The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21
READING FOR THE DAY.
sunday-sehool Lesson for Nov. as, 1873

Sunday-School Lesson for Nov. 2S, 1886.
JOINS VISION OF CHRfsT.-Rev. /, 4-1s.
Golden Text he that liveth and was dead;
and behold am alive for eyermore.-Rev. l. ID.
The beloved disciple, St John. lived twenty
years in charge of the great church at Ephesus.
and was banished to the island Of Patmos during
the persecution against the Christians instituted
by Nero, A d. "a. and lasting four years. Pat
mos is a small island off the coast of Asia Minor,
in the Eeean Sea. not far south Of Ephesus 1t
is about fifteen miles in circumference, and but
little more than great mass of rock Some
where on this island during these years st. John
had number of wonderful visions, that were
written out there, or possibly after his return to
Ephesus, and given to the churches later in his
life
The Book of Revelation is in the nature of
series of prophecies of events that to follow
in the world in connection with the history of
Ehe church. Christ as risen is the central figure
of the book. While the book was sent to seven
great churches of Asia yet the prophecies were
Tor all churches of all time The Interpretation
Df the meaning of the book has engaged the best
minds of the church A great point to decide is
Ps to how Tar the prophecies of Revelation have
been realized, and how much yet remains
10 be fulfilled This has given us three
kAC0b SCHOoIS Oh interpretation. Inc nfSt
class think that by far the greater
part OF the prophecies refer to events near that
age and so have been fulfilled second. called
the Futurists, maintain that the prophecies al
most entirely refer to events near the second
eoming of Christ and so are yet to be fulfilled.
A third school of historical interpreters in
the book the whole history Of the church from
that time to the end. new and later school
ind not so much prophecies of special events as
pictures of great principles in conflict in various
forms in norO1 Eyarv has "a Ra NV
Ion, and Jerusalem. and antChrst. There are
special comings OF Christ at many points. But
there is also final coming, and complete vic
tory over Babylon the great The book teaches
both lines of truth, and SO comforts and inspires
the church OF every age
PERSONAL LESSON APPLICATIONS.
y. A faithfu, church may still lay claim to
this blessed apostolic invocation of the grace of
the Godhead. For such a church the Holy
Ghost labors with His perfect efficiency.
V. 5, 6-Jesus Christ is, as well, our faithful
witness through His word revealing all Gods
will toward u.s. We are the kingdom of heaven,
and we are its lords and teachers.
V. z. 8.-We, with ordinary or immortal Wis
Ion, shall see Jesus in the glory of His second
advent. Sinners will wall and saints rejoice
whom He cometh. Because of His deity, our
Christ will come omnipresently and consistently.
Come, Lord jesus, come quickly!
v. 9-Christiars are no longer put on Patmos
because of devotion to Christ. and yet as the
uOnafcnS, eacn OF MS own lnQlvlQuallty, many
FexaLions aSsail.
" l0--What John here had overwhelmingly
we may have in good degree. Jesus IS still ac-
sessible, and orr poor souls need Him. He now
calls liz in person by His Spirit, through the
word. What John saw with his eyes we are to
review by faith
V. 1.-THE divine things we see we are to
tell The secrets of Christian consciousness are
not TO he kept under lock and key, but reported
in the churches.
V. IL, l3-The churches are torch bearers.
They do not illuminate the darkness. bat they
uphold the light that does. The churches have
but single mission-te hold up Christ to dying
men. Christ must be offered to sinners in
every sermon, or it falls to the level of the lee
ture or the essay. Remember, the church is a
candiestck.
V. 1316-Christ is our king to rule, our
priest to atone, our age to revere critic
TO fear, cur glory to admire, our voice to di-
rect our hand to uphold, our mouth to speak.
and our countenance to cheer. What need we
m0re2
V. 16-Christ uphods his ministers that they
may WELD his sword OF the spirit-the keen and
mighty word. This is y preachers sole bust
ness
V. IL. 18-When Christ comes to sinner to
save or to saint to edify, each Is aware of his
presence. Christ is God and as such determines
life and death.