Vera. 1-3.-The f'evelation. The interpretation of the Book of Revelation·con- fessedly difficult, some portions in particular; hence many differing views. But the book designed for practical purposes; throughout it a. rich vein of practical instruction. The homily seizes upon the practical truth-th~t truth which can be worked up into the practice of daily life. . I. 'l'HE ORIGIN OF TilE REVELATION--G'1D. It is the revelation "which God gave." Fountain of all truth; stamps its high character; to be received with becoming reverence, thankfulness, and obedience. · 11. THE PROCl!iSS OF TilE REVELATION. Gradation of thought. " God gave" the revelation to "his servants" by Jesus Ghrist, "the Word of God," who "sent and signified it by his angel," who made it known unto the "servant John," ·who bare witness of "all things that he saw" unto all the "servants" of Jesus Christ. It is a word for the faithful bondservants, the true disciples of the Lord Jesus in all lands and in all ages. III. TeE sunsTANCE OF THE REVELATION. It is "the Word of God,• the out- breathing of tho Divine thought, the Divine will and purpose. Of this Word of God, Jesus is t-he Medium of testimony. This" Word," testified by Jesus Christ, W8.8 made to appear to John; all things that he saw. It was a holy vision. IV. 'l'HE BLESSING PRONOUNCED UPON THE FAITHFUL RECEPTION OF THE REVELA- TION. 1. To "him that readeth." 2. To "them that hear." 3. To "them that keep the thing¼! that are written." 4. For its fulfilment is near; "Tbe time is at band." It brings the blessing: (t) Of present comfort, light, and peace. (2) Of confidence in the Divine government of the world. (3) Of daily advancing preparation for the future kingrlom of heaven to which it leads. (4) It is impossible to receive, hear, and keep any Divine word without theretn receiving blessing.-R. G.
• Vers. 4:-7.-~ apostolic salutation. The servant John, by no other tllme known, 1~ f1;1lfilment of his duty as the one by whom the great revelation was '' sent and s1gmfied," hurries to pronounce his salutation to " the seven Chnrcbes which are in .Asia. "-typical examples of the one Church in its sevenfold, universal experience, I. The salutation ll{VOKES BLESSINGS : 1. Of the highest character : " grace and 44 THE REVELATJON OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. [ct1. x.1-20.
peace." The entire revelation is, for the Church, a revelation of "grace and peace." It begins in grace; it terminates in peace. These the alpha and omega of gospel blessings, the origin and end. All is of God's grace ; all tends to peace in man-to peace universal. 2. From the Source of all good, the Triune Source of all blessing. From tpe Eternal,-" him which is, and which was, and which is to come ''-the I .u,- Jehovah; from the sevenfold Spirit; and from Jesus Christ, " the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dean, the Ruler of the kings of the earth." These ascriptions have speciai reference to the condition and necessities of the Church, whose living Head ii •' all in all." Christ, the Revelation of the Father, becomes prominent. IL The salutation, therefore, ASCRIBES GLORY AND UNENDING DOMINION unto him; dt~la.ring (1) bis love; (2) his redeeming work, fruit of that love; and (3) his con- stitution of bis Church as a priestly kingdom-a kingdom of which be is the supreme Sovereign; a kingdom of priests, to offer up spiritual sacrifice continually, acceptable unto God.· IIL The salutation further PROCLAIMS THE SECOND COMING of that Lord Jesus Christ who is the central theme of all the following revelation. 1. The fact of it. 2, Accompanying-circumstances of it: "with the clouds." 3. In view of all: "Every eye shall see him." 4. Special reference to offenders: "And they which pierced him." 6. Consequence-universal mourning: "All the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him." Our hearts echo the-cry," Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen."-R. G. Vers. 9-20.-The wision of the Son of man. The vision granted for the comfort of the suffering Church was made: 1. 'l'o a "brother and partaker" in all "the tribula- tion and kingdom and patience," sharing at the very hour, "in the isle that is called Patmos," the consequences of faithfully proclaiming the Word of God and bearing his testimony to Jesus. 2. Ho was in an exalted spiritual state: "in the Spirit "-under the control of the Spirit; sen~itivcly alive to the teachings of the Spirit; tilled with the Spirit. 3. On the Lord's day. 4. A great voice arrests his attention, and commands him to write and proclaim to the seven named Churclie~ the vision which should be granted to him. The vision em brac.ed- 1. A SYMBOLICAL VIEW OF THE CHURCH, "Seven golden C'andlesticks." A single Bl)Ven-branohed lamp-stand, representing the Church in its essential unity and seven- fold diversity. "And the seven candlesticks are seven Churches." The purity and glory of the Church may be symbolized in its being " golden." II. A VIEW OF THE LORD DWELLING IN AND RULING OVER THE CHURCHES. 1. The presence of the Lord in the midst of the Churches is the one essential and a.biding source of consolation to all believers, especially in the times of da_nger, persecution, a.nd sorrow, 'l'he attention of the seer now confined to the vision of him who, though like a Son of man, is "the First and the Last, and the Living One." 2. 'l'estimony to the Divine nature of our Lord. "I am the Alpha. and the Omega, saith the Lord God;" "I am the F'irst and the Last," sa.itb the" one like unto a son of man." 'l'ruly God was manifested in the flesh I The descriptive view of the Lord is not to be imagined or delineated as a picture, It is grotesque; its symbolical meaning only to be regarded, 3. 'l'he dress indicates his high-priestly office; the head, hair, eyes, feet, and voice are symbolical representations. 4. The Lord's ea.re and control over the messengers of the Churches symbolized by," And he had in his right hand seven stars;" "The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches." 5. The Lord the Source of truth, and the truth the one weapon of the Lord's might: "Out of his mouth proceeded a. sharp two-edged sword." 6. The human humble awe in presence of the Divine Lord: "And when 1 saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead." 7. The consolation of the Divine Lord to his affrighted, humble servant: " Fear not ; " confirmed by the glorious assurance, " I am the First and the Last, and the Living One ; a.nd I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of death and of Hades." From this, the mani- fested. Lord, the sacred seer receives command to "write the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the t.hings which shall come to pass her8"fter."-R. G. Veni. 1-3,-.Aspects of human hlatory. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ:' etc. Bumau history seems to be presented here as (1) a revelation, (2) a reCOTcl• and (3) a
·"""· ea. L 1-20.] 'rlIE REVELATION OJ!' ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. (S