The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 120

those trained in pioua homes, and from whom you would have- expected better things. (3) And this is the soul's own doing. It volunt.arlly excludes Christ. When his avpeal is heard, and very often it is, men -divert their thoughts, distract them with other themes; or deaden their convictions, by plunging into pleasure, busines1, ain; or delay obedience, procrastinating and putting off that which they ought promptly to perform. Ah, what guilt I Ah, what folly! (4) And this is the sin "against the Holy Ghost, which bath never forgiveneu... Not any one definite act, but this persistent exclusion of Christ. The knocking of the Lord is heard more and more faintly, until at length, although it goes on, it is not heard at all. The sin has been committed, and the punishmeut has begun. . But the text contemplates also. thE! hap~ier alternative. 3. !a. s~ claiming its gre.ated privi'le1e-:-0pening the door to Chi'ist. He aaya, "If any man will open," thereby plainly teiwhing us that men mi\Y aJi4 should, and-bl@!Sed be his Name-some will, open that door. ~1) The,oul can do this.. It is part of itt great prerogative. It could not say, "Yes,' if it could not say, ..,N-0;" but because it can say," No," it can also say," Yes." (2) And the open1ng the door depends. upon its saying,. " Yes." This. is no pontradiction to the truth tha\ the Holy Spirit mullt open the heart. Both are essential; neither can be done without. It i& a co-operative work, as consciousness and Scripture alike teach. Btit the Spirit ever. does his part .of the work,; it is we ouly who fail in ours. May we be kept herefroml . . .• .· · · IH. SALVATION. The result of wch openin"g the .door is this, and the pictnre that is given cif it is .full of interest. 1. Ghrist becomes our Guest. "I will sup with him." Now, if weinvite any one to our table, we have to· provide the feast. But what have we to set before Christ. that he will care for? Ah, what? · " AH our righteousnesses • -will they do? Notil.t all . In this spiritual banquet that which he will most joy- fully aooept is oUTSelves, coming in contrition an4 tmst to rest upon his love. "The sacrifices of God," etc..(Ps. li). Let us bring them; they, but naught else, will ~ well- pleasing to him. But the scene changes. 2. Christ become, our Host. "He 'With m~" Ahl n:ow wha.t a ditferencet , . • Bleat Jesus, what delicious fare I How sweet thine entertainment& 8.f8 I• This we shall soon realize. (1) There is full, free parrlori for every sin. (2) Next, the . assurance of his love, that he has accei,tcd us. (3) Power to become like hmr-,-- renewing, regenerating gface. (4) His peace; BO that in all •trial and·BQrrow we may "rest in the Lord." (5) Power to bless others, BO that they shall be the better f9r having ttf do with '1S. (6) Bright hope, blessed outlook to the eternal. inheritance. (7) And at last, in due time, that inheritance itself. Such are l!Ome of th~ chief '3lem~nts pf that. ~nquet at which Christ is the Host; and all the while there is sweet, blessed intercourse; hallowed communion, with himself. . He is "known to as in the breaking of bread." • {}oNCLUSJON. How, then, shall it be? Shall we still keep the door of •Our hearts barred against him? May he forbid I We can do this; alas I some will. But -.r• oaa open the door. Do that. · "In the silent midnight watebee, List I thy bosom door 1. How it knocketh-knooketh-knoclletlt- Knoeketh evennorel Say not 'tie thy pulse ii! beating : 'Tia thy heart of sin; 'Tis thy Saviour koocka and crieth, ' Rise, and let me in.' 11 Death comes on with recklea foot.stei-, 'fo the ball and hut; Think yon, Death will tarry knockina Where the door is shut? .Jesus waiteth-waiteth-waiteth, But the door i& fast; Grieved, away illy Saviour goeth: 1u.s,. Deilth brcaka in at 136 THE REVELATION 01.1' ST. JOHN THE J)IVINE. [e&. m. 1-21. ------------------------------ • Then 'tia time .to stand entreatiDg Christ to let th81! in : At the gate or heaven beating, Waiting Coi: thy sin. Nay-alaf I thQU gui!ty creature; Hast; thou then Corgot? lesus·waited long to know thee, · Now he knows thee not." 8.C. V4!?9-l-6-{5) TAc epi8lle fo ITie (Jhu,rcl,, in Sardi,: tAs ckcaylng OhtwM oa lie lwinlt " ruin. The sad spectacle is presented here of a Church dying out.' To the angel u Ja said, "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead." This ia the judgmeat of him who bath "the aeven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." He holds the stars in his hand, tor safety in danger, for punishment in unfaithfulness. They cannot escape from him. The Lord of life is the Lord also of death and judgment. ·The w.atchword is '"IUificant or the slumbering, exposed .state of the ChUJ'Ch ; it is the ·sharp word of · #}e ever-wakeful Lord-Watch. .«Be thou watchful, and stablish the things that remain, which are ready to die.n L Tms OALL 18 BENDBRED NECEi!SABY BY 'l'BB COlml'l'lOJI' OP '1'BIJ 0mm<m. 1. The deceitful 18Illblance of life though death lurks within. How strikingly opposed is the ,ppearance to the reality! If aU were not actually overcome by death-as the word "repent" would imply-yet were they on the brink of death; nay, death reigned. A TemDant may remam, but of the body u a whole it muat be said, .. Thou art dead." .Or, in more accurate language, spiritual death, which is aa a sleep, has palsied the sti;ength and virtue of the Oliurch. '"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead." 2. The. good. that remains is on. the ~rge of ruin. "The 1hings that ~ " were "readr to die.n Sad, indeed, is the oondition of any.Church when its last remnant of good is tainted; when a deadly disease seizes_upon the last living hope. 3. The imperfectnesa of all their works in the eight of God. Whatever may have been their appeal'lnce to the eye or man, "before God" every work is judged to be unfulfilled, i~~fect, ~complete. 'l'he strength of ~e life,. the vit.al force, is abating; all the activities of.life, therefore, are fault7. As ~ the. life, ao ia the work oflife. . . . · · . IL Tm: OALL tB BBIIDl!IUD lQXZIISABT BY TU QBJTIC~ OOM>l'l'IOlll' TO WBIOB TllJI CmtaCH 18 :BBDU<iBD. . . III. ·By THll TRBBA'l' OP SPDD1' JVDGJIENT D TBB BIGNII ·op ~A.NOB ABB 1'0'1' · FORTHOOMDIIG. "If therefore thou shalt ;not watch, I will collie u a thief; and thou shalt not-1tnow what hour I will come upon thee." · · .. · u IV. TRB CALL FUBTHBB 11BGBD BT TWI GBAmous ~IUD 'l'O '1'BB :nw BBJUrimra l'AITBFUL ONl!lS. ·, V. An'rr D BDDDED TUB ¥ORJI DIPBB88ITII BY '1'BB ll'OJµ)II WIQCH l'OBll' '1'1111 ilACIB'.GBOUlID ol' BOPB 'l'O BV!llRY o n THAT ovncooTB. These include: -i. Purity. 2. Perpetuity of blessed life. 3. Honourable recognition: " before my Father and before his angels."-R. G. · · Vera. 7-13.-(6) 27,e epidle lo tM OAvrch In PAaa.delphl(r.: 1M OAurch In ler Jicklity nwarded. The "holy" and "true" One-the Holy One who is Truth, who liaa supreme power, opening and •hutting at his will, and whose work none can with- stand, he speaks hi.a word of commendation and blessing and promise to hie steadfast Churoh. 'l'he symbolical word isfaklity. The reward comprises-- I. Tm: LoBD's DlSTINOT BEOOGNmoN OI' THB CB1JROB's noELrrY, " I know thy works." To fight in view of the 60Vereign, and of the observing nation-a stimulus t.o bravery, patience, &Ild endurance. The eye of the multitude the stimulus to many great and worthy enterprieee. But the watchful eye of the Lord-"he that ia holy, he that is true n_is the true encouragement and BUStaining stimulus to the suffering and toilsome ChUJ'Ch in all ages. This recognition descends to the details and par- ticulars of service. 1. "Thou bast a little power." A true estimate of the Church's 3bility, 2. Faithfulneu to I.be truth. Thou "dimt keep my word.n S. Steadfutnesa ln the hour or trial. Thou "didst not deny my Name." The reward further comprises- mr. m. l-.22.] TBB 'REVELATION 01!' ST. JOHN' THE DIVIN& ~'1