The Assembly and the Revelation

What place does the assembly then hold in this ministry of John found as it is in the Revelation? None in its Pauline character, except in one phrase coming in after the Revelation is closed, where its true place in Christ's absence is indicated (Rev. 22:17). We have the saints at the time, in their own conscious relationship to Christ, in reference, too, to the royal and priestly place to His God and Father, in which they are associated with Himself. But John's ministerial testimony, as to the assembly, views it as the outward assembly on earth in its state of decay—Christ judging this—and the true assembly, the capital city and seat of God's government over the world, at the end, but in glory and grace. It is an abode, and where God dwells and the Lamb.
All this facilitates our intelligence of the objects and bearing of the book. The assembly has failed; the Gentiles, grafted in by faith, have not continued in God's goodness. The Ephesian assembly, the intelligent vessel and expression of what the assembly of God was, had left its first estate. Unless it repented, the candlestick was to be removed.
The Ephesus of Paul becomes the witness on earth of decay and of removal out of God's sight, even as Israel had been removed. God's patience would be shown towards the assembly as it had been towards Israel. But the assembly would not maintain God's testimony in the world any more than Israel had. John does maintain this testimony, ministerially judging the assemblies by Christ's Word, then the world from the throne, till Christ comes and takes to Himself His great power and reigns. During this transition-dealing of the throne, the heavenly saints are seen on high. When Christ comes, they come with Him.