EXTRACTS

That is only one feature of the Apocalypse; the book is enchased by the most glorious representations of divine Persons; also of the assembly and other families of the redeemed. And in this respect it is remarkable that the first thing John sees is the assembly. He says, “And I turned back to see the voice which spoke with me; and having turned, I saw seven golden lamps”, verse 12. These lamps represent the assembly, verse 20. Someone may say, You are beclouding Christ; you are putting the assembly before Christ. Well, the Spirit of God does here, verbally anyway. The truth is that the assembly belongs to Christ, and if it is brought into view first, it is that Christ might be there. She is His bride and witness and she makes way for Him. God is bringing out assembly truth, and in order to make assembly truth practical He needs to get assembly material. Assembly truth is one thing, but assembly material is another; and then assembly material must be put into form and built up. When that is done there is a place for Christ.

So John says, “I saw seven golden lamps, and in the midst of the seven lamps one like the Son of man”, verses 12, 13. I need not say more about that, but if there is anybody here who does not understand assembly truth, I would advise you to make inquiry. There are a good many here who could tell you something about it, thank God! The next thing is assembly material, and if you began sincerely to inquire about assembly truth, those who are in the assembly will conclude that you are assembly material, and they will soon make room for you. There is a place for you; it is waiting. Your seat is empty. There is a place for you, and as soon as you take your place you will see something of the Lord Jesus; that is, in the assembly. That is where He is to be seen. Of course, we see Him crowned with glory and honour at the right hand of God, but He is to be seen in the assembly. In this book He is seen in the assembly, not exactly sitting or standing, but walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

It is important in the understanding of this book to see that the first thing John saw was these seven lamps, meaning the seven assemblies, and in the next two chapters, the Lord writes letters through John to each of these assemblies. They are all written in the same book; it is all one book, but a letter to each assembly is in the book. That brings me to the end of chapter 3. And again I would appeal to any here who may not understand what I am speaking of, to inquire about it. If you are a Christian at all, inquire about the truth of the assembly. You see, it is at the very forefront of the book, in the prefatory part, and now it is in the body of the book. In the beginning the first thing seen by the prophet is the assembly; and in the next two chapters it is addressed in the writing of the Lord Jesus to the seven assemblies. I do say, dear brethren and young people here, that this ought to be attractive to you. The holy scenes of which I have spoken are wonderful, and we all, as of the assembly, are essential to them. Why should you not be in this great scene? You are essential to it. The Lord comes to Ephesus and knows every saint that should be at the meeting. He knows every saint in Ephesus. If He comes there and misses certain faces, He takes account of that; they are essential to what He has in mind. Each one is essential to what is in mind, so that if there are those here who do not understand what I am speaking of as to the assembly, I would urge you to inquire as to the truth of it. The Scriptures are available, and the Holy Spirit, as we seek it, guides into all the truth. There are also books which He has aided others to write, which help in the understanding of the Scriptures. The next thing is, are you material? And then, Are you in your place as a stone in the building?

J. Taylor (Vol. 50, pp.5–7)

The Lord says, “Have ye here anything to eat?” What have you got here? Every local company is tested as to what they have got, but this passage shows how you may be furnished, so that you may have something. God would have us locally furnished, but it comes in through our desire. We begin on the line of dependence; we ask for the furnishings. Abraham sat in his tent door in the heat of day and he gets a visitation. He was fully furnished, and very simply he makes the proposal to them to refresh themselves, and they said unto him, “So do as thou hast said”, the Lord graciously joining in the answer. The first company in Acts 13 gave themselves to prayer. Local conditions are all led by prayer, and each individual either adds to or detracts from what is of God.

The pattern at Corinth is seen in the house of Stephanas—“They refreshed my spirit”, though the company had lacked in that. “What was lacking on your part they have supplied”, for the Lord gives due credit to any individual when He cannot perhaps credit the whole company.

J. Taylor (Vol. 15, p.229)

It was this, evidently, which bound Peter and John together. Jesus was their only and common object. Of very different characters—and so much the more united on that account—they thought but of one thing. Absolute consecration to Jesus is the strongest bond between human hearts. It strips them of self, and they have but one soul in thought, intent, and settled purpose, because they have only one object.

J. N. Darby (Synopsis Vol. 3, p.402)

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