By WILLIAM T. ELLIS and EARL L. DOUGLASS
Nothing reveals the audacity of the Bible better than its picture of heaven. Jasper columns and streets of gold! How far removed these concepts are from the ordinary thoughts of men. But we must always bear in mind that the apostle John was in these latter verses of Revelation trying to describe infinite reality in finite terms. The best he could do was to describe his vision in terms of a brilliant and shining glory far surpassing anything man had ever before looked upon.
New Lesson From Old Book
There are a thousand beautiful reflections to be drawn incidentally from the study of Revelation: the possibility of making a Patmos of every prison experience of the soul; the visions that come to one who is "in the spirit on the Lord's day;" the fellowship of suffering which all Christians may share with the saints, living and dead, and with the Saviour Himself. "Lessons," however, must wait on the facts. Unless we get a grasp upon the main purposes of the book and the conditions attendant upon its writing, we shall miss the real significance of the teaching. So the first truth to be borne in mind is that this Christian leader, the apostle John, the beloved, was in prison on the Isle of Patmos for his faith in Jesus. His churches were suffering worse than he. The fires of persecution were raging fiercely. Nero had bared his cruel sword to the Christians, and now Domitian, in turn, had interdicted the new faith. All the horrors of Roman martyrdom were being undergone by the friends of Christ. It seemed as if heathen hate might really wipe out the Church of Christ.
John was giving them comfort in their darkest hour. In the Book of Revelation he wrote to buoy their sinking hearts. For the encouragement of their faith, John drew aside the veil that shut off the near and distant future. He invited men to look upon the vision he hid beheld — Christ triumphant, the Church victorious, her enemies cast down.
Heaven A Reality
This is a significant passage of Scripture to study on the last Sunday of the year. The modern Christian thinks all too little of heaven. Often the Biblical promises have been caricatured and John's celestial vision spoken of in such jocular terms that many believers know but little of what the Bible teaches about heaven and care less. Many of them shrug their shoulders and say, "Heaven is not a place but a state." But Jesus declared, "I go to prepare a place for you." This glorious description by John of what he saw on the Isle of Patmos is not the description of a state of mind but of supernatural realities, so far above human experience that human language cannot adequately describe it nor the human mind comprehend it. But we can realize what it means utterly to be free of pain, to have our tears dried forever, our wounds healed.
The hope of an eternal life with Christ inspired the early Christian believer and strengthened him to endure persecution fantastic in its horrors. The hope of a heaven which will give full development of all our latent powers and eternal rescue from life's ravages is meant to be our support today.
As the world shakes about us; as Communism with its atheistic teachings and its cruel tyranny so like Nero's pushes itself impudently into the foreground; as high wages, full employment, and lush dividends send our population tripping gaily along the pathways of pleasure with small regard for moral standards, let us ponder the Biblical assurance that there will someday be an end of all these things. Spiritual values are destined to triumph. The joy and security of heaven will be the precious possession of those who have been faithful.
As if delighting to set at naught all common conceptions, the Revelation's final portrayal of the triumph and bliss of the kingdom of Christ is a city, and a city without a church. To our way of thinking, the Church is the saving salt of the city, the best thing about a bad case. Nevertheless, in heaven there will be no Church as we know the Church. But all that the Church typifies and seeks will be there. The spiritual values which here are sporadic and local will there be continuous and general.
The purpose of the Book of Revelation is to portray the final triumph of the Gospel of Christ. All the wealth of oriental imagery is here employed to depict the surpassing excellence of the glory that is in store for the friends of Christ. The Book of Revelation is an illustration of the truth that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
—Logansport Press, Logansport, IN, Dec. 27, 1947, p. 4.
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Revelation: A Message to Persecuted Churches
1941
Highlights on the Sunday School lesson
By NEWMAN CAMPBELL
(The International Uniform Lesson on the above topic for Sept. 7 is Revelation 1-3, the Golden Text being Rev. 2:10, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.")
At the time of the writing of the book of Revelation by John, the beloved disciple, the Christians were being ruthlessly persecuted. They had had a period of comparative calm, but when the Roman emperor, Domitian, proclaimed emperor worship, the persecutions which had been confined to such prominent leaders as Paul and Peter were extended to everyone who would not buy his liberty by conforming to the Roman religion.
It was a dark time for the Christians, and John, the only disciple who had known Christ personally now left at the close of the first century, had been condemned to work in the "mines of Patmos," which are thought to have been marble quarries, as no mines were known on this island in the Aegean sea.
It was the Lord's Day, and John was, as he says, "in the Spirit," when he heard a great voice, like a trumpet, behind him. He turned to see who was speaking, and saw "seven golden candlesticks;
"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Hair White Like Snow
"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
"And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
"And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."
The golden girdle symbolized righteousness; the white hair and head like snow or wool, were symbols of purity; brass is a symbol of judgment, and His feet being of that metal would indicate authority and victory over all His enemies.
John tells us that he "fell at His feet as dead," but that the apparition "laid His right hand on me, saying unto me Fear not; I am the first and the last;
"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Then John was told to write to the seven churches in Asia, for the seven golden candlesticks and the seven golden stars were the angels of these seven churches. We are not sure what is meant by the "angels" of the churches, but presume they were the elders or leaders.
Each church in turn was praised for the good it held and the work of its members, and each was told of their faults. The church at Ephesus was commended for its work, labor and patience, as well as other things, but told that they had "left their first love," the love of simplicity and purity.
Church at Smyrna Poor
The church at Smyrna was very poor — probably the members had been fined so that all their money and property had been taken away — reminding us of the present position of the Jews in the countries controlled by Germany. They were to fear none of the terrible things that were to befall them, but were to "be faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life."
The church in Pergamos was praised for holding fast the name of Christ even "where Satan's seat is," but among them were men of pagan tendencies. They were told to repent.
Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira John was to write that the Lord "knew its works, charity, service and faith, and thy patience and thy works." But they harbored among them a bad woman named Jezebel, who should be cast out, or punishment would surely follow.
The church at Sardis was told to "be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God."
"I know thy works," was written to the church of Philadelphia, "because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world."
The church of the Laodiceans was "neither hot nor cold," which is probably true of many today. They were lukewarm, so were not doing the work for which they were founded. This church thought it was rich, He said, but was, in reality, "wretched, and miserable, and poor, blind and naked." "Buy of Me gold tried in fire," they were told. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."
(Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.)
—The Lethbridge Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 6, 1941, p. 9.
Highlights on the Sunday School lesson
By NEWMAN CAMPBELL
(The International Uniform Lesson on the above topic for Sept. 7 is Revelation 1-3, the Golden Text being Rev. 2:10, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.")
At the time of the writing of the book of Revelation by John, the beloved disciple, the Christians were being ruthlessly persecuted. They had had a period of comparative calm, but when the Roman emperor, Domitian, proclaimed emperor worship, the persecutions which had been confined to such prominent leaders as Paul and Peter were extended to everyone who would not buy his liberty by conforming to the Roman religion.
It was a dark time for the Christians, and John, the only disciple who had known Christ personally now left at the close of the first century, had been condemned to work in the "mines of Patmos," which are thought to have been marble quarries, as no mines were known on this island in the Aegean sea.
It was the Lord's Day, and John was, as he says, "in the Spirit," when he heard a great voice, like a trumpet, behind him. He turned to see who was speaking, and saw "seven golden candlesticks;
"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Hair White Like Snow
"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
"And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
"And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."
The golden girdle symbolized righteousness; the white hair and head like snow or wool, were symbols of purity; brass is a symbol of judgment, and His feet being of that metal would indicate authority and victory over all His enemies.
John tells us that he "fell at His feet as dead," but that the apparition "laid His right hand on me, saying unto me Fear not; I am the first and the last;
"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Then John was told to write to the seven churches in Asia, for the seven golden candlesticks and the seven golden stars were the angels of these seven churches. We are not sure what is meant by the "angels" of the churches, but presume they were the elders or leaders.
Each church in turn was praised for the good it held and the work of its members, and each was told of their faults. The church at Ephesus was commended for its work, labor and patience, as well as other things, but told that they had "left their first love," the love of simplicity and purity.
Church at Smyrna Poor
The church at Smyrna was very poor — probably the members had been fined so that all their money and property had been taken away — reminding us of the present position of the Jews in the countries controlled by Germany. They were to fear none of the terrible things that were to befall them, but were to "be faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life."
The church in Pergamos was praised for holding fast the name of Christ even "where Satan's seat is," but among them were men of pagan tendencies. They were told to repent.
Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira John was to write that the Lord "knew its works, charity, service and faith, and thy patience and thy works." But they harbored among them a bad woman named Jezebel, who should be cast out, or punishment would surely follow.
The church at Sardis was told to "be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God."
"I know thy works," was written to the church of Philadelphia, "because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world."
The church of the Laodiceans was "neither hot nor cold," which is probably true of many today. They were lukewarm, so were not doing the work for which they were founded. This church thought it was rich, He said, but was, in reality, "wretched, and miserable, and poor, blind and naked." "Buy of Me gold tried in fire," they were told. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."
(Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.)
—The Lethbridge Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 6, 1941, p. 9.
Weekly Sermonette
1946
A meditation for today prepared by a Bradford minister under the auspices of the Bradford Ministerial association
April 6, 1946
By REV. A. SEON HENRI, D. D. Minister of the Copeland AME Church, Bradford
THEME — "CHRIST in the MIDST of HIS CHURCH."
THE TEXT: And I turned to see the voice that spake to me, And being turned, I saw seven candlesticks; one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. — Book of Revelation 1:12, 13.
John, our brother, and companion in tribulation, was on the Isle of Patmos, because of his stand for Christianity. While in a state of ecstasy, he saw the victorious, triumphant Christ, the hair of whose head was like wool, and as white as snow. His eyes were as a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished brass, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. He held in His right hand the seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead, but the glorious figure said to him, as He laid his right hand upon him, Fear not; I am the First and the Last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I Am alive forever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Visions are usually associated with lofty altitudes and wide perspectives; but this particular vision came out of strain and stress. The church was being sorely persecuted by the Roman Emperor, Domitian. Many sealed their faith with their life blood. John himself, the author of our text, was placed upon the lonely island of Patmos because he bore witness that Jesus is God's SON. The vision reassured John, as he stood face to face with torture and persecution, that the Jesus whom he worshipped was not dead and helpless, but alive and all powerful forever more. This was the consciousness of the early church; this was the secret of the early Christian fathers. The Son of Man walked among the seven golden candlesticks as the church spread beyond the limits of Palestine into the Mediterranean world, thence throughout the Roman Empire. The church suffered under Nero, Caligula, Aurelius, Diocletian and many others, but Jesus was in the midst of her. He continued to walk until one day at the Milvian Bridge, the cross conquered. Finally, the last Pagan order of Rome said when he came to the end of the trail: "Alas, O Galilean, Thou hast conquered!"
Through the long night of the so-called Dark Ages, Jesus was in the midst of His church. He was the friend of John Huss of Bohemia. When Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the Wittenberg church door, Jesus stood by his side. He went with him into the Wartburg, and down to Worms. To Luther, he was a "mighty fortress." Jesus is in the church today; that is the Christian faith, and the secret of his dynamics. As the church inveighs against economic imperialism, exploitation of minority groups, peonage, and wage slavery, Jesus takes the lead. When the church generates wholesome moral influences, which cause municipalities to cast aside officials who league with vice, crime and racketeers, and disregard for law, Jesus feels that He did not die in vain. But it pains His soul when His church pussyfoots and sidesteps social questions and race issues. Jesus is just as much and just as truly in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks today, as when John saw him nearly two thousand years ago. He is just the same today. In the midst of the years, Jesus retains his magnetic power. He is yet the Savior of the race of men. He is the panacea for the ills of society, all social maladjustments. The church is powerful, glorious. Men need a helper, a redeemer, a savior, GOD. So long as there are disappointments, disillusionments, broken hopes, false friends, unrealized ideals, sin, sorrow and death in the world, there will be a place for the Seamless Robed One who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
"Ride on Jesus;
Ride on conquering King —
Jesus Christ, the first and the last
No man works like Him!"
—The Bradford Era, Bradford, PA, April 6, 1946, p. 4.
A meditation for today prepared by a Bradford minister under the auspices of the Bradford Ministerial association
April 6, 1946
By REV. A. SEON HENRI, D. D. Minister of the Copeland AME Church, Bradford
THEME — "CHRIST in the MIDST of HIS CHURCH."
THE TEXT: And I turned to see the voice that spake to me, And being turned, I saw seven candlesticks; one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. — Book of Revelation 1:12, 13.
John, our brother, and companion in tribulation, was on the Isle of Patmos, because of his stand for Christianity. While in a state of ecstasy, he saw the victorious, triumphant Christ, the hair of whose head was like wool, and as white as snow. His eyes were as a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished brass, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. He held in His right hand the seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead, but the glorious figure said to him, as He laid his right hand upon him, Fear not; I am the First and the Last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I Am alive forever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Visions are usually associated with lofty altitudes and wide perspectives; but this particular vision came out of strain and stress. The church was being sorely persecuted by the Roman Emperor, Domitian. Many sealed their faith with their life blood. John himself, the author of our text, was placed upon the lonely island of Patmos because he bore witness that Jesus is God's SON. The vision reassured John, as he stood face to face with torture and persecution, that the Jesus whom he worshipped was not dead and helpless, but alive and all powerful forever more. This was the consciousness of the early church; this was the secret of the early Christian fathers. The Son of Man walked among the seven golden candlesticks as the church spread beyond the limits of Palestine into the Mediterranean world, thence throughout the Roman Empire. The church suffered under Nero, Caligula, Aurelius, Diocletian and many others, but Jesus was in the midst of her. He continued to walk until one day at the Milvian Bridge, the cross conquered. Finally, the last Pagan order of Rome said when he came to the end of the trail: "Alas, O Galilean, Thou hast conquered!"
Through the long night of the so-called Dark Ages, Jesus was in the midst of His church. He was the friend of John Huss of Bohemia. When Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the Wittenberg church door, Jesus stood by his side. He went with him into the Wartburg, and down to Worms. To Luther, he was a "mighty fortress." Jesus is in the church today; that is the Christian faith, and the secret of his dynamics. As the church inveighs against economic imperialism, exploitation of minority groups, peonage, and wage slavery, Jesus takes the lead. When the church generates wholesome moral influences, which cause municipalities to cast aside officials who league with vice, crime and racketeers, and disregard for law, Jesus feels that He did not die in vain. But it pains His soul when His church pussyfoots and sidesteps social questions and race issues. Jesus is just as much and just as truly in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks today, as when John saw him nearly two thousand years ago. He is just the same today. In the midst of the years, Jesus retains his magnetic power. He is yet the Savior of the race of men. He is the panacea for the ills of society, all social maladjustments. The church is powerful, glorious. Men need a helper, a redeemer, a savior, GOD. So long as there are disappointments, disillusionments, broken hopes, false friends, unrealized ideals, sin, sorrow and death in the world, there will be a place for the Seamless Robed One who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
"Ride on Jesus;
Ride on conquering King —
Jesus Christ, the first and the last
No man works like Him!"
—The Bradford Era, Bradford, PA, April 6, 1946, p. 4.
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