I Never Knew You

By Elliot Brent

It is known and understood that the mystery of the seven golden candlesticks of Revelation 1:20 is of the seven periods of the church. The church is currently in its last age-- the age of Laodicea. The ages of the church end in failure. Thus, as in 1517, when one named Martin Luther wrote words unto the c

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penmanship Publishing LLC
• Release date: Jul 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736313336

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Introduction

The scripture says, It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2). I begin on this book in the midst of encountering a grievous test. It was over a year ago when I first began to try to write this book, but the Spirit would not meet me at that time towards this enterprise that he has had before me. Before returning to this objective, I tried to begin upon other books that he also has before me to write, but the Spirit would not meet me again as I attempted to start on those. Nevertheless, in the midst of a grievous temptation that I have undergone, I began to feel like a man of the scriptures, for I was at a place that I had never been before. Usually, I do not look for others when I’m down. I would say that when I’m down or bothered, all I needed was to be alone; that time to think and to process things was all I needed. But the place where the Father placed me was a place that I had never been before. I was at a place where I was severely weakened. It was a place of an ultimate low, so the usual strength of my past experiences of just needing time alone to think was far gone. I endured a blow so menacing that I was at a low that I had never experienced before, where I was so weak that I looked for some sort of condolence from others. I thought that being that I’m no longer of the world, I could at the least receive some sort of compassion from my church brothers and sisters, with whom I have been spending all of my time and energy for all of these past few years, but I was wrong. Only a few came to inquire or to attend to my strike. Christ said:

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, had compassion on him. (Luke 10:30-33)

The story of Christ continued, but the relevance of Christ’s story is that in the midst of this place that the Father had me, I felt like the one lying on the earth wounded that my brothers and sisters looked dead on but walked around and passed by. And, what I saw in this is that the church does not know God. It is so much that this Laodicean church does not know. This Laodicean church does not know Love. Love gets up-close and personal and tends to one another’s infirmities. This is seen throughout the life of Christ in the scriptures. In the midst of Covid-19, also known as the Coronavirus, I write this. It is currently February 24, 2021. When observing the only begotten Son, the scripture says,

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, ‘Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.’ And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, ‘I will: be thou clean.’ And immediately the leprosy departed from him. (Luke 5:12-13)

  Christ first reached forth his hand and touched the leprous man. He made personal contact with this downtrodden individual, and then he spoke the word. That’s love. He did not shy away from the downtrodden individual because of their situation or circumstance and spoke the word to him from afar off: no because the Spirit of Christ is love, and love has His indistinguishable way. Hence, I am the way, the truth, and the life, as stated by Jesus Christ (John 14:6). But today’s church predominantly does not know him.

In the midst of my wondering of what to do, while I waited for what God shall do in this place that he has me, the Spirit began to turn my mind back to what I had begun to write towards on January 4th, 2020. It was not the time then to begin on this book, but it is now. Many in the church need to become attentive to God’s word so that they will not be left out. The words unto this Laodicean church age are found in Revelation 3:14-22. He says,

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)

The church is the Body of Christ and according to the apostle John, Christ on two separate occasions compared himself to living water (John 4:10, 13-14; 7:37-38). Cold water refreshes one weary on a journey, or hot water at the start of the day or after meals serves a health benefit to one: but the water that is lukewarm serves no purpose. This has become the identity of this Laodicean church age. The scripture says,

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)

This church has lost its presence of God but is still carrying on as if it has not. Its beneficial temperature is gone. Therefore, the Laodicean church age is deceitful because it is comfortable. The Laodicean church age is deceitful: thus, Christ says, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. The church is so borderline and in-between that on the surface, things appear fine, but in actuality, it is unacceptable to God: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. In the eyes of man, those who are a part of this church age believe that they are okay: but the Word of God differs upon this church’s state.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)

We are saying one thing about ourselves in this church age, while God is saying something else. We are saying that we have it all and that all is well — I am rich. We testify the same testimony that someone of the world can testify in regards to a new home, car, or of a financial gain — increased with goods. We claim that God is present and moving in our lives and that we are fine — have need of nothing. But Christ says that we do not know that we are in poor shape — wretched, that we are in dire need for true help — miserable, have nothing of value — poor, operate in darkness — blind, and have not God as our God — naked. This Laodicean church does not know so much. So He says,

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18)

To buy gold of Jesus Christ that is tried in the fire is to labor for heavenly nuggets from on High (Matthew 7:21; I Corinthians 3:13-15), or to labor for meat which endureth unto everlasting life (John 6:27). How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16). Christ says, What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26); and also,

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

The words of Christ are very much valuable and so is the grace that is by him (John 1:17), which renders eternal rewards unto those who believe in them.

To buy white raiment of Jesus Christ is to put on righteousness. Ungodliness, wickedness, and unrighteousness strip us of all decency and dignity and leaves us barren against the forces of this world. And to anoint our eyes with eye salve is to acknowledge our blindness unto God so that we may properly judge ourselves and all that is before us (Matthew 7:1-5; John 7:24).

He further says, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Revelation 3:19). Christ makes it known that he is not being mean, rude, or is the bad guy, but informs of his way, saying, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. This Laodicean church has itching ears, spoiled, and will not endure correction such as sound doctrine (II Timothy 4:3). This church age only wants to be encouraged. This church does not label things as true and false but labels things as positive and negative. This church adopts many thoughts and psychologies of the world because this church is blind: so the church of these last days are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (II Timothy 3:4), who savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men (Matthew 16:23): so the desire of this Laodicean church’s heart is to only hear positivity. But Christ’s way is to rebuke and chasten those he loves when they are in error. So, he admonishes to be hot — to be ardent or zealous to get things right before God. Christ’s admonition is in light of God’s goodness and also to move us towards the goodness that he has for us in us becoming in fellowship with him.

Because, his next statement is, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. This Laodicean church has lost its savour. He who enabled grace and truth is not on the inside of the church (John 1:17), but is on the outside knocking. So he says,

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

The most evident and apparent quality of this Laodicean church age is that we have to individually respond to the Savior’s knocking. Corporately, this Laodicean church is too occupied with programs, traditions, routines, and thought-processes of our own or of the world to allow the Lord Jesus to have his way in his church. So, one must individually choose to acknowledge Christ’s knocking in order to truly glean a wholesome relationship with him — a relationship that enlightens our eyes, clothes us, and enriches us far beyond this life in this world. And so, his closing statements to those in this Laodicean church age are,

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:21-22)

God has tasked me to undertake a composition unto this Laodicean church of my hour. Therefore, throughout this literature, I will revisit even more his words unto this church in Revelation as just reviewed. I am a believer within the Body of Christ, so I’m only moving as my Lord. He says as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, and as a minister, the scriptures instruct me to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (II Timothy 4:2). I move in the spirit of my Head (Ephesians 4:15). Therefore, in line with the scriptures and his word, Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me (Matthew 11:6).

During Christ’s ministry on earth, he brought division (John 7:12, 43; 9:16; 10:19). Isaiah foretold of him, saying,

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:14)

Those of his background and upbringing were divided over his words. Christ came to bring us to truly worshipping God (John 4:24), but many stumbled at his words, and some were offended at him. He is the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner (Psalm 118:22). So, just as the nation of Israel rejected their King, the mystery of the seven golden candlesticks culminates with Christ, the church’s Lord and Savior, being outside of the church instead of in the midst — rejected (Revelation 3:20). And the reason so is because many do not know the Spirit of God:

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:1-3)

So because many are truly unfamiliar with the Father and his Son that he sent, I ask for your patience. This book shall not address the proper functionality of the