Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 112:445 (Jan 1955)
Article: The Light That Failed
Author: Merrill C. Tenney

BSac 112:445 (Jan 55) p. 39

The Light That Failed

Merrill C. Tenney

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Tenney is the Dean of the Graduate School of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.]

The letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation have been variously interpreted by expositors of differing schools of thought. Some have regarded them as applying only to the literal churches of Asia in the first century A.D. Others have looked upon them as representatives of the successive periods of church history from the close of the apostolic age down to the time of the coming of Christ. Still others think that they depict seven different types or trends that may be found in the churches of any given era or country. In any case, one thing is certain: the truths of these letters are universal in their scope and were intended for the use of all the readers of the Apocalypse. The blessings pronounced on the one who reads and on those who hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book (Rev 1:3) pertain chiefly to the seven letters, because only in them is there very much material that can be “kept.” Consequently the spiritual principles revealed by the words of the Lord to these churches are still authoritative, and they are as applicable today as when they were spoken.

Each of these letters contains some words of warning and some words of encouragement, but the letter to the church at Ephesus is peculiarly appropriate to the need of the modern church, for it is the picture of the light that failed. “Nevertheless,” says the Lord to the church, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,

BSac 112:445 (Jan 55) p. 40

except thou repent” (Rev 2:4–5). The danger of which the Lord speaks is one that confronts the modern evangelical church; namely, the danger of losing its vital love for Christ, and consequently of losing also its opportunity of testimony. How does the church of Ephesus illustrate the light that failed?

The Power of the Church

At the very outset one may see plainly that this church was not in a gravely backslidden state. Even under the censure of its Lord it still possessed great latent power, and He was not slow to commend it. With loving penetration He analyzed its strength, and pointed out to it the good qualities that He appreciated.

First of all, it was an active church. “I know thy works,” He said as He introduced His estimate, “and thy labor.” The word “works�...