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D. Gordon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation + +Author: S. D. Gordon + +Release Date: October 16, 2007 [EBook #23038] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUIET TALKS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hope, Colin Bell, Fox in the Stars and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="title-page bbox"> +<div class="bbox"><h1><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>QUIET TALKS<br /> +<small>ON THE CROWNED</small><br /> +<i>Christ of Revelation</i></h1></div> +<div class="bbox" style="margin-top: 0.5em;"> +<h3 style="font-style: italic; margin-top: 3em;">BY</h3> +<h2 style="font-style: italic">S. D. GORDON</h2> + +<p class="publisher-location" style="margin-top:5em;"><i>NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO</i></p> +<p class="publisher-name">FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY</p> +<p class="publisher-location"><i>LONDON AND EDINBURGH</i></p> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>Copyright, 1914, by<br /> +FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY</p> + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 5em;">New York: 158 Fifth Avenue<br /> +Chicago: 17 North Wabash Ave.<br /> +London: 21 Paternoster Square<br /> +Edinburgh: 75 Princes Street +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Page 5]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>Crowning the Christ is an intensely practical +thing, whether taken in the <i>personal</i> sense or the +<i>world</i> sense. He has been crowned in the upper +world. With wondrous patience and graciousness +He pleads for the personal crowning in our +lives. Some day—no one knows just when—He +will begin to <i>act</i> as the crowned Christ <i>in all +the affairs of our earth</i>.</p> + +<p>The initiative of all action to-day on the earth +is in man's hands. Some day the initiative of +<i>governing</i> action on the earth will be in the hands +of the crowned Christ, even while the personal +initiative of each man's life will still be in his own +hands.</p> + +<p>God is intensely practical. Jesus was never +concerned about speculation nor mere discussion; +He was too intent on helping people. The Bible +is wholly a practical book. It is concerned only +with helping us. It does not tell us all the truth +there is; we shall be constantly learning more +in the future life. But it does tell us all we need +to know now. And its purpose in telling us what +it does is wholly practical,—to urge us to right +choice, and to lives that square with the choice. +This is the purpose that decided just what truth +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Page 6]</a></span>should be told in the Book.</p> + +<p>There is one book of the sixty-six devoted +wholly to this subject of the crowned Christ,—"The +Revelation of John." Every one of these +books touches Him at some angle, and finds its +deepest meaning in what He was to do and did +do, and yields up its secrets only under the touch +of His hand. But this book, the closing and climax +of all, the knot in the end of the inspired +thread, this deals wholly with the action of the +crowned Christ.</p> + +<p>No book of the sixty-six has seemed so much +like a riddle and set so many a-guessing. And +without doubt much of its meaning will be clear +only as events work themselves out. Events will +prove the only expositor of much. But it is with +the deep conviction that this is wholly a <i>practical +book</i>, written wholly from a practical point of +view, and concerned wholly with our practical +daily lives, that I have ventured to take it up in +this series of simple, wholly practical, Quiet +Talks. And it is only this side of its teachings +that will be dealt with here. The Book is a street +leading into the true overcoming life the Master +would woo us to.</p> + +<p>It is only after many years' study of this Book +of the Revelation, and a special study the past +three years and a little more, that I have ventured +to put these talks together. And now they are +sent out with the earnest humble prayer that +others may find some little practical help in +prayerfully reading, as I have found much in +prayerfully studying, under the Master's gracious +faithful touch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"> +<a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Page 7]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="contents"> +<ul class="toc"> +<li>I.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">The Christ Crowned, the Fact</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></span></li> +<li>II.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">The Crown Book</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></span></li> +<li>III.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">A Sight of the Crowned Christ</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></span></li> +<li>IV.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">A Message From the Crowned Christ</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></span></li> +<li>V.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">An Advance Step in the Royal Programme</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></span></li> +<li>VI.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">A Clearing-up Storm in the Realm</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></span></li> +<li>VII.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">The Crowned Christ Reigning</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></span></li> +<li>VIII.<span class="TOCchapterTitle">Watching the Horizon</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_235">235</a></span></li> +</ul></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Page 9]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="I_THE_CHRIST_CROWNED_THE_FACT" id="I_THE_CHRIST_CROWNED_THE_FACT"></a>I.—THE CHRIST CROWNED, THE FACT</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Page 10]</a></span> +"When God sought a King for His people of old,<br /> +<span class="i1">He went to the fields to find him;</span><br /> +A shepherd was he, with his crook and his lute<br /> +<span class="i1">And a following flock behind him.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"O love of the sheep, O joy of the lute,<br /> +<span class="i1">And the sling and the stone for battle;</span><br /> +A shepherd was King, the giant was naught,<br /> +<span class="i1">And the enemy driven like cattle.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"When God looked to tell of His good will to men,<br /> +<span class="i1">And the Shepherd-King's son whom He gave them;</span><br /> +To shepherds, made meek a-caring for sheep,<br /> +<span class="i1">He told of a Christ sent to save them.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"O love of the sheep, O watch in the night,<br /> +<span class="i1">And the glory, the message, the choir;</span><br /> +'Twas shepherds who saw their King in the straw,<br /> +<span class="i1">And returned with their hearts all on fire.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"When Christ thought to tell of His love to the world<br /> +<span class="i1">He said to the throng before him,</span><br /> +'The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep—'<br /> +<span class="i1">And away to the cross they bore Him.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"O love of the sheep, O blood sweat of prayer,<br /> +<span class="i1">O man on the cross, God-forsaken;</span><br /> +A shepherd has gone to defend all alone<br /> +<span class="i1">The sheepfold by death overtaken.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"When God sought a King for His people, for aye,<br /> +<span class="i1">He went to the grave to find him;</span><br /> +And a shepherd came back, Death dead in His grasp,<br /> +<span class="i1">And a following flock behind Him.</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[1] Joseph Addison Richards.</p></div> +<p>"O love of the sheep, O life from the dead,<br /> +<span class="i1">O strength of the faint and the fearing;</span><br /> +A shepherd is King, and His Kingdom will come.<br /> +<span class="i1">And the day of His coming is nearing." <a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><span class="snlabel">[1]</span></span><br /> +</p></div> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Page 11]</a></span> +</p> +<h4>Coronation Gift.</h4> + +<p>Christ is crowned. Not in any vague far-fetched +meaning, but in the plain common-sense +meaning of the word, He is <i>crowned</i>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[2] Mark xvi. 19.</p></div><p>For crowned means put in the place of highest +power, with full right to exercise that power at +will. And when the crucified Jesus went up that +Olivet day, before the astonished eyes of the disciples, +into the sightless blue, on the cloud, He +was received in the upper world by the Father. +And He was lifted up into the place of highest +honour and greatest power. He sat down at the +right hand of the Father.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><span class="snlabel">[2]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[3] Matthew xxvi. 64.</p></div><p>He had said it would be so. Breathing the air +thick with bitter hate on the night of His trial, +He had quietly said to the Jewish rulers that +even so it would be, bringing at once about His +person the bursting of the storm of hate.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><span class="snlabel">[3]</span> Now +His unfaltering trust in His Father has its sweet +reward.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[4] Acts ii. 33; iii. 13-16; v. 31-32; vii. 55, 56.</p></div><p>The Holy Spirit poured out on Pentecost, the +birthday of the Church, was the gift of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Page 12]</a></span> +<i>crowned</i> Christ. The rushing sound as of a mighty +wind that filled all the house, the tongues of flame +plainly seen, the bold talking to the crowds of +foreign Jews of God's mighty power, the faithful +witnessing about the crucified Jesus in the +city that hounded Him to death, the convinced +crowds openly declaring at the peril of their lives +their belief in the despised Jesus, the strangely +rare unselfishness even in money matters, and +the winsome graciousness of spirit that marked, +not only the inner circle, but these greatly +increased crowds,—all this said one thing in +clear unanswerable tones of unmistakable power, +<i>Christ is crowned</i>.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><span class="snlabel">[4]</span> For the sending down +of the Holy Spirit was the act of the crowned +Christ.</p> + +<p>And every touch of the Holy Spirit's presence +within trusting hearts,—the sweet peace, the quiet +assurance, the longing for purity, the drawing +away to prayer, the hunger for God's Word, +the intense desire to have others saved, the passion +to please this wondrous God of ours,—all +these simple marks of the Holy Spirit's presence +in our hearts, all tell us, and each tells us, in +unmistakable tones, that Christ is crowned. For +this wondrous Spirit within is the gift of the +crowned Christ.</p> + +<p>When Jesus went up from the earth, holding +as His sure captive the captivity of suffering +and death to which He had with such great +strength yielded, He received gifts, coronation +gifts. The Father gave Him all. He gave Him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Page 13]</a></span> +the disposal and control of all. This was the +crowning.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[5] Psalm lxviii. 18; Ephesians iv. 8; Acts ii. 33.</p></div><p>And in His great out-reaching love Christ received +these gifts <i>on behalf of men</i>, His blood +brothers. And at once He gave to men, to His +trusting disciples, the all-inclusive gift, the Holy +Spirit, His coronation gift.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><span class="snlabel">[5]</span> So God came anew +to dwell with men as originally planned.</p> + +<p>This blessed Presence within tells me, by His +mere presence, that Christ is crowned.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[6] Romans viii. 34; Ephesians i. 20-22; Philippians ii. +9-11; Colossians iii. 1.</p><p>[7] I Peter iii. 22.</p></div><p>The writers of the New Testament make a +chorus of sweet music on this chord, ringing +out in clear tones the full notes of delight and +joy. Luke's simple narrative sounds the note +four times. Paul swells it out with a joyous fulness +that grows in volume and intensity as his +narrowing prison walls shut out more and more +the lower lights, and centres his upward gaze +upon Jesus, "far above all rule, and authority, +and power, and dominion, and every name that +is named," with "all things in subjection under +His feet."<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><span class="snlabel">[6]</span> John's special companion and working +partner, Peter, makes this note blend with and +dominate the minor chord of suffering for +Christ's sake.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><span class="snlabel">[7]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[8] Hebrews i. 3; ii. 8-9; viii. 1; x. 12; xii. 2.</p></div><p>The Christian Hebrew who wrote so eloquently +to his fellow-countrymen of the immense superiority +of Jesus and so modestly withheld his own +name, strikes this note five times with strong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Page 14]</a></span> +clear touch.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><span class="snlabel">[8]</span> He quotes that Eighth Psalm, +which so wonderfully gives God's own ideal for +man's mastery over all creation. And then he +tells us that in Jesus the ideal will yet be fully +realized. And that while the whole plan has not +yet fully worked out as it will, yet <i>even now</i> we +see the Jesus who tasted death for every one, +crowned with glory and honour as part of the +plan which He carried out in suffering the extreme +suffering of death.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[9] Revelation iii. 21.</p></div><p>And our Lord Jesus Himself, talking out of +the glory to the man who was His bosom companion +on earth, reserves as His last tender plea +to us to live the overcoming life this—"he that +overcometh I will give him to sit down with me +in my throne as I also overcame and <i>sat +down with my Father on His throne</i>."<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><span class="snlabel">[9]</span></p> + +<p>And so we find out just what this word +crowned means. Jesus was received in the upper +world, exalted, glorified, made to sit down at the +Father's right hand, put far above all rule and +authority, with a name greater in the sweep of +its power than any other, and with all things +put in absolute subjection under His feet. This +is the simple, direct meaning of the sentence—Christ +is crowned.</p> + +<p>What a contrast the two faces of that glory +cloud saw! The face looking down, and the face +looking up! The one—the downward face—looked +upon a cross, a Man hanging there with +a mocking crown of thorns without and a break<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Page 15]</a></span>ing +heart within, scowling priests, jeering crowds, +deserting disciples, sneering soldiers, weeping +women, heart-broken friends, a horror of darkness, +a cave-tomb under imperial seal, and blackest +night settling down over all.</p> + +<p>The other—the upward face—looked upon a +great burst of the upper glory, the countless +angels singing swelling songs of worship, the +wondrous winged cherubim, the redeemed hosts +from Eden days on reverently bowing and exultantly +singing, the exquisitely soft-green-rainbow-circled +throne, the Father's face, once hidden, +but to be hidden now never again, the <i>shared</i> +seat on the Father's throne,—what a contrast!</p> + +<p>Here crucified—there crowned. Crucified on +earth, one of the smaller globes of the universe. +On the throne of the whole universe of globes—crowned! +From the lowest depth to the one extreme +height. From hate's worst to Love's best. +From love poured out for men to love enthroned +for those same men; love triumphant each time, +on cross and on throne. What a contrast! What +a coronation! What a welcome home to a +throne!</p> + +<h4>The Music of a Name.</h4> + +<p>It is most intensely interesting to recall that, +of course, this is just what the very word Christ +means,—the Crowned One. We sometimes get +so used to a word that it is easy to forget its +real meaning. The word Christ has been used so +generally for so many centuries as a <i>name</i> that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Page 16]</a></span> +we forget that originally it was a title, and not a +name.</p> + +<p>And it still is a title, though used chiefly as a +name. Some day the title-meaning will overlap +the name-meaning. We may never cease thinking +of it as a name, but there is a time coming +when events will make the title-meaning so big +as to clear over-shadow our thought and use of it +as a name.</p> + +<p>It helps to recall the distinctive meaning of +the words we use for Him who walked amongst, +and was one of us. Jesus is His <i>name</i>. It belongs +to the <i>man</i>. It belongs peculiarly to the +thirty-three years and a bit more that He was +here, even though not exclusively used in that +way in the Book.</p> + +<p>There's a rare threefold sweetness of meaning +in that five-lettered name. There is the +meaning of the old word lying within the +name, before it became a name, victory, victor, +saviour-victor, Jehovah-victor. There is the +swing and rhythm and murmur of music, glad +joyous music, in its very beginnings as a common +word.</p> + +<p>Then it has come to stand wholly for a <i>personality</i>, +the rarely gentle, winsome, strong +personality of the Man of Bethlehem and Nazareth, +and of those crowded service-days. And +every memory of His personality sweetens and +enriches the music in the old word.</p> + +<p>And then the deepest significance, the richest +rhythm, the sweetest melody, come from the +meaning His experiences, His life, pressed into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Page 17]</a></span> +it. The sympathy, the suffering, the wilderness, +the Cross, the Resurrection, all the experiences +He went through, these give to this victory-word, +Jesus, a meaning unknown before. They +put the name Jesus actually above every name +in the experiences of tense conflict and sweeping +victory it stands for. This threefold chording +makes music never to be broken nor forgotten.</p> + +<p> +"There is no name so sweet on earth,<br /> +<span class="i1">No name so sweet in heaven,</span><br /> +The name before His wondrous birth,<br /> +<span class="i1">To Christ the Saviour given."</span><br /> +</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[10] Acts ii. 36.</p><p>[11] Romans x. 9.</p></div><p>Lord is a title, of course. It was used of one +who was a proprietor, an owner, or a master. It +was commonly used as a title of honour for one +in superior position, as a leader or teacher. In +speaking of Jesus it is coupled with the title +Christ as an interchangeable word,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><span class="snlabel">[10]</span> as well as +an additional title. But peculiarly it is the <i>personal +title</i> given Jesus by one who takes Him +as his own personal Master,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><span class="snlabel">[11]</span> while it still retains +its broader meaning.</p> + +<p>But <i>Christ</i> is peculiarly <i>the official title</i> of +Jesus. There is only one Christ. Lord is used +of men. It is used of both the Father and the +Holy Spirit, as well as of Jesus. But the name +Christ is used of only one person, and can mean +only that one. There could be only one Christ.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[12] I Samuel xvi. 6; xxiv. 6, 10; II Samuel i. 14-16; +xix. 21, and elsewhere; Psalm xviii. 50, and frequently +in Psalms.</p></div><p>The word or its equivalent was used occasionally +in the Old Testament in a narrowed sense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Page 18]</a></span> +for the King of Israel, who is reverently spoken +of as "the Lord's anointed," that is, God's Messiah +or Christ.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><span class="snlabel">[12]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[13] John i. 20, 25; Luke iii. 15.</p></div><p>But the one common thought of it among the +Hebrew people, growing ever intenser as the Old +Testament period merges into the time of the +New, was that there was one coming, <i>the</i> Messiah, +<i>the</i> Christ, God's chosen, the one anointed +and empowered, to be their Deliverer. The one +question that sets all hearts a-flutter about the +rugged John of the deserts was this: "Is he <i>the</i> +Christ?"<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><span class="snlabel">[13]</span> In their thought there was only one +to whom the title belonged.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[14] Philippians ii. 10; I Corinthians xv. 24-26.</p></div><p>And even so it is. Christ is the official title +of <i>the One</i> Chosen and anointed by God to be +ruler over His Hebrew people, and over all the +race, and the earth, and the universe,—God's +King, to reign until all have been brought into +full allegiance to the great loving Father.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><span class="snlabel">[14]</span> The +Christ is the Crowned One, God's Crowned One. +The very word Christ tells that Christ is +crowned.</p> + +<h4>Our Great Kinsman.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[15] John xvii. 5; i. 1-3; Colossians i. 15-17.</p></div><p>There is an intensely interesting question that +crowds its way in here, and it proves an immensely +practical question, too. <i>Why</i> was Christ +crowned? We can say at once that this was His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Page 19]</a></span> +due. He was given that which belonged to Him +in good right. He was reinstated in His former +position, with all the power and glory that were +His before His errand to the earth.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><span class="snlabel">[15]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[16] Matthew xxvi. 64; Acts ii. 22-24, 32-36; Philippians +ii. 9-11; Hebrews ii. 9.</p></div><p>Then too this was His vindication after the +shameful treatment of earth. Before the eyes of +all the upper world, both loyal and disloyal eyes, +this man whom earth hounded so shamelessly is +vindicated; He is set right by the Father.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><span class="snlabel">[16]</span></p> + +<p>But there is yet more than this. It is a more of +a sort that concerns <i>us</i> very closely, and it sets +one's heart a-beating a bit faster. This crowning +was part of a plan, a plan of which our earth +is the centre. It was the second great part of +a plan of which the suffering and dying were the +first great part. Both were for the sake of us +men and our earth-home, and the lower creation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[17] Hebrews ii. 5-18.</p></div><p>This is the thing being emphasized in the second +great paragraph of the Hebrews.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><span class="snlabel">[17]</span> Man was +made the under-master of the earth and of the +lower creation, but lost, weakly surrendered, his +place of mastery. The new Man came to recover +for man what had been lost and to realize +this original lost plan.</p> + +<p>And so He became our brother, sharer of our +flesh and blood, tempted like as we, perfected +in His human character by the experiences He +went through, then tasted to the bitter dregs the +death that belongs to our sin. And then follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Page 20]</a></span>ing +that, He was crowned with glory and honour. +And so He rises to the place of mastery +over all that belongs to perfect man. So He +brings all creation into the glad subjection +which is its natural happy state. It is for +earth's sake, for the race's sake, and for the +sake of our faithful companions and servants, +the whole lower creation, that Christ has been +crowned.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[18] Romans vii. 19-22; Jeremiah ix. 10; xii. 4, 11; xxiii. +10; Genesis iii. 17-19; Acts iii. 21.</p></div><p>We think more about the personal meaning to +ourselves of His having died and risen again. +We need to remember, too, this broader meaning. +The dying and rising secures our salvation personally. +The crowning and the reigning will +work out the redemption of all nature and of the +lower creation,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><span class="snlabel">[18]</span> and this in turn will mean much +for men living on the earth in the Kingdom time, +and for the race as a race.</p> + +<p>This leads at once to another question that +presses in. What is the <i>domain</i> of the crowned +Christ? If we take the crowning in the common +meaning of that word, it means that there +is some domain that Christ rules over. What +is it that He is crowned over?</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[19] Ephesians i. 20-22; Hebrews ii. 6-8.</p></div><p>And the answer is so sweeping as to seem +far-away and dreamy to us who are living on this +sin-hurt earth. He is the crowned Ruler of the +whole created universe and all intelligent beings +in it. He has been placed over absolutely every +"rule and authority and power and dominion, +and not only in this present age but in the com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Page 21]</a></span>ing +age."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><span class="snlabel">[19]</span> There is simply no limit in extent +to His domain. Everything has been placed in +subjection to Him and is now subject to His +word, and His alone.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[20] Philippians ii. 9-11.</p></div><p>There is a striking passage in Philippians that +fits in here.<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><span class="snlabel">[20]</span> In speaking of the exaltation of +Jesus Christ, Paul is careful to explain particularly +that every knee would bow, <i>in the heavens</i>, +and, <i>on the earth</i>, and <i>under</i> the earth or in the +<i>world below</i>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[21] Ephesians vi. 12; Colossians ii. 15.</p><p>[22] Colossians ii. 10; Ephesians iii. 10; iv. 8-10; +I Corinthians xv. 24.</p></div><p>This threefold division is very striking. The +heaven things are understood at once, and things +of the earth sphere. But there is a third world +to be taken into account, that strange uncanny +world of evil spirit beings in rebellion against +God's authority. It is spoken of repeatedly as +principalities and powers, indicating numbers and +organization, dignity, and power.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><span class="snlabel">[21]</span> All of this is +included in what has been placed under Christ's +authority.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><span class="snlabel">[22]</span></p> + +<h4>Is Christ Reigning Now?</h4> + +<p>But there is still another question that has been +impatiently pushing underneath for some time. +And it also is an intensely practical one. Does +this mean that Christ is actually ruling now over +this domain of His? How about the affairs on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Page 22]</a></span> +the earth? Are all things here subject to Him? +Is this the way He would have things go? And +some of us think the evil spirits seem pretty free +in their movements. This present order of things +that we are living in the thick of, is this the reign +of the crowned Christ? And some of us feel the +stress of things so much that we can scarce keep +patient for a thoughtful poised answer to our +questions.</p> + +<p>There are those, and good earnest folk they +are, too, who tell us that Christ has come, and +is constantly coming, more and more, into our +common life. The higher ideals that are crowding +for expression, the more spiritual conceptions +of man and his brotherly relations, the constant +striving toward better civilization, the bettering of +the condition of the poor and less fortunate, the +increased recognition of men's rights in the complex +industrial world, the increasing effort to +correct evils by legislation, the great moral reforms +that are sweeping aside the awful liquor +curse, and loosening women's bonds, and safeguarding +young womanhood and children, the +newer aggressiveness in the missionary propaganda +and in much of the activity of the Church, +even the attempt to humanize and civilize the +warfare that in itself is stupidly savage and utterly +inhuman,—is not all this a coming of Christ +and of the Christ-spirit into our common life? +many ask.</p> + +<p>And there is only one answer to such questions, +a strong emphatic "yes." It surely is the +Christ-spirit that moves in all of this. This is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Page 23]</a></span> +coming of Christ; and a blessed coming, too. +There was nothing of this sort before the Christ-spirit +began to sweeten the world's life. And +there is none of it to-day except in those parts +of the world where the Christ-spirit influences +life.</p> + +<p>But—there's a "but"—it proves a blessed but; +this is only a crumb or two falling from a loaded +table. And he who judges Christ by these +crumbs only, wholesome and toothsome as they +are, will have a very skimpy conception of +Christ.</p> + +<p>All of this sort of thing that has come has come +very slowly. It has had to fight through and +in, every step of the way that it has come. Its +coming has been opposed stubbornly, maliciously, +viciously every inch of the road, as only those +know who are in the thick of the struggle for +these reforms, panting for breath sometimes.</p> + +<p>It is as though a few whiffs of wholesome life-giving +air have breathed through the cracks and +crevices of the breastworks and fortifications of +evil in which all our common life seems entrenched. +But the fortifications are still there. +If the sweet, wholesome breathing in through +cracks and crannies has been so blest, what would +it be if the forces of evil were clean removed +from the scene, and the Christ-spirit became the +whole atmosphere breathed fully and freely without +restraint, with no bad draughts, and no counter +currents to guard and fight against?</p> + +<p>It would seem like a strange sort of a kingdom +if the present is even a gradual coming in of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Page 24]</a></span> +the Kingdom. We would seem to be having a +new, strange sort of a Christ if the present is a +sample of His sort of reigning. For it may well +be thoughtfully doubted if ever there was such +a condition of feverish unrest in all parts of the +world as to-day.</p> + +<p>It is most difficult to put your finger on a single +spot of the world-map that is not being torn +and uptorn by unrest in one shape or another. +Either actual war, or constant studious preparation +for war, actually never ceases. And it is +difficult to say which is the worse of the two. +The actual war reveals more terribly to our eyes +and ears the awful cost in treasure and in precious +human blood spilled without stint. The +never-ceasing preparation for war seems actually +to cost more. In the immense treasure involved, +and in blood too, given out, not on an occasional +battlefield, but in the continual battle of daily life +to meet the terrible drain of taxation, it costs immensely +more. There is less of the tragic for +the news headings, but not a whit less, rather +much more, in the slow suffering, the pinched +lives, and the awful temptations to barter character +for bread.</p> + +<p>Then there is the continual seething unrest +in the industrial world; the protests sometimes +so strange and startling against social and political +conditions; the feverish greed for gold, and land, +and position; the intense pace of all our modern +life; the abandonment of home and home ideals; +the terrific attack against our young womanhood. +The political pot which gathers into itself all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Page 25]</a></span> +these things, never quits boiling or boiling over, +in some part of the world, now here, now there. +And it seems like the greatest achievement of +diplomacy when here and there it can be kept +from boiling clean over, or at least made to boil +over less.</p> + +<p>It would seem indeed like a queer sort of +kingdom if this is a sample. Some of us would +have less heart in repeating one petition of the +old daily prayer. And Christ would seem to have +quite changed His spirit and character if this is +a result of His coming.</p> + +<h4>The Greatness of Patience.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[23] Hebrews ii. 8.</p></div><p>And the great simple truth is this, the truth +that in the strange mix-up of life we easily lose +sight of is this: <i>Christ has not yet taken possession +of all of His domain</i>; a part of it still remains +to be possessed. "We see <i>not yet</i> all things subjected +to Him."<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><span class="snlabel">[23]</span> We are living in the "not-yet" +interval between the crowning and the +actual reigning. We are living on the "not-yet" +possessed part of His domain.</p> + +<p>And the question that comes hot and quick +from our lips, even though with an attempt at +subdued reverence, is this: "Why does He not +take possession, and untangle the snarl, and right +the wrongs, and bring in the true rational order +of things?" And all the long waiting, the soreness +of hearts over the part that touches one's +own life most closely, the shortness of breath in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Page 26]</a></span> +the tensity of the struggle, underscore that word +"why?"</p> + +<p>And the answer to the impatient question reveals +all afresh the greatness of the love of our +Christ. His greatness is shown most in His +<i>patience</i>. But patience is one of the things we +men on this old earth don't know. It's one of +the unknown quantities to us. It can be known +only by knowing God. For patience is love at +its best. Patience is God at His best. His is +the patience that sees all, and feels all with the +tender heart that broke once under the load, and +yet waits, steadily waits, and then waits just a +bit longer.</p> + +<p>In this He runs the risk of being misunderstood. +Men in their stupidity constantly mistake +strong patience for weakness or indifference +or lack of a gripping purpose. And God is +misunderstood in this, even by His trusting children. +But, even so, the object to be gained is +so great, and so near Christ's heart that He +waits, strongly waits with a patience beyond our +comprehension; waits just a bit longer, always +just a bit longer.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[24] II Peter iii. 8-9; Romans ii. 4; ix. 22; Revelation +ii. 21; I Peter iii. 20; II Peter iii. 15; Exodus xxxiv. +6-7.</p></div><p>There are two parts to the answer. Jesus the +Christ is giving man the fullest opportunity. He +never interferes with man's right of free choice. +Man is free to do as he chooses. Every possible +means is used to influence him to choose right, but +the choice itself is always left to the man. The +present is man's opportunity. The initiative of +action on the earth is altogether in man's hand. +All of God's power is at man's disposal; but man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Page 27]</a></span> +must <i>reach out</i> and <i>take</i>. This long stretched +but waiting time is for man's sake, that he may +have fullest opportunity. The longsuffering of +God would woo men.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><span class="snlabel">[24]</span></p> + +<p>When at length opportunity comes to its end +it will be only because things have gotten into +such desperate shape, into such an awful fix, that +at length <i>for man's sake</i> Christ will step into the +direct action of the earth once again. He will +take the leadership of earth into His own hands, +even while still leaving each man free in his +individual choice. This is the first part of the +answer. The waiting is that man may have fullest +opportunity.</p> + +<p>Then Christ has a great hunger for <i>willing</i> +hearts. No words are strong enough to tell His +longing for a free, glad, joyous surrender to His +mastery. He could so easily end the present conflict, +but He waits that men may bring to Him +the allegiance of their lives, given of their own +glad, gracious, voluntary accord. He was a volunteer +Saviour. He longs for that love that is +the bubbling out of a free, full heart.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[25] James v. 7.</p></div><p>The best love is only given freely without any +compulsion of any sort, save only love's sweet +compelling. He wants what He gives—the best. +And so He waits, patiently waits just a bit longer. +This is the second bit of the answer. The long +delay spells out the hunger as well as the patience +of God's heart. The divine Husbandman is pa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Page 28]</a></span>tiently +waiting, and sending warm sun and soft +rains and fragrant dews while waiting.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><span class="snlabel">[25]</span></p> + +<div class="poem"><p class="stanza"> +"The Husbandman waiteth—<br /> +<span class="i1">The <i>Husbandman</i>? Why?</span><br /> +For the heart of one servant<br /> +<span class="i1">Who hears not His cry.</span><br /> +</p><p class="stanza"> +"The Husbandman waiteth—<br /> +<span class="i1">He <i>waiteth</i>? What for?</span><br /> +For the heart of one servant<br /> +<span class="i1">To love Him yet more.</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[26] F. M. N.</p></div> +<p class="stanza"> +"The Husbandman waiteth—<br /> +<span class="i1">Long patience hath He—</span><br /> +But He waiteth in hunger—<br /> +<span class="i1">Oh! Is it for thee?"<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><span class="snlabel">[26]</span></span> +</p></div> + +<h4>Taking with Your Life.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[27] Ephesians i. 20-22.</p></div><p>But—ah! listen, there's a wonderful "but" to +put in here. But, while waiting <i>He puts all His +limitless power at our disposal</i>. If that simple +sentence could be put into letters of living flame, +its tremendous meaning might burn into our +hearts. When Paul piled up phrase on phrase +in his eager attempt to have his Asiatic friends +in and around Ephesus take in the limitless power +of the ascended Christ, he added the significant +words, "to the Church."<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><span class="snlabel">[27]</span> All that power is for +the use, and at the disposal, of the Church.</p> + +<p>The Church was meant to be a unit in spirit +in loyalty to her absent Lord, wholly under the +dominating touch of the Holy Spirit, not only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Page 29]</a></span> +in her official actions, but in the lives of the individual +members. If she were so, no human +imagination could take in the startling, revolutionary +power, softly, subtly, but with resistless +sweep, flowing down from the crowned Christ, +among grateful men.</p> + +<p>Not being such a unit it is not possible that that +power shall be as great in manifestation as was +planned and meant. For no individual nor group +can ever take the place in action of the whole +unified body of believers, acting as a channel +for the power of the crowned Christ. That power +shall be realized on the earth only when the +Church is so unified, and at work, under the +reigning Christ, from the new headquarters up +in the heavens.</p> + +<p>But meanwhile all of that power is <i>at the disposal +of any disciple of Christ</i>—the humblest—who +will simply live in full-faced touch with +Christ, and who will <i>take</i> of that power as the +need comes, and as the sovereign Holy Spirit +leads.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[28] Ephesians iii. 20.</p></div><p>It is of this, this <i>personal</i> taking, that Paul is +speaking when he piles up that intense sentence: +"able to do <i>exceeding abundantly above all that +we ask or think</i> according to <i>the power that worketh +in us</i>."<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><span class="snlabel">[28]</span> The great bother in Paul's day and +ever since, and now, is to get people to <i>take</i>. The +power is fairly a-tremble in the air at our very +finger-tips. And we go limping, crutching along +both bodily and mentally and in our spiritual +leanness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Page 30]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[29] John xiv. 12-14.</p></div><p>Those tremendous words of Jesus, "because +I go unto the Father," with the whole passage in +which they occur,<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><span class="snlabel">[29]</span> must be read in <i>the light shining +from the throne</i>. Only so can they be understood. +But then, so read, they begin to grip us, +and grip us hard, as we see what He really meant +and means.</p> + +<p>He who has the warm, child-like touch of heart +with Jesus, that the word "believeth" stands for, +shall—as the Holy Spirit has full control—do the +same works as Jesus did, same in kind and in +degree, and then shall do even greater than Jesus +ever did. <i>Because</i> it is now the glorified crowned +Christ who is doing them through some child +of His, simple-hearted enough to let Him have +full control.</p> + +<p>And the means through which He will do them +is simple, child-like, trusting, humble prayer. The +man using the power is on his knees. The lower +down he gets the more and more freely the power +flows down and out among men.</p> + +<p>As one learns to keep in touch—learns it +slowly, stumblingly, with many a stupid fall, and +many a tremble and quiver—as he learns to keep +in simple touch with the crowned Christ he will +find <i>all</i> the power of that Christ coming with a +soft surging throb of life wherever needed. <i>We +may have all we can take.</i> But <i>the taking must +be with one's very life</i>. No mere earnest repeating +of a creed in Church service will avail here. +The repeating must be, syllable by syllable, with +feet and will, with hands and life, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Page 31]</a></span> +daily tread where each step is stubbornly +contested.</p> + +<p>This is the bit of truth for the waiting time. +This is the song to be singing in this present +"not-yet" interval. And the song will help cut +down the length of that "not-yet," until the friction +of our lived faith shall wear off the "not" +and wipe out the "yet," and we shall find the +crowned Christ a reigning Christ.</p> + +<p>For some day this patient waiting crowned +Man will rise up from His seat at the Father's +right hand. He will step directly into the action +of earth once again. Man will have had his fullest +opportunity lengthened out to the last notch +of his possible use of it. Then we shall see the +crowned Christ quietly stepping in, taking matters +wholly into His own hands, and acting in all the +affairs of earth as the Crowned One. Then He +shall reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates +out to where the ends of the earth become +a common line on the other side. The +Kingdom will have come, for the King will be +reigning.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[30] Hebrews x. 13.</p><p>[31] Acts iii. 21.</p></div><p>The night will be gone. The day has come. +The shadows flee. He has come, whose presence +puts the new day at dawn, with the East +all aflame, and the fragrant dew glistening gladly +on every tender green blade. This time of expectancy +is over;<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><span class="snlabel">[30]</span> the time of making real has +<i>come</i>. Then comes the restoration of the old +original love plan to earth and beast and man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Page 32]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><span class="snlabel">[31]</span></p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"Thou art coming, O my Saviour!<br /> +<span class="i1">Thou art coming, O my King!</span><br /> +In thy glory all-transcendent;<br /> +In thy beauty all resplendent;<br /> +<span class="i1">Well may we rejoice and sing!</span><br /> +Coming! In the opening east,<br /> +<span class="i1">Herald brightness slowly swells;</span><br /> +Coming, O my glorious Priest,<br /> +<span class="i1">Hear we not thy golden bells?</span><br /> +</p><p> +"Thou art coming, Thou art coming!<br /> +<span class="i1">We shall meet Thee on Thy way,</span><br /> +We shall see Thee, we shall know Thee,<br /> +We shall bless Thee, we shall show Thee<br /> +<span class="i1">All our hearts could never say!</span><br /> +What an anthem that will be,<br /> +Ringing out our love to Thee;<br /> +Pouring out our rapture sweet<br /> +At Thine own all-glorious feet!<br /> +</p><p> +"Thou art coming! Rays of glory,<br /> +<span class="i1">Through the veil Thy death has rent,</span><br /> +Touch the mountain and the river<br /> +With a golden glowing quiver,<br /> +<span class="i1">Thrill of light and music blent.</span><br /> +Earth is brightened when this gleam<br /> +Falls on flower, rock, and stream;<br /> +Life is brightened when this ray<br /> +Falls upon its darkest day.<br /> +</p><p> +"Not a cloud and not a shadow,<br /> +<span class="i1">Not a mist and not a tear,</span><br /> +Not a sin and not a sorrow,<br /> +Not a dim and veiled to-morrow,<br /> +<span class="i1">For that sunrise grand and clear!</span><br /> +Jesus, Saviour, once with Thee,<br /> +<span class="i1">Nothing else seems worth a thought!</span><br /> +Oh, how marvellous will be<br /> +<span class="i1">All the bliss Thy pain hath bought!</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Page 33]</a></span><br /> +"Thou art coming! At Thy table,<br /> +<span class="i1">We are witnesses of this,</span><br /> +While remembering hearts Thou meetest,<br /> +In communion clearest, sweetest,<br /> +<span class="i1">Earnest of our coming bliss.</span><br /> +Showing not Thy death alone,<br /> +<span class="i1">And Thy love exceeding great,</span><br /> +But Thy coming and Thy throne,<br /> +<span class="i1">All for which we long and wait.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"Thou art coming! We are waiting<br /> +<span class="i1">With a hope that cannot fail;</span><br /> +Asking not the day or hour,<br /> +Resting on Thy word of power<br /> +<span class="i1">Anchored safe within the veil,</span><br /> +Time appointed may be long,<br /> +<span class="i1">But the vision must be sure;</span><br /> +Certainty shall make us strong,<br /> +<span class="i1">Joyful patience can endure!</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[32] Frances Ridley Havergal.</p></div> +<p> +"O the joy to see Thee reigning,<br /> +<span class="i1">Thee, my own beloved Lord!</span><br /> +Every tongue Thy name confessing,<br /> +Worship, honor, glory, blessing,<br /> +<span class="i1">Brought to Thee with glad accord!</span><br /> +Thee, my Master and my Friend,<br /> +<span class="i1">Vindicated and enthroned!</span><br /> +Unto earth's remotest end<br /> +<span class="i1">Glorified, adored, and owned!"<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><span class="snlabel">[32]</span></span><br /> +</p></div> + +<h4>Working by the Light of the Throne.</h4> + +<p>But we are still in the "not-yet" interval. We +see not yet all things subject to Him. This is +still the waiting time. It is the pleading time +for Him. He pleads for the <i>personal crowning</i> +of Himself in our lives, that He may reign there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Page 34]</a></span> +and He alone. This is our great opportunity. +We shall never see its like again, nor anywhere +else than on this earth.</p> + +<p>In the reigning time that's coming this peculiar +opportunity of crowning Christ while He still is +absent and despised, this will be gone. In the +upper world they have no such opportunity. +There is no opposition there. Now and here is +the rarest opportunity to put this great waiting +patient Man on the throne of heart and life, +with possessions and ambitions and plans all in +subjection under His feet.</p> + +<p>Every woman knows the name of Brussels +lace. The old capital of the low countries of +Europe has long been famous for its lace. It +is of great interest to note the conditions under +which it is sometimes made. They are conditions +studiously prepared after long experience. +In one of the famous lace factories in Brussels +there are a number of small rooms devoted to the +making of some of the most delicate patterns.</p> + +<p>Each room is just large enough for a single +worker, and is quite dark except for one narrow +window. The worker sits so that the stream +of light falls from above directly upon the threads, +while he himself sits in the darkness. The darkness +aids the workman's eyes to see better, and to +work more skilfully in the narrow line of clear +light centred on the delicate task. He weaves +in the upper light intensified by the surrounding +gloom, and does exquisite work.</p> + +<p>There is a clear line of light <i>from a throne</i> +shining down into the darkness in which we sit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Page 35]</a></span> +and move. It shines from the face of a crowned +Man. In the light of that light we can see clearly +to do a difficult bit of crowning work,—to crown +the Christ in our lives and to keep Him crowned.</p> + +<p>As our eyes follow that line of upper light we +may catch glimpses of His wondrous Face up +there in the glory. So we shall be steadied and +cheered in the darkness as we stick to our glad +crowning work. And so we shall move forward +on the calendar the day when that thin line of +light seen now only by watching eyes shall become +a burst of glory light seen by all eyes.</p> + +<p>And this is the thing the crowned Christ is +asking of us during this waiting time, this "not-yet" +interval. He is counting on each of us +being faithful to Him, our absent Lord, in this.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"He is counting on you.<br /> +<span class="i1">He has need of your life</span><br /> +<span class="i1">In the thick of the strife:</span><br /> +<span class="i1">For that weak one may fall</span><br /> +<span class="i1">If you fail at His call.</span><br /> +He is counting on you,<br /> +If you fail Him—<br /> +<span class="i2">What then?</span><br /> +</p><p> +"He is counting on you.<br /> +<span class="i1">On your silver and gold,</span><br /> +<span class="i1">On that treasure you hold;</span><br /> +<span class="i1">On that treasure still kept,</span><br /> +<span class="i1">Though the doubt o'er you swept</span><br /> +<span class="i1">'Is this gold not <i>all</i> mine?</span><br /> +<span class="i1">(Lord, I knew it was <i>Thine</i>.')</span><br /> +He is counting on you,<br /> +If you fail Him—<br /> +<span class="i2">What then?</span><br /> +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Page 36]</a></span><br /> +"He is counting on you.<br /> +<span class="i1">On a love that will share</span><br /> +<span class="i1">In His burden of prayer,</span><br /> +<span class="i1">For the souls He has bought</span><br /> +<span class="i1">With His life-blood; and sought</span><br /> +<span class="i1">Through His sorrow and pain</span><br /> +<span class="i1">To win 'Home' yet again.</span><br /> +He is counting on you,<br /> +If you fail Him—<br /> +<span class="i2">What then?</span><br /> +</p> +<p> +"He is counting on you.<br /> +<span class="i1">On life, money, and prayer;</span><br /> +<span class="i1">And 'the day shall declare'</span><br /> +<span class="i1">If you let Him have <i>all</i></span><br /> +<span class="i1">In response to His call;</span><br /> +<span class="i1">Or if He in that day</span><br /> +<span class="i1">To your sorrow must say,</span><br /> +'I had counted on you,<br /> +But you failed me'—<br /> +<span class="i2">What then?</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[33] Mrs. Bessie Porter Head.</p></div> +<p> +"He is counting on you.<br /> +<span class="i1">Oh! the wonder and grace,</span><br /> +<span class="i1">To look Christ in the face</span><br /> +<span class="i1">And not be ashamed;</span><br /> +<span class="i1">For you gave what He claimed,</span><br /> +<span class="i1">And you laid down your all</span><br /> +<span class="i1">For His sake—at His call.</span><br /> +He had counted on you,<br /> +And you failed not.<br /> +<span class="i2">What then?"<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><span class="snlabel">[33]</span></span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Ah! Please God, by His grace, we shall not +fail in <i>the ruling purpose</i> of our lives. We may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Page 37]</a></span> +crown Him Lord of all. We <i>can</i>. He asks it. +We surely <i>will</i>.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"With all my powers Him I greet,<br /> +<span class="i1">All subject to His call;</span><br /> +And bowing low at His pierced feet<br /> +<span class="i2"><i>Now</i> crown him Lord of all."</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Page 39]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="II_THE_CROWN_BOOK" id="II_THE_CROWN_BOOK"></a>II.—THE CROWN BOOK</h2> + + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Page 40]</a></span> +"All hail the power of Jesus' Name!<br /> +<span class="i1">Let angels prostrate fall:</span><br /> +Bring forth the royal diadem,<br /> +<span class="i1">And crown Him Lord of all.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"O that with yonder sacred throng<br /> +<span class="i1">We at His feet may fall,</span><br /> +Join in the everlasting song<br /> +<span class="i1">And crown Him Lord of all!</span><br /> +</p><p> +"With all my powers Him I greet,<br /> +<span class="i1">All subject to His call;</span><br /> +And bowing low at His pierced feet,<br /> +<span class="i1"><i>Now</i> crown Him Lord of all.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"I hail the power of Jesus' Name,<br /> +<span class="i1">Before Him gladly fall,</span><br /> +Bring Him my own heart's diadem<br /> +<span class="i1">And crown Him Lord of all!"</span><br /></p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Page 41]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Crowning Book.</h4> + +<p>There is a <i>crown book</i> in this old Book of +God,—the Revelation of John. It is <i>the</i> crown +book, the only one. It is the crown book of the +sixty-six in two senses. It is the capping climax +of the whole revelation of God's Word. It gathers +up into itself in a peculiar way the dominant +characteristics of both the Hebrew Old and the +Greek New Testaments.</p> + +<p>And it is the book of the Crown. The King +is in action. He Himself gives the message of +the book to John. He is seen stepping forward +to take possession of His realm. Then He takes +possession. He dispossesses the pretender. He +reigns over the earth. The Revelation of John is +the Crown book.</p> + +<p>This is the peculiarity of the Revelation in +comparison with all the other books. Only here +is Christ seen exercising His crown rights. From +end to end of the Old Testament pages, His coming +is looked forward to, with an eager longing +that grows in intensity as the national failure +grows ever worse.</p> + +<p>In the Gospels He comes, but not as He was +expected. He is heralded as King, and claims +to be King. He has all the graciousness of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Page 42]</a></span> +King in ministering to the needs of the people, +and all the power of a King in His personal +touch. But He is rejected by the nation, and +goes to the Cross, yet still as a King,—a humiliated, +crucified King.</p> + +<p>In the Acts He is the risen, glorified King +seated at the Father's right hand in glory, and +at work through His followers among men on +the earth. But it is always in the midst of sharp, +bitter opposition. In the Epistles He is seen +crowned at the Father's right hand, guiding and +teaching His followers who are still suffering +persecution.</p> + +<p>But in the Revelation of John all this is +changed. There's a sharp, decided, advance step. +Here He is not only crowned, but stepping directly +and decisively into the action of the earth +in the full exercise of His crowned rights and +power. It is peculiarly the book of the Crown, +the royal book, the enthroned Christ exercising +fully and freely at will His crown rights.</p> + +<h4>Jesus' Bosom Friend.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[34] John i. 35-42.</p></div><p>The book was written by John the disciple and +apostle. This is our same old friend John, whom +we met first that ever-memorable afternoon, down +by the Jordan River road, when he was introduced +to Jesus by the John of the deserts, and +had his first long, quiet talk with Him.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><span class="snlabel">[34]</span> The +friendship began that day, grew steadily, and +never flagged. It was one of the few friendships<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Page 43]</a></span> +that Jesus had that never knew any lapse nor +eclipse.</p> + +<p>He became, in an outstanding sense, the bosom +friend of Jesus. Probably it was not because of +any special gentleness or amiability on John's part, +though he may have had something of these traits. +It was more likely because of the deep, intelligent +sympathy between the two, a sympathy not only +of personality, but deeper and stronger because +of a mental and spirit likeness growing up between +them. It would seem likely that John developed +a mental grasp, a spirit insight, a student +thoughtfulness, a steadiness of temperament, and +with these, a growing understanding of much—at +the least—much of Jesus' spirit and ideals and +vision.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[35] Luke ix. 54.</p></div><p>It may quite be that all this came slowly, and +grew up out of the constant contact with Jesus, +and out of the warm personal love between the +two men; quite likely. Who could live so close +to Jesus as he and not bear the marks on mind +and spirit? The fire that burned so fiercely +in early years<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><span class="snlabel">[35]</span> grew into a steady, unflickering +flame under the influence of that personal friendship.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[36] John xviii. 15-16.</p></div><p>It seems not unlikely that John belonged to a +good family, and had his home in Jerusalem. He +was clearly on terms of easy intimacy at the +palace of the High Priest,<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><span class="snlabel">[36]</span> which in itself would +suggest his social standing in the city. It was to +this man that Jesus, on the Cross, committed the +care of His mother. And John accepted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Page 44]</a></span> +trust as a tender token of friendship, and took +Mary at once to his own home. And as Mary +remained in Jerusalem at least some time, and +John clearly for a long time, the home was likely +there.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[37] Luke xxii. 8.</p><p>[38] Acts iii. 1, 3, 4, 11; iv. 13, 19; viii. 14, 25; Galatians +ii. 9.</p></div><p>John was one of the chief leaders in Jerusalem +during the Pentecost days, and after. Peter +was the chief spokesman, but John was always +close by his side. The friendship between the +two seems to have been close and of long standing. +They were sent together by the Master to +arrange for the supper that memorable betrayal +night,<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><span class="snlabel">[37]</span> and they are seen together in the activities +in Jerusalem for many years.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><span class="snlabel">[38]</span></p> + +<p>It would seem that in later years John left Jerusalem, +and made his home for the remainder +of his life in Ephesus. Doubtless he was led, +after the years of leadership in the mother +Church, to leave the great Jew centre, and devote +his strength to missionary service in the outside +Gentile world.</p> + +<p>Ephesus was the chief city of the province of +Asia, and the natural centre of the population +and life of the province. John probably worked +out from Ephesus, preaching throughout the +whole district; teaching, advising, praying with, +and visiting the groups of little Churches scattered +throughout the province, perhaps founding +some, and strengthening all. For his work seems +to have been, not so much evangelizing, but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Page 45]</a></span> +much more difficult work of teaching, patiently, +carefully, teaching; a work so essential to the life +of any Church. So he would be quite familiar +with the Churches to which the Revelation letters +are sent, and would be well known by these people +and loved and revered by them as a father in +the faith.</p> + +<p>This personal bit about John is of intensest +interest in studying this book of his. It was +to this man that Jesus could entrust the writing +of this special message. John could take in what +the Master was showing him as few, if any others, +could. The close, sympathetic friendship +made him able to take in what his old Friend +and Master is now telling him in the glory. And +he could give it out too, simply, fully, clearly, +just as it was given to him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[39] Mark xvi. 9; John xx. 1, 11-18.</p></div><p>Love can see and grasp, and can obey simply, +where mere mental keenness fails. There +is no tonic for the brain like love in the heart. +No brain ever does its best work, nor can, until +the heart is fired by some tender, noble passion. +It was to Mary Magdalene who had such reason +to love tenderly that Jesus showed Himself first +after the resurrection.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><span class="snlabel">[39]</span></p> + +<p>And it is to John, the bosom friend, whose +friendship stood the severest test where all others +failed, that He now shows Himself in glory, and +entrusts this pleading message, and vision of coming +events, and of the after glory. He that willeth +to do the Master's will shall know surely +and clearly what that will is. And he that goeth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Page 46]</a></span> +farther yet, and willeth to give the tenderest love +of his heart, ever kept at summer heat, shall know +the Master Himself, in present personal touch, +and in clear and clearing understanding of His +coming victorious action and crowning glory.</p> + +<p>John wrote a Gospel; one chief Epistle, besides +the two very brief personal letters; and this book +of the Revelation. The Gospel and Epistles were +quite likely written while in Ephesus.</p> + +<p>The Gospel was his plea to all men to whom +it might come to accept Jesus as their personal +Saviour. Its characteristic word is "believe." +And the plan of it is a simple array of incidents +about Jesus that would lead men to a warm, intelligent +belief in Him.</p> + +<p>The chief Epistle is written to the little groups +of believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, +and doubtless in the old home district of Judea, +too. Its characteristic word is "abide." It is +an intense plea, by a personal friend to abide, +steadily, fully, in Christ, in spite of the growing +defections and difficulties pressing in so close.</p> + +<p>The Revelation was written, quite likely, on the +island of Patmos while all was yet fresh in his +mind; or possibly in Ephesus after his release +from his island prison; or perhaps begun in +Patmos and put into its final shape in Ephesus. +It is written to the little groups of believers in +and near Ephesus. It is a most intense plea to +be personally true to the Lord Jesus in the midst +of subtle compromise and of bitter persecution.</p> + +<p>Its characteristic word is "overcome." It +speaks much of the opposition to be encountered,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Page 47]</a></span> +and tells of greater opposition yet to come, the +greatest ever known. And it pleads, with every +possible promise, and every warning of danger, +that the true believer set himself against the evil +tide, at every risk, and every possible personal +loss, and so that he "overcome" in the Name +of the Lord Jesus.</p> + +<h4>Old and New Woven Together.</h4> + +<p>The language in which the book is written is +of intense interest. It is so unusual. It combines +Hebrew thought and Greek speech. It is +as though a Hebrew soul were living in a Greek +body, and the soul has so dominated the body as +to make decided changes in it. The thought and +imagery, and the very words are largely taken +over from the Old Testament, much of it not +being found elsewhere in the New Testament. It +is as though the Old Testament reaches clear +over the intervening space and writes the last +book of the New as an additional book of the +Old, but with distinct additions. But all these +additions are outgrowths of what is already in +the Old.</p> + +<p>But while the thought and imagery are Hebrew, +the language is Greek. But scholars note +that John's Greek here is different from that +of his Gospel, and is indeed peculiar to itself, +with new grammatical adjustments, as though +better to express his Hebrew thought. Yet, like +the Gospel, it is an easy Greek to learn and to +understand. It is as though the Old Testament<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Page 48]</a></span> +were the warp of a new bit of fabric, with the +New as the shuttle-threads, and yet with such +additions as makes the pattern stand out much +more definite and clear, and the colours in it +more pronounced. Thus this end-book is a weaving +of both Old and New into a new bit of +fabric, but with a more distinct pattern than +either.</p> + +<p>This explains the use of the symbolism which +is so marked here. The picture language of +John's Revelation has seemed very puzzling. It +has seemed like a new language, to which we had +neither grammar nor dictionary, and the intended +meaning of which we could only guess at. But +this is because we are Westerners and a bit set +in our western way. And possibly, too, though +we dislike to confess it, because we have not +gotten a clear, simple grasp of this old Book of +God as a whole. The Bible is an Oriental book, +written in the characteristic picture language of +the Orient.</p> + +<p>The truth is that the symbol or picture +language is meant to make the book <i>easier of +understanding</i>. We simply need to learn how to +read picture language, not whimsically, but sensibly +according to the laws of picture language. The +symbolism or picture sees things as they look at +the moment the picture is taken. The picture +is meant to give one general distinct impression +of the thing being presented, the details of +the picture being of value only as they give coloring +to that one general impression. It is concerned, +not at all, or only in the most incidental<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Page 49]</a></span> +way, with the process by which the thing came +to the point pictured.</p> + +<p>There is a rare wisdom in the use of this picture +language. It is really the common language +not of the Orient merely, but of all the world. +In our western half of the globe it is the language +of the street, the common crowd, the common +exchange of life, and of children. It is the +language of the primitive peoples of all parts +of the world. Everywhere the conventionalized +book-language is spoken by the few. The picture, +with its companion, the story, is the universal, +the original, the natural language of the +race.</p> + +<p>On the mere human side here is one secret +of the freshness of the Bible. It is the oldest +book in some of its parts, but admitted to be +the freshest and most modern in its adaptation +to modern life. And the reason is simple. The +pictures give <i>principles</i>. Principles don't change +with the changing of centuries. Rules change. +Principles abide. Details alter with every generation. +Principles of action are as unchangeable +as human nature, which is ever the same, +east and west, below the equator, and above.</p> + +<p>John's Revelation is naturally full of this picture +language, for it is a gathering up of the +chief threads of the old Oriental Hebrew fabric. +It will help us understand the meaning if we keep +in mind the simple rules of this Hebrew picture +language.</p> + +<p>John, of course, was a Hebrew, born and +bred in a Hebrew home, and immersed in the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Page 50]</a></span> +Hebrew Bible from the time of his mother's +milk. What Greek language and culture had +come was a bit of the outer world come into his +Hebrew home and life. Now in his old age the +early memory is asserting itself.</p> + +<p>Then too it is quite likely that in his imprisonment +he had been brooding anew over the old +prophecies, reviewing afresh events since the +resurrection of Jesus,—the growth of the Church, +and now the severe persecution, with himself a +prisoner. And while he in no way doubts the +unseen overruling Hand, yet he is seeking to get +a fresh outlook into the future from the old +prophetic writings.</p> + +<p>And through all of this without doubt the +Holy Spirit was brooding in unusual measure +over this man, reviving early memory, bringing +to his remembrance all things of other days, +deepening impressions, bringing old facts into +new perspective, giving clearer vision, mellowing +and maturing both mind and heart into fresh +plastic openness to further truth. And so we +have this little book with its Hebrew soul and +its Greek body.</p> + +<p>The meaning of all this is very simple, and yet +a meaning of intense significance. Here is +summed up the whole of the revelation of God's +Word. Here all the lines of Revelation meet. +Almost two thousand years of inspiration come +to a climax in this little end-book. Psalmist and +prophet, historian and law-giver, Gospel and +Epistle come to a final focus point in one simple +intense message. The purpose of the book is in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Page 51]</a></span>tensely +and only practical. Here is the message +of the whole Bible to Christ's people <i>for this +present interval</i> between the Ascension and the +next great step in our Lord's world-plan.</p> + +<h4>Jesus' Plea to His Friends.</h4> + +<p>And the message is simply this: put to us with +all the intensity of the One who gave His very +life for us, it is this,—<i>that we be personally true +to our Lord Jesus</i> during His present absence. +This comes as His personal request, that, in sweet, +stern purity of life, in full glad obedience of +spirit, in tender freshness of personal devotion, +in holding absolutely everything, of talents and +position and possession, subject to His call, and +in keeping our eye ever open forward and upward +for His return, we be true to Him.</p> + +<p>He is the Lamb slain. Only through His +blood is there salvation for any one. He is now +allowing man fullest opportunity before He comes +to set things right. This is the in-between time, +much lengthened out. In the midst of formalism +and subtle compromise, the tangling of ideas +and issues, and the blurring of vision within His +Church, He calls to His own blood-bought ones +to be true to Himself.</p> + +<p>There's a terrific moral storm coming. Wickedness +will wax to a worst never yet known. +Evil will be so aggressive, compromise so radical, +temptations so subtle and coming with such a +rush, and ideals of right so blurred and dimmed +in the glare of the lower lights, that even those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Page 52]</a></span> +of the inner circle will be sorely tried, and many +will be deceived. Just at the bursting of the +worst of the storm the crowned Christ will appear. +He will come on the clouds before all +eyes, take away His own out of the storm, then +clear the storm by His own touch, and begin +the new order of things.</p> + +<p>The test coming will be terrific. He knows it. +And his knowledge makes His plea intense that +<i>we be true to Himself</i>, our beloved, crucified, +crowned Lord, utterly regardless of consequences +to ourselves. So we shall "overcome by the +blood of the Lamb," and be joined with Him in +closest intimacy during His coming reign over +the earth.</p> + +<p>There is a striking thing told us at the very +outset of the book;—it is a revelation. That is, +it is something revealed directly by God. It is +the only book of the Bible of which we are told +plainly and directly that it is a revelation.</p> + +<p>It is not that the other books do not have the +same inspirational characteristic. But our attention +is explicitly called to the fact that this +one is, in its entirety, a <i>direct</i> revelation; and +not only so, but it is a revelation given directly +by God to the Lord Jesus, and given in person by +Him to John. This is significant. It marks out +the message of the book as of the utmost meaning +and importance.</p> + +<p>This suggests a need. And the need of something +of the sort is plain enough, if one think +into it. Already in John's day there was a distinct +break-away from the simplicity and purity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Page 53]</a></span> +of the Gospel, both in the Church and in the lives +of professed Christians. The messages to the +Churches of Pergamum and Thyatira and Sardis +show clearly that there had already begun a +rubbing out of the sharp line of distinction between +the Church and the world. The world +spirit was—not creeping in, but—walking boldly +into the life of the Church.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[40] I John ii. 18-29; iv. 1-6.</p></div><p>It is striking to note the thing that leads John +to write his First Epistle, that is, the alarming +conditions among Christ's followers. The spirit +of compromise seems seeping in at every crevice. +And worse yet, the spirit of Antichrist, that +makes such a savage attack on Jesus, on the +deity of His person, and the atoning significance +of His death, this was openly at work among +them.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><span class="snlabel">[40]</span> These conditions, so familiar to those +who first read his little Epistle, are the continual +underscoring of His intense plea for +<i>abiding</i>.</p> + +<p>It is most significant that Jude's intense flame-like +Epistle talks entirely about conditions within +Church circles. Run through it again with +this fact fresh in mind, and the significance of +it stands out in a startling way. Peter's Second +Epistle reveals the same sort of an atmosphere +seeping in among the groups of disciples to +whom he writes. Not only was there doubt and +confusion about the meaning of the prophetic +teachings, but even a sneering and mocking at +the teaching about the second coming of our +Lord.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Page 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>These are a few indications of how things were +in the Church generally before the first century +had closed. It was a time of confusion and compromise. +The air was tense. The need was +critical. It would seem that if ever our Lord +would give a simple direct revelation afresh, to +His people, it would be in just such circumstances. +And it reveals to us at once how +grave things looked to His eyes, and how much +depended on His followers having a clear understanding +of how things would work out, that our +Lord Jesus does do just this thing,—send a direct +revelation that would meet just such a +need.</p> + +<h4>More Alike than Different.</h4> + +<p>It is most striking that the conditions of the +Church then and to-day are so much alike. The +line between Church and world is either badly +blurred, or quite wiped out. And this one fact +throws a flood of light upon Church conditions. +Within the Church, when it comes to the matter +of what its real purpose of being is, and what the +essentials of faith, the lines are hopelessly +crossed and tangled, even though the surface +shows so much striving toward at least a seeming +unity, and so much aggressiveness in action. +The common absence of real spiritual power, +that unmistakable moving, like a breath, of the +Spirit of God, is freely admitted.</p> + +<p>It is a painful fact that membership in a +Church no longer gives any clue to a man's vital +belief, nor even to his moral conduct. There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Page 55]</a></span> +utter confusion about the practical meaning of +God's prophetic Word, and what the actual +outcome of the present order will be; that is, +where such things are not quite dismissed from +consideration. And, stranger yet, indifference, +or an actual repugnance, to any mention of the +Lord's return is the common thing. It is not +surprising that earnest people are bewildered +as to just what should be the attitude of one +who would ring true to the absent Jesus. It +hurts to remember that all this is the freely admitted +commonplace, where such things are seriously +spoken of.</p> + +<p>Indeed it is of intense interest to note that just +this sort of thing has marked the whole interval +since these early Church days. Broadly the same +characteristics have marked both world movement +and the Church movement in this long +interval. There is a unity characterizing the age +since our Lord ascended. There have been differences, +very sharp and marked, but always they +have been differences in degree, now more intense, +now less. The general characteristics have +been the same in kind.</p> + +<p>The need of the Church in the end of the first +century is its need in the beginning of the twentieth. +Surely the thing of all things needed is +a simple, clear, understandable revelation direct +from our Lord Jesus Himself. It was needed +then. Clearly it has been needed in every generation +since then. And one whose pulse is at +all sensitive to spirit conditions to-day feels that +surely it is the thing needed now.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Page 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>And here it is, a revelation of Himself, +crowned in the upper world, keeping in closest +touch with things down in this world, telling us +what the outcome is to be, and especially speaking +of our attitude toward Himself in this present +in-between interval.</p> + +<p>Usually God's method with man is to give him +enough of a revelation of Himself in nature, and +in His Word, to start him straight, and guide +him as he goes to school with himself as chief +pupil, with all of nature to find out and develop, +and so to get mastery both of himself and of +nature and its forces. We recognize this as +the best school-teacher method for good self-development.</p> + +<p>But here something more seems needed. The +situation down on the earth has gotten badly +mixed up. Even though Jesus has been on the +earth, and has died, and has sent down the Holy +Spirit in such irresistible power, the situation in +the world, and among His disciples, has gotten so +subtly tangled and intense, the enemy is so +viciously and cunningly at work, that only one +thing will meet the need,—a revelation, a simple, +direct, warm revelation given us personally by +the Lord Jesus Himself. And here it is in this +little end-book, with its vision of the glorified +Jesus, its pleading heart-cry to His followers, and +its simple but tremendous outlook into the future.</p> + +<p>It would not be surprising if such a book should +be made the subject of special attack by the evil +one. It is not surprising, though it is deeply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Page 57]</a></span> +grievous, that the common idea about this book +among Christian people is that it is a sort of a +puzzle, that it is impossible to get a simple, clear, +workable understanding of its message. Parts of +it are conned over tenderly and loved, a paragraph +here, a verse there, and so on, but a grasp +of the one simple message of the book seems not +common, to put it mildly. No book of the sixty-six +has seemed so much like a riddle to which +no one knew the answer. And without doubt the +full meaning of much will be quite clear only as +events work themselves out. Events will be the +best exposition of certain parts. But these parts, +be it keenly noted, are not essential to the grasp +of the whole message. God is intensely +practical. Jesus was too intent on helping people +to be otherwise than practical. He hasn't +changed. He is too tremendously wrapped up +in the outworking of His plans. The Bible is +wholly a <i>practical</i> book. And this crowning end +of it is intensely and only practical. It is with +the clear conviction that it is entirely possible to +get the simple grasp of it that shall steady our +steps, and clear our understanding, and feed our +personal devotion to the absent Jesus, our blessed +Lord, that these few simple quiet talks have been +put together.</p> + +<h4>Doing Leads to Understanding.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[41] Revelation i. 1-3.</p><p>[42] Revelation i. 4-8.</p><p>[43] i. 9-20.</p></div><p>The outline of the book is very simple. After +the brief introduction<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><span class="snlabel">[41]</span> and personal greeting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Page 58]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><span class="snlabel">[42]</span> +there comes the wondrous vision of <i>the glorified +Jesus</i>, and His personal message to John.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><span class="snlabel">[43]</span> He +is the Living One, who <i>became</i> dead for a great +purpose, and is now living, never to die again. +He is seen walking quietly among the groups of +his followers, with eyes of flame, and heart of +love, keeping watch over these, His empowered +witnesses on earth.</p> + +<p>And He tells John that he is to write to the +groups of his followers a threefold message, +a description of Himself as just now seen by +John, a description of affairs in these Churches +as seen by His own eyes, and an account of +the things that are going to happen on the +earth.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[44] Chapters ii. and iii.</p><p>[45] Chapters iv. and v.</p></div><p>Then follows this description of the Churches. +It is in a sevenfold personal message to His +followers on the earth.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><span class="snlabel">[44]</span> Then the vision of +Himself in heaven as He steps directly into the +action of the earth to take possession of His +crown domain.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><span class="snlabel">[45]</span> Then comes the account of +coming happenings. It is a sevenfold view of a +terrific moral storm on the earth, that will follow +this advance step of His in the heavens. It is so +terrific and includes so much, that it is possible +to get a clear view of it and its sweep only by +looking, now at this feature of it, and now at +this; now from this angle of vision, and now +from this other.</p> + +<p>It is the final contesting of Christ's crown +claim as He steps forward to assert it; the final<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Page 59]</a></span> +outburst of evil unrestrainedly storming itself +out. And it is the clearing-up storm, too. There +is ever the shining of a clear light just beyond +the outer rim of the terrible blackness of the +storm clouds. This takes up the greater part +of the little book, including chapter six, to the +close of chapter eighteen.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[46] xix. i-xx. 3.</p><p>[47] xx. 4-6.</p><p>[48] xx. 7-15.</p><p>[49] xxi. i-xxii. 5.</p><p>[50] xxii. 6-21.</p></div><p>And then there is given briefly the actual coming +to earth in glory of the crowned Christ;<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><span class="snlabel">[46]</span> +the new order of things under His personal +reign;<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><span class="snlabel">[47]</span> a final crisis;<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><span class="snlabel">[48]</span> and then in a vision of +wondrous winsomeness, God and men are seen +dwelling together as one reunited family, though +still with a sad burning reminder of the old sin-rebellion +as part of the picture.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><span class="snlabel">[49]</span> And the book +closes with personal paragraphs to John and to +the groups of Churches.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><span class="snlabel">[50]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[51] i. 3.</p></div><p>Another of the striking things peculiar to +this book is the personal plea that it be read +and lived up to. At the very front-door step as +one starts in he is met full in the face with this: +"Blessed is <i>he</i> that <i>readeth</i>, and they that <i>hear</i>, +(or give careful heed to) the words of the +prophecy, and <i>keep</i> the things that are written +therein."<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><span class="snlabel">[51]</span></p> + +<p>Here at the very outset is a plea, made to +each one into whose hands the little book may +come, for a reading, and a careful thinking into, +and then, yet more, a bringing of the whole +life up to the line of what is found here. +The blessing of God will rest peculiarly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Page 60]</a></span> +upon him who heeds this threefold plea. +That man is moving in the line of the plan of +God.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[52] xvi. 15.</p></div><p>A little past the midway line of the book, all +at once, abruptly, in the thick of terrible happenings +being told, an unexpected voice comes. +Clearly it is the Lord Jesus Himself speaking. It +is as though He were standing by all the time +throughout all these pages, watching with a sleepless +concern. Now He speaks out. Listen: +"Blessed is he that <i>watcheth</i>," that keepeth ever +on the alert against the subtle temptations, and +the compromise that fills the very air, "and +<i>keepeth his garments</i>;"<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><span class="snlabel">[52]</span> sleeplessly, kneefully, +takes care that no breath of evil get into his heart, +no taint of compromise stain his life, no suspicion +of lukewarmness cool his personal devotion to +the absent Jesus.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[53] xxii. 7.</p></div><p>And again, doing sentinel duty at the rear-end, +is the same plea. "Blessed is he that <i>keepeth the +words</i> of the prophecy of this book."<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><span class="snlabel">[53]</span> Reading, +heeding, obeying, watching, living up to, this is +the earnest plea peculiar to this book. Clearly +our Lord Jesus desires earnestly that it be read. +And He expects us to understand it. And He +pleads with us to live in the light of what He +tells us here.</p> + +<p>He that willeth to do shall know what he ought +to do. He that doeth the thing he does know +will know more. And that more done will open +the door yet wider into all the fragrance of a +strongly obedient life, and into a clear and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Page 61]</a></span> +clearing understanding of the Lord Jesus Himself.</p> + +<p>He that brings his life bit by bit up to the level +of the earnest plea of this special revelation, as +bit by bit it opens to him, will find his understanding +of it wonderfully clearing. Obedience is +the organ of understanding. Through it there +comes clear grasp of the truth.</p> + +<p>A single recent illustration of this comes from +Korea, that land that gives us so much of the +romance of missions, as well as so much of its +pathos. Dr. James S. Gale, of Seoul, tells of a +Korean who had travelled some hundred miles +to confer with him about Christian things. He +recited to Dr. Gale the whole of the Sermon +on the Mount without slip or error. After +this surprising feat of memory, the missionary +said gently that memorizing was not +enough; the truth must be practised in daily +life.</p> + +<p>To his surprise the Korean quietly said: +"That's the way I <i>learned</i> to memorize. I tried +to memorize, but it wouldn't stick. So I hit upon +this plan; I would memorize a verse, then find a +heathen neighbour and practise the verse on him. +Then I found it would stick."</p> + +<p>That's the <i>rule for understanding</i> this revelation +of Jesus through John, as well as all of this +inspired Word of God. This rule simply, faithfully, +followed will open up this little end-book +which to many has seemed a sealed book. He +that "keepeth the things" that are written here +will find these pages opening to his eyes. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Page 62]</a></span> +that liveth the truth he does understand will +understand more and better, and so live in the +wondrous power of it, and in the sweet presence +of Him who gives it to us.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Page 63]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="III_A_SIGHT_OF_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST" id="III_A_SIGHT_OF_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST"></a>III.—A SIGHT OF THE CROWNED CHRIST</h2> + +<p class="center">(Revelation, Chapter i.)</p> + + +<div class="poem"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Page 64]</a></span> +"Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus,<br /> +<span class="i1">I've lost sight of all beside,</span><br /> +So enchained my spirit's vision,<br /> +<span class="i1">Looking at the Crucified."</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"The Lord Christ passed my humble cot:<br /> +I knew him, yet I knew him not;<br /> +But as I oft had done before,<br /> +I hurried through my narrow door<br /> +<span class="i1">To touch His garment's hem.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"He drew me to a place apart<br /> +From curious crowd and noisy mart;<br /> +And as I sat there at His feet<br /> +I caught the thrill of His heart-beat<br /> +<span class="i1">Beyond His garment's hem.</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[54] William Norris Burr.</p></div> +<p> +"Rare was the bread He broke for me,<br /> +As wine the words He spoke to me—<br /> +New life surged in, the old life died....<br /> +I cannot now be satisfied<br /> +<span class="i1">To touch His garment's hem."<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><span class="snlabel">[54]</span></span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Page 65]</a></span></p> +<h4>Transfigured by a Look.</h4> + +<p>No one ever had a sight of Christ's face and +forgot. No one ever gets a sight of Him and +gets over it. He is never the same man after +that. He doesn't want to be the same.</p> + +<p>A look into the face of Christ is transforming. +You see Him; and you can never be the man +you have been and be content. A change comes. +You want a change. You must have it. This +longing is the beginning of the deeper change. +You can never be content again with being the +man you have been.</p> + +<p>It has always been so. It always will be so. +For this is the natural thing. In the dawning +twilight of Eden God looked into the face of the +man he had fashioned. He drew very close to +him, close enough to breathe his own breath into +his face. And the man looked out into God's face, +and took on God's likeness. So he became his +own real self, as originally planned.</p> + +<p>But while man was yet young, sin looked him +in the face. And the man looked at sin with an +evil longing look. And in that look he took in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Page 66]</a></span> +some of what he saw. He was marred. The +God image was hurt. He was not the same man. +And he knew it. He felt it. His eyes were +never the same after that exchange of looks with +sin.</p> + +<p>But God helped him. He didn't go away. He +came closer for the sake of the sin-hurt eyes. +And whenever man has looked into that wondrous +God-face, even though seeing dimly and +indistinctly, something within him makes a great +bound. He recognizes the original of his own +natural self. And he catches fire at the sight. A +holy discontent springs up within.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"Couldst thou in vision see<br /> +<span class="i1">Thyself the man God meant,</span><br /> +Thou never more couldst be<br /> +<span class="i1">The man thou art—content."</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>But you have to see Jesus as He was in His +humanity to see yourself the man God meant. +And you have to see Jesus as He is now to see +the God who meant you to be like Himself.</p> + +<p>It has always been so. This has been God's +simple method with men He would use. He has +wooed and then wooed more, and a bit longer, +gently, persistently, up and away and apart +until at last the man's eyes were trained away +from the lower glare enough to see the real +things.</p> + +<p>Then in some vision of the night, whose darkness +helped hold back the lower earth lights, +God has looked a man in the face once again. Or, +perhaps in open day there came to him that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Page 67]</a></span> +which he could not describe. But in his inner +spirit he knew there was One with him whom +yet his outer eyes could not see, but who <i>could</i> +not be more real if his outer eyes did see.</p> + +<p>And in that presence there was a mingling of +exquisite tenderness and of limitless power that +was overawing. Inconceivable purity and yet +such an unspeakable graciousness seemed blended +in this presence. And the man seeing was melted +in his innermost being with the sense of tenderness, +and bowed in awe to the lowest dust in +the sense of overwhelming power. Those who +have seen will understand how poor the words +are to tell the story. And those who have +not may wonder a bit until they, too, have +seen.</p> + +<h4>Some Transfigured Men.</h4> + +<p>This it was that transformed that man of the +early dawnlight named Enoch, the seventh from +Adam. He was the head of the leading family of +the race, the racial leader. He had lived well on +into the seventh decade of his life.</p> + +<p>Then the change came. He recognized a +Presence with him, one day. That One unseen +by unseeing eyes became real to him and then +more real. He yielded to His wooing. He companioned +with Him daily. This came to be the +realest thing. And he was transformed by it. +He grew constantly less like what he had been, +and more like what he was originally meant to +be, like his Companion. Constant contact re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Page 68]</a></span>stored +the original likeness. He was transformed +before men's eyes, changed over from +within.</p> + +<p>Then one day the transforming forces had +gone so far that he was transferred to the upper +levels, where all <i>see His face</i>, and his likeness +shines out of all faces. He never got over the +sight that came to him that early day.</p> + +<p>It was this that wooed the man of Ur away +from his ancestral home to be a lonely pilgrim, a +stranger among strangers. Nothing less or else +could have broken the early attachments, the +strongest of the East. That winsome wooing +Presence became to him stronger than the strongest +human attachments of his family and home +land.</p> + +<p>This it was that steadied him through the +loneliness, the homelessness, the disappointments, +the long delays, until it was the image of +a new man, a transformed man, a faith-begotten +man, that at length looked at him out of the eyes +of his only begotten. This it was that steadied +him through the hardest test of all with that +only begotten, the fire test on Moriah. And that +made the transformation yet fuller. For so he +grew the liker him to whose presence he insisted +on yielding as each test came.</p> + +<p>So it was with that rare student of Egypt and +Arabia. Trained in the best that man could give +in the University of the Nile, and then further +trained by absence from man in the University +of the Desert, alone with sheep and stars, shifting +sand and immovable rock, he wasn't ready for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Page 69]</a></span> +his task yet. He was well trained but not yet +transformed.</p> + +<p>The fires had to be kindled, purifying, melting, +fusing fires. And only fire kindles fire. The +fire of the unburnt bush told him first of a new +kind of fire, uncatalogued on the Nile. The fire +of a Presence burned daily, not consuming him, +but only the dross <i>in</i> him, as he led his race +from Egypt to Sinai, out from the slavery of men +up to the freedom of the presence of God. And +then for six weeks, twice over, he was in the +Presence of Flame on the Mount.</p> + +<p>This it was that utterly changed him into the +strongly gentle, patient, tender-hearted, wise man +who taught and trained, lived with and led, the +immature men and women whom God would +weld into a nation, a God-nation. He never got +over those two long visits to the Mount, nor has +the world.</p> + +<p>It was nothing else than this, long years later, +that made the rugged man of the deserts brave +the traitorous Ahab in his luxurious, licentious +court. Without it, the sight obscured, the vision +lost, he is a coward fleeing like a whipped dog +before a bad woman, thinking only of saving +his own skin. It showed himself, his weak, +cowardly self, to himself.</p> + +<p>A fresh vision that early morning in the mouth +of the desert cave made the yet deeper more +radical transformation. That unutterably gentle +sound of stillness, too exquisite to be told, only +to be felt by a spirit in tune, <i>that</i> left him not a +whit less willing to brave danger than before,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Page 70]</a></span> +but made over now into another sort, like him +whose Presence in the cave so melted him down.</p> + +<p>This new, gentled, mellowed, strengthened Elijah +reappears in the man who received the birthright +portion of his spirit. We know the new +Elijah by the spirit that swayed Elisha. The old +spirit, fiercely denouncing, calling down fire, +slaying the priests, but with no grief-broken heart +under these stern needful things,—this we think +of familiarly as the Elijah spirit.</p> + +<p>The new spirit, healing, teaching, sympathizing, +leading, feeding, fathering, the greatness of gentleness +and patience, these characteristics of Elijah's +prophetic heir tell of the deep radical transformation +by the wondrous unseen Presence that +early morning in the mouth of the cave. This is +the birthright gift of Elijah to Elisha. Elijah +had a spirit-sight of God, and he never got over +it. He became like Him into whose face he +looked.</p> + +<h4>Heart Stimulant for the Brain.</h4> + +<p>But time fails, and words fail immensely more, +to tell this thing. Let him who would know that +transforming sight get quietly alone with Isaiah +in the temple, and on bent knees linger unhurriedly, +and listen, and watch, and breathe out his +prayer, and strongly wait until something of +the same brooding Presence be discerned that +transformed this young Hebrew messenger of +God.</p> + +<p>Then let him get alone with the Moses of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Page 71]</a></span> +New Testament. For there is no man who was +so utterly transformed, and so quickly, as the +man on the Damascus road. The whole course +of his character and life was radically changed +as by a lightning touch. This is the most striking +illustration of all. No man so reveals in himself +the tremendous transforming power there +is in the sight of the Christ as does this high-strung +son of the Hebrew race.</p> + +<p>But—words are such lame things. They cannot +tell the story here. They are all one has +to use. Yet they'll never be understood except +as the light of experience shines upon them. +When any one attempts to talk of such a thing as +this of seeing God or Christ, his words seem so +poor and lame and under the mark by the man +who has had something of the vision. And they +either are meaningless and uninteresting, or else +they seem overstated, and quite beyond the mark +to one who has had no inkling in experience of +the thing itself.</p> + +<p>I recall distinctly the experience of a Danish +friend in Copenhagen. She had been trying to +read in English a certain devotional book, but +said she couldn't seem to grasp the meaning of +the English words. They eluded her, and so the +book didn't help her much.</p> + +<p>Then she went through a time of sore stress +of spirit in the sickness and death of her mother. +A new experience of the nearness of God came +to her. And then happening—as it seemed—to +pick up the English book again she was amazed +and delighted to find how much better and more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Page 72]</a></span> +quickly she knew the words and sensed the meaning.</p> + +<p>It is only as the heart is fired that the brain +awakens. Experience gives the meaning to language. +Without experience it is a dead language +in meaning even though it be one's own mother +tongue. Only the man who has caught something +of the vision of Christ's face can understand +the strong words used in talking of such +a vision.</p> + +<p>It is most striking to notice that even when +the glory of God's presence was hidden beneath +human wrappings in Jesus it still could be <i>felt</i>. +Men felt that presence though they knew not +just what it was they felt, nor why. When the +glory came yet closer in the coming of Jesus, it +must be well covered up for the sake of men's +eyes, that they might not go blind at once; but +its power of attraction could not be wholly hid.</p> + +<p>So really human was Jesus in the outer circumstance +of His life that His brothers of the +home couldn't believe he was essentially different +from themselves. But the attraction of that +presence was felt constantly even through the +human hiding of it.</p> + +<p>John of the Wilderness instinctively recognized +that here was more than the man he saw, +and so obeyed His word. The crowds gathered +eagerly in the Jordan bottoms in even greater +numbers than to hear John, drawn by a power +they felt they must yield to, and did yield to +gladly.</p> + +<p>From the first the crowds gathered thick about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Page 73]</a></span> +Him, Jewish aristocrat, Samaritan half-breed +and sinful outcast jostling elbows in their eagerness +to hear, drawn by a power they could feel, +but could not understand any more than they +could withstand it. The children loved his presence +and touch.</p> + +<p>The bad in life were as resistlessly drawn up +to a new life as the Greeks were drawn from +clear beyond the blue waters of the Hellespont +into His presence. The crowds were irresistibly +drawn to follow on that last eventful +journey to Jerusalem even while they felt +"afraid."</p> + +<p>It was the sight of the glory on the Mount +that drew faithful John in <i>with</i> Jesus, and held +him steady that awful night in palace and courtyard, +and that later brought poor blasphemous +Peter back for forgiveness. The two walking to +Emmaus found their hearts all aflame, though +they supposed it was only the chance stranger +of the roadway they listened to.</p> + +<p>Even those who hated Him were compelled to +recognize the wondrous power of His presence. +The Nazareth hands that itched to seize Him +were restrained by His presence as He passed +through their midst. Ten times did the Jerusalem +crowds attempt his life, and ten times were +they restrained by a power in Him that they +could neither understand nor withstand.</p> + +<p>The men officially empowered to arrest Him +return empty-handed, confessing the overawing +power of His words. That last week the leaders +that were hotly plotting His death felt the strange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Page 74]</a></span> +restraint of His presence while He quietly sat +in their very midst, and swayed the crowds.</p> + +<p>In the garden soldiers and priests alike were +felled to the ground by the power of His presence. +So it always has been. No one has ever +had a sight of that Face, and gotten used to it, +or gotten over it.</p> + +<h4>A Fresh Vision Needed.</h4> + +<p>But the thing we are specially needing to-day +is a sight of Christ <i>as He is now</i>. It seems a +bit strange that we don't get this more. One historic +Church has Him fastened to a cross, never +freed from the old fastenings. Another has Him +set in picture frame, behind glass. And the multitudes +prostrate themselves and reverently kiss +the glass.</p> + +<p>In widely differing Churches He seems quite +covered up out of sight by classical ritual, beautiful +music, and impressive stately service. The +crowds gather and listen and bow low in hushed +stillness. But, apparently, <i>Him they see not</i>, else +how different their conduct as they come out, and +their lives.</p> + +<p>And yet as I have mingled with the worshippers +in Catholic Churches in the south of Europe, +in Greek Churches in Russia, and in congregations +of the Church of England classed as "high," +I have been caught by faces here and there in the +crowd that clearly were reaching out hungrily +for <i>Him</i>, and were having some sort, some real +sort, of touch with Him, too. Yet it seemed to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Page 75]</a></span> +in spite of surroundings. The insistence of their +hunger pierces through these to Him. He seems +hidden from the crowd by them.</p> + +<p>Scholarly orthodox theologians talk learnedly +about Him, but Himself as He walked among us +and as He is now, Him it would seem that they +see not, at least not enough to burn through and +burn out and burn up and send men out aflame +with the Jesus-passion. Philosophies about Him +that are classed as "liberal" and put attractively, +yet have nothing of the burn in them that reveals +Himself.</p> + +<p>The more modern Church of the more western +world seems to have gotten a new lease of +aggressiveness in service, a new intensity in activities +so numerous as to be a bit bewildering +sometimes. The wheels whir busily and noisily. +You feel them. But Him, the unseen presence +that makes you reverently wrap your face up +out of sight, and stand with awed heart to listen, +<i>Him</i> we seem not to see.</p> + +<p>The wondrous quiet Voice that makes your +heart burn within you with a burning that +cleanses and mellows and melts down, <i>that</i> we +seem to hear only by getting away from the noise +of the whirring wheels into some quiet corner.</p> + +<p>There are in every Church and nation those +who seem to have the close personal touch with +Himself. Their faces and daily lives show the +marks. Their lips may not say so much, for they +who see most can say least of what they see. But +the marks in the life are unmistakable.</p> + +<p>Yet even here the sight of Christ emphasizes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Page 76]</a></span> +chiefly the personal side, what He is personally +to them. And what a blessed side that is only +they who know it know. They think of Him as +a personal Saviour, and the heart glows. They +see Him at the Father's right hand interceding, +and gratefully remember that He will forget no +name where there is a trusting heart. They think +of the Holy Spirit, the other Jesus, Jesus' other +self, always "alongside to help," alongside <i>in</i>side. +And they practise letting Him work out the +Christ-likeness within themselves.</p> + +<p>And all this is blessed, only blessed. They see +Him in His personal relation to themselves. But +there's something more than this. No one knew +more of this blessed personal part than John. +But John saw more than this on Patmos. He saw +Christ <i>as He is now</i>.</p> + +<p>This is clearly a new sight of Christ. It was +new to John. It would seem to be new to us. +It is new in the pages of this book. It is something +different from any sight seen before. In +the Gospels we see Jesus the <i>Man</i>. In carpenter +shop and little whitewashed stone cottage, in the +ministering life clear from the Jordan bottoms to +the healing touch at Gethsemane's gate, and in +the suffering clear up to the ninth hour of that +fateful day He is the <i>Man</i>, one of ourselves, +though clearly more even in His humanity than +the humanity we are.</p> + +<p>On the Transfiguration Mount the favoured +inner three, the leaders, see the glory within +shining out through the Man. So bewildered are +they that the chief impression that remains is of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Page 77]</a></span> +a blinding brightness. Yet this is up on a high +mountain far away from the crowd, and from +the haunts of men.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[55] Notably Ephesians i. 20-23.</p></div><p>As Stephen is being stoned his eyes are opened +to see the Son of Man standing in glory up at the +Father's right hand. The Damascus traveller +sees an overpowering burst of glory out of the +blue and hears a voice speaking. In the epistles +Paul pictures Him seated at the Father's right +hand with an authority greater than any other. +All the power He has is placed at the disposal of +His followers on the earth. He Himself is above +in the glory.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><span class="snlabel">[55]</span></p> + +<p>But in this very end of the Book John is given +a <i>new sight of Christ</i>. He sees Him <i>as He is +now</i>. That is to say, this is the sight of Christ +as He is now <i>characteristically</i>. It is the distinctive +sight that stands out above all these others.</p> + +<p>He <i>is</i> at one's right hand in closest personal +relation, through His Holy Spirit. He <i>is</i> at the +Father's right hand in glory waiting expectantly +till the time is ripe for the next direct move on +the earth. But there's more than these. There's +a sight of Him that overshadows these. It is +the characteristic sight that lets us see Him as +He is peculiarly <i>now</i> in His relation to <i>affairs on +the earth</i>.</p> + +<h4>Christ as He Is Now.</h4> + +<p>This new sight of Christ is the heart and soul +of this crowning book, this end-book of the Book.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Page 78]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was out of this sight that this end-book +grew. It is written wholly under the spell of +this new sight of Christ. It is a revelation both +<i>of</i> Jesus Christ and <i>by</i> Jesus Christ; first of, +then by.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[56] Revelation i. 1-3.</p><p>[57] Revelation i. 4-8.</p></div><p>John begins his story by telling that he had +gotten such a revelation, and of the special blessing +attached to reading and fitting one's life to it.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><span class="snlabel">[56]</span> +Then follows his salutation to those for whom +the revelation was given, and the book written.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><span class="snlabel">[57]</span> +It is peculiarly a <i>Church</i> book. Its message is +not peculiarly for individual followers, but for +groups of believers gathered together as +Churches.</p> + +<p>The salutation is absorbed with the One whom +he has seen in the vision, what He has done for +us in shedding His blood, and that He is actually +coming again. "Behold He cometh with the +clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they +that pierced Him." The Jew is specifically designated: +the coming has special significance for +the Jewish nation. And all the people of the +earth shall penitently mourn as they see Him. +And then like an endorsing signature from the +One of whom he is writing comes the sentence: +"I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord +God, who is and who was, and who cometh, the +Almighty One."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[58] Revelation i. 9-20.</p></div><p>Then comes the new sight of the crowned +Christ.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><span class="snlabel">[58]</span> It was on a Lord's day. John was on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Page 79]</a></span> +the lonely sea-girt isle of Patmos. He was alone, +brooding probably over some bit of the Word of +God, and about the Jesus of whom he had been +so earnestly testifying. It was these that had +brought him to his lonely island prison. These +ever burned within him, the wondrous written +Word, the immensely more wondrous Word +made flesh, of whom he had written, the Word +that was God and became a Man and walked +the will of God.</p> + +<p>And as he brooded he became conscious of the +Spirit of God overshadowing him, gentle as the +soft breeze, noiseless as the fragrant dew, mighty +as an enveloping presence that filled his being +and had possession of him.</p> + +<p>Then a voice spake and the tone of authority +in it was unmistakable. "What thou seest, +write." He was to see something. He was to +tell what he saw. There's a delightful touch of +the simplicity of natural speech here. He turned +to <i>see</i> the <i>voice</i>. And he saw Him who was the +voice of God to him. Then the sight is told in +the same simplicity of speech.</p> + +<p>There is a group of candlesticks, light-holders, +made of gold. And in the midst of the group +there is some One standing. He is in outer +form like a <i>man</i>. But there is such an overpowering +sense of divine glory that John falls on his +face as one dead. Yet through all this overwhelming +experience the impression of a man +stands unmistakably out.</p> + +<p>With keen, quick glance John takes in head and +hair, eyes and feet, voice and hands, mouth and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Page 80]</a></span> +face. A simple, natural man in every outer particular +like himself, a brother man, wearing +man's garb and girdle. This is the first impression +indelibly stamped on John's mind.</p> + +<p>But there's more, ah, much more than a man +in this man! This is the stupendous part. There +is some One, other than man, and more than +man, possessing this man. The divine fills the +human. It is this sense of the glory filling the +man that is so overpowering to John.</p> + +<p>A glorious presence overshadows the man and +shines out of Him, but never obliterates nor +makes the man less. That indescribable glory +within shining out through the man magnifies +every part of His human being. The head and +hair are white, not like a pale or painted white, +but a transparent whiteness, an intense searching, +glowing light shining out from Him through +the human head and hair.</p> + +<p>The eyes are as a flame of pure fire, the feet +like melting metal glowing in fire. And the +whole countenance was as the sun in its noontime +strength shining out of a rainless, cloudless +sky. Humanity enveloped in deity, yet remaining +true, full humanity. God within man immeasurably +more than man, yet not overwhelming, +not disturbing nor obliterating, any part of +his humanity, rather making every part stand +out more distinctly.</p> + +<p>Is this incidentally a kind of parable? Is it +something like this on an immensely humbler +scale that was meant for us men? God the Holy +Spirit dwelling in a man. He the chief one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Page 81]</a></span> +the divine one, yet expressing Himself <i>through</i> +the man, and doing it fully to meet the need of +the hour. His presence magnifying, vitalizing, +and using every human power, yet Himself the +dominant personality.</p> + +<p>It is most striking to note that this is the +same in principle as every appearance of God in +the Old Testament pages. Sometimes He talked +with men when there is no suggestion made of +any appearance or of what the appearance was +like. But wherever the appearance is spoken +of it is always either fire or some touch of the +human kind or both.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[59] Genesis xv.</p></div><p>In Eden He waits and speaks, two human +things. He talks with Abraham as a man talks, +and ratified the covenant by passing fire through +the pieces of the covenant sacrifice.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><span class="snlabel">[59]</span> It is as +a simple, natural man appearing at Abraham's +tent door that He talks about Sodom. It is a +human voice speaking about Isaac, though no +appearance is mentioned. Moses sees a flaming +bush, and hears a voice in the desert, and sees +a whole mount aflame while a voice speaks at +Sinai.</p> + +<p>And so it was always: the fiery presence-cloud +in the Wilderness, Joshua's Captain taking command, +Manoah's angel ascending in the flame of +the altar, the voice in the night heard by Samuel, +the flooding of Tabernacle and Temple with +the glory-presence, Carmel's fire descending, +Elijah's "still small voice," Isaiah's vision of +glory and the voice, Ezekiel's man of flame speak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Page 82]</a></span>ing, +and Daniel's, both of the latter two akin to +this Revelation appearance.</p> + +<p>But there is a distinctness and a fulness of +description here greater than at any previous +time, yet the same essential thing as at every +appearance of God in Old Testament pages. The +coming of Jesus among us has brought God +closer to us and made Him mean more. Jesus +was God coming closer and in a way that we +could understand better and take hold of more +easily.</p> + +<h4>The Identifying Mark.</h4> + +<p>But let us reverently look a little closer that +we may understand yet better. There are certain +characteristics of this Man of Fire that are +allowed to stand sharply out here. We are +meant to look at them. This is part of the +purpose in the heart of Christ in letting us see +Him as He is here.</p> + +<p>The sense of <i>purity</i> is intenser than can be put +into words. Fire is pure. There is nothing so +pure. It resists impurity. It burns it up. It +is most significant that this is the one thing familiar +to us that always accompanies the presence +of God as He appears to men. It is always in +fire whether to speak His message of peace and +love or to remove the impurity of evil.</p> + +<p>Our God is a consuming fire. Yet fire only +consumes what can't stand its flame. The fire +reveals purity and makes pure. God is pure. +The presence within the man looked out in eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Page 83]</a></span> +of flame, in a countenance like the sun, and feet +like molten brass glowing in a furnace. There +could be no stronger statement of purity than +this.</p> + +<p>Then there is an overwhelming sense of +<i>authority</i>. That seems the human word to use, +though the word seems to tell so much less than +John felt. John feels it more than he can tell +it. He cannot tell it in words. His limp figure +lying flat on the earth tells what words never +can. He had seen the glory outshining in the +Transfiguration Mount, but this is unspeakably +beyond that.</p> + +<p>There was a voice like a trumpet. It commanded +John to write. It says: "I <i>became</i> dead, +and, behold! I <i>am</i> alive forever more." It is an +authority over life to yield it up, and over death +to put it to death, and call life back, never again +to be touched by the finger of death. No such +authority is known among men to-day. And this +is further emphasized in the quiet words: "I +have the <i>keys</i>—- the control—of death and of the +whole spirit world."</p> + +<p>But immensely more than all this to John was +the intense feeling of majesty which completely +overpowered him. The sense of authority was +overwhelming. The items in the description can +thus be catalogued, but it is impossible to get +the overwhelming sense of majestic authority that +came to John, except as he got it,—by a <i>sight</i>, +something of a sight of this great crowned +Christ.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[60] Ezekiel i. 26-28.</p><p>[61] Daniel x. 5-9.</p></div><p>But <i>who</i> is this? Is this not merely Ezekiel's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Page 84]</a></span> +vision repeated?<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><span class="snlabel">[60]</span> He saw just such a vision, +one in the likeness of a man, enveloped in fire, +and sitting on a throne. And the effect was the +same as Ezekiel lies flat on his face. Is it not +the same as Daniel saw?<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><span class="snlabel">[61]</span> A <i>man</i> clothed in +linen, aflame with inner fire, and the same authoritative +voice, and Daniel in a deep sleep of +awe-stricken stupor with face on the ground? +He does indeed seem to be the same. The descriptions +tally remarkably.</p> + +<p>But listen. He speaks. And the sense of terrifying +authority in the voice that spake is gentled +to John's tense ear in the quiet words that come. +Like the loving words that came to Daniel's +quaking heart is the personal message that came +to John,—"Fear not." And with the words, as +ever, come the new sense of stilling peace within. +"I am the First and the Last, and the Living +One."</p> + +<p>Still it may be Ezekiel's Man even yet, or +Daniel's. But listen: "and I <i>became dead</i>." +Ah! this identifies Him. Now we know for the +first time that this Man of Flame is Jesus our +Brother-man. The cross becomes the mark of +identification. The form of the words as spoken +fits in with the sense of authority. With great +strength of heart in carrying out a great purpose +He "<i>became</i> dead."</p> + +<p>This is Ezekiel's Man and Daniel's and <i>more</i>, +unspeakably more. The Man they saw has lived +amongst us for a generation of time, and then +given His life clear out for us. He has be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Page 85]</a></span>come +more in coming as Jesus. He has taken +human experience and suffering up into Himself. +He was Creator. He has become more—Saviour.</p> + +<p>There is the same purity and authority speaking +out here as there. But here is <i>love</i> speaking +out as never was spoken out before. Here is +love <i>lived</i> out; aye, here love is <i>died</i> out, and +never living so much as when dying. Here is +love putting death to death for us. Purity and +authority fastened on a cross! This is love +such as man had never known, and God never +shown before. Calvary lets us see the love that +burned in the purity and controlled in the +authority.</p> + +<p>John's Man is Ezekiel's and Daniel's, but with +the love shining out through purity and authority, +and outshining both. Yet that love is the +purity and authority combined in action. We +don't know love only as we know God. And +we don't know God only as we know Jesus not +living merely but pouring out His life for men. +This is love—that Man, that God-man, but with +the God-glory hidden within, using all His +authority over His life to fasten His purity on a +cross with the thorns of our sin, and then throttling +death and bringing up a new sort of deathless +life for us. This—He—is love.</p> + +<h4>The Outstanding Characteristic.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[62] Daniel x. 20.</p></div><p>But we haven't gotten to the heart of this +yet. There is immensely more here than even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Page 86]</a></span> +this. The distinctive thing, the characteristic +thing in this sight of Christ, is yet to be noticed. +All of this can be gotten from other sights of +Christ. But notice now keenly <i>where this Man +of Fire is</i>. For this is the distinctive thing. He +is not up in the heavens, as in Ezekiel. He has +not come on a special errand, as in Daniel's experience.<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><span class="snlabel">[62]</span> +He is walking <i>down on the earth</i>. +His whole concern is about affairs on the earth.</p> + +<p>But note where He is on earth: not in Jerusalem, +the Jew centre; not in Rome, the world's +ruling centre, nor in Athens or Corinth, the +world's culture centres. He is seen walking +among a small group of candlesticks. This is +the centre of earth action for Him. This is <i>the +significant thing</i> of this new sight of Christ. Let +us look at it a moment to get at the simple significance +of the scene.</p> + +<p>The candlesticks, we are told, are the Churches, +the little groups of followers banded together +here and there. These small groups of Christ's +followers are called <i>candlesticks</i> or lampstands.</p> + +<p>There is no suggestion yet of their giving any +light. No lighted candles nor oily wicks are +burning and shining. They are only candle<i>sticks</i>. +They are of gold, the most precious metal, but +they can give no light, they can only hold the +light some one else supplies. The Man standing +amongst them is the light. The whole effect of +the sight of Christ here is that He is the +light. The presence within the man shines out +through head and eyes and limbs, as light, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Page 87]</a></span>tense +dazzling light, even as the sun in his +strength.</p> + +<p>Here is the distinctive thing. Christ's whole +interest centres in the earth. All heaven is +bending over watching the run of events down +here. The intensity of His suffering and death +tell the intensity of Christ's interest in the movement +of things on the earth. He has a plan. He +has put His very life into it. It centres wholly +in the affairs of us men down here. And it centres +in His Church.</p> + +<p>This quite upsets our common ideas about the +centre of things down here. We class London +and New York as the great financial centres; +Paris and Berlin as the great fashion and military +centres. Rome is the centre of authority +of the Catholic Church, and St. Petersburg of the +Greek Orthodox. The Man who holds all power +in His hands, and on whose word everything +depends, quietly brushes all this aside with scarce +a move of His hand. The earth-centre of things +is the Church. That is, the groups of his followers +banded together in various parts of the +world.</p> + +<p>Sometimes it is seen as a magnificent organization +intimately connected with the machinery +of government. Sometimes as very small groups +of persons with no social standing, despised and +reckoned as not worth reckoning with. But this +is the thing He is depending on for getting out +to His world. All His plans centre here.</p> + +<p>He is the light. The light He gave and gives +through nature, and within every man's breast,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Page 88]</a></span> +has been awfully darkened through refusal and +neglect to use it, through stubborn self-will. It +is so darkened that ofttimes it seems to have +been quite put out. His coming amongst us as +one of ourselves, living our life, dying on our +behalf to free us from sin, rising again victorious +over death, sending His Holy Spirit to +make all this real and living to each of us,—this +is the light at its full shining, the flood-light.</p> + +<p>He has made a plan for sending this flood-light +to every one in every part of the earth. +That plan centres in His followers. He is the +light. The Church is the light-bearer, the candlestick. +It is to hold <i>Him</i> up in such a way that +men everywhere can get in direct touch with +Him. When He is held up, the darkness goes. +The darkness can't stand the light. This is the +immensely significant thing here. This is the +sight of Christ needed to-day, a sight of Him as +He stands <i>waiting</i> on the Church to carry out +His plan for the earth.</p> + +<p>The faithfulness of the Church is not measured +by compact organization, costly houses of +worship, impressive services, eloquent scholarly +preaching, and a ceaseless round of organized +activities. It can be told only by how much of +the spirit of the Christ who died is carried, in the +daily life of its individual members, into home +and social and commercial circles until men are +compelled to feel its power in conviction of the +sin of their own lives.</p> + +<p>Nor yet is it told by transplanting the western +type of civilization to far-away lands, with schools<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Page 89]</a></span> +and hospitals and innumerable humanizing influences. +All this may be blessed. And it will +be blessed and blest. But it is the incidental +thing. It is sure to follow where the Jesus light +is allowed to shine clearly through and out. It +is quite possible to have these good things without +getting the real Christ. It is quite impossible +to have Christ Himself without such influences +coming, too.</p> + +<p>The emphasis must be not on these things, but +on Him, Christ. Men need Him. He answers +the heart longing, and only He can. He changes +the nature, and nothing else is enough. The +Church is to take the loving, healing, personal +Christ to men in the fulness of His power, and +to all men. This is the measure of its faithfulness.</p> + +<h4>What Christ Sees.</h4> + +<p>The tremendous question that crowds in here +is this, What does this Man of Fire see as He +stands among His followers? And He tells us. +This is why the vision is given. He wants us +to see things as they look to His eyes of flame.</p> + +<p>The Man and His message are one thing here. +Chapters one, two, and three belong together, +and should be held together in our minds. We +have put the Man and His message as separate +talks to get a clearer grasp of each. But they +are <i>one</i>.</p> + +<p>Now we recall enough of the message to note +this. Five-sevenths of the light-holders are in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Page 90]</a></span> +bad shape. The lamps are smoky, badly smoked, +and cobwebbed. The light is dimmed. It can't +get out through the lamp. The crowds are standing +in the darkness and falling into the ditch by +the side of the road.</p> + +<p>Two-sevenths let the light clearly out. The +others are an intermingling of light and light +obscured, but with the obscurity overcoming the +other. The net result is an irritating smokiness. +And the movement unhindered would naturally +be toward a steady increase of smoky irritation +and obscurity until no light can get through. +This is what He lets us see that He sees.</p> + +<p>Now the instinctive thing to do with a smoky +lamp irritating nostrils and eyes is to put it out. +That is the first instinct. The second is to trim +the wick and do whatever else it needs to correct +the smokiness. <i>Yet He waits.</i> That first natural +instinct is restrained. The candlesticks are not +yet moved out of their place. The light still tries +to get out through them. The human candlestick +may yet do the needful trimming and cleaning. +With marvellous restraint He <i>waits</i>.</p> + +<p>It is a tremendous scene that is stretched out +here before us,—purity and authority combined +in One who is standing in the midst of impurity +and failure. The purity is more intense +than we can grasp. The authority is greater +than any one can realize. The impurity, the +failure, are bad clear beyond what we can take +in. The whole natural instinct here would be a +<i>cleansing</i>, instant and radical, a correcting of the +evil. Yet He waits. The purity would act<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Page 91]</a></span> +through the authority; the authority restrains the +purity. Love quietly, strongly holds both in +check. This restraint, this inaction is tremendous.</p> + +<p>Why this inaction? this restraint? And the +answer is simple, and as sweeping as simple. +His plan at this stage shall have fullest opportunity. +His followers will be given full opportunity +to the last notch of time and the latest +possibility of their being yet true.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[63] Hebrews x. 13.</p></div><p>All the intensity of His love, all the eagerness +of His expectancy,<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><span class="snlabel">[63]</span> all the fulness of His plan +for the earth, yes all the millions of the race, all +the misery and ignorance, the sin and darkness, +the millions of babies being born into wretchedness, +and the millions of non-Christian women +being held in slavery, and the countless numbers +in every land groping along in a darkness that +not only can be felt, but that is felt to the hurting +point and then past that to the insensitive +stupor,—all this waits.</p> + +<p>With a heart that feels all that any man is feeling +and that breaks under it, He waits that fullest +opportunity shall be given His followers to be +true. If His Church is set aside it will be only +at the last moment when her failure is utterly +hopeless. If the candlestick is removed out of +its place, it will be only after it has completely +removed itself out of all touch with the Light. +A candlestick holding out no light is an utterly +useless thing to the man in the dark.</p> + +<p>It is possible for the Church to be a magnifi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Page 92]</a></span>cent +organization, an honoured institution, exerting +immense influence in national politics, enormously +rich in gold and in scholarship and in +traditions, and even in carrying forward an aggressive +missionary propaganda, and yet be faithless +to its one mission. If the Church should fail +in this its one mission, then the waiting time is +over. The way is clear for the next step in the +world plan. And a momentous step that would +be, beyond our power to grasp. But the waiting +time still holds out.</p> + +<p>This is the simple, tremendous plea of this +new sight of the crowned Christ as He is shown +here. The centre of the universe to Him is +this earth. The centre of things on the earth +is His Church. The centre of things in the +Church is its giving Jesus the Light out to all +the earth.</p> + +<p>And if this be the way things looked to His +eye at the close of the first century, how, think +you, do they look at this beginning of the twentieth? +Has that momentum of movement toward +increasing smokiness slacked? Is the waiting +time nearly run out?</p> + +<p>The present is a momentous time. Even +men of the world speak of the world-wide restlessness +as pointing to some impending event +of world size. And he who is in some sort of +simple touch with the spirit world can feel the +air a-thrill with the possibility of world events +impending, even while he wonders just what and +when.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Page 93]</a></span></p> + +<p>One in the Midst.</p> + +<p>It is most striking how it came about that +John got this sight of Christ. The change was +not in Christ's presence, but in John's eyes. +Christ did not come. He was there. John's eyes +were opened. Then he saw Him who stands +watching and waiting. <i>Christ is here.</i> The Man +of Fire and of restraining love is here on the +earth in the midst of His Church looking and +longing, listening, and feeling.</p> + +<p>If only our eyes were opened to see! There +standeth One in our midst whom we recognize +not. Wherever any company of believers banded +together as a Church to worship and pray and +break holy bread are gathered, under whatever +local name or in connection with whatever +Church communion, <i>He stands in the midst</i>, this +crowned Christ of the Patmos Revelation.</p> + +<p>Our eyes need treatment. The hinge of the +eyelid is in the will and in the heart. A bended +or bending will opens the eye. A brooding heart +opens it yet more in spirit vision. Then we shall +see Him, <i>as He is now</i> in our midst, waiting our +obedience.</p> + +<p>Those forty days between the resurrection and +the ascension are seen to be illustrations of this. +One can see through this Revelation sight that +this is one of the chief things the Master is +teaching as He still lingers on earth in His resurrection +body.</p> + +<p>Along the old Emmaus road, gathered about +the evening meal in the twilight, twice in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Page 94]</a></span> +upper room at Jerusalem, He appears to little +groups of His faithful followers. Their hearts +are burning with the thought of Him, they are +talking with both tongue and eyes about Him. +But that He is in their midst is the last thing to +come into their minds. Then their eyes are +opened to see Him in their midst. It was a forty-days' +session in their training school. Then He +said quietly as His bodily presence goes up into +the blue: "Lo! <i>I am with you all the days until +the end.</i>" Their mission and His presence are +inseparably linked.</p> + +<p>And it is striking again to note how John's +Gospel ends. The others describe the Ascension. +John begins his Gospel with Jesus in the bosom +of the Father before the world was, and ends +with Him walking and talking with a little group +of fishermen along the shore of the waters of +Galilee's Lake.</p> + +<p>This is what the Church needs to-day, a sight +of Christ <i>as He is now</i>. Nothing else can save +its life. And nothing less can save its mission +from utter impending failure.</p> + +<p>And yet while the distinctive message here is +for the Church, it is an individual message, too. +It is for each of us. I am the Church, as much +of it as I am, counted as one. You are the +Church. The Church is made up of you and me +and the rest of us. I must take this message for +as much of the Church as I am. The Man of +Fire is depending on me to be a candlestick +for His light. It is on me He is patiently waiting +to obey as fully as He means I should.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Page 95]</a></span></p> + +<p>And on you.</p> + +<p>A recent incident is told of a man whose name +is a familiar one in the financial world, who died +a few years ago. He was the executive head of +one of our country's great railways. And a +man of remarkable largeness of insight and grasp, +and of unusual power of execution. He dealt +in hundreds of millions as easily as most of us +deal in dollars, and his rugged honesty has never +been brought into question. His greatest achievement +bulks big in the material structure of one +of our great eastern cities.</p> + +<p>But his gigantic tasks ran his strength to ebb +tide, and then it was seen that the tide was running +out. As he lay in the sick chamber a minister +called, whose ministry had touched large +numbers of the men in the railroad of which the +sick man was head, and in the course of conversation +tactfully asked:</p> + +<p>"Are you a Christian, Mr. Blank?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the quiet, prompt reply that rather +surprised the minister.</p> + +<p>"How long have you been a Christian, Mr. +Blank?"</p> + +<p>"Two days," came the answer as promptly +and quietly.</p> + +<p>Feeling that there was an interesting story +under these answers, the minister gently pressed +the question. Then the story came out.</p> + +<p>"You know William, who handles freight out +here at ——?" the sick man asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"He showed me the way."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Page 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"William" had been a worthless, drunken +man of the "down and out" sort. He had been +converted at some mission and been radically +changed. He had gotten employment at one of +the freight-handling stations of this railroad system. +It was rough, hard work, but he had gone +at it earnestly in his purpose to live an honest +life. And in his quiet, earnest way he was always +seeking a chance to speak to men of Christ +as a personal Saviour, until he became known +throughout that part of the system for his simple, +earnest piety.</p> + +<p>As the sick man realized the seriousness of +things for him he had sent for this William. +The president of the road whose capitalization +ran into hundreds of millions sent for the rough-handed +freight handler. And William in his +simple, earnest way had pointed the sick man +to Christ. And the man of millions had made +a new sort of transaction. Christ and he had +an understanding.</p> + +<p>And as the sick man told the minister the story +he paused, and then added, "<i>I have given my +strength to the secondary things.</i>"</p> + +<p>This was the judgment of this shrewd man of big +affairs as the new light had come into his life at +its close. Happily he had gotten the readjustment +of values in time for readjustment of personal +relationships. But his life's strength was gone.</p> + +<p>If we might get the readjustment that would +put secondary things in second place, and put +wrong and useless things clear out, <i>in time to be +of some use to our blessed Lord</i>. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Page 97]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="IV_A_MESSAGE_FROM_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST" id="IV_A_MESSAGE_FROM_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST"></a>IV.—A MESSAGE FROM THE CROWNED CHRIST</h2> + +<p class="center">(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii)</p> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[64] Ruby T. Weyburn.</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Page 98]</a></span> +"The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim,<br /> +And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him.<br /> +They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,—I have hung on their every word,<br /> +Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,—but their Lord!"<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><span class="snlabel">[64]</span></p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Page 99]</a></span></p> + +<h4>Patmos Spells Patience.</h4> + +<p>Patience is strength at its strongest, using all +its strength in holding back from doing something. +Patience is love at flood pleading with +strength to hold steady in holding back.</p> + +<p>The love in the strength insists on waiting a +bit longer for the sake of the one being waited +for. The strength in the love obeys the love +passion and takes fresh hold in holding back.</p> + +<p>Patmos spells out the patience of our Lord +Jesus. It tells the strength and tenderness of +His love. Olivet spelled out His <i>plan</i>, His great +sweeping plan, <i>through His followers</i>, for a race. +Calvary spelled out His <i>passion</i>, passion of love, +passion of suffering, in dying for a race.</p> + +<p>Calvary, Olivet, and Patmos are inseparably +linked, the gentle slope of the Jerusalem hillside, +the little mount to its east, and the little rocky +isle in the far Ægean. Calvary was the passion +of love pouring out a life for a race. Olivet +was the plan of love for telling a race, till every +one would know the love by the feel. Patmos is +the patience of love pleading with the should-be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Page 100]</a></span> +tellers of the story to carry out the plan, and +waiting, and then waiting just a little longer.</p> + +<p>Olivet had heard the last word. There the +Master had told the disciples the plan. All the +race was to be told and taught, bit by bit, earnestly, +repeatedly, patiently, tirelessly, by word +and act and life. He Himself unseen by outer +eyes would always be with them, His supernatural +power making real and living what they told +and taught. This was the plan. Olivet was to +be the executive of Calvary, bringing home to +men and making vital to them what had been +done there.</p> + +<p>Then Jesus went up on the Cloud. And they +went out everywhere. And His power convincingly +went with them just as He had said. Within +a generation the news and the power had gone +together to the outermost rim of the world they +knew.</p> + +<p>They were expecting Him to return as a result +of this witnessing of theirs. The next time they +see His face and hear His voice will be as He +comes on the Cloud out of the blue. So they +understand and believe. This is their constant +expectancy.</p> + +<p>Now that generation has moved off the scene +of action. Another generation has come in its +place, and has almost run its course and moved +off the scene. And still they are looking forward +to and talking about His return.</p> + +<p>But now to this new generation of His followers +something quite different comes. Instead +of Himself coming in glory there comes another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Page 101]</a></span> +last message to them. It fits perfectly into the +Olivet message, but goes further and says something +more.</p> + +<p>The Olivet message is about taking the light +of the Gospel message out everywhere. The +Patmos message in its pictured setting of candlesticks +and Man of Fire and blazing light recognized +this as the one thing to be done, but says +there's something the matter with the candlesticks.</p> + +<p>The Olivet word is about taking the message. +This Patmos word is about the messengers. That +one is about the <i>service</i> of His followers; this +other about their <i>life</i>. The life underlies the +service. Nothing can so hinder and hurt the +service as a life not true in itself. Here something +in the life of the Church is hindering its +service. The Master's plan at this stage is in +danger.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[65] Acts xv. 14-18.</p></div><p>His broader plan extends beyond this Church +movement. This is one great step to be followed +by another. That broader plan had been outlined +at the first Church Conference, held in +Jerusalem. James, the presiding officer, said +that the carrying of the Gospel to all men was +to be followed by a national regeneration of the +Jews; and then through a regenerated Jewish nation +there would be a new era of world-wide +evangelization,<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><span class="snlabel">[65]</span> and with this the Conference was +in agreement.</p> + +<p>The leaders among these early disciples are +eagerly anticipating Jesus' return to carry on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Page 102]</a></span> +next stage. They understand that what they +are doing is preparing the way for this next +step.</p> + +<p>But now instead of returning to carry forward +the broader plan here comes another +message. Apparently things are not going satisfactorily. +The plan at this stage is in danger, +while the Calvary passion back of it still burns. +Failure is impending. The Master <i>might</i> sweep +aside the men that are failing, and press on Himself +into the next step of His plan. For the case +is urgent. A race is waiting. The darkness +thickens.</p> + +<p>But instead He waits. With patience and +strength and love beyond our power to grasp He +waits. This is the setting of the Patmos message, +to which we now turn.</p> + +<h4>The Unity of the Message.</h4> + +<p>We must keep our eyes on the Man who is +talking. His overawing presence gives tremendous +meaning to His words. That gentle touch +of the right hand has no doubt strengthened John +even as Daniel was strengthened. And he is +standing and looking as he listens. But the sight +of that wondrous Man walking among the candlesticks +floods his face and his whole being +indescribably as he listens to the message +spoken.</p> + +<p>The overpowering sense of awe, of reality +and power, and of the tremendous meaning of +what is being said never leaves. So he listens.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Page 103]</a></span> +So we must listen. So only can we get into the +meaning of these words. The words will mean +only as much as the Man means in the intensity +of His presence. You must keep your eye on +this crowned Christ as you listen.</p> + +<p>The seven-fold description given us of Christ +is the key to these seven messages. The partial +description beginning each message is seen to +fit into the particular condition of the Church +spoken to. Yet all these bits of description must +be put together to get the full description. It is +a seven-fold description of one person.</p> + +<p>And so all the messages must be taken together +to see the Church as He sees it, and to get His +message to it. It is one message. A look at the +seven promises made to the overcomers makes +it clear that all seven are one promise. It is not +that one overcomer receives one thing, and another +another, but each one gets all of what is +mentioned in the seven. A rather careful, swift +look at these promises makes this clear enough.</p> + +<p>It is spoken to one Church in seven groups +in seven different cities. There is one call to +repentance, one warning of what will happen to +the unpenitent at five successive stages, one plea +to hear seven times repeated, and one blessed +result to the overcomer, in a seven-fold statement.</p> + +<p>And there is just one evil to be recognized and +fought. That evil is seen to grow from one degree +to another, from bad to worse and worst. +Its emphasis changes from one phase to another. +It has shown itself differently in dif<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Page 104]</a></span>ferent +parts of the world, and in different ages +since, but it is the one evil power, always the +same behind the different manifestations.</p> + +<p>There is rare combination and adaptation in +this message. It was meant for the Church of +that day, and of every day since, and for some +future day. For it stands as the one message +from Christ to His Church between Olivet and +His return. It is meant distinctively for the +Church as a whole, and yet it makes an intense +personal appeal to each one in the Church.</p> + +<p>It is spoken to the little groups of Churches +in Asia Minor grouping about the city of Ephesus, +which had been founded by Paul and ministered +to by John. And without doubt it fitted +into the conditions and tendencies of those particular +seven Churches.</p> + +<p>But these are representative of all. Probably +any group of seven would be representative of all +in varying degree. The mother Church at Jerusalem +is not named, nor the great Gentile missionary +Church at Antioch. But these messages +with their approval and criticism, their warning +and promise, were meant for all the Church in +Asia and Europe and Africa at that time.</p> + +<p>They are found to fit into the need of the +Church scattered throughout the world in every +generation since then. Always there have been +little groups that were faithful and true, always +some suffering because of their faithfulness and +remaining faithful in spite of suffering. And +always those who have been formal, who have +companioned with evil, who have been swamped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Page 105]</a></span> +by the evil with which they companioned, and +those practically asleep or dead.</p> + +<p>This Patmos message will be found to fit the +Church of to-day with remarkable accuracy and +faithfulness. And the whole probability is in +favor of finding that it will fit peculiarly the +future Church, the Church at the end of this +present period.</p> + +<p>This whole book of the Revelation is peculiarly +a Church book. While it is full of instruction +and plea for our individual lives, yet it is +distinctively <i>the</i> Church book. It stands out +among the books of the New Testament as the +one book addressed to the Church and to the +whole Church.</p> + +<p>It gives the great bulk of its space to an awful +time of persecution that is coming to the Church +at some future time. This is spoken of elsewhere, +notably by Jesus in His talk with the disciples +on Mount Olivet, but it is the chief subject +treated here. And it is treated with great +detail. The name commonly applied to this coming +persecution is the great tribulation.</p> + +<p>It is significant that the book that clearly is +distinctively a Church book is taken up chiefly +with a description of that future persecution. It +leads to the deep conviction that this book of the +Revelation so fitted to the need of the Church +when spoken, and in every generation since, +will be found to be peculiarly fitted to that generation +of the Church that is to pass through +this great coming persecution; that is, to the +Tribulation Church.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Page 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>It will probably be the mainstay and comfort +of those who will insist on being true during +those awful days, regardless of the suffering +involved. No book has been more slighted and +ignored. It has been called by some within the +Church of our own generation "the joke of the +Bible." It will likely come to be the book +most studied and loved for its light and help in +the terribly troublous times ahead. There will +be an eager, hungry searching for every scrap +of information, and for any fresh ray of light +on its meaning.</p> + +<h4>The Seven-fold Message.</h4> + +<p>Now this seven-fold message lets us see things +through Christ's eyes. He is letting them and us +see what He sees. The Scottish poet's thoughtful +lines might well be changed to get the yet better +look: "Oh! wad some power the giftie gie us, +to see oursel's as" <i>God</i> sees us. It would do +more than free us from blunders and notions. +And we are needing more.</p> + +<p>Each one of these seven messages begins by +our Lord drawing their eyes to Himself. This +is the thing needed most. And this will give +meaning and force to the message. They are +to be looking at Him as they listen. Then He +speaks of all the good things He sees. Then of +the faulty, weak, bad things, in a few simple but +unmistakably plain words. No one could doubt +what He meant.</p> + +<p>Then is the pleading call to repent, with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Page 107]</a></span> +faithful warning of what will surely happen if +they don't. Then the earnest plea that His words +be listened to and taken to heart, and the wondrously +gracious promise held out to those who +steadily set themselves against the evil, and who +get the victory.</p> + +<p>Let us look for a moment at each of these +Churches as seen by those searching eyes of +flame.</p> + +<p><i>Ephesus</i> is the centre of the group, the natural +leader, the largest and most influential, perhaps +the mother Church of the group, where +Paul and John had put in so much time and +strength, and whence they reached out to these +others.</p> + +<p>Christ reminds them of His presence in their +midst and His control of the angel messengers +that minister to them. Then he speaks of their +good deeds, their tireless activity, steadfast endurance, +intense zeal for the true faith, with +special emphasis upon their unwearying steadfastness +even under sore difficulties, and their +hatred of those who made compromise with evil +so hateful to Himself.</p> + +<p>But there is something lacking, the tender personal +love for Himself. There's intense loyalty +to Church and to the faith, but a lack of personal +love for Himself. And the startling thing is +that this is said to quite outweight all these +good things. They may have these things without +the love, but they cannot have the love without +having these things, and at a finer temperature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Page 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>And this defect is crucial. If persisted in it +is fatal. It will actually mean their <i>rejection +as His messenger</i>. This is the critical thing +which we seem to have such a hard time getting +hold of. The essential qualification for true service +is the personal attachment to our Lord Jesus +Himself, that warm heart love which the human +heart longs for and gives to some one. He longs +for this. This is <i>the</i> essential; not Church organization +nor creed, not zeal for orthodoxy, but +warm love for a person. Service, witnessing, +all the rest, are valuable to Him in reaching His +world only as they grow out of a tender love for +Himself.</p> + +<p>And the startling thing is that this privilege +and opportunity of service is to be taken away +<i>not</i> because displeasing to Him, but because it +fails of the end in view. The candlestick is only +removed because it is no longer serviceable; +it is not giving out the light. This earnest, aggressive, +orthodox, patiently-enduring Church is +to be rejected as a light-holder, because it is not +holding out the light. This is tremendous!</p> + +<p>The group in <i>Smyrna</i> is tenderly reminded of +the suffering of their Lord, for they are filling +up what is left behind of His suffering. This +tells at once the depth of their personal love for +Him, nothing could tell it more.</p> + +<p>They are poor in money and so despised, but +rich in faith and so precious to Him. They are +suffering at the hands of the Jews, who were the +outspoken, intense, fanatical enemy of the Christians. +There is no reproach, only earnest en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Page 109]</a></span>couragement +to keep steady even through fiercer +fires yet to come.</p> + +<p>The description of Himself to the <i>Pergamum</i> +group is startling. He is the one with a sharp +two-edged sword. There is something here He +must fight against. They are frankly told that +they have had a hard place to witness in, and earnestly +commended for being true even in the +midst of persecution.</p> + +<p>But there's something wrong, and it is very +serious. It is as wrong and bad as it can be. +There is actually compromise with evil, partnership +with the world in its wickedness. The +thing is put in the intensest way possible by +characterizing it as adultery. No stronger language +could be used to tell how He sees the +evil they are guilty of. And they are plainly +told that He will fight against them. They have +made themselves His enemy by joining His +enemies.</p> + +<p>The <i>Thyatira</i> group is reminded of the purity +of their Lord, who cannot stand impurity but +searches it relentlessly out, and pursues it to +the death. There's a faithful minority here. +Their activity and love and faith and patience +and increasing activity in service are all counted +carefully over and warmly commended.</p> + +<p>But the evil here is much worse. It is put +into the gravest language. "Thou sufferest the +woman <i>Jezebel</i>." This is most significant. +There is no worse character named in the whole +Old Testament. She not only represented the +worst adulterous uncleanness in herself, but she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Page 110]</a></span> +was the national leader energetically fostering +unclean idolatrous practices among the people. +Jezebel pulled God's light-holder nation down to +the lowest moral level it ever reached. She +brazenly dominated king and people, and remained +stubbornly obstinate to the terrible +end.</p> + +<p>Christ brings <i>her</i> name in here. Again this +is tremendous. No more terrific parallel could +have been made. Here evil characterized as +adulterous has actually come to a place of leadership +in the Church. With great longsuffering +time has been given that all this might be +changed, but with Jezebel-like obstinacy it was +determined that there would be no change. And +the inevitable result that will surely follow continued +obstinacy will be a great tribulation or +deadly persecution.</p> + +<p>The <i>Sardis</i> group is told that Christ is the +centre of all life and help, in the control of the +Holy Spirit and of the angel messengers. There +is nothing to commend here. There are some +who insist on living true lives, but they are a +scanty scattered few, not enough to count.</p> + +<p>There are some ragged remnants of good, but +even these are sickly and nearly dead. The +Church is well organized, energetic, standing +high among men, but with an utter absence of +spiritual life. The personal lives of most are +like dirty garments. And the warning is this: +He will come as a thief, that is unexpectedly, +disagreeably, to take away what they prize most +and leave them stripped and naked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Page 111]</a></span></p> + +<p>The longest message is to the group in <i>Philadelphia</i>. +Christ reminds them that He is holy +in character, faithful to His promises, having +full control, and giving opportunity of service +as the highest reward of faithfulness. This candlestick +is giving out light, for it is given yet +further opportunity of shining.</p> + +<p>The chief characteristic of this group is its +steady plodding faithfulness. They are not +spoken of as brilliant or talented, but faithful +in the midst of opposition. He loves them with +the sort of deep love drawn out by love freely +given. And a special promise is given, a significant +promise. A great persecution is coming, +an awful testing time to all the earth. But He +will keep them <i>through</i> this unhurt because they +have been keeping His word so faithfully.</p> + +<p>The common reading here is, "I will keep thee +<i>from</i> the hour of trial." It is quite as accurate +to read "through" in place of "from." And +there is good reason for taking this as the +sense here. The word underneath here is +translated by several different words in other +passages.</p> + +<p>Where a word in one language may be translated +by any one of several words the general +sense of the passage must decide which one correctly +expresses the meaning. Here the meaning +must be gotten from the whole trend of New +Testament teaching. Like the Israelites during +the plagues that came to Egypt these faithful ones +will be kept untouched through this terrible time +that is to come.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Page 112]</a></span></p> + +<p>The <i>Laodicea</i> group is to be talked to plainly +by one who is a true, faithful witness in dealing +with His people's faults, and who has all the +authority of God in doing so. This is the second +group that actually has not one good thing to be +commended. There is no false teaching, no +compromise with evil; they are simply <i>asleep</i>. +Rich, influential, self-satisfied, grown fat and +sleek,—so they seem to their neighbours and +themselves. Wretched, poor, blind, naked,—so +they are. And the chastening threatened will be +of the severe radical sort that strong love insists +upon.</p> + +<h4>A Heart-breaking Sight.</h4> + +<p>Here then is the picture of the whole Church +as seen by the eyes of searching flame. There is +a mixture of bad and good, active bad, active +good, and sleepy indifference. There is a Church +within the Church. But the bad is bad enough +and big enough to endanger seriously the usefulness +of the whole as a light-bearer.</p> + +<p>The glass of the lantern is so smoked and +cobwebby that it is more useless than useful +to the light inside, and the crowd outside in the +dark. The uselessness threatens what usefulness +is left. Smokiness is contagious. Cobwebs +grow thicker and hold more dust.</p> + +<p>Two Churches are true and pure in the midst +of sore opposition. Two are corrupt in the very +worst way. Three, including the leader, are orthodox +in form, but indifferent to Jesus Himself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Page 113]</a></span> +or asleep, or dead; three degrees of the same +thing,—indifference, sleep, death.</p> + +<p>In all of these five there are those who, like +Ezekiel's companions, "sigh and cry over the +abominations that are going on," but they are +helpless to stay the sweep of the tide. They +are the salt that is saving the lump so far. Even +Sodom would have been saved by ten righteous.</p> + +<p>It is plainly said to the leader Church that it +is no longer of use as a candlestick, except a +change come. It fails to give out the light. It +is being carried along, patiently borne with <i>for +its own sake</i>. It is failing at this point in the +mission. The smoking flax sending out its +irritating smoke in place of clear light is not +yet quenched. The Holy Spirit life within is +being sorely grieved, but is not yet put entirely +out.</p> + +<p>And this is only one. Four others are plainly +in much worse fix. Five-sevenths are failing. +That bit of preservative salt would seem to be +working to its full capacity.</p> + +<p>This is the picture given us here by our Lord +Himself. John would never have dared make +such a terrific arraignment of his own accord. +It is a picture of the whole Church at the beginning +of the First century.</p> + +<p>How is it at the beginning of the Twentieth? +A thousand million people, two-thirds of the +race, pretty freely supplied with the light of +western oil and of gunpowder, with the help of +the western sewing machine, and with the guidance +of western learning and skill, but to whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Page 114]</a></span> +with minor exceptions no scant ray of this light +has yet gotten, these make answer. That smokiness +would seem to be rather dense.</p> + +<p>The non-Christian crowds in so-called Christian +lands, the overwhelming majority, to whom +the name of Jesus has no more practical meaning +than other foreign names, Shanghai, or Tokyo, +or Calcutta,—these make answer. The light +doesn't seem to have been able to get through +and out much, even near the candlestick.</p> + +<p>The Church itself, when it has sometimes forgotten +its statistical tables long enough to look +thoughtfully into this old Patmos looking-glass, +has now and then made answer, in a few of its +thoughtful leaders, while the rank and file push +on absorbed in their Ephesian or Sardisian or +Thyatiran way.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[66] Ezekiel viii and ix.</p></div><p>There's a striking companion bit to this in +Ezekiel's vision.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><span class="snlabel">[66]</span> That messenger to the exiled +colony by the Chebar had first of all the vision +of God that completely overwhelmed him. Then +he is taken in spirit to Jerusalem, and shown +things as they were, through God's eyes. The +heathen idols were set up in the very temple of +God, so actually stimulating among the people the +horribly gross, unnamable impurities connected +with their worship. This was done in the open, +with no pretence at concealment.</p> + +<p>Then in the vision he digs "into the wall" +to see the hidden things that are being done. +There he sees every sort of creeping, crawling, +slimy, repulsive animal pictured on the walls of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Page 115]</a></span> +this secret chamber, and the leaders of the people +burning incense and worshipping.</p> + +<p>This he is told is a picture of the <i>inner hearts</i> +of the men who are the leaders of the nation. +For dramatic intensity it would be hard to equal +this. The imaginations of their hearts are as +the unclean snakes and beasts that are found +only in the damp, unwholesome slime and ooze +of swamp and stagnant pond.</p> + +<p>And this is God's light-bearing nation to all +the earth. And these are the leaders! But +there's yet worse. The mothers and wives and +daughters of the nation, the real moulders of +the nation's life and character, are seen pouring +out their very hearts over a heathen idol, with +all the horrible evil practices included in its worship. +And then a group of men are shown +in the holy temple standing with their backs +to God and His temple and worshipping the +sun.</p> + +<p>Under these four items are pointed out the +impurity and violence, the injustice and oppression, +that mark the people. It is the inner heart +life of the nation that is being pictured so vividly. +But in the midst of all this are those who +are broken-hearted over these conditions. And +as the time of judgment comes in the vision these +are marked and spared, though they see the work +of judgment on every hand.</p> + +<p>Such is the tremendous scene depicted by +Ezekiel. It will be seen at once what a striking +parallel it presents to the scene in this Revelation +book with the new light-bearer to the na<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Page 116]</a></span>tions +of the earth. One would never dare make +such an arraignment of his own accord. It is +humbling and heart-breaking to the last degree +simply to repeat what is spoken here by our Lord +Himself.</p> + +<p>Clearly the Patmos picture is not only of +the Church then, but ever since, and now. And +the simple law of momentum in sliding down hill +will make it an accurate picture of the Church +at the end, the future Church.</p> + +<p>The colouring changes at different times in different +places, the black getting intenser, pot +black, and the light shining out more brightly +by contrast. But the picture remains essentially +as painted on Patmos.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[67] Rev. ii. 5.</p></div><p>The warnings so faithfully given run a sliding +scale outward and downward in five degrees. +If the Church continue as it is, it is told here +that it will be rejected as a light-holder. Its +privilege and opportunity as God's messenger will +be taken away.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><span class="snlabel">[67]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[68] Rev. ii. 12-16.</p><p>[69] Rev. ii. 22, 23.</p><p>[70] Rev. iii. 3.</p><p>[71] Rev. iii. 16.</p></div><p>Then Christ will fight against it as an enemy,<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><span class="snlabel">[68]</span> +it will be given over to a time of terrible tribulation,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><span class="snlabel">[69]</span> +it will be treated as prey to be robbed and +plundered,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><span class="snlabel">[70]</span> and it will be rejected, spewed out +of the mouth, as personally disgusting.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><span class="snlabel">[71]</span></p> + +<p>Yet in all this plain speech there is no bitterness, +only grief, only tender pleading. The plain +bluntness is the language of love that yearns +to save even yet, and that waits with untold patience +hoping for a change.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Page 117]</a></span></p> + +<h4>Wooing Promises.</h4> + +<p>But it is noticeable that, while the warning is +to the corporate Church, the plea and promise +that persists throughout is to the individual. He +that is <i>willing</i> to, let him hear and heed and be +controlled by the Spirit's message.</p> + +<p>There are two groups that have remained +faithful. There are scattered through the other +five those who are faithful. And there are no +doubt many who feel the pull to be true but are +yielding to the strong undertow of the rising +tide by which they are being carried.</p> + +<p>The coupled promise and plea that call out +so pleadingly to these at the close of each message +are, "to him that overcometh." This word +"overcometh" is very significant. It is one of +the characteristic notes of these messages and +indeed of this entire book. It is one of that +sort of word that sums up a whole situation in +itself.</p> + +<p>There is opposition. There is conflict because +some won't yield to the opposition. And the +result of the conflict varies. Some are overcome +by the evil; they go over to the enemy, body and +soul. Some wabble. They slip along the line +of least resistance, secretly holding on to some +few ragged remnants of convictions, but not letting +these affect their standing or comfort or +particularly their profits.</p> + +<p>Some overcome evil. There is struggle tense +and continued, quickened breath, moist brow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Page 118]</a></span> +tightened nerves, the stain of blood, a scar here +and there, and heart-breaking experiences. But +they fight on, and victory comes. And the evil +is less, weakened in its hold on this companion +and that neighbour. They get the victory over +evil.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[72] Rev. ii. 7.</p><p>[73] Rev. ii. 11.</p></div><p>There's a wondrous promise to these. It is as +though the treasure box is placed at their disposal. +It is a seven-fold promise. Every overcomer +will receive all that is contained in +these seven promises. Note this seven-fold +promise: He that overcometh will have everlasting +life,<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><span class="snlabel">[72]</span> and this is emphasized by the +reverse statement, "will not be hurt of the second +death."<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><span class="snlabel">[73]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[74] Rev. ii. 17.</p></div><p>He will be admitted into the sweets of intimate +fellowship with his Lord, hidden from all +save those in this inner circle. And will receive +a new name, the family name, that is an +inheritance in the family of God, joint heir with +Jesus Christ.<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><span class="snlabel">[74]</span> He will have the privilege of +serving with the King in the blessed Kingdom +time coming.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[75] Rev. ii. 26-28.</p><p>[76] Rev. xxii. 16.</p></div><p>And with this goes the word, "I will give +him <i>the morning star</i>."<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><span class="snlabel">[75]</span> Jesus calls Himself +"the bright, the morning star."<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><span class="snlabel">[76]</span> The morning +star rises in the dark of night after midnight and +ushers in the new day. He who is in touch of +heart with Jesus as the night deepens to the +dawn will (probably) have an intimation in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Page 119]</a></span> +inner spirit of the glad coming of the Morning +Star that ushers in earth's new day.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[77] Rev. iii. 5.</p><p>[78] Rev. iii. 12.</p><p>[79] Rev. iii. 21.</p></div><p>The overcomer will be made perfect in character, +and find his name not only in the family +book, but mentioned by Christ personally to +His Father before the angels.<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><span class="snlabel">[77]</span> He will be admitted +into the innermost circle of the King +and be reckoned among the dependables.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><span class="snlabel">[78]</span> +And he will have closest fellowship with +Christ in the administration of the wondrous +kingdom.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><span class="snlabel">[79]</span></p> + +<p>It will be seen that these promises overlap, +the same thing being put now positively, now +negatively, and being repeated in differing words +to different groups. Each promise touches the +characteristic trait of the group spoken of. The +Ephesians, who had many things but lacked +the vital thing, are wooed with the promise of +life itself, which is only through touch with +Jesus Himself.</p> + +<p>Smyrna in its suffering is cheered with the +prospect of suffering no more. The Pergamum +overcomer is wooed away from intimacy of +friendship with evil to intimacy of friendship +with the coming King. They who resist the evil +Jezebel rule in Thyatira will have the privilege +of ruling with the King. Those in Sardis who +hunger and thirst after a pure heart will have +the longing fully satisfied.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[80] Rev. iii. 20, 21, with Jeremiah xiv. 8.</p></div><p>Those who have proven dependable in the +trying days in Philadelphia will have the exquisite +pleasure of being depended upon in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Page 120]</a></span> +inner circle as wholly trustworthy. Those in +Laodicea who resist the current and insist on letting +the knocking pilgrim in for heart fellowship<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><span class="snlabel">[80]</span> +will find themselves in fellowship with +Him on the throne.</p> + +<p>It should be noticed that these promises are +one promise, and that that is the promise of everlasting +life, of a purified perfected character, +and of the privilege of closest fellowship with +the King Himself in the coming Kingdom time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[81] Rev. v. 10.</p></div><p>These promises do not take up the matter +of rewards for faithfulness in service, such as +our Lord speaks of in the twin parables of the +pounds and talents. The things promised here +are the results of being saved by the blood of +Christ. The privilege of fellowship with the +King during the Kingdom time is included in +salvation. All the redeemed will reign over the +earth.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><span class="snlabel">[81]</span></p> + +<p>This is significant. Overcoming would seem +to be the decisive evidence of faith in Jesus +Christ, the faith that receives everlasting life. +It takes opposition to let you know whether you +are willing to accept Christ. A man does not +know whether he really believes Christ until +he is opposed in his believing, and opposed to +the real hurting point. He has just as much +faith in Christ as he is willing to declare, and +stand by, and insist upon, <i>when he is under fire</i>. +Opposition is the fire test. Faith isn't faith +unless it can stand the fire test.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Page 121]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Decisive Trait of Faith.</h4> + +<p>The plain inference here is that he who doesn't +overcome shows that he really doesn't believe in +his heart. And the natural result is that he does +not receive these things promised. That is, he +is not saved because he won't accept the Lord +Jesus as his Saviour <i>when it comes to the fire +test</i>.</p> + +<p>There are without doubt thousands in the +Church who will be left behind on the earth when +our Lord Jesus catches up His own. This does +not mean necessarily that they will be lost. +There will be another opportunity of being saved +for those living on the earth at that time. The +Kingdom will be a wonderful time of salvation. +There will be a continuous revival of the realest +sort going on everywhere all the time.</p> + +<p>But these would not have the blessed privilege +of fellowship with the King in the Kingdom, +nor the blessedness of fuller resurrection +life <i>at this time</i>. That is reserved for those who +by grace have believed on the Lord Jesus, during +His absence and continued rejection, in spite of +the fire of opposition.</p> + +<p>It is notable that the Thyatiran message speaks +of <i>great tribulation</i> coming to that Church if it +continue unchanged. And that the Philadelphia +Church is to be kept through "the hour of trial, +that which is to come upon the whole earth." +Throughout the Scriptures mention is made of a +time of persecution coming at the end. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Page 122]</a></span> +common term for it is tribulation. It is called +<i>the great tribulation</i>. There will be more to be +said about this again.</p> + +<p>It is possible that it will be found that this +Patmos message will have special significance +during that trying time at the end. But it should +be noted that it fits into the <i>spirit of opposition</i> +that is <i>always</i> found where there is true, +faithful witnessing.</p> + +<p>The tribulation itself will be the time of intensest +opposition carried to the extreme of violent +persecution. It will be the climax of conditions +always present, wherever there is faithful +witnessing. Faithfulness to Christ always +arouses opposition.</p> + +<p>The test of whether we really accept Christ +and believe Him is not in anything we say. It +is not even in what we are in our lives when +all goes smoothly. It is in what we are in our +lives <i>when opposed</i>, when it costs criticism, ostracism, +petty persecution, or more outright persecution. +This is our Lord's test of acceptance +of Himself.</p> + +<p>We have had many definitions of what it means +to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And these +have been helpful in clearing the air and helping +us to a simple acceptance of Him. These +definitions have touched chiefly the <i>inner</i> part of +faith, the part we are conscious of.</p> + +<p>Here is another definition. Here is the last +word on the subject, the authoritative word, +from our Lord Jesus Himself. It tells what +faith is in its outward working, the part the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Page 123]</a></span> +<i>crowd</i> sees. The faith that accepts Jesus as +Saviour accepts Him also as Lord.</p> + +<p>That faith naturally rings true to Him under +all circumstances. It rings truest and clearest +whenever opposition to Him is aroused, whether +the opposition of indifference, of criticism and +sneer, or of persecution.</p> + +<p>There are certain commonly accepted things +that are in themselves only good, but which are +not <i>conclusive</i> evidence that we really have saving +faith in the Saviour. The act of coming +into Church membership whether by confirmation, +by an assent to questions regarding one's +personal faith, or by being baptized, the fact +of membership in the Church, the partaking of +the Lord's supper, serving as an official of the +Church in pulpit or pew, faithful attendance, liberal +support,—these things are only good.</p> + +<p>But they do not furnish conclusive evidence +of one's acceptance of Christ. It is quite possible +to be carried along on the common current +in such things. There is clear evidence that +many are. The decisive thing, the test thing is +this: <i>how we stand opposition</i>, the polite, sneering +sort, the more aggressive sort, or—if it come +to that—the violent sort. The <i>fire</i> reveals every +man's faith if there be any there.</p> + +<p>There are two fire tests. One is of our faith +in Christ, as revealed in the frictional fires of +opposition. Whoever stands that test is caught +up into His presence when He comes, or goes +at once into His presence if our going precede +His coming.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Page 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second is of the love-spirit, how far it +has been the very breath of our life as revealed +by the fire of His presence. For the love-spirit +means personal loyalty to Jesus, purity of heart, +holiness of life, steadiness of purpose, and the +exquisite gentleness of patience in our conduct +toward all others.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[82] Psalm cxxxix.</p></div><p>These words of our Lord Jesus are very +searching. This Patmos message must have been +a painful one for Him to give John, and painful +for John to repeat. It is painful for any one +to repeat when its meaning is understood. It +should send one off into some quiet corner alone +on his knees with that great "search me" prayer +of the Psalmist.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><span class="snlabel">[82]</span></p> + +<p>Recently I was told a simple incident of one +of the truly great Christian men of our generation. +He was at the head of one of the largest +concerns of our country employing thousands +of men, but never knowing any labor troubles. I +remember the impression made on me a few +years ago at the time of his death, by the remark +made to me by two different men of this +man's city, men that I think did not know each +other, or maybe very slightly. As I spoke of +him each man said in a subdued voice, "Oh, +everybody in —— loved Mr. ——!"</p> + +<p>This incident was told by his son. The two +were on a train together. The father rose and +went forward to another part of the train. As +he went out a man sitting opposite came over +and spoke to the son. His flashy manner of dress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Page 125]</a></span> +and the fact that he seemed to have been drinking +suggested the sort of man he was. He said +to the son:</p> + +<p>"Wasn't that Mr. So-and-so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the son replied.</p> + +<p>"Well," the man said, as though talking half +to himself, "if there were more men like him, +there'd be fewer like me."</p> + +<p>And he turned to his seat and sat as though +absorbed in his thought. The son, in speaking of +it after his father's death, said it was one of the +tenderest memories he had of his father.</p> + +<p>The common crowd on the street and our +Lord Jesus are united in one thing: they want +<i>more men like Him</i>, Jesus our Saviour. Then +there'd be fewer of the other sort.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Page 127]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="V_AN_ADVANCE_STEP_IN_THE_ROYAL_PROGRAMME" id="V_AN_ADVANCE_STEP_IN_THE_ROYAL_PROGRAMME"></a>V.—AN ADVANCE STEP IN THE ROYAL PROGRAMME</h2> + +<p class="center">(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.)</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Page 128]</a></span> +"We are watching, we are waiting,<br /> +<span class="i1">For the bright prophetic day;</span><br /> +When the shadows, weary shadows,<br /> +<span class="i1">From the world shall roll away.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"We are watching, we are waiting,<br /> +<span class="i1">For the star that brings the day;</span><br /> +When the night of sin shall vanish,<br /> +<span class="i1">And the shadows melt away.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"We are watching, we are waiting,<br /> +<span class="i1">For the beauteous King of day;</span><br /> +For the chiefest of ten thousand,<br /> +<span class="i1">For the Light, the Truth, the Way.</span><br /> +</p> +<div class="sidenote"><p>[83] W. O. Cushing.</p></div> +<p> +"We are waiting for the morning,<br /> +<span class="i1">When the beauteous day is dawning,</span><br /> +We are waiting for the morning,<br /> +<span class="i1">For the golden spires of day."<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><span class="snlabel">[83]</span></span> +</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Page 129]</a></span></p> + +<h4>A Look into Heaven.</h4> + +<p>Heaven is a place of intensest and tenderest +interest to every one. It is true that there is +less emphasis on getting to heaven as a result +of being saved than there was a generation ago. +Indeed, no emphasis at all. The whole thought +now is about our life here on the earth. We +think less about dying and more about living.</p> + +<p>This is true. Yet every one of us has loved +ones who have slipped from our grasp, and gone +from our midst. We think of them. The tenderest +memories brood over us, and come like +a flood sometimes.</p> + +<p>We may have the sweet sense of assurance +that these loved ones are saved. But there is +an intense longing at times to know more about +them, where they are, what they are doing, how +much they know of things down here. These +thoughts <i>will</i> come crowding in upon us.</p> + +<p>Now here is some light. <i>All</i> the questions are +not answered. But there comes clear, sweet +light to comfort our hearts during the waiting +time until we shall be joined with them again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Page 130]</a></span> +We are given here in John's Revelation the first +clear, definite glimpse into the upper world. It +is told us in the language of earth of course. +It must be, else we would not understand. But +clearly there is a glory and happiness clear beyond +what earthly words can tell.</p> + +<p>This is the first glimpse into heaven given +us in this old Book of God. Jacob wakes up +in his dream and sees a ladder set up connecting +earth and heaven, and the angels going up and +returning again while God talks with him. It +means much to him, but gives us no answer to +our questions, except to make plain that there +is a very real and wondrous world up there where +our loved ones go.</p> + +<p>Moses is up in the mount with God for six +weeks nearly, twice over, but there is no suggestion +of what he may have seen; only the +transfiguring change in his face, and the strongly +gentling change in his character.</p> + +<p>Ezekiel finds the heavens opening and sees +the vision, so like John's, of the wondrous Man. +Stephen looks up steadfastly into heaven and sees +the resplendent glory of God, and the crucified +Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Paul +is caught up into heaven, not improbably at the +time that his body lay bruised and bleeding and +apparently lifeless outside Lystra. But the +sights he sees and the over-awing glory are too +much to be told. But here John is taken up in +vision into the heavens, into the presence of God, +and sees much, and tells us what he sees.</p> + +<p>It was after the vision of the glorified Man and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Page 131]</a></span> +His message. John is sitting thinking on all he +has seen and heard, thinking back to Ephesus +and the other Churches he knew so well. He is +wondering perhaps <i>how</i> he <i>can</i> tell them what, +whom, he has seen; and wondering too how he +can tell them this message entrusted to him.</p> + +<p>The holy spell is still strong upon him, when +all at once he noticed what looks like a door, a +door opened above him in the blue. And as he is +looking, astonished, that same voice that had +been speaking with him before speaks again. He +is bidden to "come up hither," and he will be +shown the things that are to happen some time +in the future. At once he is conscious of that +same gentle, enveloping presence of the Holy +Spirit as before. At once He is up in heaven. +And he tells us the scene that opens to his +eyes.</p> + +<p>There is a throne set. What a comfort! There +is a <i>throne</i>. There is a centre of authority and +power to our world. This Revelation is peculiarly +the book of a <i>throne</i>. Up yonder above +the moral tangle and confusion of earth is a +reigning throne.</p> + +<p>There is One sitting on the throne. That +throne is occupied. It has not been vacated. +Men down here may push God off the throne +of their lives, and try to push Him out of the +affairs of the earth. But He sits on the throne +above. And that throne dominates the life of the +earth. Nothing can be done without permission.</p> + +<p>John can't describe this one sitting on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Page 132]</a></span> +throne. The sight is too much for his eyes. +When the seventy elders of Israel see God, all +that they can remember is the dazzle of glory +in the wonderful pavement under His feet. It +seems like a pavement of precious stones of +sapphire, but as clear as crystal. So now all +that John can see is some One who seems to his +eyes like transparent precious stones blazing with +light. This is the only thing he can think of +to tell of what he sees.</p> + +<h4>Rest in the Midst of Unrest.</h4> + +<p>There is a rainbow around the throne. The +radiance of light shining out from this One on +the throne makes a rainbow. If one wonders +how God can look down on the misery and sin, +the rebellion and wretchedness that dominate +most of the earth, here is the answer. His finger +is never off the pulse. He knows all as we never +can. And he feels as we never do the pain of +life, and the discord of earth. The unceasing cry +of earth comes up in his ears.</p> + +<p>But He is controlled by a purpose. It is a +purpose of strong patient love. <i>He has made +a promise</i> that man shall have fullest opportunity +unchecked by the natural sweeping judgment, +that invariable working out of sin and wrong. +That throne keeps the order of nature working +smoothly and faithfully for man's sake, holding +in restraint the forces that would hinder and +destroy. The rainbow is the signature to His +promise. That rainbow is always before His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Page 133]</a></span> +face. That promise has never been forgotten. +This explains the quietness of the One on the +throne, looking down on the moral confusion of +the race.</p> + +<p>But this rainbow is not like the common rainbows +that we know. It completely encircles the +throne. Our rainbows are broken up. They are +never seen in their completeness. Our lookout on +things sees only a part; it never sees all. It is +never complete. The view of things up there is +complete. Everything is seen and is seen in its +true relation to everything else. The throne is +the one place of perfect perspective and poise.</p> + +<p>And this rainbow is all of one colour, a clear, +soft emerald-green. We know that green is the +most restful of all colours. Some colours are +irritating. Some persons of very sensitive, nervous +temperament are even made sick by certain +colours. And we are all affected more than we +know in a hurtful way by certain colours. But +green is the colour of rest. It soothes the eyes +and nerves and even the spirit. The rainbow +round about the throne looked like a quiet, quieting +emerald-green. The One on the throne is at +perfect rest regarding things down here. He +knows all. His ears hear all, the cry of distress +and despair, the defiance and arrogance and blasphemy. +His eyes see His children down here, +creative children all of them, prodigal children +so many of them, and trusting children walking +in the shadows. He sees all. And He feels all +with His great feeling heart.</p> + +<p>Yet He is at rest. Do you wonder how He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Page 134]</a></span> +can be? When Jesus saw the multitudes He was +moved with compassion; He suffered in heart +with them, for they were as shepherdless sheep, +torn and distressed. And the heart beating in +rhythm with His has as hard a time as He. If +He lead you in service to some foreign mission +land, you see and know and feel as no tourist +party hurried through the outer fringes ever does +or can.</p> + +<p>And in Christian lands of the West, and the +homeland, in slum as in polite circles, in commercial +quarters as in the university world, the +heart that is in touch with Jesus' heart sees and +hears and feels and senses things as they are under +the surface or sticking boldly out through +the surface. And feels at times as though it can +never again be at rest.</p> + +<p>How can He, on the throne, be so quiet, and +be at rest? And there is an answer to our burning +question, a simple, real answer. <i>He knows +the end.</i> He has a purpose and a plan. The +present is only one stage in His great plan. This +is man's opportunity, and possibly some one's +else opportunity, too. It is to be followed by +something else radically different down on this +earth.</p> + +<p>He is held steady during this time by a great +purpose. It is a purpose of great, tender love. +To His eye looking sleeplessly down there is rest +even as of emerald-green. And so there will be +rest for him who looks sleeplessly <i>up</i> to the +<i>throne</i> of control, encircled in the emerald rainbow +of perfect peace. And we can be of best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Page 135]</a></span> +service to Him by resting in our hearts, resting +in Him, even while working in the thick of things +as they are down here.</p> + +<h4>They See His Face.</h4> + +<p>Then John sees twenty-four other thrones +round about the central throne. And on these +there are twenty-four men sitting. These men +are wearing white garments, and have crowns of +gold upon their heads. This is the part of intense +interest. Who are these? And what does +this mean?</p> + +<p>What has been said before about picture language, +the language of the Orient, of childhood, +of the common crowd, the universal language, +will help us here. The Bible is an Oriental book. +It talks in picture language. This is humanly +what gives it such freshness and peculiar adaptation. +The radical change of circumstances and +speech and mode of thought in different centuries +makes all books antiquated after a certain +time. This book has the freshness of youth, for +in its simple picture language it deals in principles. +But picture language must be held to +its simplicity. And something of familiarity +with the whole range of the Scripture is needful +to use the key to the simple picture language.</p> + +<p>Let us look a bit at the simple scene here. +These men are elders, that is they are leaders. +They represent multitudes of others. Throughout +the Bible twelve is the number of completeness, +both in things and people. A complete<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Page 136]</a></span> +gathering or throng of people is represented by +the number twelve. There are twelve tribes of +Israel, and so on. This is so familiar that +it need only be named without further illustration.</p> + +<p>There are two great divisions of this Bible, +the Old Testament and the New. These stand +naturally for the two great divisions of time, before +Christ and after. This division is strongly +marked in the Bible, and sharply marked in our +Christian consciousness. It has been a common +thing to wonder about the salvation and spiritual +knowledge and privileges of people who lived before +Christ came and died.</p> + +<p>Twice twelve make twenty-four. These +twenty-four elders represent the redeemed ones +from both of these great divisions of time. That +is to say, the picture tells us this. All the people +from creation's earliest morn up to the present, +including the one who went out last from some +sorrowing family circle, all who have had the +touch of heart with God, are gathered in the +presence of Him who sits on the throne. That is +one simple thing that stands out clear and sure.</p> + +<p>These are represented as <i>sitting</i>. The slave +or servant never sat in his master's presence. +Friends sit together. Angels are never spoken +of as sitting in the presence of God. When our +Lord Jesus was received up He sat down at the +Father's right hand. We are spoken of as seated +in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Sitting +together means being on terms of intimacy and +fellowship. Through the precious blood of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Page 137]</a></span> +Lord Jesus we are all accepted in the Beloved and +received and trusted as He is.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[84] Rev. iii. 4-5.</p><p>[85] Rev. iii. 18.</p><p>[86] Rev. vi. 11.</p><p>[87] Rev. vii. 9.</p><p>[88] Rev. xix. 8, 14.</p></div><p>These elders are clad in white garments. That +is one of the familiar things spoken of much +in this end-book. Part of the promise to those +of overcoming faith is that they shall be arrayed +in white garments, and walk with Christ in +white.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><span class="snlabel">[84]</span> Those who are faulty in the Church are +urged to get white garments.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><span class="snlabel">[85]</span> The martyrs +waiting their vindication,<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><span class="snlabel">[86]</span> and the great multitudes +who come up out of the tribulation are +given white raiment.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><span class="snlabel">[87]</span> The bride at the joyous +marriage supper, and the armies following the +conquering Christ, are clad in fine linen, bright +and pure.<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><span class="snlabel">[88]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[89] Rev. xix. 8.</p><p>[90] Rev. vii. 14; xxii. 14.</p></div><p>We are told that this white linen means a pure +life.<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><span class="snlabel">[89]</span> These garments have been washed in the +blood of the Lamb.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><span class="snlabel">[90]</span> These multitudes have been +cleansed in the blood of Christ and purified by +the Holy Spirit and made perfect in purity and +holiness as they came up into the presence of the +Father on the throne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[91] Rev. ii. 10; iii. 11; I Corinthians ix. 25; II Timothy +iv. 8; James i. 12; I Peter v. 4.</p></div><p>These elders are wearing golden crowns. This +language, too, is familiar. The acknowledgment +and reward of faithfulness and of service is +spoken of commonly under this bit of picture +talk.<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><span class="snlabel">[91]</span> The angels are never spoken of as being +crowned. Christ was crowned, that is received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Page 138]</a></span> +into the presence of the Father, as the full recognition +of His worthiness and of what He had +done, and in vindication after the shameful rejection +by men.</p> + +<p>These men and women and children in the +Father's presence have been rewarded and are +being rewarded for their faithfulness in obedience +and in life. All the struggles and difficulties, +the hard road, the endurance, the patient +suffering for His name's sake, the faithfulness +in doing the allotted tasks, all these have been +noted and acknowledged. There is the sweet +peace of the Father's approval in all of these +before the throne.</p> + +<h4>Going to School to God.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[92] Matthew xix. 28.</p><p>[93] Luke xxii. 30.</p><p>[94] Rev. iii. 21.</p></div><p>And these are sitting on <i>thrones</i>. When Jesus +was teaching His disciples, in the dark days of +bitter opposition He wooed them with this: "Ye +shall sit upon twelve thrones."<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><span class="snlabel">[92]</span> And a bit later +as they sat round the supper table on the night +of His betrayal, when things are getting to the +darkest, again He woos them: "Ye may eat +and drink at my table in my Kingdom; and ye +shall sit on thrones."<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><span class="snlabel">[93]</span> He that overcometh is +assured of sitting with Christ on His throne.<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><span class="snlabel">[94]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[95] Rev. v. 10; xx. 4, 6.</p><p>[96] Hebrews i. 14 with Daniel vii. 10 and Psalm ciii. +20-21.</p></div><p>All the redeemed ones of earth are to have +part with Christ in the coming Kingdom time. +They reign with Him.<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><span class="snlabel">[95]</span> During this present time +the countless hosts of angels have a part in min<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Page 139]</a></span>istering +to man on the earth.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><span class="snlabel">[96]</span> Even so during +the Kingdom time to come the countless hosts +of the redeemed will have the sweet privilege of +service with Christ and on behalf of those on the +earth. And it is quite possible that they already +have a part in such a ministry.</p> + +<p>A little farther in the description it is seen +that these elders have "each one a harp, and +golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers +of the saints." Heaven is a place of wonderful +music. Its very atmosphere must be tuned +to the rarest rhythmic harmonies. And each one +has part in the music being made.</p> + +<p>And yet more, they are continuing the sweet +ministry of intercession learned down on earth. +This means that they are in touch with earth. +They know the needs of loved ones and of all, +and they have the privilege of fellowship in +this with Him who ever liveth to make intercession.</p> + +<p>And there is one other thing we know here +at once without being told. If a friend tells me +that he has a rose garden under the care of a +skilled gardener, I know without being told that +the roses are growing. I at once look through +my friend's words and see bushes full of roses +of all colours, some full blown, some half blown, +some bursting buds, and some just budding. For +there is a garden, and a gardener, and sun and +rain and dew. I know there must be growth +and beauty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Page 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>Even so we know that the loved ones who have +parted from us, are growing. They are in the +Father's presence, in intimate fellowship. That +tells me of their growth. That little one who +slipped away so young, years ago, has been growing +in mental powers, in character as well as in +what down here we call stature, and growing +most of all in love. And so at the meeting time, +in the air or up there, there will be instant recognition, +as well as instant delight over the growth +under such wondrous tutorage.</p> + +<p>This is the glimpse into the upper world which +John sees and is allowed to give us here. The +redeemed ones of earth of all the ages are in +the presence of the Father and of the Lord +Jesus and of the angels, on terms of intimate +fellowship, made pure and perfect in character, +but always growing from more to more, and +having a share in blessed ministry. And they +listen to and have share in making music more +exquisite than our earthly language can describe.</p> + +<p>They understand the wondrous plans for the +earth, for now they see all things through the +Lord Jesus' eyes. They have some part without +doubt in welcoming those who come to join +them, even as they will have part in receiving +those who are caught up at our Lord's return. +And they look forward eagerly to the glad time +of righting that will come then.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[97] Rev. viii. 5; xi. 19; xvi. 18, 21.</p></div><p>But let us look a bit more at what John sees. +Out of the throne are seen proceeding lightnings +and voices and thunders. Three other times in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Page 141]</a></span> +this book it speaks of lightning and voices and +thunder.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><span class="snlabel">[97]</span> These things of course are the familiar +accompaniments of a storm. It is noticeable +that each other time they are named in the +book it is in connection with some direct action +being taken by God in the affairs of the earth. +And each time there is some added item intensifying +the scene.</p> + +<p>A physical storm is caused by two areas of unequal +temperature coming together. The storm +is the process of coming together and equalizing +of the atmospheric conditions. The inference +here would seem to be that the time of action +has come to straighten out matters on the earth. +The two moral atmospheres of heaven and earth +seem to be coming into contact, and a storm +is resulting before clear weather comes. It suggests +that our Lord Jesus is taking the next +direct step in His broader plan.</p> + +<h4>God's Ideal of Creation.</h4> + +<p>But let us look a little further. In the book's +picture language there are "seven lamps of fire +burning before the throne." These we are plainly +told "are the seven spirits of God." That is a +Hebrew way of saying "the perfect spirit of +God." This is of intense interest. The Holy +Spirit is represented as being before the throne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[98] John xiv.-xvi.</p></div><p>In the confidential talk with the inner group of +disciples on the betrayal night, in John's Gospel,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Page 142]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><span class="snlabel">[98]</span> +Jesus promises that when He has ascended up +to the Father He will send down the Holy Spirit +to them. When the Spirit has come down to +the disciples He will begin a new ministry of +witnessing to the world through them.</p> + +<p>In the Book of Acts that promise is fulfilled. +The Spirit comes down with remarkable manifestations +on the day of Pentecost. The distinctive +thing He does is to take possession of a +group of men and form them into a new witnessing +body called the Church. He had dwelt +in the nation of Israel as a nation, and had been +withdrawn from that nation when it proved finally +faithless to its mission. He had dwelt in individual +men before and during and after that +time.</p> + +<p>At Pentecost He is sent down on a new mission. +He is to do in men all that Jesus has +done for them in His life and death and resurrection. +But the distinctive thing of Pentecost +is His forming this new body called the Church, +through which He begins a new ministry of witnessing +to the world.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[99] II Thessalonians ii. 6-7.</p></div><p>All through the Acts and Epistles He is constantly +spoken of as here on the earth working +in the Church and through it. He in the Church +is a powerful restraint upon the powers of evil +in the world. In Thessalonians,<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><span class="snlabel">[99]</span> Paul has +spoken of a day coming when that restraint +would be withdrawn. The Holy Spirit, the +"One that restraineth now," is to be taken away.</p> + +<p>Now here the Holy Spirit is represented as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Page 143]</a></span> +being, not in the Church, as always in the Acts +and Epistles, but as being "before the throne." +This is the second significant thing to note in +this scene. This also would seem to suggest the +beginning of a new order of things.</p> + +<p>John goes quietly on with his description. Before +the throne he sees a great expanse that looks +like a sea of clear, bright, beautiful crystal. Before +the throne and around about the throne are +four living creatures or creatures of life. These +living creatures are of intensest interest. They +appear throughout the Scriptures from the Garden +of Eden in Genesis to the very close of this +Book of Revelation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[100] Ezekiel i. 4-28; x. 1-22.</p><p>[101] Exodus xxv. 17-22; xxxvii. 6-9.</p><p>[102] I Kings vi. 23-26; viii. 6-7; II Chronicles iii. 10-14; +v. 7-8.</p><p>[103] Ezekiel xli. 15-26.</p><p>[104] I Samuel iv. 4; II Samuel vi. 2; xxii. 11; +I Chronicles xiii. 6; Psalm xviii. 10; lxxx. 1; xcix. 1; +Isaiah vi. 1-3; xxxvii. 16.</p><p>[105] Genesis iii. 24.</p></div><p>They are also called cherubim and seraphim, +that is, cherubs and seraphs. They are always +associated directly with the immediate presence +of God,<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><span class="snlabel">[100]</span> and with His presence-chamber, in the +tabernacle,<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><span class="snlabel">[101]</span> in the temple,<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><span class="snlabel">[102]</span> and in Ezekiel's +vision of a new temple,<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><span class="snlabel">[103]</span> and in the thought of +the people.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><span class="snlabel">[104]</span> There is one possible exception to +this, where they are seen at the entrance to the +Garden of Eden.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><span class="snlabel">[105]</span> The description of them is +most full in Ezekiel. It varies in details, but +with the essentials always the same.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Page 144]</a></span></p> + +<p>The general appearance is that of a man, but +there are four faces as of a man, a lion, an ox +or calf, a flying eagle, and sometimes a cherub +face. They are full of eyes everywhere, and they +seem enveloped in the pure fire which everywhere +is associated with God's own presence. These +descriptions combined suggest perfection of +purity, of intelligence, of obedience, and of +power.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[106] iv. 6-9; v. 6, 8, 14; vi. 1, 3, 5, 7; vii. 11; xiv. 3; +xv. 7; xix. 4.</p></div><p>In this book of the Revelation they are spoken +of seven times,<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><span class="snlabel">[106]</span> that is, more frequently than +in any other book, though not so fully as in +Ezekiel. Five times they are leading or joining +in the worship of God, by men and angels, and +twice they are coöperating with the Lamb or the +angels in what is being done on the earth.</p> + +<p>These beautiful, intelligent beings seem to represent +the whole animate creation, man, the animals +intimately associated in service with man, +those that roam at will, and the birds, and the +angels. It would seem as though they stand for +<i>God's ideal of creation</i>, as it was before the hurt +of sin came, as He holds it in His heart, and as +it will be after sin has gone. His ideal of a +perfect and perfected creation is always in His +presence and before His face, intelligently and +gladly carrying out His will, reverently and joyously +sounding His praise.</p> + +<p>It suggests that He will not rest content until +His ideal for the creation shall be a sweet, full +realization, all sin and rebellion removed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Page 145]</a></span> +all His works uniting in joyous, continuous worship, +and glad, harmonious obedience.</p> + +<h4>The Significant Book.</h4> + +<p>All this is interesting; some of it intense in +interest. But it is only a setting. It is incidental. +The chief thing is yet to be told. John +had been told that he would be shown the things +that would come to pass some time in the future. +We come now to the beginnings of these +"things."</p> + +<p>The One who is sitting on the throne has a +carefully sealed book or document in his hand. +An angel calls out loudly for any one who is +qualified to do so to step forward and take the +document and break its seals. And as John +watches intently no one comes forward. No one +can be found, either in the heaven, in earth, +or in the region spoken of as under the earth.</p> + +<p>At this John is greatly distressed, and weeps +much, so he must have understood at once just +what this meant. And one of the elders comforts +him with the assurance that there is One +who has "<i>overcome</i> to open the book, and the +seven seals thereof," "the lion of the tribe of +Judah." This word "overcome" suggests that +this one has been in some great conflict and has +gotten the victory and overcome all opposition. +And this qualifies Him to take and open the +document. He is the only one among untold +numbers so qualified.</p> + +<p>And now John sees this One. He is standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Page 146]</a></span> +in the very midst of the throne surrounded by +creatures and elders. We easily recognize this +as our Lord Jesus. He is a lion in leadership and +strength. He is a lamb in gentleness of character, +and in the sacrificial experience He has +been through. The marks of death are plainly +seen on His person.</p> + +<p>As He comes forward He reaches and takes +the book out of the hand of the One on the +throne. He is allowed to take it. His qualification +to take the document and break its seals is +acceptable to the One on the throne.</p> + +<p>And as He takes the book there is a remarkable +burst of praise and adoration that must have +made all heaven ring. And those on earth in +touch of spirit with the scene and its purpose +and the Chief Actor would surely feel some thrill +in the spirit currents of earth.</p> + +<p>The outburst of worship is led by the four living +creatures and the twenty-four elders who fall +down before the Lamb and sing a song. What +music that must be when the untold thousands +sing as only redeemed ones can sing. Then +countless hosts of angels join in and lift the +chorus. And then there is the creation chorus, +every created thing in heaven and earth, under +the earth, in the sea, absolutely everything seems +to join in this indescribable music. And the four +living creatures say, "Amen." And again the +elders fall down and worship.</p> + +<p>John's distress at the beginning, and now this +indescribable outburst of praise, tell us that this +is something thrilling and significant beyond ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Page 147]</a></span>pression. +What does this mean, our Lord Jesus +taking the sealed document preparatory to breaking +its seals?</p> + +<p>It has been said in a previous talk that every +thread woven into the fabric of the Old Testament +can be found in the fabric of this Revelation +book. So that if one goes to work patiently +he can trace every allusion here to something +back in these older leaves. This gives us the +clue to the significance of this remarkable +scene.</p> + +<p>That clue seems in this case to be found in +the book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-two. There +is found an allusion to a simple primitive custom +of the Hebrew people in the exchange of real +estate and in taking possession of property to +which one is entitled.</p> + +<p>The old Hebrew custom seems to have been as +follows: When property was purchased the deed +to the new owner was made out in duplicate, an +open copy and a sealed copy. The open copy +was clearly for public information, open to all. +The sealed copy as clearly belonged only to the +owner of the property as his evidence of ownership. +So it identified him as the one named in +the open copy.</p> + +<p>If a new heir comes to take possession of an +estate, or in case of a dispute over ownership, +the claimant who was adjudged the rightful heir +or owner would be given the possession of the +sealed document or deed. And as so attested +by the judge or court, he only would be properly +qualified to "take" the sealed roll, break its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Page 148]</a></span> +seals, read its contents, and so formally take +possession of the estate, or property.</p> + +<p>Now under the symbolism of this old bit of +Hebrew custom, our Lord Jesus is represented +here as stepping forward to take possession of +the earth, and begin His reign over it. A +Hebrew immersed in the old primitive customs +of his people in Palestine would understand this +allusion at once, however startled or sceptical he +might be as to its significance in this connection.</p> + +<h4>Taking Possession.</h4> + +<p>The language used in the song of praise when +our Lord Jesus takes the sealed book is significant. +They say, "thou art <i>worthy</i>," that is, +thou art <i>qualified</i>; thou art the duly attested one +with the right to take possession. "For thou +wast <i>slain</i>, and didst purchase unto God with +thy blood men of every tribe," and so on.</p> + +<p>Man had been given the dominion of the earth. +He had by obedience to the evil one transferred +his right to Him who is repeatedly called "the +prince of this world." Our Lord Jesus <i>purchased</i> +men out of their slavery back to their +original Lord,—with all that was rightfully +theirs. He has allowed fullest opportunity for +all who will to accept His Lordship. Now He +is about to take possession of the earth on behalf +of men, and for them.</p> + +<p>This is the tremendous significance of what +John is shown here as something that will take +place hereafter. In the scene of the candlesticks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Page 149]</a></span> +He is patiently waiting, holding Himself in restraint. +Now the waiting time is over. He is +making the next move in His broader plan for +the earth.</p> + +<p>There is no hint as to the length of interval +between the two scenes, how long He will wait. +There is no suggestion as to when this next move +will be made. But we are here plainly told that +at some time that candlestick waiting time will +end, and He will take a forward step in connection +with His plans for the earth. And it should +be keenly noticed that what follows now in this +book of Revelation is the run of events that will +immediately follow that next step of His.</p> + +<p>Yet this step is taken up <i>in heaven</i>. The first +action of the new move will be there. There +will be nothing to be seen on the earth to indicate +the change. Things there will go on as +before, eating and drinking, buying and selling, +marrying and giving in marriage, all unconscious +of the tremendous events being worked out.</p> + +<p>But now the waiting time still waits. Our +opportunity is still open. If we might only be +simple enough to be true to our absent Lord +Jesus during this waiting time.</p> + +<p>A bishop of the American Episcopal Church, +widely known for his saintly character, his culture, +and long years of tireless service, was visiting +in the South. In the town there lived a +judge of wide repute for his scholarly learning +as well as for his culture and uprightness. Now +he was seriously ill, and had requested an interview +with the bishop.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Page 150]</a></span></p> + +<p>He asked the bishop to talk to him about personal +religion. And the clergyman talked to this +thoughtful, scholarly judge in choice philosophical +language about the fatherhood of God, +the character of Christ, and the essential harmony +of man's true nature with God. The judge +listened attentively for some time.</p> + +<p>Then he apologetically interrupted his visitor, +and said:</p> + +<p>"Bishop, I'm dying. Won't you please talk +to me just like you'd talk to my black boy, +Jim?"</p> + +<p>And the bishop could, and did. He told him +in simplest talk that he was a sinner. Jesus died +to save sinners. His blood washes away our +sins. We must take Christ as a Saviour, just +trust Him, as simply as a child trusts its +mother.</p> + +<p>So he talked. And the judge listened. And +the tears came, and the peace. He came as a +child, and trusted, and he knew the peace that +passeth understanding. It was the simple telling +of the simple story of the Saviour who died, and +the simple, child-like acceptance of that Saviour. +The scholarly bishop helped the learned judge +best, in the crisis of his life, by talking as simply +as to a child.</p> + +<p>If we might only be simple enough to be true +to this Jesus who died, during the remnant of +waiting time that remains.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Page 151]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="VI_A_CLEARING-UP_STORM_IN_THE_REALM" id="VI_A_CLEARING-UP_STORM_IN_THE_REALM"></a>VI.—A CLEARING-UP STORM IN THE REALM</h2> + +<p class="center">(Revelation, Chapters vi.-viii.)</p> + + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Page 152]</a></span> +"God Almighty! King of nations! earth Thy footstool, heaven Thy throne!<br /> +Thine the greatness, power, and glory, Thine the kingdom, Lord, alone!<br /> +Life and death are in Thy keeping, and Thy will ordaineth all:<br /> +From the armies of Thy heavens to an unseen insect's fall.<br /> +</p><p> +"Reigning, guiding, all-commanding, ruling myriad worlds of light;<br /> +Now exalting, now abasing, none can stay Thy hand of might!<br /> +Working all things by Thy power, by the counsel of Thy will.<br /> +Thou art God! enough to know it, and to hear Thy word: 'Be still!'<br /> +</p><p> +"In Thy sovereignty rejoicing, we Thy children bow and praise,<br /> +For we know that kind and loving, just and true, are all Thy ways.<br /> +While Thy heart of sovereign mercy, and Thy arm of sovereign might,<br /> +For our great and strong salvation in Thy sovereign grace unite."<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i4">—<span class="smcap">Frances Ridley Havergal</span>.</span><br /></p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Page 153]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Area of the Storm.</h4> + +<p>Goodness arouses evil. Faithfulness to Christ +stirs opposition. This is a commonplace. A +piece of white-hot metal plunged into cold water +makes a great fuss. Two areas of sharply different +temperatures in the atmosphere above us +coming suddenly together make a storm.</p> + +<p>Purity entering an atmosphere of impurity and +insisting on staying, and on keeping pure, creates +a lively disturbance. The tempter was aroused +to his subtlest effort when Jesus appeared. There +is no such demoniac activity recorded as when +Jesus walked among men.</p> + +<p>So crowning a king arouses opposition, if there +be opposition. And the active taking of the reins +of government has intensified the opposition +when it was strong enough to make a stand. The +striking illustration of this in the Bible is King +David. After Saul's death the men of Judah +anointed David king. That was the signal for +an immediate attack by the chief of the forces +of Saul's house. And this was succeeded by +a long war, before David was acknowledged as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Page 154]</a></span> +king over all Israel. The clearing-up storm in +his realm lasted a good while before good +weather came.</p> + +<p>Here in this Revelation scene we have been +looking at our Lord Jesus is represented as stepping +forward to take possession of His realm. +It is natural to expect a storm. This will be +a signal to the opposition to rally all its power. +But there can be no question about the outcome +of such a set-to. That storm proves to be a +clearing-up storm in the realm. It is to be followed +by such fine moral weather as has not been +known before. But the storm itself proves to +be a terrific one for the earth while it lasts.</p> + +<p>The greater part of this little end-book is taken +up with a description of that storm. But before +we turn to this book itself and its storm, +we want to get our bearings a bit, so as to understand +better what is here. Revelation is the +knot in the end of a big bunch of threads. We +shall understand the knot better by knowing +more about the threads before they are tied into +the knot.</p> + +<p>The storm area proves to be very large. It +takes in the whole earth. The Bible is a big +book in its outlook and grasp. It deals with +the whole earth, and the whole race. The +thoughtful Bible student comes to have a broad +outlook, as well as a close lookout about his +own front and back doors.</p> + +<p>It is fascinating to study the geography of the +Bible. We talk about the world growing smaller. +That refers of course to the rapidity of transit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Page 155]</a></span> +It is only within a few hundred years that we +have learned of the earth being round. The +Bible map includes practically the whole world +as we have come to know it.</p> + +<p>The centre of the world as seen on this map +may seem a little surprising. We Americans +<i>feel</i> that the centre of things is here. The Englishman +<i>knows</i> that it is in London; and lately +the Germans have had the same exclusive sort +of knowledge about Berlin. The Chinese has +long called his country "the Middle Kingdom," +in the sense of its being the central kingdom +about which the rest of the world revolves. But +here the centre is seen to be on the boundary +line, practically, between Orient and Occident, +reaching out an embracing arm to each.</p> + +<p>We have a broad division of the earth into +East and West. The differences between the +two, in civilization, mode of thought, religion, +language, and so on, are so radical as to make +it seem that there was no point of contact. At +least this has been emphasized much by western +writers on the East. We are disturbed just now +here in the far West over the Oriental, Chinese +Japanese and Indian crossing the <i>far</i> boundary +line between Orient and Occident and coming +into the United States and Canada.</p> + +<p>Yet East and West have always overlapped +at the <i>middle</i> boundary line. There is a great +mixture of races in the strip where the eastern +edge of the West and the western edge of the +East come together. It is the strip running +roughly north and south where Russia's west<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Page 156]</a></span>ern +border and Turkey's touch Germany and +Austria and Greece, including the never-at-rest +Balkan Peninsula. Constantinople sits on the +dividing line between East and West, with the +worst of both civilizations within her confines. +Here the hemispheres touch and their life currents +intermingle and flow together.</p> + +<p>Scientific research seems to find good evidence +that all our European civilization, which +of course means American too, may have been +brought over by Eastern immigrants from central +Asia long ages ago, Asia coming into Europe. +Perhaps we Westerners would not despise +the Easterners so contemptuously and patronizingly +if we knew how much we are probably +indebted to them for our civilization as well as +for our Hebrew and Christian faith, our Bible, +and the Christian restraining bulwarks of our +common life.</p> + +<p>The old common point of contact between +Orient and Occident was the strip of land forming +the western edge of the Orient at the eastern +end of the Mediterranean. Palestine has been +for centuries the common roadway of all nations, +East and West. No bit of earth has been so +tramped and trampled by the feet of all nations +and races. This has been the battlefield +of the nations through long centuries. The ends +of the earth have met here. It is interesting +that the waters that wash its western shore +are called the Mediterranean Sea, that is, the +<i>middle-of-the-earth</i> sea.</p> + +<p>Here then is the centre of the map. It is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Page 157]</a></span> +centre of all things in the Bible. And it has +proven to be at the centre of human action +through history, attested by the very name given +to the chief body of water there.</p> + +<p>Jerusalem, the capital city of this Palestine +strip, was the centre of a world power in the +early ages. It has been the world capital. And +it has in turn been fought over and conquered +by every world power. No city has been a +world centre of action during as long a stretch +of time, and to as many different nations.</p> + +<p>Out from this centre the action of the Bible +reaches north to Russia, south to Africa (Ethiopia), +east to China (Sinim, Isaiah xlix. 12), and +west to Spain. That practically includes the +world of our day. America is of course merely +a transplanted seedling of Europe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[107] Isaiah xiii.-xxiv.</p><p>[108] Jeremiah xlvi.-li.</p><p>[109] Ezekiel xxv.-xxxii., xxxviii.-xxxix.</p><p>[110] Daniel, throughout, notably vii.-xii.</p></div><p>Those great Hebrew leaders called prophets +had a world outlook. They were world messengers. +It is intensely interesting to take a +piece of paper, and pencil a rough map of the +nations named in their messages, notably Isaiah,<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><span class="snlabel">[107]</span> +Jeremiah,<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><span class="snlabel">[108]</span> Ezekiel,<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><span class="snlabel">[109]</span> and Daniel.<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><span class="snlabel">[110]</span> Beginning at +Jerusalem and Israel they reach first this way, +then that, up and down, back and forth, until +the whole world of action of that day has been +touched. They were men of world size. They +had a world outlook and a world message.</p> + +<p>But then God's man always has. The world +outlook of Jesus was tremendous. And every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Page 158]</a></span> +true disciple of Jesus Christ has the world outlook. +Grace broadens as well as refining. It is +one of the endless outworkings of sin that tends +toward that narrowing provincialism which +everywhere hinders so much, and so intensely.</p> + +<p>Now in this world map in the Bible geography +two cities stand out beyond all others, +Jerusalem and Babylon; Jerusalem the centre +of God's people and of God's plans, Babylon +the centre of the opposing worldly power. These +are the two outstanding cities of the Bible +world.</p> + +<p>Between these two there is an enmity and +warfare that is practically continuous. Jerusalem +comes to be the typical of God's people and +power and kingdom. Babylon stands out likewise +as typical of the power and kingdom always +and innately opposed to God and to His +people. The conflict between the two seems +irrepressible and irreconcilable. It is never out +of view.</p> + +<p>Babylon has been the centre, under successive +dynasties, of a world empire, including not only +part of Asia, but reaching west to Europe and +south to Africa. It sat practically in the connecting +strip of Orient and Occident, ruling over +both. In the dim dawn of history a God-ignoring, +and so really a God-defying and man-exalting +movement, centred in the city called +Babel. And from that time on that city, and +its successor Babylon, have seemed as though +possessed with a spirit of antagonism to God +and His people. It is as though it were the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Page 159]</a></span> +earthly headquarters of the blasphemous unseen +evil forces.</p> + +<p>This is a simple bit of geography lesson in +the Old Testament. This is the map that lies +ever open in these older pages, with its two +capital cities marked large. And this indicates +the area of the storm, and the two central points +where its outburst will centre.</p> + +<h4>Studying the Weather Forecast.</h4> + +<p>It is interesting to find a weather forecast of +this storm. The old Hebrew prophets were +close students of national and world-wide +weather conditions, and much given to making +forecasts of impending storms. Even in the +New Testament there is this distinct prophetic +or foretelling strain running throughout. The +father of John the Baptist is told of his son's +birth; and Mary, of the unusual birth of her +divine Son. The disciples are told of the coming +of the Holy Spirit. And Agabus tells of a +great famine coming. In these instances the +fulfilment follows soon after the event is foretold.</p> + +<p>The destruction of Jerusalem, foretold by +Christ, had at least a part of its fulfilment in +the terrible Titus siege of 70 <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> Our Lord said +that He would return to earth in great glory, +and that there would come a great tribulation +to all the earth, and repeated the old prophecy +of a restoration of the Hebrew kingdom. These +have not yet occurred.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Page 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the book of the Revelation is distinctively +the prophetic book of the New Testament. It +deals almost entirely with events that are yet to +come. It would be natural that it would fit into +the prophetic parts of the Old Testament. So +that one who is somewhat familiar with the +prophetic books of the Old naturally comes more +intelligently to this prophetic book of the New.</p> + +<p>It is true that most of us have a sense of bewilderment +about prophecy. We seem to feel +that it requires great scholarship and profound +study, and that an understanding of it is not +possible to the common run of Christians. And +so we largely leave it out as not understandable.</p> + +<p>Yet prophecy is simply God's plans for the +future, together with a revelation of other events +which are not in His plan, but which He sees +will happen in the future. In it He tells us what +He means us to understand. And more than +this, our understanding will have practical bearing +on our attitude toward evil and compromise. +It will affect our faith, making it steadier, especially +when evil seems triumphant and overbearing. +It will make our prayer more intelligent +and confident.</p> + +<p>There are certain things we all know. As +we read back into these pages we know that the +break-up of the Jewish nation, which began with +the Babylonian Captivity, came to a terrible climax +in a complete break-up after the rejection +of Christ. We know that the other nations +commonly called Gentiles (<i>i.e.</i>, the nations) have +had supremacy in the earth. Israel was at one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Page 161]</a></span> +time acknowledged as the great world power, +with many subject nations, in Solomon's time.</p> + +<p>But Gentile supremacy begins back in the +time of these Old Testament pages. There is +to-day practically no belief that this will ever +be changed, except perhaps by a stray Jew here +and there, who still holds to his old Bible, and +except by those Christians who discern God's +plan, and believe both in Him and in it.</p> + +<p>In the absence of an understanding of that +plan of God, it has been common to apply all +the glowing prophetic Hebrew promises to the +Church. The result has been that Israel and +the Kingdom have been confused in our minds +with the Church. And this has become the commonplace +in the common Church consciousness.</p> + +<p>It is quite possible for the person of average +good sense to get something of a simple, broad +grasp of the prophetic books. It involves reading +<i>repeatedly</i> so as to get familiar with the +contents, and <i>rapidly</i> so as not to get too much +absorbed in details.</p> + +<p>It is needful to use a common-sense interpretation +in getting at the meaning. It is a simple +law that one principle of interpretation should +be applied uniformly and consistently to all parts +of any one document. If I say arbitrarily, "this +part is rhetorical; it doesn't mean just what it +says, but something else; and this <i>other</i> part +means just what it says," clearly I am reading +my own ideas and prejudices into the book.</p> + +<p>It is much slower, and takes more pains and +patience, to keep at it until all parts gradually<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Page 162]</a></span> +clear up to us, first this bit, then that, until +part fits part, and all hang together. But there +is great fascination in it, and one's reverence +for this revelation of God's Word grows deeper.</p> + +<p>Of course there is rhetorical language here as +everywhere. "The Lord is my shepherd" is +clearly rhetorical. For God is not a shepherd, +and I am not a sheep, but a man. But under +this simple, clearly rhetorical language the tender, +personal relationship God bears to me is +beautifully expressed. That such language <i>is</i> +rhetorical is clear to every mind alike.</p> + +<p>And there is a picture language here, such +as speaking of purity of character as "white +garments." The honest, earnest, unprejudiced +seeker after truth quickly recognizes these, and +learns to become skilled in discerning what is +meant. We come to see that Israel means +Israel, not the Church. Jerusalem means that +city in Judea, and so on.</p> + +<p>Of course it is needful that there be an <i>openmindedness</i>, +a <i>humble, teachable spirit</i>, willing to +accept the real truth, no matter how it may shake +up one's prejudices and prearranged schemes of +thought. And, above all, there should be a constant +<i>prayerfulness</i> of spirit, to learn just what +our God is seeking to have us know. Of course +there are depths here for the scholarly, profound +minds. But we ordinary folk can get a simple, +clear grasp of God's plan and revealed insight +into the future if we go at it in this thoughtful, +prayerful way. And it will be a great help +to us to do so.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Page 163]</a></span></p> + +<h4>Three Great Unfulfilled Events.</h4> + +<p>Let us take a swift glance at these prophetic +books of the Old Testament. It helps to remember +the natural way in which these prophetic +books grew up. These prophets were preachers +and teachers. Here are some people going up +to the temple service one day in Jerusalem. As +they get near the temple they notice a little knot +of people standing yonder at a corner listening +to a man talking earnestly. Isaiah, fresh from +the presence of God, is talking out of a burning +heart to the crowd.</p> + +<p>A visitor from another part of the land says +curiously to his companion, "What's that?" The +other replies: "Oh, it's only Isaiah talking to +the people. He is a good man, that Isaiah, a +well-meaning, earnest man, but a little too intense, +I fear." And they pass on to the temple +service. By and by Isaiah stops. The moving +congregation scatters. He slips quietly down +to his house, and under the Spirit's holy, brooding +presence writes down a part of what he has +been saying. So there grew up the rolls to +which his name is attached.</p> + +<p>In some such simple, natural way these +prophetic books grew up, always under the Holy +Spirit's guidance and control. They are full of +intense fire, and of the homely talk of street +and market and fireside. There are two sorts +of these prophets, the preachers like Elijah +and Elisha and those who wrote as well as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Page 164]</a></span> +spoke, and whose names are preserved in these +books.</p> + +<p>There are seventeen of these little books. +They fall easily into four groups. The <i>first +group</i> contains those belonging in the time before +the nation was exiled. It is a period of about +one hundred and fifty years, roughly, beginning +in the prosperous reign of Uzziah and running +up to the time when the nation was taken captive +to Babylon. Isaiah is the most prominent +prophet of this period, and with him are Hosea, +Micah, and Amos, all of whom may have been +personally acquainted; and also Zephaniah and +Habakkuk.</p> + +<p>The <i>second</i> is <i>the exile group</i>, Jeremiah +preaching in Judah, before and during the siege, +and to the remnant left behind in the land; and +Ezekiel and Daniel bearing their witness among +the exiles in the foreign land.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[111] The book of Isaiah falls naturally into two parts, +chapters i.-xl., and xli.-lxvi. The historical allusions +in each make it quite clear that these two parts belong +in two periods far apart. One hundred and eighty +years intervene between the close of the time stated in +Isaiah's first chapter as the period of his ministry and +the beginning of the return from exile into which the +second part fits. +</p> +<p> +But the full inspiration of the second part is in +no wise affected. This rarely Spirit-controlled man +modestly or unconsciously withholds his name from his +writings. And they are grouped by the old Hebrew +compilers with those of Isaiah.</p></div><p>The <i>third group</i> is made up of those who witnessed +after the people are allowed to return +to their own land again. The writer of the +second part of Isaiah probably preached to the +people as the opportunity came to return to +Jerusalem.<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><span class="snlabel">[111]</span> Haggai and Zachariah stirred up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Page 165]</a></span> +the returned people to rebuild the temple. Joel +and Malachi witnessed probably a little later +in the same period.</p> + +<p>The <i>fourth</i> is the <i>foreign group</i>. Obadiah +sends a message to the neighbouring nation of +Edom; and Jonah and Nahum are sent with +messages to Nineveh. If one will try to make +a picture of these people and events by reading +the historical books, and then watch and listen +as the prophets talk, it will do much to make +these prophetic books full of the native atmosphere +in which they grew up.</p> + +<p>Now there are three things that gradually +come to stand out in these prophetic books. +Much of what is being said is of immediate application. +It refers plainly to affairs being lived +out then. Then certain things are plainly fulfilled +in the coming of Christ. And again there +is a great deal that clearly has never been +fulfilled but is still future. It is the latter part +that naturally is of intensest interest.</p> + +<p>Now in this latter part, dealing with the future, +<i>three things</i> stand out clear and sharp above +the rest. There is to be judgment upon Israel +for their iniquities. The changes on this are +rung again and again. And this stands out as +much in the preaching of the Captivity time, +and of the Return, as before the Captivity. But +in the midst of severest judgment there will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Page 166]</a></span> +a <i>remnant spared</i>. The tree is cut down, but +the stump is spared; and there is life in the +stump. But above these there stand out these +three things.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[112] Isaiah ii. 2-4.</p></div><p><i>The first thing</i> stands out big. It is the thing +the nation never forgot. The believing Hebrew +still clings to it. The wailers at the wall of +Jerusalem to-day never forget it. It is this: +there is to be a <i>future time of great glory for +the nation of Israel in their own loved land</i>.<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><span class="snlabel">[112]</span> +The kingdom is to be restored, but with a glory +indescribably greater than ever known. This is +the bright golden thread, thick and strong, running +through from end to end.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[113] Isaiah xi. 1-9; xxxii. 1-6.</p><p>[114] Micah iv. 1-8.</p><p>[115] Isaiah xi. 11-16; xxvii. 12-13.</p></div><p>It will come through that spared remnant. +The old stump will put out a new shoot. It +will be through the coming of a great king, +who will prove to be their greatest king,<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><span class="snlabel">[113]</span> and +will reign not only over Israel, but over all +nations as tributary to Israel, with Jerusalem +as the capital city both of Israel and of the +whole earth.<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><span class="snlabel">[114]</span> At its beginning there will be a +gathering of Israel from among all the nations +where they have been scattered.<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><span class="snlabel">[115]</span> To assist these +scattered pilgrims to get to their own land, the +tongue of the Egyptian sea on the southwest is +to be destroyed; and the waters of the Euphrates +on the extreme east are to be so scattered or +dried up that men can walk over dry-shod.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[116] Zechariah xii. 10-14.</p><p>[117] Jeremiah xxxi. 8-19, 33, 34.</p><p>[118] Isaiah xxvi. 19; Daniel xii. 2.</p></div><p>When the great king comes there will be +genuine penitence among the people over their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Page 167]</a></span> +past sins,<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><span class="snlabel">[116]</span> and they will become a wholly changed +people.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><span class="snlabel">[117]</span> Israel will be a nation converted by +the power of the Holy Spirit through the conversion +of the people individually. There will +be at this time a resurrection of God's people +who have died.<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><span class="snlabel">[118]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[119] Micah iv. 1-2.</p><p>[120] Isaiah xxv. 7</p><p>[121] Isaiah iv. 2-5.</p></div><p>The new reign and kingdom is to be one of +great spiritual enlightenment to all nations.<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><span class="snlabel">[119]</span> +There will be everywhere a new, remarkable +openmindedness to God and His truth.<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><span class="snlabel">[120]</span> And +there will be the same visible evidence of the +presence of God at Jerusalem as when the pillar +of fire and cloud was with them in the wilderness. +That wondrous presence-cloud is to be +always in view.<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><span class="snlabel">[121]</span></p> + +<p>This sounds to our ears like the highly coloured +visionary dream of some over-enthusiastic +Hebrew. Yet this is a calm statement of what +is found here. And be it keenly marked, it is +a picture which the godly Hebrew of the old +time never lost sight of. <i>This is the first thing</i> +that stands out in these prophetic pages.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[122] Isaiah xxiv. 1-13, 17-20; ii. 12-19; Micah vii. 15-17.</p><p>[123] Zechariah xii. 1-9; xiv. 1-2.</p><p>[124] Isaiah xiii. 1-13.</p></div><p><i>The second thing</i> stands out distinctly. Preceding +this wondrous kingdom <i>the earth will be +visited by terrible judgments</i>.<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><span class="snlabel">[122]</span> There is an +awfully dark shadow before the blaze of light +breaks out. A terrific storm will come before +the sun shines out in its new strength. All<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Page 168]</a></span> +nations will combine to make war against the +Jew. Their forces will be gathered at Jerusalem.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><span class="snlabel">[123]</span> +At the head of the coalition will be a +power called Babylon.<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><span class="snlabel">[124]</span> There will come a terrific +battle, victory for the coalition will seem +assured. The sufferings of the Jews will be +indescribable.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[125] Zechariah xiv. 1-8.</p><p>[126] Isaiah xxiv. 21-22; xxvii. 1.</p></div><p>Then there will come a day never after to be +forgotten. In the midst of the indescribable +horrors of that battle, when things are at their +worst for the Jew, then comes the deliverance. +Suddenly Jehovah will appear out of the heavens, +with a great company of holy ones. His feet +will stand upon Mount Olivet to the east of +Jerusalem. There will be a terrible earthquake, +and an equally terrific shake-up of the heavenly +bodies. The luminaries, sun, moon, and stars, +will be darkened.<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><span class="snlabel">[125]</span> There will be terrible judgments +visited not only upon the earth, but upon +the evil spirit powers.<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><span class="snlabel">[126]</span> Repeated emphasis is +put upon the judgment to be visited upon +Babylon.</p> + +<p>All this will sound like a veritable fairy tale +to many who are not familiar with this Book +of God; the unlikeliest thing imaginable. Yet +this is the thing seriously set forth throughout +these old prophetic pages. I have given a few +references in footnotes. But these few scattered +passages of themselves will not give an +adequate conception of what these pages hold.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Page 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is all the fascination of a novel, and +immensely more and deeper fascination than any +novel, in reading these prophetic pages repeatedly +in the way already spoken of till their mere +contents become somewhat familiar. Then taking +paper and pencil, running through again, and +drawing off patiently and carefully, item after +item of these prophecies plainly not yet fulfilled, +and then slowly and painstakingly put +them together in what would be a simple, logical +order.</p> + +<p>It will be helpful, in reading, to remember +that it is a common thing with these writers +to speak of a future thing as already past. It +is a bit of the intensity that sees the thing that +is yet to come as already accomplished. And +one should discern between the immediate thing +that may likely occur in that generation and the +far-distant thing. A careful noting of the language +will make the difference clear.</p> + +<p>This is the second thing that stands out, the +visitation of judgments.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[127] Jeremiah xxx. 7-8.</p><p>[128] Daniel xii. 1.</p></div><p>Then there is <i>a third thing</i>. This terrible +visitation of judgments comes in connection +with, and at the close of, <i>a time of great persecution +of the Jew</i> by the nations. Jeremiah +speaks of it as the time of Jacob's trouble,<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><span class="snlabel">[127]</span> and +the Man of Fire tells Daniel that there will be +a time of trouble <i>such as never was since there +was a nation even to that same time</i>.<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><span class="snlabel">[128]</span> This persecution +of the Jew, and the visitation of judgments +on the earth as a deliverance from it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Page 170]</a></span> +are connected with the setting up of the +Kingdom.</p> + +<p>These are the three things that stand dominantly +out in these prophetic pages as distinctly-future, +the great Jew persecution unprecedented +in intensity, the visitation of terrible judgments +on the earth, and the coming of a glorious kingdom. +And the three are connected. We know +that no events have yet taken place that at all +satisfy the language used of these three connected +events.</p> + +<p>This is the simple outline of expected coming +events with which the thoughtful reader of God's +Word is supposed to be familiar. The reverent +student of God's promises and plans and revelations +would naturally have all this clear and fresh +in his mind as he turns to open the pages of the +prophetic book of the New Testament.</p> + +<h4>Forecast of the Great Storm.</h4> + +<p>Now it is <i>of intense interest</i> to note that our +Lord Jesus speaks of these same three things, +at much length, and with much emphasis; the +persecution, the visitation of judgments, and +the kingdom. It came to me as a great surprise +and with startling force when I realized, after +gathering out this summary from the Old Testament, +that the three things that stand out so +sharply there are the very things Jesus speaks +of here with such fulness and emphasis.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[129] Matthew xxiv.-xxv; Mark xiii; Luke xxi.</p></div><p>He puts special emphasis on the time of persecution +as of unprecedented horror and ferocity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Page 171]</a></span> +He plainly indicates that this will be directed +not only against the Jew, but against His own +followers. Three times this talk of His on +Olivet just before His death is given at much +length.<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><span class="snlabel">[129]</span> That talk is given to a little group of +Jewish disciples who have broken with the Jewish +leaders, and who become the great leaders of +the Church formed at Pentecost.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[130] Matthew xxiv. 21, 29.</p><p>[131] Mark xiii. 19.</p><p>[132] Revelation vii. 14 literally.</p></div><p>He speaks of that terrible experience as +"great tribulation,"<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><span class="snlabel">[130]</span> "such as there hath not +been the like from the beginning of the creation +which God created until now, nor ever shall +be."<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><span class="snlabel">[131]</span> We shall find it spoken of in this book +of Revelation as "the tribulation, the great +one."<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><span class="snlabel">[132]</span> It has come to be spoken of commonly +as "the tribulation" and "the great tribulation."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[133] Leviticus xxvi. 14-39.</p><p>[134] Deuteronomy xxviii. 15-68.</p><p>[135] Deuteronomy xxxii.</p></div><p>With all this fresh in mind, a run back through +the Old Testament brings out that it is spoken +of there much more than we may have realized. +The warning to Israel, at Sinai, as they made +the covenant of allegiance with God, of the bitter +punishment that would come if they were untrue, +has seemed many times as though couched +in very intense, almost extreme language.<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><span class="snlabel">[133]</span> But +it is found to fit into these later descriptions of +this great tribulation to come. That warning is +repeated, in as intense words and with a greater +fulness, by Moses in his series of farewell talks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Page 172]</a></span> +in the Plains of Moab,<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><span class="snlabel">[134]</span> and it runs through the +song he left for their use.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><span class="snlabel">[135]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[136] Daniel iii.</p></div><p>The experiences of the people of Israel in +Egypt are found to be an illustration of the +coming experience at the end, great persecution +and suffering, then great deliverance through a +visitation of judgment upon their persecutors, +and great revelation of God's glory following. +And the experience of the three young Hebrew +exiles in Babylon comes to mind. They went +through the fire, seven times heated, and they +had a marvellous deliverance, and then high +promotion.<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><span class="snlabel">[136]</span></p> + +<p>Certain Psalms shine with new light in the +light of this terrible truth. Chief among these +is the Ninety-first. Quite likely it grew up out +of the experience of Israel at the last before +leaving Egypt. It, of course, has its practical +use in one's daily life. But the vividness and +intensity of its meaning will probably never be +realized as during the coming tribulation days. +Nor will the exultant note running through the +nine Psalms immediately following it be appreciated +as by those experiencing deliverance when +the tribulation is over. The Forty-sixth Psalm, +and the Psalms of praise immediately following +it, likewise seem to get new light.</p> + +<p>It is quite probable that very much, all through +this Book of Psalms, will be understood and +appreciated fully only by the generation of God's +people that go through the tribulation and know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Page 173]</a></span> +the deliverance following. Much of the old Book +of God is quite meaningless to the Christian who +has had no tribulation <i>experience</i>. That is, I +mean who has never known opposition in his +Christian faith, or who has slipped easily along +when there is opposition.</p> + +<p>The outstanding features in the Old Testament +of this great experience are terrible persecution +of the Jew, deliverance at the very worst +pitch of extremity, by a visitation of judgment +on their enemies, and by Jehovah coming in person +for their deliverance; and then the great +Kingdom following.</p> + +<p>The outstanding features spoken of by our +Lord Jesus in His Olivet talk agree with this, +but go much more into detail, especially about +the tribulation. The tribulation will be <i>preceded</i> +by wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, +and persecution. There will be many false religious +teachers, many Christians untrue to their +faith, and a great increase of wickedness. This +is a sort of foreshadowing.</p> + +<p>The tribulation itself will find all this enormously +intensified. It will <i>begin</i> with some astonishing +act of blasphemy in the temple in +Jerusalem, run its terrible course, and close +with a series of judgment-events, earthquake, +heavens shaken, and great distress, ending in the +visible appearance of the Lord Jesus Himself, +out of heaven on the clouds. And this will be +a signal for great penitential mourning among +the people on the earth.</p> + +<p>This, then, is the simple, broad outline with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Page 174]</a></span> +which the thoughtful reader of God's Word +would naturally be familiar as he turns to this +prophetic book at the end to get our Lord's last +message to His followers.</p> + +<h4>Getting a Broad, Clear Outlook.</h4> + +<p>As we turn now again to the book of Revelation +it will help us to remember the general plan +followed in its writing. It is like a series of dissolving +views of the same scene, each of which +lets us see the same thing from a different point +of view.</p> + +<p>This is a simple teaching rule for getting a +clear grasp of what is being taught. We are +familiar with it in the Bible. The story of creation +is told in the first chapter of Genesis, and +then told again in the second chapter with details +not given in the first, the two together presenting +the complete story. The historical books +of Chronicles present one view of the kingdom +of Israel, the official. The books of the Kings +give another look at the same period; and the +prophetic books a wholly different view as seen +by these rarely spiritually minded men of God. +Daniel is shown four visions of future events, +all covering the same general stretch of events, +but with a fuller description, here of one part +and there of another. The four Gospels are a +familiar illustration of the same principle in +teaching and story-telling. This is the plan followed +here.</p> + +<p>I was impressed anew with the practical value<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Page 175]</a></span> +of this method one day in St. Petersburg. We +had gone to look at the panorama of the siege +of Sebastopol, then on exhibition in a huge, +round building. It will be remembered that the +British and French allied themselves with Turkey +and Sardinia in an attempt to restrain the +encroachments of Russia on Turkish territory. +The famous charge of Balaklava, immortalized +by Tennyson, is remembered as the most stirring +event of that war. Its chief event was the +siege of Sebastopol on the Crimea peninsula, in +the Black Sea.</p> + +<p>At the panorama we stood as though on a +high central point in the city of Sebastopol, with +the view spreading out in all directions. To +the north lay the harbour with the Russian ships +securely bottled in by the attacking fleets. To +the west a body of French soldiers were retreating, +hotly pursued by Russian troops, while +in the distance British troops are hurrying to +the relief of the French.</p> + +<p>Then we looked east, where the fighting was +going on at close range, the wounded being carried +away and the reserves hastening up to take +their places. And again we turned to the south, +where the battle raged fiercest. The face of the +commanding officer stood out so vividly. And +we almost shrank from the fierceness of the fire. +And the smell of powder almost seemed stifling.</p> + +<p>And as I stood brooding afresh on the horrors +of inhuman war, I was tremendously impressed +that only by such successive views could I get +such a grasp of that memorable siege. I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Page 176]</a></span> +a more intelligent and vivid understanding of +it than ever before.</p> + +<p>And so it is that we may get a simple, clear, +and real grasp of the tremendous tribulation +time that is coming, that it is presented to us +in this fashion, first one distinct view, then another, +and another, till some understanding of +the whole begins to get hold of us.</p> + +<p>We have seen the Lord Jesus, in the vision in +chapters four and five, as He comes forward +to take an advance step. We have seen the tremendous +outburst of praise in heaven as He +steps forward. This step and scene are in +heaven. The earth is wholly unaware of it +<i>at that moment</i>.</p> + +<p>Now all that follows is connected directly +with that advance step. This is the significant +thing to get clearly fixed in mind. At the present +time our Lord Jesus is still walking among +the candlestick Churches watching and waiting. +We are still in that waiting time. The Holy +Spirit still dwells in the Church on earth.</p> + +<p>At some time in the future, no one knows, +nor can know, just when, the Lord Jesus will +rise up in readiness for an advance move. He +will withdraw the Holy Spirit from the Church +up into His presence again "before the throne." +<i>Then in connection with this advance step</i> there +will occur on the earth the things spoken of in +these pages following. This is the tremendous +fact to keep clear, the immediate connection +between these happenings on earth and His new +move in heaven.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Page 177]</a></span></p> + +<p>We come now to these happenings on earth. +There are seven distinct views given here in +this section, chapters six to the end of the book. +There is a great detail in description which it +would be both instructive and interesting to +study out. But we want to get at the essential +things. And so we will give our time and +thought to these essentials.</p> + +<p>Our Lord Jesus is represented as about to +take possession of His realm. The first step is +a dispossessing of the claimants in possession. +This furnishes the key to what follows. The +descriptions are of the process of cleaning out +the evil forces. At the close of this we find Him +taking possession (in chapter twenty) and reigning +over the earth.</p> + +<p>These descriptions make it clear at once that +this is the tribulation so much spoken of in these +preceding pages. What follows fits so into what +has been spoken of that the identification seems +complete. The thing our Lord Jesus is revealing +here tallies with what He had told John before +on Olivet.</p> + +<p>There comes first a general description of the +whole period (chapters vi.-vii.). Then follows a +description of <i>how</i> these happenings will come. +It will be through the withdrawal of restraint +and so the loosening out of evil (chapters viii.-ix.). +During this whole period there will be a +special faithful witnessing on earth, in the midst +of the riot of evil, to God and His truth (chapter +xi.).</p> + +<p>A detailed outline of the run of events fol<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Page 178]</a></span>lows, +giving much additional information, picturing +the rise and characteristics of the leader of +the tribulation time, and the manner of its close +(chapters xii.-xiv.). There follows this a description +of the judgments and the supreme contest +with which the period closes (chapters xv.-xvi.). +There is a description of the organized +system of evil, and then of the fall of the capital +of the system (chapters xvii.-xviii.) And then +follows the actual coming of our Lord Jesus, the +setting up of the kingdom, and subsequent events +(chapters xix.-xxii.).</p> + +<h4>A General Look at the Storm and Its Close.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[137] Chapters vi.-vii.</p><p>[138] Chapter xix.</p></div><p>We turn now to <i>the first</i> of these.<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><span class="snlabel">[137]</span> It begins +with a crowned One seated on a white horse +going forth conquering and to conquer. This +description agrees with the much fuller description +of the Lord Jesus near the end of the book, +as he goes to the earth for the decisive close of +the tribulation.<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><span class="snlabel">[138]</span></p> + +<p>This gives fresh emphasis to the fact that +what follows is the direct result of His advance +step. At once there follows on earth a time +of war, famine, death, and of persecution to the +death of God's people. There is no hint as to +how long this goes on. It is brought to a close +with an earthquake and an equally terrific disturbance +of the heavens, the sun, moon, and +stars, something unknown before.</p> + +<p>The utmost consternation is created on earth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Page 179]</a></span> +All conditions of men, crowned kings, merchant +princes, men of autocratic power financially and +politically and socially, join with the humblest +in hiding themselves in the great holes made by +the earthquake. They feel that the time of judgment +has come, and they are not ready for it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[139] Isaiah ii. 10-22.</p></div><p>The description of their terror tallies remarkably +with the prophetic language used by +Isaiah,<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><span class="snlabel">[139]</span> even as the whole description fits into +our Lord's Olivet talk. This is seen to be a +general, rapid vision of the whole tribulation +period.</p> + +<p>Then there follows what clearly seems to be +a parenthesis fitting in just before the great +earthquake. The earth and sea have been terribly +torn up by the earthquake. This parenthesis +begins with a command that the earth and +sea be not hurt until certain things have taken +place.</p> + +<p>This fits the two events of the parenthesis in +just before the ruinous earthquake takes place. +The two events are of a radically different sort +from what has just been told. They are thus +put by themselves, and the run of evil and of +judgment upon it, put by itself, so keeping these +two quite clear, following the general plan of +the book.</p> + +<p>There are two events in this parenthesis. +There is what is called the "sealing" of a certain +number of the Hebrew tribes <i>on the earth</i>. +Twelve thousand of each tribe are sealed, making +a total of one hundred and forty-four thousand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Page 180]</a></span> +The word "seal" is used in two senses in the +Bible, as a means of fastening up a writing or +roll, and, in the New Testament, commonly for +the presence of the Holy Spirit in a human life.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[140] II Corinthians i. 22; Ephesians i. 13; iv. 30.</p></div><p>The seal in this second sense was a mark of +ownership. Paul tells us that we are sealed with +the Holy Spirit,<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><span class="snlabel">[140]</span> so indicating that we belong +to the Lord Jesus, who gives us this evidence of +His ownership. If this simple, natural meaning +be taken here, it would mean that at this time +the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon the +Jew. The spiritual regeneration spoken of so +frequently in the prophetic pages takes place at +this time.</p> + +<p>The significance of the numbers should be noticed. +Twelve is the number commonly used +in the Bible, for corporate completeness, to indicate +that a group is complete. Twelve times +twelve would simply represent a fully completed +corporate number. That is to say, upon the +entire body of Jews then living on the earth +the Holy Spirit is poured out, thus marking them +once again as God's peculiar people, restored +fully to favour after the long national rejection.</p> + +<p>The second event is of equally intense interest, +indeed to us of non-Jewish birth it has yet +greater interest. John is up in heaven. It is +from that point of view that he sees. Now he +is suddenly startled. All at once there appears +before his eyes a group he had not seen before. +He describes it as a great multitude, actually +countless, out of all the peoples of the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Page 181]</a></span> +earth, a great polyglot polyracial world company.</p> + +<p>They are clothed in white, holding the conqueror's +palm in their hands, and singing, making +wondrous music. John is getting another taste +of the music of heaven. And their singing is a +signal for a fresh outburst of praise by the +angels, the elders, and the living creatures. All +this seems to occur suddenly, this appearance of +this new company before the throne.</p> + +<p>John gazes spellbound, wondering who these +are, and where they come from, and what this +means. And he is told that these are they that +come out of the tribulation, the great one, down +on the earth. Then in a few exquisitely tender, +heart-touching words their happiness is described.</p> + +<p>These two events occur just before the terrible +earthquake and the shake-up of the earth's +heavenly bodies. Just before the judgment that +closes the tribulation this double event takes +place, the conversion of the Jews, and the catching +away out of the tribulation distress on +earth, up into the presence of the throne, of the +followers of our Lord Jesus.</p> + +<p>We remember that that great Jew, Paul, was +converted by the appearance of Jesus in the +heavens above him. We remember that in the +Olivet talk Jesus says that His followers will +so be gathered up to Himself at the time of His +second coming. These two events, taking place +here, tell us what has happened down on the +earth. In his vision John, being in heaven, sees +these things as they appear from above.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Page 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>This is the first view of the tribulation. It +begins with the moment when our Lord Jesus +up in heaven begins action, describes the characteristics +of the tribulation on earth, and closes +with the national regeneration of Israel, and +the catching up from earth of Christ's true +followers.</p> + +<h4>Evil Let Loose.</h4> + +<p>The <i>second view</i> runs through chapters eight +and nine. Chapters ten and eleven to the close +of verse thirteen make a distinct parenthesis. +And then this view is picked up again at eleven, +fourteen, and runs to the close of that chapter. +But this final bit in chapter eleven is merely a +connecting link with what comes later. Practically +the whole of this view is in chapters eight +and nine.</p> + +<p>It closes with an earthquake, so connecting it +with the final event in the first view. It begins +with a period of prolonged silence, which would +seem to answer to the hush in the great volume +of praise in the first view, when the Lamb takes +the sealed roll. So it carries us back to the same +starting-point as there.</p> + +<p>There is first a striking scene before the +throne, where John sees a golden altar. On this +there is being offered incense, which is said to +be added to the prayers of all the saints. Incense +and prayers rise together before God. +Then an angel pours some of the fire of this +prayer-altar into the earth, and a storm follows.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Page 183]</a></span> +So these two views, first and second, have another +common starting-point, the beginning of a +storm.</p> + +<p>This is a very suggestive scene. The prayers +of all the saints, both in earth and heaven, have +a decided restraining influence over evil down +on earth at the present time. At the close +they will become a decisive influence in the +cleaning-up process on earth, and the bringing +in of the new order.</p> + +<p>Then follows a fourfold description of distressing +events on earth, which are caused by +fiery influences coming out of the heavens. The +language used seems to make clear that it is +through a loosening out of the powers of evil +that the tribulation comes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[141] Isaiah ii. 2.</p><p>[142] Revelation xvii. 9-10.</p><p>[143] Jeremiah li. 25.</p><p>[144] Revelation viii. 10, see also ix. 1; Isaiah xiv. 12-15.</p></div><p>In the picture language of the vision, "a great +mountain burning with fire was cast into the +sea," with injurious results to water, to life, +and to shipping. A mountain is a common +figure in the Bible for a great ruling power. So +Israel is called by Isaiah.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><span class="snlabel">[141]</span> The seventeenth +chapter of Revelation speaks of seven kingdoms +as seven mountains.<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><span class="snlabel">[142]</span> In Jeremiah, Babylon, +which is spoken of repeatedly and typically as +being the embodiment of evil and of opposition +to God, is called: "O destroying mountain ... +which destroyest all the earth, (I) will make of +thee a burnt mountain."<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><span class="snlabel">[143]</span> It speaks here also +of "a great star,<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><span class="snlabel">[144]</span> burning as a torch," that fell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Page 184]</a></span> +upon the rivers and makes them bitter as +wormwood. These two things seem to suggest +clearly that the great hurt done to sea and +vegetation, to all life, and through the obscuring +of the heavenly lights, is a result directly +of the powers of evil having been loosened +out.</p> + +<p>The long restraint upon evil through the presence +of the Holy Spirit in the Church is now +withdrawn in the withdrawal of the Spirit. His +withdrawal is practically an answer to the tacit +prayer both of world and Church. That prayer +is being answered. The "One" who restraineth +has been withdrawn. This it is that makes the +tribulation on its negative side. The awful character +of the demons from the pit is so utterly +beyond human experience up to that time that +there seem no adequate words to describe +them.</p> + +<p>The Gospels are full of the awful activity of +demons on earth in possessing men. In our own +land there is not wanting plenty of evidence of +men horribly possessed by demons. In the older +countries of Europe this experience is much +more marked. But it is in heathen lands that +it is most marked, where even the very air seems +charged with evil forces, as though these unseen +demons swarmed about.</p> + +<p>Yet all this sort of thing is now under restraint. +What it will mean to have that restraint +withdrawn, and the horrid hordes here described +free to do as they will, no imagination can depict. +This is well called the first <i>woe</i>, and an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Page 185]</a></span> +awful woe it will be. Mercifully there is a time +limit set on this demon activity.</p> + +<p>Following this comes the loosing out of another +horde of demons, as difficult of description, +and yet more terrible. They seem countless, +yet there is a limit to their numbers. The supreme +Hand is never wholly withdrawn. These +have power to kill as well as to torment. This +is the second woe. It is most strikingly noticeable +that neither of these things has influence +to make men penitent.</p> + +<p>The last item of this view is given in chapter +xi. 14-19. The announcement is made that the +sovereignty of the world is transferred to our +Lord and His Christ. The temple of God is seen +open, and some further action takes place, but +the detail of it is reserved for another view. +Such is the terrible sight in the second view of +the tribulation time. Evil is loosened out, apparently +unrestrained, and yet under restraint. +This it is that makes the tribulation on its positive +side.</p> + +<p>The parenthesis in the description of this view +has been spoken of. It runs through chapters +ten and eleven to the close of verse thirteen, and +contains two chief things. The first is a little +group of three items. There is a fresh description +of our Lord Jesus as He is seen standing +with one foot on the sea and the other upon +the earth, and holding a little open book. Then +seven thunders roar out. John is about to write, +but is told not to. That terrific storm coming +is far greater than can be told. Then comes the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Page 186]</a></span> +solemn declaration that there will be no further +delay, but that at once shall be finished up this +terrible time of judgment. Then follows a personal +word to John. These three items make up +chapter ten.</p> + +<h4>God's Faithful Witnesses.</h4> + +<p>Then comes the second thing, in chapter eleven +on to verse thirteen, which proves to be <i>the third +view</i> of the tribulation. It shows that during the +whole of this tribulation time there will be a +special faithful witness being borne to God and +His truth. As the Holy Spirit is being withdrawn +from the Church, these two men begin +their special ministry of witnessing.</p> + +<p>The place of that witness will be Jerusalem. +But recent events will have brought a greatly +diversified population to that city from all parts +of the world. So that the witness becomes +world-wide in its immediate reach, and probably +in the reports of it that go out.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[145] In regard to Elijah, see Malachi iv. 5-6. John the +Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, and +of him our Lord said, "this is he who was to come." +</p><p> +Yet the events of judgment spoken of in Malachi did +not take place when John the Baptist and Jesus came. +The events spoken of prophetically in connection with +His coming are divided into two groups, those of +graciousness, finding fulfilment at the first coming, those +of judgment followed by graciousness, at the second +coming. So John the Baptist fulfils the Elijah part at +the first of these two; in all probability Elijah himself +at the second part, <i>i.e.</i>, "before the great and <i>terrible</i> +day of Jehovah come." +</p><p> +In regard to Enoch, the passage in Jude, verse 14, +is of significance. The language, "Enoch prophesied, +... the Lord <i>came</i>, etc.," is probably spoken in the +sense, familiar in the Bible, of a future action seen +as already done. Here Enoch is spoken of as prophesying +or preaching, <i>not</i> to the people before the Flood, +but to a certain class of men belonging to Jude's generation, +that is to the Church generation. The likeliest +meaning of the words is that Enoch, the seventh +and so on, <i>will</i> prophesy, saying, "behold the Lord +<i>cometh</i>," and so on to close of verse 15.</p></div> +<p>While there is good reason for thinking that +these two witnesses may be Enoch and Elijah, +the two men of Bible record, one before the +Flood and one after, who were distinctively +God's witnesses, and were taken away without +death, yet it is best not to stop over a matter +that has been and is apt to be a matter of mere +idle speculative talk.<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><span class="snlabel">[145]</span> The thing worthy of note<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Page 187]</a></span> +is that as the Holy Spirit's distinctive witness +is withdrawn there will be these two special witnesses +sent to Jerusalem for a witness that will +be world-wide in its extent and influence. Such +is God's gracious patience and longsuffering.</p> + +<p>These two men are clothed in mourning as a +part of their witness. They have miraculous +power in protecting themselves against attack, +and in withholding rain, and sending plagues +among the people, and in turning water into +blood, to give force and effect to their testimony. +Their witness continues through twelve +hundred and sixty days.</p> + +<p>John had already been told that Jerusalem +would be trodden under foot by the nations for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Page 188]</a></span> +forty-two months. We are apt to think that +it has been trodden under foot or desecrated by +the nations for an immensely longer period. But +prophecy never gives any reckoning of time for +Israel, except when Israel is an organized nation. +It is concerned with telling Jewish <i>national</i> +events.</p> + +<p>At this time the Jews have their national organization +again in Palestine. For forty-two +months after the nation has been newly set up +the city will be so trodden under the desecrating +feet of the nations. This is the first hint of +time we have had. The witnessing and the desecration +of the holy city will continue side by +side for three and a half years.</p> + +<p>At the end of this period evil will be given +full swing over these witnesses. They are killed +and their bodies left lying in the streets, while +the international crowds make merry because +their tormentors, as these two are called, are +gone. Then before the terror-stricken gaze of +these crowds the two men come to life, and are +caught up into the heavens. Is this the moment +when all are caught up? Quite possibly. +Then comes the terrible earthquake as at the +end of the other two views.</p> + +<p>The one distinctive thing told here is that +during the tribulation, in the midst of all the +blasphemous reign of unrestrained wickedness, +there will be the unbroken, faithful witnessing. +This seems to explain why the account comes as +a parenthesis in the account of the awful riot +of evil. During the worst of the evil there will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Page 189]</a></span> +go on unbroken the faithful, gracious testimony +of God's truth and love.</p> + +<h4>The Lawless Leader.</h4> + +<p><i>The fourth view</i> takes the longest sweep of +any, thus far, goes into much more detail, and +gives much fresh information. It runs through +chapters twelve to fourteen. In the intensely +picturesque language of a woman arrayed in the +most glorious splendour and dignity and power +imaginable the nation of Israel is depicted.</p> + +<p>This woman is with child. In more intensely +dramatic language Satan is pictured as standing +before the woman waiting to destroy her child +as soon as born. The child is born, a man-child, +who is to rule all the nations with autocratic +sway. He is caught up to heaven, and his +mother flees into the wilderness from the serpent. +This is the opening action of this view.</p> + +<p>The meaning lies open on the face. Israel +gave birth to the man Jesus, who foiled all the +attacks of Satan and ascended to heaven. The +old prophetic characteristic of connecting events +far apart without reference to intervening time +is marked here. The long interval between the +break-up of the Jew nation and its taking shape +again as a nation, which has lasted nineteen +hundred years roughly, comes between the last +word of verse five and the first word of verse +six.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[146] Revelation xii. 1-6.</p></div><p>The prophetic writing takes no reckoning of +Israel, except as a nation. The woman fleeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Page 190]</a></span> +into the wilderness is Israel organized again as +a nation suffering persecution. She is so persecuted +for twelve hundred and sixty days, but +divinely protected and preserved. Such is the +first act of the drama pictured here.<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><span class="snlabel">[146]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[147] Revelation xii. 7-17.</p></div><p>Then we are told <i>why</i> the woman flees, that +is, the explanation of this special persecution +of the Jew this time.<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><span class="snlabel">[147]</span> Satan has had his headquarters +somewhere in the heavens, below God's +throne, but above the earth. Now, after a conflict, +he is cast out of heaven, down to the earth. +Here is a third event that comes approximately +at the beginning of the tribulation time, Satan +is cast down to the earth.</p> + +<p>The Holy Spirit is withdrawn from the Church +up to heaven, so removing the restraint upon +evil. Satan is cast out of heaven and comes +down to earth. Thus there is a double intensifying +of evil on the earth, the withdrawal of +restraint, and the presence of the evil one himself. +And as the witness of the Holy Spirit is +withdrawn the special witness of the two men in +Jerusalem begins.</p> + +<p>The defeat of Satan in this heavenly conflict +draws out a burst of praise from the upper hosts. +It is because of the great victory of our Lord +Jesus in His death that this victory is gotten. +They overcome because of the blood of the +Lamb, <i>and</i> the word of their testimony, <i>and</i> +they loved not their lives unto death,—a threefold +cord that could never, and can never, be +broken or successfully resisted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Page 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>This explains the special persecution at this +time of the reshaped Jewish nation. It is the +outburst of the rage of the freshly defeated +Satan. But the Jew is protected. The armies +that would swallow the Jew up are swallowed up +by the great earthquake that closes the tribulation +time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[148] Revelation xii.</p></div><p>The length of this persecution is put in two +different ways, twelve hundred and sixty days, +and "time, times, and half a time." This latter +phrase seems to be an old Oriental or Hebrew +way of saying a year, two years, and half +a year. The same length of time is expressed +in yet another way in the eleventh chapter, forty +and two months. The time is thus put in three +different ways, that we may know surely that it +means just plain three and a half years of our +common time. It is significant that the dragon +makes war with "the rest" of the woman's +seed. This can only mean the Church, which +of course was born in the Jewish nation. This +is the first run of events in this view.<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><span class="snlabel">[148]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[149] Revelation xiii.</p></div><p>Then follows a description of the awful leader +of evil during the tribulation time.<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><span class="snlabel">[149]</span> It is significant +that, as Satan is cast out of heaven down +to the earth, this leader appears among men. +He has great intelligence and power and is the +very embodiment of blasphemy. He is described +as a strange mixture of wild beasts, having the +chief characteristic strength of each, the cunning +of the leopard, the feet of the bear, and the mouth +of the lion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Page 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>He is the personal representative on earth +among men of Satan. There is something +strangely uncanny in the suggestion that he is +some former leader, who died, and is now raised +from the dead. There seems to be nothing too +daring for Satan to attempt in his impious opposition +to God. This leader comes into great +prominence and power. All the world wonders +after him. And they worship Satan, who is recognized +as giving his power to this notorious +leader.</p> + +<p>He comes to be accepted as the world ruler, +and is commonly worshipped by the people. And +he not only persecutes God's people, but overcomes +them. A limit of time is set to his sway. +It is the same as already noted for Jerusalem +being desecrated, for God's two witnesses, and +for the persecution of the Jew, <i>i.e.</i>, forty and +two months, three and a half years.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[150] Chapter xiii. 9-10.</p></div><p>It is striking that in the midst of the description +of his terrible reign there comes a word that +sounds like an echo from those messages to the +Churches. "If any man hath an ear, let him +hear."<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><span class="snlabel">[150]</span> Then the word goes on warning, pleading, +and encouraging. In the midst of these +blasphemous conditions every man must do as +he personally decides. He may yield to this evil +and become a captive of evil, bound hand and +foot. He may try to use the world's weapons +in fighting God's battle, but will find himself +outmatched in their use. He may rise to the +true level, and steadfastly cling to his faith,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Page 193]</a></span> +and endure, and by faith be victorious in the +end.</p> + +<p>The description goes on to tell of the blasphemous +worship demanded of all. This leader +has an assistant or lieutenant to whom he deputizes +great power. He makes an image to his +chief, and demands all to worship at this shrine. +He has supernatural power, that is, devilishly +supernatural. He performs great miracles, even +calling down fire from heaven. He gives breath +to the image and makes it speak. And he punishes +with death any one who refuses this blasphemous +worship to the leader and his image. +And every one is required to have a mark on his +hand or his forehead as indicating his loyalty +to the leader. Whoever refuses is unable to +buy or sell. It is the boycott principle carried +to the last extreme.</p> + +<p>While God's two witnesses are doing miracles +by divine power this lieutenant is doing them +by devilish power. So the fearful account goes +on. One can easily imagine the vast crowds +swayed by the idolatrous worship, and the intense +suffering and distress among those who +insist on being steadfast and true in their faith.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[151] Revelation xiv. 1-5.</p></div><p>Now in the midst of all this terrible scene +John is suddenly and tremendously startled by +something else.<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><span class="snlabel">[151]</span></p> + +<p>In the vision John is in heaven looking down +on these scenes on the earth. Now his attention +is attracted by a scene that suddenly takes +place before his eyes in heaven. It is a scene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Page 194]</a></span> +of wondrous winsomeness and beauty. It stands +out in sharpest contrast with what is going on +on the earth.</p> + +<p>There's a great company standing around the +Lord Jesus, before the throne. They are singing +a wonderful song to the accompaniment of +harps, which they have. The volume of music is +like the voice of many waters, or like great +thunder. There is a simple, fine description of +the character of these singers. They are <i>pure</i>, +and they are <i>obedient</i>. In their purity they are +as undefiled virgins, the highest possible statement +of purity. And they follow the Lamb unquestioningly +whithersoever He goeth with +fullest obedience.</p> + +<p>Who are these, and where have they come +from so suddenly, at this moment, into the presence +of the One on the throne? The description +tells just what has happened. When things are +at their devilish worst down on the earth the +Lord Jesus has caught up His own from the +earth. And they have become like Him in character, +for now they see Him face to face as He +is.</p> + +<p>This recalls the scene, essentially the same, +back in the first view, in chapter seven, where the +great multitudes are suddenly seen before the +throne with palm branches, songs, and white +garments. It is the same company as there. +But there is a difference in telling the numbers. +<i>There</i> they are too many to be counted. <i>Here</i> +they are said to be a hundred and forty-four +thousand. It is symbolical, a picture number,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Page 195]</a></span> +the number of full corporate completeness as +with the Spirit-baptized Jews in chapter seven.</p> + +<p>The believers caught up out of the great +tribulation have been joined by the trusting +hearts of all time who have been waiting in the +Father's presence for this glad day. The number +is now complete of all from creation's earliest +dawn, who by grace have followed fully, +regardless of hindrance or opposition. This +great climax is thus seen by John in sudden +and sharp contrast with the climax of hellish +evil on the earth.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[152] Revelation xiv. 6-20.</p></div><p>Then John is shown the steps by which this +climax is reached.<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><span class="snlabel">[152]</span> Verses six to the close of +this chapter seem clearly to be a detail of what +has gone before, describing the steps by which +this climax is reached, and then reaching further +to the judgment upon the evil. During the +iniquitous scenes being enacted on earth an +angel is seen flying in mid-heavens calling to the +people on earth, in warning, to give their worship +and reverence to God only. The gracious +wooing of God never ceases.</p> + +<p>Another angel follows, calling out that the +great system of iniquity, in which they are enmeshed, +is doomed. A third gives solemn warning +that those who yield to the terrible pressure, +and engage in the blasphemous worship, will be +surely and terribly punished. Again there comes +another echo of the strain of pleading in the +Church messages. In the midst of just such +conditions as prevail then, the saints can be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Page 196]</a></span> +steady in keeping the commandments of God +and the faith of Jesus.</p> + +<p>And down into the awful persecution being +waged comes an encouraging voice from heaven. +There is special blessing from God on all those +who remain true, even unto death. There will +be sweetest rest for them, and their faithful +witnessing and suffering shall be all noted and +acknowledged and rewarded as they come up into +the Father's presence.</p> + +<p>And then follows the blessed harvest of the +righteous whose wonderful arrival in heaven +has already been told in the opening scene of +this chapter. And then follows the awful harvest +of evil down on the earth, the visitation of +judgments coming at the very end of the persecution.</p> + +<p>So closes this long remarkable view of the +tribulation. It connects back with the nation +of Israel. Its beginning is connected practically +with the casting of Satan down to earth. It +gives a description of the leader and the nature +of the persecution, and a brief statement of the +steps with which it ends. And it states in three +different ways that the length of time involved +is three and a half years.</p> + +<h4>A Bitter Cup to Its Dregs.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[153] Revelation xv.-xvi.</p></div><p><i>The fifth view</i><a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><span class="snlabel">[153]</span> is, not of the whole tribulation +time as with these others, but of only a +part, the closing part. It speaks of the visitation +of judgments, the great climactic battle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Page 197]</a></span> +and the earthquake, with which the period is +brought to its end.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[154] Revelation xiv. 1-5.</p></div><p>It connects at the point in the fourth view<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><span class="snlabel">[154]</span> +where those who have been suffering in the tribulation +are seen standing before the throne singing +with harps. It is said that they are singing the +song of Moses, who had the experience of tribulation +and deliverance in Egypt, and the song +of the Lamb, who went through the worst +tribulation experience in His contest with Satan +and sin on our behalf.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[155] Revelation xi. 19.</p></div><p>It connects also with the close of the second +view,<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><span class="snlabel">[155]</span> where the temple is seen opened and the +ark of the covenant is seen. That covenant is +now to receive further fulfilment. God never +forgets His promises and agreements. Seven +angels have seven golden bowls full of the wrath +of God. In this way is told the visitation of +judgments now described as taking place at this +time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[156] Psalm xi. 6; lx. 3; lxxv. 8; Job xxi. 20; Isaiah li. +17, 22, 23; Jeremiah xxv. 15-17; Ezekiel xxiii. 31-33; +Habakkuk ii. 16; Zechariah xii. 2.</p></div><p>In the first view the picture is of <i>seals</i> being +broken or opened, which indicates the execution +of a document. The <i>trumpets</i> of the next view +indicate a commanding call to action; the seven +<i>thunders</i>, not written, a great storm. These +<i>bowls</i> or vials indicate the administration of a +dose of bitter-tasting medicine. The visitation of +judgments by God is commonly spoken of in +Scripture in this language.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Page 198]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><span class="snlabel">[156]</span></p> + +<p>Then follows the description of the judgments +upon men's persons, and everything concerning +their life. Men's bodies are diseased, the water +is unfit to drink, the food supply cut short; they +suffer with terrible heat, and then darkness. But +there is no penitence. The Euphrates is said to +be dried up, suggesting that it is the great river +at or near the world's centre of action. So, it is +said, the way is prepared for the kings that come +from the east.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[157] Isaiah xi. 15-16.</p></div><p>And the prophetic bit in Isaiah comes to mind +about men passing over the Euphrates at the +time of the great gathering of the Jews.<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><span class="snlabel">[157]</span> As +though aroused by all this to bitterest opposition +there is increased demon activity, and through +it a great gathering of all nations, at a place +named in Palestine, for a great battle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[158] Revelation vi. 15-17.</p></div><p>Then a terrible climax comes in the earthquake, +with which the first, second, and third +views closed. It is the worst earthquake ever +experienced. It centres in "<i>the</i> great city," +Babylon, the capital of the whole system of +wickedness. With the storm is a terrible hail. +The description tallies with that in the close of +the first view,<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><span class="snlabel">[158]</span> and with the vivid prophetic bit +in Isaiah ii. 10-22.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[159] Revelation xi. 14.</p></div><p>There's no suggestion of how much time all +this takes. The judgments visited on Egypt at +the deliverance of Israel are described at much +greater length, running into ten items. Yet all +could have occurred within five weeks, allowing +for brief intervals. Whether these judgments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Page 199]</a></span> +occur in succession, or all at once, or partly in +both ways, they could all come within a very +short time. This fifth view depicts the final +scene. It gives the visitation of judgments ending +the tribulation period, describes a great +pitched battle, in which all nations are involved, +and ends with the earthquake. This is the third +of the three great woes.<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><span class="snlabel">[159]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[160] Chapters xvii. and xviii.</p></div><p><i>The sixth view</i> is of the great system of wickedness +in the world, through which the tribulation +comes, and which is judged at its close.<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><span class="snlabel">[160]</span> +The description is full of details of great interest +and instructiveness, but we can only have time +at present for the essential thing being taught. +The Spirit takes John into a wilderness. To the +Spirit's eye wherever wickedness has sway, +whether vulgar or polished, political or commercial, +cunning or brazen, it is a wilderness.</p> + +<p>Here is shown a woman gorgeously clothed, +prodigally bedecked with jewels, and having a +cup in her hand, made of gold, but full of vile +filth. Upon her forehead appears a description: +"Mystery [or explanation of mystery], Babylon +the great, the mother of harlots and of +the abominations of the earth." This woman is +riding upon a strange beast; it is scarlet-colored, +with seven heads and ten horns, and full of blasphemous +names. This is the startlingly suggestive +picture.</p> + +<p>Who is this woman? And what is this beast +upon which she is seated? The whole description +taken together suggests that she is meant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Page 200]</a></span> +to stand for the whole system of wickedness +which has had such sway in the world from +earliest time until the end. And the beast represents +typically the dominant governmental powers. +The two have always worked together. +There has been a consistent unity of spirit and +of characteristic, and a persistent devilishness +marking the wickedness in the world throughout +the ages.</p> + +<p>It has been as though there were an unseen +spirit power tirelessly at work <i>behind</i> all the +varied manifestations of evil. The dominant +characteristic always has been blasphemy of God. +It has controlled thrones and royal power, and +has had unlimited gold at its command. And it +has always been an enemy, subtle or open, cunning +or violent, of God and His people.</p> + +<p>That system or genius of evil is represented +in the Old Testament as finding expression in +one great political power after another, but +chiefly in the power of Babylon. Babylon stands +typically in these older pages, not merely for the +great empire of the Euphrates, but for the unseen +spirit of evil lying behind that power, and +making use of it to carry through its own foul +purposes.</p> + +<p>But that unseen evil spirit power has found +more than one agency to dominate and use. +Babylon long since passed off the stage as a +political factor. But the power of evil has not +ceased. It is distressing to note another great +organization behind and through which the power +of evil has worked. What is the system that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Page 201]</a></span> +has, for the past sixteen centuries, been supported +by the various great civil governments?</p> + +<p>There is only one answer. It is the organization +known as "the Christian Church." And +the term Church must be taken here in its fullest, +broadest meaning. Its great main stem historically +is the Roman Catholic Church. The +first great split-off was the Greek Orthodox +Church. The Church of England was a later +break-off. These, with the various government-ally +supported Churches, and those free of such +support, and various ancient primitive bodies,—these +all together make up the organization +known as "the Church."</p> + +<p>The two symbolical characteristics of this +woman and the two dominant characteristics of +this historical Church are the same. The Church +has been and is supported almost wholly by the +civil governments, and used by them in furthering +their policies. And it has been active in +persecuting to death the people of God who +would not yield to its domination. It has been +marked by intolerance of all not yielding to its +wishes, and especially of the Jew. That intolerance +has been carried not only to the extreme of +blood, but a riot of bloodshed. This is utterly +heart-breaking to realize and to repeat.</p> + +<p>The woman is said to be "drunken (1) with +the blood of the saints, and (2) with the blood +of the martyrs of Jesus." The twofold statement +is seen to cover the two great periods, before +Christ and since. And it covers also the +two great powers through which the spirit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Page 202]</a></span> +evil has chiefly worked in those two periods. +But the name given first in the plains of Shinar, +and used characteristically of the God-defying +power of evil, is given here, Babylon. It will be +Babylon again at the very end after the Church +system is overthrown.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[161] Revelation xvii. 8-12.</p></div><p>It is plainly said that the beast represents the +great civil or governmental power in its final +stage, the shape it will be in at the end when +these events occur.<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><span class="snlabel">[161]</span> The chief dominating political +power of the world will have passed +through a succession of changes, seven kingdoms +successively following each other. At the end +there will be a combination of some sort, with +ten great subdivisions, and one great head over +all.</p> + +<p>But at the last, the civil power will discard the +Church, and persecute it. The spirit of evil thus +gets embodiment typically in the great Babylon +power, then in the Church, and at the very last, +in a coalition of civil powers heading up in a +new Babylon.</p> + +<p>Then follows announcement of the fall of +Babylon. The city is regarded here as the +earthly capital of the organized system of unseen +evil spirit power at work in the world. The +city and the system are inseparably allied. The +name Babylon is used in the Bible for both system +and city.</p> + +<p>If the question be asked what city is meant +here, there can be but one answer. From the +twelfth of Genesis on the Bible never touches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Page 203]</a></span> +history, except as history touches Israel as a +nation. A thoughtful review of the book makes +this clear. And this book of Revelation is a +gathering-up of Bible threads, and only these. +There is only one city in the Bible record that +answers to the description here, "the great city +which reigneth over the kings of the earth." +"Babylon <i>the</i> great."</p> + +<p>But the old Babylon lies in ruins. And its +ruined condition has been quoted as the fulfilment +of the famous passage in Isaiah xiii. 19-22. +It should be carefully noted that the present +conditions at the site of old Babylon do not seem +to satisfy fully the language of that passage. +It would seem to be another illustration of the +rare use of language in the Bible, which adapts +a passage accurately to one event, and then to a +second event, a long time afterward.</p> + +<p>This would, of course, involve the rebuilding +of the old capital of the Euphrates. The reverent +student quietly notes the movements taking +place in that part of the world, but restrains mere +curious speculation, as he continues fervently +to pray, "Thy kingdom come."</p> + +<p>This eighteenth chapter of Revelation seems +like an echo of that intense twenty-first of Isaiah, +and indeed of a strain sounding all through the +prophetic books. One familiar with the old writings +is not surprised to find this echo; he expects +it. No echo of God's voice or purpose is +ever lost. God never loses any of the threads out +of His hand.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Page 204]</a></span></p> + +<h4>Hallelujah! He Comes.</h4> + +<p><i>The seventh view</i> presents the climax. It includes +from chapter nineteen to chapter twenty-two, +verse five. It presents in full the great scene +that closes this tribulation period; touches the +kingdom in a bare word so as to fit it into its +place in the scheme of events being outlined; +and then gives the final wind-up after the Kingdom +time is over. We want to look now at the +portion connected immediately with what has +just gone before, the description of the wondrous +close of the tribulation, in chapters nineteen, +verse one, to twenty, verse three.</p> + +<p>John hears a great outburst of worship and +praise in heaven. It resembles the outburst +back in chapter five, when the Lamb took the +book. But it is seen to be yet greater than +that. Its joy and delight seem wholly unbounded. +Again the living creatures and the +four and twenty elders lead the song that bursts +out.</p> + +<p>John tries to tell how great was the volume of +adoring song that fills all heaven. It is like +the voice of a great multitude, like the waters +that he had heard many a time breaking in +deafening roar on the rocky coast of Patmos, +like the mighty thunders which he had heard so +much in these visions.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[162] Revelation i. 4, 8; iv. 8.</p><p>[163] Revelation xi. 17; xvi. 5.</p></div><p>And the song they sang explains the exuberance +of their singing, "Hallelujah: for the Lord +our God, the Almighty <i>reigneth</i>." At last He +<i>reigneth</i>. In the earlier parts of the book God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Page 205]</a></span> +is spoken of as "He who is and who was, and +<i>who cometh</i>."<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><span class="snlabel">[162]</span> As later events are described +that last part "who cometh" is significantly +dropped.<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><span class="snlabel">[163]</span> Clearly at these points being described +He has come. Now the great realization +bursts out from countless voices, the Lord, +our God, the Almighty <i>reigneth</i>!</p> + +<p>And John is bidden to write the words whose +refrain has filled such a place in hymns and +devout speech, "Blessed are they that are bidden +to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And +the one who seems to be serving as John's guide +puts peculiar emphasis on all that is being revealed +by saying, "these are true words of +God."</p> + +<p>John is so overwhelmed that he falls down +to worship this one. And then he finds that +this is one of his own redeemed brothers of the +earth. And as He quietly bids John give his +worship to One only, He adds very significant +words: "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of +prophecy." The whole genius and soul of all +this wealth of prophecy is to point men to our +Lord Jesus Christ, God to us.</p> + +<p>And now comes the event toward which the +ages have looked. <i>The heavens open.</i> And <i>our +Lord Jesus appears</i> coming in glory to earth. At +last He comes. There's a wonderful description. +He comes as a conqueror, riding forth to judge +the earth righteously, and to make war on evil. +His eyes are as a flame of fire, and upon His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Page 206]</a></span> +head many diadems. He has a name indicating +that He is all alone in the experiences He has +been through, and in His character. He comes +as King of kings and Lord of lords, to rule all +the earth with a new absolutism, to right all +wrongs, and visit the indignant wrath of God +upon all sin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[164] Ezekiel xxxix. 17-20.</p></div><p>As He appears an angel gives warning of +what is coming. In words that are an echo of +Ezekiel's, long centuries before, he calls to +all the scavenger birds of the earth that haunt +battlefields to come to a great feasting time.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><span class="snlabel">[164]</span> +And John sees the vast armies of the nations of +the earth all gathered together for a last mighty +battle, under the leadership of the great leader +of lawlessness and his lieutenant.</p> + +<p>And the utter impotence of their struggle +against God is revealed in the quietness and +brevity with which their defeat and capture are +told. Satan's great earth leader and his chief +who deceived the people with his miraculous +power, both are taken and forever put away. +And then Satan himself is chained and fastened +securely in the abyss. Such is the tremendous +consummation quietly told in a few lines. And +then follows the setting up of the glorious kingdom +on earth.</p> + +<p>Whatever the immediate circumstances under +which the Second Psalm was penned, it will be +readily seen how it fits into this situation at the +end.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Page 207]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"Why do the nations tumultuously assemble,<br /> +And the peoples meditate a vain thing?<br /> +The kings of the earth set themselves,<br /> +And the rulers take counsel together,<br /> +Against Jehovah and against His Anointed, saying,<br /> +'Let us break their bonds asunder,<br /> +And cast away their cords from us.'"<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>But their efforts seem so puny, and the result +so one-sided, that</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh:<br /> +The Lord will have them in derision."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>And we remember that, in these Revelation +pages, it is always with the sword of His mouth +that the Lord Jesus is said to fight, as we read +on:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"Then will He <i>speak</i> unto them in His wrath,<br /> +And vex [or trouble] them in His sore displeasure; [saying]<br /> +'Yet I have set <i>my</i> King<br /> +Upon my holy hill of Zion.'"<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Then the Son speaks:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"I will tell of the decree:<br /> +Jehovah said unto me, 'thou art my Son;<br /> +This day have I begotten thee.<br /> +Ask of me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance,<br /> +And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.<br /> +Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;<br /> +Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'"<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>And the writer of the Psalms closed with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Page 208]</a></span> +word of earnest counsel to the kings of earth:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"Now therefore be wise, O ye kings:<br /> +Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.<br /> +Serve Jehovah with fear,<br /> +And rejoice with trembling [awe],<br /> +Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way,<br /> +For His wrath will soon be kindled.<br /> +Blessed are all they that take refuge in Him."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Thus it is seen that these seven views describe +(1) the general characteristics of the tribulation +time; (2) the way in which it comes, that +is, by the withdrawal of restraint and so the +loosing of evil; (3) the faithful witness being +borne throughout the period; (4) the great evil +leader and the character of the persecution he +wages; (5) the visitation of judgments upon +earth with the great gathering of nations to +battle against God; (6) the world system of evil; +and (7) the coming of our Lord Jesus to judge +evil and set up the kingdom.</p> + +<h4>Still He Waits.</h4> + +<p>It will at once be noted that these things group +up, naturally and easily, under <i>three headings</i>. +First, there is a terrible <i>persecution</i> of God's +people. This will end in a <i>visitation</i> of <i>judgments</i>, +including great plagues. There will be +a gathering of the armies of all nations, and a +great battle. It will end in a decisive defeat for +them by the personal coming of the Lord Jesus, +and will be accompanied by a terrific earthquake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Page 209]</a></span> +and an equally terrific shake-up of the heavenly +bodies connected with the earth, sun, moon, and +stars. Then comes the establishment of the +<i>Kingdom of God</i> upon earth. These three things +stand dominantly out.</p> + +<p>It comes as a surprise to one who has not been +thinking especially about it, to find how these +three things are the same three that stood out +so prominently at the close of the study of +future items in the old prophetic books. It is +natural that it should be so, of course, since the +Book of God is one in its essential unity.</p> + +<p>But there is a great fascination in finding the +parts to come together so simply and naturally. +As we gather up the Old Testament pages these +three things sift out and group together as distinctly +not yet fulfilled, and so future. As we +listen to our Lord Jesus talking, again these same +three items are emphasized by Him. And now +the same three are found here.</p> + +<p>Dr. A. F. Schauffler tells of a striking experience +he had in connection with his mission work +in New York City. A letter came to him from +a stranger in Germany. It said: "I know you +are a city missionary. I am sending a trunk in +your care. Inclosed in this letter you will find +a piece of paper cut. A man will come and present +to you a piece of paper matching this piece. +Please give him the trunk." And enclosed in +the letter was a piece of paper cut in zigzags.</p> + +<p>Letter and paper were laid away to await developments. +Some weeks later a stranger came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Page 210]</a></span> +in and presented a queerly cut piece of paper, +saying: "I think you have a piece that matches +this." Dr. Schauffler got out his piece of paper, +laid the two side by side, found that they +matched, and said to his visitor: "There's your +trunk."</p> + +<p>Even so these prophetic pages of the New +Testament are found to fit exactly the pages of +the Old, written centuries before. It is not surprising, +however. One hand cut the paper into +two pieces in Germany, and naturally they fitted +when put together in New York. One Hand has +guided the men writing in both Old and New.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[165] Jeremiah i. 11-12.</p></div><p>When Jeremiah was first called to his work +as God's messenger he was shown in vision the +branch of an almond tree. The almond tree is +the earliest of all trees to wake from its winter's +sleep at the first hint of spring warmth +coming. And so it was called the "watching" +or "watcher" tree. Then God said to Jeremiah: +"Even so, I eagerly watch over my word to +bring it to life and fruitage at the very earliest +opportunity."<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><span class="snlabel">[165]</span> And so the word of this watching +God and its fulfilment match, regardless of +the thing we call time, even running into centuries.</p> + +<p>And it is very helpful for those of us who have +had a sort of dread of prophecy as of a vague +something that we can't understand, to find after +all how simple it is. Just three great items stand +out of these prophetic pages that are waiting fulfilment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Page 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such is the seven-fold view, which is taken up +almost wholly with the clearing-up storm in the +King's realm. But all this is still future. We +are still in that waiting time. Our Lord Jesus +still stands among the candlesticks. Still He is +waiting for His Church to be faithful. He still +waits for each of us who is a bit of His Church. +He is depending on us to be faithful, by His +grace, day by day, during this waiting time. And +while He waits <i>all His limitless power is at our +disposal</i>, as we follow His leading. We may +take as much as we need. But the taking must +be with the life.</p> + +<p>A dear missionary friend told of a simple experience +that meant much to him. We were +walking together in the town in Korea where +his mission work is. His school was the centre +of the recent troublous times in Korea, and +the storm seemed to rage about his own person +at its outburst. As we talked all his native +teachers and several of his older students were +in prison. The experience he told me was of +earlier days in this country, but had come back +to his memory as a great refreshment during +the troublous times.</p> + +<p>He was a professor in a small college in our +Middle West. Special funds were being raised, +for extension. He was to ask a certain man +of wealth for a large donation. He planned +and prayed much, and at last went to see the +man in another city by appointment. He had +a keen sense of the responsibility of his +task.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Page 212]</a></span></p> + +<p>As he entered the building where the man's +office was he was greeted cordially by a young +man whom he remembered as a former student, +to whom he had been friendly in some time of +minor need. But he had not connected him in +his mind with this wealthy man, whose son he +was. Now as the former student learned of his +professor friend's errand, he said with all the +confidence of a son on good terms with his +father:</p> + +<p>"Come right in; father's here."</p> + +<p>As they stepped into the man's office the son +said, simply:</p> + +<p>"Father, this is an old friend of mine. He's +all right. Give him whatever he wants."</p> + +<p>And the father, busy at his desk, with barely +a look at the appointed visitor, reached one +hand over for his checkbook, and simply +said:</p> + +<p>"How much do you want?"</p> + +<p>My friend, taken completely by surprise at +the unexpected turn of events, managed to name +the large sum he had been thinking and praying +over so much. And before he could quite recover +from his surprise, he found himself outside +walking up the street with the coveted check in +his pocket, praising God for such an answer to +his prayers. It had been years before, but as +we walked and talked it all came back with a +fresh flush of feeling.</p> + +<p>The present is a waiting time. It may seem +to some as though they are in the wilderness. +Clear and distinct comes a quiet voice:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Page 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What'll you have? Whatever you choose to +ask, for My Son's sake."</p> + +<p>May we reach out to take as much as He is +reaching down to give. But the taking must be +with the life.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Page 215]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="VII_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST_REIGNING" id="VII_THE_CROWNED_CHRIST_REIGNING"></a>VII.—THE CROWNED CHRIST REIGNING</h2> + +<p class="center">(Revelation, Chapters xx: 4-xxii.)</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Page 216]</a></span> +"On this side of the river and on that was the tree +of life, bearing twelve fruits."</p></div> + + + +<div class="poem"> +<p> +"A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!<br /> +<span class="i4">Rose plot,</span><br /> +<span class="i4">Fringed pool,</span><br /> +<span class="i4">Ferned grot—</span><br /> +<span class="i1">The veriest school</span><br /> +Of peace; and yet the fool<br /> +<span class="i1">Contends that God is not—</span><br /> +Not God! in gardens! when the eve is cool?<br /> +<span class="i1">Nay, but I have a sign;</span><br /> +'Tis very sure God walks in mine."<br /></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Page 217]</a></span></p> + +<h4>Day Is Coming.</h4> + +<p>It's a long lane that has no turning. Every +valley leads up a hillside to a hilltop. Every +storm ends in sunshine at the last. Every night +runs out; the dawn <i>will</i> break; the new day +comes; the shadows flee before the new shining. +The battle for right will end in victory, and in a +decisive victory. There'll be no draw here. +Faith wins at last. It's been a long night of +fighting. Sometimes it seems endless.</p> + +<p>The man in the thick of the fight, with moist +brow, and clenched hand, and quick breath and +throbbing heart, sometimes sobs out the prayer, +"O Lord, how long before the night is over, +and the dawn breaks?" And quietly through +the smoke and din of the conflict a still, small +voice says, "Steady, my child, steady; the day +is surely coming, and with day victory; steady, +steady a bit longer."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[166] Habakkuk ii. 3.</p></div><p>Now here in vision the fight is over, the victory +won. And God's visions always become +realities. The vision is yet for the appointed +time, and it panteth breathlessly toward the real<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Page 218]</a></span>ization, +and will not fail nor delay. Though it +tarry, wait for it; it will certainly come on time; +it will not be late.<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><span class="snlabel">[166]</span></p> + +<p>In the seventh view the kingdom follows immediately +that decisive conflict and the putting +of Satan out of the way for the time being. The +redeemed ones at once begin their blessed service +of fellowship with the King in reigning over +the kingdom. Emphasis is placed on the fact +that at this time there has been a resurrection +of believers. And these resurrected ones join +with those caught up without death in administering +the kingdom. This kingdom is said to +last for a thousand years, that length of time +being named only here, and here six times.</p> + +<p>There is much talk in our day about the kingdom. +All Christendom has been repeating for +nineteen centuries the petition, "Thy kingdom +come." It will be of intense and practical interest +to see just what the kingdom is, as pictured +in the Bible. It is barely mentioned in +this place in Revelation, to fit it into its place in +the scheme of future events being outlined.</p> + +<p>But it is the chief theme in these old prophetic +pages, around which all others group. Immediate +historical events furnish the setting, but +there is a continual swinging to the coming +future greatness. The yellow glory-light of the +coming kingdom is never out of the prophetic +sky. Jeremiah is the one most absorbed in the +boiling of the political pot of his own strenuous +time, but even he, at times, lifts his head and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Page 219]</a></span> +gets such a glimpse of the coming kingdom +as causes him to mix some rose tincture with +the jet black ink he habitually uses.</p> + +<h4>The Kingdom Picture.</h4> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[167] Acts ii. 44-47; iv. 32-34.</p></div><p>Let us look briefly at the kingdom picture of +these older pages. Its capital is Jerusalem, +which becomes the world capital. It will be the +joy of the whole earth. Israel will be the first +nation of the earth, to which all others will be +tributary. But it will be not the Israel of these +old pages, nor the Jew as he is known characteristically +throughout history. Israel will be a +new nation, made new in character by the power +of the Holy Spirit. The winsome picture of the +baptized crowds at Pentecost gives an inkling of +the spirit that will sway the new nation.<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><span class="snlabel">[167]</span> They +will be a nation of radiant faces and thrilled +hearts.</p> + +<p>The effect of this upon all other nations is +marked. Through Israel's regeneration and new +leadership, every other nation is to know a new +spirit life. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit +upon Israel is to be followed by an outpouring +upon <i>all</i> flesh. Pentecost is merely a beginning +of what is to be universal. There will be a +widespread voluntary coming to Israel for religious +instruction. She becomes the world's +teacher until the knowledge of God covers the +whole earth as the waters cover the sea. But +all this will be purely a voluntary movement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Page 220]</a></span> +among the nations. There will be war no longer, +but universal peace.</p> + +<p>There's one part of the picture specially comforting. +That vast majority, <i>the poor</i>, will be +specially guarded and cared for. There will be +no hungry people, nor cold, nor poorly clad; no +unemployed begging for a chance to earn a dry +crust, and no workers fighting for a fair share +of the fruit of their toil. But there are yet +tenderer touches on the canvas. Broken hearts +will be healed, prison doors unhung, broken +family circles complete again.</p> + +<p>A recent issue of The Sunday School Times +tells a simple, touching incident of a mission +hall in Korea. A Korean woman living in the +country heard of the wonderful things happening +there, and came to town to find out for herself, +and get some help. But she didn't know +where the hall was, nor what name it was called. +So she inquired on the streets for the place where +they <i>cured the broken heart</i>. And at once she +was directed to the mission hall. That sort of +thing will become a blessed commonplace in the +beginning of the kingdom time.</p> + +<p>Then there are certain radical changes in +<i>nature</i>. Splendid rivers of waters are to flow +through or by Jerusalem, suggesting radical +changes in the formation of the land there. That +fortress city, on the hilltop, Jerusalem, becomes +as the world's metropolis, a mighty city, with +rivers floating a world's commerce. The light +of sun and moon will be greatly intensified, so +influencing the fertility of the earth. Before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Page 221]</a></span> +their healing light and heat, in the newly tempered +atmosphere, all poisonous growths, the +blight of drought, and suffering of untempered +heat, will disappear.</p> + +<p>And with this goes a change in the <i>animal</i> +creation. Hate will be gone. And so beasts +that are dreaded because of their ferocity and +treachery and poisonous power will be wholly +changed. There will be mutual cessation of +cruelty to animals by man, and of danger to +man by animals, for all hate and violence will +be gone.</p> + +<p>And some one raises his eyebrows sceptically +and says, ironically, "What fairy tale, what +skipper's yarn, is this?" Well, I frankly confess +that I don't know anything about this matter, +except what I find in this old Book of God. +But I confess, too, that I try studiously to get +a common-sense, poised, Spirit-enlightened understanding +of what this Book does tell. And +then I accept it, and go by it, regardless of probabilities +or improbabilities. It may seem like a +fairy tale, yet it is only the picture of the +coming kingdom soberly set forth in these old +pages.</p> + +<p>As we turn to the Gospel pages we find the +kingdom to be the chief thing Jesus is talking +about. The Gospel days are sample days of the +kingdom in the personal blessings bestowed. +Read through these accounts of blind eyes +opened, the lame walking, the maimed made +whole, the dumb singing, the distressed in whatever +way relieved, the ignorant instructed, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Page 222]</a></span> +sinful wooed, and the bad of heart and life being +blessedly changed.</p> + +<p>All this is a taste of the kingdom. Jesus was +wooing men to accept King and kingdom. To-day, +as in all Church time, bodily healing is a +privilege for those who can take it, and a gift +for the rare few who can be entrusted with it. +In these Gospel pages it was freely bestowed on +multitudes, and the gift exercised with power by +many. Even so it will be in the kingdom time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[168] Mark iv. 26-29. Matthew xiii. 31-32.</p><p>[169] Matthew xiii. 33.</p><p>[170] Matthew xiii. 3-9, 18-23.</p><p>[171] Matthew xiii. 24-30.</p><p>[172] Matthew xiii. 47-50.</p></div><p>Most of the parables are found to be connected +in their first meaning with explaining about the +kingdom. The kingdom will follow the law of +growth that is common in nature, sowing, waiting, +cultivating, and reaping.<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><span class="snlabel">[168]</span> Its influence will +spread gradually until all feel its presence and +power.<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><span class="snlabel">[169]</span> It must meet and deal with the obstacles +presented by different men's temperaments +and dispositions and temptations.<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><span class="snlabel">[170]</span> There will +be opposition, gradually overcome, but never +fully.<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><span class="snlabel">[171]</span> Many will be carried along by the current +of the day. It will be a good current, for +righteousness will be the common thing then. +But in their hearts many will long for something +else, something different.<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><span class="snlabel">[172]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[173] Matthew xiii. 44.</p><p>[174] Matthew xiii. 45-46.</p></div><p>But to many, the new blessed kingdom message +will come as a treasure accidentally +stumbled upon, not being looked for, but now +valued as very precious.<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><span class="snlabel">[173]</span> To others it will come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Page 223]</a></span> +as <i>the</i> thing they have been eagerly seeking for, +and which satisfies the deepest yearnings.<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><span class="snlabel">[174]</span> One +who has had any touch with the pathetic yearning +of years found in non-Christian lands can +better appreciate the results of this kind in these +glad coming days.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[175] Matthew xxi. 31.</p></div><p>The <i>characteristic spirit</i> of the kingdom +stands sharply out in contrast with the dominant +spirit of our own time. The kingdom is said to +belong peculiarly to those who are "poor in +spirit," in whom self-assertion and pride have +quite gone out, leaving them humble and lowly +in heart. The meek will inherit the earth, and +will take down all the walls and fences, for all +conditions of life are radically changed. The +penitent man or woman will be freely received +regardless of their past, while the proud will +find the doorway too low for their unbending +heads.<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><span class="snlabel">[175]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[176] Matthew xx. 1-16.</p><p>[177] Luke xix. 11-27.</p><p>[178] Matthew xx. 25-28.</p></div><p>Rewards in the kingdom will not be given as a +matter of merit, as in our present endless cutting +and rivalry, but will be thought of wholly +as evidence of the graciousness of the King.<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><span class="snlabel">[176]</span> +And yet more striking, the rewards given will +be the privilege of serving, some more, some less, +according as they have become skilled in serving.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><span class="snlabel">[177]</span> +He who serves most truly will be given +preferment.<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><span class="snlabel">[178]</span> The thing prized above all else +will be glad obedience to the King.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that the kingdom is to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Page 224]</a></span> +a time of world-wide evangelization. Indeed +this is <i>the purpose</i> of the kingdom. There are +two periods of world-wide evangelization in our +Lord's planning. The present is the Church +time of such evangelizing. This is, of course, +the true main objective of the Church. This is +the reason for the Church's existence, to take the +message of a crucified risen Christ to all men, +that so the way may be prepared for His return, +and through that for the next period of evangelizing.</p> + +<p>The kingdom period of world-wide evangelization +is under radically different conditions. +Then the evil one will be removed from the +scene of action, the Holy Spirit will have been +poured out upon all flesh, and so the moral veil +now upon men's eyes will be removed. The +Jews, with all their characteristic aggressiveness +and perseverance, now intensified by the Holy +Spirit's presence, will be a nation of missionaries +to all the earth. The redeemed ones in their +resurrection bodies will have the blessed privilege +of helping. And over all will be the presence +and supervision of the King, our Lord Jesus +Himself. That will be world-wide evangelization +in earnest.</p> + +<p>Such is a faint glimpse given in both Old and +New Testaments of the kingdom spoken of in +these Revelation pages in such few words. Almost +the whole Bible lies back of those few +words. What a time it will be for this old earth! +With renewed fervour our hearts repeat, "Thy +kingdom come."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Page 225]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Final Crisis of Choice.</h4> + +<p>But it is made clear at once to John that the +kingdom is not an end in itself. It is a means +to an end, a wonderful means to a blessed end. +It is startling to find that after that long blessed +reign the evil one is to be loosed out of his prison-abyss. +This seems at first flush too startling to +be credible. But on reflection the reason becomes +plain, and reveals the strength as well as the +tenderness of God's love.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[179] Psalm xviii. 44; lxvi. 3; lxxxi. 15; note marginal +readings.</p><p>[180] Matthew xiii. 47-50.</p><p>[181] Matthew xiii. 24-30, 36-43.</p></div><p>All through the kingdom time there are those +who are in heart opposed to this new order of +things. They long for the leeks and onions and +garlic of the old eating. There will be some +yielding only a feigned allegiance to the King.<a name="FNanchor_179_179" id="FNanchor_179_179"></a><span class="snlabel">[179]</span> +That dragnet of the parable has gathered some +fish that didn't want to be caught, and want a +chance to get away to their own native waters +again.<a name="FNanchor_180_180" id="FNanchor_180_180"></a><span class="snlabel">[180]</span> The tares of another parable are left +in with the wheat until the end reveals which +is real wheat and which really tares.<a name="FNanchor_181_181" id="FNanchor_181_181"></a><span class="snlabel">[181]</span></p> + +<p>The one thing God longs for is love. And +that only is love which is the free outpouring +of the heart. He longs for love as our free +choice. This is the image of God in which we +have all been made. We are most like God in +<i>power</i>, in the right of free choice. We are most +like Him in <i>character</i> when we use our power +as He uses His; when we choose what He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Page 226]</a></span> +chooses for us. And so there must be a final +time of sifting and choosing.</p> + +<p>Here is the strength of love, that dares loose +Satan out that so we must choose in the face of +opposition. For faith isn't faith except it can +stand the fire test, the friction fire test of opposition. +Here is the tenderness of love, that longs +to have a return love as pure and free as its own, +and so gives fullest opportunity for it to be revealed +and to grow.</p> + +<p>So Satan is loosed out for his tempting work. +And another great world crisis comes, and another +great settlement; this the final one. The +devil, his beastly Antichrist and false prophet, +are put out of the way forever.</p> + +<p>A great dazzling throne is set. And One sits +on it with a face of indescribable glory. Then +comes the second resurrection, of all those not +included in the first resurrection a thousand years +before. This is a judgment of <i>all who have died</i>, +with the exception already noted. The judgment +of the living spoken of in Matthew, twenty-five, +probably is in connection with the closing +scene of the great crisis, just before this judgment +of the resurrected dead, or possibly in connection +with this judgment. This is the final +judgment.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[182] Revelation xx. 15.</p></div><p>Gladness and distress mingle in reading the +account: gladness that the contest, age long, is +over; distress to find that for some there is what +is described briefly but with terrible intensity, +in the words, "the lake of fire." Yet there is +still comfort in noting the language used of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Page 227]</a></span> +these,—"<i>if any</i>."<a name="FNanchor_182_182" id="FNanchor_182_182"></a><span class="snlabel">[182]</span> It is not the language of a +great multitude, but rather of an incorrigible +scattered and scant minority.</p> + +<h4>Home at Last.</h4> + +<p>And now for the seventh time in this last +vision John says, "I saw." Bit by bit the view +opens up before his eyes, from the coming of the +Lord Jesus out of the opened heavens, on and +on, until now the final view of all bursts in a +winsome glory before his astonished, delighted +eyes.</p> + +<p>God's own ideal, that He has been carrying +in His heart, is pictured. That ideal is that He +and man shall dwell together as a family. The +ideal is not a Church nor a Kingdom. These +are merely great means to a greater end. +The ideal is the family, all dwelling together +in sweetest harmony and content, with a +common board, and a common fireside in the +twilight of the day, and all the sweet fellowship +that these stand for.</p> + +<p>John sees a new heaven and a new earth, the +old heaven and earth gone, and with them the +separation of the wide sea gone forever, too. +He sees the holy city, Jerusalem, made over new, +coming down out of the new heavens to man's +new dwelling-place, the new earth. It presents a +wondrous, joyous appearance as of a bride +adorned for her husband.</p> + +<p>Then a great voice out of the throne speaks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Page 228]</a></span> +of this ideal in the heart of God for Himself and +His friend, man. "Look! God has pitched His +tent down amongst men, and they shall be His +peoples, and He will be their God." He will +live with them as a Father-mother-God, personally +caring for each one, Himself wiping away +every tear from every eye. A single tear and a +single pair of eyes will be enough to claim His +personal attention at once.</p> + +<p>His presence insures the absence forever of +death, and mourning, and pain, and crying. The +dirge music has sung its last song. The minor +chords are gone. All the old things of a sorrowful +sort are quite gone. And as John looks +He that sitteth on the throne makes the glad +announcement, "<i>Behold, I make all things new.</i>" +And John is bidden to write all this, for "<i>these +words are faithful and true</i>."</p> + +<p>And again the One on the throne seems to +look eagerly forward to His ideal as already +actually accomplished: "They are come to +pass." And to let John feel the certainty of it +all He says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, +the beginning and the end." The power that +has done all from creation's morn will complete +all clear to the end.</p> + +<p>And then the tenderness of that highest love +which finds expression in the personal touch +comes out in the next words: "I will give unto +him that is athirst of the fountain of life freely." +The smallest need of any one will have His personal +thought and attention, and they shall have +the best there is, and have it in abundance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Page 229]</a></span></p> + +<p>And the old pleading that runs like a strain +of music throughout these pages comes again: +"He that <i>overcometh</i> shall inherit these things. +I will be His God, and he shall be my son," and +so entitled to the inheritance.</p> + +<p>Then plainly, clearly, with all the honesty of +love, comes the warning of the terrible outcome +for those who refuse His tender love. It is most +significant that this most winsome picture at the +end of the book contains the dark, black shadows, +which remain in the picture at the end.</p> + +<p>All this is spoken directly to John by God +Himself. It is not sent by an angel, or by a +redeemed human messenger. It comes to John +direct with all the force and tenderness of a +word spoken to him out of the very heart of God.</p> + +<p>And now an angel carries John off to let him +see this that is called both a bride and a city. +And from the top of a high mountain John looks +out and sees a most wonderful city, coming down +out of heaven from God, filled and flooded with +the glory of God.</p> + +<p>And the best language that earth knows anything +about is used in the attempt to describe +this city ideal. Its dimensions are perfect in +proportion and in their outer relations. Its +foundations are adorned with the costliest, most +precious stones, the walls are built of jasper, +and each gate is one immense pearl; but the city +itself is builded of a gold as transparent as pure +glass. Israel and the Church are as sweet memories +of past days, recalled now by gates and +foundations.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Page 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>But these are passed by in noting the outshining +glory of the presence of God. In the simple +language which has become so imbedded in the +heart and imagination of the Church, "the +city hath no need of the sun, neither of the +moon, to shine on it; for the glory of God did +lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." +And the winsome description goes on. The nations +walk in this wondrous light of God's presence, +and the kings of earth bring glad tribute +of their glory into it. "And the gates thereof +shall in no wise be shut by day, for there shall +be no night there." "And there shall in no wise +enter into it anything unclean, or he that doeth +an abomination and a lie, but only they that are +written in the Lamb's book of life."</p> + +<p>In the midst of the city is a river of water of +life clear as sparkling crystal, flowing out from +the throne of God and of the Lamb. On each +side of the river is the tree of life yielding continual +fruitage. And the leaves of the tree were +for the healing of the nations.</p> + +<p>And the heart never fails to respond with a +quickened beat to the lines: "His servants shall +serve Him; and <i>they shall see His face</i>; and His +name shall be in their foreheads;"—that is, His +character shall shine out of their faces. "And +there shall be no night there; and they need no +candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord +God giveth them light. And they shall reign +forever and ever."</p> + +<p>Such is the heart-touching, heart-gripping tale +of God's ideal for man, His creature and com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Page 231]</a></span>panion +and friend. All the best that the city +stands for of human life, and all the best that the +country, typified in the garden, stands for, are +forever blessedly joined. And in the midst—<i>Himself</i>, +and gathered about Him His redeemed +ones, as children about a father, in a union and +fellowship cemented by the heart's blood of God, +never more to be put asunder.</p> + +<h4>The Master's Last Words.</h4> + +<p>And John closes the book with a few personal +paragraphs. The vision is complete. Now come +the closing words. For the third time John is +solemnly assured, "these words are faithful and +true." And again comes the voice as of some +One always standing by as John is being shown, +"Behold, I come quickly." And again the words +with which the book begins come to seal all its +impressions,—blessed is he that reads, and prayerfully +seeks to understand the simple message, +and who sets himself to live his life in the light +of this simple tremendous message.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[183] Daniel xii. 4, 9.</p></div><p>And John is significantly told <i>not</i> to <i>seal up</i> the +message. Daniel had been told to seal up the +message given him, for it would not come to pass +until the latter days after great intervening +events had taken place.<a name="FNanchor_183_183" id="FNanchor_183_183"></a><span class="snlabel">[183]</span> But there are no intervening +events before this message is to come true. +It has been possible for the fulfilment to come in +any generation since John saw and wrote. It is +yet more possible, growing distinctly toward the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Page 232]</a></span> +probable, that these things shall come in our +generation. The words remain open, waiting +an expectant fulfilment. They are not to be +sealed up but openly proclaimed, for the time +when it is possible for these things to work out +is at hand. This is a present practical issue.</p> + +<p>And meanwhile, during these days of the waiting +time each one who reads or listens, however +reluctantly, to the message, will follow the bent +of his own deliberate choice, but with ever increasing +intensity. The pure will become more +pure; the bad yet worse. There's no standing +still as we listen.</p> + +<p>And again come the solemnly repeated words: +"Behold, I come quickly." His coming is the +next step in the great plan. There were then, +and there are now, no great intervening events +to be worked out, and waited for. His coming +is imminent. It is a thing to be expected. +And He brings with Him the wages due each +one.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[184] Revelation i. 8.</p></div><p>And like the signature of certification at the +book's beginning,<a name="FNanchor_184_184" id="FNanchor_184_184"></a><span class="snlabel">[184]</span> comes now the personal signature +at its close: "I am the Alpha and the +Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and +the end." So He personally certifies to us the +absolute accuracy and reliability of this message.</p> + +<p>And with the signature come again the +gracious pleading and warning intermingled. +Any one who will may wash his robes in the +fountain provided, and may eat of the life-giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Page 233]</a></span> +tree, and come unto the God-lit city. And +equally clear it is that any who insist on doing +so may remain outside unwashed. Each one is +free to do as he wills.</p> + +<p>And once again comes the emphatic, solemn +announcement of the accuracy and dependability +of this message of John's Revelation: "<i>I, Jesus</i>, +have sent mine angel to testify unto you these +things for the Churches." It is distinctively a +Church message, and comes with all the direct +authority of our Lord Jesus Himself. And He +patiently reminds us of His authority,—I am +both root and offspring of David, both before +him and after him. I am the bright, the morning +star, that rises while it is yet night and brings +in the new day.</p> + +<p>And again the spirit of winsome pleading +breaks out to those unwashed ones who insist on +staying outside the gate. Both the Spirit and +the whole company of washed ones say "come." +And let him that heareth that sweet word pass +it out to those farther away until the last man +hears and feels. And let them know that anybody +at all who is thirsty may come freely and +drink of the river of the water of life.</p> + +<p>And yet once again comes the peculiar certifying +of the contents of this Revelation message, +and a solemn warning against any interfering +with its meaning. Jesus says,—I hereby certify +unto every man that hears the words of the +prophecy of this book: if any man add to them, +making them mean something else than I intend, +God shall add unto him the plagues that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Page 234]</a></span> +are written in this book: and if any man shall +take away, or lessen the meaning, God shall +take away his part from the tree of life and out +of the holy city. It comes as a very solemn +warning.</p> + +<p>And yet once more comes the emphatic assurance +both of the reliability of the book itself, +and of the certainty of its great central message,—"He +who testifieth these things saith, '<i>yea, I +come quickly</i>.'"</p> + +<p>And John fervently adds, "Amen; come, Lord +Jesus." And so says every heart in tune with +His heart who is coming.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Page 235]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="VIII_WATCHING_THE_HORIZON" id="VIII_WATCHING_THE_HORIZON"></a>VIII.—WATCHING THE HORIZON</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Page 236]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="i3">"Thy Kingdom Come."</span></p> + +<p> +"Thou art coming! We are waiting<br /> +<span class="i1">With a hope that cannot fail;</span><br /> +Asking not the day or hour,<br /> +Resting on Thy word of power,<br /> +<span class="i1">Anchored safe within the veil.</span><br /> +Time appointed may be long,<br /> +<span class="i1">But the vision must be sure:</span><br /> +Certainty shall make us strong,<br /> +<span class="i1">Joyful patience must endure.</span><br /> +</p><p> +"O the joy to see Thee reigning,<br /> +<span class="i1">Thee, my own beloved Lord!</span><br /> +Every tongue Thy name confessing,<br /> +Worship, honour, glory, blessing,<br /> +<span class="i1">Brought to Thee with glad accord!</span><br /> +Thee, my Master and my Friend,<br /> +<span class="i1">Vindicated and enthroned!</span><br /> +Unto earth's remotest end<br /> +<span class="i1">Glorified, adored, and owned."</span><br /> +</p><p> +<span class="i4">—<span class="smcap">Frances Ridley Havergal.</span></span><br /></p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Page 237]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Thrill of Expectancy.</h4> + +<p>Watching reveals character and makes it. It +means wakefulness, an ideal, a purpose, and a +hopeful expectancy. Some people only look. +Their eyelids are not shut. Something passes +before the eye. They look, but they rarely see.</p> + +<p>It takes a soul to see. It needs a spirit awake +to see out through the eye, and see into persons +and events passing by, and see forward to what +is coming to-morrow. Some sleep. The body +is awake in daytime. They walk and talk and +eat, buy and sell, count money and hoard it. +But their eyes are never lifted to the outer +horizon. They are settled in an even, contented +round. Their spirits sleep.</p> + +<p>A wakefulness of spirit to the time and its +need, an ideal clear and high of what should be, +a purpose strong and masterful that holds the +life up toward the ideal, an expectancy eager, +brave, steady; an eye fixed intently on some One +unseen,—this is what watching means. It reveals +character. It makes character. It reaches +out strong spirit hands, and brings nearer and +sooner the thing watched for.</p> + +<p>Watching has always been a characteristic of +the men God has used. He used them because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Page 238]</a></span> +He could. They were of use. Their spirit made +them serviceable. Their watching opened the +way for fellowship of spirit and partnership in +action. It put them in tune with Him who never +slumbers nor sleeps, and who watches over His +pledged word, to bring it to pass at the earliest +possible hour.</p> + +<p>The watcher sings. His favourite song is "I +will lift up mine eyes." He sees what is coming. +He sees <i>Him</i> who sits beyond the horizon of our +common outlook. And seeing Him grows this +sort of expectancy, and the expectancy becomes +the controlling thing.</p> + +<p>It was this sort of expectancy that made Abraham +a pilgrim at seventy-five, and that grew +deep the pilgrim trait of patient endurance +through the weary twilight years till the promised +heir came, and even beyond that, wove the finest +texture into his character when the severest test +came.</p> + +<p>It was this expectancy that drew Moses away +from the court life of Egypt, and the possible +prospect of wearing imperial purple, to become +the leader of a straggling crowd of slaves. And +it held him steady on through long years, wilderness +travel, criticism, and non-appreciation, on +and on, till Nebo's top was climbed. He endured +as seeing Him who was invisible to the +unseeing eyes of the crowds at His side.</p> + +<p>Such expectancy has steadied every leader for +God, in these old pages from first to last, young +Joseph in the dungeon, Joshua in the glare of the +limelight, into which he was suddenly thrust,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Page 239]</a></span> +and ruddy-faced singing David fleeing and hiding +for his life from the javelin of Saul. It was +the clear-seeing eye of Isaiah and Jeremiah in +the homeland, and of Ezekiel and Daniel among +the weeping exiles, that kept the heart of the +nation warm with the vision of what was surely +coming. The thrill of expectancy runs through +the pages of this old Hebrew classic. Its light is +never out of the eye, nor its alluring out of earshot.</p> + +<p>When Jesus walked among men expectation +ran high. When He was killed the gloom of the +three days was the gloom of a bright light suddenly +put out. The darkness was intensified +by the light that had been shining. Then there +came a new sort of expectancy, higher, finer, of +the inner spirit. This Jesus was coming back, +in all the glory of the old prophetic vision, made +realer by the personal touch these men knew, +and this new expectancy puts all the paper of the +New Testament a-tremble with delight. It is +the light that lighteth every page and epistle, +every contested path of witness, and every hour +of suffering because of faith.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[185] Acts iii. 20-21; xv. 14-18.</p></div><p>The Church of these New Testament pages is +<i>a watching Church</i>. The expectancy of the +Lord Jesus' return is the north star of their sky. +It never swerves. All the rest revolves around +it. They see everything else in relation to this. +Their going into all the world and preaching to +every creature was not simply for men's conversion: +that surely: but beyond that, it was to +bring the Christ back for the next step in His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Page 240]</a></span> +world programme. He would come and set up +His kingdom, and then through the kingdom +would come a yet wider, farther-reaching world +evangelizing.<a name="FNanchor_185_185" id="FNanchor_185_185"></a><span class="snlabel">[185]</span> This expectancy controlled their +life and activity. Through their faithful world +witnessing He would come.</p> + +<p>And as the knot is put on the end of the +thread of revelation the very knotted thread +seems aglow with the glory of what is coming. +The Bible from end to end is a-thrill with expectancy, +a hopeful watching for something, aye, +<i>for some One</i>.</p> + +<h4>A Calendar of Events.</h4> + +<p>We have been looking a bit closely at this +knot in the end, the threads composing it. Now +we want to gather up all that we have been going +over with the light that comes from the other +pages, so as to have some sort of a simple, clear +grasp of the truth. This will help our eyesight. +We can watch the horizon better. Our eyes +will be steadier in the glare of the lower lights, +and sharper to see in the spells of darkness that +get thicker now and then.</p> + +<p>It is interesting to notice that this book of the +Revelation is a calendar book. That is to say, +it is not a calendar of dates but of events. It +gives coming events in the order in which they +will occur. Its table of contents becomes an +outline of coming events. There is the Man +of Fire standing among the candlesticks. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Page 241]</a></span> +comes an hour when He advances to the next +step in His programme. Then, step by step, +there follow the occurrences until the kingdom is +actually here. And then the after events, when +the kingdom's work is done.</p> + +<p>It turns out that this thing of our Lord's return +cuts a wider swath than we are apt to +think, if we don't stop to think. That is because +of <i>Who it is</i> that is coming. An event takes +on the size of the chief person concerned. This +Lord Jesus is the One through whom our +world was made in the early time, when there +were no calendars. So His coming naturally +concerns the whole world. It concerns the system +of evil in which the world is entangled, and +the evil spirit world so closely interlocked with +our own.</p> + +<p>Then our Lord Jesus came amongst us as a +man. He came as a Jewish man, and to the +Jewish nation. So His coming concerns the +Jew and the Jewish capital, Jerusalem. When +He sent down His executive, the Holy Spirit, a +new organization was formed, the Church. So +His coming concerns the Church, and concerns +it very intimately, for it is spoken of as a body +of which He is the head. When Jesus came it +was to die for a world and to redeem a world. +And so His coming concerns the future plans of +the earth and the race.</p> + +<p>Yet though His coming has such a broad +sweep, it is quite possible to get a grasp of the +few essential items in the programme. And this +will make our footing steadier, our vision clearer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Page 242]</a></span> +our praying more confident, and our soul-winning +and witnessing warmer and truer. We turn +now to try to get this simple, helpful understanding.</p> + +<p>The present is the time of the candlesticks. +The Man of Fire is in our midst unperceived. +The unseen Eyes of Flame see. Our Lord Jesus +still waits, and depends on the faithfulness of +His Church. The light is still shining out. The +dark places are getting some light. The light +has not yet wholly failed to get out through the +human lantern to the crowd in the dark.</p> + +<p>The characteristics of this waiting time, so +long prolonged, are plainly put. In the outer +world there will be an increasing lawlessness +and disregard of every sort of restraint, and an +increasing power of organization and centralization. +There will be an increasing getting together +for more effective action.</p> + +<p>In the Church world there will be an increasing +formalism, a compromise with evil and +with the world spirit. There will be a decrease +of warm personal devotion to the Lord Jesus +as the controlling motive power. And there will +be a growing inclination to make light of, or +ignore, or jeer at, the idea of the Lord Jesus' +return.</p> + +<p>As this period wears on toward its close, and +so on toward the events to follow, there will be +a coming together of the Jews scattered throughout +the world in an attempt to regain Palestine +and reconstitute the Hebrew nation there with +its temple and old sacrificial ritual. These<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Page 243]</a></span> +are the three chief tendencies that will characterize +the present waiting time preceding the +group of coming events.</p> + +<p>The decisive index-finger, that this present +period is actually coming to its close, will be this +movement among the Jews. The movement to +regain control of Palestine may rise and fall +back, gain and lose again. But some day it will +come to its head. By some arrangement with +the nations concerned the Jewish nation will +actually be set up again in Palestine, and the +building of the temple in Jerusalem begun. This +will be the decisive indication. This is an unfailing +index-finger. The hands of the clock +are moving then toward the striking of the hour. +Soon the sands will be run out and the hour-glass +turned.</p> + +<h4>The Beginning of the End.</h4> + +<p>At some time soon after that point is reached +<i>two unseen events will occur</i>, that is, unseen on +earth. Roughly, it will be three and a half years +after, though the whole tendency of the Scripture +is to discourage the figuring of <i>exact</i> time. +Yet information is given that the outlook may be +intelligent. These events are unseen on the +earth. They take place in heaven.</p> + +<p>The Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from the +Church. He will not be withdrawn from individuals. +He abode in men before the Church +was formed, and will after the Church has cast +Him out. He is withdrawn only because He has +been practically and wholly cast out.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Page 244]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Lord Jesus, who sent Him down to form +the Church and witness through it, will withdraw +Him from the Church. The candlestick +has moved out of all touch with the light. And +now the light is withdrawn, and so the candlestick +moved out of its place as the light-bearer. +This is probably the advance step taken by our +Lord Jesus that marks the beginning of the end.</p> + +<p>At the same time there occurs a conflict of +spirit forces up in the heavens. While the earth +seems to be Satan's chief place of activity, yet his +headquarters are up in the heavens, that is, +somewhere below the throne of God and above +the earth. This conflict is against him and his +spirit forces. It is led by Michael, the archangel. +It results in Satan and his host being cast +out of the heavens and down to the earth.</p> + +<p>It is significant that as the Holy Spirit goes +up, this conflict follows, and Satan is cast out +and down. Is it the Holy Spirit's return there +that precipitates this conflict, and defeat for +Satan? It would seem not improbable. So the +moral situation on the earth is intensified doubly. +The blessed Holy Spirit, with all His power of +restraint over evil, is withdrawn. The evil spirit, +with all his power of intensifying evil, is cast +down in person to the earth. These are the two +unseen events marking the advance move of the +end time.</p> + +<p>There will be nothing on earth <i>at the moment</i> +to indicate that these tremendous events have +happened. There is no suggestion of how much +time is involved. Time is a matter of earth's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Page 245]</a></span> +calculation. Quite possibly <i>we</i> would speak of +these events as occurring in a very brief time, +perhaps an instant of our reckoning. These are +the two events unseen on the earth.</p> + +<p>At the same time there will begin <i>two events +seen taking place on earth</i>. The first is the coming +to the front of a man, a terrible leader of +the forces of unrighteousness. Paul speaks of +him as "the Lawless One." John's name for +him is "the Antichrist." He becomes the human +representative or incarnation of Satan. As +Satan is cast down out of the heavens this +leader comes to the front on earth.</p> + +<p>He seems to have official position at the head +of some great coalition of nations, with a wide +area of authority. He seems to be some former +notable leader known in history, who died, but +is now brought back to life again by Satan's +supernatural power.</p> + +<p>As he forges to the front there follows on +earth a horrible time of war, famine, pestilence, +death, and persecution. He arbitrarily breaks +the agreement with the Jews under which they +have re-established their nation, and begins a +terrible persecution of them. He sets up in the +temple a blasphemous image, and requires that +all people shall worship it. This strikes not +only at the Jew, but at the Christian as well.</p> + +<p>At one stroke of genius he compels absolutely +universal attention to his command by forbidding +the doing of any business except by those willing +to worship the image. Those refusing the worship +are killed. He will have an assistant doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Page 246]</a></span> +wonderful miracles by Satanic power to deceive +and persuade the people. During this time there +is a loosing out on the earth of countless hordes +of unseen demons to torment men.</p> + +<p>All this continues for three and a half years. +The time is stated in three different ways to +make quite clear just how long is meant. This +is the first of the two seen events. It centres +at Jerusalem and seems to reach out practically +to all the earth.</p> + +<p>The second event is significant. During all +this terrible time of persecution and blasphemy +and the riot of evil, there will be two men in +Jerusalem preaching the Gospel of the Lord +Jesus, and calling on men to repent. As an +emphasis of their witness against the awful +wickedness current they will be clothed in +mourning. They will have miraculous power to +attest their witness, and to protect themselves +against attacks upon their lives. The great +crowds of many nationalities in Jerusalem will +make their witness practically world-wide in its +direct as well as its indirect influence.</p> + +<p>This also continues for three and a half years. +As the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from the +Church as the witness of the Lord Jesus, these +two special witnesses appear. In His great +faithfulness and patience God never leaves Himself +without a witness. This is the second event +seen on earth. These two, evil at its worst, and +God's special witnesses, run along side by side, +both centring in Jerusalem.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Page 247]</a></span></p> + +<h4>The Climax—He Comes.</h4> + +<p>Then there comes <i>a group of four events</i>. +And these four are very closely associated together +in point of time. They occur at the close +of the period of persecution and wickedness. Indeed, +it is their occurrence that brings the close. +Yet the exact time when they happen is left +quite uncertain.</p> + +<p>And this clearly is another bit of the tendency +in the record to keep our thought on the main +events, and not on figuring out time. We are +to keep to the essentials and be wary of mere +speculation. For the sake of clearness I am putting +these four events separately, but this does +not mean that some of them may not be occurring +at the same moment, or that all may not +come within a very brief time. We simply do +not know. It looks as though we are not meant +to know.</p> + +<p>There is <i>a Jew event</i>. The Holy Spirit comes +down upon the nation of Jews in simple, tremendous, +converting power. This is put in connection +with the coming down out of the heavens +on a cloud of the Lord Jesus. It seems to be +this sight of their great Kinsman, Jesus, whom +they crucified, that is used by the Holy Spirit +to strike penitence to their stubborn hearts. Literally +a nation is born again in a day. It will +be with the whole nation as it was with Saul +on the Damascus road, as sudden and unexpected, +as startling and as radical; as sudden and +unexpected an appearance of Jesus, as startling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Page 248]</a></span> +to the Jews, as radical in the absolute spirit +transformation.</p> + +<p>There is <i>a Church event</i>. And here the word +Church is used to describe all believers in the +Lord Jesus. That will be a much sifted and +chastened company of people. This event is +also connected with the open, visible coming of +the Lord Jesus, out of the upper blue, before all +eyes. It affects two separate companies of believers. +The bodies of all believers who have +died will be raised out of their graves, inhabited +again by those who lived in them. Then +the living believers shall have a transforming +touch upon their bodies. And the two companies +shall be caught up into the air into the presence +of the Lord Jesus.</p> + +<p>As they come into His presence there will +be a purifying and perfecting of character, and +an adjustment of relations with Him. There +is no suggestion of how much time is involved. +We naturally think of things as taking place +through so much time. Our limitations in this +regard will be gone then. It may be what we +now call instantaneous.</p> + +<p>There is <i>a world event</i>. There will come to +the earth and to men a visitation of terrible judgments, +affecting men's bodies, the sea and rivers, +vegetation, an intensifying of the sun's heat, and +possibly a terrible darkness—in short, affecting +everything concerning man and life on the earth. +There will be a great gathering of the armies of +the nations at a place in Palestine. Again there +is no suggestion of how much time this visita<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Page 249]</a></span>tion +of judgments runs through, nor this gathering +for battle.</p> + +<p>Then there is <i>the</i> event, <i>the great climax event</i>, +the actual coming of the Lord Jesus, out of the +heavens, down to the earth. At the moment +when He comes the Jews will be in the midst +of a terrible siege in Jerusalem. Against the +city will be assembled the armies of the nations. +The city will be taken, the looting and ravaging +already begun.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly, out of the blue above, the +Lord Jesus comes in a great blaze of blinding +light, accompanied by great numbers. He will +come to Olivet. With the coming will be a terrible +earthquake, such as the earth has never +known.</p> + +<p>It is a striking geological fact that the greatest +"fault," or break in the earth's surface, is +found in Palestine, running north and south from +Antioch on the Orontes down even into Africa. +But this earthquake will affect very wide areas, +including the city of Babylon, which will be +shaken to utter destruction. That earthquake +will make radical changes in the formation of +the earth's surface in Palestine.</p> + +<p>At the same time there will be an equally terrific +shake-up in the heavenly bodies, the sun, +moon, and stars. The effect of both these upon +the vast panic-stricken multitudes will be most +pitiable. They will call upon the upheaved rocks +to hide them from the wrath of God.</p> + +<p>These are the four events occurring at this +time. They are grouped together. It seems im<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Page 250]</a></span>possible +to say first this, then that. They are +grouped. The great essential thing standing out +is that our Lord Jesus' coming will be at a terrible +climax of evil. There will be partial judgment +visited on the earth. The system of evil +will be wholly overthrown. The Jews will be +converted as a nation by the Holy Spirit. The +Church will be caught away out of the distress, +and will have part with our Lord Jesus in His +coming.</p> + +<p>It should again be noticed that in all this there +are no time notes, except as to the length of this +tribulation time. The persecution of the Jew +and desecration of Jerusalem, the time of the +two witnesses, and the sway of the Antichrist, +each runs through three and a half years. There +are no time notes whatever for the present +waiting-time. And though the length of the +tribulation itself is stated, yet it should be noted +that the exact time of the Lord Jesus' actual +return still remains quite undetermined.</p> + +<p>In Daniel's prophecy there are four events +spoken of as occurring at this time, and each +is measured from the time when the sacrifices +are stopped and the chief desecrating act in the +temple begins. The tribulation runs for three +and a half years. Thirty days later comes some +glad event not specified further. Seventy-five +days later there comes another glad event, and +two years ten months and twenty days later the +complete cleansing of the temple. Each of these +portions of time is measured from the same +starting point. This would suggest a period of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Page 251]</a></span> +readjustment after the Antichrist is slain, running +through almost three years. All these +time notes are of a year of three hundred and +sixty days, not our common calendar year of +three hundred and sixty-five and a fraction +days.</p> + +<p>There comes the period called the kingdom. +Its capital is Jerusalem. The regenerated nation +of Israel becomes the first nation of the earth, +with all other nations tributary. Israel's leadership +is a blessed one in its spiritual influence over +all others. The Jews are a missionary nation, +whose one passion is to make the knowledge of +God known throughout the earth.</p> + +<p>The redeemed ones of all the earth through +all times will reign <i>over</i> the earth in fellowship +with the King, the Lord Jesus. In their resurrection +bodies, with all present bodily restrictions +and limitations gone, they will have a +blessed share in the new earth ministry.</p> + +<p>The purpose of the kingdom is world-wide +evangelization, but with all the conditions radically +changed. Satan, with all evil spirits, is +removed from the scene of action. The nation +of Jews, baptized by the Holy Spirit, is the +missionary force, under the direction and help +of the Church. The Holy Spirit will have been +poured out upon all flesh, making all peculiarly +open to the truth.</p> + +<p>What a wonderful time of continual revival it +will be! But that much abused word "revival" +will have its sweet, original meaning restored. +It will mean a re-living, a new life of the Spirit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Page 252]</a></span> +coming, that will naturally include the body, +too.</p> + +<h4>Intelligent Watching.</h4> + +<p>Such are the events, near and far, which some +day will come up over the horizon of our common +life, ushering in a new day. And we are +bidden by our Lord Jesus to <i>watch</i>. We watch +for Him, and for anything that tells us His coming +is nearing.</p> + +<p>Watching means wakefulness, an ideal, a purpose, +an expectancy, and a daily life under the +control of wakefulness, ideal, purpose, and expectancy. +That our Lord Jesus will actually +come to this old earth and reign, this is the ideal. +That we shall, by grace, be true to Him in everything, +day by day, during this waiting-time, this +is the purpose. That <i>we</i> shall indeed see Him +come, and be caught up into His presence without +death, this is the expectancy.</p> + +<p>That this shall all be a real thing to us, <i>controlling</i> +all our relationships, our gold, and our +life, and that we shall reverently, thoughtfully +seek to understand what He has told us about it, +this is the wakefulness. This is what watching +means. Our bodies may be asleep, our brains +and hands absorbed in the day's task, but our +hearts can be awake for the sound ahead of +the coming of His feet.</p> + +<p>"But how can you watch for Him if there are +intervening events?" So the question came +to me this summer by a thoughtful, godly min<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Page 253]</a></span>ister +who looks for His coming. And I said: +"Because His coming is one of a little group of +events which cluster about His coming."</p> + +<p>The crowd stands watching at the railway +station in England to see the king's train come +in. Yet they know that before it comes the pilot-engine +will come, running ahead about so many +minutes to insure the safety of the way. The +coming of the pilot-engine heightens the intensity +of watching, for now soon the king will +come.</p> + +<p>The watcher in the sick-chamber, weary with +the long night's anxious vigil, goes to the east +window to see if day is coming. There comes +a bare lighting-up in the east, just a slight lessening +of the darkness that is everywhere. But +even this much brings a sigh of relief. The sun +itself may not be seen for two hours or more. +But you know without looking at the clock that +the sun is coming and is near. Its presence near +sends the light far ahead.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[186] Matthew xxiv. 33.</p></div><p>When the trees begin to send out swelling +bud and tender green leaf and catkin, we know +summer is coming, even though the chill is in +the air, and the night may even now bring a +touch of the white of frost. "Even so ye also +<i>when ye see these things</i> know that <i>He</i> is nigh, +even at the doors."<a name="FNanchor_186_186" id="FNanchor_186_186"></a><span class="snlabel">[186]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[187] 1 Chronicles xii. 32.</p></div><p>There's something intensely practical about +this thing of watching. I mean the intelligent +watching that a thoughtful study of God's Word +promotes. There is a striking sentence used in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Page 254]</a></span> +describing some of the men that rallied to David +during the clearing-up storm that preceded his +reign. It is said of certain of the tribe of +Issachar that they "<i>had understanding of the +times</i> to know what Israel ought to do" in the +matter of making David the accepted king over +the realm.<a name="FNanchor_187_187" id="FNanchor_187_187"></a><span class="snlabel">[187]</span> Their thoughtful study and judgment +of the time made them wise leaders of +action.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[188] Daniel xii. 10.</p><p>[189] Daniel viii. 15-17; ix. 1-2; x. 1-3, 11-14.</p></div><p>There is a similar significant word spoken to +Daniel in the final vision in which these end +events are being disclosed. And we recall that +the speaker is He for whose coming we look. +He says, "They that are <i>wise</i> shall <i>understand</i>."<a name="FNanchor_188_188" id="FNanchor_188_188"></a><span class="snlabel">[188]</span> +Daniel had prayerfully set himself to +understand God's will for his people.<a name="FNanchor_189_189" id="FNanchor_189_189"></a><span class="snlabel">[189]</span> When the +wonderful vision was given him in answer to his +patient study and continued prayer, the Man of +Fire who came to him said, "Now I am come +to make thee <i>understand</i>."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><p>[190] Daniel xi. 33.</p></div><p>It is wise, by thoughtful, prayerful study of +God's Word, to try to understand what He has +told us. Not to do so is not wise. And more, +it will become increasingly needful that others +be taught as these events draw on. Daniel +is told in this same connection that "They that +are wise shall instruct many."<a name="FNanchor_190_190" id="FNanchor_190_190"></a><span class="snlabel">[190]</span></p> + +<p>The opening words of the Revelation, and especially +the closing paragraphs, emphasize this +same thing. The revelation is given that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Page 255]</a></span> +may read and understand and hold our lives +true to this vision. This thing is intensely +practical. Indeed, it is <i>the</i> practical thing for +our day. We <i>can</i> understand the simple essentials +revealed here. Our Lord Jesus earnestly +desires us to do so. Surely we will, for His +sake.</p> + +<h4>A Spirit Sensitiveness.</h4> + +<p>The thoughtful watching that grows out of +an understanding of our Lord's plans influences +subtly and mightily one's whole life. It deepens +wondering reverence for the Lord Jesus Himself, +His present power and personal glory sitting +up yonder in the indescribable glory of the +Father's presence, and His patience and strength +in this waiting-time. It draws out a depth and +tenderness of personal love for Himself and of +devotion to Him.</p> + +<p>There comes to be a keenly acute conscience +about evil, and about compromise with evil; and +yet with it a sanity of judgment on particular +questions arising, and a gentle consideration for +others who see otherwise, or think they do. Evil +grows in subtlety and in aggressiveness in our +day, and probably will yet more. It seeks especially +to make inroads among God's professing +people. Yet evil is evil. Its true inwardness is +quickly revealed by adding a "d" at the beginning +of the word. And it grows increasingly +repugnant in whatever guise, as we come to study +more its inner spirit as revealed in these disclosures +of the end times.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Page 256]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, too, this watching affects one's judgment +of, and attitude toward, Christian service, +and toward movements in the Christian world. +The getting-together spirit is getting more and +more into Church circles. The fervent heart repeats +constantly our Lord's prayer, "that they +may all be one." Yet it becomes clear that there +may be movements toward union that are not +of the Holy Spirit's initiation, and that cannot +have his approval.</p> + +<p>It is not enough to do good. That may prove +to be a low level of action. <i>The</i> thing is to find +out what God has planned, and fit into that, with +all the warmth of one's being. His will is always +good, and better, and best. The good thing +may not be the thing He has planned and wants +done.</p> + +<p>It becomes increasingly clear that our Lord +Jesus is a great general. He has the whole campaign +of action mapped out, and every detail +of it thought into and thought out. As one comes +to learn more of His plans, and Himself as a +planner, there comes to be <i>a passion for doing +His will</i>. One moves from the old position of +working for God up to the position of so fitting +in that <i>God works through us</i>.</p> + +<p>And there comes to be a consciousness that He +is doing immensely more through the things we +do than we are conscious of. So in all Church +activity there comes to be a reaching out in spirit +to discern what <i>He</i> wants done, and putting all +the strength into that.</p> + +<p>Then, too, one's thought of foreign missionary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Page 257]</a></span> +service undergoes a change. The actual taking +of the message of Christ to those who haven't +heard comes to have first place. Educational +work and medical and humanitarian, and the +like, in missionary service, are seen to be wisely +used when held strictly in place as a means to +a direct end. And their value is judged wholly +by their being a means of bringing those whom +they touch face to face with the Christ that +died.</p> + +<p>It seems to be possible to spend fifty years +and more establishing mission work in the city +centres of a foreign-mission country, and all +good, blessed work; and yet have the great mass +of that country's population in utter ignorance +of the Gospel message and its power.</p> + +<p>As the Holy Spirit is allowed control increasingly, +there comes to be a better understanding +of God's purposes and of His plans, an earnest +coöperation in the Church movement for making +Christ known to all men everywhere, a faithfulness +in all the circle of one's own home +Church, and a warm personal winning of men +to know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.</p> + +<p>So it is seen that watching for our Lord's return +affects one's whole life in an intensely practical +way. It deepens faith in <i>Him</i>. It leads to +an <i>intelligent detachment</i> in social and commercial +and even Church circles, while making an +increase of thoughtful regard for others. It +purifies the personal life. It chastens and deepens +and gentles the personal character.</p> + +<p>It seems very striking and very strange that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Page 258]</a></span> +when Jesus was born there are just two persons +named, outside the immediate circle, who seemed +to have the spirit instinct that recognized who +He was. There was a man living in Jerusalem +whose name was Simeon. Who was he? rich? +poor? cultured? of lowly station? No one +knows. But whoever he was, he had cultivated +close walk with God. That's clear. And into his +inner spirit came the conviction that the Christ +promised for ages, so long waited for, the Christ +was now coming, and <i>he would see Him</i>.</p> + +<p>And a similar story is told of the woman called +Anna. These two were in that simple touch of +heart with God that could in spirit sense the +coming of the Christ. There may have been +others. We are not told. But the emphasis +remains on the fact that few seemed to discern +the working out of God's tremendous plan.</p> + +<p>Will it be so again? It would surely seem +that intelligent watching would make one sensitive +in spirit to coming events. Yet there would +ever be a mingling of deepest reverence, and a +thoughtful caution regarding mere speculation, +while the fervent prayer that Jesus taught is +daily repeated, "Thy kingdom come."</p> + +<p>And John's closing Revelation prayer constantly +breathes out, "Even so, come, Lord +Jesus."</p> + +<p style="font-size: 80%; text-align: center; margin-top: 3em;">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of +Revelation, by S. D. 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