30. Hear and Understand the Lessons

1. Hear and understand the lessons
Which the Spirit brings to you,
As He now, as in all ages,
Brings the Church God’s message true.
Hearken! When ye Him are seeking,
God Himself to you is speaking;
He will search your inmost thought
Until all to light is brought.

2. Thus speaks He who now is holding
Seven stars in His right hand;
“I know those whom I appointed
That they shall as watchmen stand;
What they teach, what they’re enduring,
What they do, what blame incurring;
All is brought into the light,
And it there is judged aright.

3. “Blest is he who overcometh,
Who retains his first love’s glow,
Who on truth is firmly grounded,
Hates all error here below.
Unto him shall once be given
Of the tree of life in heaven;
Yes, when he has won the strife,
He shall have eternal life.”

4. Thus speaks Jesus Christ, the Alpha
And the blest Omega, too,
He who died, then rose a Victor,
Who did death itself subdue
- “I know thy affliction’s hour,
Poverty and works and power!
Thou art rich; in patience bear
Undeserved reproaches here.

5. “Blest is he who overcometh,”
Who doth not from suffering flee,
When he pain and fear endureth,
Still in faith looks unto Me;
Who remembers that in heaven
Shall the crown of life be given;
Who abides in strife and storm,
Second death will him not harm.”

6. “I know thee,” the Lord is saying
Whose mouth holds the two-edged sword;
“I know all, with perfect knowledge:
Thou art faithful to the Lord.
Thou dost live where Satan reigneth
And ‘mid those whom he retaineth
Who in Balaam’s heresy
Harm My children fearfully.

7. “Blest is he who overcometh,
And whose heart is proved sincere,
Who is penitent for failings,
Now as Balaam sin holds dear.
He shall have of manna hidden,
And to him there shall be bidden
Then a white and beauteous stone
That has his new name thereon.” –

8. Thus speaks He whose eyes resemble
Flames of fire gleaming through,
Searching all the hearts and spirits:
“Blesséd art thou, soldier true;
Thou hast faith and love retained,
Hast in patience true remained:
As My love in thee doth glow,
Thou shalt fruitful service know.

9. “Yet I have one thing against thee,
That thou lettest Jezebel
Clothed in piety pretended,
Still her wicked doctrine tell.
She my servants turns to evil
By her teaching of the Devil,
And serves Baal, this world’s god,
- Which things surely please Me not!

10. “Blest is he who overcometh,
He who unto truth doth cling,
And whose heart remains unspotted
From all that the world may bring.
He with Me shall rule each nation
With the rod of subjugation
With My people near and far,
With My people near and far,
Shall receive the Morning Star.”

11. He who holds God’s seven spirits
And the stars, doth search thy soul:
“Pray, where are thy former efforts,
Thou art still far from thy goal;
Thou art dead instead of living,
And wouldst others strength be giving,
Wake! And stand not idly by,
Strengthen then all that soon would die.

12. “Blest is he who overcometh,
Daily fighting faith’s good fight,
Till with those he will be gathered,
Who have kept their garments white,
Faithful in each small endeavor,
Waiting for the King’s high favor.
Yea, his name shall truly stay
In the Book of Life alway.” –

13. Thus speaks He, the True and Holy,
He who holdeth David’s keys,
He who locks and who uncloses,
As the grace of God decrees:
“I disclose an open portal
Unto thee to life immortal.
“Thou hast kept,” so saith the Lord,
“Thy small strength, also My Word.

14. “Lo, to thee I will be giving
Those whose deeds their words deny,
Who to truth still make a pretense
But who cling unto a lie.
They shall all acknowledge duly,
Thou art Mine, confessing truly
That I love thee, hold thee dear,
For thy faith is proved sincere.

15. “Blest is he who overcometh,
Keepeth safe the victor’s crown,
Whom the foe finds ever ready
And who fears nor threat nor frown.
He shall in My sanctuary
Stand a pillar, and in glory
Of the new Jerusalem,
There shall bear My own new name.” –

16. Speaks the true and faithful Witness,
Who is Amen, and the Truth;
“Well I know thy works and failings,
I will spew thee from My mouth;
Thou art cold nor hot, nor yearning
To maintain love’s fire burning;
Grieved am I to see no flame
Of the love which thou dost claim.

17. “O that thou wouldst know how wretched
And how poor thou art indeed;
Thus made free from self-deception
Thou couldst realize thy need,
All thy nakedness and blindness,
All thy faults, despite my kindness.
Buy eye-salve so thou mayst see
And secure true gold from Me.

18. “Blest is he who overcometh,”
Who heed those rebukes of love
Which the Lord to us is giving
When He must our hearts reprove.
He in them would dwell forever,
So entwined that naught can sever,
And from His most glorious Throne
Then bestow the victor’s crown!