Evening star., 1931-12-12


Difficulties, disaser and danger drive
the Christian to seek Divine help through
prayer. All who wait upon the Lord
renew their strength. John, the be-
loved Apostle, had such an experience
while he was a prisoner on the island
Of PatmoS, because he had preached
the gospel Of Christ. One Lords day,
the aged apostle, and the last one of
the twelve, who had enjoyed the fell
lowship Of Christ was given revela-
ton of the Lord Jesus presence, power
and purpose in reference to the
churches This unveiling of the per-
sonality Of the Lord, John was ordered
to write down and send to be read
among the churches. 1t is the only
book In the Bible that contains a
promise OF a blessing for those, who
read, hear and keep the things that
are written in this revelation.
Both Grant and Lee have testified to
the influence of Gods word, that has
unveiled His will to men. Grant says
that ito the influence OF this book We
are indebted for the progress made in
true civilization" Lee tells us that "in
all my perplexities and distresses" the
Bible has never failed to give me
strength" Hoover assures us that In
it we will find illumination" that will
help US "in the constructive enterprises
for the happiness OF mankind" Hux-
ley called it "the Magma Charta OF the
poor and oppressed" because 1t has
brought TO them the message that John
sent to the churches, as result OF his
vision on Patmos Of the Lord Jesus
Wilson called it 'the word Of life"
The GIorifed Christ.
John was under the influence OF the
Spirit when he was given the vision
that in his dark hour made him GER
tain OF the ultimate triumph Of the
kingdom Of God among men. Just as
our radios have to be in tune with
the station il we are to hear its pro-
gram, so we have to be in spiritual
harmony with our Lord II we would
hear Him speak to us. John heard his
Masters voice that sounded like a
trumpet calling him by its note of
majesty and power" to Fear not"
II is natural when we fail to note the
presence of our Lord in times of trial
and for us to get discouraged and
despondent. John naturally was worry
ing about the churches, whose spiritual
oversight had been his task, when there
the risen Christ actively moving among
them and noting the conditions OF the
churches. The seven candlestickS SYM
boliZed the seven churches of Asia and
all the other churches. Their purity
was symboiZed by the golden candle
sticks that indicated their mission las
Dght-giVers to men. Amid the
churches John saw the presence Of his
glorified Lord, correcting their errors
and giving them by His power victory
and triumph over their enemies.
Everything connected with his vision
Of Christ's activity among the churches
should not be considered literally but
flguratively. John saw how the glori-
fed Redeemer was robed like a priest
with golden girdle about the breast,
not the waist, as the high priest wore
when engaged in the service Of the
temple. The white hair spoke of the
dignity Of age that brings wisdom 1t
also symboliZed purity The flashing
eyes expressed His indignation at the
sin that His searching giances saw
existed in the life OF some of the mem
bers of the churches. His feet Of brass
revealed something of His strength and
the stability Of the Masters work that
would trample upon all opposition. The
great outreach of His life, love and
labor was indicated by His voice, that
sounded like many waters that broke
upon the rocky shore Of his prison
home, reaching by It's authority the
ends of the earth.
Christ's care for His followers was
shown by His holding the seven pas
tors OF the churches in His right hand