(2) Adapted to Troublous Times. When first written, it was destined to suit the peculiar cir cumstances of the early Christians. The times were troublous. Persecution had appeared in various forms. The followers of Christ were ex posed to severe sufferings for conscience sake. Their enemies were fierce against them. Com paratively few and feeble, the humble disciples of the Lamb seemed doomed to extinction. But the writer of the Apocalypse was prompted to present to them such views as were adapted to encourage them to steadfastness in the faith—to comfort them in the midst of calamity—and to arm them with resolution to endure all the assaults of their foes. Exalted honors, glorious rewards, are set before the Christian soldier who should endure to the end. A crown of victory—the approbation of the Redeemer—everlasting felicity—these are pre pared for the patient heliever. In connection with such representations, the final triumph of Chris tianity and the Messiah's peaceful reign with his saints, form topics on which the writer dwells with emphatic earnestness (see chap. i:I-3; ii:t ; iii :22 ; xxii :6, 7, to-17).
The suffering Christians of primitive times may have sorrowfully thought that they should never be able to stand the shock of their bitter and bloody assailants, the power and policy of the world being leagued against them—but the state ments of the writer all tend to the conclusion that truth should make progress in the earth, and the church, emerging out of all struggles, wax stronger and stronger.
If such be the primary and principal aim of the book, it follows that we should not look in it for a history of the kingdoms of the world. To com pose a civil history did not comport with the writer's object. The genius of Christ's kingdom is totally different from that of the kingdoms of the world. It advances steadily and silently, inde pendently of, and frequently in opposition to them.
Hence the Apocalypse cannot contain a history of the world.
(3) A History of the Church. It exhibits a history of the church, specially of its early strug gles with the powers of darkness and the malice of superstition. This last remark leads to an other of chief importance to the interpreter of the book before us, viz., that it principally relates to events past, present and speedily to happen in connection with the Christian religion as viewed from the writer's standpoint. The glances at the past are brief, but references to the circumstances of the church at the time are numerous and di versified, while rapidly coming catastrophes and triumphs are portrayed in full and vivid colors.
Trials impending over the church, and judgments over her enemies, in the time of the apostle— these form the burden of the prophecy. This con clusion is fully sustained both by the prologue and epilogue, although, strange to say, it has been overlooked by the majority of expositors. What language can be more explicit than this: 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, for the time is at hand.' 'The rev elation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.' 'He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus.' 13. Its Contents. The body of the work is contained in chapters iv-xxii :6, and is almost en tirely a series of symbolic representations. To this is prefixed a prologue (i-iv). A brief epi logue is subjoined (xxii:6-20.
(1) The Prologue. The prologue is of consid erable length, embracing separate epistles to the seven churches in Asia Minor. John had lived and labored for a time in the region where these churches were planted. Probably he was person ally known to many of the believers of which they were composed. Now that the other apostles were dispersed or dead, the care of them devolved upon himself. As their spiritual superintendent, he nat urally felt the most intense and lively interest in their growing prosperity and steadfastness in the faith. The storm of persecution had fallen upon the apostles and believers at Rome, striking fear into their brethren in the remote provinces of the empire. It is highly probable, from other sources, that the Christians in these regions had been al ready visited with such trials (see first Epistle of Peter).
(2) Body of the Work. After the prologue of introduction, which is peculiarly fitted to admon ish and console amid suffering, we come to the body of the work itself, commencing with the fourth chapter. This may be appropriately into three parts: (a) iv-xi; (b) . (c) xx-xxii :5. The first narrates the fortunes and fate of Christ's followers to the destruction of Jerusalem, when the coming of the Savior took place. Here the triumph of Christianity over Judaism is exhibited, as the conclusion demon strates. The following particulars are comprised in this portion.
(3) Vision of Glory. A vision of the divine glory in heaven, analogous to the vision which Isaiah had, as recorded in the 6th chapter of his prophecies.
(4) The Sealed Book. An account of the sealed book, with seven seals, which none but the Lamb could open, and the praises of-the Lamb sung by the celestial inhabitants.