Excerpt from I. II. And III. John, Jude, and Revelation: A Popular Commentary Upon a Critical Basis, Especially Designed for Pastors and Sunday Schools

The writings of John move in so ideal a sphere that they seem remote from our common life and thought. No New Testament writer, however, comes closer to our everyday thinking than John. He writes directly for his own times, confuting heresies and presenting the complete truth. The questions of John's day are the questions that stir men's minds to-day. Do all men sin? Are any living a sinless life To the latter John says No! Must all aim at a life beyond sin, not the higher life, but the highest life John answers Yes. John gives the ideal portrait of the Christian life - this must always be borne in mind - speaking of the Christian as he will be when Christ's work is done. In the same way Paul, a more logical writer than John, declares that the be liever is dead to sin as shown symbolically in his burial in baptism. He then urges believers to make the symbolic teaching true in their lives.

The great question of John's day and of our day is: Who is Jesus Christ? How large is be? John stands by the deity of Jesus and his true humanity, presenting a divine-human Saviour beyond whom there can be no one. The peril in his day, as in our day, was that men would go beyond Christ. With many to-day the human consciousness has a more commanding power than the eternal Word, who is himself the truth.

The doctrinal teaching of the Apocalypse is clear and pronounced. It emphasizes the person of Christ, the inseparable union of sin and judgment, God's overruling power in the world's history, the blessed consummation of holiness, the eternal conditions in the unseen life. It unfolds to us the divine machinery.

John's writings in Revelation, coming in visions that at times seem be wildering to our Western minds, seem even more remote than his other produc tions from the common thoughts of men. Is there a superintending power in the world? Does God watch over his cause upon the earth? Will the gospel of Christ get control of affairs here? Will Christianity displace all its rivals for the hearts of men? Does prayer avail to change the current of human affairs? Is Jesus Christ in an equal rank with the Father? Will all Opposing agencies be put down? Will the prophecies be fulfilled? Will Satan be crushed under foot? Will punishment for the finally impenitent be eternal all these questions are discussed in a symbolic way. But clearly, the one great commanding thought of the book is the rightful sovereignty of Jesus over the universe of men and things, and his getting possession of this sovereignty.

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