(10) "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet (11) saying, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) and in the midst of the candlesticks One like unto a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. (14) And His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) and His feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters. (16) And He had in His right hand seven stars; and out of His mouth proceeded 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 one dead. And He laid His right hand on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, (18) and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (19) Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter; (20) the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks are seven churches."
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What does John say of his condition? On what day? And what did he hear? Verse 10. Note 1. (2) What was he directed to do concerning the things that were presented to him? Verse 11. Note 2. (3) As he turned to note whence the voice came, what did he see? Verse 12. Note 3. (4) Whom did John see in the midst of the candlesticks? Verse 13. Note 4. (5) What is said of His head and eyes? Verse 14. (6) What of His feet? And of his voice? Verse 15. (7) What did He have in His right hand? What proceeded out of His mouth? What do these symbols signify? To what was His countenance likened? Verse 16. (8) What effect did the wonderful sight have upon John? What encouragement was given him by the Lord? Verse 17. (9) What further assurance was given to John, for the church in all time? Verse 18. Note 5. (10) What command was then repeated? Verse 19. Note 6. (11) What explanation is given of the "mystery" of the symbols used in this lesson? Verse 20.
NOTES.
1. John was in exile on the Island of Patmos, yet the Lord remembered him. When Jesus was about to depart from earth He promised His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless; that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. At this particular time "the disciple whom Jesus loved" was in sore need of comfort, and the expression "in the Spirit" indicates a high degree of spiritual visitation. John was in direct communion with the Lord, and had a vision of His presence. "On the Lord's day."—"The Sabbath day according to the commandment" (Luke 23: 56) is the only day the Lord ever has called His own specifically. It is the only day He ever sanctified and blessed (Gen. 2: 2, 3); the only day He ever set apart as a sign forever, a perpetual covenant, between Him and His people (Ex. 31: 15-17). This is the day that He emphatically calls "My holy day" (Isa. 58: 13, 14), and promises special blessings upon those who faithfully observe it. John was evidently remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy, when he experienced such a blessed communion with the Lord through the Spirit.
2. "The Seven Churches."—Note that the words "which are in Asia" are not in the Revised Version, not being in the best original manuscripts. The reference is to the church of all time. This is shown beyond doubt by the message to the last one, Laodicea, which represents the church at the coming of the Lord. See chapter 3: 20. The seven churches are seven periods in the entire church history, from John's day to the end—the various characteristics being indicated by the several names. "Ephesus" means "desirable," a condition applicable to the church in John's time. "Smyrna" signifies "myrrh," the church in the next two centuries passing through the pressure of persecution, was a "sweet-smelling savor" unto God, notwithstanding her faults. "Pergamum" signifies "height" or "elevation." From Constantine's nominal conversion to the full establishment of the Papacy, in 538, was a period when the true servants of God had hard struggles against the worldly policies that the state was bringing in. "Thyatira" signifies "sweet savor of labor," or "sacrifice," applying to the condition of the true church in the Dark Ages of papal persecution. "Sardis," or "that which remains," logically applies to the time from the Reformation to the revival season from about 1833 to 1844. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love," and seems to fit the short season last mentioned, as that was a characteristic of the world-wide awakening of that time. "Laodicea," or "judging the people," which marks the executive judgment which began at the close of the 2,300 days (or years) of Dan. 8: 14, in 1844.
3. The candlesticks are the churches. See verse 20 and chapter 2: 5.
4. Verses 13-16 comprise a description of the Lord Jesus as He appeared to John. The seven stars denote the ministry of the churches, and the "sharp two-edged sword" is the Word of God. See Eph. 6: 17 and Heb. 4: 12. The presence in the midst of the candlesticks (light-bearers) indicates Christ's continued presence with the church in all its varied experiences unto the end. This He had promised before His departure from earth. See Matt. 28: 20. This presence is by His Spirit. See John 14: 15-17; 15: 4, 5, 26, 27.
5. Verse 18 is sufficient to stop all quibbling about the Son of God actually dying. His own words ought to settle that question forever. Having the keys of death and of hades (the grave) is a guaranty of His ability to open the graves and raise the dead.
6. The command to "write the things which shall come to pass hereafter" is proof that the vision did not pertain specially to the local churches of Asia Minor that bore the names applied to the church in its varied history and experiences. Note also the blessing assured in verse 3 of the lesson chapter.
