_THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS_ ‘Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus write.’ Revelation 2:1 Of the various Churches in the Roman province of Asia during the second half of the first century a.d., seven are selected by the author of one of the Apocalypses comprised in what we know as the Book of the R... [ Continue Reading ]
_REMEMBER!_ ‘Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent … or else I will … remove thy candlestick.’ Revelation 2:5 These are the words before us. It is an honour to be privileged to appropriate words addressed to one of the most honoured Churches of antiquity. We would reverently... [ Continue Reading ]
_REPENT!_ ‘Repent, and do the first works.’ Revelation 2:5 The text teaches:— I. THE INSEPARABLE MORAL CONNECTION BETWEEN INWARD FEELING AND OUTWARD ACTION.—Repent and do. II. THE OUTWARD ASPECT OF HUMILIATION AND REGRET WHICH THE TEXT WEARS FOR THE SINNER AND THE BACKSLIDER.—‘Repent’—change... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA_ ‘And unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna write.’ Revelation 2:8 May we not say that the Church in Smyrna finds its counterpart in individual life in those upon whom falls—apparently without adequate cause—the trial of severe suffering? I. THERE ARE SOME LIVES WHICH ARE... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS_ ‘And to the angel of the Church in Pergamos write.’ Revelation 2:12 The Church in Pergamos, with its constancy and self-devotion, and yet with the canker of grave moral and doctrinal evil, is surely typical of all communities, whether religious or civil, which are to a gr... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE NEW NAME_ ‘I … will give him a … new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.’ Revelation 2:17 Rightly to understand this passage, we may with advantage go back to the beginnings of the Jewish race. ‘Thou shalt no more be called Jacob, but Israel’ (not Supplanter, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA_ ‘And unto the angel of the Church in Thyatira write.’ Revelation 2:18 Of the many points in this epistle which we might make the subject-matter of thought, let us take two on which to dwell. I. THERE IS THE DEEP GUILT OF THE THYATIRAN PROPHETESS.—Her wickedness was very... [ Continue Reading ]