LAMPSTAND LOSS

LAMPSTAND LOSS

Friday, August 19, 2016

Revelation [NLT] 2:1-7 [This is a revelation from Jesus Christ,] “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

  Still thinking about “If you don’t repent, I [Jesus] will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” In pondering I remembered some things.

  The first set was experiences as child playing games at night, on the farm, as a Boy Scout and later with our Christian service Brigade. The second was first learned from Uncle Jim McGee, combat veteran from trench warfare in The Great War, and later taught by Marine leaders in Boy Scouts and Brigade.

  Only those of my generation understand what it’s like to be “clotheslined” while chasing  a shorter playmate in the dark.

  On the farm there were no pole lights at first. We didn’t have electricity you see. (Couldn’t resist the pun.) Walking at night sans flashlight to the barn, hog pens, or chicken house could be hazardous, especially considering my brothers habit of dropping items where he last used them so “They’ll be there tomorrow.” Among my brother’s deposited items was sometimes the flashlight, or he had removed batteries for more important use. The rooted path thru the old apple orchard was the worst of the lot.

  Campouts with BSA and CSB were special fun when we played “night maneuvers” in the woods sans campfire or flashlights. (Any light meant forfeiture.) Two teams, preferably a guest Brigade, competing at Capture the Flag was a favorite. The next morning we compared (bragged) our purple and red badges.

  Uncle Jim, when under the influence, told tales of war. One was of “A young fool” believing that not smoking at night in the open was a stupid rule, and paid the ultimate price.  Another was how they became lost on patrol on an overcast night. Their officer had safely rigged a flashlight that briefly blinked at irregular intervals so his men could home and not wander into the German lines.

  Summing up:

·         Without a lampstand people stumble, fall, and walk in confusion.

·         Without a lampstand you are not a beacon for others.

  Does this help with understanding? It did for me.

  Then there’s the questions of is there lampstand visible in the local church or denomination we belong to . . . or is it that we do need to repent, think and act in more godly love of Jesus and one another lest our lampstand be soon removed?

EBB4