And of [death] HELL-"These words imply that the Lord's people go to Hades, and that the hope when going down to Hades, to oblivion, is that in due time our great Redeemer shall unlock this figurative prisonhouse of death and bring forth the captives. This is the significance of the statement that He has the keys-He can open; all power is given into His hand. In preaching at His First Advent, He declared this to be the Gospel. (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18.) How full of meaning are these Scriptures when viewed from the proper standpoint; how confusing and absurd when viewed from any other!"-E397, 378.

1:19. Write THEREFORE the things which thou hast seen. John was personally familiar with the first epoch, then already in the past. What he wrote of that epoch (Rev. 2:1-7) serves as a guide to what follows.

And the things which are. John was writing in the second epoch, already in its persecution era.-Rev. 2:8-11.

And the things which [shall be] MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS hereafter.-The five remaining epochs of the Church, and the Kingdom to follow.

1:20. The mystery of the seven stars.-Every true reformer must go contrary to the current of his times; and, in proportion as he has the Master's spirit, he cannot fail to be, like Him, a man of mystery to his own generation— "a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offense"-to those who have not "ears to hear."

Which thou sawest in My right hand.-Small wonder that these great reformers seemed almost to have charmed lives! And the seven golden candlesticks.-"The Candlestick, or Lampstand, represents the nominal, rather than the true Church. This is shown by the fact that in addressing each of these churches the Lord finds fault with the many and approves the faithful few."-Z. '16-344.

The seven stars. "The star-light is the Heavenly light, the spiritual enlightenment or instruction. The lamp-light is the earthly light, representing good works, obedience, etc., of those who are exhorted to let their light so shine that it will glorify their Father in Heaven."-Z. '16-345.

Are the angels of the seven churches.-"The title is borrowed from the Jewish Synagogue, in which the angel, or messenger of the assembly, was the person who presided over and arranged the meetings for worship." (Cook.)— Mal. 2:7; Hag. 1:13.

And the seven candlesticks [which thou sawest] are the seven churches.-"Alas! The Master evidently found but few good works, little glorifying light shining out from His earthly representatives in many of the seven epochs of the history of the Church.”—Z. '16-344; Rev. 1:12; Zech. 4:2

REVELATION 2

ST. PAUL, ST. JOHN, ARIUS AND WALDO

2:1. [Unto] BY the angel.-The special messenger in the Harvest of the Jewish Age was St. Paul. A Hebrew of the Hebrews (Phil. 3:5), he was a free-born Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29), highly educated (Acts 22:3), spoke Greek (Acts 21:37) and Hebrew (Acts 22:2), and was presumably a member of the Sanhedrin at the time of St. Stephen's death. (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 26:10.) Chosen before his birth (Gal. 1:15), he was supernaturally inducted into the Body of Christ (Acts 9:1-22) to take the place of Judas (Psa. 109:8; Acts 1:20), was privately instructed in the fullness of the Gospel (Gal. 1:11, 12, 17), was specially commissioned to explain this Gospel to the brethren at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1, 2), did not hesitate to correct the erring Peter (Gal. 2:11), was acknowledged by St. Peter as filled with Heavenly wisdom (2 Pet. 3:15, 16), wrote over half of the books of the New Testament, carried the Gospel into Europe (Acts 16:9), supported himself with his own hands while he preached (Acts 20: 32-35), and suffered almost unbelievable hardships of every description-besides having "the care of all the churches." (2 Cor. 11:24-28.) What a service and honor, here and hereafter, Judas missed by his love of money! St. Paul was beheaded by Nero, A. D. 66. Of the church [of] IN Ephesus.-The first age of the Church began at Pentecost in the spring of A.. D. 33, and ended in the spring of A. D. 73. "It may be proper to mention also what things occurred that show the benignity of that all-gracious Providence, that had deferred their de struction for forty years after their crimes against Christ." (Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History.) "On the 15th of Nisan, 1. e., of April, in the year 73 A. D., the first day of the Easter festival, the same day on which, according to tra dition, the God of Israel had led His people out of Egyptian bondage into freedom, the last bulwark of Israel's liberty had fallen, and Israel was delivered into bondage." (Cornil's History of the People of Israel.) "Masada attained great importance in the war with the Romans.

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With the fall of Masada the war came to an end, on the 15th of Nisan, 73" (The Jewish Encyclopedia.) "The capture Masada, a Jewish fortress on the southwestern shores of the Dead Sea, put a termination to one of the

fiercest struggles recorded in history (73 A. D.)"—Morrison's Jews Under Roman Rule.

"Judea was not entirely subjugated; for three strong fortresses were still in arms: Herodium, Machaerus, and Masada, The heroes agreed to this proposal (of their leader Eleasar) even with enthusiasm, and on the first day of the great Feast of the Passover (A. D. 73), after slaying their own wives and children, they all perished on their own swords." (Graetz's History of the Jews, Vol. 2.) "Eleasar accordingly persuaded all his people during that night to kill their wives and children and then themselves, but to burn all their treasures first. The next day the Romans found only 960 dead bodies, whilst but two women and five children hid themselves in caverns and were discovered. The Easter of the year 73, just seven years from the beginning of the great movement and 40 years after Christ's crucifixion, saw this end of the whole tragedy.", (Ewald's History of Israel, Vol. 7, which is entitled "The Apostolic Age," and which Prof. Ewald makes to end with the year A. D. 73.) Josephus also relates that Masada fell on the 15th of Nisan, April, A. D. 73; but the quotation is too lengthy to be inserted here.

The meaning of the word Ephesus is "permission," which, understood as "approval," harmonizes well with the tradition that the meaning is "desirable." Anything that has approval is desirable.

Write.-St. Paul wrote a third of the New Testament. These things salth He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand. "In the first chapter we have a description of 'One like unto a son of man.' Some one or more of the features of this description are mentioned in connection with each of the successive stages of the Church."-Z. 16-346; Rev. 1:16, 20.

Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks."We could not doubt the love and care of our glorified Head even if He had given us no explicit declaration on the subject." (F. 401; Rev. 1:13; Lev. 24:2-4.) 2:2. I know thy works.-The early Christians "took joy. fully the spofling of their goods" (Heb. 10:34); in "great trial of affliction" they abounded in joy, and in "deep pov erty" were liberal "beyond their power." (2 Cor. 8:2, 3.) They were living epistles, "known and read of all men.”— 2 Cor. 8:2, 3.

And thy labor.-Considered as betrayers of the Jewish faith; living in the midst of heathen idolatry, without railways, steamships, automobiles, bicycles, telegraphs, telephones, printing, postal service, electricity, gas, or kerosene -in the midst of densest ignorance and basest morals-the

early Christians traversed the seas and lands of the known world, braving floggings, stonings, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness and martyrdom, that they might tell the good news of the coming Kingdom.-2 Cor. 11:24-27.

And thy patience.-Hupomonee. "An endurance of wrong or affliction with contentment, without rebellion of will, with full acquiescence in the Divine Wisdom and Love."-Z. '01-115.

And how thou canst not bear them which are evil.— "How much earnestness it produced in you! what an apology! what indignation! what earnest desire! what zeal! what a punishment! In everything you proved your selves to be pure in this matter." (2 Cor. 7:11, Diaglott.) "Sufficient for such a person is this punishment, which was inflicted by the majority; so that, on the other hand, you ought to forgive and comfort him, lest such an one should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I entreat you publicly to confirm your love towards him." 2 Cor. 2:6-8, Diaglott.

And thou hast tried.-Made experiment of, Greek implies. Them which [say they are] CALL THEMSELVES apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.—“Giving out that himself was some great one," like the clergy of other times, Simon Magus sought "also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit," but learned that he had "neither part nor lot in this matter" because his heart was "not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:9-24.) Also, there were "certain men which came down from Judea" (Acts 15:1, 2), the "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:12-15); "Hymenaeus and Alexander” (1 Tim. 1:20); "Philetus" (2 Tim. 2:17); those who would "pervert the Gospel of Christ" in Galatia (Gal. 1:7); "Phygellus and Hermogenes."-2 Tim. 1:15; Acts 20:28-30; Rev. 2:6.

2:3. And [hast borne and] hast patience.-Hupomonee, constant, cheerful endurance.

(Matt.

And ALL AFFLICTIONS AND HAST BORNE for My name's sake [hast labored].-"And hast suffered on account of My name." (Diaglott.) "As concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.' (Acts 28:22.) The natural course is, hatred, slander, then murder. 5:21, 22.) It is said that Peter was crucified with head downward (A. D. 70); Andrew was crucified on a cross decussate (X); James was murdered by Herod (A. D. 44), (Acts 12:2); Bartholomew was first flayed alive and then crucified with his head downward; Matthew died a martyr (supposedly); Thomas was impaled on a spear;

James the son of Alphaeus was thrown down from the Temple and was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a club; Simon Zelotes was crucified; Paul beheaded. And hast not fainted.-"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9.) "Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."-Heb. 12:3.

2:4.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee.-The Lord's nominal people of the Apostolic Age.

Because thou hast left thy first love.-"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel."-Gal. 1:6.

2:5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen."Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used."-Heb. 10:32, 33.

And repent, and do the first works.-"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward."-Heb. 10:35.

Or else I will come unto thee [quickly], and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.-The nominal church was in grave danger of being disowned and rejected. "By far the larger proportion were not consecrated to death, not of the Royal Priesthood, but merely Levites, doing the service of the Sanctuary, but not sacrificing."-T. 118.

2:6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes.-"Conquerors of the people"-the

clergy.-Rev. 2:15.

Which I also hate.-When the Lord's people hate the idea of a class that seeks to be "lords over God's heritage" (1 Pet. 5:2, 3), they hate something that the Lord hates. 2:7. He that hath an ear.-To receive and understand the voice of God through His Word.- Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Rev. 13:9.

Let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept [observed, "heard"] My saying, they will keep yours also."-John 15:20.

To him that overcometh.-See 1 John 2:13, 14.

Will I give to eat of the tree of life.-"All the trees in Eden were trees of life, and the overcomers of the Gospel Age shall have full liberty to partake of 'the tree of the knowledge of good and evil' when the knowledge will be of benefit to them, and not bring a curse."-Z. '16-346.