THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S was John’s jailor. It shut him away from church and work and loved ones. It seemed to stand for all the restric tions and barriers of the present mor tal life. He might have paced the shore of Patmos’ lonely isle and look ing off to the far horizon, wondered if he would see again his beloved children in the faith. Then looking forward into the future, he thought of the glad home coming, of the boundless opportunities for service with all barriers swept away and he wrote these heart-cheering words, “ There shall be no more sea.” SUNDAY, March 21. Rev. 7:9-17. John’s Picture of Worship in Heaven The saints of this chapter are those who will be saved out of the world dur ing the great tribulation. Many fea tures concerning their faith, sufferings and final victory are brought out in later chapters but here they are shown to be secured before the tribulation sets in. The picture is one of electing love and tender watchful oversight. The white robes in which they are clothed testify to their acceptance by God and the palm branches suggest a glorious feast of tabernacles in which they are to have a part. Tbeir service of praise, described elsewhere as the song of Moses and the Lamb, is indicative of the highest ecstasy. God comforts them with tender words repeated twice in love, “ no more, no more,” vs. 16. MONDAY, March 22. Rev. 7:1-8. The Angels and the Winds. Wind is air in motion and the gales bring healing and tonic on their wings. What a catastrophe it will be when the winds cease to blow! Every center of population will become a pest house and a cesspool when strong currents of air no longer sweep down from mountain passes or in from ocean spaces and scatter the mephitic vapors that gen- , erate where people congregate. Poison and plague will fill the air and settle
318 earth are perfected by the incense that He burns on the golden altar. No saint or angel can give efficacy to prayer. It is the accomplished work of Christ that gives power to the prayers of saints on earth. The incense speaks of the fin ished and perfect work of Christ. The altar of burnt offering testifies of His death by which we are either saved or condemned. 2 Cor. 2:15-16. If the fire of the burnt offering does not avail for man before God, it will give efficacy to the retributive justice that comes upon him. The long suffering patience of Christ is now over for the cup of the world’s iniquity is full. FRIDAY, March 19. Rev. 6:12-17. A Strange Prayer Meeting. This is a largely attended prayer meeting. Distinguished people are there who were never at a prayer meet ing before. Their prayers are earnest and importunate but they are not ad dressed to God and they are not an swered. Prov. 1:24-26. The subject of their prayer is most significant. They ask to be hidden from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne. To see His face, has been the one de sire and life-long prayer of His peo ple. Cant. 2:14. The great difference between these two classes has been wrought by grace. The great day of His wrath is come and who shall be able to stand? The church, however, can sit at this time. Rev. 3:21. SATURDAY, March 20. Rev. 21:1-7. No More Sea. We conceive of eternal things in terms of time. Our heavenly anticipa tions are based on present experiences. We think of heaven as the satisfaction of present longings, the extension and expansion of present comforts. If we are weary, heaven means rest; if we are sinsick, heaven means holiness; if we are lonely, heaven is home. The sea
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