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HOME READINGS.

M. Walking in the Light. 1 John 1. 5-10; 2. 1-6.
Tu. The message from the Light. 1 John 3. 9-18.
W. Light by his word. Psa. 119. 105-112.
Th. The cleansing blood. Eph. 1. 1-14.
F. No men without sin. Eccl. 7. 11-22.

S. Light cometh by confession of sins. Psa. 32. 1–11.
S. The Advocate with the Father. 1 Tim. 2. 1-6.

GOLDEN TEXT.

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1. 7.

LESSON HYMN. C. M.

Hymnal, No. 507.

Walk in the light! so shalt thou know That fellowship of love,

His Spirit only can bestow

Who reigns in light above.

Walk in the light! and thou shalt find
Thy heart made truly his.

Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined,
In whom no darkness is.

Walk in the light! thy path shalt be
Peaceful, serene, and bright;

For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,
And God himself is light.

TIME. Thirty-eight years after last events. PLACE.-Ephesus. John's home in his later life. The city made memorable by Paul and the great revival under his preaching. One of the most magnificent cities of Asia Minor.

RULERS.-Uncertain. Nero died in June, 68. Galba reigned for the rest of the year.

DOCTRINAL SUGGESTION.-The universality of sin.

QUESTIONS FOR SENIOR STUDENTS.

1. Light and Darkness, v. 5. 6.

What is meant by "fellowship?"

Who are the parties in this lesson who are to be in fellowship? ver. 3.

What is the natural condition of the Father with whom we are to have fellowship? ver. 5.

Give a text from the Bible which says that God is light?

When had John heard that message from him? John 8. 1-12.

How only can man have fellowship with God? 2. Sin and Forgiveness, v. 7-10, and chap. 2. 1, 2. What comes to one who walks in the light? What is the true view for a man to take of himself? What testimony does the word of God give concerning the universality of sin? Eccl. 7. 20.

How do we make God a liar if we say we have not sinned?

Is man's condition then hopeless? ver. 9.
Why will God forgive our sins? chap. 2. 2.

3. Love and Obedience, v. 3-6.

How wide is the provision of God's love? How may we know that we know God? What relation is there between fellowship and obedience?

What three things does John describe as lies in this lesson?

What has always been the test of love for God?
What does God delight in more than in sacrifice?

Practical Teachings.

1. Light and darkness cannot be in the same place at the same time.

2. The heart is in darkness by nature: it will perish in darkness if it does not come to the light.

3. Many a person says, "I am good enough." Selfdeception is the darkest kind of darkness. Are you in such darkness?

4. All men sin. All men may have forgiveness if only they confess. How wicked to refuse!

5. Obedience the test of love. Do you love God?

QUESTIONS FOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOLARS. 1. Light and Darkness, v. 5. 6.

From whom had a message been sent ?

What was the message?

What does Jesus say of himself in John 8. 12?

How may men have light? John 12. 36.
What are believers called in 1 Thess. 5,5?
What does their walking in darkness prove?

2. Sin and Forgiveness, v. 7-10, and chap. 2. 1, 2.
What are we exhorted to do in Eph. 5. 8?
What are the results of walking in the light?
What is the danger of denying our sinfulness?
What is secured by confession?
Whom do we dishonor by denial?
Who is the sinner's advocate?

For whose sin is he the propitiation?

What is shown in this propitiation? 1 John 4 10. 3. Love and Obedience, v. 3-6.

How may men have a knowledge of God's love? See John 14. 23.

What does neglect of his commands prove?

How is the love of God perfected in us?

What is the proof of our abiding in Christ? John 15. 5.

What is the duty of every professed Christian?
Who is our example of godly walk? Matt. 11. 29.
Teachings of the Lesson.

Where in this lesson are we shown

1. Christ as our light?

2. Christ as our deliverance?

3. Christ as our example?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUNGER SCHOLARS. What is the message that John heard from Christ? God is light.

Why is there no darkness in God? Because he is pure and holy.

In whom is darkness? In all who have sinful hearts.

What will wash away all the sin? The blood of Jesus.

Who forgives us when we sin? God, our Father. For whose sake does he forgive? For Jesus' sake. For what did Jesus suffer and die? For the sins of the whole world.

How do people know that we love Jesus? When we keep his commandments.

How must we live? As he lived when he was upon earth.

Who are liars before God? Those who say they love him and do wrong things.

What do we try to be when we love God? Patient, unselfish, and loving.

What is the Golden Text?

Words with Little People.

"The light of this world is Jesus." We should have been lost in the darkness of sin and death if he had not come, but now we can just bring our sins to him, this spotless "Lamb of God," and he will wash the crimson stains white in his most precious blood. And only think, little people: There is no need of the sunlight in heaven, we are told. This "Lamb" is the light of the City of Gold," so the light of BOTH worlds is Jesus.

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THE LESSON CATECHISM.
[For the entire school.]

1. What is John's message concerning God? “That God is light."

2. What does God command us to do? To walk in the light. " If

3. What is the promise of the Golden Text? we," etc.

4. Who is our advocate with the Father? "Jesus Christ the righteous.”

5. How may we be sure that we know Christ? By keeping his commandments.

TEXTS AT CHURCH.

Morning Text......

Evening Text.....

ANALYTICAL AND BIBLICAL OUTLINE. Privileges of God's Children.

I. ENLIGHTENMENT.

If we walk in the light. v. 7.

"The true light which lighteth every man." John

1. 9.

"Ye are all the children of light." 1 Thess. 5. 5.

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He is the propitiation for our sins. 2. 2.

"We have peace with God." Rom. 5. 1. "Reconciled to God by.... his Son." Rom. 5. 10. VII. ASSURANCE.

We do know that we know him. 2. 3.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness." Rom. 8. 16.
"We know that we have passed," etc. 1 John 3.14.

THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Principles of the New Life.

1. All men have sin in themselves. There is no man who never sins, no man who can by his own strength rise above sin.

2. The difference between the Christian and the sinner is not that one is without sin and the other lives in sin; but that one hates his sin and seeks to overcome it, while the other cherishes it.

3. The way to rise out of sin is to recognize its reality in us, to confess it to God, and to our neighbor, if we have wronged him. Then we are in condition to be

freed from sin.

4. He who seeks God needs a propitiation and an advocate; a propitiation making forgiveness possible, and an advocate to intercede for him. These we have in Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. If we will thus confess our sins God will be faithful to his promise and just in his dealings; will forgive our sins, and will cleanse us from sin in our lives by a new creation.

6. He who comes to God through Christ enjoys a full acceptance, an abundant cleansing, and a communion of heart with God's people.

7. The follower of God will seek to do God's will, and to follow the example of God's Son. This will be the evidence that he is a true follower.

English Teacher's Notes. THERE is nothing in the world so pure as light. Water, to which we all turn for cleansing, often needs to be cleansed itself. It can receive all kinds of substances and hold them in solution. Yet it remains water. I may raise to my lips a draught clear and colorless, yet find by the taste that something has been mixed with it. Even the rain that falls from heaven gets contaminated with the impurities of earth. And so it is with the air we breathe. It may waft us what is sweet and whole

some, or it may come laden with poison. It cannot repel the intrusions of injurious matter, though it may carry away and disperse them. With the light of heaven it is different. The sunbeam that passes through a chink in the shutter will reveal innumerable particles of dust before unnoticed. But the dust cannot mingle with the beam, it stands out distinctly defined against it and cannot penetrate the brightness. The light in its passage to the eye may be intercepted or obscured, but it cannot be sullied. It remains essentially unmixed and pure. Of all created things it is the one which most truly images its Creator.

No wonder, then, that this was an image which often recurred to the mind of the apostle who saw farthest into divine things, and that he placed it at the commencement of his letter of exhortation and warning to the Churches. Already he beheld the taint of heresy, of hatred and variance, and of careless living, assailing their purity. And he begins by reminding them of that fellowship with God to which they were called, and in virtue of which they were Christ's witnesses in the world, and shows them that such fellowship is incompatible with walking in darkness.

What is it to walk in darkness? We may look at it in three aspects:

(1) I know a short cut across a waste piece of ground which persons gladly take to save time. But it is necessary for those using it to take heed to their steps, or they may go deeper than is pleasant into mud and water. By daylight the matter is easy; by night one can hardly accomplish it without bearing away the marks of many false steps. To walk in darkness means failure and stain.

(2) In the same locality as this piece of waste ground there are many roads, turning different ways and crossing one another at various angles. Strangers get puzzled between them even by daylight. Landmarks, however, may be given, by which the right direction will be found. But at night it would be easy enough to lose one's way, and go wandering round and round. To walk in darkness means ignorance and error.

(3) Imagine sudden darkness coming on the building in which school is held, and each one having to find his way out as best he can. I am sure there would be much jostling and elbowing, and many would be hurt, especially the smaller and weaker ones. Brothers might run one against another without knowing it, and sisters would fail to find one another. Many untoward accidents have happened for want of light. General "Stonewall" Jackson is said to have been shot down by his own men in the dark. To walk in darkness means falling foul of one's neighbor.

This was just what John found in the Churches to whom he was writing. There were many living carelessly, saying they knew Christ, but not keeping his commandments. Chap. 2. 4, etc.; 3. 7, etc. There were many walking in error, some teaching false and heretical doctrine, others puzzled and led away by these. Chap. 2. 22-23; 4. 1-3. And

there were some who walked uncharitably indulging in hatred and strife. Chap. 2. 9-11; 3. 10-15; 4. 20. Against such a course he solemnly warned the Churches, showing that those who are truly Christ's must walk in the light.

What is it to walk in the light?

1. It is to have the light shine upon you. The effect of this will be to show up flaws and stains and deficiencies. A torn, soiled garment may do well enough in the shade, but in the light you would be ashamed of it. The light of God's presence shows us our vileness and worthlessness and our daily shortcomings. Chap. 1. 8. Need we then lose heart and avoid it? No, for there is a covering (chap. 2. 2, "propitiation" stands for the atonement of the Old Testament, the Greek word "ilasterion" being the Septuagint rendering of the Hebrew kophar, a" covering"); there is an Advocate (chap. 2. 1) to take up our cause; and there is cleansing. Chap. 1. 6.

2. It is to have the light direct you. No need to take a wrong turning when you can read the direction on the finger-post and on the mile-stone. The light of God's word and God's commandments will show the right way, the way of truth and of holi"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy word." The course taken in the light will be straight and clean.

ness.

3. It is to have the light revive and strengthen you. There is nothing more healing and nourishing than sunlight. Flowers and fruits will not grow, and human creatures cannot thrive, without it. And we might see our own faults and shortcomings, and see which way we ought to go and what things we ought to do, and yet havé no power to mend without the light of God's grace and power. "The Lord God is a sun and shield." Psa. 84. 11. And the "Sun of righteousness" has "healing in his wings." The fruits of walking in the light will be right views of Christ (Chap. 2. 21, 24; 4. 2; 5. 1, 5), love one toward the other (2. 10; 8. 10, 14, 19), and keeping God's commandments (2. 3; 3. 24; 5. 8.)

There could be no walking in the light if that Light had not first come down to us. "I am come" said our Lord, "a light into the world that he which abideth in me should not abide in darkness." John 12. 46. The beginning of walking in the light is to turn from sin and self and come to Jesus.

Berean Methods.

Hints for the Teachers' Meeting and the Class. By way of approach to the lesson, tell about this epistle, when and by whom written, subject, contents, etc. ....Luther's name for it-"The little Bible.". ....The message of this lesson: 1. God is light, ver. 5. Show in what respects light is an emblem of God, for example, Blot out the sun, and all life on the earth would perish at once....2. We should walk in the light, vers. 6, 7....3. The results of walking in the light: 1.) Fellowship; 2.) Cleansing....4. The need of cleansing

from sin, ver. 8-10....5. The means of our cleansing from sin--Jesus Christ, our propitiation, and our advocate....6. The test of our acceptance-keeping the commandments, vers. 3-6....Another line of teaching is given in the Thoughts for Young People.... Still another plan is shown in the Analytical and Biblical Outline....Emphasize certain golden sentences in this lesson, as, "God is light;""The blood of Jesus Christ," etc.; "We have an advocate," etc.; "Hereby do we know that we know him."

Songs from the Epworth Hymnal.

37. Father most holy.

41. The love of God.

86. Come, Holy Ghost, in love.

100. Everlasting love.
128. Take me as I am.

134. Love divine.

148. More love to thee.
155. It is well with my soul.
167. O could I speak.

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DIRECTIONS FOR DRAWING. Take white chalk, and with a straight strip of wood draw two lines to represent the path or way of light and truth. On either side of this path, with blue chalk, write the word "Darkness." The subject of the illustration is walking in God's light. When you review the lesson make a few introductory remarks, taking verse 6 as a text. Next take a piece of red chalk, and state that with it you will draw a path, such as one who professes to be a Christian, but who is not consistent, will make. Start at the bottom of the board. Explain that the simple assertion of any one that he is in fellowship with God does not make it the truth. He must walk in God's light, do God's work, and be in communion with him. Start the red path in the way of truth. Many will start right, but at the first serious temptation will leave the light, and wander into the darkness. [Here name some common temptations, and ask if they have not caused some one to wander. Make the path now outside the light.] Some people will stay out in the dark until a special revival season, and then be led into the path again-like this [here follow with the red chalk], only to stray off in their weakness when the time of temptation comes. Christ will keep any one in the right path who trusts in his strength. Even if I wander in the darkness, and I repent and confess my sins, I have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he will bring me into the light.

OBJECT LESSON. An unlighted candle as a professing Christian; a lighted candle as a true Christian.

Lesson Word-Pictures.

He is a pilgrim bound to heaven. He has come up out of the darkness of sin into the beautiful light of the presence of God. I see him in some hour of temptation when the darkness threatens to come back, when out of the cloud fly the hot, hard arrows of the adversary. I watch him looking up to the Saviour, welcoming the light of his presence, and holding out to the tempter his shield of faith. I see him in some hour when he may have wandered into shadows, but comes back to bow at the feet of Christ, lying in penitence before that divine advocate with the Father, rejoicing in the light again. I watch him when in prosperity he is tempted to forget God, and in sickness to complain of him, and in sorrow to deny him, but he breaks away from these shadows, clings to the light of God in Christ, and keeps his heavenly Father's word. On and on he journeys. It is evening time now. Death is not far away. The pilgrim is almost home, nigh unto the fording of the river. The evening wind is cool, and the shadows thicken. It is only for a moment; on the other side is the light of God's fadeless eternity.

Primary and Intermediate.

LESSON THOUGHT. Walking in the Light. Introductory. Briefly review, by question and answer, the life of Jesus, his death, resurrection, and ascension. Tell that after he went to heaven, his disciples went about telling people the story of his life. John lived to be an old man; he spent all his life in telling about Jesus, and when he grew too old to visit the Churches he wrote them a letter, telling them how those who loved Jesus ought to live. Ask how many here love Jesus? Then how many want to know how they ought to live so as to please Jesus?

TWO WAYS.

Call some child to rise. Question: How did you get here? Do you know the way? Were you not afraid of being lost? Could you see where to walk? What made the way light and plain? Will you be afraid to go that way again? Let another child rise. Did you ever go anywhere in the dark? Do you like to walk in the dark? Why not? Why is it easy to lose the way! Why is it easy to stumble? Do papa and mamma want you to walk in the dark? Does God want his little

children to walk in the dark? Teach that there are two ways for children. One is a light way, a plain way, a safe way. The other is a dark way, a rough way, a dangerous way. Which is God's way?

THE LIGHT WAY.

Put symbol on the board. Explain that in this path of life, light stands for goodness, and as all goodness is in God we may name the light God, Teach that no light or goodness of our own can fall upon this path, any more than a light in our hand can light up

the path by which we came here to-day. It takes the great sun shining in the sky to make our path to the Sunday-school light and pleasant. Show that God is shining on our life-path all the time, and that what we have to do is to walk in the light, that is, not to do wrong things, because wrong, or sin, is darkness, and if we sin we step off this light way, upon which God shines, into a dark way full of snares and pitfalls. Outline a path upon which no sun-rays fall, and with dark crayon make something to stand for stones, pits, etc.

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THE DARK WAY.

Ask why is the way to Sunday-school dark at night? Because the sun is not shining upon it. Why is the path of sin dark? Because God is not there, and "God is light." Wherever God is not, there is darkness, Whenever we choose to mind Satan instead of minding God we shall get into this dark path. Point out the rough places in this path, and let children help to name them. Teach with great emphasis and particularity, and over and over again, that to be a Christian is to walk as Jesus walked, that is, to do the will of God. Make open Bible above the light-path, and show that from this book we learn how to keep in the lightpath, or how to mind God. If our teaching does not lead children to see that a right life must result from believing in Jesus, it will be of little avail.

At the close of the lesson, let the class recite in concert the following texts: "I am the Light of the word; " "He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light;" "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light."

A. D. 96-98.]
Rev. 1.4-18.

[Nov. 28.

VISION OF CHRIST. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

LESSON IX. JOHN'S
[Commit to memory verses 4-6.]
4 John to the seven churches which
are in A'si-a: Grace be unto you,
and peace, from him which is, and
which was, and which is to come;
and from the seven Spirits which are
before his throne;

5 And from Je'sus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the firstbegotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Al'pha and O'me-ga, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Je'sus Christ, was in the isle that is called Pat'mos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Je'sus Christ.

11 Saying, I am Al'pha and O'me-ga, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in A'si-a; unto Eph'e-sus, and unto Smyr'na, and unto Per'ga-mos, and unto Thy'a-ti'ra, and unto Sar'dis, and unto Phil'a-delphi'a, and unto La-od'i-ce'a.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire: 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many

waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of

hell and of death.

General Statement.

Among the isles of the Egean Sea, off the coast of Asia Minor, is one called in our time Patino, but in ancient days Patmos. It is not more than a mile wide, and seven miles long. It is a drear and barren isle, with no streams flowing down its valleys, and no trees to give it shade. Here, in old age, the apostle John was banished for a season, in a time of persecution. But John could well endure the rigors of banishment from the companionship of friends on earth, for in that isle his eyes were opened to behold the heavenly glories. He saw his Lord, upon whose bosom he had leaned full half a century before; and he saw him, not now in the body of his humiliation, but in his full glory as the Son of God. He stood among the seven golden candle

Explanatory and Verse 4. John. The apostle and evangelist, who was at this time living in Ephesus, after his banishment at Patmos. To the seven churches. These were not the only churches in the district named, but were the principal ones. Their names are given in verse 11. In Asia. Not the entire continent, nor the country of Asia Minor, but a district on the Egean Sea, known as Proconsular Asia, and embracing the provinces of Lydia, Caria, and Mysia. Grace... and peace. One word expresses the attitude of God toward believers, and the other, the result of that attitude. God manifests grace, and we enjoy peace. From him which is, and which was, and which is to come. The threefold division of time, present, past, and future, under which we think of the eternal God. The seven Spirits, The one Holy Spirit in his complete, varied, sevenfold energies; seven being a number representing completeness.

5. Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. The one who came to earth as a messenger or witness from heaven, and of heavenly things. First-begotten (Rev. Ver., "first-born ") of the dead. Not that Jesus was the first in time of those raised from the dead, but that he was, and is, the chief or head of such, since by his resurrection we have a hope of being raised. Prince of the kings. He is the true ruler of the world, under whom alone kings and presidents hold office. Unto him that loved us. Rev. Ver., "loveth us." He loved us before he came to earth; he loved us then, he loves us now, and shall love us to the end. Washed us from our sins. The conception of the atonement, in which the death of Christ for us sets us free from the power of sin is here vividly presented. Strange, yet true, that only in blood can sins be washed away.

6. Made us kings and priests. Rev. Ver., "made us to be a kingdom, and to be priests." We, who are believers, are the kingdom over which the glorified Christ reigns; and are priests, as those who stand between God and their fellow-men, revealing God to men, and leading men to God. To him be glory. To Christ as the King and Lord of all.

7. Behold, he cometh. The promise with which Jesus left the earth, and which is repeated in nearly every book of the New Testament, is the great burden of the Revelation. Of the fact we may be sure; of its manner and its time we know nothing. With clouds. With such a cloud of glory as hung over the tabernacle of old, the emblem of God's presence. Every eye shall see him. The whole human race, summoned to meet Christ at his coming; the dead from their graves, the living from their toils and their pleasures. They also which pierced him. Not merely the Roman soldiers who pierced his body, but also the Jews who pierced his heart, and the foes who have assailed him in every age. Kindreds of the earth shall wail. The coming of Christ will bring remorse and agony, if it does not bring repentance, to all who are in sin. Even so, Amen. This is the response of all believers, in agreement with the divine purpose.

8. I am Alpha and Omega. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolical of the beginning and the end. The Almighty. In this verse the divine attributes of eternity and omnipotence are ascribed to Jesus.

9. I John . . . your brother. Even the apostle nearest to the heart of Christ is our brother and fellowservant. John had no need to name his title, for in the early Church he was known to all. Companion in tribulation. The Church was at that time undergoing perse

sticks which represented the churches of his love. A white robe, dazzling in its brightness, fell from his shoulders to his feet, and was fastened around the breast according to the manner of kings, with a girdle of gold. His head shone, his eyes flashed, and his feet glittered like molten brass. The aged apostle fell at his feet, but a voice, gentle as in times of old, reassured him, and a tender hand was laid upon his head. He was bidden arise and behold things that had been, that were, and that were to be. He was lifted up to heaven and saw the throne of God, and from that lofty height looked down upon the earth, beholding as in a panorama the stages of the Church's history from the apostolic age down to the scenes of the judgment day.

Practical Notes.

cution from the Roman government. Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. He belonged to Christ's kingdom, which was a suffering, enduring kingdom, patiently waiting for the coming of its King. The isle that is called Patmos. A little island twenty-four miles south-west of Ephesus, of the group called the Sporades. For the word of God. For his fidelity to the Gospel he is said to have been banished to this isle by Domitian, the emperor of Rome.

10. I was in the Spirit. In such a state that the spirit is in a sense loosed for a time from the body, and placed in communication with the invisible spiritual world. On the Lord's day. Sunday, the first day of the week, which by this time had become recognized as the holy day of Christian worship. Heard behind me. The revelation which John announces began with a sound, and then passed on to a vision..

11. Saying. The trumpet sound was the announceWhat ment of the presence of the giorified Saviour. thou seest, write. This was John's warrant for the delivery of his message to the churches. Send it unto the seven churches. See on verse 4. Ephesus. This was the largest city of the province situated at the mouth of the river Cayster, and the home of John. It is now in ruins. Smyrna. About fifty miles north of Smyrna, on the Egean Sea; now the largest city in Asia Minor. Pergamos. Rev. Ver., " Pergamum" about fifty miles north-east of Smyrna, a town of Mysia, anciently famous for a great library. Thyatira. A little south of Pergamos, and still a flourishing town called Ak-kissar. Sardis. Once the metropolis of a wealthy kingdom, now a mean village, called Sart. Philadelphia. A city forty miles eastward of Smyrna, still a prosperous place. Laodicea. A town on the river Lycus, in Phrygia, named by its builder after his queen, Laodice.

12. I turned to see the voice. That is, to see the person speaking. Saw seven golden candlesticks. Rather, lamp stands. They may have been the seven branches of one stand, or seven distinct stands. They represented the seven churches (verse 20) as the bearers of light to men; and they stood, not now in the tabernacle, but in the world which they were to illumine with a light which is not their own, but their Lord's.

ance.

13. In the midst of the seven. Representing the presence of Christ among his people; for he walks still among his candlesticks. One like unto the Son of man. The Rev. Ver,, reads, "one like unto a son of man;" that is, one having a human form and appearEven in his glory, Christ wears his humanity. Clothed with a garment. This long robe was similar to the one worn by the high-priest, and perhaps points to the priestly intercession of the glorified Saviour. Girt about the paps. Rev. Ver., "the breasts." The girdle for work was worn around the loins; that on the priests was worn around the breasts, as suited to a position of repose. With a golden girdle. Indicative of royalty. Thus the glorified Saviour appears as man, as priest, and as king.

14. His head and his hairs were white. We are not to regard this precisely as a description of Christ's appearance, but as a series of figurative expressions employed to present the conception of a glorious being. This whiteness was not from age. but indicative of glory. Eyes were as a flame. So piercing was their expression, that they seemed to be on fire. Who can escape the glance of those omniscient eyes?

15. His feet like unto fine brass. Rev. Ver.,

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