ment
against its apostolic authorship. The writer, it is true, moves
to a great extent in a new and peculiar sphere of truth; but
there is nothing in it contradictory to the teachings of John's
gospel and epistles. On the contrary, the great central truths
that relate to Christ's person and office are in perfect harmony
with those teachings.

(3.) The _spirit_ of the Apocalypse is not contradictory to that
of the gospel and epistles. A writer in Alexander's Kitto says:
"Quiet contemplation has full scope in the evangelist; mildness
and love find utterance in affectionate discourse. But the
spirit of the apocalyptist is stern and revengeful, with cutting
reproofs, calls to repentance, commands and threatenings." The
answer to all this is that, just as the human body has bones and
muscles as well as fluids and soft tissues, so the mediatorial
government of Christ has a stern as well as a mild side; and
that the very nature of the visions contained in the apocalypse
gives prominence to this side.

(4.) The main objections are based on _diversity of style and
diction_. Notwithstanding all the true points of resemblance in
this respect that have been adduced by various writers, the
difference between the Apocalypse, on the one hand, and the
gospel and epistles of John, on the other, is very striking. But
here we must take into account, first of all, the great
difference in the _subject-matter_, which naturally brings a
corresponding difference of language. Next, the difference in
the _mode of divine communication_. The gospel and epistles were
written under that constant tranquil illumination of the Holy
Spirit which all the apostles enjoyed. The subject-matter of the
Apocalypse was given in direct vision--much of it, moreover,
through the medium of oral address. To one who believes in the
reality of the revelations here recorded it is vain that an
opponent urge the difference in style between the first epistle
of John and the epistles to the seven churches of Asia; since
these latter are expressed in the very words of Christ.
Inseparably connected with the peculiar mode of revelation in
the Apocalypse are the peculiar _mental state and circumstances_
in which the apostle wrote. He composed the gospel and epistles
in the calmness of tranquil contemplation and reminiscences