The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-12-10
Lesson for December Is
JOHNS VISION ON PATMoS

JOHNS VISION ON PATMos
GOLDEN TEXT-And when I saw
him, fell at his feet as dead. And he
laid his right hand upon me, saying
unto me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last: I am he that liveth. and was
dead: and. behold, am alive for ever.
more. Amen; and have the keys of hell
and of death.
LESSON TEXT-Revelation 1870.
PRIMARY ToPIC-The Heavenl:
Home.
JUNIOR ToPIc-John's Vision Of
Heaven.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Glorifed Saviour.
We should be glad that the lesson
committee has given US another les
son from the Book of Revelation,
which contains Christ's last message
to man.
I. The Preface Q:1-3).
/. The title Of the book ". y. The
Revelation (unveiling) Of Jesus Christ.
The revelation Of Jesus Christ refers
to his personal appearing in glory to
fudge the world and to establish his
kingdom. The word apocalypse"
translated revelation" signifies ac-
cording to New Testament usage the
unwilling Of a person (II Thess.
1910; I Pet. I'D. The theme Of
the book is Christ's second coming,
his personal. visible appearance in
glory (vv. 1, Z. 100.
2. To whom made known wv. 1, y.
TO his servant John-"To show unto
his servants things which must short
ly come to pass"
8. A benediction to those who read.
hear, and keep the sayings of the book
". 81. 1t must be possible to under.
stand these sayings. or the promise Is
meaningless.
II. The saIutation wv. 4-S).
1. To whom ". ~. The seven
churches then existing in Asia Minor.
Seven, the number Of completeness,
suggests a symbolism of the Church
throughout her course.
2. From whom ". ~.
a. From him which was, and is, and
is to come.
b. From the seven spirits which are
before the throne-the Holy Spirit in
his seven-fold plenitude as set forth
in Isaiah II 2. also in the Gospel Of
John.
c. From Jesus Christ wv. SO.
While presenting Christ as the gra-
cious Redeemer, Johns prophetic eye
caught the vision of the Coming One
in glory, exclaiming, "Behold he
cometh" ". y, the Alpha and
Omega ". s..
III. The Vision of Glory wv. 9-1S).
/. The seven golden lamp stands
". 12). These candlesticks are the
churches ". 20), thus presented be-
cause they are the light holders in
this worlds darkness.
2. The Son of man in the midst of
the candlesticks wv. 1919. Christ in
the midst of the churches indicates
that they give forth light only when
Christ is the central figure.
q. "Clothed with a garment down
to the foot" ". 13). This is royal
as we'll as priestly robe lisa. % :21).
and signifies his right to judge and to
rule, as we'll as to offer sacrifice.
b. His head and hair white as wool
". IA, CT. Dan. 7:19. 20). This has
twofold ignifcance-purity and eter-
nifty.
c. Eyes as a fame of fire ". 14.
This suggests his infallible knowledge.
d. Feet like FURNISHED brass ". 15).
This indicates that he comes as Judge
and King. with irresistible power.
e. His voice as the sound Of many
waters ". 15). His voice of judgment
will be outside Of mans control. All
excuses will be swept aside by his re-
sistlesS word.
(. Seven stars in his right hand
". 16). According to verse twenty,
stars mean the messengers Of the
churches. perhaps pastors or repre-
sentatives sent forth to comfort John
in his lonely exile. The minister lies
in the right hand Of Jesus Christ,
hears his message. and speaks 1t out.
e. Out of his mouth was sharp
two-edged sword ". 16). Observe
that this is a mouth sword. THE word
that have spoken. the same shall
Judge him" John 2:4S). 1.-THE word
of God is sharper than any two-edged
sword" (Heb. 4:12). The two edges
indicate it's double action. condemning
the evil and approving the good and
excellent.
b. His countenance was as the sun
shining in his strength ". 16). The
effect of sunshine is healthful and
Joyous to some things, while it is
death dealing to others. The SUM-
shine of Gods love cheers some while
it hardens others. The manifestation
Of the glorified king will be hailed
with delight by those who love him,
and will create dismay in those who
do not love him.