CONCLUSION. JE ESUS has now conquered death, and ascended, where "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." We no more mark his footsteps, or hear his voice amid the hills and valleys of the Promised Land; but in the groves of immortal bliss, he is worshipped by adoring angels, and by the "spirits of just men made perfect." There, Moses and Elias, Peter, James and John, "walk with him in white" and in a more exalted sense than when on the Mount of Transfiguration, exclaim, "Master, it is good for us to be here." And with these, The saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet; But while we linger on these mortal shores, other words, from the lips of Jesus, still fall upon our ears. When Paul was on his way to the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem, he tarried for a brief space at Ephesus. Here he called together the elders of the church, and gave them an account of his labours, and exhorted them to diligence in the cause of their Master. And in that memorable farewell address, while urging upon the strong the duty of supporting the weak, he enforces his doctrine, by reminding them of the "words of the Lord Jesus," where he says, It is more blessed to give than to receive. John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus. In a vision he saw one like unto the Son of man, walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. His hair was like wool, white as snow; his eyes as a flame of fire; his feet like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice like the sound of many waters. In his right hand were seven stars: and out of his mouth went a two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength. And when John saw him, he fell at his feet as one dead. But Jesus laid his right hand upon him saying: Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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 which thou sawest are the seven churches. And these are the words which he commanded John to write to the angels, or ministers, of the seven churches. To the church in Ephesus, write: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember, therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. To the church of Smyrna, write: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich; and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. To the church in Pergamos, write: 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. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. To the church at Thyatira, write: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works 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; and I will give him the morning star. To the church in Sardis, write: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be |