A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse Part 4

The "new name" is unknown to all but its possessor; who, on its possession, becomes a child of G.o.d, and will receive, saith G.o.d, "in my house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off," Isa. 56:5. The Saviour has promised that "him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my G.o.d, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my G.o.d, and the name of the city of my G.o.d, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my G.o.d; and I will write upon him my new name," Rev. 3:12. And his new "name" "no man knew but he himself," _Ib._ 19:12.

Pergamos still contains a few thousand inhabitants.

Epistle to the Church in Thyatira.

"And to the messenger of the congregation in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of G.o.d, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet like fine bra.s.s: I know thy works, and love, and faith, and service, and thy patience, and thy works; and thy last works to be greater than the first. Notwithstanding, I have something against thee, because thou allowest thy woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat idol sacrifices. And I gave her time to repent, and she would not repent of her fornication.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those, who commit adultery with her, into great affliction, unless they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the congregations will know that I am he, who searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give to each of you according to your works.

But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as (they say;) I will not put on you another burden: but what ye have, hold fast till I come. And he, who overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, to him, I will give power over the nations: (and he will rule them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of a potter they will be dashed in pieces:) even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning-star. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations"-Rev.

2:18-29.

In commending the general piety of this church, they are censured for permitting a woman to teach false doctrines among them. The church is not only made responsible for what it teaches, but also for what it suffers others to teach. In this particular the church in Thyatira appears in contrast with the church in Ephesus. The doctrines which this wicked woman taught appear to be similar to those of the Nicolaitanes, p. 34. She is probably called Jezebel, from her being a woman of power and influence, like the wife of Ahab, who "did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord: whom Jezebel his wife stirred up," 1 Kings 21:25.

They who had not fallen into those depths of Satan, and should continue faithful to the end, were to have "power over the nations." "The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him," Dan. 7:18, 27. "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel," Ps. 2:8, 9. "To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all the saints.

Praise ye the Lord," _Ib._ 149:7, 9.

To receive the morning star, is to receive Christ, who testifieth of himself. "I am ... the bright and morning star," Rev. 22:16. We are commanded to take heed to the "sure word of prophecy ... as unto a light that s.h.i.+neth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts," 2 Pet. 1:19. As "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (19:10), those who refuse to consider the revelation he has given of things which shortly after began to come to pa.s.s, and which must now be verging towards their consummation, may fail of becoming illuminated by the day-star in their hearts.

Says Gibbon: "The G.o.d of Mahomet, without a rival or a Son, is invoked in the mosques of Thyatira and Pergamos."

Epistle to the Church in Sardis.

"And to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis write: These things saith He, who hath the seven Spirits of G.o.d, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things, which remain, which are about to die: for I have not found thy works complete before G.o.d. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee like a thief, and thou wilt not know what hour I will come on thee. But thou hast a few names in Sardis, that have not defiled their garments; and they will walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He, who overcometh, the same one will be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge his name before my Father, and before his angels. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the congregations."-Rev.

3:1-6.

The church in Sardis was Christian in name, but was dest.i.tute of spiritual life, with the exception of a few names who had not defiled their garments. Having become dead to the revivifying influences of the Holy Spirit, they are reminded that he who addresses them is the one who holds their messenger in his hand, and who hath the seven Spirits of G.o.d; _i.e._, that it was from the One who said of "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost" (John 14:26), "when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me," _Ib._ 15:26.

They had doubtless become greatly conformed to the corrupt worldly influences by which they were surrounded, without having actually denied the faith, or embraced the hated doctrines of the Nicolaitanes. Therefore they were exhorted to hold fast all that they still retained, and, by repentance, to recover what they had lost; and they were admonished that if they neglected those precautions, they would be suddenly visited; without its being designated what would be the precise nature, time, or manner, of their visitation: which made the threatening the more terrible.

The "few names" which had not defiled their garments, were used by a metonymy to signify persons. When an apostle was to be chosen in the place of Judas, "the number of the names together were about one hundred and twenty," Acts 1:15. Purity of raiment is significant of purity of character: "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments," 16:15.

White is an emblem of purity. To the "bride," it "was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints," 19:8. Those who came out of great tribulation, had "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," (7:13); and therefore they were symbolized as standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms of victory in their hands, 7:9. To be clothed in white raiment, is therefore to be accepted of the Saviour.

To blot one's name out of the book of life, is to erase his t.i.tle to heaven. The figure seems to be an allusion to the ancient custom of enrolling in a book the names of all free citizens. If their names were confessedly written there, they were ent.i.tled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens.h.i.+p; but if blotted out, they had forfeited these.

"They that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is," 17:8. Moses said, if G.o.d would not forgive Israel, "blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written," Ex. 32:32. Of his enemies, David said, "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous," Ps.

67:28. Those only enter the New Jerusalem, "which are written in the Lamb's book of life," 21:27.

The church in Sardis, has long been utterly extinct; and what remains of the city is a miserable Turkish village.

Epistle to the Church in Philadelphia.

"And to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy, the True One, he who hath the key of David, he who openeth, and no one shutteth; and shutteth, and no one openeth: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no one can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast held fast my word, and hast not denied my name.

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but who lie; behold, I will make them come and bow down before thy feet, and know that I have loved thee.

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, which will come on all the world, to try those, who dwell on the earth. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. I will make him, who overcometh, a pillar in the temple of my G.o.d, and he will go out no more: and I will write on him the name of my G.o.d, and the name of the city of my G.o.d, the new Jerusalem, (which cometh down out of heaven from my G.o.d:) and my new name. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations."-Rev. 3:7-13.

The church of Philadelphia had maintained her integrity, and is therefore addressed in the language of commendation, without the rebukes which were directed to her sister churches. Having remained true to Him who "was called Faithful and True" (19:11), the epistle to this church makes mention of the Saviour by those t.i.tles, which are significant of his own faithfulness and inherent holiness.

"The key of David," brings to view the prediction of that which was to be laid "upon his shoulder;" so that "he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open," Isa. 22:22. A key symbolizes that which will open or unlock, or will close fast: therefore said the Saviour, "I ... have the keys of h.e.l.l and of death." By virtue of this power, an open door was set before the church of Philadelphia, which no man should be able to close.

The Jews in Philadelphia, who had claimed to be the only true church of G.o.d, but who were in reality of the synagogue of Satan, were to cease their opposition to the Christians, and to seek instruction and protection from them-recognizing the love of G.o.d to Gentiles as well as to Jews.

History is silent respecting the fulfilment of this; but there is no reason to suppose that it was not literally fulfilled.

The "hour of temptation," which was to "come upon all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth," was to be one of peculiar trial. Some suppose it had reference to the persecution under Trajan, which was more severe and extensive than those under Nero, or Domitian: and others that it was the Mohammedan delusion. In such times there are peculiar temptations to apostatize, and the less faithful are in more danger of apostasy than others. But because the Philadelphian church had been faithful thus far, they were to be kept from that trying hour. When the scourge of Mohammedanism swept over all the other churches of Asia, this church maintained its integrity. Says Gibbon: "Among the Greek colonies and churches of Asia, Philadelphia is still erect, a column in a scene of ruins. At a distance from the sea, forgotten by the emperors, encompa.s.sed on all sides by the Turks, her valiant citizens defended their religion and their freedom above fourscore years, and at length capitulated with the proudest of the Ottomans." Philadelphia is still the seat of an archbishop, and contains from six hundred to seven hundred Greek houses, and several places of Christian wors.h.i.+p. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the G.o.dly out of temptations," 2 Pet. 2:9.

They are encouraged to constancy by the prospect of the coming coronation day, when "the Lord; the righteous Judge shall give" a "crown of righteousness," "unto all them that love his appearing," 2 Tim. 4:8. He has said "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (2:10); and therefore "when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away," 1 Pet. 5:4.

A pillar in the temple of G.o.d, is expressive of a position which shall give support to the church, which is erected "upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; In whom the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of G.o.d through the Spirit," Eph. 2:20-22.

To receive the name of G.o.d, is to be recognized as belonging to G.o.d. As masters designated their servants by branding their name on them, or by some peculiar mark, so the children of G.o.d are referred to by the same figure. In a subsequent vision John saw with the Lamb on Mount Zion, "an hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads," 14:1. Their connection with new Jerusalem is similarly designated.

Epistle to the Church in Laodicea.

"And to the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Ruler of the creation of G.o.d: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wast cold or hot. So, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will cast thee out of my mouth: because thou sayest, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and to anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chastise: be fervent therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any one heareth my voice, and openeth the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he shall sup with me.

To him, who overcometh I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father in his throne. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations."-Rev. 3:14-22.

By his t.i.tles of truth and verity, the Saviour prepares the Laodiceans for the humiliating threatenings, which are uttered against them. By that of "the beginning of the creation of G.o.d," is indicated Christ's kings.h.i.+p as head and governor of all; and hence the authority on which his declarations are founded.

The Laodiceans seemed to have been very well satisfied with their own condition, without possessing any very marked characteristics. They were neither good, nor very wicked; but supposed that they abounded in all spiritual wealth, when they were dest.i.tute of all the Christian graces.

They could not appreciate their own condition; and not realizing their need, were unlikely to heed the counsel given them, and therefore they have long since ceased to have a name and a place on the earth. Says Gibbon: "The circus and three stately temples of Laodicea, are now peopled with wolves and foxes."

The great majority of them seemed to have become unworthy even of the chastis.e.m.e.nt which G.o.d bestows on those he loves. "Behold, happy is the man whom G.o.d correcteth; therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty," Job 5:17. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord: neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth," Prov. 3:11, 12. "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," Jas. 1:12.

The Saviour shows his readiness to receive those who will open unto him.

He is saying, "Open to me ... for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night," Cant. 5:2. "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, That he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them," Luke 12:37. Said Jesus, "If any man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him," John 14:23.

To him that overcometh, as in another place he is promised a crown, so now there is the promise of a seat with the Saviour in his throne. Said the Saviour, "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel," Matt. 19:28. "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me," Luke 22:29. "If we suffer" _i.e._ with Christ, "we shall also reign with him," 2 Tim.

2:12.

Vision of the Deity.