A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse Part 3

"DOMITIAN, having exercised his cruelty against many, and unjustly slain no small number of n.o.ble and ill.u.s.trious men at Rome, ... at length established himself as the successor of NERO, in his hatred and hostility to G.o.d. He was the _second_ that raised a persecution against us. In this persecution, it is handed down by tradition, that the apostle and evangelist, JOHN, ... was condemned to dwell on the island of Patmos.

IRENaeUS, indeed, in his fifth book against the heresies, where he speaks of the calculation formed on the epithet of Antichrist, in the above-mentioned Revelation of JOHN, speaks in the following manner respecting him: 'If, however, it were necessary to proclaim his name (_i.e._ Antichrist's), openly at the present time, it would have been declared by him who saw the Revelation, for it was not long since it was seen, but _almost in our own times_, at the _close_ of DOMITIAN's reign.' "-EUSEBIUS.

Prof. Stuart, who dissents from the opinion, admits that "a majority of the older critics have been inclined to adopt the opinion of Irenaeus, viz.: that it was written during the reign of Domitian, _i.e._, during the last part of the first century, or in A. D. 95 or 96."-Com. _Apoc._, V.

I., p. 263.

John's adherence to the word and testimony of Christ, had caused his banishment-as others "were slain-for the word of G.o.d, and for the testimony which they held," (6:9); and whose living again and reigning with Christ, was subsequently shown John in a vision, 20:4.

John was in the spirit; _i.e._, he was in a state of prophetic ecstasy, in which he was, as it were, caught away from a realization of the actual and the present, and shown "the things which must be hereafter." It was on the "Lord's day," the first day of the week, which was so called because on that day the Lord arose from the dead. It was a day which has been observed by all Christians in especial remembrance of that event. John does not appear to have antic.i.p.ated any such announcement, until he was suddenly startled from his meditation by a voice in trumpet tones, announcing itself by the t.i.tles of Christ, and commanding him to write to the churches what he _saw_. Hearing the voice, he turned to see who had spoken to him, and beheld a

Vision of Christ.

"And I turned to see the voice, that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands; and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands one like a Son of man, clothed with a garment reaching the feet, and girded around the b.r.e.a.s.t.s with a golden girdle. His head, even his hair, was white like white wool, like snow; and his eyes were like a flame of fire; and his feet like fine bra.s.s, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice like the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and from his mouth went forth a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was like the sun s.h.i.+ning in its strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as if dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, and am he, who liveth, and I became dead; and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and the pit. Therefore, write the things, which thou hast seen, and the things, which are, and the things, which will take place hereafter; the secret of the seven stars, which thou hast seen in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands. The seven stars, are the messengers of the seven congregations: and the seven lamp-stands are the seven congregations."-Rev. 1:12-20.

The voice, by a metonymy, is used for the person speaking. He turned to see the glorious personage by whom the trumpet-tones were uttered. Being turned, he saw the commencement of those great panoramic presentations, by which the events of the future were revealed to him, and the significance of which were explained by an angelic interpreter.

The "seven golden candlesticks," symbolize "the seven churches" (1:20), to which John was commanded to write. By this, and other symbols which are divinely interpreted, are unfolded the principles on which symbols are used. A candle or lamp stand, supports the light placed on it, as churches are the recipients and dispensers of the light of the Holy Scriptures.

They are therefore appropriate symbols of churches.

"In the midst of the candlesticks" is one in the form of humanity, surrounded by the insignia of Deity. It is the same appearance that Ezekiel saw, when he had a vision "of the likeness of the glory of the Lord," (Ezek. 1:26-28); and before which Daniel fell trembling, Dan.

10:5-9. The sublime spectacle was too overwhelming for John's endurance, and, like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, his strength turned to corruption.

But the glorified Saviour was the same sympathetic being on whose breast John leaned, at the last supper, and he lays his endearing hand on John, and, by soothing words, restores his confidence. He explains the mystery contained in the symbols shown, and enjoins on him to write the things he had seen-symbolic of the things which then were, and of those which were then in the future. As no created resemblance is a fit representative of Deity, Christ is shown to John by the symbol of his own likeness.

The "seven stars" in the right hand of the Saviour, are the angels,-the messengers, or pastors of the seven churches, 1:20. As the Saviour holds the stars in his hand, so does he sustain all his gospel ministers, enabling them to impart light to those who sit under their ministrations.

And as he walked in the midst of the golden candlesticks, so the Lord is ever in the midst of those who fear him, and call upon his name.

Epistles to the Seven Churches.

Epistle to the Church in Ephesus.

"To the messenger of the congregation of Ephesus write: These things saith He who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands: I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy patience, and that thou canst not endure the evil; and thou hast tried those, who say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars; and hast patience, and hast endured on account of my name, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless, I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou hast fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp-stand out of its place, except thou repentest. But thou hast this, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations: To him, who overcometh, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of G.o.d."-Rev. 2:1-7.

The seven churches are not, themselves, seen in vision; they were symbolized by seven golden candlesticks. Consequently, these are seven literal churches that are addressed, and not allegorical, as some teach.

The symbolic portions of the Apocalypse, are the descriptions of what John saw, and the attendant utterances. What was addressed to the ear by way of explanation and instruction, does not come under the laws of symbolization.

As churches, in all ages, are often in the several conditions ascribed to the seven churches, the warnings, admonitions, and consolations addressed to them, may serve for instruction to all Christians, as implied in the declaration: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches," 2:29.

"By a??e???, angel [or messenger], we are to understand the _messenger_, or person sent by G.o.d to preside over the church; and to him the epistle is directed, not as pointing out his state, but the state of the church under his care. The Angel of the Church, here answers exactly to that officer of the synagogue among the Jews, called the _messenger_ of the church, whose business it was to _read_, _pray_, and _teach_ in the synagogue."-DR. CLARKE. Timothy is supposed to have had the care of the Ephesian church till A. D. 97, when he was martyred.

Ephesus was a large, idolatrous city, "a wors.h.i.+pper of the great G.o.ddess Diana, and of the image which," as they claimed, "fell down from Jupiter,"

Acts 19:35. The gospel was first preached there by Paul, and with such success, that "Many of them also which used curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver: So mightily grew the word of G.o.d, and prevailed," _Ib._ 19, 20. They continued a fine and prosperous church, but had fallen away from their first love. Therefore He who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, and holdeth in his hand the messengers of the churches, admonished them that, unless they repented he would remove their candlestick, _i.e._, their church, of which the candlestick was a symbol, out of its place. They did not repent; and, says Gibbon, "In the year 1312, began the _captivity_, or ruin of the seven churches by the Ottoman power. In the loss of Ephesus, the Christians deplored the loss of the first _Angel_, the extinction of the first _candlestick_ of the Revelations. The desolation is complete, and the temple of _Diana_, or the church of _Mary_, will equally elude the search of the curious traveller."

The Nicolaitanes, whose deeds G.o.d hated, were a sect of heretics, who a.s.sumed the name from Nicholas of Antioch, one of the first seven deacons of the church in Jerusalem. It is believed that he was rather the innocent occasion, than the author of the infamous practices of those who a.s.sumed his name,-who allowed a community of wives, and ate meats offered in sacrifice to idols. It was a short-lived sect.

For hating their deeds, the church of Ephesus was commended, and also for not giving countenance to false teachers, who claimed to be apostles, and were proved to be liars. Thus are Christians to "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of G.o.d: because many false prophets are gone out into the world," 1 John 4:1. "Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ," 2 Cor. 11:13. "There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d.a.m.nable heresies," 2 Pet. 2:1.

The promise to him that overcometh, that he shall "eat of the tree of life," points to the resurrection and to the new creation. As in Eden was made to grow "the tree of life" (Gen. 2:9), so in Eden restored, "they that do his commandments ... may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city," Rev. 22:2.

Epistle to the Church in Smyrna.

"And to the messenger of the congregation in Smyrna, write: These things saith the First and the Last, who became dead and is alive: I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty (but thou art rich); and I know the reviling of those, who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear none of the things, which thou wilt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye will have affliction ten days. Be thou faithful to death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Congregations: he who overcometh, will not be hurt by the second death."-Rev. 2:8-11.

The angel of the church in Smyrna is supposed to have been Polycarp, who, rather than to apostatize, was burnt alive in that city about A. D. 166.

That church had pa.s.sed through the trial of poverty, and was found "rich toward G.o.d," Luke 12:21. It had suffered from the blasphemy of unbelieving Jews, who had a synagogue there and were particularly active at the martyrdom of Polycarp. But "He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circ.u.mcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circ.u.mcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of G.o.d,"

Rom. 2:28, 29. And the crucified and risen Saviour has said, that they are "of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie," Rev. 3:9.

Not a word of reproof is addressed to this faithful flock; but they were to be still further tried, and a terrible persecution was foretold, which should continue ten prophetic days. Ten years was the duration of the last and bloodiest persecution under Diocletian, from A. D. 302 to 312, during which all the Asiatic churches were grievously afflicted.

This church pa.s.sed triumphantly through all those trials; and Smyrna is now the most flouris.h.i.+ng city of the Asiatic churches. It contains a population of 100,000, and is the seat of an archbishop. From 15,000 to 20,000 of its inhabitants are still professedly Christian.

The "crown of life," promised to those who are faithful unto death, is to be given at Christ's second coming, "who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom," 2 Tim. 4:1: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing," _Ib._ 8. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," Jam. 1:12.

Those who shall not be hurt of the "second death," are those who shall attain unto the resurrection of the just, at the commencement of the millennium. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of G.o.d and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years,"

Rev. 20:6. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and wh.o.r.emongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death," 21:8.

Epistle to the Church in Pergamos.

And to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamos write: These things saith He who hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness: who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there those, who hold fast the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast an enticement to sin before the children of Israel: to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit fornication. So thou hast also those, who hold fast the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, in like manner. Repent; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations: To him, who overcometh, I will grant to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth, but he, who receiveth it.-Rev. 2:12-17.

"He which hath the sharp sword with two edges," is the one who walked in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands-out of whose "mouth went a sharp two-edged sword," 1:16. This identifies him as the one who was followed by the armies of heaven, when "the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse: which sword proceeded out of his mouth," 19:21.

"The sword of the Spirit ... is the word of G.o.d," Eph. 6:17. "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked," Isa. 11:4. The One who indites this epistle is thus designated, probably, because, unless they repented of the things alleged against them, he would fight against them with the sword of his mouth.

The church of Pergamos had refrained from apostasy, although situated in a wicked and corrupt city,-even where Satan reigned almost supreme and received the obedience of its inhabitants. They had been faithful in those days when Antipas, a faithful Christian, and probably the former pastor of the church, was slain (Dr. Hales thinks) in Domitian's persecution, in A.

D. 94. Yet, the Lord had some things against them.

The doctrine of Balaam is what that prophet counselled Balak to cast as a stumbling-block before Israel: For "the people began to commit wh.o.r.edom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their G.o.ds; and the people did eat and bowed down to their G.o.ds. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor," Num. 25:1-3. And Moses said of the women of Midian, "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespa.s.s against the Lord in the matter of Peor," _Ib._ 31:16. This was also, probably, the same as the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, p. 34.

The "hidden manna" seems to be a reference to that hidden in the ark, where it was laid up before the Lord (Ex. 16:33), in memory of what was sent for the sustenance of Israel in the wilderness, where "man did eat angel's food," Ps. 78:25. The law having a shadow of good things to come (Heb. 10:1), the manna hidden in the ark may be typical of the angelic sustenance to be revealed in the future world. The Saviour said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die," John 6:47, 48, 50.

The "white stone" has received divers interpretations. In ancient trials, the votes of the judges were given by _white_ and _black_ pebbles. The former signified acquittal, and the latter condemnation. Conquerors in public games sometimes received a _white stone_ with their name inscribed on it, which ent.i.tled them, during the remainder of their life, to be maintained at the public expense. Persons were sometimes invited to feasts or banquets, by the presentation of a white stone, with their name on it in connection with that of their hosts. The possession of the white stone evidently ent.i.tles the possessor to all the privileges of the heavenly inheritance.