the acts of the apostles-第107章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
path in which all must travel who reach at last the gates of the City of
God。 His children must follow where He has led the way； at whatever
sacrifice of ease or selfish indulgence； at whatever cost of labor or
suffering； they must maintain a constant battle with self。
566
The greatest praise that men can bring to God is to become consecrated
channels through whom He can work。 Time is rapidly passing into eternity。
Let us not keep back from God that which is His own。 Let us not refuse Him
that which； though it cannot be given with merit； cannot be denied without
ruin。 He asks for a whole heart； give it to Him； it is His； both by creation
and by redemption。 He asks for your intellect； give it to Him； it is His。 He
asks for your money； give it to Him； it is His。 〃Ye are not your own； for ye
are bought with a price。〃 1 Corinthians 6：
19； 20。 God requires the homage of a sanctified soul； which
has prepared itself； by the exercise of the faith that works by love； to
serve Him。 He holds up before us the highest ideal； even perfection。 He asks
us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in
the presence of God。
〃This is the will of God〃 concerning you； 〃even your sanctification。〃 1
Thessalonians 4：3。 Is it your will also？ Your sins may be as mountains
before you； but if you humble your heart and confess your sins； trusting in
the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour； He will forgive and will
cleanse you from all unrighteousness。 God demands of you entire conformity
to His law。 This law is the echo of His voice saying to you； Holier； yes；
holier still。 Desire the fullness of the grace of Christ。 Let your heart be
filled with an intense longing for His righteousness； the work of which
God's word declares is peace； and its effect quietness and assurance
forever。
567
As your soul yearns after God； you will find more and still more of the
unsearchable riches of His grace。 As you contemplate these riches you will
come into possession of them and will reveal the merits of the Saviour's
sacrifice； the protection of His righteousness； the fullness of His wisdom；
and His power to present you before the Father 〃without spot； and
blameless。〃 2 Peter 3：14。
（568）
Chapter 56
Patmos
More than half a century had passed since the organization of the Christian
church。 During that time the gospel message had been constantly opposed。 Its
enemies had never relaxed their efforts； and had at last succeeded in
enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the Christians。
In the terrible persecution that followed； the apostle John did much to
confirm and strengthen the faith of the believers。 He bore a testimony which
his adversaries could not controvert and which helped his brethren to meet
with courage and loyalty the trials that came upon them。 When the faith of
the Christians would seem to waver under the fierce opposition they were
forced to meet； the old； tried servant of Jesus would repeat with power and
eloquence the story of the crucified and risen Saviour。 He steadfastly
maintained his faith； and from his lips came ever the same glad message：
〃That which was from the beginning； which we have heard； which we have seen
with our eyes； which we
569
have looked upon； and our hands have handled； of the Word of life； 。 。 。
that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you。： 1 John 1：1…3。
John lived to be very old。 He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the
ruin of the stately temple。 The last survivor of the disciples who had been
intimately connected with the Saviour； his message had great influence in
setting forth the fact that Jesus was the Messiah； the Redeemer of the
world。 No one could doubt his sincerity； and through his teachings many were
led to turn from unbelief。
The rulers of the Jews were filled with bitter hatred against John for his
unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ。 They declared that their efforts
against the Christians would avail nothing so long as John's testimony kept
ringing in the ears of the people。 In order that the miracles and teachings
of Jesus might be forgotten； the voice of the bold witness must be silenced。
John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith。 Here before
the authorities the apostle's doctrines were misstated。 False witnesses
accused him of teaching seditious heresies。 By these accusations his enemies
hoped to bring about the disciple's death。
John answered for himself in a clear and convincing manner； and with such
simplicity and candor that his words had a powerful effect。 His hearers were
astonished at his wisdom and eloquence。 But the more convincing his
testimony； the deeper was the hatred of his opposers。 The emperor Domitian
was filled with rage。 He could neither
570
dispute the reasoning of Christ's faithful advocate； nor match the power
that attended his utterance of truth； yet he determined that he would
silence his voice。
John was cast into a caldron of boiling oil； but the Lord preserved the life
of His faithful servant； even as He preserved the three Hebrews in the fiery
furnace。 As the words were spoken； Thus perish all who believe in that
deceiver； Jesus Christ of Nazareth； John declared； My Master patiently
submitted to all that Satan and his angels could devise to humiliate and
torture Him。 He gave His life to save the world。 I am honored in being
permitted to suffer for His sake。 I am a weak； sinful man。 Christ was holy；
harmless； undefiled。 He did no sin； neither was guile found in His mouth。
These words had their influence； and John was removed from the caldron by
the very men who had cast him in。
Again the hand of persecution fell heavily upon the apostle。 By the
emperor's decree John was banished to the Isle of Patmos； condemned 〃for the
word of God； and for the testimony of Jesus Christ。〃 Revelation 1：9。 Here；
his enemies thought； his influence would no longer be felt； and he must
finally die of hardship and distress。
Patmos； a barren； rocky island in the Aegean Sea； had been chosen by the
Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals； but to the servant
of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven。 Here； shut away from the
busy scenes of life； and from the active labors of former years； he had the
companionship of God and Christ and the heavenly angels； and from them he
received instruction
571
for the church for all future time。 The events that would take place in the
closing scenes of this earth's history were outlined before him； and there
he wrote out the visions he received from God。 When his voice could no
longer testify to the One whom he loved and served； the messages given him
on that barren coast were to go forth as a lamp that burneth； declaring the
sure purpose of the Lord concerning every nation on the earth。
Among the cliffs and rocks of Patmos； John held communion with his Maker。 He
reviewed his past life； and at thought of the blessings he had received；
peace filled his heart。 He had lived the life of a Christian； and he could
say in faith； 〃We know that we have passed from death unto life。〃 1 John
3：14。 Not so the emperor who had banished him。 He could look back only on
fields of warfare and carnage； on desolated homes； on weeping widows and
orphans； the fruit of his ambitious desire for pre…eminence。
In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever before
the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of nature and in
the pages of inspiration。 To him it was a delight to meditate on the work of
creation and to adore the divine Architect。 In former years his eyes had
been greeted by the sight of forest…covered hills； green valleys； and
fruitful plains； and in the beauties of nature it had ever been his delight
to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator。 He was now surrounded by
scenes that to many would appear gloomy a
