PAGE 1 of teachings by AIGA founder Dr Rayl, Pentecostal, Full Gospel ministry

FREE MESSAGE CD I have started a new ministry putting out a FREE MESSAGE CD each month that contains up to two messages, prophecy and Kids News... CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION or go to the MISSION GIVERS page! When I have time to work with my new speech recognition software the text will begin to appear here. Sorry but my time is so limited! ...Brother Johnson

Ask your self this question: "Are some of these, prophetic teachings, speaking of the End Times?"

This page contains Pentecostal Gospel sermons, devotionals, outlines, etc., by AIGA founder Dr. G. Rayl.

AIGA FOUNDER Dr. Granville M. Rayl, Th.D., D.D. August 21,1917 - November 29, 1997

I do not know the Dates when these where preached and they are not in any particular order. As time permits other teachings by Dr. Rayl will be added...

This page is devoted solely to the writings and teachings of our Beloved founder Dr. Granville Rayl. He has inspired many by his exemplary performance of his duties as our President and leader. He set the example that I pray will continue to be the very heart of how the Association Of International Gospel Assemblies conducts its business. I count myself honored to have known him personally...... Brother Johnson, NYS AIGA Chairman, AIGA N. Eastern USA Division Field Director.

3] The Strait Gate!!! "we are still on probation as long as we are in this mortal flesh"

4] Examine Yourselves A thought provoking look at the errors of today's Church, by Dr Granville Rayl

6] THE SEVEN CHURCHES ...a multi part sermon by AIGA founder Dr. Granville Rayl reprinted here from booklet form...

((messages 7 through 9 can be found on page 2 in order to conserve load time for each page))

(Reprinted from the March 1986 issue of the International Gospel Herald)

TEXT: Rev. 3:14-22 - "And unto the angel of the church of the La-od-i-ce-ans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 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. Because 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous there fore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that over cometh will I want to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. "

This is a picture of the churches of today. The Church of Laodicea like the city to which it belonged was rich, prosperous and contented. Our churches today are largely in this "lukewarm" condition. Yet they profess to be on fire with a false fire, a spirit of deception, a false worship that they think is real. Their eyes have been blinded by compromising preachers who can see no sin in anything as long as you come to their churches and support them with your tithes and offerings. Today there is very little warm-hearted spirituality. There is much going on in the churches but it is largely mechanical and of a social character. Committees, societies, and clubs are multiplied, but there is an absence of "spiritual heat."

There is nothing more disgusting or nauseating than lukewarm water. So there is nothing more disgusting to Christ than a "lukewarm" church. Revival meetings are held, but there is very little accomplished. Instead of waiting on the Lord for the power and leading of the Holy Ghost the church will hire evangelists and paid singers and soul-winning is made a business. The cause of this lukewarmness is the same as that of the Church of Laodicea. "Self-Deception, selfwill."

When the weather is right, the treasury is full, the deacon board is ready, and the pastor wants to have a social gathering, he calls a revival. One of the reasons, and one of the most disgusting things that causes the lukewarm churches, is that sinners are used in the choir; sinners are used in the pulpit and to furnish the music in the churches. We should never use a sinner in our services to do anything other than to sit in the pews and listen. The pastor is the one responsible for the condition of the church, whether it is lukewarm, hot or cold. If the pastor is not able to control his church then he needs to go and do something other than pastor.

"Because 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. "

But the Church was not only poor and blind; it was Naked. Their outward garments were doubtless of the finest material and the latest fashionable cut but not such as should adorn the person of a Child of God. We see many garments that should not adorn a Christian, in our churches, and on the streets, but if we say anything about it we are told that God does not look on the outer appearance. True, but he clothed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to hide their shame, so undoubtedly He didn't want to see their nakedness. So they were counseled to purchase of Christ "White Raiment," in exchange for the raven black woolen garments for which the garment makers of Laodicea were famous.

AMERICA AND GOD

(The United States Lost Before God)

By Dr. G. M. Rayl, Th.D. DD

(Reprinted from the 2nd Qtr, 1986 issue of International Gospel Herald)

TEXT: Psalms 33:12 - "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance".

This sermon deals with the backslidden nation of America, which at one time was a Christian nation; a nation founded on God, a nation who feared God and was blessed of God more than any other nation in the world.

The trouble in America began back in the 1930’s when the President of that time ushered in a form of Socialism. This was about the same time the Liberal Establishment was formed. For the past several decades, the Communist Party and its domestic front groups have made common cause with the Liberals in seeking to expunge data pertaining to race and religion from the public records of federal, state and local government, including law-enforcement agencies whose ability to maintain social order was seriously impaired by an informational void in this area.

The Communist Party’s policy with respect to its traditional hostility toward religion itself, has trained Red agents since the 1920’s to infiltrate both the CLERGY and the LAITY to subvert the basis of faith in a Divine Creator and re-direct church and church-allied activities into purely SOCIAL: channels of a nature less hostile to Communist goals. This infiltration resulted in the operational capture of the Federal Council of Churches during the 1930’s and the National Council of Churches, which had its hand in the Supreme Court’s decision concerning prayer in schools and legalizing abortion. The true churches of God, yes, the Born-again churches, sat by and didn’t do anything to combat this work of the Devil.

Sometimes I think we have gone beyond the point of no return. But, then I remember that God has all Power and there is nothing impossible with God. If we do not wake up, The National Council of Churches, working with the Supreme Court and Federal Government, will form a series of "guidelines" which will be laid down by several agencies of the Federal Government, and passed by the Supreme Court, will be enforced by law, to include all churches, denominations, sects and individual clergymen and evangelists - to either come under the jurisdiction of the National Council of Churches, or not be recognized as having the right to function in the field of religion. AND! For all seeking to operate outside the Council or the guidelines of the government, will in the earlier stages of the plan, be subjected to crippling economic disabilities, and later be included under statutory and prosecutable offenses. True Religion will be outlawed. This would have already been enforced, if the liberals would have had their control of the U.S. Government. What has delayed the takeover by the liberals stated back in 1980 when we had the march in Washington called, "Washington for Jesus"? I thank God that I had a small part in organizing this march on Washington. The media tried to down-play it, but we who know God know this is what started the nation back toward God.

We have a long way to go in the battle, for it will take all of us praying and uniting ourselves together in an army against the works of the devil and his associates. We like to think that our nation is a Christian Nation, but the question must be faced - is America really a Christian nation? What about the millions of "heathen" people who have been brain-washed into believing that the Communist policies are better than the government of democracy? What about the millions of Americans who never see the inside of a church and who will do anything to steal, lie, cheat and even kill for a fast buck?

When does a nation stop being a Christian nation? When enough of its people, especially its leaders, cease to be Christians practicing Christianity. When its people are no longer interested enough in religion to find out if the leaders they elect are motivated by Godly principles. If a Christian votes for a godless, liberal humanistic candidate, they are actually guilty of sin in the worse stage. Most of all a nation loses its Christianity when it no longer votes for Christian men and women to run the nation’s government.

When we no longer ask and demand Christian men and women to teach our children in our schools, we ourselves are creating problems. Nowadays the most dangerous religion in the United States is taught in the Public Schools from kindergarten through college - at the taxpayer’s expense. It is called humanism. The best thing to turn this nation back to God would be for all Christian parents to take their children out of the public schools and place them in private, Christian schools. If parents really knew what Humanism is and how much time is spent brainwashing their children in the name of education, they would overthrow the public school system with force and violence.

The only thing that saved the public sector of education from a massive parent outcry, is that parents do not understand Humanism. The parents do not realize that their tax dollars are spent teaching their children topics such as atheism, evolution, amorality, a self-centered lifestyle or a socialistic one-world view. I believe that if the parents were aware of all this, they would take the schools to court for violation the First Amendment.

There was a time when school boards wanted to know much about a prospective teacher before hiring them. They would check to see if they were honest, clean-living, and if they attended church. Now the school boards seem to choose teachers from all walks of life; the atheists, drunkards, Communist, drug users and pushers, homosexuals, humanists, un-believers, ungodly, and etc. I don’t say that all of the teachers are bad, but I can say that as teachers of our children, they should not teach the Humanistic doctrine. How well founded then were the concerns of a past generation, that their children be taught by people of high morals, ideals and standards! Perhaps many of that generation were far from exemplary in their own life patterns, but wanted their children to be strong where they themselves bad been weak. They wanted teachers who were moral in the major aspects of life (family and business), who were careful in the finer points of personal conduct.

Today many parents share these concerns, but the majority isolates them from the direct control of the personnel who serve them in education and government. The great news media of communication, being under pressure from the liberals, and advertisers, presents a false picture of family life in America. The Public Schools paint the children a sad picture of a degraded family life style. The sad results are that there are more teenaged pregnancies of unwed girls, than has ever been known in history. More drugs are used by children. Yet the supposed-to-be Christians seem to hesitate to express their true desire to see a better school system - a better government in America.

Why shouldn’t American citizens demand sobriety and candor in their public servants? Why should they tolerate a national capital that is drenched in alcohol, drugs, gambling, murders, communism inspired humanistic teachers and government officials, who are paid by our tax dollars? Jesus said in Matthew 18: 3-6, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. BUT whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea".

We need to hang a few figurative "millstones" in our time in order to preserve our children before they are all led astray. Parents, demand the best for your children! Protest the hiring of incompetent, careless teachers. If you don’t want to protest the Humanistic, modern-day school system, then I would advise you to take your children out of the Public School and enter them in a private, Christian School. If you don’t have a Christian school in your area, then start one! But above all else, go to church and take your children with you. Practice godliness and pray to God in your homes with your children. You can keep your country strong by practicing and encouraging that "Righteousness exalts a nation".

We have preached about the government and the school system, now let’s look at something else that has caused America to backslide! "Religious Racketeers". In case you haven’t noticed it, religious crooks are becoming bolder. There have always been "phonies and hypocrites" in the religious world. For anything genuine, there will always be a counterfeit, of course, and the more valuable the product, the greater the number of imitators you will find. Since redemption in Christ is the greatest thing in the world, con-men and other crooks have always been attracted to religion as a source for fleecing an unsuspecting public. It is only recently, however, that these crooks have openly boasted about what they are doing and have also begun to encourage others, for a price, to join in their crookedness.

In some magazines you can see advertisements in big bold faced headlines that read, "Religion Can Make YOU Rich! (Financially as well as spiritually). The words "rich" and "financially" are underlined with thick, heavy lines. The opening paragraph, also in bold faced type announces, "Learn How to Start Your Own Church and Become a Multi-Millionaire!". This same ad states, "Yes, you can become a minister just for the asking. You Can Receive Steady Donations, As Well As, Lead a Glorious, Love and Wealth-Filled Life". It goes on to explain, "A church is tax-exempt. The benefits of being a minister of your own church (you need only two people other than yourself) to incorporate and get your Federal Tax Exemption. Then you can collect donations to perform marriages, divorces and etc." It does not explain in this ad how being a minister enables one to perform divorces. The same ad goes on to say, "It is no secret what God can do, and it doesn’t matter if you believe in a conventional God, in fact, it doesn’t matter if you believe in yourself - when you get these three outstanding reports to fill out, you will get results, even if you have no faith and are not in the least religiously inclined. All you need to do is fill out the three forms that we will send you, and send them to---".

Not only would one setting up his own church for such purposes be a fraud and a hypocrite, a person would have to be mighty ignorant to believe that God would have anything to do with such a racket. No one has the protection of the law to "enjoy a big tax-free income". No one has the protection of the law to "receive a steady income" for himself which is exempt from taxation. If you were to establish a church, only the organization would be tax exempt and able to accept donations, not the individual who organized it. That church would be subject to all the rules and regulations of the federal government which controls such organizations. For those organizations which I have described to you, the controls should be tightened. However, this is self-evident. Surely racketeers who openly boast that the are merely operating "get rich" schemes should be put out of business in a hurry. Look at the cults such as the one belonging to Jim Jones and one in the State of Oregon. Both got rich off of the name of religion.

There have been so many evil things done in the name of religion. As you know the Holy Bible is, and has always been, the "Best Seller" of all books. Now the worst "religious racketeers", knowing that the Bible is such a great seller, have seen their chance to make a lot of money by making a revised bible to suit their worldly lives, some leaving out the Virgin Birth, the Blood that was shed for our sins and etc. Revelation 22:18-19 says "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book". I personally feel sorry for those who are responsible for the so-called "Revised Versions" of the Bible.

I have a book in our college library by "Zondervan" entitled, "The New Testament from 26 Translations". You should get a copy of this book, read it, and make an in-depth study of it. You will then have a better view of why I am so strong against using any other version other than the King James Version. All 25 Versions, other than the King James Version, either take away, add to, or both.

In 1611 the Bible was printed in the English language by King James. Since that time the pure light of God’s Word has flooded the entire world. Down through the ages, more so during the dark ages, God’s enemies of the Gospel tried to destroy God’s Word from off the face of the earth. They tried to take away from God’s Word all the things which save our souls; the Blood of Jesus, the Virgin Birth of Jesus, that Jesus is the Son of God and not merely a man and many more vital doctrines! Jesus said if we do not believe, we will have no life within us. The Bible Societies are now printing corrupted, changed books that they call the "Bible", and people are innocently taking these diluted books in the place of God’s true Word which contains the power to save the soul from Hell! This is another case of Satan transforming himself into an angel of light, yet his ultimate aim and purpose is to kill and destroy the souls and minds of innocent people!

Arise, so-called Christian women of America! Throw off your yoke of sexist oppression. The years of sexism are almost over, or so says the National Council of Churches. They say that you will not have to tolerate the dastardly, discriminatory language in the Bible which tends to be sexist. Your savior from sex discrimination is the (NCC). Its noble project is to remove all masculine-biased language from the Bible. At the time, the feminist interpreters will look into the feasibility of paraphrasing the whole Bible to eliminate all references to "men, women, he, she’ and other gender-based pronouns and words. When this so-called Bible is printed, many women will flock to buy them.

When you go to most churches nowadays, and the pastor stands to read his text for his sermon, you had better carry an armload of Bibles with you, for you will not know or recognize what he is reading! I John 4:1 reads, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world". I challenge all of you who are reading this sermon to try the Spirit by reading the King James Bible along with any other version, and see which one the "Spirit of God" reveals to you as the "Spirit-filled Word of God".

I Corinthians 2: 12-16 says, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, ye he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ".

In summarization of this sermon, I want to go a little further by saying that we are racing towards judgment faster than we think. With the far left people we have in government and the Supreme Court who are anti-Christian, statistics report that God’s name is now used more than one billion times a day as a curse word. Crime in all stages is on the rampage. Every ten seconds a home is burglarized. Every seven minutes a woman is forcibly raped, and children are molested at an even faster rate. Abortion - God help us as a nation! Since 1973, 15 million human beings have been murdered in America through abortion. On the average, one unborn child is legally aborted every 20 seconds. This is hard to believe! God help us!

In these United States the divorce rate is higher than any place in the world. Nearly 50% of all new marriages in America, even among Christians, will end in divorce. Sexual freedom has become the cry of our day. The schools teach children to "do whatever feels good". Sexual immorality is the order of the day here in America! Adultery has become our nation’s standard even among many of our pastors. Over 50% of our pastors admit to having sexual relations outside of their marriage. What about the flood of homosexuality? Now in our schools, they teach that homosexuality is a respectable and to some, preferred way of life! Drugs and narcotics are at epidemic levels, even among our nations leaders. The practice of witchcraft is going everywhere, even in some of our so-called full-gospel churches. I could go on for hours, but I believe you have a fairly good picture of our "backslidden nation" - these United States of America.

Ephesians 5: 1-18, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, not jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth); Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all thing that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

II Timothy 3: 1-5, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away"

Wake up Christians - time is short. Romans 13: 11-14, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill, the lust thereof."

Regardless of what happens to this nation, God has promised to keep us in the time of troubles. Psalms 27:1-6, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy: I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord".

May God bless you, Amen.

WILL I GO TO HEAVEN?
By Dr. G.M. Rayl ThD, DD

There are many that are wondering if they will go to Heaven when they depart from this life! Only God knows for sure. We may think we are ready to make our home in Heaven. We need to be ready, for we know not the hour or day that we will be called out of this life into eternity. It is easy to become "Born-Again", or converted, but from there on it is a daily walk with the Lord. Every day I try to not forget to pray and ask God through Jesus to forgive me if I have done or said anything that I should not have.

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN". - John 3:1-3

Here Jesus is telling us that we cannot be saved unless we are born again. I don’t hear that much preached anymore about the born-again experience. But, I am always preaching that you must be born again to make Heaven your Eternal Home. You can’t be born again without knowing that you are. Many times I will ask someone if they are born again and they will say something like "I think so", or "I believe I am." Listen friend, if you are born again you will know it yourself. You won’t have to have someone to tell you. You are not saved by shaking some preacher’s hand, by joining some Church or by being baptized into the Church. This walk with God is an individual affair with God.

I remember so well the time and day that I was born-again. I was thirty three. I had never been to church, except maybe to a funeral or some special service, and then only three or four times. What brought about my experience with God started when I was driving an over-the-road semi-truck out of St. Louis, Missouri on Old Highway 66. I would always stop at a truck stop in Cuba, Missouri. A beautiful girl worked there who had long, black hair hanging down to her waist. One day I got very brave and asked her if I could come out and take her on a date. At first she looked at me and just turned and walked away. After awhile she came back to bring some more coffee, and said, "If you will go to church, for that is the only place I go". At that time I didn’t know she was a preacher. So, I said to her, " I can’t think of a better place to go, I’ll come out Wednesday evening." Sure enough, the next Wednesday evening, I dressed up in my best, which wasn’t much, and went out to her home and picked her up and we went to little white "Pentecost Holiness Church" in Cuba, Missouri.

As we went in to the church and walked down the aisle, the pastor Rev. Jim Warren, met us. After greeting us and shaking our hands, he asked me, "Are you a Christian." I didn’t know what to say, so I said, "Yes", for I really thought that if you were not a Catholic then you had to be a Christian. By this time I was so under conviction, that I was sick. I kept thinking, "What have I got myself into?" I looked back at the door and kept thinking that I would just get up and run out, and never stop at that truck-stop again. Then I would turn and look at the beautiful girl that I had a date with, and I just couldn’t leave.

The service started and, after singing some hymns, testimonies were given. Then, the pastor stood up and said, "Arlene come up and preach." I couldn’t believe it when my girlfriend got up and walked to the pulpit and started preaching. I had never heard of a woman preacher.

I don’t remember much that was said, because I was crying and so under conviction that I somehow found myself in the altar. Now, up to this time the only time I can remember praying, and I couldn’t really call it praying, was when I might get in some dangerous situation, and say something like "Help me God". But here I was kneeling at the altar, pouring out my heart to God. It seemed like everything I had ever done in my life came to my mind, and I would ask God to forgive me and never let me do it again. I really began to feel good. When I got up someone said, "Well, we had one saved", I really didn’t think they meant me, for I didn’t really feel that I was saved.

Arlene was having a revival each night throughout that week. After taking her home, I went to a phone and called my boss and told him that I wanted to take part of my vacation. He said, "No, you can’t at this time because we are short of drivers". I said, "I’ll see you next week". I got a room in a nearby motel.

The next night I was back at church. As soon as I could I fell in the altar, and began praying to God. When I got up from the altar, someone said that I was seeking to be Sanctified. I didn’t know what they were talking about. The next night was Friday, so I went back that night and spent most of my time in the altar, for I was still under conviction. When I got up from the altar this time they said I was seeking the Holy Ghost. Now, I was like the disciples in the 19th. Chapter of Acts. "...We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost".

When that service was over, the pastor stood to dismiss the service, and said, "We won’t be having service tomorrow night as it is Saturday, but come Sunday morning to Sunday School". So when Sunday morning finally arrived I got out of bed and started getting dressed for church. By this time I was so under conviction that I was crying like a baby. I sat down in a chair to tie my shoe laces. Every time I bent over to tie my shoe, my cigarette pack would fall out of my shirt packet. The third time they fell out I grabbed the pack up and threw them on the dresser and said out loud, "Lord, I’ll never smoke again." At that time I was "Born-Again". I came up out of my chair and began praising God and dancing over the floor! I was so excited that I could hardly wait until I got to church. As soon as I could I stood up and testified to the people how I was saved that morning in my motel room.

At the time I got delivered I was a chain-smoker. I smoked three packs a day. But after that Sunday morning I never smoked again. I didn’t even want a cigarette. I was completely delivered. Praise His Wonderful Name! If God delivers you of a habit, you are delivered. You don’t have to fight a battle. God wants the "Whole of you". You cannot hold onto anything that has a hold on you. God is not a respecter of persons. If I had to give up my smoking, you will have to give up yours too.

After we are born-again, we go through a period of Sanctification which means we get set apart from our worldly habits. This is when the Holy-Ghost convicts us of things we are doing that are not approved by God. We must pray to God through Jesus our Lord to take away the thing that we are convicted of. I believe that the Sanctification process goes on throughout the remaining years of our lives. That is what we call, "Growing in Grace".

During the "Depression Days", back in the 1930’s, I got a job painting two large barns and a large house for my great Uncle. I had to climb 35 and 40 foot ladders. I have preached on "Growing in Grace", by using this example. "When you first start to climb up a ladder, you are always looking down from where you started. But after you get higher up on the ladder, you begin to look up to where you are going. A new Christian will keep looking back from where they came, and at times they will want to go back to their sinful ways. But the higher or stronger they get in the Lord, they begin looking up to where they are headed. "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God". - St. Luke 9:62

I say all of this to you to let you know when you start up the ladder toward Heaven you must continue to climb. If you stay on one rung of the ladder too long it might rot or rust and cause you to fall. And my, what a great fall it would be. You should try each day to be a stronger Christian than you were yesterday.

You will never be really strong in your Christian walk with God, until you receive the Baptism of the Holy-Ghost and Fire. Jesus, said in Acts 1:4-5, "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence".

And again in Acts 2: 1-4: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mightily wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance".

As soon as I was born-again I began seeking for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Every time I went to Church, I would go to the altar and tarry for the Holy-Ghost, at times for two to three hours. Different people would pray with me and try to help me receive the "Baptism". Some shook me, some would say "Turn loose" some would say, "Hold On". Others would tell me, "Repeat what I say" and begin to jabber. Some got in front of me and blew their garlic breath in my face. Some grabbed me by the lower jaw and shook it real hard and said "Speak, speak. Loosen your tongue". All of this wasn’t so bad as when they would spit in my face.

After seeking for two years, I received the precious Holy Ghost Baptism at home. We were gathered around the bed where our son was sick, praying for him. I fell down on the floor in the Spirit and began speaking in tongues for over an hour as the Spirit gave utterance.

I want to impress on you how much you need to be Baptized in The Holy Ghost and Fire. After I received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost I became bolder in my ministry. I was lead into truth and knowledge of the Word. Let the Holy Ghost lead you instead of trying to lead Him. Remember, you can grieve the Holy Ghost and He will leave you. Many people have been filled with the Holy Ghost but they lose Him.

I would not want to try to serve God in this day and time without being Baptized with the Precious Holy Ghost. If you haven’t received the Holy Ghost, please ask God to Baptize you, now.

The Strait Gate ! ! !

By Rev. G.M. Rayl ThD, DD

TEXT: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:13, 14.

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and the west, and from the north, and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."- Luke 13:24-30.

These are not the words of man, but the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as He spoke, and is recorded in the Gospels. As straight means "a narrow pass or passage", I believe we could reverse this Scripture (verse 14) to read, "narrow is the gate, and straight is the WAY", giving a complete understanding of what Jesus meant, that our complete life on this earth, as true children of God, serves as our gate and way to heaven, which is a very straight (STRICT) and narrow way. But, there is a great falling away now in the Church world and many have left this strait and narrow way. "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." - I Corinthians 3:18.

Many good ministers that started out on fire for God, preached and lived the strait and narrow way, but became wise in the things of this world, and therefore have left off preaching Holiness and are in a backslidden condition. They need to become FOOLS that they might find their way back to the strait and narrow way.

All denominations that started out on fire for God had a narrow walk with Him until they became broadminded, as the world calls it, and started seeking for and after things other than God’s Spirit and Righteousness. Today, that is all they have in their godless organizations OTHER THINGS! When we started our Association, we were more prone to compromise to see our numbers grow, but as we grow in the Lord we are more careful of who we have in our group. We pray continually for God to help us keep our Association clean of all worldliness and uncleanliness, and this He is doing. Praise His wonderful Name.

I feel sure that Christians, who have been so for very long, will agree with me that their Christian life has become more narrow along the way with God. I know that since I have become a child of God that I have had to stop doing things that at first I could see no harm in. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1.

It appears that many people have the attitude that if they can enter this gate of salvation by saving grace that they have passed the test, come through the narrow gate, entering into a large, wide area where they can travel any way they desire, but still on their way to heaven. I will have to cry out with the Apostle Paul, as he said in Romans 10: 1-3, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

Paul was dealing with brethren who had a zeal for God, but not a knowledge of God’s righteousness, a people who had felt and experienced a real witness of god’s saving power in their lives at some time, but had failed to realize, in their entering into saving grace, that we are still on probation as long as we are in this mortal flesh.

Getting saved is just entering into this NARROW GATE from earth to glory. And as we travel this way, which is not a way of worldly liberties, we find that the closer we walk with God, the more narrow the way becomes, leading us into sanctification, making the way still more narrow.

And as God brings us through the trials of this life, and we grow in grace to be strong soldiers for Him, the way becomes more narrow. All of this life we are on probation, passing through the narrow gate, with God drawing us closer and closer to Him, separating us more and more from the things of this world, and preparing us for a glorious entrance into that Celestial City.

"But the path of the just is a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." - Proverbs 4:18. This Grace Age has more Spiritual Light than this world has ever experienced before. And this Spiritual Light has grown brighter as this age has progressed. We, as God’s people, are held responsible for every ray of this light that we are privileged to have, causing us a more narrow walk with God than Christians who lived in ages past, as the measure of light is the measure of responsibility. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." - I John 1:6,7.

"...Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" - Kings 18:17. In this life no one seems to think that he could possibly be wrong. It is always the other party. Old Ahab had committed just about every sin in the book, but still it wasn’t him who was troubling Israel. It had to be someone else. Of course, it couldn’t be HIM! So, he accused Elijah. Why, sure, it was old Elijah who was keeping things stirred up! Brother, God’s people don’t stir, mix or mingle. The separate! We need more separators today and not so many mixers.

Ahab possible once had a heart for God. But his heart started longing for more worldly things. I think perhaps the thing that really took him the farthest from God was his wife, Jezebel. She liked the world and all that went with it, with all of her paint, and new suits, and living like a queen. She got Ahab to set up idolatry, make it the religion of the country. Ahab was the tool of his wife. He was a weak man; he didn’t have any convictions. he didn’t have enough backbone to stand up for the RIGHT. No wonder Israel went down; no wonder Israel was troubled. This wicked leader was the cause of his country’s failure. He didn’t realize that in his attempt to bring harmony by condoning SIN, he was in turn bringing about the destruction of his country. Let me say this, a country, a union, an organization, or a Church is no better than it leaders.

But let us go on and see just what kind of answer Ahab got to his question. "And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed baalim." - I Kings 18:18. There wasn’t any condemnation on Elijah’s soul. And Ahab answered the old prophet not a word.

Right is right, and wrong is wrong! In the world today, right is wrong, and wrong is right. But God help US to stay with what is RIGHT. If those of my household, or elsewhere, can get to heaven doing thins that other Christians can not understand, that doesn’t mean that I can get to Heaven dabbling with those things, when God shines His searchlight of Heaven on my heart. My way will have to become more NARROW as the LIGHT of GOD shines in upon my SOUL.

Brethren, the devil is subtle. He will let you live for God for many years with a trap set down the road for you, to trip when your way with God becomes more BROAD instead of more NARROW.

Let us take Brother Jude’s advice, in verse 3; "...ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." - a LIVING FAITH beginning in our hearts when we receive SAVING GRACE at the altar of repentance, and being made perfect to God by His sanctifying power, keeping us to a more narrow walk with God until He calls each of His TRUE SAINTS home to Heaven.

In closing, let us cry again with Brother Paul, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED." Amen.

EXAMINE YOURSELVES

By Rev. G. M. Rayl, ThD, DD

TEXT: II Corinthians 13: 5-13, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish even your Perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. Finally brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."

The Church at Corinth was started by the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey. But it had become full of the evils and false teachings that surrounded it. The world around it had gotten so evil that the church members wanted to hold on to the world, while trying, or should I say pretending, to be serving our Lord Jesus Christ. The pastor can tell when his members are drifting into a backslidden condition. When Paul arrived at the church at Cornith, it grieved him very much. I am also very grieved when I see the condition of the ‘supposed to be Holy Ghost filled church’ of today.

It makes me think of what the apostle wrote, as we find recorded in II Timothy 3: 1-5, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away..."

Paul was grieved so he wrote, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." God wants all of us to look at ourselves and where we stand in the eyes of our Lord. Then we can repent and ask God to forgive us and go on living for Him. I feel grieved in my head when I realize the soon-coming of our Lord for His Bride, and so many are not ready. Sometimes it is not pleasant to see ourselves as God sees us.

Some may say, "Why do you always preach and teach negative things? Why don’t you tell us about how good we are and that everything is just fine in our lives. I trust that we are all ready to face the judgment of God. Then I see all the worldliness in the church and it grieves me. So, I say as the Apostle Paul said "Examine yourself" What does it mean, "having a form of godliness?" It just implies that there is a group of people in these last days that have a form of godliness, but they have no godliness in them.

Most of this godliness without God has been brought on by some of the modern day Pastors, Evangelists, Bible Teachers and the pressures of this evil world that we are living in. Satan is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The Bible tells us if we are pretending to be a Christian and are not living a holy life we are a hypocrite.

Paul wrote to Timothy in I Timothy 3:10, "thou hast fully known my doctrine." Not only do you know but those who you have ministered to know the teaching of the Word, But the people have turned a deaf ear to the truth. No longer will they endure sound doctrine. I am not judging you, but the Word of God judges us!

Remember the king who had vessels of gold, but the enemy came and took them, so the king made shields of brass and hanged them in their place. The new shields were not gold. They were counterfeit - a semblance of what it should be.

There are those now that know how to do godly things almost perfectly. There are some that have a form of godliness but are denying the power thereof. God gives a clear warning to such people. It is not just a formal confession. It is not just a religious creed. If we are just going to adopt a religious creed, let’s just go out and join some good social club or creed. But God said, "I’m calling you to Holiness, to dedication and surrender. Know you that I am your God. I’m calling you to a heartfelt experience in Me."

God’s Word says that in the last days there is going to be a falling away, Many will be outwardly rebellious, ungrateful, unholy, unconcerned about their soul, a soul that lives on for all eternity. Yes, before too long everyone will stand before a Just Judge and we will answer for the condition of our souls. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’

Matthew 11: 15-20, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But whereunto shall i liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say Behold a man gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners, But wisdom is justified of her children. Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not."

Jesus was speaking concerning John the Baptist. He then goes on to say that John the Baptist is least in the Kingdom. Jesus compares this generation to children playing in the market place, who blow flutes, who play horns, who give invitations, but who don’t take time for reality, They are too busy playing. They don’t have time to come to church. They don’t have time for reality. They are too busy playing church. They don’t take time to look at the seriousness of their soul’s worth. They don’t have time for anything except for doing what they want. We have many people doing their own thing. They don’t want to get involved in serving God. They refuse everything Jesus offers, What are you going to do with the battle between you and your soul?

Preachers have stopped preaching the deep things of God’s Word. The church of today is somewhat like the Corinthian Church. It was Paul’s desire to cleanse the Church from partyism and immorality. We need to try to reach our people of today and show them the false conceptions of the Ministry!

The Church of today is full of intellectual pride, social evils, church divisions, man-worship, man-made bibles to suit their man-made worship, and glorying in worldly wisdom. What I see in the church world of today is that Christians, when they become weak in their Christian lives, will fall for every wind of false doctrine that they see and hear.

There are false conceptions of the ministry, such as "Name it and Claim it." Is it not rather crazy to claim something that belongs to someone else unless the person who owns the thing you are claiming is willing to sell it or give it to you? How about "Never admit that you are sick." I have had cancer for about four years now. If I were to go around telling people that I am perfectly, physically well, I would be lying. All liars shall have their place in Hell. I am trying to make Heaven my eternal home. Aren’t you?

This is an individual walk with God. We have to work out our own salvation the Bible says, with fear and trembling. I have been in churches where the pastor or evangelist would say, ‘Let us all stand to our feet and start speaking in our heavenly language.’ Or they might say, "Let’s all sing in our unknown tongues." Now they have come up with a new worship, "Let’s all start laughing as hard as we can." You might go for all of this, but I fear God, so when I go to Church I go there to worship God the way The spirit leads me. I would be afraid to speak in tongues, or sing in an unknown tongue, or laugh just because someone told me to unless I know God’s Holy Spirit was in it.

I first got saved, "born-again", in 1952. At that time anyone could tell a Christian from the unsaved. The women and the men were set apart from the world. They dressed differently; they shunned worldly activities. They were so happy, always enjoying life, and they could hardly wait to go to Church and worship God. Times have changed. Now it is all right for the women to wear short hair and men’s clothing and the men wear long hair. Most church going people now dress, wear their hair, and act like unsaved people.

Do you know why this happened? I do. Let’s look at some Scriptures in the King James Bible. Then consider it for yourself. The Holy Bible outlines how born-again people should conduct themselves. I Corinthians 11: 1-2, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."

I Corinthians 11: 4-7, "Every man praying, or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head; for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man."

I Corinthians 11: 13-15, "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering."

I Timothy 2: 9-10, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefaceness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array: But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

Roman’s 1:22-28, "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves; Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient."

A few generations ago, in the 1960’s, we had the beatniks, the hippies, and all the others that were dropping out on life, pretending the world didn’t exist. We still have to deal with reality. The Scriptures condemn any action of men and women seeking to justify their own acts of darkness. It’s time we examine ourselves. Being a born-again Christian is the greatest thing in the world today.

Don’t be duped. Don’t fall into delusion. Don’t fall prey to some lying spirit that will destroy you. Satan has signs and false wonders, but you don’t have to substitute and you don’t have to fake it. There are genuine miracles for those who pay the price.

Delusion means mental strain, wrong opinion or error in morals or religion. It means deception. We like to comfort ourselves with the assurance that we are as good as someone else. It is not a matter of if we are as good as anyone else, but it is the question of "are we living to please God"! Ultimately the spirit of delusion leads to reprobation, not knowing right from wrong.

Many people don’t know right from wrong because they have erred from the Bible. They have listened to what this and that preacher says. They need to get back to what the Word of God says and start living according to what He says.

How many of us know that in Hell there are going to be preachers who have lied, preached false doctrine, twisted the Word of God to meet their own living conditions and begged for money so they can live like millionaires? God didn’t make us beggars. If we are living and preaching God’s Word we don’t have to beg. He said he would supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Others will be there who have fallen into believing false doctrine and who have believed in the wrong teachings.

Many of today’s Christians need to come under conviction and stop believing in all the false worship and every wind of doctrine that is sweeping this nation. It is my prayer that many will repent and come back to God and do their first works over.

Much of the church of today is building on quicksand. I don’t know what God is saying to you right now, but are you building on superficial things? God knows your heart and if you have a spirit of delusion. Jesus is the only way. Men will say, "This is the way, walk ye in it." They take you another way rather than through Jesus and the Blood. There are those who are saying, "This is an easier way." There is only one way; that’s God’s way of holiness, righteousness, truth and peace.

The Bible says, "Judgment must begin at the house of God." Strong evaluation must begin right here today, One of the things that is confounding the world today is that they look at the church and the church is no different from the world. Our lives should be entering into a full dimension of glory, joy, peace and love one toward another. They will know when we truly know God. We must be honest with ourselves and with God. If we will repent God will forgive for He says, Whosoever will, let him come."

I love all of God’s people and it is not my intention to judge, for I do not have the right. I want all of us to make Heaven our home and I want to see you there because I love you.

The Night Is Far Spent!

BY REV. G.M. RAYL, ThD, DD

(Text: Romans 13:11, 12, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.")

The space age is asleep? Yes, man is really asleep to the lateness of the time. Does the world’s flood of woes mean anything to you? It does if you are awake. It means we are in the "last-days" foretold by the Bible-Jesus foretold many events that would signify His second coming. Are you awake to the sign, or asleep these perilous times?

A few of the things Jesus foretold in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 are: (1) Many fake religions, (2) World wars, (3) widespread famines, (4) an unusual number of earthquakes, (5) increased lawlessness, (6) earth wide tribulation, (7) perplexity of nations, (8) men stricken by fear, (9) increased pestilence and (the world asleep to the significance of it all. Also foretold as indications of the "last-days" are: (11) moral degeneracy in public and private life, (12) mounting juvenile delinquency, (13) love of pleasure rather than for God, and (14) a general scoffing when the warning concerning the "last-days" is sounded. Do you scoff? Are you asleep with the world? If so,...now it is high time to awake...", For the darkest days of all earth’s history are just ahead. A careless, godless generation faces appalling judgments. The prophet Daniel speaks of "...a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation...".The Lord Jesus foretells a period of"...great tribulations such as was not, since the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be". We read in Haggai that the Lord "...will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the seas, and the dry land ...Isaiah thunders out the warning, "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it," Isaiah 13:9.

The world’s most terrifying weapons are now in the hands of the great nations of the world for the universal destruction of the entire human race. Awake! What we do now must be done quickly or no flesh can be saved. God is a God of love and He is not willing that any should perish, is not willing that the human race should perish, if it does, and it looks like it may, and that it could be before too long, God, will not be at fault. He has provided a way for everyone to be saved if they will only accept the sacrifice of His Son of Calvary, God so loved the world that He gave His Son. If you are lost or go to the lake of fire and brimstone, it will be because you make the choice - not God. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," II Peter 3:9.

The MIGRATORY season is near. The exact hour of His appearing, no man knows. No mortal knows just the hour when the Lord Jesus shall descend from heaven with a shout (I Thess. 4:16) to catch away His own-out from this world of sin and sorrow - but, Awake! We do know that the SEASON is near, and the ZERO HOUR approaches - nearer and nearer each moment.

Are YOU ready to go? More than that, are you WILLING to go? Do you love anything, or anybody more than you love, HIS appearing? God is a jealous God. Jesus says, "he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me,"Matthew 10:37, 38. Are you going to let any thing or anybody hold you back and prevent you from being "READY" for His upward call?

There is going to be a READY company of people." . . . the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut," Matthew 25:10. Jeremiah, the weeping Prophet, under a great burden for the salvation of his people, says with a broken and disappointed heart, " . . . The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

"Redeeming the Time"

Are you now READY - and are you continuing to get ready for the coming of the Lord as He shows you more and more humbling tasks to perform for His sake, - that you might purify yourself, even as He is pure? (I John 3:2-3). Are you suffering with Christ NOW, that, later, you may reign with Him? (II Tim. 2:12). Are you FRITTERING away your time and strength - saluting everybody by the way, "passing the time of day" with everyone the devil sends across your path - or are you expending your very life’s last ounce of strength in joyous services for the One who died for you?

Have you taken up your cross, daily, (Luke 9:23), and are you following Jesus? Do you not only bear your cross, but do you glory in the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ? (Gal. 6:14). Is the Son of God dearer to you than ALL, and do you delight to do the will of God? Do you delight to give up your ways - that the life of Christ may be manifested through you? Are you continually confessing your sins, - and never forsaking them? Or have you done down to a bedrock repentance and come up with such an abhorrence of sin of every kind that your life bears a holy testimony for God and for Righteousness wherever you go?

Are you more concerned about reputation among men than you are about your standing with God? Are you more afraid of offending people than you are of grieving the Holy Spirit of the living God?

Are you frivolous, given to jesting and joking, and foolish talking - things that are obnoxious to God? (Eph. 5:4). Or are you sober and vigilant ACCORDING TO THE COMMAND OF THE WORD OF GOD? (I Peter 5:8). Do you "run off at the mouth"? Do you talk too much? Does most of the steam of your life escape through the whistle - instead of being reserved for needed power in running the train of your life? "In the multitude of words there wanted not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise," Proverbs 10:19.

Have you a censorious spirit? Or do you in lowliness of mind, esteem others better than yourself? (Phil. 2:3). Do you merely "say" prayers? Or do you actually, from your heart- PRAY? Do you permit the devil to have a field day in your mind? Or do you resist him (I Peter 5:8-10), and give no place to him? (Eph. 4:27).

May God search our hearts out that we might be READY for His appearing, and that we might "OCCUPY," (keep busy in His will, and in His glorious service), TILL HE COMES! (Luke 19:13).

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man," Luke 21:36.

Do you disobey the Gospel? Friends, God did not spare King Saul for not going according to His rule, (I Samuel 15:13-24). Uzzah tried to balance the trembling Ark and was killed by the Lord, because it was against His rule, (II Samuel 6:6,7). Moses smote the rock, though the lord had said, "Speak to the rock," and so was deprived of his hope to enter into the promised land, (Numbers 20:8-12). When the Lord told us to remember Lot’s wife, what could He have meant, but to fear and obey God’s rule?! Jesus said many will say, "Lord, Lord", and work miracles in His Name, but He will tell them, "I know you not," (Matthew 7:21-24).

Why do virgins become foolish? Because they heed not the command to be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5:18). ‘O! Friends, God means what He says. His Word was settled in heaven long before He gave it to us to obey. "Trust and obey, for there is no other way."

What a mercy, that the Great Day is not yet upon us! The door of grace is still wide open. There is a place of safety from the cataclysm which awaits the world. It is in the cleft of the Rock, Christ Jesus. To this Rock we may pray; in this Rock we may hide. ". . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin," I John 1:7. No need have they to hide from God, who early seek His face and hide with Christ in God Himself.

The night is far spent. The Rapture is near. May I impress upon your mind and your thinking how terrible the Tribulation will be to those that miss the Rapture and will have to pass through THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

In the last half of Daniel’s seventieth week, in the short space of three and one-half years, over eighteen major plagues will fall upon all the world, as a result of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven vials; add to this the power of the two witnesses that will smite the earth as often as they choose to do, with all plagues. Then there remains five great outstanding earthquakes that will shatter the earth and the cities of the world. All of these devastating literal judgments are soon to take place. If the rapture took place today (and it could) in less than twenty-four hours the seventieth would begin to be fulfilled, that will last just seven years ending with the greatest battle in the history of the world ARMAGEDDON, and the MILLENNIUM will take place, that will last for one thousand years, then the final judgment and the renovation of the earth by fire, and eternity. That is the order and it shows us how quick things could happen and will happen when the rapture takes place. You see, we do not have very much time left.

The world stands on the very brink of not only a third world war, but destruction as never been known since the creation of the world. The Hydrogen bomb explosion is coming SOON. Without any warning it could come now. Are you ready? Are your family and loved ones safe? Are you praying that you may be accounted worthy to escape "these things that are coming upon the earth?’ The end cannot be very far away and we must be ready NOW! THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT!

A sudden blinding flash of light sprays its dazzling brilliancy over a radius of three hundred miles. From the ground rises a whirling, groaning, growling ball of fire. As it shoots upward into the heavens there is a terrific roar like the din of a million thunders. A succession of explosions emulates the laughter of the denizens of the infernal regions of Hell. Gigantic clouds of smoke roll upward into space like a living monster crawling out of the pit of Perdition, the shadowy figure rocks and reels as it rises to a height of over fifteen miles. Romping, laughing children, mothers, and fathers, husbands and wives are plunged into eternity in a millionth of a second. A hundred thousand homes disappear with a puff of smoke. bomb shelters and fall-out shelters are plowed up and human beings die like flies. Neither man, or beast, nor insects survive. The hot breath of this demon of DEVASTATION melts the steel of bridges, sky-scrapers and locomotives, ships at sea, and those under the sea, jets and planes in the sky. The vapor from these demon blasts blown into the skies spreads death by radiation. The earth bends beneath the impact of the footsteps of this phantom giant. CHAOS is king, DARKNESS reigns. Smoke rolls on in endless volume. What was once a great city is now only a yawning crater with gaping jaws mutely testifying to its voracious appetite for human blood. Beyond the edges of this gigantic grace, the cries of the wounded and dying pierce the blackness, eerily echoing and re-echoing through the amphitheater of death created by this hideous monster of destruction. A curse stands sentry striking men down with the lethal vibration of radioactivity for many weeks and months following the HOLOCAUST.

WHO! WHAT IS IT - THIS MONSTER OF DESOLATION AND DESTRUCTION? It is the Atomic hydrogen Bomb. The greatest destructive force ever released by mortal man. In less than fifteen minutes every city, village, and hamlet could be wiped off the face of the earth, and in the first day of Atomic and Hydrogen warfare over 95,000,000 will die. This great destructive fore is now ready by men of ill will, hangs like a sword over the heads of the world’s population, momentarily threatening the entire world. It almost happened in the Cuban crisis and it could happen anytime. The night is far spent.

The Lord Jesus Christ anticipated this period in the history of the world more than 1900 years ago. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened." Matthew 24:21, 22.

Only Divine intervention can save those that are in the world that believe on the Son of God to eternal life. CHRIST WILL INTERVENE, HOW? THE RAPTURE. This is the only way to escape from a world that has gone mad with power, the power of destruction. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." I Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

The avowed purpose of the leaders of this world under the direction of Satan is "Peace and Security." . . . But the real purpose is "War and Annihilation." A sin-blinded, sleeping, godless world, little knows that it is "assembling" itself for Destruction. The Word of God predicts this "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; the sudden destruction cometh upon them. . . . and they shall not escape". I Thessalonians 5:3.

I believe that WORLD WAR III will be the final war of this age, as there is no doubt but that it will lead to ARMAGEDDON, ending the seventieth week of Daniel and completing Bible prophecy as given to Daniel in the Word of God. This war may be NEARER THAN YOU THINK. The TRIBULATION, the Great Tribulation, lies ahead for a world without GOD.

I hope and pray that you will be concerned with this as I and others like myself are. There’s only one thing in the midst of this world’s confusion, and that is your own personal relationship toward the LORD. If you are "BORN AGAIN" you have nothing to worry about. If you are not saved then you must get ready now to accept Christ as your SAVIOUR. What must I do to be saved? Oh! It is so easy, "REPENT OF YOUR SINS, and BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED," (Acts 16:30).

Come to Christ just as you are. Trust Him for your salvation because He said, "....and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

NEVER SAY ‘I CAN’T BE SAVED’, LOOK UP, TRUST THE LORD. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT, but, the ultimate Victory belongs to our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

"Behold the Bridegroom cometh! - Hear the midnight cry; We’ll go up with a shout, If we all hold out,- To meet Him in the sky. Then, oh watch and pray, my brother, Lest someone take your crown, For the lukewarm and backslider, Won't wear a marriage gown."

The Introduction... (This is the first segment of a continued sermon dealing with The Seven Churches of Asia, as recorded in Revelation, Chapter 2 and 3.)

TEXT: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" -I Corinthians 12 :4, 5, 6.

As we continue with this sermon, I want you to bear in mind that it is not any certain peculiar church or religious group that will finally receive the "Crown of Life", but he who is born of water and of the Spirit. ". . . Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."-John 3:5. And endures to the end. "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."-Matthew 24:13.

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man, . . . Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."-Revelation 1: 10, 11, 12, 13, 19.

Many Bible Students believe that each one of the seven Churches represents a different dispensation of time, but I differ somewhat. As the Church was founded on the Day of Pentecost and will end with the Rapture, I believe that the Lord here was speaking of the entire Church world, throughout the entire Church Age, the self-same Spirit, but different operations (different Church groups).

When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead. All through the Bible when people came into close contact with the Lord, they fell at His feet and great fear came upon them. Now days we hear people tell of how they see the Lord, "God showed me this and that; He spoke to me", they will say, and tell how they met the Lord face to face. Yet, we see no fear in them. Brother, if we come in Close contact with God we will fear Him who is able to destroy both our body and soul.

The first word of the Divine Judge to His servant is, as of old, "Fear not." Then follows a fourfold demand: (1.) A demand for recognition, "I am the Living One Who was dead,"--The Christ of the Resurrection, dwelling now in eternal life,

"This same Jesus" who is at once the Saviour and the Judge of men. (2.) A demand for confidence, "I have the keys to Death and of Hades." Death and Hades are gates through which we pass to the eternal life beyond, not states in which we abide. "Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the GATES of death."-Psalms 9:13. (3.) A demand for faithfulness. The writer is to put on record all that has been or shall be revealed to him. Apostle Paul's vision on the road to Damascus was for himself alone; but here the seer is to tell all that he sees. "Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I, send me. And he said, Go: and tell this people, Hear ye indeed. . . but perceive not."-Isaiah 6:8,9. "Thus saith the Lord" is the key-word of all the prophets. Their office is not only to persuade, but to reveal. (4.) A demand for understanding. All the symbols of the book are not explained, but a key to their interpretation is given at the outset of our text. Who are the "Angels of the seven Churches? Some think the bishops of the Churches; others the guardian angels of the Churches (as nations, in Daniel, have their guardian angels); others the "symbol of the active life of the Church". I believe, perhaps, that what is meant is that in its inner life every Church is a star in the right hand of Christ. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."--Daniel 12:3. In its outer life the Church is a messenger (angelos) of Christ. It is only the Churches "militant here on earth" that may be "removed". Remember a church is not a church unless it is preaching and teaching the full-Gospel, the Born Again experience and the ways of Salvation. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, EXCEPT THOU REPENT."-Revelation 2:5. The Church in Heaven is safe in His right hand.

The messages to the seven Churches are all in the same form, consisting of (1.) a short description of the speaker, (2.) a commendation (where commendation is possible), (3.) a warning, and (4.) a promise to those who overcome.

Ephesus was the chief city of the Province of Asia, and the Church in Ephesus was the senior Church of the group. It is probably for this reason that the Divine Speaker is described here in His relations to all the Churches. As an eternal reality in the spiritual world, the whole Church is a cluster of stars in the right hand of Christ; as a human organization in the world of men it is a group of lampstands in the midst of which He walks. He, Christ, is actively alive in His Church, judging and ruling.

"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, 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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly. and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."-Revelation 2:1-7.

Criticism is much more effective if it is eager to commend the good before it condemns the evil. There was much to commend in the Ephesian Church. Here the commendation is threefold. But first comes the reminder that Christ knows (as One possessing perfect insight, in contrast with the knowledge derived from experience) what His Churches are doing. "I know thy works."

The Church in Ephesus is commended: (1.) For its labors. "I know thy works, and thy labor, 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." The same word appears in the next verse, ". . . and for My Name's sake hast labored. . .". (2.) For its perseverance (also twice mentioned. "Patience" means more than the negative virtue of not resenting wrong; it is the active virtue of continuing in well-doing in spite of all discouragement. (3.) For what it bears and refuses to bear. It bears suffering, but will not bear evil. Verse 6 explains the special form of evil with which the Church had to contend. "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitates, which I ALSO HATE." Of the Nicolitanes we hear again in Verse 15. They seem to have been a party in the Church that turned Christian liberty into license. "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."-Jude 4. Notice that the Church is not commended for hating the Nicolaitanes, but for hating their works. To hate the evil in man is not the same thing as hating man for being evil Christ hated evil because He loved men and longed to deliver them. "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and CRIED, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."-John 7:37. The Church was right not to "bear evil men", that is, to tolerate them as teachers in the Church. "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."-Matthew 15: 13-14. The Church must not accept every plausible teacher who professes to speak with authority; she must bring their message to the test. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."-II Corinthians 11: 13. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."-I John 4:1. What is normally wrong cannot be theologically right.

So much to commend; energy, perseverance, zeal for the truth, and yet the very existence of the Church is in danger. Why? "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.'" (Verse 4). Jesus tells us why many in the Churches have left their first love. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."-Matthew 24:12. Yes, sin will cause us to lose our love for Him who died for us. A Church may be efficient, active, zealous, yet if its heart is growing dead it will perish. When we discuss the causes of the comparative failure of the Church in modern life do we not often make the mistake of asking for more zeal and effort, when our real need is more LOVE - to CHRIST, first of all, and then to one another? God's complaint; through the prophets, against His people was that they had allowed their love to grow cold. So the command to the Ephesian Church is to realize its failure. not to shut its eyes to its fall, and to turn again. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."-II Chronicles 7: 14. It is forgetfulness that leads us so often to go on ungrateful and cold-hearted. "A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel; for they have perverted their way, and they have FORGOTTEN the LORD their God. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings, Jeremiah 3:21-22. Even as our sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a feast of remembrance -- remember the Lord I Notice the three stages - remember, repent, do. The prodigal son, when he had spent all he had and had reached the lowest of despair, he remembered, he repented and then arose and went back from whence he had come. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, EXCEPT THOU REPENT."-Revelation 2:5.

The Promise The last note of these messages to the Churches is never one of despondency, but of victory. Even if the Church at Ephesus, as an organized body, should perish, those within who endure to the end shall not go unrewarded. "... To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."-Revelation 2:7. Here the special promise goes back to Genesis, Chapter 2. Paradise is a Persian word for a garden. When man was conquered by sin he was cut off from the tree of life and cast out of the Paradise of God; so when, by God's grace, he conquers sin, by the NEW BIRTH, he is restored to all that he had lost. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree 0 life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."-Revelation 22: 14. The good for which man was created is reached at last, not here, but in the world of reality that lies beyond the battle ground of human life. Hardship, danger, suffering; all these belong to our life, and there can be no victory without conflict. Our prayer should be, not "Deliver us from the struggle", but "Give us strength to overcome". "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."-Revelation 12: 11. ". . . In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."-Revelation 2: 8-11. The message to Smyrna is the shortest of the seven. It is wholly a message of consolation and encouragement. Of the seven cities Smyrna alone has survived, and it is still an important commercial center largely Greek in population.

To a Church passing through danger and suffering the Divine Speaker is presented as the conqueror of death, the author and finisher of human history. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."-Hebrews 12 :2. Even so, Stephen, the first martyr, saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God alive and victorious and endured, like Moses, as seeing Him who is invisible. "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Hebrews 11 :27. The Church in Smyrna was reminded that for the followers of Christ, as for their Master, death is the gateway of life.

Already the Church in Smyrna was enduring much. In place of comfort, wealth, and the good opinion of men, the Christians had to face persecution, poverty and slander. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."-1 Peter 2: 12.

Notice the apparent contrast between the Church that was rich in its apparent poverty. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."-1 Timothy 6: 17-19. And the Church that was poor in its apparent wealth. "Because 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou may est see."-Revelation 3: 17-18.

It has been suggested that the Church at Smyrna had been plundered of its possessions through the influence of its Jewish enemies. But its real wealth was beyond the reach of hostile hands. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."-Matthew 19:21. The Jews in the commercial cities of the Empire were often the bitterest opponents of Christianity. By their hatred for the Gospel they showed that they had forfeited their right to be the true people of God. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE" -Galatians 6:15. And they had allied themselves with the powers of darkness. "Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; . . ."-Revelation 3:9.

The dangers that lay before the Church in Smyrna were not from within, as in most of the other churches, but from without. Like the Hebrew Church, it had not yet "resisted unto blood". "Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin."-Hebrews 12 :4. But popular hostility was about to be followed by official action. Bonds and afflictions, and even death, would be the portion of the faithful. Their faith would be put to the test for ten days. Apostle Paul went through many afflictions. He said, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."-Acts 20 :22-24.

Why "ten days"? Many answers have been suggested. Perhaps the writer is thinking of Daniel 1:12, ten days being long enough to put endurance to the test, but not so long as to seem interminable. Such a martyr period is recorded in the history of the Church. The number ten is of special interest, for history informs us that there were just ten great persecutions of Christians by the Roman emperors. It was the works of the devil. Persecutions of the Saints of God by pagan Rome, papal Rome or by any other power, IS always the devil's work. But who are those mentioned here and in the message to Philadelphia, who say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan? It is a Judaized Christianity and with it a perverted and obscured Gospel. That evil was present in the apostolic age; it is fully manifested in our own days. They deny the Gospel of Grace and put in its place the Gospel of works and salvation by keeping the law. They make much of Sabbath-keeping, ordinances and religious observances and yet with it all they obscure the Cross and deny the Blood. They are the synagogue of Satan, brought together by that cunning being as a religious company. It is the false, the spurious church as we see it almost universally about us.

". . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (verse 10)." The crown of life promised here is not the diadem or royal crown, but the stephanos, or garland of victory - and of gladness. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."-James 1:12. Notice the seven crowns - the crown of pride, "Woe to the crown of pride, . . ."-Isaiah 28:1. The crown of thorns, "Then came Jesus wearing the crown of thorns, . . ."-John 19:5. The crown of glory, ". . . ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. . ." -I Peter 5:4. The crown of rejoicing, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?"-I Thessalonians 2: 19. The crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4: 8), the crown of life and the incorruptible crown (I Corinthians 9: 25). Life is itself the crown that is promised here - the victorious life that has conquered death. To the sorrowful He promised gladness, to the weary rest, to the dying life.

The idea of victorious life is still the dominant thought. "The second death" appears to have been a phrase current in Jewish circles, and it is adopted by the writer of Revelation to express the separation from God which constitutes final death. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."-Revelation 20:6. "But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."-Revelation 21 :8. "He who is born twice", it has been said, dies only once, but he who has been born once dies twice." The first death is the death of the body, in which all alike must share; the second death is the death of the soul, which cannot touch those who are in Christ Jesus. The negative is very emphatic; he that overcometh is far beyond the power of death.

It is interesting and significant to notice that the two Churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, whose inner life is commended without qualification, are the two Churches that are warned to expect persecution. When the devil cannot poison the Church from within, he assails it from without. A Church that is faithful in its witness has no right to expect the favour and friendship of the world. ". . . In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."-John 16:33. The victories of the Church are won through suffering; her way is the way of the Cross. The temptation to compromise, to wear the garland at the heathen festivals, was hard to resist in those early days of Christianity. Even so today we, if we get our eyes off of Christ, are prone to lust after the things of this world. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."-I John 2:15-17. But He who purchased immunity from suffering by wearing the garland of shame sold his right to the garland of life that Christ Himself held out as the reward to the faithful servant who endured to the end.

"THE SEVEN CHURCHES"??? (PART TWO)

(This is the second segment of a continued sermon dealing with the Seven Churches of Asia, as recorded in Revelations, Chapter 2 and 3.)

TEXT: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."-I Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6.

Note: This sermon continues with "The Message to Smyrna".)

The book of Acts gives us an account of the early Church, and sometimes I find myself comparing the Church of today with the early Church. The early Church prayed in the Upper Room; the Twentieth Century Church cooks in the Supper Room. Today the Supper Room has taken the place of the Upper Room. Play has taken the place of Prayer, and Feasting the place of Fasting. There are more full stomachs than there are bended knees and broken hearts. There is more fire in the Gas Range in the kitchen than there is in the Pulpit. They were detained by the Command of God, and not entertained by the cunning of men, glory seekers, money hungry Radio Entertainers, seeking wealth instead of Souls for Christ. Oh! I would love to see more Praying, more Love and more Life, fewer Dinners and more of getting at Sinners and getting them saved.

The Message To Pergamos

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam. who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.-Revelation 2: 12-17.

Pergamos, the Period of Worldly Corruption. Pergamos means" A thorough marriage". Pergamas is described as dwelling where Satan's throne (seat) is. And Satan's throne is not in Hell, but his throne is in the world, this present evil age, whose god he is. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. should shine into them." II Corinthians 4:: 4.

Pergamos was a city of temples - "By far the most illustrious in all Asia." And a center of the new cult of emperor worship that the writer of the Book of Revelation regards as the chief enemy of Christianity - hence, "where Satan's throne is".

In the two previous letters the Divine Speaker is presented as the defender of the churches and the Victor over death; but here a sterner element enters into the picture. The sharp, two-edged sword is ready to fall in judgment on the unrepentant. In the later middle ages the thought of Jesus Christ as the Judge of man almost banished the thought of His work as Saviour. Perhaps we have gone too far in the opposite direction and forgotten the element of sternness in the Divine love that makes it like a sharp sword. Would it be too fanciful to suggest that the sword is "two-edged", because it serves a twofold purpose - it defends the Church from foes without and it smites down foes within? "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

Pergamos; this shows prophetically that time when the church gave up her pilgrim character and was thoroughly married to the world (this represents the modern day church with all of its worldly activities; ecumenical movements, political powers, long haired men, so-called preachers, filling pulpits and saying, "This is the trend of the world, and we must follow the trend if we are to win other hippies to Christ." God help such foolish pride. Yes, Pergamos and Laodiceans are both examples of the Worldly Modern Church.

A great change took place when the devil found that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church". He stopped his work as the roaring lion and took on the form of an angel of light. What had led to Israel's ruin, brought by the enemy into professing churches, was the unholy alliance with the world. The suffering, persecuted church became joined to the world, wedded to the state. This third church letter corresponds to the third parable in Matthew 13: The little mustard seed became a big tree, rooted in the field (the world) and the branches filled with bird (representing unconverted people).

The church in Pergamos had been faithful in persecution, especially on a particular occasion (probably in the Domitian persecution), when one leading member of the church had suffered martyrdom. Notice how our Lord is represented as giving to Antipas His own Title of "faithful witness" ("And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from sins in His own blood." -Revelation 1: 5), while claiming him twice as His - "My witness; My faithful one." The Lord knoweth them that are His; also we, that are BORN-AGAIN, know that we are His. ("Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."-I John 4:7.) To the little church in a great heathen city it was an encouragement to know that the name of her martyrs were remembered in heaven.

The church had faced attacks from without with courage, but had shown a weak tolerance to laxity within. The whole church was responsible for evil that it condoned. "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core" (Jude 11), who, when open attack on Israel proved ineffective, showed Balak how to entrap them into immorality and idolatry. So, there was a party in the church (and there still is today) that resented the strictness of Christian isolation from the social life of the time, permeated as it was with heathen influence. Apostle Paul's teachings in I Corinthians, chapter 8, about things sacrificed to idols was probably used to justify a laxer view of Christian duty. People today are twisting the Scriptures around to justify their own sinful life. Peter warns us about this in II Peter 3: 15-18: "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in 'which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error or the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. AMEN." It is very difficult for us to understand how extraordinarily hard it was for these early Christians to avoid the contamination of the heathen world to which they had belonged. The Nicolaitans may have differed from "them that hold the doctrine of Balaam" in finding a philosophical justification for indulgence, as some of the gnostic did, in contempt for the body, which they regarded as "the prison of the soul". It was teaching of this kind that led some of the churches to add to their creed. "I believe in the resurrection of the body".

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." --Revelation 2:17. The reference here is, of course, to the manna that was laid up before God in the ark. "And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriader seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commandeth. Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherein I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations. As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept."-Exodus 16:31-34. According to a Jewish tradition, the ark was hidden by Jeremiah, to be rediscovered when the Messiah came. "At that time (the Messianic Advent) the treasury of manna will again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those days." The reference here is to the "True bread from Heaven" of which our Lord speaks in John 6:32,33: "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." JESUS is the BREAD of LIFE. Praise God forever.

After the warning against heathen feasts comes the promise that the Victor will be nourished with better food and called to a nobler banquet (Luke 22:29,30). "And I appoint unto you a kingdom. as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" Of that nobler feast, the Lord's Supper was the foretaste, and the fellowship of the Christian feast was to take the place of the fellowship of heathen idol banquets. "But I say, that the things that the Gentiles sacrifice; they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? We cannot share in both the Lord's Supper and the table to devils.

What dose the "white stone" mean? Many explanations have been suggested, none of them entirely satisfactory. Perhaps the best is that our Lord was meaning the tessara, or stone ticket, that entitled the winner in the games to food at the public expense. So the stone is white, because the heavenly banquet is for the "pure in heart"; and it is inscribed with a new name that is known only to the owner, because only he who is born from above can enter into the Kingdom. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the KINGDOM of GOD."-John 3:3. The new name of Christian, given to converts at their conversion, expressed that idea of the "NEW LIFE" into which they have been born. And the new life is each soul's own secret. "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."-1 John 3:2. Some commentators have thought that the name written was the name of God or of the Holy Trinity. Perhaps both interpretations are partly true, for the true self in every Christian is, "Not I, but Christ, that liveth in Me."-Galatians 2 :20.

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding 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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she re penied not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."-Revelation 2: 18-29.

The city of Thyatira though smaller and less significant than the first three, received the longest letter. It was situated southeast of Pergamas, about half way between that city and Sardis. It was distinguished for its industrial activity and was therefore a prosperous city in trade and commerce. Thyatira brings us into the period of the Papacy and its wickedness, ecclesiastical and otherwise. Here our Lord reveals Himself as "the Son of God". Rome speaks more of Him as the son of the virgin, the son of Mary, than as the Son of God. The Roman Catholic apostasy has put a woman in the place of the Son of God. The Oneness teaches that Jesus is God, but here the Lord reveals Himself as "the Son of God".

"THE SEVEN CHURCHES"??? (PART THREE)

(This is the third segment of a continued sermon dealing with the Seven Churches of Asia, as recorded in Revelations, Chapters 2 and 3.)

TEXT: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administration, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" -I Corinthians 12:4,5,6.

(NOTE: This sermon continues with "The Message to Sardis".)

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." -II Corinthians 6: 14-18.

The Message To Sardis

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, and thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled. their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." -Revelation 3:1-6.

The town of Sardis, situated in the fertile valley at the foot of Mount Timolus, lay about thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. It was a city affected gravely by the horrible results of war and the great earthquake of the first century. Very little of any of the worthwhile things have survived till modern times. As the ancient capitol of Lydia it was one of the richest cities in the world. Its excellent climate and gorgeous palace were the center of attraction.

When, or by whose ministry, the local assembly was founded in Sardis we are not sure. It is thought by many Bible students as being identified as the church of St. John, and he perhaps was the man who first planted Christianity there. The only name historically associated with the church of Sardis is that of Melito, who was its bishop about the middle of the second century. But there is everything to make us believe that it was a church of distinguished prominence.

The word "Sardis" means "escaping ones" or "those who came out". We have traced briefly the decline during the period up to about 1500 years of church history. The period in the history of the churches suggested here is the Reformation period from about A.D. 1517 to A.D. 1750. The climax is reached in Thyatira, prophetically the Roman abomination and apostasy. In Sardis we see the progress of evil still remained. Roman Catholicism, as already mentioned, is a fixed and unchanging religious system. Rome will yet have a brief season, a startling revival, and get back her place as the mistress of the nations. But in Sardis we see a reaction. As Sardis means "those escaping", here we have the Reformation Period.

In the midst of spiritual darkness there were those who escaped its contamination. Among those who "escaped" or "came out" were Luther, Knox, Wycliffe, Zwingli, and others. These were the great reformers who broke away from Rome. The in tolerable condition under papal rule reached its climax on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his "Ninty-Five Thesis" to the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany. When Luther's voice resounded throughout the German Empire, it found response in many hearts that were completely weary of the Roman system. Sardis is the Reformation Period, the movement which produced Protestantism.

By the Reformation we mean that period in the history of the Church when Martin Luther and a number of other reformers protested against the false teachings, tyranny and claims of the Papal Church. This period began about A.D. 1500. From that date the Reformation set in. But it was more of a struggle for political liberty than a purely Christian or religious movement. It had the advantage of encouraging and aiding the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, that had hitherto been a sealed book, the revival of the Doctrine of "Justification by Faith", and a reversion to more simple modes of worship, but the multiplication of sects only led to bitter controversial contentions, that, while they threw much light on the Word of God, interfered greatly with the spiritual state of the Church, until it could truthfully be said, "That she had a name to live and was dead." How true of the Modernistic Protestant Churches of today.

While the reformers swept away much ritualistic and doctrinal rubbish they failed to recover the promise of the "New Birth" by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, the reformation began well, but soon developed in the different Protestant systems into a dead, lifeless thing.

"He that hath the seven Spirits of God" (3:1). This takes us back to the vision of Christ recorded in the first chapter where we see "the seven Spirits. . . before His throne". This symbol speaks of the Holy Ghost in the plentitude of His power and perfect work. "Seven" is the divine number for expressing completeness, fullness. For obvious reasons, which we shall see later in our sermon, Christ would have the church in Sardis know that He desires to control His Church by the effective work of the Holy Ghost. The present Church Age is the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, the third Person of the blessed Holy Trinity. Now all three Persons in the Godhead-Father, Son and Holy Ghost are coequal and coeternal. In the "seven Spirits" are linked with the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ as the one and only source of grace and peace. Thus all needed grace and peace are assured the local assembly whose members are filled with the Holy Ghost.

"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (3:1). Before examining our Lord's complaint, it should be observed that the church in Sardis was not lacking in works. You know we have the church now that believes that you can get to Heaven, by works only! "I know thy works". In all probability it was a beehive of organized activity. When Christ said, "Thou hast a name that thou livest. .". I conclude that there was little lacking in the outward appearance of that church. It had a reputation for being a progressive church. But, had you inquired of any pagan on the streets of Sardis for the location of the church, I venture to say he could have told you at once. It was well attended, and well advertised. But more than this, it had a reputation of being alive.

But the startling and terrible truth about the church in Sardis was that it was dead. It would be difficult to convince its members that this was so, but we know it was dead because our Lord said it was. It was functioning largely on its reputation of a once glorious past. They were still reciting their beliefs and saying their prayers and paying their bills, but the fire had gone out. Outward appearances can be notoriously deceptive, We are prone to forget that "the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" -I Samuel 16: 7. This church was living a lie. Its members were physically alive and at the same time spiritually dead. Do we know the difference between appearance and reality? God does! "This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me" -Isaiah 29: 13. Our Lord fiercely condemned every outward appearance of religious activity not directed by the Holy Ghost. He warned the hypocrites, and He is warning us today about our false claims, false so-called power with God. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead man's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" -Matthew 23:27-28. These are stinging remarks aimed at all hypocritical make-believe. The Lord is never deceived.

The Reformation raised up a group of men who came out from Romanism and who rescued much from the mortuary of Rome. But they did not go far enough. State churches were organized, many of which are in operation today throughout the world. Denominationalism with its sacraments, forms and ceremonies became a cold, lifeless formalism. Ministers became ministers of the church instead of Ministers of the Holy Ghost.

But yet the Lord found a "few" still serving Him in the Sardis church, even as of today He can still find a few serving Him. Those who had not defiled their garments were in a minority, not many in number. But then, those who choose to identify themselves with Jesus Christ never are in the majority. Our Lord said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: . . . because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" -Matthew 7: 13-14. There are but two ways. The way of the "many" is the broad way and leads to destruction, that is, to the eternal damnation. The sad contrast between the "many" and the "few" marks the twofold division of the human race. All men travel on one or the other of these two roads. Those who travel with the crowd and stand for nothing might find a certain amount of security in doing what the majority does. But it is a false security. The fact that so many are doing the same thing does not make it right. Thank God for the "few" who are witnessing for Christ, by living for Him, and who have not become bogged down in the quagmire of this world's sins of defilements. In every generation God has His "few". When Christ was here on the earth He called His followers a "little flock" (Luke 12:32). He has always known His faithful ones by name, and our generation is ne exception. Does He know your name? In most local assemblies one can find God's remnant, His faithful few, the Master's minority.

Concerning the few, Christ promised: "They shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy" (3:4). The coming of the Lord means different things to different people. The attitude one has toward this doctrine is a sure test of his spiritual condition. If he is like the "many" in Sardis, the announcement of His coming is one of terror. If he is of the "few", the very thought of His appearing is as a lovely refrain to the soul.

The Saints are saying "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Is the coming of the Lord your daily expectation?

(This is the fourth segment of a continued sermon dealing with the "SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA," as recorded in Revelations, chapters 2 and 3.)

TEXT: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administration, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."-I Corinthians 12: 4, 5, 6.

(Note: This sermon continues with "The Message to Philadelphia.")

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate, be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give, place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."Romans 12:9-21. "This is BROTHERLY LOVE!!!"

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hath kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which they say 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. Because thou hast kept the word oJ my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no 'man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches."-Revelations 3:7-13.

First let us take a look at the location of the Philadelphia church. The city of Philadelphia was located about thirty miles southeast of Sardis leading to Laodicia. Bounded by Mount TimoIus, it shared the rich, fertile soil which characterized Sardis. That entire section of Asia was subject to frequent earth tremors and occasional earthquakes. Philadelphia suffered severely from the earthquake of the first century that completely demolished Sardis. Since that time the city has been completely rebuilt and its name now is Ala-Sheher, which means "City of God." The city was built by Attalus Philadelphus, whose name it bore.

The Philadelphia Period covers the time between A.D. 1750 and AD. 1900. We must not forget that the characteristics Of all these periods continue on in the Church down to the end. This is true of the Evangelistic and Missionary movements of the "Philadelphia Period," but they are now more mechanical and based on business methods, rather than being led of the Spirit, and there is less Spiritual Power, and this will continue until Christ returns.

Philadelphia means "brotherly love." As Sardis came out of Thyatira, a protest against it, so Philadelphia comes out of Sardis and is a protest against the dead, lifeless, Spiritless condition prevailing in Protestantism. Out of the deadness of the worldly churches over and over again comes forth companies of Believers, energized by the Holy Ghost.. We like to think of the Philadelphia church message as being that of the evangelical movements, missionary efforts and to the revivals of the nineteenth centery. But it is much more than that. It is a complete return to our first love and to the first principles of the Christian life. Many people may know deep Spiritual love as Paul speaks of in Romans 12: 9-21 as you have just read. There is a faithful remnant gathering around His Name in these last days. All human pretensions are rejected. The truth of the unity of all believers is owned and manifested in brotherly love toward all the Saints. They walk in the path of separation, in self-judgment, in lowliness of mind; they have a little strength, which means few in number. The Christians in Philadelphia were apparently few in number. They had little numerical strength. This does not mean they were marked by feebleness. Contrariwise, they made full use of the strength they possessed. They were faithful. But later our Lord spoke these words, ". . . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"-Luke 18:8. People now days seem to have faith in most everything but Spiritual faith.

These are the two chief characteristics of this phase of Christianity during the closing days of the professing Church on earth: Obedience to His Word and faithfulness and devotion to His Name. The Word and the Name are denied in these last days, by the modern church. The apostasy of Christendom consists in the rejection of the written Word and the Living Word. But we that are born-again still know that "Our Redeemer still liveth." And we are looking for His soon returning.

"He that hath the key of David." The key is the symbol of His authority, and this authority was given to Him over Heaven and earth. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in Heaven and earth."-Matthew 22: 18. First, Christ holds the key to the door of Salvation. If you wish to enter the gate that leads to life everlasting, you must come to Christ. No individual or church can assure you of entrance to Heaven nor can keep you from entering the door of salvation. Today Christ holds the key in His hand. It is true that Christ said to Peter, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven," in Matthew 16: 19, and it is also true that Peter used those keys. Through his preaching of the Gospel he opened the door to the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 14-47). Through his ministry the first Samaritan believers received the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:14-17). As the results of his witness the first Gentile, Cornelius, the Roman centurion, was saved (Acts 10:44-48). But Peter has long since been dead. Now the keys are back in the hands of Christ. He said, "1 am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."-Revelation 1: 18.

The Lord said". . . I have set before thee an open door. . . ." (3:8). 1 have preached several sermons just on this one Scripture. It is a subject that needs to be preached often. The door He opened remains open today. That door is Christ Himself. He says, "I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."-John 10:9. I urge YOU to enter this door while it is still open. I can think of several incidents in the Bible when doors have been closed, never to be opened again. ". . . Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."-II Corinthians 6:2. When Noah and his family were safely in the Ark, "the Lord shut him in."-Genesis 7: 16. But, remember, the door that shut Noah and his family safely on the inside sealed out all of the unbelievers on the outside. God had shut the door and the day of salvation for that generation came to an end. The day of Grace will soon be over and then the door will be shut forever. Will you be in or out? Think of it, doomed forever outside the door of the ark of safety. Read again our Lord's parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish. Five were wise in that they filled their lamps with oil and were ready. Five were foolish in that they made no preparation, thus their lamps were empty. When the bridegroom came, the five wise attendants that were ready went in with him to the marriage, "and the door was shut." The five foolish attendants returned too late. They frantically pounded against the door and cried, "Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not."-Matthew 25: 1-13. There are many doors that Christ holds the keys too. And he said, "I have set before thee an open door, AND NO MAN CAN SHUT IT" (3:8).

Christ holds the key to the door of SERVICE to enter; He will not enter for us. It is His part to open and our part to enter.

Christ holds the key to the door of SERVICE "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord."-II Corinthians 2: 12. Any man of God in the will of God will find an open door for Christian service, and there is no power on earth or in hell that can shut the door which God has opened. Rome had padlocked the prison doors and set a guard over Peter, but the iron gate was opened by an unseen hand of the supernatural Christ (Acts 12: 5-11). Christ has opened many doors of service, but too many of us have been so blinded by greed, selfishness, and the lust for power, or pleasure, that we fail to see the open door. I find that so many preachers and Christian Workers want to do what they want to do instead of obeying God. Many doors that God has opened to ministers are now closed. Many times we have refused to enter the door of service that the Lord opened and now that door is closed. Rapidly the doors of foreign countries are being' closed to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I wonder how many of us have failed to enter while the doors are still opened? Why don't you ask yourself this question, "Am I doing what God wants me to do; am I entering the many doors that God is opening to me?"

A great tragedy has struck the few Christian laborers that remain today. Many Christians have gone soft and indifferent. Many church pulpits that at one time were occupied by men of God who loved and preached the Bible as God's Word, are now taken over by modernists who ridicule and deny the Bible Truths of the Holy Bible. They have even changed the Bible to suit themselves. Yes, we are now in the Laodicean period. True, Christ has kept a few doors open, but the much prophesied apostasy is increasing, and the icy fingers of Romanism, modernism, and communism are putting the death grip on opportunities for service in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are fast approaching the end of the Age of Grace. I believe the world is getting its last chance to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Many countries have already had their last opportunity, and Christ has closed the door. OH, CHRISTIAN, ARISE AND STEP THROUGH THE DOOR OF SERVICE THAT IS STILL OPENED TO YOU.

(This is the fifth and last segment of a continued sermon dealing with the "SEVEN CHURCHES OF
ASIA", as recorded in Revelations, chapters 2 and 3.)

(Note: This sermon continues with the "Message to the Church of the Laodiceans".)

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. 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. Because 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."-Revelatian 3: 14-22.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incantinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY." -II Timathy 3:1-5.

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering 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 their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."-II Timothy 4:2-4. Laodicea means "The judging or rights of the people". It is the opposite from Nicolaitanism. The domineerers of the people (the laity) arise and claim their rights and do the judging. This condition was also foreseen by the Apostle Paul in the Scriptures you have just read. We see in Laodicea the final, religious and apostate conditions of protestant Christendom and the complete rejection of the professing body. "I will spue thee out of My mouth." He Himself is seen standing outside, which shows that He is rejected.

Laodicea, the chief city of Phrygia, was strategically situated in the Lycus Valley about forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia. The city grew into a highly successful commercial and financial center. It was a city of wealthy bankers and financiers. The many millionaires combined to build great theaters, great sports stadiums, lavish public baths, and fabulous shopping centers. Any time a country or a church gets rich, they begin to forget God. "The lust of money is the root of all evil"

We want to point out that God completes His work in cycles of SEVEN. The Laodicean letter, which is the last in our Lord's series of seven, brings to a close His prophetic foreview of the Church's earthly history. From chapter four on to the end of the Bible, the Church is nowhere mentioned as being viewed on earth. The true believers have been caught up to be with the Lord. (Revelation 4: 1).

The Laodicean age commenced about the turn of the century, in the late eighteen hundreds. This was about the time that the "Latter Rain" was being poured out upon our Sons and our Daughters. Laodicea represents twentieth-century Christendom with its blatant denials of great truths of prophetic Christianity, such as denial of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire. This was the failing issue of the Laodicea Church. We might deny the Father or the Son, but if we deny the Holy Ghost, it will not be forgiven us in this world or the world to come. Christ is seen outside the church standing at the door and knocking (3:20). Not only the precious Holy Ghost and Fire, but His virgin birth, vicarious atonement, and bodily resurrection have been denied by men who claim to be the spiritual leaders in Christendom. They are the tares among the wheat which are becoming more and more obvious. And it should be remembered that the root cause of this sad condition goes back to the first letter to the church at Ephesus, where Christ said, "Thou hast left thy first love," (2:4).

Christ has no "commendation" for this church, but much to complain of. He says, "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." There is nothing more disgusting or nauseating than "tepid" water. So there is nothing more repugnant to Christ than a "tepid" church. The condition of the Laodicean church was nauseating to the Saviour. They were straddlers, fence-sitters, middle-of-the-roaders. Any attitude is better than that of being tepid.

Our churches today are largely in this "lukewarm" condition. There is very little of warm hearted spirituality. There is much going on in them, but it is largely mechanical and of a social character. Committees, societies, and clubs are multiplied, but there is an absence of "Spiritual heat". Revival meetings are held, but instead of waiting on the Lord for power, evangelists and paid singers are hired and soul-winning is made a business.

The cause of this "lukewarmness" is the same as that of the Church of Laodicea - self-deception - "Because 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."

They thought they were rich, and outwardly they were, but Christ saw the poverty of their heart. There are many such churches in the world today, even most of our Pentecost churches. More so than in any other period in the history of the church. Many of these churches have Cathedral-like buildings, stained glass windows, eloquent preachers; who preach just to satisfy the crowd, paid singers; with the men wearing their long hair, large congregations. Some of them have large real estate and industrial interests and are well endowed, and yet they are poor. Many of the members, if not the majority, are worldly, card playing, dancing, and theater going Christians. The poor and the saintly are not wanted in such churches because their presence is a rebuke.

Their condition can be summed up in two phrases, "thou sayest . . . and knowest not." They said they were rich and had need of nothing, and all the while they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. It was their estimate of themselves compared with Christ's declaration of their true conditions. If we were to visit such churches they would take pride in showing us the building, they would praise the preaching and singing, they would boast of the character of their congregation, the exclusiveness of their membership, and the attractiveness of all their services, but if we suggested a revival for the "deepening of the Spiritual Life, or the conversation of the Unsaved, they would say, "0h, no, we do not want such meetings, we have need of nothing." The Church at Laodicea was not burdened with debt, but it was burdened with wealth.

The trouble with the church today is that it thinks that nothing can be done without money, and that if we only had the money the world would be converted in this generation. The world is not to be converted by money, "BUT BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD." The trouble with the church of Laodicea was that its gold was not of the right kind, and so it was counseled to buy of the Lord "gold tried in the fire." Gold that is not cankered, or secured by fraud, or the withholding of a just tithe or wage. What a description we have of the MODERN-DAY CHURCHES. But the Church of Laodicea was not only poor, though rich, it was blind. "Near-Sighted." They could see their worldly prosperity, but were "Short-Sighted" as to heavenly things, so the Lord counseled them to anoint their eyes with "Eye-Salve". Their merchants dealt in ointments and herbs of a high degree of healing virtue, but they possessed no salve that would restore impaired SPIRITUAL VISION, only the UNCTION of the HOLY GHOST could do that. But the Church was not only poor, and blind, it was NAKED. Their outward garments were doubtless of the finest material and the latest fashionable cut, but not such as should adorn the person of a child of God. So they were counseled to purchase of Christ "White Raiment", in exchange for the shameful dress of indecency.

"Behold I stand at the door and knock."

These words are generally quoted as an appeal to sinners, but here they are addressed to a church, and to a church in whose midst Christ had once stood, but now found Himself excluded and standing outside knocking for admittance. It is startling but true that a church can be outwardly prosperous and yet have no Christ in its midst, and be unconscious of the fact. This is the description of a Modern-Day Church, a Christless Church. Oh! The excluded Christ. Excluded from His own nation, for they rejected Him; excluded from the world, for it Crucified Him; excluded from His Church, for He stands outside its door knocking for entrance. How did Christ come to be outside the Church? He had been within it once or there never would have been a church. How did He come to leave? It is clear that they had not thrust Him out, for they do not seem to have missed Him. They continued to worship Him, to sing His praises, and engage in all manner of Christian service, yet He had withdrawn. Why? The reason is summed up in one word -- WORLDLINESS.

But how is Christ to get back into His Church? Does it require the unanimous vote or invitation of the membership? No. "If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." That is the way to revive a LUKEWARM Church is for the individual members to open their hearts and let Christ re-enter, and thus open the door for His reappearance. Someone has said, "History affords little ground for optimism that an organization that has departed from Christ will return." But our Lord does appeal to the individual, whether that individual is in this group or that, or in no group at all. We should rejoice that the Gospel is addressed to "whosoever will", to "any man". There is little likelihood that Christendom as a body will surrender to Jesus Christ and allow Him to take over the reins of sovereignty. But, thank God, many individuals will open to Him. Even in Laodicea, where we find the worst of the Seven Churches, our Lord stands at the door and appeals to "any man". He is the risen, exalted Christ, standing at the closed door of the human heart, desiring entrance. We speak of sinners finding Christ, as though men go about knocking on doors seeking Him. This is not true. The loving Saviour is ever seeking men and appealing to them one by one. Christ both knocks and speaks, as He has been doing for over nineteen centuries. and His voice is clear to all who will hear. Knowing it is He, let Him in, for He brings with Him a rich feast of personal fellowship, the like of which you have never known. Though He is not wanted by denominations and modern church systems, He will continue to deal with individuals until this Age of Grace has run its course.

Christ dwells in the individual. He never enters into a system en masse: he comes into the hearts of individuals. For the most part the Laodicean church of the last days does not claim Christ, Its leaders are taken up with their own importance and self-sufficiency. History has repeated itself. Before Christ came, conditions were so bad as to cause the departure of the glory of the LORD from the temple (Ezekiel 10: 18). So a1so in Christ's day. At one time in His ministry He referred to the temple as "My house" (Matthew 21:13 cf Isaiah 56:7). And "My Father's house" (John 2: 16), but not long afterward He said, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate, And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple"-Matthew 23 :28, 24: 1. It is the same with the modern church, Christ has departed, for it has become man's house; it is no longer God's
house. Our Lord described a true assembly when He said, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."-Matthew 18:20. But it is not so in the Laodicean Church. Instead of being "in the midst", He is seen on the outside, appealing for admittance.

Man's church of the last days is a spewed-out church. But, thank God, in the last days and last phase of the professing church, individuals may enjoy fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Never say that Christ has not knocked at the door of your heart. Look back seriously on your past life, and you will recall, I am sure, a variety of ways in which the Saviour has knocked at your heart's door. He has knocked through suffering, poverty, the death of a loved one, a marital rift, the clear Gospel witness through a sermon, the personal testimony of someone concerned for your soul, or the quiet Godly life of some child of God. But He has been there knocking, and He is there again, right now. While you are alive and able, let Him in at once to take over your whole being.

The character of the Church today is Laodicean, and as the Laodicean Period is to continue until the Church of "BORN-AGAIN" is taken out, we cannot hope for any great change until the Lord comes back.

What do these "Messages to the Churches" teach us? They clearly teach the DECLINE of the CHURCH. That the professing Church, instead of increasing in Spiritual and world-converting power will become lukewarm, faithless and CHRISTLESS.

In Paul's Parable of the "Two Olive Trees" (Romans 11: 15-27), he shows how the NATURAL BRANCHES of the "Good Olive Tree" (Israel) were broken off because of UNBELIEF, that the "Wild Olive Tree" of the Church might be "Grafted in", which in turn, because of UNBELIEF, would be replaced that the "Natural branches" might be "grafted back again", thus showing that the Church does not take the place of Israel permanently, but simply fills up the "Gap" between Israel's "casting off" and "restoration to Divine favor". As the Laodicean Period closes the "Church Age", the Church disappears at the end of Chapter Three of Revelation, and Israel comes again into view.

As a leader in association work for over seventeen years, I have watched the Ecumenical movement among the modern, worldly churches and it has made me realize the need for God's people (THE TRUE CHURCH) to unite in a close unity. This is very essential that we, as God's people, will be able to stand in these last days. For the day is coming soon when the small groups will be destroyed, In fact, the Civil Judge, when he granted us our Association Charter, put his arm on my shoulder and said, "Son, you have the best Charter that I have ever seen, but let me warn you; you had better get out and grow, for the time is coming soon when if a church group is not so big, their Charter will be annulled." He also said that this would not come from the people of the world (tavern owners, etc.), but from the large church groups.

Today we see several of the largest Pentecostal groups making preparations to join the National Council of Churches. When they do this, they will have' joined 'forces with the "unfruitful work of darkness", and God will flee from them. You cannot be unequally yoked together with the unbeliever and still walk with God.

Because of this, our Association doors are open to the ministers that want to come out from among these compromising groups and come into an Association that will never join forces with the National Council of Churches or any other organized group of unbelievers, as long as I am President of it. But we thank God that we see Him gathering His people, the true Church, into close fellowship. (END)

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