Simple studies in the Revelation

II FOURTH EDITION. 17th Thousand

U. S. A.

This book is not sold, but will be sent to any address free of charge as we feel led.

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Copyright, 1906.

STRUCTURAL PLAN OF THE REVELATION.

The Introduction — Chapter i : 1-8,

Part I. — "The things which thou sawest." — Chapter

Part II. — "The things which are." — Chapters 2 and 3, 13 Part III. — "The things which shall come to pass after

these things." — Chapters 4 to 22, 19

Section 1. The Rapture of the Church. Chapter 4,.. 19 Section 2. The Great Day of Redemption. Chapter 5, 24 Section 3. The Wrath to Come. Chapters 6 to 11, 31

(1) The Seven Seals, . 32

(2) The Tribulation Saints, 34

(3) The Seven Trumpets, 35

Section 4. The Trinity of Evil. Chapters 12 and 13, 39

(1) The Great Red Dragon, 40

(2) The Man of Sin, 45

(3) The False Prophet, 46

Section 5. Encouragement and Warning. Chapters

Section 6. The Seven Last Plagues. Chapter 16, .. 61 Section 7. Babylon the Great. Chapters 17 and 18, .. 71 Section 8. The Two Great Suppers. Chapter 19, .. 82

(1) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb,... 85

(2) The Coming of the Son of Man, .... 87

(3) The Battle of Har-Magedon, 88

(4) The Great Supper of God, 89

Section 9. The Millennial Reign. Chapter 20, 92

(1) The Binding of Satan, 95

(2) The First Resurrection, 98

(3) The Millennial Kingdom, 99

(4) The Loosing of Satan, 101

(5) The Last War, 102

(6) The Judgment of Satan, 102

(7) The Second Resurrection and the Second Death, 103

Section 10. The New Heaven and New Earth. Chapter 21 : 1-8, 106

(1) No More Sea, 109

(2) The Holy City, no

(3) The Eternal State, 111

Section 11. Our Saviour's Parting Word. Chapter

(1) The Earthly Jerusalem, 119

(2) The Heavenly Jerusalem, 121

(3) His Parting Message, 129

£, Unto Him that loveth us, and loosed us from our

sins by His blood; and He made us a Kingdom, priests unto His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

THE INTRODUCTION

(Chapter i: 1-8.)

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the Prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev.

The Revelation is the most neglected book in the New Testament, despite the fact that God has offered very great inducements for its study. In addition to the general blessing attending any intelligent study of the Scriptures, special blessing is promised to those who give attention to this last book in the Bible. The third verse of chapter 1 says: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein."

There is a general impression that the book of The Revelation is exceedingly hard to understand, because it is so full of signs and symbols. Every book in the Bible is hard to understand, from the natural human standpoint. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1. Cor. 2:14.) The Revelation is no exception — it can be understood only by those who yield themselves to the Spirit of Truth that He may guide them into the truth. As for the signs and symbols, we ought not to object to them, for they are always explained, either where they are employed, or elsewhere in the Bible. Men call this book a riddle, but God's name for it is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Unlike the Prophecy of Daniel, this book is not sealed. The Old Testament seer was commanded to shut up the words and seal his book to the Time of the End, but the writer of The Revelation was told to "seal not up the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the Time is at hand." (Compare Daniel 12:4; Rev. 22:10.)

The first eight verses of chapter 1 are introductory. The nature of the communication which follows is given in verses 1 to 3. It is the revelation, or unveiling, of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. It comes to us through John, who got it from an angel and who bears record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessing is here for whoever shall read or hear the words or keep the things written herein, for the time is at hand. The salutation, which follows, is from John the Exile, to the seven churches in Asia. It is also from the Eternal God, from Him Which is, and Which was and Which is to come. It is also from the Spirit of God, in all His fullness — the seven Spirits which are before His throne. This is the first

THE INTRODUCTION. , 7 symbol in the book, and it is not explained here, because of the similar symbol of the Holy Ghost in Isaiah 11:2. It is also from Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the Firstbegotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. These titles are all significant in this place. They set forth our Lord's threefold office work as Prophet, Priest and King. In His prophetic office He is the Faithful Witness; it was as the Great High Priest over the House of God that He came forth from among the dead, the First-fruits of them that slept ; and as King He is the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

John breaks out into doxology in verses 5 and 6, "unto Him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen !" Then in verse 7, the central theme of the book rings out with trumpet sound: "Behold, He cometh with clouds! And every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him ! And all kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of Him !" It is not the Rapture of the Church that John speaks of here, but the Revelation of the Lord Jesus from Heaven. It is not His coming for His saints, but His coming with them. Not of our being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, but of the glorious appearing of the Son of Man at

His coming afterwards in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory — as Enoch prophesied: "Behold, the Lord cometh with myriads of His saints to execute judgment upon all." This is the center of The Revelation.

The words, "Even so, amen !" in verse 7, probably belong to verse 8. The Lord Himself is speaking and He says, "Even so, amen ! I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come, the Almighty." This is an unusual title in the New Testament. It is El Shaddai, the name by which God revealed Himself unto Abraham. It is significantly brought in here, for this book is filled with wonders which could be brought about only by almightiness, and God is to demonstrate in this book that He is still the Lord God Omnipotent Who reigneth, the Eternal God,, the Almighty.

PART L— THE THINGS WHICH JOHN

SAW.

(Chapter i: 9-20.)

"Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass after these things." (Rev. 1: 19.)

The Revelation is divided by our Lord Himself into three parts. The first division proper begins at verse 9 of the first chapter. John, who was a prisoner on the island of Patmos for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. This is the only time the expression, "the Lord's Day," is found in the Bible. There should be no doubt, however, as to its meaning, for from the earliest times of the Church this term was applied to the first day of the week, on account of the resurrection of our Lord on that day. The testimony of those living in John's time and thereafter in unbroken line is unanimous on this subject. What John means by being "in the Spirit" is probably similar to Paul's meaning in ii. Cor. 12:2-4, where he speaks of one — "a man in Christ," probably meaning himself — being caught up into Paradise, whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell. While in this state John heard a voice like a trumpet saying, ao SIMPLE STUDIES IN THE REVELATION,

"What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches/' The apostle turned toward the voice and there burst upon his vision such a sight that he was immediately stricken to the earth. It was Jesus, his beloved Lord, but O, what a change ! Once before John had seen Him in a transfigured state, but that was not like this.- This was Jesus in all His glory, even the glory which He had with the Father before the world was. He appeared in the glorious apparel of the Great High Priest and around and about Him were seven golden lampstands representing the churches. It is an apt symbol, for the churches are in the world to shine as lights, holding forth the word of life. There is undoubted reference here to the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle, which was a figure of Christ and the Church which is His body. The difference is that here the type is of the separate outward visible churches, as they appear in the world in the sphere of testimony.

There is an immense difference between the Church and the churches. The Church consists of all believers from Pentecost (Acts 2) to the Rapture (1. Thess. 4.) They are members of His body, all baptized by the one Spirit into the one body. The churches include all who profess His name. The Church is always indivisible and ever energized by the life of Him Who is its Head. The churches are split into a thousand fragments and are often energized

THE THINGS WHICH JOHN SAW. n by the activities of the flesh. The Church is the habitation of God by the Spirit. The churches are in many instances apostate from Christ and separate from God.

The glorified Lord had in His right hand seven stars, which, He explained, typified the angels (i. e., messengers) of the churches ; and as judgment must begin at the House of God, out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword (See i. Pet. 4: 17, Heb. 4: 12; Jno. 12:48), and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. John was prostrated by the vision, until the Lord Jesus laid His right hand upon him, renewing his strength. "Fear not/' He said, and these words must have had a familiar sound in John's ears. "Fear not; I am the First and the Last and the Living One ; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass after these things." This verse (Ch. 1 : 19) is the key to The Revelation. In this threefold analysis we shall find the clearest possible outline of the structural plan of the book, as follows :

First — "The things which thou sawest." This refers to John's vision of the Son of Man walking among the golden lampstands, given in chapter 1.

Second — "The things which are." This seci2 SIMPLE STUDIES IN THE REVELATION tion includes the second and third chapters, as indicated by chapter 1:20: "The things which are" — that is, the present things, the things of the present dispensation — "are seven churches." In the seven letters to the Asiatic churches our Lord seems to have given in advance a historic preview — a prophetic foreview — of the earthly career of the churches, from John's time to the end of the age.

Third — "The things which shall come to pass after these things." This is the final section, taking in the remainder of the book, chapters 4 to 22. In this last main division we have :he story of what shall transpire at the end of the present course of things — that is, after the wind-up of "the things which are,"

PART II.— THE THINGS WHICH ARE (Chapters 2 and 3.)

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches." (Rev. 1:20.)

The seven churches addressed by our Lord in the messages of chapters 2 and 3 were not chosen from among the whole number of churches in Asia on account of their relative importance, for it is apparent that, excepting Ephesus, most of them were comparatively unimportant and obscure. These seven churches were evidently selected because they represented, in their spiritual condition, the seven successive phases of the professing church throughout the present Age. Seven is the number of completeness and these seven letters gave beforehand a complete view of what the churches should be during the seven successive periods of the Dispensation.

First. Ephesus stands for the latter part of the apostolic era — that is, at the time John wrote. The letter gives commendation for good remaining, but warns against the evils that threaten. Judaism had shown itself, for evil men had already attempted to introduce the doctrine of apostolic succession — they said i4 SIMPLE STUDIES IN THE REVELATION.

they were apostles, and were not, and were found liars — but they had been rejected by the Church. There were Nicolaitans there also. This term doubtless describes those who sought to establish a separate order of priesthood among believers. The word means conqueror, or ruler, of the laity, or people. In our day this sin is so prevalent that it occasions no comment whatever. The churches set their pastors in a class by themselves and call them "Divines" and "the Clergy." They apply titles to them, as "Reverend," "Very Reverend," "Right Reverend/ 'and on through the list, until the pope is blasphemously called the "Holy Father." All this is most unscriptural and dishonoring to God. "Holy and reverend is His name" only, and He Himself is the only "Holy Father." (See Ps. in : 9; Jno. 17:11.) As for the Church of God, it is an equal brotherhood, and whoever divides it into unequal parts, as clergy and laity, is introducing schism into the body and is guilty of Nicolaitanism. Our Lord Jesus hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans and commends the Ephesian Church for hating these deeds also. Nevertheless, there is spiritual declension already noticed, for this Church had left her first love. The warning is sharp — Remember, repent and do the first works. Otherwise there is judgment awaiting the Church, whose lampstand will be removed. As for those individuals who should survive the wreck, the real believers or

THE THINGS WHICH ARB. 15 overeomers, they are promised the joy of the iTree of Life in the Paradise of God.

Second. The Smyrna period immediately followed the apostolic era. Great suffering is threatened, but the crown of life will be the reward of faithfulness. Judaism is rampant during the Smyrna period, men claiming to be Jews who are of the synagogue of Satan. The tribulation ten days probably refers to the ten distinct attempts during two hundred years to crush out the infant church. The sentence, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," is found many times engraved on the walls of the catacombs of Rome.

Third. The Church of the Pergamum period showed in its early stages the purifying effects of the Smyrna sufferings. Dwelling where Satan's throne was, the whole world lying in the Wicked One, the Church held fast the name and the faith of Jesus. But just then Emperor Constantine's professed conversion occurred and the Church yielded to the temptation her Lord had overcome and allied herself with the world and settled down at ease. Church and State were united and the Church became the world's mistress. Whole legions of soldiers were marched to the rivers and baptized — not into Christ indeed, but "into favor." Heathen temples became "Christian churches" and heathen priests became "Christian priests." This alliance with the world is the doctrine of Balaam so strongly condemned and the deeds of the Nicolaitans are now based upon a recognized doctrine, which thing the Lord hates. Judgment is again threatened for the corrupt Church and deliverance for the overcomer.

Fourth. The Thyatiran period showed a great preponderance of evil. The Lord did not fail to see and commend works and love and service and faith and endurance. But the woman Jezebel was suffered there. This marks the rise of the papacy and the awful descent of the Church into the dark ages of medieval Rome. The Old Testament Jezebel was the heathen wife of a Jewish king who upheld idolatry, set up an idolatrous priesthood, and put to death the Lord's prophets. She carried out the doctrine of Balaam to its full extent. It is written of her husband in i. Kings 21 : 25, that he sinned so that there was none like unto Ahab which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of Jehovah, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. The history of the Thyatiran period corresponds perfectly with all this. Professing to be the bride of Christ, the so-called Church became married to heathenism and stirred up more, wickedness than can be found in any other period of Church history. No one who reads that history can doubt that this is a picture of Rome, the wicked Jezebel.

Fifth. Sardis comes next. The Protestant Reformation brought the dawn of the morn-

THE THIXGS WHICH ARB.

ing from the dark night of the middle ages. But the Reformed churches soon lapsed into cold lifeless formalism and the picture in the epistle to the Sardian Church is of this latter phase of that period. "Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.'' There was the form of godliness but little of its power. A few names were left, however, whose garments were not defiled and they shall walk with Him in white.

Sixth. Philadelphia is a phase of the Church growing out of the Reformation period. The word means ''brotherly love'' and the Philadelphia Church is made up of the few names that were left in Sardis — the remnant who are keeping themselves unspotted from the world. He that hath the key of David is watching over them. He finds no fault in them, but commends them because they have a little strength, having strengthened the things which remained. "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience," says the Lord to them, "I will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the world. .. Behold, I come quickly ; hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

Seventh. Laodicea is the last period of Church historv. All who are not of Philadelphia are of Laodicea. The word "Laodicea" means "the people's rights," and surely many of the churches of these last days have become the "people's churches." Nominally the Lord

18 SIMP LB STUDIES IN THE REVELATION.

Jesus is their Head, but really He is shut out. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Lukewarm is the exact word to describe the condition of many so-called Christian churches of these days, and He who is about to come will spue them out of His mouth. Meanwhile if any man hear His voice and open the door, the Lord will come in unto him and sup with him and he with Him. "To him that overcometh" — and the overcoming is by the blood of the Lamb — "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. "

Can there be any doubt in view of the import of these letters to the churches, that we are now living in the last days, the days of the apostate Church, the Church of the Laodiceans? And if that be so, then our Lord is about to come. May God help us to be ever ready for His coming — ever "serving the living and true God and waiting for His Son from Heaven. ,, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.