148. REV 1:12-16. JOHN’S VISION OF THE CHURCH
Rev_1:12-16. John’s Vision Of The Church
"And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, 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. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow," &c., &c.’97Rev_1:12-16.
Introduction.’97Concise view of John’s history’97Exemption from martyrdom’97Banishment by Domitian to the Isle of Patmos’97The revelation there made to him’97His happy and spiritual frame cf mind on the Lord’s day; ver. 10’97The voice he heard; ver. 10’97His attention arrested; and when he turned to behold from whom the voice proceeded, the splendid scene presented before him: "And being turned, I saw," &c. In this passage we have a striking representation of the church of Christ. "I saw," says John, "seven golden candlesticks."
Notice,
I. The Figure to which the Church is likened.
"A candlestick." Evidently in allusion to the candlestick in the tabernacle; Exo_25:31, &c.
1. An instrument for holding, of being a receptacle of light.
The church is the depository cf sacred light’97the pillar and ground of truth’97the residence of the Holy Spirit’97the place of spiritual manifestations. As a candlestick, the church is not only the holder, but an instrument,
2. For the diffusion of light.
It receives light to shed it abroad. God says to Zion, "Arise, shine," &c. "Ye are the lights of the world." "City set on a hill." The church diffuses the light of gospel doctrines, of Christian principles, of practical holiness, and divine benevolence and mercy.
Notice,
II. The Quality of the Church.
"Golden candlesticks."
1. Golden, to represent the purity of the church.
Not a worldly, polluted society; but a separated, holy, and peculiar people. Washed, and sanctified, and justified by the Spirit and word of God.
2. Golden, to represent the rarity of the church.
Gold is the most scarce of all metals. The church is like a small bush in the midst of the wilderness’97a little city in the world’s extensive and dreary desert. Christ calls it "a little flock."
3. Golden, on account of its preciousness and value.
Gold, as it is the rarest, so it is the most valuable of metals. The church is Jehovah’s treasure’97his portion’97his palace and temple’97his delight and rest. It is engraven on the palms of his hands, and its walls are ever before him. He keeps it as the apple of his eye.
4. Golden, on account of its durability.
A kingdom that shall never be moved. It shall never be razed; but shall appear in all the resplendent glories of holiness forever and ever. The clay and the brass of all worldly associations and kingdoms shall be thrown down and destroyed; but the golden kingdom of Christ is an everlasting kingdom, and his spiritual reign shall never end. Notice,
III. The Numerical Description of the Church.
"Seven golden candlesticks." Representing literally the seven Asiatic churches. Spiritually, the term may relate to the completeness of the church, as the number seven in Scripture, indicates perfection. On the seventh day God rested from his work, and blessed and hallowed it. The seventh year was a sabbatical year. We read, also, of seven priests’97seven trumpets’97seven churches’97seven seals’97seven Spirits’97seven angels, &c. Admitting the term to indicate perfection, how does it apply to the church? The members of the church are not personally perfect here; neither is the church perfect in its collective form. It is an unfinished building. It is a growing body. The church of Jesus, however, may be said to be perfect,
1. In its head.
Christ is the head of the body, the church. No weakness or fallibility can be ascribed to him.
2. The church is perfect in its ordinances.
All that the wisdom of God deemed necessary for its fruitfulness, and comfort, and salvation. Shall never receive any more.
3. Perfect in its revelations.
The whole completed word of God. The entire and all-sufficient Scriptures of truth.
4. Perfect in its spiritual influences. Spirit of truth, of light, of purity, and of consolation, abiding in it forever.
5. Perfect, inasmuch as the church, under the new covenant, shall not be superseded by any superior dispensation of things, until the morning of millennial glory; and to this glorious era the church is daily advancing.
IV. The Visibility of the Church is stated.
"I saw," says John, "seven golden candlesticks."
The church is not a concealed society; but it has a visible appearance in our world.
1. It is visible to the heaven-born soul’97And having found the way to Zion, he becomes one of her holy and happy inhabitants, seeks her peace, and prays for her prosperity always.
2. It is visible to the world’97And they hate it, because they are condemned by it, and because it proclaims war against all its principles and fashions.
3. It is visible to malignant and fallen spirits’97And the gates of hell are in unceasing hostility to its interests.
4. It is visible to the blessed and glorious Jehovah’97And his eyes and his heart are there perpetually.
5. It is visible to angels’97And they watch over it, minister to its inhabitants, and are ever encamped round about it.
Application
How beautiful is the Zion of our God! How happy her inhabitants! How dignified and numerous her privileges! How anxious should all her sons and daughters be to exhibit to all around the light of truth, the beauties of holiness! How miserable, how dreary, how hopeless, would be the condition of our world without it!
Autor: JABEZ BURNS