按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
walk in narrow paths； they are purified in the furnace of affliction。
577
They follow Christ through sore conflicts； they endure self… denial and
experience bitter disappointments； but thus they learn the guilt and woe of
sin； and they look upon it with abhorrence。 Being partakers of Christ's
sufferings； they can look beyond the gloom to the glory； saying； 〃I reckon
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us。〃 Romans 8：18。
（578）
Chapter 57
The Revelation
In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with
earnestness and enthusiasm。 So untiringly did they labor for their Master
that in a comparatively short time； notwithstanding fierce opposition； the
gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth。
The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded
by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age。
Of the church at Ephesus； which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the
entire Christian church in the apostolic age； the faithful and true Witness
declared：
〃I know thy works； and thy labor； and thy patience； and how thou canst not
bear them which are evil： and thou hast tried them which say they are
apostles； and are not； and hast found them liars： and hast borne； and hast
patience； and for My name's sake hast labored； and hast not fainted。〃
Revelation 2：2； 3。
At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with
childlike simplicity and fervor。 The
579
believers sought earnestly to obey every word of God； and their lives
revealed an earnest； sincere love for Christ。 They rejoiced to do the will
of God because the Saviour was in their hearts as an abiding presence。
Filled with love for their Redeemer； their highest aim was to win souls to
Him。 They did not think of hoarding the precious treasure of the grace of
Christ。 They felt the importance of their calling； and； weighted with the
message； 〃On earth peace； good will toward men；〃 they burned with desire to
carry the glad tidings of salvation to earth's remotest bounds。 And the
world took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus。 Sinful men；
repentant； pardoned； cleansed； and sanctified； were brought into partnership
with God through His Son。
The members of the church were united in sentiment and action。 Love for
Christ was the golden chain that bound them together。 They followed on to
know the Lord more and still more perfectly； and in their lives were
revealed the joy and peace of Christ。 They visited the fatherless and widows
in their affliction； and kept themselves unspotted from the world； realizing
that a failure to do this would be a contradiction of their profession and a
denial of their Redeemer。
In every city the work was carried forward。 Souls were converted； who in
their turn felt that they must tell of the inestimable treasure they had
received。 They could not rest till the light which had illumined their minds
was shining upon others。 Multitudes of unbelievers were made
580
acquainted with the reasons of the Christian's hope。 Warm； inspired personal
appeals were made to the erring； to the outcast； and to those who； while
professing to know the truth； were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God。
But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane； and their love for
God and for one another grew less。 Coldness crept into the church。 Some
forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth。 One by one
the old standard…bearers fell at their post。 Some of the younger workers；
who might have shared the burdens of these pioneers； and thus have been
prepared for wise leadership； had become weary of oft…repeated truths。 In
their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce
new phases of doctrine； more pleasing to many minds； but not in harmony with
the fundamental principles of the gospel。 In their self…confidence and
spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would
cause many to question the experiences of the past； and would thus lead to
confusion and unbelief。
As these false doctrines were urged； differences sprang up； and the eyes of
many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their
faith。 The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine； and the
contemplation of pleasing fables of man's invention； occupied time that
should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel。 The masses that might have
been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were
left unwarned。 Piety was rapidly waning； and Satan seemed about to gain the
581
ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ。
It was at this critical time in the history of the church that John was
sentenced to banishment。 Never had his voice been needed by the church as
now。 Nearly all his former associates in the ministry had suffered
martyrdom。 The remnant of believers was facing fierce opposition。 To all
outward appearance the day was not far distant when the enemies of the
church of Christ would triumph。
But the Lord's hand was moving unseen in the darkness。 In the providence of
God； John was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of
Himself and of divine truth for the enlightenment of the churches。
In exiling John； the enemies of truth had hoped to silence forever the voice
of God's faithful witness； but on Patmos the disciple received a message；
the influence of which was to continue to strengthen the church till the end
of time。 Though not released from the responsibility of their wrong act；
those who banished John became instruments in the hands of God to carry out
Heaven's purpose； and the very effort to extinguish the light placed the
truth in bold relief。
It was on the Sabbath that the Lord of glory appeared to the exiled apostle。
The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John on Patmos as when he was
preaching to the people in the towns and cities of Judea。 He claimed as his
own the precious promises that had been given regarding that day。 〃I was in
the Spirit on the Lord's day；〃 John writes； 〃and heard behind me a great
voice； as of a trumpet； saying；
582
I am Alpha and Omega； the first and the last。 。 。 。 And I turned to see the
voice that spake with me。 And being turned； I saw seven golden candlesticks；
and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man。〃
Revelation 1：10…13。
Richly favored was this beloved disciple。 He had seen his Master in
Gethsemane； His face marked with the blood drops of agony； His 〃visage 。 。 。
marred more than any man； and His form more than the sons of men。〃 Isaiah
52：14。 He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers； clothed with an
old purple robe and crowned with thorns。 He had seen Him hanging on the
cross of Calvary； the object of cruel mockery and abuse。 Now John is once
more permitted to behold his Lord。 But how changed is His appearance！ He is
no longer a Man of Sorrows； despised and humiliated by men。 He is clothed in
a garment of heavenly brightness。 〃His head and His hairs〃 are 〃white like
wool； as white as snow； and His eyes 。 。 。 as a flame of fire； and His feet
like unto fine brass； as if they burned in a furnace。〃 Revelation 1：14； 15；
17。 His voice is like the music of many waters。 His countenance shines as
the sun。 In His hand are seven stars； and out of His mouth issues a sharp
two…edged sword； an emblem of the power of His word。 Patmos is made
resplendent with the glory of the risen Lord。
〃And when I saw Him；〃 John writes； 〃I fell at His feet as dead。 And He laid
His right hand upon me； saying unto me； Fear not。〃 Verse 17。
John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord。 Then
before his wondering vision were
583
opened the glories of heaven。 He was permitted to see the throne of God and；
looking beyond the conflicts of earth； to behold the white…robed throng of
the redeemed。 He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant
songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony。 In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene
after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God；
and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time。 In figures
and symbols； subjects of vast importance were presented to John； which he
was to record； that the people of God living in his age and in future ages
might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before
them。
This revelation was given for the guidance and comfort of the church
throughout the Christian dispensation。 Yet religious teachers have declared
that it is a sealed book and its secrets cannot be explained。 Therefore many
have tur