Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-12-16

VI, IA, M w ~ IND.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON XII, FOURTH QUARTER, IN
TERNATlONAL CERES, DEC. II.

LCOOON All, fOOhif1 SSOrftl In Nv
TERNATlONAL CERES, DEC. II.
Text of the Lesson, Rev. i, 9-20-Mem-
DRY Verses, 1s-IS-Golden Text, Phil.
ii, documentary by the Rev. d. NJ.
0. 81, John, who also am your brother
and companion in tribulation and in the
kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was
in the isle that is called Patmos, for the
word of God and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ" Devoutly grateful for the priyi-
lege of two lessons in this most wonderful
book of all the 66, fail not to notice its
name in verse I, THE Revelation of Jesus
Christ" and remember that a revelation is
no longer mystery, but a mystery I'M
folded. Consider also in verse the special
blessing upon all who read or hear the
words of this book. Observe that John
was in Punishment for Jesus sake because
of the word of God, and if you believe all
that word today and are faithful in tes-
timony You will find yourself exiled by
many. You will, however, have blessed
company; only be patient and wait for the
kingdom.
10. Il was in the Spirit on the Lords
day and heard behind me great voice as
of trumpet" In the Spirit, led by the
Spirit, taught by the Spirit, filled with the
Spirit, are some of the privileges of every
child of God, and only4by the Spirit can we
know God or His word Compare Acts
viii, 90; xiii, 2, 4 xvi, 6, Z; Ez. XII, l, "a The
Lords day may refer to the first day of the
week. or it may mean that John was By
the Spirit carried forward and caused to
behold the events of the day of the Lord 50
often mentioned in the Old Testament.
II. Saying | am Alpha and Omega, the
first and the last, and what thou seest
write in book and send it unto the seven
churches which are in Asia" The voice,
then, was the voice of the Lord Himself,
who thus came to His dear servant exiled
for His sake. He is A and z and all be-
tween; there is nothing that letters can
spell which He will not be to His people.
AS to first and last" compare verse II and
see lisa. XII, 4; Xiv, 6; Xviii, II; Rev. %, ID,
and let Him be first and last with you in
all things Learn also from the verse that
what we see and hear of God is to be passed
on to others (Ezek. ill., 10, IL; Rev. X, 10, ~.
II. And | turned to see the voice that
spake with me. And being turned | saw
seven golden candlesticks." If John had
not needed the voice and turned to see, he
had missed this great sight 1t was only
when the Lord saw that Moses turned
aside to see that God called unto him out
of the midst of the bush Eek iii, a.. |
doubt not that we would see and hear
more of God if we We're more ready to heed
His slightest call and see His hand in ev-
cry event. The seven candlesticks are ex-
planned in verse 20.
49, And in the midst of the seven can
dlesticks one like unto the Son of Man,
clothed with garment down to the foot
and grit about the paps with golden Cir
die" The phrase lin the midst" is very
suggestive of Him who is always in the
midst when we meet in name (Math. xviii,
20) and who was in the midst on Calvary
for us. He is our High Priest, as indicated
by the garment, and is still the girded one
ON our behalf, for He ever careth for us and
maketh intercession for u.s.
H. His head and his hairs were white
like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes
were as fame of fire." His head is sug-
gestive of the internal purity of all His
thoughts, or perhaps that He is the Ancient
of Days dan vii, 81, whose goings forth
| Mic V, q. AS to His eyes, see also chap
| tiers ii, Is; xix, IL, and remember that all
things are naked and opened to the eyes of
Him with whom we have to do Heb iv, 49,.
Is. And His feet like unto fine brass as
| if they burned in furnace, and His voice
as the sound of many waters" Compare
as to His feet Dan. y, 6; Rev. i, I; they may
suggest his judging righteously, and also
His righteous goings AS to His voice like
many waters, compare Eek. i, 81; xiii, 2,
and Rev. xvii, Is; the idea seems to be set
forth in these verses as the voice of a host
of people.
| 10. And He had in His right hand seven
stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp
two edged sword, and His eountenance was
as the sun shineth in his strength The
stars are explained in verse 20, but whether
pastor or teacher or humble believer we
are in His hand, from which no power can
/ pluck us John X, %, 50 He also holds US
as lights in His hand to shine for Him
| phil. ii, 10, 16l. Not only is His word
sharp sword, but He will make our mouths
a sharp sword (Heb. iv, ~; Isa. xix, q. His
counteuance reminds us Of the transfigura-
ton and suggests the coming glory (Math
/ xvii, .; xiii, 49,.
II. And when | saw Him l fell at His
feet as Dead and He laid His right hand
upon me, saying unto me; Fear not; am
the first and the last" Over 20 years be
fore John had leaned upon his bosom and
had also seen Him TRANSPORTED, but this is
] too much for him. 1t reminds us of lisa.
vi, ); Dan. X, 8; Job Xiii, g. But although
He has been over TO years glorified He is
the very same Jesus, and so graciously lay
ing His loving hand upon His servant He
utters the old familiar Fear not" See Gen.
XIV, /; lisa xii, 10, Is; Joel ii. 90; Dan X, 12,
10; Luke V, To- Mark V, SO, etc
IS. Il am He that liveth and was dead
and behold | am alive forevermore, amen,
and have the keys of he'll and of death"
With more light than job had we can say,
"My Redeemer iiyeth" Job xix, 25l. He
Is my life gal. il. 20; Col. iii, 4, Phil i, 2ll
a life that no power can touch and not
even the destroyer destroy. Not even death
and hades can claim body or spirit with
out His permission, and the time is coming
when death must surrender every body
and hades every spirit at His command
Chapter Xxx, 49,.
10. Write the things which thou hast
seen, and the things which are, and the
things which shall be hereafter" Here is
the threefold division Of the book, if ul-
derstand it: Chapter /, the things which
thou hast seen; chapters ii, iii, the things
which are; chapters IL to xxi, the things
which shall be hereafter Notice chapter
iv, l, the last clause. Nothing is received
merely for ourselves. All Is 20 be written
or spoken for the benefit Of Others
20. THE seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches, and the seven eandlesticks
which thou sawest are seven churches"
This confirms His words in Math v, IA,
''Ye are the light Of the world, and takes
US back to the candlesticks Of the taberna-
Gle and temple, but especially to the pecul-
lar self supplying or constantly supplied
candlestick OF Zeeh. iv, with its tEo olive
trees. suggestive of Christ, our Priest and
King. and its wonderful central thought,
Not by might nor by power. but by My
Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts" Both in
dividualiy and collectively we shall shine
for Christ only as We rejoice In Him as our
Priest and acknowledge Him as our King
believing that He i ever in our midst.