Good morning saints,
This morning devote was spent with a man who tabernacled among us in the 1800s, but now enjoys an address most premium. After a few thorough pages of words concerning the candlestick and the stars of Revelation chapter one, he gave what seemed to be an afterthought…much like the creation of the stars… “and he made the stars also”.
He said to take note of the realm of darkness that they are placed in. “And how dark is that world, that kingdom, that community, that heart…how savage, how beastly, how like a sepulchre, full of chilly gloom and festering death! When the Gospel first arose upon the world, in what state did it find mankind? Let the apostle answer: “Given up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own heart; filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, etc…”
“The same had been true for all ages-their governments, fierce beasts and monsters… And when God’s messengers came to them with the light of the truth and righteousness, how were they treated? Let the same apostle answer: “Some were tortured; and others had trial of cruel mocking, and scourging, of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder…” “The first age made one continuous baptism of blood… Such is humanity, unreached and unredeemed by the grace of God in Christ Jesus… Such it was and such it is, and such it always shall be, as long as the world stands. And this is the realm in which God has stationed his candlesticks and his angels. Well might the Saviour say: “Behold, I send you forth as lambs among the wolves”.
I see in such opposition, the triumphant ones called out of darkness into His marvelous light, as an army terrible with banners. I see these American states that were founded and transformed by the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, in days gone past. This can be again, with the fanning of the flame of such candlesticks, and those stars that are in His right hand.
“God make us faithful in our work of waiting and witnessing till the silver note from heaven shall sound the signal for our release, and welcome us to the glad home of light and rest! Amen.”
-Jeff Tauring
