Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in
heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest
covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their
heart? And now, O God of
JOHN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (ECCLESIAS*)
[*
We have included the word “ecclesia” as
the proper word to use in place of “church”.
The word ecclesia (from the original Greek “ekklesiai”)
represents an assembly of “called out ones”, while “church” signifies “pertaining
to a lord” and is no the intended meaning of the scriptures.]
ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE is that of type and antitype, of the greater being
contained in the lesser. Especially is this found in the Law of Moses. We find
it expressed in the following quotation; “For the law was given by Moses, but
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1: 17). “Grace and truth” are much
greater than the letter of The Law, yet in The Law is to be found “the form of
knowledge and of truth.” To find these two valuables one must see the “form”
and discern the hidden meaning and application. It is to this relative value of
heavenly things that Paul wrote; “Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples (or, types); and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the
ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10: 11). And
further, “For there was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary (or, holy)” (Heb.
9: 2). Of the priests, under The Law, we read; “Who serve unto the
example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he
was about to make the tabernacle: for, see, saith he,
that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed
to thee in the mount.” (Heb. 8: 5).
From the pattern,
then, we may find something, in that “long ago,” relative to the ecclesias. From the many instructions given to Moses we
take the following; “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among
them.” “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure
gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his
branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same, And six
branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick
out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other
side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop
and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other
branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six
branches that come out of the candlestick.” (Exod.
25: 31, 33). In chapter 37, we are told, “And he made the candlestick of pure
gold:” the bowls, the knops, and flowers. “Their knops and their branches were
of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. Seven lamps, his
snuffer, and snuffdishes, of pure gold. Of a talent
of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.”
The weight thereof was
approximately 108 lbs. Tables of values vary from £5,475 to £6,150, or
$27,375 to $29,940. Seven lamps were to rest on the branches and candlestick;
and “pure oil olive beaten for the light to cause the lamp to burn always” was
to be provided. “Command the children of
The world has moved
apace since the day of types, and many changes have taken place. About fifteen
hundred years after the giving of the law, regarding the candlestick, we hear
the apostle Peter declare to, and of, Jesus, the Savior of men; “Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God.” This “confession” was, indeed, a rock of
Eternal Truth, and of it Jesus said: “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto
thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” It was acknowledged to be a God
given Truth, and therefore, “I say also,” declared Jesus, “upon this
rock I will build my church" (or ecclesia).
Now the “church” is
not a building made with hands- such a place may “house” the church (ecclesia),
as the tabernacle contained the candlestick. The Church (Ecclesia) of Christ is
composed of men and women, who become the antitypical candlestick. However,
the men-and-women-constituents of the Ecclesia must be infused with the beaten
oil, “pure olive,” before they become the Lightstand.
And as the oil burns and is gone- therefore in need of daily replenishment- so
the Word of the Living God, which is the Light of Life, must continually be
supplied to the members of the Ecclesia; otherwise they will fail to “let
their light so shine.” They are therefore instructed how to behave in the house
of God, “which is the church (ecclesia) of the living God, the
pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3: 15). Paul wrote, “to the church
(ecclesia) in thy house.” (Philemon 2). “Unto the churches (ecclesias) of
The unity, which
should exist between Christ and His Ecclesia, is very pointedly expressed in an
analogy based upon the true relationship of husband and wife. “Christ is the
head of the church (ecclesia).” “As the church (ecclesia) is subject unto
Christ.” “Even as Christ also loved the church (ecclesia), and gave himself for
it.” “That he might present it to himself a glorious church (ecclesia).” (Eph.
5).
We can now see
Christ in the candlestick, and the
members of His body, the ecclesia, in the branches. Together they constitute
the Lightstand in a dark and cloudy day. Yet the branches
cannot- in and of themselves- bear fruit, and the light of divine Truth springs
not from themselves. It can only come from God, in Christ. Hence, the beautiful
simile; “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in
me that beareth not fruit he taketh
away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Abide in
me, and I in you. As the branch cannot beat fruit of itself, except it
abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are
the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing.” (John 15: 1, 5).
“LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY”
WE have seen that the Plan of God has been a development by stages. Often
these have been accompanied by outstanding manifestations from God. “The flaming
sword which turned every way.” Angelic visitations to the “fathers.” “A flame
of fire out of the midst of a bush,” which attracted the attention of Moses,
who wondered why the bush was not consumed. Plagues upon the Egyptians, and
the Passover for the Hebrews. Moses and the mount of God, when “a cloud covered
the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud
covered it six days: And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring
fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of
Thirty-three years
later, “there was a darkness over all the land, from the sixth hour until the
ninth hour; and the sun was darkened.” “And the veil of the temple was rent in
twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the
holy city, and appeared unto many.” Equally outstanding was His ascension, when
Jesus “was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Now before Jesus left
them, He had said to His apostles, “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city of
A new development was
about to be manifest. The “old” was ready to vanish away, and a new order to be
seen. Would the “new” come without open manifestation? Or would there be a
heavenly witness to substantiate the claim? The time was drawing near for the
extension of the gospel to those hitherto considered “afar off.” Even the
disciples had lost heart when their Lord was crucified; and although they had later
seen the Risen Lord- by which they had been “begotten again unto a lively
hope”- it would not be easy to convert either Jew or Gentile simply by
expressing their own experience, which had given them this living hope. These
things were not unknown to their Master, who had given them a commission to
fulfill. So, in addition to commanding them “to tarry,” that the “promise of
the Father” might be fulfilled, and that thereby they would be the recipients
of “power from on high,” Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all,
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world
(age).”
The Jewish world, and
Apostolic age, would both come to an end; but while they continued, the work of
the gospel must be enforced. Even though Jesus, in person, was to be taken from
them, He gave assurance to His chosen witnesses that they would not be forsaken;
He would be with them “to the consummation of the age.” How, or, by what means?
That they would learn by experience, if they “tarried” in
This “waiting for” is
emphasized in the record of The Ascension as given in Acts 1. “And, being
assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from
Having seen “the cloud
receive Him out of their sight,” and heard the testimony of the “two men in
white apparel” concerning “His coming again,” the disciples returned to
As the “burning bush”
and the “pillar of fire” in the past were God-manifestations, so now in the
“divided tongues, as it were of fire,” God was made known to the disciples,
even as Jesus had said. The result was as foretold; “they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit.” The effect was soon known, for the multitude- having heard of
it- came together, and were amazed, saying, “How hear we every man in our own
tongue, wherein we were born?” God, who could confound the language of man,
could also empower His servants that they could speak with diversity of
tongues, so that they could carry the Gospel of Christ, even to “the
uttermost part of the earth.”
This pentecostal manifestation is depicted on the third section
of the chart, showing its relation to Acts 1, Mark
JESUS, TO THE ECCLESIA
THE LAST MESSAGE from One “like unto the Son of man,” in the midst
of "Seven lightstands,"
known as The Revelation of Jesus Christ, was sent through John to
the “Seven Churches in
We will consider some
of the Statements in the Epistles later; but first, the message “to the
seven ecclesias.”
TO THE ECCLESIA OF
“These things saith he who walketh in the midst
of the seven golden candlesticks.” The Message was delivered about 63 years
after the Pentecostal demonstration of Spirit manifestation. “I know thy works,” said the Master, “and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear
them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles,
and are not, and hast found them liars.”
Had not Jesus told
them that, “false prophets would arise, by whom many would be deceived” (Matt.
24:11)? Of these they were to “beware,”
for they would come “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.” (Matt. 7: 15). These false teachers had reached
IN THE MESSAGE TO THE
ECCLESIA IN SMYRNA reference is made to the tribulation, which they in that
place had suffered, caused by “the blasphemy of them which say they
are Jews, and are not, but the synagogue of Satan.”
TO THE ELDER OF THE
ECCLESIA IN PERGAMOS write: The ecclesia here was commended for having held “fast
my name, and not denied my faith.” Even though they were “where Satan’s
seat is. Yet there was something against them;
“Thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to
Cast a stumblingblock before the children of
WAS THE ECCLESIA IN THYATIRA ANY BETTER?
“I have a few things
against thee, because thou sufferest that woman
Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach
and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed
unto idols.”
OF THE ECCLESIA IN
TO THE ELDER OF THE ECCLESIA IN
“I know thy works:
thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my
name- Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are
Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee” And now the seventh!
UNTO THE ELDER OF THE
ECCLESIA OF THE LAODICEANS WRITE:
“I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then
because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of my mouth. Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need
of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Well might the
mandate go forth “He that hath an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.” The outstanding exhortation given to the ecclesias
is, “Hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.” Did they do so?
IT CAME TO PASS AS FORETOLD! Read the
testimony! First a question: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find
faith on the earth?” What faith?
Certainly not any kind of faith- for the world is full of such. But here
is a pertinent question, appertaining to a definite faith.
The
faith that made Thy saints of old
In
patience to endure;
The
Hope which in the cov’nant fold,
Beholds
the promise sure.
“Shall we find the faith?” (Luke
18: 8). The “one faith” (Eph. 4:
5). “The faith once for all delivered
unto the saints.” (Jude 3). That ONE FAITH, of which Paul wrote,
“continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not moved away from the hope
of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature
under heaven.” (Col. 1: 23). This “faith” is one which can save; “For by grace
are ye saved through faith.” (Eph. 2: 8). But, to bring salvation, the faith of
the gospel must not be neglected. “By which ye are being saved, if ye keep in
memory what I preached unto you, unless ye believed in vain.” (l Cor. 15: 2). Can such a faith “which justifies” (Rom.
“Let no man deceive
you by any means: for that day (of Christ) shall not come, except there come
a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition; who opposeth and exalteth
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing
himself that he is God.” (2 Thess. 2: 3, 4). “Therefore,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word,
or by our epistle.” (Verse 15).
“From Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of
the church;” to whom he said, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know
this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among
you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch,
and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased nor to warn every one
night and day with tears. (Acts
“For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
(2 Cor. 11: 13, 15).
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath
created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
truth.” (l Tim. 4: 1, 3).
“I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant
in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and
doctrine. For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4:
1, 4).
“For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 2: 1, 3). “But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers
among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. And many be evil spoken of. And through
covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you! whose
judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their
damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Pet. 2: 1, 3).
The false teachers arose; men who had professed to believe
the gospel of Christ denied the Lord, whose Name they had “taken in vain.” They
drew away disciples after them. Instead of avoiding profane and vain babblings,
they were caught by the “opposition of science falsely so called.” (1 Tim. 6:
20). Consequently, “some professing have erred concerning the faith.” This
declension from the True Faith was at work even whilst the Apostles were
preaching the Truth. Paul wrote: “All they which are in
John wrote: “And as ye
have heard that anti-christ shall come, even now are
there many anti-christs; whereby we know that it is
the last time. They went out from us but they were not of us. Who is a
liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He
is anti-christ, that denieth
the Father and the Son.” (I John 2: 18, 22).
“Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many
false Prophets are gone out into the world. This is that of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the
world. We are of God: Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of
error.” (I John 4: 1, 6). “For many deceivers are entered into the world,
who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and
an anti-christ. Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God.” (2 John 7, 9). “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against
us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself
receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would,
and casteth them out of the church.” (3 John 9, 10).
THUS THE ECCLESIA, established upon the rock of Truth- and the Lightstand, so dramatically brought into being at
Pentecost, fed and fostered by the arduous labors of the apostles- became
extinguished by the perversions of men who had professed allegiance thereto.
The Ecclesia became defiled in the first century of its existence, and Truth
was crushed to earth. WOULD IT EVER RISE AGAIN? Time would tell.
Meanwhile the light of the glorious gospel, which had shone “in a dark place,”
was dimmed by the apostasy; and what is written concerning
(This is represented,
pictorially, in the lightstand- upside down- with the
branches broken.)
Fortunately, for many
who have in these last days of Gentile times, the Sun of Righteousness, and the
ecclesiastical “moon,” were destined to rise again before the return of the
Lord of the vineyard. In the prophecy of Daniel we are informed that certain
words were to be “shut up,” and the command was given to “seal the book, even
to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be
increased” If this latter phase had not been accomplished we would
not now be able to preach the ancient gospel. Darkness reigned supreme for many
centuries; then came The Reformation, and with it the Bible became a Book for
the people. Once freed from the darkness, and control of “the man of sin,” the
Bible became a household word and possession.
As The Christadelphians testified, on an outstretched banner,
during the Jubilee celebrations, “The Glory of Queen
THE HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTADELPHIANS, during the past century, is an illustration of how, in these
last days- “the time of the end” -there has been a revival of the true teaching
of the Scriptures, concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ.
Dogmas, long held by many, have been shown to have no foundation in the
definite doctrines of both Old and New Testament teaching. These they have
therefore rejected. On the other hand, by a careful investigation, and a
comparison of what is revealed in “the Law, the Psalms, and the prophets,” they
have unfolded a clear and consistent exposition of “the first principles
of the oracles of God.” These “things” they believe and teach as the
true message of Salvation- the ancient and Apostolic Gospel. By this
understanding of “the hope of the promises made of God unto the fathers,” and
the realization that all the promises of God are centered in Jesus Christ, as
the seed of Abraham and the Son of David, as well as the Son of God, they have
come to “know God”; according to His revelation of Himself. Theories and
misconceptions concerning “the Godhead,” handed down from days of darkness,
they have discarded; they base their belief entirely upon the principle of
“What is written,” or, “What saith the Scriptures?”
As John says, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (17: 3).
It is therefore
possible to know “the unknown God.” That which “the wisdom of this world” could
not find, is to be found by those who, though “the poor of this world,” are,
nevertheless, “rich in faith.” God is made known, in a great measure by and
through Jesus Christ. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” When Thomas
said, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how
can we know the way?” He received, from Jesus, this answer: “I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Hence to know
the Father we must understand the truth concerning the Son. “If ye had known
me,” continued Jesus, “Ye should have known my Father also”- but there were
some things even the disciples were slow to perceive. In what sense could they,
when seeing the Son, also see the Father? Any theory, which affirms that the
Father and the Son are “one person,” misses the mark. That is an
incomprehensible impossibility. Jesus taught, “Believe me that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works
sake.”
Upon what principle
could they believe in Jesus “for the works sake,” if, when rejecting His
claims, they also rejected God? For this they would do if the Father
and Son were One Person indivisible! Jesus maintained the separateness of
Persons, although teaching the unity of the two in the work performed. “The
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. For my Father is
greater than I” Such is the teaching of John, in Chapter 14
of his gospel record. It is further set forth in these words: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” The Jews misunderstood
Jesus, which fact called forth the following explanation: “The Son can do
nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do:
for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the
Son likewise.” (John 5: 17, 19).
We see the work of God
accomplished through the Son, by reason of the Holy Spirit; this Spirit was
given to Jesus from the Father “without measure.” The Spirit of God is not
God, but of God. The Spirit of God, as we have seen, operated in the
beginning. As in “creation,” so also in “re-creation”; it is the spirit of God,
manifested in His Son, that operates to turn men from darkness to light, and
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and
inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
(Acts 26: 18). Before we may be “turned,” we must have the scales removed; for
the first thing Paul was commissioned to do, was, “to open their eyes.” Before
the eyes are opened by the gospel all are in “darkness,” under “the power of
the adversary,” needing the forgiveness of sins; all are without a title to
that “inheritance” which is promised to those- and they only- who are sanctified
by the one faith; without which it is impossible to please God. All in this
position (which comes to all by natural birth) are therefore according to Paul
“without Christ”- without a Savior; “having no hope, and without God in the
world.” (Eph. 2: 12).
A GLORIOUS SEQUEL to the knowledge of the only true God, and “the faith
of the operation of God,” is declared- by Paul- to be: “Therefore if any man
be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
(2 Cor. 5: 17, 19).
This involves all that
is embraced in the Plan of Salvation. It is a call to action. “Wherefore come
out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a
Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6: 17, 18). If, and when, we respond to this call,
and are therefore known of God, a gracious transformation takes place. With the
Apostle John we can say: “Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the
world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is."
IF the true believers in Jesus can
say, “NOW are we the Sons of God,” it is obvious that at one time they
were not sons of God. If all by natural birth are “sons” from what must
they “come out, and be separate”- that God might receive them, and be a
Father unto them? If today, as in the time of the Apostle, it is true that “the
whole world lieth in wickedness” (I John 5: 19), it
is evident that to obtain the favor and mercy of God we must “come out”
of the world- we must discard the doctrines of men, which are not
“according to godliness,” and must believe that only which is truth, “as
in Jesus.” This is set forth by the Apostle, who wrote, “He that hath the Son
hath life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Hence
some have “life” in another, and higher, sense than others. These latter are
all who have not truly “believed.”
The Apostle continues,
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the Son of God.” That
belief is essential in this matter is clearly seen from many testimonies. The
same Apostle gives one: "Whosever believeth that Jesus is
the Christ is born of God.” Without such belief men and women are not “born of God,”
and without a "birth" they are not the children of God.
The way is made known by and in, the Gospel. The Apostle says, “We know that
the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know
him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 1, 12, 13, 20).
A RICH REWARD
HE WHO WOULD BE SAVED will therefore seek to “understand,” that he may “believe,” and be “born of God,” through His Son Jesus Christ. Paul also teaches the same doctrine as that which is given by John. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” “If children, then heirs.” Even so, this relationship will cause them “to suffer with him.” Consequently, the sufferings- “which are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”- are an incentive to make the “joint-heirs with Christ” look forward to the day of promise, when the blessings will be received. “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Meanwhile, as they patiently “wait for him,” they are encouraged by the exhortation given, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” If “For thy sake we are killed all the day long,” are we to permit tribulation and distress of any kind to separate us from the eternal riches, which are the inheritance of the children of God? Paul says, No! “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Paul himself suffered; yet he could say, “None of these things move me.” So full of confidence was he in God, that he knew whatever God had promised would be fulfilled; and therefore was truly “persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, not height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
* We have included the
word “ecclesia” as the proper word to use in place of “church”. The word ecclesia (from the original Greek “ekklesiai”) represents an assembly of “called out ones”,
while “church” signifies “pertaining to a lord” and is not the intended meaning
of the scriptures. In