the prospect of the coming coronation
day, when "the Lord; the righteous Judge shall give" a "crown of
righteousness," "unto all them that love his appearing," 2 Tim. 4:8. He
has said "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life" (2:10); and therefore "when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away," 1 Pet. 5:4.
A pillar in the temple of God, is expressive of a position which shall
give support to the church, which is erected "upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone;
In whom the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in
the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God
through the Spirit," Eph. 2:20-22.
To receive the name of God, is to be recognized as belonging to God. As
masters designated their servants by branding their name on them, or by
some peculiar mark, so the children of God are referred to by the same
figure. In a subsequent vision John saw with the Lamb on Mount Zion, "an
hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in
their foreheads," 14:1. Their connection with new Jerusalem is similarly
designated.
Epistle to the Church in Laodicea.
"And to the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea write: These
things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Ruler of
the creation of God: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold
nor hot: I would that thou wast cold or hot. So, because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will cast thee out of my
mouth: because thou sayest, I am rich, and have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to
buy of me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness may not appear; and to anoint thine eyes with eye-salve,
that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chastise: be
fervent therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any one heareth my voice, and openeth the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he shall sup with me.
To him, who overcometh I will grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father in his
th
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