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March 31, 1909. THE PRESBYTER
will take the trouble to read what Mr. Mallock has to
say about Mrs. Humphry Ward's theology in his
latest book, entitled 'Doctrine and Doctrinal Disruption.'
"Of the semi-Christianity, the pseudo-Christianity,
the non-miraculous Christianity of our day which overemphasizes
the emotions and exhausts itself 011 questions
concerning the temporal well-being of mankind,
he knew but little. His was a robust, clear-headed
Presbyterian ism of the old-fashioned sort that was fed
on the Pauline theology. In the deeps of his nature
there were hidden a living faith in God and an abiding
trust in Christ."
Ill tlir* lirrlit ^ 4- ~ * * 1 ''' 1 *
... nit oiaiciuciii inai tne nroaciest kind
of broad churchism nestles safely nt>\v under the sheltering
wing of the Presbyterian Church," it is pertinent
to inquire whether the question of church union has not
usurped a prominence that should justly be given to
church purity and fidelity to confessional beliefs. So
long as loyalty to doctrinal standards survives, .there
can not be union on the basis of broad churchism.
THE REDEEMER'S CARE OF HIS CHURCH.
As Pictured in the Book of Revelation.
Oftentimes when we fix our gaze on some part of a
building or of a picture, without takiifg in the whole,
we miss much of its beauty or its significance. Sometimes
we make this error in reading a book of the Bible.
We take up one verse or one chapter, without first
grasping the book .in its entirety, and in so doing we
miss the full meaning that belongs to it.
Especially is this true of the book of Revelation. It
is a book which should be read as a whole. To this
end let us address nnr^pK-pc fnr >
In the book of Revelation we can trace seven divisions.
Four of these are distinctly marked by the
author in the use of the phrase, "And there were thunderings
and lightnings and voices." This expression
is a "chapter mark," and indicates that the author of
the book is at this point entering on a ?new theme.
The expression occurs in chapter 4:5: in 8:5; in
11:14, and in 16:19. As we shall see, each of these
introduces some new phase of the Redeemer's work
in behalf of sinners.
In these seten divisions we think we can trace seven
helps to the Christian under trial. In brief, they are
these:
1. In chapter one, a presentation of tho
who stands for the succor of his people, and of his
ability to deliver them.
2. In chapters 2 and 3, a description of the character
f and conduct that must be maintained by the Church,
in order that it may share his victory. Read the messages
to the seven churches.
3. In chapters 4-7, beginning with the "thunderings
and lightnings" of 4:5, a description of the manner
in which the Redeemer overrules' and controls the doings
and events on earth, so as to promote the safety
and the triumph of his Church. Witness the opening
of the seven seals.
4. In chapters 8-11, beginning with the "thunderings
and lightnings" of 8:5, we have a picture of the
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manner in which the Redeemer answers the prayers
of his people.
5. In chapters 12-16, beginning with the "thunder- *
ings and lightnings" of 11 :iq. a description of the manner
in which the Redeemer delivers his people when
under persecution. See how the man-child is delivered
from the dragon.
6. In chapters 16 and 17. beginning with the "thunderings
and lightnings" of 16: 18. we have a portrayal
of the judgments of Clod upon the persecutors of the
Church and upon the lovers of pleasure in this world.
See how "Babylon" is punished.
7. From chapter 19 to the end, we have a presentation
of the victory of the Redeemer's people and a
*v?n^:? *- 1. V . ? - - -
ii tag mi nee u i cxiiiDiuon ot tne glory and happiness and
blessedness of the New Jerusalem.
I. The Characteristics of Our Redeemer.
Chapter i.
When John the Baptist lay in the castle of Machaerus,
undelivered by the Master, his faith was troubled and
he sent disciples to ask: "Art thou he that should
come?" Now, in the isle of Patmos, sixty years later,
John the evangelist is in like trouble. Exiled and cut
off from the privilege of preaching, and barred from
ministering to the churches, he might well feel depressed.
In centuries following, the disciples of Jesus
have often been and will often be in like circumstances.
The reply from heaven, which was given to John, meets
therefore the necessities of discouraged Christians in all
the centuries.
* . After John had received this reply, he felt such comfort
that (by. divine direction) he reports it with the
words: "John to the seven churches." The seven
churches are churches in tribulation. Ephesus was a
church that had exercised "patience"; Smyrna was in
"tribulation"; at Pergamos, "Antipas my faithful servant
was slain."
After receiving the light that is in this book of Revelation,
John expresses to these churches his sense of
God's love. "Unto him that loved us (R. V., loveth
us) and hath made us kings and priests unto God."
And to those who feel as if they were forsaken of God,
he adds in chapter I : "Behold he cometh" with deliverance
and reward, for the help of those who are under
trial. The book made him see God's love.
What did John see?
"I saw seven golden candlesticks." In the last verse
of this chapter we read, "The seven candlesticks . .
are the seven churches"; the churches of God on
earth.
In the midst of the seven candlesticks he saw "one
like unto the Son of man." He who then appeared for
the comfort of John is he who became man and "was
tempted in all points like as we are," and therefore he
is prompt to help.
But while he is man, he is also God. Such a description
as follows, of him who holds in his hands the seven
stars, and out of whose mOuth proceedeth the sword
of his power, can be none other than divine. The
picture is of the God-man, come down to succor John
in his tribulation and to succor all the members of the