The Foolish and the Wise

The Foolish and the Wise

Let us learn from the letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. “‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.’” Rev. 2:1-6.

There was nothing but good to say about the works of the angel of the church in Ephesus. Nevertheless, he could be compared to the five foolish virgins. He had to repent. He had left his first love. It is in this first love that fellowship—contact and guidance—are perfect. The first works in the first love were done for Jesus’ sake, and only for Him. Jesus required this intimate fellowship from Peter before He entrusted him with the ministry of a shepherd. “Do you love Me more than these?” The angel of the church in Ephesus had gradually left this love. He had to repent. It was not just a difference in degree so he could do it a little bit better. Not at all! It was an essential difference! The works were acceptable outwardly; nevertheless, their quality had deteriorated to the point of being bad.

Let us take a look at the letter to the angel of the church in Sardis: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

You have to do something out of the ordinary to get a reputation. By his works the angel of the church in Sardis had received a name of being alive. He was so active, and his works were so good; yet he was dead. He had lost contact with Jesus. He performed his works before the eyes of man. There are many people who in their zeal for Jesus’ cause have lost contact with Him. They seek their own and lead only a lamp life, like the foolish virgins. Phil. 2:21. They want to have a name of being alive. That is why they testify and pray; that is why they strive to get souls to be converted and why they are generous and sacrifice themselves day and night. To be sure, they are wonderful workers in the vineyard, but listen to the exhortation the angel in Sardis received: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”

Paul exhorts us not to become conceited so that we provoke one another. Gal. 5:26. In his striving of getting a name of being alive, the angel of the church in Sardis had drawn the other members into the same race—a race after vainglory. That race is a race out of the leading of the Spirit and into death. He was held responsible for them.

“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

The garments, which are the fine, shining linen, are the righteous acts of the saints. These few in Sardis had not defiled their garments. They had overcome their desire for vainglory. They did all their works before God. The greatest thing for them was to be led by the Spirit. It was the love of Christ that constrained them. They were not drawn into that deadly race which the angel and others in the church had begun.

“He who overcomes . . .”! Yes, that person has great promises. Overcome—not doing your works to be seen, but because you love Jesus—doing all your works for Jesus’ sake. Then you live a lamp life and a vessel life like the five wise virgins did, and you will be along when Jesus comes to fetch those who are ready. You will be arrayed in white garments and walk with Jesus, and He will confess your name before the Father and His angels. However, the angel of the church in Sardis and the others in that church will be left behind. They had become the foolish virgins. Rev. 3:1-5.

“Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord slothfully . . . .” Jer. 48:10. This was the state of affairs of the angel of the church in Laodicea. He was neither cold nor hot, which is why Jesus wanted to spew him out of His mouth. When we read this, we can ask ourselves: “Was he not a hypocrite?” Someone who is consciously hypocritical knows what he is doing, but this angel had deceived himself. “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 . . . .”

This can be the consequence of not being faithful in the innermost recesses of the heart and not walking solely before God’s face. You can be certain that all these people believed in the atonement, but that was not the issue here. It was a question of being among the firstfruits, because it is these works that have to be perfect, for they will be the bridal garment.