Revelation 1:9-11 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ… I. CHRIST SUSTAINS A COMMON RELATIONSHIP TO THEM ALL. 1. The relationship of authority. The only Lord in the kingdom of souls. 2. The relationship of oversight. Christ knows all Churches, reads their inner heart, sounds the depths of their impulses. 3. The relationship of moral discipline. In all the letters there is commendation, rebuke, promise, threatening. His spiritual providence and power run through all. II. CHRIST SPEAKS THROUGH THEIR "ANGELS," OR MESSENGERS TO ALL. III. CHRIST PROMISES GREAT BLESSINGS TO THE VICTORIOUS IN ALL. 1. The resistance of evil is the characteristic of all Christians. Other men may speak against evil — condemn evil in words; but the Christian resists it. 2. The resistance of evil must in all cases be personal. To be supposed that there can be any social or ecclesiastical resistance of sin as sin is a delusion. It is to Him "that over-cometh," not it. 3. The resistance of evil is a matter of difficulty. Every warfare implies difficulty, peril, enterprise, perseverance, and so forth. 4. The resistance of evil, though difficult, may be achieved. "To Him that overcometh," etc. Thank God, in the case of every man evil may be overcome, and the triumph is one of the most blessed in the history of intelligent beings. IV. CHRIST DEMANDS ATTENTION TO THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT IN ALL. The "Spirit." What Spirit? God. God in Christ's ministry. (Caleb Morris.) Parallel Verses KJV: I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. |
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