Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 76

NOTE.-The meaning of Pergamos is _height_, or _elevation_, and fitly represents that period of the Christian church, beginning with the reign of the emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., when the power which had put the Christians to death espoused the cause of the church, and by rewards, edicts, and promised promotions to office in the government, sought to induce the people to become Christians, thus bringing a flood of worldliness and corruption into the church. Many of the heathen rites and ceremonies previously introduced into the Christian religion, including the heathen festival, _Sunday_ (sun's day), were then established by law, resulting in the first day of the week taking the place of the Sabbath of the Bible.

13. How was the faithfulness of this church commended?

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and _thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith_, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." Verse 13.

NOTE.-_Antipas_ comes from two Latin words, _anti_, opposed to, and _papas_, father, or pope, and denotes a cla.s.s of people who were opposed to papal rule. Regarding _Pergamos_, see note on page 256.

14. What t.i.tle was given to the fourth state of the church?

"Unto the angel of the church in _Thyatira_ write." Verse 18.

NOTE.-Thyatira means _song of labor_, or _sacrifice of contrition_, and points out the condition of G.o.d's people during the long, dark period of 1260 years, beginning with the establishment of papal supremacy in 538 A.D., and closing with the downfall of that power in 1798. See notes on page 223. During that time, millions of the saints of G.o.d were put to death in the most cruel manner that wicked men and demons could invent. Christ referred to this time in His wonderful prophecy recorded in Matthew 24, in these words: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut short through the influence of the Reformation.

15. What promise did G.o.d leave for these persecuted ones?

"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My words unto the end, _to him will I give power over the nations_: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father." Verses 25-27.

16. By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed?

"Unto the angel of the church in _Sardis_ write." Rev. 3:1.

NOTE.-Sardis means _song of joy_, or _that which remains_. A cause for _joy_ at that time was the fact that the great tribulation of the people of G.o.d was at an end. It was only as a result of the Reformation that any of G.o.d's people were left _remaining_. See Matt. 24:21, 22, and note under question 14. The Sardis church continued from the close of the papal power, 1798 A.D., until the beginning of the great advent movement in 1833, which was marked by the falling of the stars on November 13 of that year, as foretold by Christ in Matt. 24:29.

17. What endearing t.i.tle is given the sixth church?

"To the angel of the church in _Philadelphia_ write." Rev. 3:7.

NOTE.-Philadelphia means _brotherly love_, and applies to the church under the judgment-hour message. See page 251.

18. What words to this church show the second advent near?

"_Behold, I come quickly_: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Verse 11.

19. What is Christ's message to the last church?

"Unto the angel of the church of the _Laodiceans_ write; ... I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.... Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; ... I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.... As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Verses 14-19.

NOTE.-Laodicea signifies _the judging of the people_, or, according to Cruden, a _just people_. This church exists in the time of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning messages preceding Christ's second coming. See Rev. 14:6-16, and readings on cages 251-263. This is a time of great profession, with but little vital G.o.dliness and true piety.

20. What encouragement is given to heed this message?

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Verse 20.

NOTE.-The pointed, searching messages to the seven churches contain most important lessons of admonition, encouragement, and warning for all Christians in all ages. The seven promises to the overcomer found in this line of prophecy (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21), with the eighth or universal promise recorded in Rev. 21:7, form a galaxy of promises as precious, as comforting, and as inspiring as any recorded in the Scriptures. See pages 558, 762.

The Seven Seals

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Lisbon Earthquake. "When He had opened the sixth seal, ... there was a great earthquake." Rev. 6:12.

1. What did John the revelator see in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne?

"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne _a book_ written within, and on the back side _sealed with seven seals_." Rev. 5:1.

2. What did the Lamb do with this book?

"And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat on the throne." Verse 7.

3. Why was Christ declared worthy to open these seals?

"Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: _for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to G.o.d by Thy blood_ out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Verse 9.

4. What was shown upon the opening of the first seal?

"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, ... _a white horse_: and He that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Rev. 6:1, 2.

NOTE.-The number _seven_ in the Scriptures denotes completion or perfection. The seven seals embrace the whole of a cla.s.s of events in which is narrated the history of the church from the beginning of the Christian era to the second coming of Christ. The white horse, with his rider going forth to conquer, fitly represents the early Christian church in its purity, going into all the world with the gospel message of salvation.

5. What appeared upon the opening of the second seal?

"And when He had opened the second seal, ... there went out _another horse that was red_: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." Verses 3, 4.

NOTE.-As whiteness in the first horse denoted the purity of the gospel which its rider propagated, so the color of the second horse would show that corruption had begun to creep in when this symbol applies. It is true that such a state of things did succeed the apostolic church. Speaking of the second century, Wharey, in his "Church History," page 39, says: "Christianity began already to wear the garb of heathenism. The seeds of most of those errors that afterwards so entirely overran the church, marred its beauty, and tarnished its glory, were already beginning to take root."

Worldliness came in. The church sought alliance with the secular power, and trouble and commotion were the result. This symbol extends from the close of the first century to the time of Constantine, when a complete union of church and state was effected.

6. What was the color of the symbol under the third seal?

"When He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo _a black horse_; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand." Verse 5.