The National tribune., 1886-11-18
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

We are now to have four lessons in "The
Revelation of st. John the Divine" 1t is to be
noticed the lessons for nine months of this year
are from books by the same author. The only
book, known in an outline of the books Of the
New Testament as prophetic, Is this last book
of the Bible, which we are now to study for
one month.
The Book of Revelations was probably writ
ten at Patm0s, quite toward the close of the
life of st. John, and may be placed not far from
A. d. 96. Some have thought the author wrote
the book after escaping from the Island of Pat
mos, and hold it was composed at Ephesus, Asia
Minor. The study of the contents takes US to
the Kgean Sea, on the Island of PatmOs, called
by some one "a discOnsOlate island in the
Archipelago" (V o. Patmos is an island re-
minding one of st. Helena. 1t is about the
same size and of similar description. Both were
used by their respective nationalities as places
of Punishment for celebrated prisoners. In
this connection We cannot forget Napoleon.
We learn in verse why st. John was held
captive. 1t was " for the testimony of Jesus
Christ; because he testified for Christ in q
word, because he was Christian.
Domtian became Emperor Of Rome A. ID. 81
and continued such for 10 years. He was very
jealous of his rights and honors az ruler. He
demanded worship as il to God. In the heather
mind there was a dedication of the Emperor.
Christians had much to say of their King,
meaning Christ. This seemed traitorous to the
suspicious Domitian, ignorant as he was of
the sense in which we hold Jesus to be our
Ruler. He became furious against the follow
eTs of Christ
Ephesus was the main city of Asia Minor
This was the home Of st. John seemingly for
quite long period of the latter part of his life.
The Roman Government was a unit, and in
cluded all Western Asia. Through the influ-
ence and indomitabe energy of the Apostle the
Christian Church spread through Asia Minor so
widely and deeply that it could not be hidden.
An opponent of Christianity would feel an inn
pulse first Of all to put down man so successful
in establishing the hated religion. Domitian
in his wrath knew no north, south, east, west.
Because Flavius Clemeus, his uncle, was a
Christian, the Emperor ordered his execution.
Because his wife, Domitila spoke good things
of Christianity he forced her into exile never
allowing her return. IL was left to his success
sOT, Nerva in his clemency to release her along
with others, including st. John, banished by
DOmitian. 1t was easy to find pretexts for ex-
terminating Christians. Persecution reached
Asia Minor, and specially Ephesus st. John
could not be excepted. In the first place he
was sent by the proconsul of Asia to Rome.
The result was his Punishment to PatmOs
Christ promised to be with his servants
through all time and in all places. PatmOs
was not outside of Gods realm. The Holy
Spirit could not be banished from even so desc
late an island. We owe TO ST. Johns Danish
ment the Book Of Revelation. 1t was the prod
uct of his experiences, the outcome of visions
granted the Apostle, the improvement of
forced leisure, the providential fruit of cruelty
the everything of mans wrath to Gods honor
and the worlds blessing. 1t was not lost time
which st. John spent on PatmOs. If no Reve-
latiOn without, we might, while we pitied the
| Apostle and lOathed the Emperor. yet thank
God for the Punishment During the four les
sons often keep in mind Chap. /, V. 8, BLESSED
| is he that readeth, and they that hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things
\ which are written therein" May we be blessed
/ in our study, Nov. %. We recently saw the
| following prayer, prayer which all could well
/ offer when studying the lesson: Blessed Lord,
who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be writ
| ten for our learning, grant that we may in
| such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and
inwardly digest them, that by patience and
comfort of they Holy Word, we may embrace
and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlast-
ing life which thou hast given Us in our Savior,
Jesus Christ. ABlsH."
The Book of Revelation is thought to be
difficult of explanation. 1t is not necessary to
surround the lesson with any mysticism. 1t is
not best to bewilder young minds with the
thousand interpretations.
St. John had founded many parishes OF do
ceses in Asia Minor, the principal of which were
those of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira
| Sardis, Philadelphia and LaOdicea- (V. IL
| There is a similarity among all churches, and
there are also peculiarities attaching to each
| church. Seven representative parishes would
probably devsop all the points which could
call for COMMUNICATION or criticism of Chris
tianity in general. Hence letters to sever
churches would be all that are necessary
Then, seven is the Hebrew perfect nun bex
symbOlizing completeness, TOundness. The let
tiers written were intended not for the sever
churches alone. but for all ChristendOm for all
time. and. therefore, We feel profted in study
ing them now.
God appeared to st. John (V. ~ and instruct
ed him to write letter to each of the sever
churches named. Furthermore, he told the
Apostle the exact words to use. The messag,
was given to st. John from God through hi
Angel. (V. IL 1t began by invoking the
blessing of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, the Father being intended by "him
which is and which was and which is Il
come" viz, the Eternal-the Holy Spirit
by the seven Spirits which are before hi
throne, and our Saviour by Jesus Christ. Al
this is plain except the phrase for the Holy
Ghost. The Spirit is here referred to not IL
his essence or personality, but in his operations
He is perfect in all the lines OF his energy. III
leaves nothing needed undOne. There is NJ
blessing he cannot bestOw. The Hebrew Gus
tom was to express perfectness by the numbe
seven. The fourth line in VeHi, Creator Sperit,t
referring to the diversity of the gifts of tn
Holy Spirit. Il Cor, IL: ~ In the lesson vi
see the Light of the Holy Ghost divergent a
the prism separates the pure ray of sunshiu
into seven colors. There is a harmony between
the selection of seven churches and the sever
operations of the Holy Spirit. AS we do no
understand there were only seven churches, s.
we are not to teach the Holy Spirit acts in onl,
seven departments or lines of operation.
How sweetly the word peace" ". ~ mus
have sounded to ST. John, whose whole life wa
constant opposition to persecution! And
: then, what q dear thought to the Apostle Wa
the assurance he could have Gods grace w. a
? favor, when denied courtesy, justice, or ever
fairness from Domitian!
: The lesson calls on Us to look at the Christ Q
: the past and also the Christ of the future; 70
Christ, being eternal is past, present and forever
. As to the past of Christ we have six facts
. l. He was a faithful witness. Nv. 81 III
spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothin
3 but the truth. He gave full proof of his divin
D mission. His life was increasing testimon
10 his genuineness He kept back from th
world no message from God. He hid nOthin
5 from his Disciples. He backed up great claim
5 by greater miracles. 2. He was the first on
4 of the dead to rise from the grave, freed froI
Q dying again. 3. He gained mastery over Satal
Q evil men, wicked powers. No rulers of cart
are independent of him. 4. He loved US. Is
Q John, 3 l6.) 5. He died to save US from sill
o 6. He set up the Church, which Is his kinI
D dom, calling for kings and priests. It is Oh
\ | business OF kings to rule, and every Christia
f man is called to rule himself, to have discipliu
in his home, to maintain order in society, To d
all he can to secure ecclesastic regularity orde