The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-03-12

1873.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-John 2l IS;
Rev. 2:1-S; %.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Appears to
John on Lonely Island.
JUNIOR TOPIC-What John Saw and
Heard Patmos.
INTERN EDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Vision of the Glorified Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Glorified Christ the Center of the
Book
The next two lessons are from the
Revelation, the book which, contains
Christ's last message to man. The
author is John the Apostle. the son
of Zebedee. The book was written from
Patmos. small rocky island in the
Aegean sea. about 96 A. d.
|. The introduction wv. 1-3).
l. The title of the book ". y
"The Revelation (Unyeiling) of Jesus
Christ" This does not mean the max
ing known to Jesus Christ some Sc
cret. but the unveiling of his person.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, then,
refers to his personal appearing in
glory to judge the world and establish
his kingdom. The word Apocalypse,
translated Revelation, signifies, ac-
cording to New Testament usage, the
unveiling of person QI Thess. 70
10; l Peter Id. The theme of the
book is Christ's second coming, his
personal visible appearance in glory
wv. l, 7, 10).
2. To whom made known wv. 1, p.
To his servant, John, to show unto
Jesus servants things which must
shortly come to pass.
3. Benediction for those who read,
hear, and keep the sayings of the
book ". 81.
II. The SaIutation wv. 4-S). Grace
and Peace.
l. To whom w. ~. The seven
churches in Asia. These were his
torical churches then existing in Asia
Minor.
?. From whom ". ~. ID From
him which was, is, and is to come ;
(2) from the seven spirits which are
before the throne ". ~. BY tie sew
en- spirits is meant the Holy Spirit in
his sevenfold plenitude.
III. The Vision of Glory wv. 9-1S).
l. The sevenfold lamp-stands ". 12)
These lamp-stands, or candlesticks, are
the seven churches ". 20). The
churches are presented under this fig
ure because they are the light-holders
in this time of the worlds darkness.
9 The Son of Man in the midst of
the lamp-stands wv. 1919. The vi
sion shows us Christ in the midst of
the churches, indicating that the
church only gives forth light when
Christ is made the central figure.
(D Clothed with garment down
to the foot ". 13). This is robe of
royalty as well as of the priest (see
lisa. % Ply, and signifies his right to
Judge and to rule, as well as to offer
sacrifice.
(2) Head and hair white as wool
". IA; cf. Dan. 10, 20). This has a
twofold significance purity and eter-
nifty.
(3) Eyes a flame of fire ". 14.
This suggests his infallible knowledge; /;
he is able to see through and through,
even detecting hidden thoughts.
az Feet like FURNISHED brass ".
15), indicating that as Judge and King
he comes with irresistible power.
90 His voice as the sound of many
waters (v. 15). This suggests that all
excuses of man will be swept aside
by his resistless Word.
(6) Seven stars in his right hand ".
16). According to verse 20, stars
means the angels or messengers of
the churches to comfort John in his
lonely exile. The stars are in his
right hand, indicating the high honor
given to the minister; he lies in the
right hand of Jesus Christ, hears his
message and then speaks it out
Cd Out of his mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword ". 16). Observe that
this is not hand sword, but a mouth
sword-'~The word that l have spok-
en-, the same shall judge him. (John
12:4S) 1.-The word of God is sharper
than a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).
The sword has two edges, condemn
ing the evil and approving the good,
(S) His countenance was as the sun
shineth in his strength ". 16). The
effect of sunshine is healthful and joy
GUS to some things, while It Is death
and hardening to others. The Gospel
message converts some and hardens
others.
~. The Command to Write and the
Interpretation of the Vision (vv. 10.
20).
In this command are indicated the
divisions of the book.