“So repulsive does the Master declare it to be, that one need not wonder that most are unwilling for it to be their lot, or that it can he, as it is, the last recorded phase before the church is traced no more on earth. People vainly dream of progress, and flatter themselves. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot,” etc. (vers. 15-18). They wanted everything that was characteristic of Christianity: ‘gold,' or 'divine righteousness in Christ, that thou mayest be rich '; and ‘white garments,' or the righteousness of saints, ‘that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be manifested; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.' They had lost the perception of what God values. All was dark as to truth, and uncertain as to moral judgment. Holy separateness and savor were gone. 'As many as I dearly love, I rebuke and chasten,' etc. (vers. 19, 20). The Lord presents Himself even there in His pitiful way to meet their every want.
“He that overcometh,” etc. (vers. 21, 22). The utmost promised in the word that closes the epistle goes not beyond reigning with Him. It is not anything special. For everyone that has part in the first. resurrection reigns with Christ, as even shall the Jewish sufferers under earlier enemies (6:9), or later under the Beast (13:15; 20:4). It is a mistake therefore to suppose that it is a singular distinction. For all amounts to this, that the Lord will hold, after all, to His own truth in spite of unfaithfulness. There may be individual reality, even where the surroundings are miserably untoward. But all that are born of God and are Christ's share the kingdom.”
W. K.