Archive for the ‘Revelation to John’ Category
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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EDITOR’S COMMENT:
I have no idea who Mrs. Hermans was or what quote of hers my great-grandfather repeated. But these are minor issues.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 27, 2014 COMMON ERA
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A
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“Through the gates into the city.”–Rev. 22, 14
“And he shall go out no more.”–Rev. 3, 12
I.
What a creature is man. How like a God combining the earthly and the heavenly in his nature, physical and spiritual. His God-appointed destiny through redemption in Christ is in the heavenlies at God’s right hand.
At death he enters through the gate into the celestial city, with foundations whose builder and maker is God. Jesus went away to prepare for his own. He will receive them unto himself. A glorious abode every way worthy of the mighty Lord who prepared it. (Quote Mrs. Hermans.)
II.
And they go out no more, but are forever at home with the Lord.
They have no desire to leave their eternal, glorious home.
“In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” All suffering, all pain, all sorrow and trials forever [are] left far behind.
They see his face and meet one another again.
“Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Rev. 5, 6-14
I.
John saw the Christ as the sacrificed Lamb, standing and though it had been slain–suffering, sacrificed love in the midst of the throne. The cross abides at the center of the whole Christian movement. We owe all to the cross–the love that readies forth to help.
II.
Honors are paid him. “Worthy art thou to take the book and to open the seals”–to reveal and unfold the future–“for thou wast slain and didst purchase unto God men of every tongue and people and nation,” etc.
How timely this song. In a day of so much strife [Editor’s Note–He referred to World War II.], this song from heaven has in it no place for narrow nationalism. He is the universal Christ, the Saviour of every soul that looks to Him. “Many shall come from the east and from the west, and sit down in the kingdom,” etc. (Matt. 8, 11). “And I saw a great multitude which no man could number…clothed in white raiment” (Rev. 7, 9-10).
III.
Christ is never caught off-guard by any conniving, scheming souls.
From on high he superintends the life and service of the church. Today his [voice] is calling her to heroic effort to keep distressed lost souls.
His voice will be heard in the nations that a better day may dawn. “I make all things new.” Will not we gladly lend our aid in so glorious a cause?
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Rev. 3, 20b
…if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
—Authorized Version
I.
Jesus seeks admission into every heart and life–makes every possible approach to induce us to invite him in. Why does anyone refuse him?
II.
“I will sup with him.” I will enter sympathetically, helpfully into his life, share it with him. How wonderfully he does this. His presence and grace enrich the life. He is indeed the “Great Companion.” Why live without him?
III.
“And he with me.” Startling glorious!! He wishes to share his life with us–to bestow the unsearchable riches of his grace upon us. We may enter into:
(1) His love–love for the Father, for all men, for all goodness. Eph. 3, 14-17. Wonderful!
(2) His victory over evil–Rev. 3, 21. He resisted the tempter and is able to succour us when we are tried. By his grace we may overcome. Sin is not to have dominion–bear rule–over us.
(3) His victory over suffering. Not that it will not come, for we are mortal, but he will enable us to triumph over it, not be crushed by it.
(4) His victory over death–“shall never die.” Because he lives we shall live also. Thank God for such a Saviour!
Is he yours? Let him in today.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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I.
Salvation likened to a river whose source is the throne of God. Small at first, it becomes a mighty stream. Along its banks grows the tree of life, whose fruit fails not. Its leaves are a healing balm for all our ills. This is “a balm in Gilead.”
II.
So there is hope for all who turn to God. Man fails, but God never [fails].
(1) Evil desires lead to evil deeds. They need to be taken away and desire for good things made regnant. How badly it is needed. “Let brotherly love continue.” “Love thy neighbor as thyself” that the Golden Rule may become our delight.
(2) Ill will works so much hurt. He came to take it away and replace it with good will. This would cure the hurt of the nations, drive away war and establish peace.
(3) He will destroy fear and give confidence, trust, and love to all. The whole attitude of our lives will become new and Christlike.
God speed the day when salvation shall flow down as a mighty river, causing every good thing to live and beautify the whole life of our race in all the world.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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1 Cor. 1, 9
I.
Ours is a high calling into “fellowship of Jesus Christ, into participation with him of the glorious things of God,” an enjoyment in common “with Christ” (Rev. 3, 20, 1 Jno. 1, 3).
II.
Fellowship with him in all the graces of his eternal kingdom, as:
(1) Victory over sin. “I have overcome the world.” Seven promises to the “overcomers”–Rev. chapters 1 & 2. Faith is the victory. Blessed triumph!!
(2) Peace. “My peace I give unto you.” “Peace be unto you.” “We have peace with God,” supplanting strife in the soul.
(3) Love to God and man, until we are disposed toward all men as he is–all desires, aspirations and hopes held in love, born of love.
(4) Service. “He went about doing good,” ministering to men. “The fellowship of his sufferings.” “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me.”
(5) The climax–fellowship in his eternal glory. “That they may be with me…that they may behold my glory which thou hast give me” (Jno 17, 24).
Can the heart wish for more?
This is our privilege through or in Christ.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Document
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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I.
“The world”–evil forces that war against the soul. Invisible but strong. Many destroyed by them. Hence many have fear lest they be smitten by them. But we may be victors.
II.
Faith is the victory. It appropriates the blessings that make strong.
(a) Faith in God. “Must believe that he is.” His empowering grace is given to those who trust him. Christ resisted the evil, made no concession to Satan. (1) [God] consoles in grief, (2) protects in danger, (3) transforms discord into harmony with God’s good will.
(b) His goodness is over all his works. He has a Father’s interest in us.
(c) His many promises are given to encourage us to trust him. “What more can he say than to you he hath said?”
III.
He expects us to overcome and enter upon the final reward of the righteous. All of the means of grace look to that end. See the seven “overcomers” in Rev. 2 and 3, Paul’s valedictory, and Rom. 8, 37, and Rev. 12, 11. “O Lord, help me to understand that you ain’t goin’ to let nothing come my way that you and me can’t handle together.”
We must not fail; but fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: The Original Text
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Jno. 11, 26
I.
This was spoken of the soul, man’s eternal nature; for we know the body dies.
Faith receives and trusts the Christ and he forgives our sins, makes his marvelous grace, feeds our hungry souls with heavenly manna, nourishes our souls and makes us strong.
II.
Natural death has no power over the soul. Man has a conscious being aside from the body. Moses and Elijah on [the] Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus arose and the like may occur again.
Jesus prayed that they might be with him “where I am. that they may behold my glory.” “Because I live ye shall live also.” “That where I am there ye shall be also.”
III.
John saw the vast multitude that no man could number, clad in white (Rev. 7, 9-17). May each of us be in that glorious company.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: Part of the Original Text
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Acts 2, 24
1 Cor. 15, 57
1 Jno. 5, 4
I.
The death & resurrection of Jesus were in God’s plan. That he should die for man was necessary to salvation & God willed it. But to consumate that plan he must live to carry it on.
II.
Hence God raised him up. It was part of the plan & due to God’s direct intervention. Acts 3, 15; Rom. 4, 24; 2 Cor. 4, 14; Eph. 1, 20; Col. 2, 12b; 1 Thes. 1. 10; Heb. 13, 20; 1 Peter 1, 21; & text = 10 times it is affirmed.
He was not to be [the] loser in the struggle but victor. Life is stronger than death. He submitted to it only to redeem us. He arose no longer subject to death. Death was vanquished by him; it is subject to his power. “Have the keys to death.”–Rev. 1, 18
III.
He lives to give us victory over sin. By his grace we may resist the devil, “overcome” him. “He is able to succour them what they are tempted.” Heb. 2, 18 “To him that overcometh.” The plan of salvation wrought out by Christ is no failure. The “gospel is the power of God unto salvation,” see Jude 24.
IV.
He will give us victory over death. We too, shall have our Easter morning–Jno. 5, 28. “All that are in the grace shall come forth.”
Our resurrection body is to be fashioned after his, a spiritual body–Phils. 3, 21.
Redemption is completed in our resurrection and glorification.
Victory!! “Death is swallowed up in victory”–1 Cor. 15, 54.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: Lazarus and Dives
(Image in the Public Domain)
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Luke 16, 23
Matt. 5, 29-30
Mark 9, 43-48
1. Certainty of hell–Christ’s words.
2. Who goes there? The finally unrepentant.
3. Nature of its punishment:
(1) Banishment from God–“Depart.” “These shall go away.”
(2) Remorse of conscience–sense of guilt. “Their worms dieth not.”
(3) Sensibility of pain–“I am tormented in this flame.”
(4) Sight. Lost in sight of heaven.
(5) Bottomless pit. Sin plunges one deeper and deeper into ruin. [Editor’s aside: Someone–I do not know who or when–has marked through this item with a pencil.]
(6) Associates–The wicked of all the ages–this is an awful hell itself.
(7) Lake of unquenchable fire. See Rev. 14, 10-11; 20, 10; 21, 8.
What depth of suffering and despair is in these several elements combined!
4. How long shall this last? Mat. 25, 46, etc.
God save us from such an awful doom!
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
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