Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 75

29. What deliverance will G.o.d finally bring to His people in this controversy?

"And I saw as it were a sea of gla.s.s mingled with fire: and _them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name_, stand on the sea of gla.s.s, having the harps of G.o.d." Rev. 15:2.

30. What song will they sing?

"And they sing _the song of Moses_ the servant of G.o.d, and _the song of the Lamb_." Verse 3.

31. What was the song of Moses?

A song of deliverance from oppression. See Exodus 15.

The Seven Churches

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

John On Patmos. "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches." Rev. 1:11.

1. What t.i.tle is given the last book of the Bible?

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Rev. 1:1.

2. To whom do those things which are revealed belong?

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our G.o.d: but _those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever_." Deut. 29:29.

3. For what purpose was the Revelation given?

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which G.o.d gave unto Him _to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pa.s.s_." Rev. 1:1.

4. What great event, according to this book, is imminent?

"_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." Verse 7.

NOTE.-This book not only opens and closes with the subject of Christ's second coming, but its eight lines of prophecy all reach down to this as the great culminating event to the church and the world.

5. What encouragement is given to study this book?

"_Blessed is he that readeth_, and they that _hear_ the words of this prophecy, and _keep_ those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Verse 3.

6. To whom was the book dedicated?

"John _to the seven churches which are in Asia_." Verse 4.

7. What were the names of these seven churches?

"What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto _Ephesus_, and unto _Smyrna_, and unto _Pergamos_, and unto _Thyatira_, and unto _Sardis_, and unto _Philadelphia_, and unto _Laodicea_." Verse 11.

NOTE.-These seven churches, and the messages addressed to them, apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching from the first to the second advent of Christ. "Under this emblematical representation of the seven churches of Asia," says Vitringa, in the "Comprehensive Commentary," "the Holy Spirit has delineated seven different states of the Christian church, which would appear in succession, extending to the coming of our Lord and the consummation of all things." Their good qualities and their defects are pointed out, with admonitions, exhortations, and warnings suitable for each, all of which are also applicable to individual Christian experience.

8. By what t.i.tle is the first state of the church distinguished?

"Unto the angel of the church of _Ephesus_ write." Rev. 2:1.

NOTE.-The meaning of Ephesus is _desirable_, and fitly describes the character and condition of the church in its first state, when its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime of the apostles. See dates in the accompanying diagram, showing the beginning and close of the seven periods.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Seven Churches.

9. After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the Lord bring against them?

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because _thou hast left thy first love_. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and _repent, and do the first works_." Verses 4, 5.

NOTE.-The "first love" is the love of the truth, and the desire of making it known to others. The "first works" are the fruit of this love.

10. What name is given to the second state of the church?

"Unto the angel of the church in _Smyrna_ write." Verse 8.

NOTE.-The meaning of Smyrna is _myrrh_, or _sweet-smelling savor_, and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of G.o.d suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome.

11. How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this time referred to?

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, _the devil shall cast some of you into prison_, that ye may be tried; and _ye shall have tribulation ten days_: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Verse 10.

NOTE.-The most severe of what is commonly known as "the ten persecutions" under pagan Rome, began under the emperor Diocletian, and continued from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D., a period of ten prophetic days.

12. What name is given to the third state of the church?

"To the angel of the church in _Pergamos_ write." Verse 12.