The Dermott news., 1916-11-30

: Vas Utdt. ana hS+tplu, dill aAANc Aoa . evermore.-Rev. 1:N. IS.
 The lesson committee have dcpart- ed, seemingly, Il long way from any thing like chronological order. Paul had nothing to do with the writing of the Revelation, yet this lesson illus trates the prr=enincuce which Jesus Christ had in the mind and labors of the great apostle Col l:1S).
 |. introduction. (vv. 1-3) We would suggest that all Bible students and teachers. if possible, read the introduc- ton 10 the Book of Revelation in Sco- fields Reference Bible. The book proper is The Revelation of Jesus Christ" John. the beloved disciple, who wrote the Gospel and Epistles. was the one who saw the visions re- are historical, others are prophotically sct forth. The latter are shortly to come to pass (See also II Peter 5 :S) John tells not only what God said but what he himself saw. The late Doctor Brooks of St. Louis omitted this book from his study for many years until he saw the comments recorded in verse g. The time of the writing of this book has variously tccn stated as from A. D. 50 to A. D. 46; the writer WAS certainly John the Beloved. The place of writing was the island of Pntmos in the Aegean sea, not far from Ephe- >uS. The real author however, is | = ,L. S,,, ,f Cod
 II. SaIutation (vv. 4S). The serv- ant of Jesus who records his i.esSage was John. and the message was to he te the seven churches which are i in Asia :" that k. the western portion l of Asia Minor of which Ephesus on . the Aegean sea Was the principal city. l These churches are definitely named ia verse II. There is good reason to l think that these churches represented the seven successive epoehs of church 1 history. If so. no age Is exclusively Ephesian. or Philadclphiaa, ar laodi- eean The grace. favor. loving dnd- ncsS. Is u free gift from Christ, who Is here giving q thrccfold title, name ly: First hesotten from the dead, wit ness and prince.
 III. Vision tlv. o-1S). What John saw on the isle of Pamos he was te write Gpou parchment roll and send IT. to the seven churches. each If Vsteh needed message. Tnior th" figure of seven c1udlrStieks are emu rterated seven churches. Into the midst of these chureae~. actually present in theta. k one like nutu the Saa of Man. tNre also Matthew Is .2o) Like a hu ma helue. Jesus was, but now clothed uHA fhe garment of his eternal glory. elrtled about with the girdle worn by priests uud kings, q symbol of his power and strength USaiah II :1; Eph. CID. Its head and his haE6S. his feet and his eyes are aH referred to. eaea having it~ symholie1l significance. la his right hand are the seven sturs tv lG) the angels ot The churches. pastors or leaders, possibly guardian angels (v 20l They are hold in lis right hand. SiEnifyius that they ure protected upheld and controlled ny lis Wisdom and power. tSee Jeremiah - 24 From hls mouth goes sharp, t8u=ed-c5 sword: lhe spirit of the Wort If t;ea sharper than any two edged sword aIehrevS 4:I9. Add lis couatauaucc Was uS the SUI shining ia its strength. the glory. such as was manifested in the transformation. such as Paul saw near pauascus. k here r,- ferreG ta.
 ". The Command. John had en- joSea tender intimacy with the Lord during h,s earthly life and yet h" was stricken down with the ovcrpoWrring majesty and glory which had been rc- veuled. Now he realized, aS perhaps never before, the significance of the evcr#tlving Christ, aad h. Is hereby specifically comr.a.ici to record this vision as he hu! seen it ar! the mes sagcs which the Lord had for the churches. Tie word mystery (y. 2o) has reference tn something which has hitherto been hidden to men and which k now about to he revealed. The revelation WAS to thes" churches. aad ii is to Us also.
 Jesus k not a mere vision but he I lf Il ilN Ill., itfttti9t dHN'tt'i l'A Aitt tine from the unseen.
 Jesus Is living fact which we are to communicate to men. The seven stars tv. 2ol are messages in his own right taud.
 The churches are the laap stands. Christ himself k the light the sun (y. 16).
 The messages John k commanded 10 deliver have 4 foar-fold application CD to the churches aetnally addressed, but which have long since passed away ; @ to all churches i1 all times, ad- uoslshiug them to discover their true spiritual state. (3) to ipMvidualS, he that hath ar ear, that they shall claim the promises made ''to him that over c1meth' and (41 they nre prophetic of the different phases of spiritual his tory. foll"~ing the days of John, the l ,,,A fAn