CHAPTER I. CHRIST THE HEAD AND DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH'S AFFAIRS; WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ITS STATE AT THE TIME THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN. The title of the Book of Revelation-Its dedication to the Seven Churches- The circumstances of John when it was written— Given on the Lord's day-The command given-Description of the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ—The encouragement he gave―The subject matter of this Book, the mystery of God— Addresses to the Seven Churches of general application—Address to the church in Ephesus-in Smyrna-in Pergamos-in Thyatira-in Sardis-in Philadelphia-in Laodicea-The history in the Revelation a carrying out of these principles-The Divinity of Christ and the Holy Ghost-The unity of the Church—Millennial Intimations. THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST; WHICH GOD GAVE UNTO HIM, TO SHEW UNTO HIS SERVANTS THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS; AND HE SENT AND SIGNIFIED THE SAME BY HIS ANGEL, UNTO HIS SERVANT JOHN, WHO BARE RECORD OF THE WORD OF GOD, AND THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO ALL THINGS THAT HE SAW. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand." (Rev. i. 1-3.) |