The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-06-08
Message Of the
Risen Christ
Sunday School Lesson OrJune II. 1905
Specially Prepared tor This Paper.

/ Revelation.
GOLDEN TENT am lie that liveth.
and was dead: and. behold. I am alive for
evermore. Rev. 1:lS.
| TIME Commonly accepted date OF book
| places Il In the reign OF Nero between A. ID.
20 and 6S But modern scholars are said TO
be more inclined to a later date. A ID 1884.
/ In the reign Of Dominican.
| PLACE.-isie of PatmoS, not far from
/ Ephesus
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 10. In the Spirit" In a state OF
| spiritual ecstasy, when the. outer world
| seemed for a time shut out. The Lords
day" This may refer to the FIRST day
of the week, our Sunday. II is proper
for us, as for John. to spend this day
in exercises which will enable US to
see Jesus more clearly. Voice as OF a trum-
pet" A trumpet always signifies Gods
| speaking with power and majesty.
V. IL. Alpha and Omega" These
are the first and the last letters of the
Greek alphabet The risen Christ Is
to His disciples the first and the last,
| and all between. Write" John was
to record what he saw and heard, that
others might be encouraged by the won
derful vision. "In a book" on n
parchment roll, which was the form OF
| book used at that date. The seven
churches OF Asia" Churches of the
| province Of Asia Minor called Asia. OF
which Ephesus was the capital. They
may here be taken TO represent the
Church OF Christ in ali lands and all
times.
" -. Turned to see the voice" To
see whose voice spoke these words
Seven golden candlesticks. Our word
lampstand would better describe what
John saw. II reminded him OF the
golden candlestick OF the temple.
V. l3. I'm the midst" This would
indicate that Christ is ever present with
His people zone like unto the Son OF
Man" II was human figure which
John saw. Garment down to the foot"
The garment and girdle seem TO show
forth Jesus as our Great High Priest
The position Of the girdle indicates rest,
not service The remainder Of the de-
scription represents Jesus as a King
V. IA. White as snow" This indl-
Gates purity and splendor (Dan. 7:s).
It may also remind us that Jesus has
lived from all eternity. II is. how
ever, indicative Of mature wisdom, rath-
err than Of age. Eyes a flame Of
fire" Nothing can be hidden from the
searching eyes Of Jesus II is love that
shines forth from them, and nothing
has such power to consume what is evil.
v. 10. Fine brass . furnace" AS
II they had been brought by furnace
fires to a white heat This may sug-
gest that Jesus is ever ready TO run
TO our aid. and that He will at last tread
down all opposition. Sound OF many
waters Waters come as noiseless
dew, as the gentle rain, and again With
the roar Of the ocean. Jesus, likewise.
speaks TO US in various tones.
v. 16 Seven stars" See V. 20. "A
sharp two-edged sword" This indi-
Gates here, as elsewhere In Scripture,
the word Of Coo. Itstwo edges may indi-
cate that IT converts some and con-
demns some. "Countenance as the sun"
We know no beauty Upon earth equal
to that Of a love-lit human face. What.
then. must be the brightness OF Jesus
face, when we shall see IL shining in
His strength"-that is, with no clouds
to blur our vision OF IL? Surely that
sight will consume the last bit Of evil
and bring US to love as RE loves.
V. II. Our eyes cannot look upon the
sun without being blinded. and Johns
flesh was too weak to endure the glory
of that vision. He fell at His feet as
one dead" Laid His right hand upon
me-" That hand, which Is SO power
full is yet tender and helpful. John
well remembered its touch. How II
reinvigorated him nowl Saying. Fear
not" In all the coming events there
will be nothing which those who love
Christ need fear.
V. IS. "He that liyeth" C'The liy-
Ing One.') That is. the One who is
Himself the source OF life. And was
dead" II Is the same Jesus who was
put TO death by cruci1xion. Alive for
evermore." Nothing can interrupt His
life nor thwart His purposes OF love.
Have the keys Of hell and death" None
now need fear 70 die, for Jesus holds
the key to the door Of death, and at just
the right time willopen II to each one who
loves Him. and welcome Him to be for
ever with the Lord"
" 10. Write the things which thou
hast seen" John wrote these in this
first chapter. Things which are.
He wrote these in chapters two and
three. Things which shall be here
after" The remainder Of the book is
filled with details OF those future
events.
V. 20. 1.-THE mystery" The explana-
ton of the mystery. angels OF the
churches Perhaps these signify the
pastors who had charge OF the various
churches. Seven candlestickg are
seven churches" Each church of Christ
is a beacon light set in this dark world
to shine for Jesus, 10 guide and direct
sinners TO the Saviour. Each Christian
Is precious to Jesus.
Practical Points.
v. 10. The Lords day should be a
time for special communion with our
Sayiour.--John 20:19.
V. IL. Let the Divine Master We the !
initiator of all your plans, and leave re- |
suits TO Him.-Isa. 26:12.