The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 43

Ver. 20.-71le seven Churches: their common characteristica. Seven times ie heard the solemn charge, given at the close of each of the letter:; :i.ddressed to these Churches, "He that hath an ear," etc. And we would obey this word so far as we may, and, ere considering these letters one by oue, would glance at their common characteristics. To the most superficial reader it is evident that in arrangement and plan they are all alike. 'l'he "angel of the Church" is audressed in each; then comes the title of the Lord, setting forth that aspect of his character which it was especially well for the Church addnissed to take heed to.. 'l'hen folluws the Lord's solemn, " I know thy works," meiming that he had perfectly ><een and so perfectly knew all they had done and suffered, all that they were or might be. Then, where, as in most cases, there was aught of good to commemorate, it is named first, before accusation of failure or faith- ' lessness fa made. Then follows the earnest warning, and finally comes the pmmi>le to all that overcome, and the exhortation to hear and heed what has been said. This is the order of thought in them all, and the aim and purpose of all are one. But, looking at these letters as a whole, the teachings that they convey may be summed up Ullder these three heads. L ECCLESIASTICAL. For we may gain from these epistles some clear outlines and llllll'n some of the fundamental principles of the primitive Churches. The picture may not be complete, the portraiture only a sketch; but what it does tell is distinct as well as important. We learn concerning the Churches: 1. Their spread and increase. (1) We are not told why these seven are mentioned and not others. It was not (a) because they were all, or for the most part, chief cities. Outside these there were, of course, many far more important-Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Rome, etc. And even near to these seven there were others greater than they, as Miletus, Colossm, Hierapolis, and probably others. Some that are mentioned are quite insignificant. But perhaps, (b) being near one to the other, and all not far from Ephesus, St. John knew more of them. They all lay within the area of two ordinary English counties, and, following the order of their names, they formed a complete circle, starting from and returning to Ephesus. And (c) yet more, because in them the character and conduct told of were conspicuous. (2) Nor are we told why these seven only are named. Why not; less or more? But the reason probably was to show, by the use of the symbolic number, seven, that what was said concerning these Churches was of world-wide and world-enduring importance. For" seven" is the sacred number, and indicatea Divine aelection, and so enforces the charge that those who hear what the Spirit saita should give all heed thereto. (3) But these being mentioned, the spread of the Church of Christ is shown. For if in places·so obscure as some of these were the faith of Christ was found, how much more in larger places? We know the tide has come in when we see that the littte inland creeks are filled. We have no doubt then that the whole stretch of the &ea-l!hore which, when the tide was out, was left uncovered, ia now bright anl .OIL 1. 1-20,] THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVIl<.~. 4:1