The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-09

which cncircled him and darted In all drec-
tions an emblm OF dity among almost all ma
lions. (See Herodotus Thalia). This was the
origin doubtless. OF the nimbus. or halo. In
flame OF fire" denoting the all penetrating
nature Of his knowledge. His feet were like
brass AM emblem OF his stability and per-
manence, brass being the most durable Of all
METALS His voice was like the sound OF many
waters (Ezek- 1iit:9, indicating power and
authority.
sonal appearance of the Son Of man, as seen
in the vision, the high priest OF the new
dlspensation. There were besides presented TO
John two emblems of the high service to DO
rendered by this exalted person. These two
emblems stood over against each other III
very intimate and interesting relation. l. In
ing as explained afterward Verse 2o). the
angels or pastors OF the seven churches OF
Asia (verse lD. This Indicates that those men
were under the special care and powerful pro-
lection OF Jesus, a fact very full Of comfort
in that time OF persecution (Matt. xxvlli:2o).
Every true minister Is very dear to his Lord.
sword" The word Of God is described as tho
sword OF the spirit (Eph. vi:lD. and Is said
to DO sharper than any two-edged sword
this as an emsle Of the to be-
exerted In tho world by the word of Christ
Elsa. ly:lD. Thus there was synbolzed to tho
apostle the great fact that Jesus defended His
servants and that the word proclaimed should
be effective.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1913. John was deep
~ affected by this vision. II he rightly inter
preted what he saw as with good knowledge
OF sacred symbolism he presumably did, this
was the most startling event OF his life. The
Son Of man whom he had Known as I Master;
with the apparel OF tho high priest. with
radiant head and feet like brass, supporting
tho pastors OF His churches and sending forth
his word OF vIctory-ths must have been sufl-
cient to awaken in the mind OF the banished
apostle mingled feeling OF awe and gladness,
Failing down to worship weli,n ,! overcome come.
testified of Himself as the first and the last,
as once dead now living to die no moro. as
having the keys OF held Ohio graye) and OF
DEATH or as tho resurrection and tho life
(Psa, lxviii:o0). This wns not 30 much a dis
closure OF something unknown as n reatllrmn-
ton Of what had been said IN time OF his
an Identification that John might know the
word OF Jesus was fulf!ile,; and sustained
ence to Hmself Jesus directed John MT, to write
tho things which he had seen and some other
things given to him by the spirit He then
explained that the candlesticks and ne stars
represented, but made no nlusion 10 the other
figuratlve expressions. Thus i became the
apostles duty to record, as he did, this Vision
and to hand the en-, CHURCHES s o. of MS :, Tine me
sacred volume was put up IN mysterious form,
hard to he understood. Why was this done?
Many have 80 Inquired; as they have sought 70
Perhaps we cannot tell Perhaps we had better
not seek too earnestly to know. 1t has been
supposed by some that the truth Is clothed In
mystery in order to conceal from the earlier
centuries what will be made plain In the
later centuries John xiii:7). Paul scans to
have some thought of this tEph lli;o), It Is
believed that this hook which Is now 80 oh.
sc,Ire will one day open Its treasures to conf
fort and strengthen tho hearts Of believers and
advance the kingdom Of Christ (Rom. xvi:25).
REFLECTIONS, 1T will be profitable for the
student to allow tho facts In this lesson to
pass slowly through the mind In regular order:
holding each In Lstudious condemnation until
tho scene Is wildly presented, !. This banish-
n,ent to a lone island, ?; The ap,ritual ecstasy
on tho lords Day. g. The trumpet announce
ment OF nm unseen presence with direction for
service Tho glorious appearing Of the
Son OF Man, tho Jesus Of the Gospels. the
high priest Of the new coyenaant. $; Tho stars
In the right hnrd and tho two-edged sword
in the mouth O. The prostrate anostte, reverent
and terror-strlcken, T. Tho final assertion cons
firmIns the eyangelsto stntement. and the
direction to write book 8, Tho mysterious
things OF God the progressive revelation. the
possiblo disclosure in future years. This Is
part of the last unfolding Of Jesus to the last.
Of His apostles It displays his rrepent md
abiding interest IN His peorIe and Is n PER-
petual ground OF hope to all who follow and
erya him. {.