Zion Publishing

    This month we will continue in our Revelation Study in chapter one.  Verses 12-16 gives us a beautiful picture of Christ in the midst of the church.   The seven churches in Asia symbolize the seven church ages throughout the Gospel Day. 

            The Gospel Day began under the preaching of John, the Baptist, and Jesus Christ and from that time six church ages have past, and we are living in the seventh and final church age of the Gospel Day, known as the Laodicean age.

            The seven golden candlesticks that John saw symbolize each church in every age of the Gospel Day, according to verse 20.  God had a church holy and undefiled in every age of Gospel Day. 

            Many have tried to say that his church went into apostasy and that she no longer existed in the Dark Ages.  Men apostatized from God’s church as stated in I John 2:19, and yes God’s church was not as visible as it was in the morning–time of the Gospel Day, but Christ was there in the midst of his church, providing the grace, encouragement, strength, and power to overcome the devil and yet remain standing. 

            Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  

            God’s church has always and forever will stand until He takes her home to glory.  Christ is in the midst of the church today, to give the people of God victory to overcome the devil along every line. 

            Many have compromised and allowed worldliness and covetousness, pride, immodesty and carnality into their midst, but God yet has a people pure, blameless, and undefiled in this present world.  Backslidden religion is not God’s church.  Denominations are not God’s church.  God’s church is the bride of Christ and she is the mother of all the redeemed, blood-washed saints of God.  Christ is in the midst of the church. 

            No matter what men have said, or what they may say, Jesus Christ, the high priest is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for his people.  We need not fear, nor be dismayed, for the Lord our God is still on the throne to give His children grace and help in time of need.  

            Christ had the attire of the high priest standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. 

            Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”