  CLOSING SCENES OF MINISTRY "Love was to his impassioned soul, not a mere part of its existence, but the whole, the very life-breath of his heart." Eighteen Years Pass. The important council mentioned in the last chapter was held about 50 years after the birth of Christ (50 A. D.) During the next eighteen years John seems to have been hidden from view. Nothing is known about what he did or where he went. It is presumed that he left Jerusalem, and seldom, if ever, returned. If so, then we may rightly conclude that Mary the mother of Jesus had left Jerusalem also, and left it and all her loving kindred and friends on earth for a happy, glorious meeting with her Son in their heavenly home on high. The dutiful and loving attention John had bestowed upon Mary, he is now free to give to the Church which now bears her Son's name. Undoubtedly he visited nearly all, if not all the important places where Christians dwelt; but most of his latest years seem to have been spent in Asia Minor. At Ephesus. Tradition informs us that he made his home at Ephesus, a large and populous city of Iona about 40 miles from Smyrna. It was noted chiefly for its wickedness and the beautiful temple of Diana. Some claim that the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene went to Ephesus with John and died there. The tradition is a pleasing one; for with the devotion of a son to his mother, as shown by John, there is associated Mary Magdalene's love, which might well be expressed in the words of another beautiful woman, who said to her husband's mother, "Intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried."[ From Ephesus John visited all the branches of the Church, laboring especially among "The Seven Churches in Asia." When John had spent several years at Ephesus a cruel Roman emperor, during his persecution of the Church, arrested him, had him carried to Rome, condemned him to death, and had him plunged into boiling oil. John's life being preserved through the power of God, he was then banished to Patmos. All that John says about it is that he was "in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." It is quite evident from this that he had been persecuted for his belief in the Gospel and for his unwavering testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was probably the last living witness of the Savior's miracles and teachings. Perhaps that is why he was banished. But wicked men could not banish the testimony he had borne. That was planted in the hearts of thousands of sincere believers, and like seeds sown in fertile soil, would grow and bear rich harvests for ages to come. Nor did banishment injure the aged apostle, for he was not alone even on that uninhabited and barren rock. One Sunday morning, on the "Lord's Day" as he called it, he "heard behind him a great voice, as of a trumpet" that said to him, "What thou seest write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia." He turned, and saw the Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and bound with a golden girdle. As he beheld his Lord wrapped in such divine splendor, "he fell at His feet as dead." But the Savior, John says, "laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me. Fear not, I am the First and the Last, I am He that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive forever more." He was again commanded to write all he had witnessed and what would yet be shown him in vision. Thus was given to the seven churches of Asia, and subsequently to the world, what is now known as "Revelation," the last book in the Bible, but the first one written by its author. Upon the death of Domitian, the cruel emperor who had banished him, the Apostle was permitted to return to Ephesus, where he continued his preaching, writing, and testimony. John's Writings. Besides "Revelation," he wrote his Gospel and his three Epistles. John's second Epistle should be of special interest to the young. From it we infer that there were two Christian homes, in each of which John took delight. The mothers were sisters. His letter is addressed to "The Elect Lady" or, as she is sometimes called, the Lady Electa and her children. John tells of his love and that of others for them—mother and children—because of their Christian character. He tells of his great joy because of the children walking in the truth, living as children should live who have learned of the teachings of Christ. ST. JOHN. The Apostle and Evangelist. ST. JOHN. It is said that when he became so old and feeble that he could not walk to church, nor preach to his people, his loving friends would carry him to the place of meeting. On these occasions, he would repeat again and again, "My dear children, love one another." One day some asked him, "Master, why dost thou always say this?" He answered. "This is what the Lord commands you; and this, if you do it, is sufficient." It is said that he lived to be over one hundred years of age, but of his last days there is nothing definite of record. We do know, however, that he survived most bitter persecution, outlived his wicked persecutors, instructed by his life and teachings thousands in the Way of life, and is blessing many thousands in the world today, by his lofty and childlike Christian spirit. "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." Footnotes: |
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