the Master to
arrange for the supper that memorable betrayal night,[37] and they are
seen together in the activities in Jerusalem for many years.[38]

It would seem that in later years John left Jerusalem, and made his home
for the remainder of his life in Ephesus. Doubtless he was led, after
the years of leadership in the mother Church, to leave the great Jew
centre, and devote his strength to missionary service in the outside
Gentile world.

Ephesus was the chief city of the province of Asia, and the natural
centre of the population and life of the province. John probably worked
out from Ephesus, preaching throughout the whole district; teaching,
advising, praying with, and visiting the groups of little Churches
scattered throughout the province, perhaps founding some, and
strengthening all. For his work seems to have been, not so much
evangelizing, but the much more difficult work of teaching, patiently,
carefully, teaching; a work so essential to the life of any Church. So
he would be quite familiar with the Churches to which the Revelation
letters are sent, and would be well known by these people and loved and
revered by them as a father in the faith.

This personal bit about John is of intensest interest in studying this
book of his. It was to this man that Jesus could entrust the writing of
this special message. John could take in what the Master was showing him
as few, if any others, could. The close, sympathetic friendship made him
able to take in what his old Friend and Master is now telling him in the
glory. And he could give it out too, simply, fully, clearly, just as it
was given to him.

Love can see and grasp, and can obey simply, where mere mental keenness
fails. There is no tonic for the brain like love in the heart. No brain
ever does its best work, nor can, until the heart is fired by some
tender, noble passion. It was to Mary Magdalene who had such reason to
love tenderly that Jesus showed Himself first after the
resurrection.[39]

And it is to John, the bosom friend, whose friendship stood the severest
test where all others failed, that He now shows Himself in glory, and
entrusts this pleading message, and vision of coming events, and of the
after glory. He that willeth to do the Master's will shall know surely
and clearly what that will is. And he that goeth farther yet, and
willeth to give the tenderest love of his heart, ever kept at summer
heat, shall know the Master Himself, in present pe