The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-11
The Sunday Sehon1
BY REV. G. L. DEMAREsT, DID.
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10, 1886.
THE GREAT INVITATION.
Revelation xxi. 8-21.J
EPILoGUE.

EPILoaUE.
The magnificent panorama of the Apoca-
lypse is now ended. But few of its scenes
have been presented in our lessons for want
of time and space. The present Lesson COM
prises the conclusion of the book. 1t is the
address of the writer to those for whom the
revelation is made. The Book of Revelation
was written for a definite purpose, and in
well defined and orderly manner. 1t is in
the form of an allegory and comprises de-
scription of a series of scenes of panorama
the vision which the Revelator saw in the
spirit. 1t begins with prologue or intro
duction describing the character and purpose
of the book ii. 1-8). Then follow letters or
messages of appreciation, admonition and
warning to the seven churches of Asia ii. -
iii. 22). These are followed by the disclos-
ures of the seven seals, describing the events
which will shortly come to pass, manifestlng
the glory of COP and of His Son JESUS
CHRIST, in the deliverance and exaltation of
His prosecuted Church and the overthrow of
its enemies (iv-vii.). Then follows an &C.
count of the seven trumpete announcing the
judgments that had been disclosed (vlil.-xI.)
Following this is description OF seven
mystic figures, symbolizing the principal
characters in the symbolic and historic scene
(xii.-xiv.) Chapters xv.-xvi. describe seven
walls of wrath, which appear to Symbolic
the decisive judgments of GoD in the affairs
of the world. The doom of the foes of Chris
tianity, the prosecuting powers, is described
in chapters xvii.-xx. The blessed consum-
nation, to which all the prophecies pointed,
the glory of the redeemed church on earth
land possibly in heaven), is pictured In the
scenes described in chapters xxi.-xxii. 7.
This is followed by the epilogue or conclud-
ing address contained in our Lesson for to-
dav. When it is remembered that the Book
of Revelation was written to comfort and
encourage to faithfulness the early Church,
in time of bloody persecution (See Lesson
Notes, November 28), that it was written In
symbol (signifed i. J. and that its principal
figures are all adopted from the Old Tesla
ment prophets, many of them employed by
JESUS himself to describe the overthrow of
Judaism and Jerusalem, and the triumph
and glory of the Messiah's kingdom, and
that the scenes described should shortly come
to pass, it ought not to be a book of very
difficult Interpretation to the thoughtful BIZ
BILE reader. 1t describes scenes that were to
be enacted under the providence of GoD and
for the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, IN
the earth and in the early history OF the
Church, during the lifetime even of those to
whom it was written Compare Matthew K,
xvi, and xiv. with Revelation). Its princi-
pal prophecies are fulfilled in the establish
ment and triumph of Christianity.
The whole book from beginning to end
teaches the great truth-CHRIsT shall trl.
umph! CHR1sT's enemies shall be overcomel
They who hate him shall be destroyed; they
who love him shall be blessed unspeakably.
The doom alike of Jew and Gentle Is al
ready imminent. On Judea and Jerusalem,
on Rome and her empire, on Nero and ms
adorers the judgment shall fall. Sword and
fire, and famine, and pestilence, and storm,
and earthquake, and social agony, and poiit-
ical terror, are nothing but the woes which
are ushering in the Messianic reign. Old
things are rapidly passing away. The light
upon the visage of the old dispensation ID
vanishing and fading into dimness; but the
face of him who is as the sun, Is already
dawning through the East. The new and
final covenant is instantly to be established
amid terrible judgments; and 1t IS to be 80
established as to render impossible the con-
at hand! Even SO, come, Lord JEsUs!-F. w.
Fdrrar, "Early Days of Christianity"
In his introduction John declares that he
has recorded the things which he saw and
heard that were shown him by the angel. At
the close he repeats that he saw and heard
the things which are recorded and adds that
when he saw and heard he fell down to
worship the angel who had shown him these
things; but that the angel forbade him, say
ing: 81 am fellow servant of thine, and of
thy brethren the prophets, and of those who
keep the words of this book" The angel may
not have been even a divine being, but was q
servant of COP, one who revealed divine
things. He may have symbolized the spirit
of prophecy in the Church. He was not
proper object of worship; GoD only is to be
worshipped. "Worship GoD;" "GoD is a spirit,
and they that worship Him must worship
Him in spirit and in truth" Appropriate
forms and ceremonies, suitable times and
seasons, may all be aids and indispensable
helps, but the true worship is inward and
spiritual, the alteration by the soul of the
Supreme Soul. 1t implies fellowship with
the Divine Spirit. CHRIST is the way of holy
communion and Divine worship. John de-
clared in the prologue that the things which
were shown him and he revealed must shortly
come to pass. In the epilogue he declares
that the angel who showed them admonished
him not to seal up the book of the prophecy,
for the time of its fulflment was at hand.
And again he reports JESUS, who testified the
things recorded in the book, as saying, "Yes,
1 come quickly" and closes with devout
prayer for his speedy coming, and his bene-
diction upon the Church.
The JUDGMENT.
The Book of the Revelator's prophecies