_He that overcometh … shall be clothed in white raiment._ THE BATTLE, THE VICTORY, AND THE REWARD I. A conflict engaged in. The Christian has the peace of God, and is at peace with God; but just because he is so, he is at war with everything that wars with God. 1. The first of the Christian’s enem... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear what the Spirit saith._ THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES I. Every Church of Christ has an organic life of its own. This is not only distinct from the life of any other church, but even distinct from the life of its members. It is perhaps one of the most noticeable of the faults of modern Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
_Philadelphia._ PHILADELPHIA--THE PATIENT CHURCH Philadelphia furnishes us with the exemplar of the patient church; the exercise and training of patience is its peculiar call, and the perfection of patience is its reward. This message is one of high commendation and encouragement; although in its o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I come quickly._ THE COMING OF CHRIST It is not improbable that this bishop was no other than the Demetrius who is mentioned in St. John’s third Epistle as having a “good report of all men and of the truth itself,” and if this is the case we have before us a holy man who, probably, was not... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God._ THE PHILADELPHIAN CONQUEROR I. The conqueror is to be a temple-pillar. Not an outside, but an inside pillar. The interior colonnades or double rows of tall pillars in some churches and temples are splendid beyond description. They... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Laodiceans._ LAODICEA--THE SELF-COMPLACENT CHURCH Laodicea is the type of a self-complacent Church. Underneath the condemnation of luke-warmness there is a yet more heart-searching lesson. Lukewarmness itself is the sure result of self-complacency; it is absolutely impossible for self-complace... [ Continue Reading ]
_Knowest not that thou art wretched._ A GREAT MISTAKE, AND THE WAY TO RECTIFY IT These Laodicean people were unhappily in such a state that you could not get at them. They were not so poor that they knew they were poor, and therefore when the poverty-stricken were addressed, they said, “These thin... [ Continue Reading ]
_As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten._ DIVINE CHASTISEMENT I. In reference to the sinner, what is the object of Divine chastisement? The merciful design is the conviction and conversion of the sinner, his restoration to the image of God. And what are the means employed by the Holy Spirit for t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I stand at the door and knock._ THE GUEST OF THE HEART I. The stranger-guest wanting to come in. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” 1. When a stranger comes to your door, it matters a good deal to your feeling as a host whether he be a mean man or a great one. An inhospitable act... [ Continue Reading ]
_To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me._ THE CHRISTIAN RAISED TO THE THRONE OF CHRIST I. “To him that overcometh”; this supposes a conflict. 1. You must contend against yourself. The main battle is fought on the field of your own heart. Your closest foes are the affections which stru... [ Continue Reading ]