822--The Church the lampstand is to Christ,

The Church the lampstand is to Christ,

822

	1.	The Church the lampstand is to Christ,
		Christ is the lamp with God as light;
		The light divine from Christ doth shine,
		The Church upholds its glory bright.
	2.	The light which shines within the lamp
		Is God as life, unique, divine;
		The stand must therefore be of gold
		To match the glory which doth shine.
	3.	Amid the darkness of this age
		The light of life divine doth beam
		In many centers of mankind
		Where Jesus' testimony's seen.
	4.	To be this testimony pure
		"First love" to Christ the Church must
		keep;
		Then from the "tree of life" she may
		The overcomer's portion reap.
	5.	She must the persecution bear
		That she the "crown of life" may gain;
		Adult'ry spiritual o'ercome,
		The "hidden manna" to obtain.
	6.	The deeds of "Jezebel" desert,
		That she may rule the earth with might;
		Defiling deadness overcome
		To be arrayed in "garments white."
	7.	Like "Philadelphia" she must be
		To keep Christ's word, confess His
		Name;
		All "lukewarm" pride she must
		o'ercome
		To feast with Him who overcame.
	8.	Thus will the Church be purified
		To be the lampstand of pure gold,
		To match the testimony pure,
		The life of Jesus fit to hold.
	9.	The local churches here on earth
		The lampstands in this age should be;
		The glorious new Jerusalem
		The lampstand in eternity.
	10.	The city as pure gold will be,
		The final lampstand consummate;
		Christ as the lamp she e'er will hold
		And God's full light will radiate.