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Refreshment in Refuge

    by Gina Burgess

End Times Thoughts to Ponder
Date Posted: May 11, 2014

Could we take a minute here and look at the Lampstand at Ephesus?

The New English Bible translation says in Revelation 1:20 "Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven lamps of gold: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lamps are the seven churches."

Then Revelation 2:5 says: "But I have this against you: you have lost your early love. Think from what a height you have fallen; repent, and do as you once did. Otherwise, if you do not repent, I shall come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

The Greek word for lamp in both verses is the same luchnia (lookh-nee'-ah), and means literally candlestick.

The first mention of "church" is from Jesus in Matthew 16:18 when He talks of building His church upon the rock... (which by the way is a Biblical pun)

In Revelation 2:5 Jesus is saying that if the church at Ephesus does not repent and turn back to its first love, which is the Heart Intent of the Gospel of Jesus, then He will take out the church or more specifically, Jesus will remove the heart of the church and what will be left? Nothing but works and deeds with no heart/mercy.

Jesus walks among the lamps of gold... Jesus is very much present within His churches.

For Him to remove the Lamp is for Him to remove the Light which is removing Himself from the gathering. 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us that Jesus cannot deny Himself, therefore Jesus is not only removing Himself from the gathering but also removing all those that have Him living within them and those are the true believers. When the True Believers leave, there is nothing of Christ's Body left, for There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Jesus is taking His Body with Him when He leaves...He is not sending part of His body to Hell because of sin. There is no need for that because He has already paid for the sin of faithlessness. (2 Timothy 2:11-13) He cannot deny Himself.

The consequence is removal, not damnation. And this is the hope for all with salvation. There is no sin too great that Jesus did not overcome it.

I find this admonishment from Jesus quite chilling because I do see many Christians whose love has grown cool. That means being lukewarm and look at that consequence the church from Laodicia receives.

(Side note: I want to publically thank all of you for your prayers, your notes, and your encouragement. I have no words to express how much those meant to me this past two weeks! God bless you and keep you.)

(Another side note: I am unabashedly promoting my new book by announcing it here. It's a Christian science fiction along the lines of StarTrek, but with a twist. You can find out more about it here.)

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Biography Information:

Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.

She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.

If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon

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