296. The Lower Parts of the Earth

We can praise Jesus Christ as the center around which the past, present, and future revolve. Moses and the prophets testified about Him before He came to earth, and the Holy Spirit testifies of Him after His departure.

But who knew Him in the days of His flesh, and who knows Him now in our time when He is manifested in flesh in one or another person?

A characteristic sign that He is being manifested in the flesh, first and foremost in His own earthly body, and secondly in the flesh which is united with Him, is this:

“He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him.” Isa. 53:3.

This describes the lower parts of the earth. No one enters into these depths unless they have true godly fear.

The Abyss

A drunk can wallow in the filth of sin to the degree that he falls into the abyss and has no idea how to climb out again. Everyone whose heart is exercised in greed or covetousness will also fall into these depths, as this sickness drives them into robbery and murder, so they eventually make themselves unsavable. On this way toward the abyss their conscience is gradually deadened, and after some years they reach the bottom of the abyss itself.

However, this is not what it means to come to the lower parts of the earth. These are the lowest parts of ungodliness. This is the death chamber and garbage pit of the underworld.

Everyone and everything is somewhere between the lower parts of the earth and the abyss.

Laodicea

Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Rev. 3:17.

The angel of the church in that city had sought his own advantage. By nature he was quite a diplomat, exploiting earthly advantages from his position as a religious leader. But now he stood before the Master and received his judgment, that he was blind and naked. He had already received his reward. He had never taken any steps downward into the lower parts of the earth. Rather, his reputation in the church increased day by day. Gifts, which can blind a person, had blinded him completely, so finally he could not see at all. When he said, “I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing,” then the riches he referred to were human wealth and comfort. The church in Laodicea had come into being through the apostles’ labor, but this man was enjoying the benefits.

Paul said of himself, “For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” 1 Cor. 4:9.

Compare this with the angel of the church in Laodicea, he who had abundance and lacked nothing, was well-nourished, yet blind, wretched, and miserable. In one way he was not blind or incapable: he had ample skill when it came to pressing money out of his congregation. Unfortunately, he has many followers today: the fat, well-nourished, blind, and naked, men who themselves say they are rich and satisfied and have goods in abundance.

By following the Master’s steps to the lower parts of the earth, we become increasingly solitary. We need less and less of this world’s goods and honor and become more simple in word and teaching, manners and lifestyle. The charms of this world that belong to the god of this world fall away. Haughtiness and pretense disappear, and so does a person’s desire for the esteem of others. This is how Jesus became as one who was undesirable. Isa. 53:2. The same happened to the apostles. Paul worked with his own hands in order not to lay a burden on the Corinthians. I suspect the other apostles also suffered many lacks on their travels. But the angel of the church in Laodicea was rich and wealthy and in need of nothing. He stayed home and took advantage of every opportunity for enjoyment. He was very careful not to follow Jesus to the lower parts of the earth. He was far too taken up with his earthly comforts.

Wherever a significant part of the work consists of begging for money, you can be certain that there is an angel of Laodicea (a preacher) behind it. He always says he is rich and wealthy, but oh, how miserably wretched, poor, blind, and naked he is.

Let us make certain in our day, and in the days to come, that no “angels of Laodicea” can be fostered among us. It was the apostles who raised up churches during times of tribulation; they were the ones who suffered. They were the ones who, as forerunners, bore the burdens and took the blows. Others can then enjoy the benefits of “Laodicea” at their expense.

A little eye salve would clear the vision for these angels (responsible leaders) and for those who support them.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock! Jesus stood outside the church of Laodicea. Let us see to it that we keep Him inside. Jesus had nowhere to lay His head. But how the many popes, cardinals, and prelates make a very good living at His expense. The same system works in the state church, in other denominations, and in free assemblies with their preachers. “Laodicea” blossoms everywhere, and its “angels” are flourishing. That is why the form of godliness is plentiful in our days, but where is the power?

Only those who follow Jesus Christ have power, those who are on the way down with Him to the lower parts of the earth.