Pastor Article 08-11-24

Why is the book of Revelation sent to the churches of Asia Minor? The churches are seen as the golden candlesticks. To follow that analogy out, we need to understand the substance of the candlesticks, which is gold. Gold is a precious metal that is refined by fire, just as the Church has been heated up under the flames of persecution over the years and always comes out better. The purification process of heating gold up brings the impurities to the surface so they can be removed and allows for a cleaner, more valuable product in the end. If the Church is to be effective, it must become cleaner, and persecution always weeds out the pretenders from the flock. John was the one who said it like this: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 
1 John 2:19 
 
We also need to note the purpose of the candlestick, which is to bear light: expelling the darkness and exposing the evil deeds done in the dark. Listen to the way Jesus explains this. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14–16
 
The Church is called to be light and to glorify God by doing good. If the Church loses its illuminating power, the world becomes a darker place. As the Church, we have been made stewards of the gospel and of the work of taking it to the lost world. The message was given to the Church because it is our job to share it! God empowers us to go forth and share the love of His Son by our deeds, our testimony and our unwavering commitment to lift Christ up so that people may be drawn to Him.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus