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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:44:40 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/14485-0.txt b/14485-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7e2590 --- /dev/null +++ b/14485-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9970 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14485 *** + +NOTES + +ON + +THE APOCALYPSE; + +WITH + +An Appendix + +CONTAINING DISSERTATIONS ON SOME OF THE APOCALYPTIC SYMBOLS, + +TOGETHER WITH + +ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE INTERPRETATIONS OF SEVERAL AMONG THE MOST LEARNED +AND APPROVED EXPOSITORS OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA. + +BY DAVID STEELE, Sr., + +Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, Philadelphia. + + +PHILADELPHIA: YOUNG & FERGUSON, No. 14 SOUTH SEVENTH ST. 1870. + + + +TO THE + +REV. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, LL.D., + +_Missionary from the Reformed Presbyterian Church to the Jews in London, +England._ + + +REV. AND VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER:-- + +Although we are "separated upon the wall, one far from the other," we +are not altogether precluded from mutual salutation. Placed by our +Master on two hemispheres, between which the electric current bears +frequent tidings, our respective positions are advantageous for noting +the events of providence. These constitute the signs of the times, and +are the counterpart of prophecy. Prophecy and providence reflect light +upon each other, and both are helpful to the interpretation of each; but +He alone who is the "Wonderful Counsellor," can cause us to understand +either. + +In submitting the following work to the public, I venture to do so under +your auspices, if not under the sanction of your name. And I embrace the +present occasion, Rev. Sir, to bear willing testimony to your +acknowledged scholarship,--your profound erudition, especially in +Natural Science and Philology. I do also cheerfully and joyfully +recognise you as a public witness; and at the present time of general +defection, as an official and _consistent_ witness in the British Isles +for the integrity of our Covenanted Reformation,--that reformation which +in its fuller development is destined to secure the rights of God and +man in reorganized society. Such, I believe to be one of the cheering +lessons which may be learned by Christ's witnesses from searching the +Apocalypse. + +That you, Dear Sir, may be long preserved, sustained and comforted by +the providence and grace of the Most High, amid all your self-sacrifice, +privation and reproach which you endure for the truth's Bake, is the +prayer of + +Your brother in covenant bonds, + +DAVID STEELE. + +PHILADELPHIA, _February 1st, 1870_. + + + + +PREFACE + + +The Apocalypse is one of the most sublime and wonderful dramatic +exhibitions presented for human contemplation. Internal evidence concurs +with authentic history, in demonstrating to the devout and intelligent +reader, its divine origin. God, angels and men, are the principal +actors. Men's natural curiosity may find entertainment in this book; and +from no higher principle, many have doubtless been prompted to attempt a +discovery of its mysterious contents. What is true, however, of +supernatural revelation in general, is equally true of this book:--"The +natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can +he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." + +To the right understanding of the Apocalypse, so far as the prophetical +parts of it are contemplated, the following prerequisites would seem to +be indispensable:-- + +1. A competent knowledge of what may be termed the fundamental doctrines +of the gospel: such as the unity of the Divine Nature; the distinction +of persons in the Godhead; the atonement and intercession of Christ; the +total depravity and renovation of human nature; the resurrection and +final retribution, etc. + +2. Acquaintance with symbolical language, as the only language common to +all men since the confusion of tongues. + +3. Familiarity with the typical dispensation, from which most of the +symbols are taken. 4. Freedom from all political bias. + +No expositor of the Apocalypse appears to have possessed all these +qualifications, however few and simple. The most learned and judicious +interpreters of this book have been divines of Britain and of the United +States. + +After so many laborers employed in this harvest, the reader may +ask,--What remains to be gleaned? To this inquiry, it may be sufficient +to remind the devout Christian, that as the Apocalypse is the end of the +Bible, so "the harvest is the end of the world;" and during the +intermediate time "the Lord of the harvest is sending forth laborers." +Prophecy has engaged the attention and occupied the thoughts of the +writer, more or less, for the last thirty years. He has consulted the +views of most of the distinguished and approved interpreters of the book +of Revelation; among whom the following are named, viz.: _Mede, Sir +Isaac_ and _Bishop Newton, Durham, Fleming, Gill, Whitaker, Kett, +Galloway, Faber, Scott, Mason, McLeod_; and many others: from all whose +labors, he has derived much instruction; and from all of whom he has +been obliged in important points to dissent. + +The immediate occasion of this undertaking, was the urgent request of +the people of his charge, that the substance of a course of lectures +delivered in ordinary Sabbath ministrations, might be put into a more +permanent form, for their future edification. + +In the early centuries of the Christian era, so wild, enthusiastic and +corrupt were the sentiments of some Millenarians, that this book ceased +in great measure to be read or studied; and even its divine authority +came to be questioned by many learned and pious men. As the "Dark Ages" +of Popery resulted from neglect of the sacred Scriptures in general, so +even among the first reformers the Apocalypse was viewed with suspicion +as to its claim to inspiration. It is probable that many of the +unlearned will hear with wonder, and doubt the assertion, that even the +great reformer Luther rejected the Apocalypse, as being no part of the +sacred canon! The same judgment he formed of the epistle by James! With +characteristic boldness, he wrote as follows:--"The epistle of James +hath nothing evangelical in it. I do not consider it the writing of an +apostle at all.... It ascribes justification to works, in direct +contradiction to Paul and all the other sacred writers.... With respect +to the Revelation of John, I state what I feel. For more than one +reason, I cannot deem this book either apostolic or prophetical, ... and +it is sufficient reason for me not to esteem it highly, that Christ is +neither taught nor known in it."[1] Such was the estimation in which +that distinguished reformer held _two_ inspired books of the New +Testament at the dawn of the Reformation. How great the increase of +scriptural light since his day! + +The grand design of this book, as declared by its divine Author, is, "to +show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass," ... "to +testify these things in the churches:"--to make known beforehand, to +those styled his "witnesses," the certainty of a great apostacy,--the +rise, reign and overthrow of the Antichrist, that "when it came to pass, +they might believe," and exemplify before the world "the patience and +the faith of the saints." During that protracted period, the witnesses +could neither know their duty nor sustain their allotted trials without +these necessary instructions. + +From the position of the witnessing church--"in the wilderness" during +the whole time of Antichrist's reign, which is also the position of the +apostle John when viewing in vision the "woman upon the beast;" (ch. +xvii. 3,) _that_ appears to be the _only advantageous position_ from +which to view the actors in this wonderful scene. And since few have +voluntarily "gone forth to Christ without the camp, bearing his +reproach," or submitted to wear the mourning garments of "sackcloth," it +is not at all surprising that the Apocalypse--emphatically a +_Revelation_--should continue to be, to many, a "sealed book." But on +the other hand, "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the +words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written +therein." + +As this work is intended for the instruction and edification of the +unlearned, rather than for the entertainment of the learned, words of +foreign extract are used as seldom as possible. Practical remarks and +reflections are rarely introduced; the principal aim being simply to +ascertain and present to the reader the mind of the Holy Spirit. How far +this object has been accomplished, is of course left to the judgment of +the honest inquirer. The reader, however, in forming his judgment of the +value of these Notes, may be reminded of that inspired rule in searching +the Scriptures,--"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual." To assist +him in the application of this divine rule, many chapters and verses are +quoted from other parts of the Bible, but especially within the +Apocalypse itself; that by concentrating the various rays upon +particular texts or symbols, their intrinsic light may be rendered more +luminous. Thus the interpretation given, if correct, may be confirmed +and illustrated. + + + + +NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. + + +The heavens and the earth did not make themselves. The material universe +furnishes to the intelligent creature a visible demonstration of the +"eternal power and godhead of its Author." Besides, a _sense of Deity_ +is essential to humanity; and a supernatural revelation is not necessary +to convince rational beings that there is a God. Man is a dependent +being in common with all other creatures, and all creatures depend upon +a first cause. That cause is God. Dependent as a creature, man may know +something of the natural perfections of his Maker; and possessing a +conscience, which implies accountability to a superior, he may know,--he +_must_ know, something of the moral attributes of God. + +In view of these positions, we may account for the fact, too often +overlooked by the reader of the Bible, that the Holy Spirit directed the +first of all historians to begin his narrative _so abruptly_. Assuming +that the reader is already assured of _God's being,_ Moses proceeds at +once to account for the origination of the material universe. In simple +narrative he writes,--"In the beginning God created the heaven and the +earth." Thus God's being, and the eternity of his being are assumed as +known by the first inspired penman; a fact or principle not to be +disputed. True, the being of God has been questioned, but only by +"fools"--"brutish people;" who, by their atheistical suggestions have +proclaimed to their fellows their "brutish folly." (Ps. xiv. 6, xciv. 8, +9.) + +As the Bible takes for granted that mankind have had a previous +revelation in their own physical and moral constitution,--in the visible +heavens and earth; the same is true of the last book of the Bible, the +Apocalypse. It assumes that the reader has some competent knowledge of +the preceding books of the sacred Scriptures. The reader is supposed to +be acquainted with the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations of the +Covenant of Grace. Moreover, the moral law, as inculcated in the Old +Testament; the Levitical priesthood and ministry, as being "shadows of +good things to come;" the "doctrine according to godliness," taught in +the gospels and epistles of the New Testament,--are all taken for +granted and supposed to be received with a divine faith by all who would +profit by this last book of the sacred canon. + +It is further assumed in the Apocalypse, that the humble inquirer into +the mind of the Holy Spirit has a knowledge of ancient history, of the +character and destiny of Egypt, Babylon, etc. And finally, it is +requisite that the successful inquirer into the mind of God be +acquainted with the language of symbols; and, above all, that he be +resolved, with the inspired writer John, to take a position with the +mystic woman _in the wilderness_. + +With these few preliminaries, we proceed: + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto +his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and +signified it by his angel unto his servant John: + +2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus +Christ, and of all things that he saw. + +3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this +prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time +is at hand. + +Verses 1-3.--Here, our divine Mediator appears in the continued exercise +of his prophetical office "in his estate of exaltation." While present +with his disciples on earth, he told them he had many things to say to +them, but they could not hear them then. (John xvi. 12) Upon his +ascension he fulfilled his own and his Father's promise in sending the +Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth--bring all things to their +remembrance, and show them _things to come_. (v. 13.) The fulfilment of +this promise we have in the whole of the New Testament,--doctrines, +facts and predictions. + +Jesus said,--"Of mine own-self I can do nothing." (v. 30.) The same is +true of his teachings as of his works:--"The words that I speak unto +you, I speak not of myself, (xiv. 10.) In all that "Jesus began both to +do and to teach," (Acts i. 1,) he was instructed by his Father. These +things are all plainly implied in the first verse. Indeed, the official +actings of the three Persons in the Godhead had been frequently taught +by Christ during the time of his personal ministry; and they are more +fully and frequently recorded by the beloved disciple than by any other +evangelist, in that gospel which still bears this apostle's name. Thus, +it appears that although this book is called a "Revelation of Jesus +Christ," he is not the ultimate author. It is a revelation "which God +gave unto him." By God here, we are to understand the person of the +Father. The reader is thus conducted to the divine origin of all +supernatural revelation,--the eternal purpose of God. (Heb. i. 1, 2.) +The object of the whole Bible, in the evolvement of the divine economy +of man's redemption, appears to be the unfolding of the ineffable +mystery of the Trinity, and displaying the perfections of the Godhead, +to his own glory as the highest and last end. + +The channel through which the divine will comes to the church, is +exhibited in the beginning of this book. Originating with God the +Father, passing to the Mediator, communicated to a holy angel; by his +ministry it is made known to John, who reveals it to the church! How +beautiful the order here! How wonderful and condescending on the part of +God! + +Although we commonly and justly designate the whole Bible by the name +"Revelation;" yet we are to consider that this book is so called by way +of eminence. Doubtless it is so styled by its divine Author because it +reveals events which were then future, and which could not be discovered +by human sagacity. But this holds equally true of other parts of the +Scriptures, especially those parts which are prophetical. It may be that +this book is called "Apocalypse" because of the opposition which it was +to encounter from Antichrist, as also because of its singular and +intended use to a peculiar portion of professing Christians. As on the +one hand the Romish church, and too many who protest against her +encroachments, prohibit or discourage the disciples of Christ from +reading this book; so, on the other hand, it has been of singular use to +others in strengthening their faith and ministering to their comfort. + +John "bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus +Christ and of all things that he saw." A question arises here,--What is +the difference, if any, between the "word of God" and the "testimony of +Jesus Christ?" Or is there any distinction intended by the Holy Spirit? +Most readers as well as expositors view these expressions as identical. +We shall meet with them, or their equivalent, frequently hereafter; and +it may be proper at the outset to inquire a little into this familiar +phraseology. (See chapters i. 9; vi. 9; xii. 11, 17; xx. 4, etc.) + +Recognising the inspired rule of interpretation,--"comparing spiritual +things with spiritual," we refer to Psalm lxxviii. 5, where "testimony +and law" are obviously distinguished. The same distinction will be found +in Isa. viii. 16, 20. The prophet refers the reader to _two tests_ of +doctrine and practice: first the "law." But as the spouse of Christ is +unable, in her perplexity, to apply the law to the present case in a +manner satisfactory to herself, she is directed by her Lord, (Song i. +8,) to "go forth by the footsteps of the flock." That is, search and +ascertain how the disciples applied the law in similar circumstances, +and imitate their approved example. This is a rule recognised and often +inculcated in the New Testament. (Heb. vi. 12.) + +The inspired penman in Psalm lxxviii. 5, refers to the covenant +transaction at Mount Sinai, where the "law" was exhibited as an appendix +to the covenant of grace--"added to the promise." (Gal. iii. 19.) The +reader will find this whole matter set before him, perhaps to his +surprise and delight in Exod. xx. 1-17. The Lord (Jehovah) is the God +(Elohim) of his people. How shall they know that he is _their_ God? By +the law?--No, for that is a rule to all men. They know by the +_testimony_ as distinct from the law. Testimony consists of _facts_. +God's people knew that he was their God, because he "brought them out of +the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This was "the doing of +the Lord,"--"the testimony of Jesus Christ." And so it is an important +and precious truth to us at the present day.--"The preface to the Ten +Commandments teacheth us, that God is the Lord (Jehovah) and _our +God_."--This great historical fact is the controlling motive to +acceptable obedience to the moral law. To this, among other truths of +the gospel, every faithful minister will "bear witness" with the apostle +John. + +John also bore witness to "all things that he saw," as presented to him +in a succession of visions to the end of this book, in view of some of +which, he "wondered with great admiration." (xvii. 6.) + +In the third verse there is a "blessing" pronounced on all such as +"hear, read and keep those things which are written in the words of this +prophecy." A mere reading and hearing of the Apocalypse will not secure +the blessing. It is suspended on the _keeping_. "Blessed is he that +_keepeth_ the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Ch. xxii. 7.) The +divine and compassionate Author of this prophecy, who "knoweth the end +from the beginning," foresaw the violent and ignorant opposition even to +the _reading_ of it, which would be encountered by those for whose +special direction and comfort it was given. While the "man of sin" would +attempt to deprive the church of the light of the Bible in general, the +great "Antichrist" would join him in special hostility to this book. The +judgment of the former is, that the Bible in the hands of the people +will generate _heresies_; of the latter,--the Apocalypse is so "hard to +be understood" as to be unintelligible. A revelation, and yet +unintelligible! This is very nearly a contradiction. Such sentiments +betray rebellion against the authority, and a reflection upon the wisdom +and beneficence of God. All Christians acknowledge, as Peter says of the +writings of Paul, that in this book are "some things dark and hard to be +understood:" but there have been always and now are, some disciples who +do not subscribe to the teaching of most expositors of this book,--that +their actual fulfilment, alone, will interpret these +predictions.--Doubtless it was in view of such discouragements that our +Lord prefixed and repeated the special blessing. And this promised +blessing of the Master himself is sufficient to countervail all the +discouragements and hostility of the adversaries, thrown in the way of +the reader and expositor. Moses "endured as having respect unto the +recompense of the reward." Let us copy his example. "He is faithful that +promised." Let the pious reader, therefore, disregard the counsel to +"omit the reading, of this book in family worship," as we have sometimes +heard; whether it be tendered by Papist, Prelate or Presbyterian, +because it is directly contrary to the express command of Christ, (John +v. 39,) and because by following such counsel, he would forfeit the +special blessing here promised. + + +4. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and +peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from +the seven Spirits which are before his throne; + +5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the +First-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. +Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, + +6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to whom +be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. + +Vs. 4-6.--Here we have the customary salutation, addressed to the +churches of Asia Minor. Many other churches had been organized in other +parts of the earth at this date; (A.D. 96:) but the special reason why +John saluted these seven, and addressed an epistle to each, would seem +to be his vicinity to them in the place of his present sojourning, and +probably his personal acquaintance with them in the exercise of his +ministry among them, (v. 11.) His prayer for these churches is +substantially the same as that prefixed to most of Paul's epistles. +Grace and peace are inseparable in the divine arrangement. "There is no +peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isa. lvii. 21.) + +The solitary pilgrim in his place of banishment, contemplating the +Abrahamic covenant, and realizing that grace and that peace in which he +desires his fellow disciples to share, sets before us the threefold +source whence these divine influences flow. First, "from him which is, +and which was, and which is to come;" a description of God the Father, +whose personal subsistence has priority in the Godhead, and who occupies +the like priority in voluntary relationship and economic standing. From +the Father personally, as the representative of Trinity, we have seen +(in verse 1,) this book emanated; and now from the same we are taught +that "grace and peace" come to fallen man. Second, John's prayer here, +differs from Paul's usual form in the beginning of his epistles; for +Paul omits the Holy Spirit, commonly saying,--"Grace be to you, and +peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ," (as in Gal. +i. 3.) In this last book of Scripture we have the co-equal Three +introduced as co-operating in the work of man's redemption. Thus our +attention is directed to the "seven Spirits which are before the +throne;" by which we are to understand the Holy Ghost, in his essential +equality with God the Father, but in the place of official +subordination. The Holy Spirit is _one_ personally, but _seven_ in his +manifold gifts and graces, with special reference to the "seven +churches." And whereas the divine Spirit, in the order of his personal +subsistence and operation is _third,_ here he occupies the _second_ +place in the order of revelation. Third, The special reason for +reserving the notice of our Saviour to the last place, is doubtless that +the "beloved disciple" may take occasion to leave on record an +expression of his admiration of the Mediator's person, one of whose +names is "Wonderful," (Isa. ix. 6;) and that he might exemplify the +ruling principle of his own heart,--"We love him, because he first loved +us." (1 John iv. 19.) The apostle dwells upon the personal glory of +Immanuel, contemplating him in his threefold office of prophet, priest +and king.--He is "the faithful witness" in his prophetical office. "The +only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared +him." (John i. 18;) "who, before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good +confession." (John xviii. 37.) He is "the first-begotten of the dead." +He "died unto sin once," as an expiatory sacrifice to atone for the +guilt of an elect world. Being a "priest for ever after the order of +Melchizedek," "he ever liveth to make intercession,"--"death hath no +more dominion over him," as it had over Lazarus and many others who +"came out of the graves after his resurrection." (Matt, xxvii. 52, 53.) +_Among all_, he has the preeminence. (Col. i. 18.) He is "the Prince of +the kings of the earth." There is not in the sacred volume a title of +our Redeemer more full or expressive than this, on his headship or royal +office. A _prince_ is of royal parentage. Such is the understanding of +mankind in all civilized nations. Joseph in Egypt typified, in part, the +kingly office of Christ; and Solomon on the throne of Israel partially +typified him in his dominion: but as Balaam foretold that he should be +"higher than Agag," (Num. xxiv. 7,) so we may say he is higher than +Joseph,--"A greater than Solomon is here." "Pharaoh said unto Joseph, +Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my +people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." When +the Father says to the Son, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever," +(Ps. xlv. 6,) this is consistent with "excepting him that did put all +things under him." (1 Cor. xv. 27.) Although we are not warranted to say +with some, "The Father is the fountain of the Godhead, we may +warrantably and boldly say, the Father is the _fountain_ of _authority_. +(John vi. 38.) The dominion of the Mediator is universal, reaching "from +the roofless heaven to the bottomless hell." It is comfortable to the +disciples to know this in anticipation of the rise and reign of +Antichrist. He is, by the appointment of the Father "head over all +things," (Eph. i. 22,)--"able to save to the uttermost all that come +unto God by him," to "consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy +with the brightness of his coming, that Wicked, the Man of Sin." (2 +Thess. ii. 8.) + +In view of the personal dignity and mediatorial dominion of Christ, the +apostle gives expression to his admiration and wonder at the amazing +love and condescension displayed by him on behalf of himself and all +others, on whom that love was fixed from everlasting, and whose guilt +and pollution were taken away by the atoning and cleansing blood of the +Lamb. To these saving benefits is to be added the honour to which the +redeemed are advanced as "kings and priests,--a royal priesthood." The +living Head is "a priest upon his throne," (Zech. vi. 13,) and all the +members are assimilated to him. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.) + + +7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they +also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because +of him. Even so, Amen. + +Verse 7.--How animated the language, sublime the conception, and +awe-inspiring the sentiment here! Time is annihilated! The end is seen +from the beginning, and all eyes are directed to the sovereign Judge of +the world, as he comes in majesty to fix the final destiny of all the +children of Adam! These have constituted only two classes sincere world +began. "Every eye shall see him," but the eye will affect the heart very +differently. The hearts of some, with holy Job, will be filled with joy +unspeakable, (Job xix. 26, 27;) but others, with mercenary Balaam, will +be inspired with terror and dismay. (Num. xxiv. 17.) Of "them that +pierced him," who shall be able to abide his indignation? Judas, +Caiaphas, Herod and his men of war; Pontius Pilate, and all who have +consented to the counsel and deed of them, "must appear before his +judgment seat." "All kindreds of the earth," covering all the +combinations of "Antichrist" during the definite period of twelve +hundred and sixty years, "shall wail because of him," (Rev. xiv. 10, +11.) Assured of the equity of Messiah's judgment, the apostle, in the +exercise of "like precious faith with all them that believe," subjoins +his hearty assent,--"Even so, Amen:" "So let all thine enemies perish, O +Lord." Doubtless the design of the Holy Spirit in this verse is to +furnish ground of encouragement to those who were to be engaged in the +protracted conflict with the powers of darkness foreshadowed in the +prophecy of this book. + + +8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, +which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. + +Ver. 8.--The same divine person, to whom the apostle directs the +doxology in the 6th verse, is introduced in the 8th: that is, the Lord +Christ. He claims eternity and omnipotence. He describes himself here in +the _very words_ which in the 4th verse are descriptive of the eternal +subsistence of the person of the Father. "Alpha and Omega," the first +and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are explained in the +words,--"the beginning and the ending." This language is not to be +understood as expressing or defining the duration of the Godhead only; +but it points also to the divine purpose and providence. To the same +purpose speaks our Redeemer under the name of Wisdom:--"The Lord (the +Father) possessed me in the beginning (head, purpose) of his way, before +his works of old." (Prov. viii. 22.) In joint counsel with the Father, +ere the wheels of time began to move, and being "almighty" to execute +the purposes of God, he is perfectly qualified to act as the final Judge +of the world. And in the great and last day "every tongue must confess +that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. ii. 11.) "For +to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be +Lord both of the dead and living." (Rom. xiv. 9.)--"God is judge +himself." (Ps. 1. 6.) + + +9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and +in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is +called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus +Christ. + +Ver. 9.--Again, the inspired writer addresses the Christians in Asia, +acquainting them very briefly and simply with his present local +situation; not so much to move their sympathy with him, as to express +his unabated affection for them:--"I am your brother, and companion in +tribulation." Although the "like afflictions were accomplished in his +brethren," the Devil was permitted to "cast" only "some of them into +prison." But it is remarkable that John utters not a word, much less +manifests any resentment, against the persecutor. He was "in the isle +that is called Patmos:"--but he does not say who sent him there. +Historians tell us that he was banished by Domitian, the Roman emperor; +others say, by Nero; but the former is more probable. This island is +proverbially barren. It is situated among a number of islands in the +Aegean sea, a point of the Mediterranean running northward between +Europe and Asia, and not very remote from most of the churches here +addressed. + +The ground of controversy between John and his persecutors was "the word +of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Of these he "bare record." +(v, 2.) "This," say most expositors, "was the cause of John's +banishment." This unguarded language confounds the difference between a +_cause_ and an _occasion_. John had given no cause of banishment to his +enemies. The true cause of their hostility was their hatred of the "word +of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." For these John contended +earnestly, as Jude enjoined; (ver. 3:) just as Paul and others were +"bold in their God to speak the gospel of God with much contention." (1 +Thes. ii. 2.) We have here the standing ground of strife between the +believer and the infidel; between Christ and Belial, between the church +and the world. There is a divine hand interposed all along in this +warfare, and the conflict will terminate only in the extermination of +one of the parties. (Gen. iii. 15; Rev. xx. 10.) + + +10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great +voice, as of a trumpet, + +Ver. 10.--The beloved disciple had often "tasted the good word of God," +while the bosom-companion of Christ in the time of his ministry on +earth: His "heart burned within him." (Luke xxiv. 32.) Especially had +this been his happy experience on the holy Sabbath. Now that his +condition is solitary, being by violence "driven out from the +inheritance of the Lord," (1 Sam. xxvi. 19,) his gracious Master favours +him with a special visit. Did he not say to his disciples while he was +yet with them,--"I will not leave you comfortless? I will come to you." +(John xiv. 18.) The Comforter was promised to supply the want of the +Saviour's bodily presence, (v. 16,) and now John is "in the Spirit," and +it is "the Lord's day,"--the Christian Sabbath. We may well suppose this +disciple never was happier, no, not when he was "leaning on Jesus' +bosom." He would not now envy the emperor or any of his persecutors in +all their outward peace and prosperity. He was in an ecstasy,--"whether +in the body or out of the body he could not tell:" but his soul was +susceptible of the impressions of Christ's love, and of the intimations +of his sovereign will. "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" +(Gen. xviii. 17.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth +his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos iii. 7.) John does not +boast as Balaam,--"falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:" yet +he heard and saw as distinctly and clearly as if his perceptions had +come through the medium of his bodily ears and eyes. "He heard behind +him a great voice as of a trumpet," not to alarm, but to engage +attention. + + +11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega; the first and the last: and, What thou +seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in +Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto +Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. + +V. 11.--Christ speaks, asserting his eternity, and consequently his +equality with the Father. This book being written in the Greek language, +our Saviour names and appropriates to himself the first and last letters +of the alphabet in that language, and gives the interpretation,--"the +first and the last," as in v. 8. John is directed to write and send to +the seven churches all that is contained in this last book of the Bible. +The churches are named here, and in the second and third chapters they +are addressed severally in a letter to each. It may be noted that +besides the general commission to preach the gospel to every creature, +apostles had a special call to _write_; and sometimes a +prohibition,--"write not," (ch. x. 4.) Many of the most learned and +godly divines whom we would consider best qualified, have never left any +writings for the instruction of posterity; whilst others less qualified, +either in respect of literature or piety, or not at all qualified, have +filled the world with books without a special call from Christ. (John +xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.) + + +12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, +I saw seven golden candlesticks; + +13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of +man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps +with a golden girdle. + +14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and +his eyes were as a flame of fire; + +15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; +and his voice as the sound of many waters. + +16. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went +a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in +his strength. + +Vs. 12-16.--His attention being arrested, the apostle "turned to see the +voice,"--that is, the person from whom the voice came. A glorious vision +was presented to his view,--"seven golden candlesticks" or lamp-bearers, +in allusion to the golden candlestick with the seven lamps as placed in +the tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 31-40.) "In the midst of the candlesticks +appeared one like unto the Son of man," the Mediator, clothed in +sacerdotal garments, supplying oil for the light, after the example of +Aaron and his sons. (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21.) The "garment" may signify his +mediatorial righteousness,--the "golden girdle" the preciousness of his +love,--"his head and his hairs white like wool," his purity and +eternity,--"his eyes as a flame of fire," his omniscience, by which he +searches the reins and hearts, and sees the end from the beginning; "his +feet like unto fine brass," the stability of his appointments and the +excellency of his providential dispensations,--"his voice," the +irresistible energy of his word to quicken, terrify or destroy at his +pleasure. (John v. 25, Heb. xii. 26.) "The sharp two-edged sword" will +represent his awful justice against the impenitent who resist his +righteous authority. "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the +wicked." (Is. xi. 4; Luke xix. 27.) "His countenance as the sun shining +in his strength," disclosed to the beloved disciple such splendor as to +overwhelm him. The like display of divine majesty was insupportable to +Saul of Tarsus when on his way to Damascus. (Acts xxvi. 13.) To the +workers of iniquity, "our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.) It +is a certain truth,--"The vengeance of the gospel is weighter than the +vengeance of the law." (Heb. x. 28, 31.) "Let us therefore fear." + + +17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his +right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the +last: + +18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for +evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. + +19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and +the things which shall be hereafter; + +20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, +and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the +seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the +seven churches. + +Vs. 17-20.--We have the effect of the vision upon the beloved disciple. +He who had leaned on Christ's bosom at supper, and who had seen his +Master transfigured on the holy mount, was now utterly overwhelmed with +the effulgence of his glory. John "fell at his feet as dead." So it was +with Daniel, "a man greatly beloved." (Daniel x. 4-8.) But the +compassionate Saviour dispelled his fears, as in all similar cases; +making known to his astonished servant his supreme deity and real +humanity, as "the first and the last," who died for the sins, and was +raised again for the justification of his people. (Rom. iv. 25.) He is +"alive for evermore,"--become "the first fruits of them that slept." (1 +Cor. xv. 20.) He "dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over him." +(Rom. vi. 9.) And so complete is his victory over the king of terrors, +the last enemy of the believer, that he hath "the keys of hell and of +death." He has the "key of the bottomless pit," (xx. 1;) having +triumphed over principalities and powers, making a show of them openly. +(Col. ii. 15.) Whether Christ used the word, "amen," to ratify the truth +of his immortality; or whether this is an expression by John of his +joyful acquiescence in that truth, is not material: we know on +satisfactory evidence, that our Lord is a prophet and king, as well as a +priest, "after the power of an endless life." (Heb. vii. 16; Rom. xiv. +9.) + +John is next commanded to write,--_First_, "the things which he had +seen;" that is, the description of the foregoing vision:--_Second_, "the +things which are;" that is, the actual condition of the church, as +delineated in the diverse characters of the seven churches addressed, as +in the next two chapters:--_Third_, "the things which shall be +hereafter:" that is, the prophetical part of the book, from the +beginning of the fourth chapter to the close, as containing the +prospective history of the church and of the nations, as she was to be +affected by them, or they by her, till the consummation of all things. +This is the division of the book made by the divine Author himself, and +it is a natural and intelligible one. All attempts of learned and pious +men by other divisions to render this mysterious part of the Bible more +clear to the unlearned reader, tend only to display the ingenuity of the +writers,--not to say their temerity, while they "darken counsel by words +without knowledge." Such artificial divisions are as unfounded, in the +apprehension of sober expositors, as the attempts of impious Arians and +others, to turn the historical narrative of the creation and fall of man +into an allegory! + +The meaning of the "seven stars and seven candlesticks" is then +explained to John. The word, "are," is used in a figurative sense, and +not to be taken literally. It means here, _symbolize, represent_ or +_signify_. It is to be interpreted in the same sense as in the following +places of sacred Scripture:--"It _is_ the Lord's passover." (Exod. xii. +11.) "That rock _was_ Christ." (1 Cor. x. 4.) "This _is_ my body." +(Matt. xxvi. 26.) None but a Papist will have any difficulty here, or +perhaps,--a Lutheran! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Some commentators, among whom may be mentioned the learned Dr. Gill, a +leading Antipedobaptist minister of England, have imagined, that the +seven epistles addressed to the Asiatic churches, contain a mystical +prophecy of the church general, covering the whole period of her history +from the apostolic age till the end of the world. According to this +fancy,--for it is nothing more than a fancy; the church in Smyrna, will +represent the church's condition in the second stage of her history, +when Arianism prevailed! And the Laodicean must represent her last, and +so her worst condition! How will this harmonize with the 20th chapter, +where she appears in triumph over all her antichristian foes? This is +given as a specimen of the unbridled fancy and licentious imagination +with which even good men may be tempted to approach the reading and +interpreting of this important and instructive part of God's word. But +Peter informs us that some persons in his time, "wrested" those parts of +Paul's writings which were "dark and hard to be understood:" and this +was not the worst of their conduct, for they treated "the other +scriptures also" in the same reckless and irreverent manner, which were +neither dark nor hard to be understood. (2 Pet. iii. 16.) These epistles +are no more mystical or prophetical than those of the apostle Paul. They +are simply and properly descriptive, although like all other epistles, +they are applicable to the church general in all ages, and equally +suited to the case of individuals, as is clear in the close of +each:--"If _any man_ have an ear, let _him_ hear." + + +1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he +that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst +of the seven golden candlesticks; + +2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou +canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say +they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: + +3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast +laboured, and hast not fainted. + +4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left +thy first love. + +5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do +the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove +thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. + +6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, +which I also hate. + +7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, +which is in the midst of the paradise of God. + +Verses 1-7.--This first epistle, addressed to the church in Ephesus, +comes from the Lord Jesus, who holds the stars in his right hand; who +gives commission to the ministry, gives them authority as his +ambassadors to negotiate with mankind, communicates to them the light +which they diffuse in the world, sustains them in their respective +spheres, and controls them as they move in their orbits. He walks in the +midst of the candlesticks, as the sun in the system of nature, trimming +and snuffing the lamps that they may burn more clearly. + +This is the second epistle sent from Christ to the church of Ephesus. +Paul, who is thought to have planted this church, (Acts xviii. 19,) had +written to those Christians some thirty years before, while he was a +prisoner in Rome. (Eph. i. 4; vi. 20.) Paul and John were nothing more +than Christ's amanuenses,--"the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. xlv. 1; 1 +Cor. iii. 7.)--"The angel of the church" is at once a symbolic and +collective name, including also the idea of representation:--not a pope +or any other prelatic personage. No doubt in our Saviour's estimation +the saints take precedence here of the "bishops (overseers.) and +deacons," as they do in Phil. i. 1; Eph. iv. 8-12. All ecclesiastical +officers are Christ's gift to the church; but the object or recipient of +the gift is more valued than the gift. And just here is the point where +prelates "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures." They have +arrogated to themselves the honourary title of "clergy;" and for the +sake of distinction, and to give plausibility to their ambitious +pretensions, call the membership of the church the "laity,"--contrary to +the express decision of the unerring Spirit. Peter cautions the +"elders" that they be not as "lords over God's _heritage,"_--_lot, +clergy;_ where it is obvious that the body of the people, as +distinguished from their rulers, are denominated the _clergy._ Moreover, +it is evident to any unbiased reader, that the membership, and not a +bishop only, are addressed by our Lord in these epistles; as when he +says,--"some of you." (v. 10.) Hence it may be inferred that there is no +proof in these epistles on which to erect the antichristian hierarchy of +diocesan prelacy; and consequently that ecclesiastical government is by +divine right, lodged in the hands of a plurality of presbyters. + +Christ notices what is commendable, before he administers reproof. "I +know thy works."--There seems to be an incompatibility between the +"patience" commended, and not being able to "bear them which were evil." +But patience under persecution or any other providential dispensation, +is perfectly consistent with an enlightened zeal against error and +immorality. Indeed, the two graces,--patience and zeal, are inseparable +in themselves, and as connected with all the other graces of the Holy +Spirit.--There were such in the primitive church, who claimed to be +apostles, and who, upon trial, were discovered to be impostors. Paul, in +the exercise of the miraculous gift of "discerning of spirits," could, +without presbyterial examination of witnesses, personally detect "false +apostles, deceitful workers" in Corinth. (2 Cor. xi. 13.) But John was +not at Ephesus, and therefore the ordinary rulers are approved by Christ +for the faithful exercise of discipline. Persons who falsify the +doctrines and corrupt the order and ordinances of divine appointment, +are the worst of liars, and having been by competent authority "found" +to be such; they may be so called without breach of charity. When +discipline is neglected or relaxed, error and tyranny soon enter, with +"confusion and every evil work." But when false teachers have gained +followers and influence in the church, the friends of truth and order +will be in danger of yielding to the pressure. They are liable to become +"weary and faint in their minds," (Heb. xii. 3;) but zeal for their +Master's honor will animate them to contend for the faith so as to +secure his approbation. It is remarkable that so much labor, patience, +zeal etc., should be found in this church while chargeable with having +"fallen from first love." Habits contracted in the fervor of early +affection to Christ, may continue to influence an individual or a +church, when the fervency of affection is sensibly abated. This state of +feeling the exercised Christian will confess and lament. Nothing but +repentance and reformation in such a case will procure the approbation +and restore the favor of Christ. Continued impenitence is threatened +with removing "the candlestick," the gospel, ministry and ordinances. + +The Nicolaitans were a sect of corrupt professors of Christianity of +whose doctrines and deeds little or nothing is certainly known. It is +most generally supposed that they were a sort of Antinomians, who turned +the grace of God into lasciviousness; and there is a tradition, not well +sustained, that their heresy was derived from Nicolas, a proselyte of +Antioch, one of the seven deacons of whom we read, Acts vi. 5. The +similarity of name seems to have suggested this fancy; for there is no +historical evidence that one who was "of honest report, full of the Holy +Ghost and wisdom," was permitted thus to fall away. Their deeds, +however, were hateful to Christ, and therefore hateful to his real +disciples: for one of the infallible marks of a state of grace is to +hate what,--yes and whom,--our Lord hates. (Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22.) All who +read or hear these things are interested in them, whether they will +hear, or whether they will forbear. What Christ saith in each of these +epistles, the Spirit saith; and what is said to each church is said to +all the seven; that is, to the whole visible church. "To him that +overcometh" false apostles, the deeds of the Nicolaitans, any doctrines +or practices in opposition to the truth of Christ, or militating against +the honor of Christ; to such he "will give to eat of the tree of life," +from which Adam was excluded upon the breach of the first covenant. +(Genesis iii. 22-24.) What the first Adam lost by the fall, the last +Adam will restore with interest, (1 Cor. ii. 9.) The felicity of the +saints in glory can be represented only by sensible things; and even +then but very imperfectly. (1 Cor. xiii. 12; 1 John iii. 2.) + + +8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith +the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; + +9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) +and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, +but are the synagogue of Satan. + +10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil +shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall +have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give +thee a crown of life. + +11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. + +Vs. 8-11.--Smyrna is the second in order of the seven churches addressed +through the ministry as the official representatives. Our Saviour here +assumes those titles mentioned in ch. i. 17, 18, which bespeak his +divine personal dignity and voluntary humiliation, his eternal Godhead +and true manhood,--"God manifest in the flesh," having by death +triumphed over death, to deliver them who through fear of death were all +their life-time subject to bondage. (Heb. ii. 15.) This church was +subjected to "tribulation,"--persecution in name, substance and person. +The members were either of the poorer sort of the citizens of Smyrna, or +rendered poor by fines,--"the spoiling of their goods."--"But thou art +rich," rich in faith, in good works, in the gifts and graces of the +Spirit, the earnest of the heavenly inheritance.--In this place a colony +of Jews had gained such social influence as to move the populace, and +even the local magistrates, to offer violence to the servants of God. It +does not appear that these Jews were professing Christians of any creed, +but just such as Paul often encountered in Judea and elsewhere. (Acts +xvi. 19-22.) The devil instigated the Jews, and they the Gentiles; and +both, the magistrates, to silence the testimony of Christ's witnesses, +by which all were tormented. The design of the devil, who was a murderer +from the beginning, was to _destroy_ that church; but Christ's design +was to _try_ her members. Only _some_ were to be imprisoned, and the +time of trial would be limited to "ten days,"--a definite for an +indefinite, but short time. Those who resist the truth contradict its +advocates, and blaspheme the holy name of God, though professing to be +either Jews or Christians, area "synagogue of Satan." "A crown of life" +is promised to such as proved "faithful unto death." They shall not be +"hurt of the second death;" that is, eternal death. (Ch. xx. 14, 15.) + + +12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith +he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; + +13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat +is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in +those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among +you, where Satan dwelleth. + +14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them +that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a +stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed +unto idols, and to commit fornication. + +15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, +which thing I hate. + +16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight +against them with the sword of my mouth. + +17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, +and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, +which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. + +Vs. 12-17.--To the church in Pergamos reproofs and threatenings are +addressed by him who has the "sharp sword." Satan had his throne in this +place, whence he assailed the true doctrine and disciples of Christ by +heresy and persecution. In such a great fight of afflictions there was +one distinguished, like Stephen, for boldness and fortitude, who +"resisted unto blood, striving against sin." And wherever there is a +"faithful martyr" for Christ, who "holds fast his name, and will not +deny his faith" at the risk of his life, his divine Lord will condescend +to register his name among that noble company who "by faith have +obtained a good report." (Heb. Xv. 2.) The "doctrine of Balaam" and that +of the Nicolaitans led to gross immoralities in apostolic times as of +old in the days of Moses. (Num. xxxi. 16.) And thus it appears, that old +heresies, which have been condemned, are afterwards revived under new +names, and patronized by new leaders. In such a case, we have the +authority of Christ for calling them by the same names of those whose +principles they adopt, and whose example they emulate. It was no breach +of charity, therefore, by our forefathers to designate those who +"delated" them to the cruel persecutors in Scotland by the name of +"Ziphites," or to call the archtraitor Sharp,--"a Judas." The Lord Jesus +"hates the doctrine" as well as "deeds of Nicolaitans," which are +subversive of truth and godliness. Those who oppose the doctrines of +Balaam and the Nicolaitans in any age when these are popular, must +expect persecution. But when "troubles abound for Christ's sake, +consolations much more abound by Christ." This is to "eat of the hidden +manna." Also, the "white stone" or pebble,--the token of +justification,--will be given to the conqueror in the Christian +conflict. The allusion here is to the mode of procedure in courts of +judgment among the ancient Greeks. White stones were cast for acquittal; +black for condemnation. The manna is _hidden_, and so is the _white_ +stone, both signifying the sustaining and consoling evidence of the +Comforter,--the Holy "Spirit witnessing with the spirit" of the +persecuted believer, that he is a "child of God." It is the same thing +as the "hundred-fold in this life," promised by Christ. (Matt. xix. 29.) + +It is worthy of notice, in the condition of this church, that while +among a minority may be found an "Antipas,--faithful martyr" for the +cause of Christ, against those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the +Nicolaitans: the majority are called upon to "repent,"--evidently for +conniving at the destructive errors and immoralities of those seducers. +And unless the discipline of the church was employed to "purge out these +rebels;" the Master would take the work into his own hand, and "fight +against them with the sword of his mouth:" and then such as screened or +spared these sinners might expect to partake of their just punishment. +Rulers in the church "must give account for those over whom they watch." + + +18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things +saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and +his feet are like fine brass; + +19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy +patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. + +20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou +sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to +teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things +sacrificed unto idols. + +21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented +not. + +22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery +with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. + +23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall +know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give +unto every one of you according to your works. + +24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, (as many as have +not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they +speak;) I will put upon you none other burden: + +25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. + +26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him +will I give power over the nations: + +27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a +potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. + +28. And I will give him the morning-star. + +29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 18-29.--The most lengthy epistle is sent to the church in Thyatira. +He who is the "Son of God," a divine person, possessing the essential +attributes of omniscience and immutability, has more to say to this +church than to any of the rest. Commending, as usual, whatever was +commendable,--their "works, charity, service," etc.; "and the last to be +more than the first:" he has, nevertheless, "a few things against +them,"--especially "suffering that woman Jezebel to teach." Is this +"woman Jezebel" to be taken in a literal or figurative sense? Analogy +seems to require a metaphorical sense. If, in the preceding epistle, +"Balaam" is not to be understood literally and personally, but +figuratively and representatively, so Jezebel represents an individual, +or rather as that other woman, (ch. xvii. 4.) a faction or sect, who +propagated destructive heresy. Jezebel was daughter of Ethbaal, King of +the Zidonians, whom Ahab married contrary to the express law of God. (1 +Kings xvi. 31; Deut. vii. 3.) She was a violent persecutor of the Lord's +people, because she was given to idolatry; and she was an instigator of +all the cruelty perpetrated by that wicked king, "whom Jezebel his wife +stirred up." As Ahab suffered his wife to control his policy, "giving +him the vineyard of Naboth," etc., so it appears, the rulers in this +church are blamed for permitting "a woman to teach," contrary to the law +of Christ." (1 Tim. ii. 12.) She "called herself a prophetess,"--why not +then require her to show her credentials? Permitted to usurp the +functions of a public teacher, she "seduced Christ's servants" to join +in the abominable rites of the heathen. Spiritual fornication, +especially when conducted by female agency, has always issued in that +which is literal. This may be verified from the time of Noah and Balaam +till the erection of nunneries under the sanction of the "man of sin." +The distinction here between "committing fornication" and "eating things +sacrificed unto idols," intimates that the "adultery" is to be taken in +a literal sense. Time was allowed for repentance, "and she repented +not." All this time the rulers were culpable: therefore the Lord +himself, as before, will interpose to rectify such gross sin and +scandal. This he would do by visiting these impenitent transgressors +with some incurable disease which would issue in certain death. So he +did in the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) By this example he would +teach "all the churches, that it is he who searcheth the reins and +hearts,"--demonstrating his divine omniscience.--"But unto you I say." +Where now is to be discovered, in this address of the Saviour, that +"presiding minister," or diocesan bishop, whom the anti-christian +prelates affirm our Lord addresses in all these epistles? "And unto the +rest in Thyatira,"--still no prelate addressed; but those laborious and +patient ones previously commended, who "had not known the depths of +Satan." Those deceivers pretended to instruct their deluded followers in +the "deep things of God;" but Christ calls them "depths of Satan." It is +usual with the devil's factors to delude credulous persons with +pretending to teach them deep mysteries,--"curious arts. (Acts xix. 18, +19.) + +To such as withstood the adversary and his allies, Christ would give no +additional injunctions to those which they had received. And to animate +them to continued fidelity and fortitude in future conflicts with these +enemies of all righteousness, he holds forth an ample reward. He shall +share in the honor of his Master, conferred on him by his Father. +Whatever may be comprehended in this promise, it can be made good to the +victorious Christian only by Him who is divine. None else has "power +over the nations," but he to whom "all power is given in heaven and in +earth." (Matt, xxviii. 18.) "The morning star" may signify Christ +himself, (ch. xxii, 16,) or the "first fruits of the Spirit," (Rom. +viii. 23,) or the full assurance of grace. (2 Peter i. 19.) + +As before, what "Christ saith, the Spirit saith;" and the instruction, +warning and threatening sent to the church in Thyatira, was addressed to +all churches and to every human being endowed with an "ear to hear." It +is assumed in the beginning of the Apocalypse, that only some will have +sufficient education to "read the words of the prophecy of this book;" +and such is the condescension of our gracious Master, that those who, by +reason of invincible ignorance, cannot _read_, yet may share in the +reward promised to such as "hear and keep" the sayings of this book. And +no doubt thousands have received this reward since the begun decline of +Popery, who were privileged to hear and to "know the joyful sound" of +the gospel proclaimed by the heralds of the Reformation. In the times of +Luther, Calvin, Knox, and others, who were their compeers and +successors, many were called from darkness to light, in continental and +insular Europe, who could not read. + +All are commanded to "search the Scriptures." Now to be able to obey +this reasonable command, either all must be instructed in the knowledge +of Hebrew and Greek,--the two languages in which the Bible was +originally written, or the Bible must be translated into the languages +of all nations. But the former supposition is impracticable, and +therefore the latter is dutiful. And after all that has been done, and +is yet to be accomplished, in translating the sacred writings into the +languages of the nations of the earth, the "angels of the churches" will +be employed by the chief Shepherd in feeding his flock. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith +he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy +works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. + +2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready +to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. + +3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, +and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a +thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. + +4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their +garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. + +5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I +will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess +his name before my Father, and before his angels. + +6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 1-6.--As hitherto in these epistles we do not discover a "presiding +minister" above an elder, so neither do we in this one find any hint of +a "bishop and pastors." All Christ's bishops are elders, and "all are +brethren." (Acts xx. 17, 28.) Prelacy,--that is, preferring one pastor +before another in office, is expressly prohibited by the church's only +Lawgiver. (Matt. xx. 25, 26.) The attempts to annul this law of Christ +has caused more sin and suffering to his disciples than any one external +agency of the devil. The whole history of the church furnishes the +evidence of this. + +The church in Sardis is addressed by him who "hath the seven spirits of +God and the seven stars," who has authority by office to give the +quickening influences of the Spirit to the dead, and his reviving +influences to the dormant; for revival presupposes life. Their "works +were not perfect before God," however they might appear to men. The +majority were in a languishing condition, had "given themselves over to +a detestable neutrality" in the Lord's cause. And as the whole body is +justly characterized by the major part; this church is described as +"dead." "Be watchful,--remember,--repent." These duties point out the +prevailing sins, namely, slothfulness, forgetfulness and security. Where +these predominate, "things that remain are ready to die." And there is +no other remedy but that of applying to the "Seven Spirits of God," +which Christ is ready to shed abundantly on all who make believing +application. + +Christ threatens to "come as a thief" upon those who do not "watch." In +similitudes, we are not to indulge a licentious fancy in our attempts to +interpret them. The objects of the thief's visit and that of Christ are +not the point of resemblance; for "the thief cometh not but for to +steal, and to kill, and to destroy." The point, and the only point of +resemblance, is the suddenness of the visit. Ignorance or neglect of +this rule of interpretation has been a fruitful source of error, +especially in expounding Revelation. + +In this epistle, the order hitherto observed by the Saviour is reversed. +What was praiseworthy in other churches was first noticed. Here the +commendation follows the reproof. "Thou hast a few names," etc. A +virtuous minority are "undefiled in the way." They have nobly withstood +the prevailing contamination, and therefore Christ will admit them to +fellowship and honor. The victor shall be "clothed in white +raiment,"--grace shall be perfected in glory; and their names, which +were inscribed in the book of life,--the register of the church of the +first-born, shall be confessed by Christ "before his Father and before +his angels," as having "followed the Lamb," when others went back like +Orpah. (Ruth i. 15.) Let those who, having "put their hand to the +plough," are tempted to "look back," consider "what the Spirit saith" to +the church in Sardis. + + +7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things +saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, +he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; + +8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no +man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, +and has not denied my name. + +9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they +are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and +worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. + +10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep +thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, +to try them that dwell upon the earth. + +11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man +take thy crown. + +12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, +and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my +God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which +cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new +name. + +13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 7-13.--This church, like the one in Smyrna, is "without rebuke," in +the midst of similar trials.--Christ's message is prefaced, as usual, by +some description of himself, implying his supreme deity and authority. +"He that is holy, he that is true," is more than a creature. As "there +is none _good_ but one, that is God;" so, "there is none _holy_ as the +Lord," (Jehovah,) (1 Sam. ii. 2.) Here is another, among many plain +proofs, of our Saviour's proper divinity. His divine authority is held +forth in his "having the key of David," etc. A key is the symbol of +authority, (Matt. xvi. 19,) and the reference is to that prophecy, (Isa. +xxii. 20-24,) in which the mediatorial dominion of Christ is set forth, +by calling Eliakim to the place of authority in the room of Shebna. "The +key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." It is in virtue +of this extensive grant of power from the Father, that the Lord Christ +has a right, _as Mediator_, to send his ambassadors into all nations, to +call sinners (rebels) back to their rightful allegiance; and also to +execute deserved punishment upon all who do harm to his servants. (Ps. +cv, 15.) In the exercise of his rightful authority, he has set before +this church an "open door" of liberty, of opportunity, of activity; that +she may put forth her "little strength" in keeping Christ's word and +confessing his name amidst opposition, reproach and violence; for it is +obvious, that when impostors fail to reach their objects by deceit, they +will resort to forcible measures. Because this church was unable to +purge herself by corrective discipline,--having but "a little strength," +therefore Christ declares his purpose to strip these lying Jews of their +cloak of hypocrisy, and exhibit them in their true character a +"synagogue (church) of Satan." (James ii. 2.) Seeing that in apostolic +times there were apostles, ministers, churches of the devil, is it to be +supposed that we violate the law of charity, if in our own degenerate +age, when heresies abound, when ecclesiastical order is trampled upon, +we venture to apply the language of the Holy Spirit to unholy and +profane amalgamations? No, it is part of the special business of +Christ's witnesses to unmask specious hypocrites and warn of danger from +false teachers, (2 Cor. xi. 13-15; Gal. i. 6, 7,) that "their folly may +be made manifest to all men." (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9; 2 Peter ii. 1, 3.)--The +cruel enemy, who in the day of prosperity boasts of his success, in the +day of adversity becomes the most arrant coward and cringing +suppliant,--whether it be Saul or Shimei. (1 Sam. xv. 30; 2 Sam. xix. +18.) Haughty persecutors have been changed to humble suitors for an +interest in the prayers of their victims,--"to worship before their +feet." "The word of Christ's patience" may signify any truth or doctrine +of the Bible which is of supernatural revelation. The same idea is +suggested by the phrase, "the present truth,"--any divine truth which +may come to be opposed or denied, especially as it may bear upon the +personal glory of our Redeemer. Love to Christ is often tested by an +enlightened and firm adherence to the "truth as it is in Jesus," when +"false apostles will sell it for a mess of pottage." (Prov. xxiii. 23; 2 +Cor. xiii. 8.) The first promise here is of a temporal kind, of +protection in time of general danger. The "temptation" thus predicted +may refer to some of those "ten persecutions" waged by the Roman +emperors against the Christians, as that of Trajan in particular; but +doubtless, like many other predictions, it was to have more than one +fulfilment. The expression, "all the world" does indeed sometimes mean +the Roman empire, (Luke ii. 1;) but perhaps it would be rash to affirm, +that it is to be always thus limited. Like "the kingdom of heaven,--the +kingdom of God,"--phrases which have unquestionably a two-fold +signification, so it will be safer to consider this expression as of a +similar kind. All other churches would be exposed to trial, from which +this one would be exempted. The trial might consist of persecution, or +the spreading of heretical principles and wicked practices, followed by +apostacies. At such a time of trial, a firm adherence to the "doctrines +which are after godliness," would be imperative duty, and the only way +to secure the victor's crown. The gracious reward of fidelity here +promised is a permanent and honorable place in the heavenly temple,--the +temple of Christ's Father, whose name the citizen of the New Jerusalem +should bear for ever, and should be known and recognised as +"fellow-citizen with the saints." These names may be safely interpreted +as importing, "son, daughter of the Lord Almighty, citizen of Zion, +Christian." As "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch," +so their gracious Master will "confess their names before his Father and +the holy angels." (Acts xi. 26; Rev. iii. 5.) + + +14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These +things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of +the creation of God; + +15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou +wert cold or hot. + +16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will +spue thee out of my mouth. + +17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have +need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, +and poor, and blind, and naked. + +18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest +be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the +shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with +eye-salve, that thou mayest see. + +19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and +repent. + +20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and +open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with +me. + +21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, +even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. + +22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 14-22.--It appears that in Paul's time a Christian church had been +planted in Laodicea. (Col. ii. 1; iv. 16.) This church had the benefit +of his ministry as well as that of Ephesus: and as both these churches +were comparatively near to all the other five, we may suppose that a man +of his zealous, active and persevering character and habits, would +"impart unto them some spiritual gift." (Rom. i. 11.) + +It is evident that this church had degenerated more than all the others. +In her there is nothing to commend. Her officers and members are +described in their real character by him who is the "Amen, the faithful +and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Each of these +titles speaks the divine dignity of Christ. They are all to be +understood in an absolute, not in a comparative sense. As "there is none +_good_ (absolutely so,) but one; that is, God," Matt. xix. 17; so Christ +only is the "Amen" in such sense that he "cannot lie" as a "witness.'" +He "speaks that which he has seen with his Father." (John viii. 38.) +Jesus is, moreover, the "Beginning;" the author, owner and sovereign +ruler of "the creation of God." This is clearly taught in Col. i. 15-18, +where the same person, who (in v. 18) is called "the beginning," as +here; is (in v. 17,) said to "be before all things;" by whom (v. 16,) +"were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in +earth."--Creation is a work proper to God only. But our Redeemer has +"created all things." Now, according to Heb. iii. 4, "he that built all +things is God;" therefore he of whom these things are spoken is "the +Most High God." And so said the inspired prophet long ago, "For thy +Maker is thine husband." (Isa. liv. 5.) In the language of Jeremiah, (x. +11,)--thus do we say to Arians, Socinians, and other self-styled +Unitarians,--"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, +even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens:" +and their blinded votaries, "except they repent, shall all likewise +perish."--However far the body of this church had declined, it does not +appear that they had yet, as a community, gone the length of "denying +the Lord that bought them." + +Spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, seems to have been the prevailing sin +among these degenerate professors. Like the Pharisee, they would boast +of their riches, the spiritual gifts which they possessed, by which they +flattered themselves that "they were not as other men." Possibly they +might excel in knowledge, that "knowledge which puffeth up;" in +utterance,--"great swelling words of vanity," by which they gained both +"filthy lucre" and the admiration of an ignorant and carnal multitude. +Such is too often the actual condition of ministers and people, when +they are all the while under the power of sin, and wholly "blind" to +their spiritual destitution. Self-deception is fatal; and it would be +just in the Lord Jesus to give such persons up to their own hearts' +lusts. So he threatens,--"I will spue thee out of my mouth," as a man's +stomach loathes that which is nauseating. The like figure is used by +Isaiah, (lxv. 5,) personating his Lord when describing similar +characters:--"These are a smoke in my nose,"--intolerably offensive.--To +us the case of this church would appear hopeless. It is not so, however: +on the contrary, he assures them that these sharp rebukes proceed from +love. "As many as I love, I rebuke, and chasten." (Heb. xii. 6-8.) And +from the "counsel" which he gives, as farther evidence of his love, we +learn wherein this church was lacking,--in grace, justifying +righteousness, and the saving self searching illumination of the Holy +Spirit. As this church had not the promise of exemption from the coming +"temptation," (v. 10,) the "gold tried in the fire" of persecution will +be indispensable to preserve any from apostacy, whereby their cloak of +hypocrisy would be removed, and they be exposed to "shame."--Christ +"stands and knocks."--If the church refuses him admittance, yet if but +one will "hear his voice and open the door," he will certainly +communicate such consolations,--the "joy of his salvation," that it may +be said they sup together. (Song v. 1.) + +This, as before, is the "hundred-fold," promised in this life, as a +foretaste and pledge of heavenly felicity.--There is added, a +participation in his honor and authority; for those who suffer with him +shall also reign with him. (2 Tim. ii. 12.) Whilst "this honour is to +all his saints," it is to be conferred upon them by Christ. This +assertion may seem to contradict what Christ said to the mother of +Zebedee's sons, (Matt. xx. 23,)--"to sit on my right hand, and on my +left, is not mine to give."--No, it is not his to give,--"but, except to +them for whom it is prepared of his Father." Then it is his to +give,--his right. Of the honor and felicity promised to such as "fight +the good fight of faith," none can have an adequate conception without +actual experience. (1 John iii. 2.) + + +GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. + +Although the fundamental doctrine of the _Trinity in Unity_ be not +expressly taught or asserted in these epistles, it is nevertheless often +and plainly presupposed. Each epistle begins and closes with express +mention of two divine persons as equally the author. What Christ says, +the Spirit says to these churches. But there is a _third_ divine person +often mentioned who is called "God," and "Father." (Ch. ii. 7, 18, 27, +etc.;) and in the first verse of chapter third, one speaks who has the +seven Spirits of God," where the _Trinity_ is included. Thus, while in +these epistles this important doctrine of the adorable Trinity,--a +doctrine which lies at the very foundation of a sinner's hope, is +obscurely revealed, as being clearly discovered in the preceding parts +of the Holy Scriptures; the subsequent part of this book of Revelation +is intended, among other objects, to demonstrate _the distinct +subsistence and economical actings_ of the co-equal and eternal Three, +in the protection and salvation of the church, and in the control and +moral government of the universe. + +Again, on the groundless and chimerical assumption of those expositors +who view these epistles as prophetical of seven successive periods of +the destiny of the church general, the last estate would be worse than +the first,--Laodicea being the worst of all. But this is obviously +contrary to the description contained in ch. xx. 1-10, where the saints +are represented as in possession and exercise of all their purchased and +social rights. Neither does authentic history prove that the church of +Christ was more prosperous under the "ten persecutions" by the heathen +Roman emperors than in the apostolic age, as the superior condition of +the church in Smyrna to that of Ephesus would require. The very contrary +is true; and hence the groundlessness of such interpretation, however +respectable the names of its authors. The object of our Saviour in all +the instructions, counsels, warnings, rebukes and threatenings addressed +to these several churches is doubtless the real benefit of his people in +after generations;--just as his dealings with the church in Old +Testament times, "were written for our admonition and learning." (Rom. +xv. 4; 1 Cor. x. 11.) Moreover, some persons have inferred from our +Lord's treatment of these churches, a _divine warrant_ for the +existence, and an imperative Christian duty for the charitable +recognition, of all the conflicting and antagonistic organizations of +our time, popularly styled Christian churches. But as the designation, +"Christian churches," is in the apprehension of some too general, the +term "evangelical" is used by them as restrictive of the term +"Christian." Still the question will present itself,--What constitutes a +church "evangelical?" And this question is still without any definite +answer. Perhaps no two persons would include in one category the same +denominations of professing Christians. For example,--Is a community to +be considered a Christian church in which the "doctrine of Balaam" is +taught? Does the law of charity require the recognition of an +organization as a Christian church, in which a "Jezebel would be +suffered to teach, and to seduce the servants of Christ?" Is that a +Christian church which denies the supreme deity of Christ, and rejects +the seals of the covenant of grace,--the only charter of the Christian +church's existence, on earth? Or is that combination to be viewed as a +Christian church which has no regular ministry, but expressly rejects +the "pastors and teachers" of Christ's appointment and the morality of +the sabbath? These, and many other questions of similar or analogous +import, will suggest negative answers to all who fear God, respect his +authority, and are free from the bewildering effects of popular error. + +It ought to be considered that all these _seven_ churches were _one +church_, as originally constituted, having the same,--that, is, a +divine, scriptural organization. And although in the divine forbearance, +they were still owned by Christ, notwithstanding the errors, heresies +and immoralities which had crept into them; yet it is manifest that he +threatens some of them with divorce, total extinction in case of +impenitence. He has indeed fulfilled his awful threats in making them a +desolation. Is it reasonable to suppose that he would reorganize these, +or recognise others which incorporate the same or the like corruptions +in doctrine and practice for tolerating which he has "removed their +candlestick," or "spued them out of his mouth?" (_Absit blasphemia_.) To +say so, or write so, does not manifest the "charity which rejoiceth not +in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Alas! the present condition of +the church general contains frequent evidences, that our Saviour's +affectionate counsels, solemn warnings, and awful threatenings, are +neither duly pondered nor dutifully regarded. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +With this chapter the prophetical part of the Apocalypse begins. This is +the place where the third division of the book commences, of which +intimation had been given to John.--"Write ... the things which shall be +hereafter." (Ch. i. 19.) The third is therefore much the largest part of +the whole book, comprising all from the 4th to the 22d ch. It is also to +be noticed that the fourth and fifth chapters are properly of the nature +of an introduction to what follows, presenting to view, as it were, a +grand theatre on which are to be exhibited the dramatic characters and +events which constitute the outline of history in the church and the +world from the apostle's time till the consummation of all things. + +Expositors commonly frame and lay down some rules by which they suppose +symbolic language in general, and the symbols of this book in +particular, may be interpreted. On examination, however, it will be +discovered that the learned are not agreed either in the nature or +number of such rules, and sometimes an expositor who has exerted his +ingenuity most in devising canons of interpretation, forgets to apply +them. + +All languages, whether spoken or written, are more or less metaphorical, +interspersed with what are called figures of speech. It is customary to +represent nations and tribes, whose language abounds in symbols, as but +little advanced in civilization; and to view oriental nations as more +disposed to indulge in tropes and figures than those of the west; but +perhaps this relative estimate of the modes of speech in the eastern and +western hemispheres will admit of some modification, when we consider +the gesticulations and similes by which the aborigines of America +attempt to give expression to their ideas. The word _hieroglyphics_, +signifying sacred sculpture, derived from the ancient mode of writing by +the priests of Egypt, has received conventional currency among the +learned, as descriptive of any writing which is obscure, "hard to be +understood." And all who read this book will find some of it "dark" +indeed. The divine Author intended that it should be so, (ch. xiii. 18;) +yet he calls it emphatically, a "Revelation." + +We have already noticed, that the symbols in this book are taken from +the ceremonial law in part, and part are taken from the works of +creation. The heavens and the earth present to our senses a variety of +material objects; some more, some less calculated to arrest our +attention. Among these, the sun, moon and stars,--earth and sea, +mountains and rivers, occupy prominent places. To facilitate our +knowledge of these, and prompt reference to any part of them, we +generalize or throw them into groups. Thus we speak familiarly of the +"solar system," the "animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom." Now, just +transfer these systematized objects from the material and physical, to +the moral and spiritual world. Then consider what relation any one +object bears to the system, and what influence it has upon the other +objects of which it is a part, and its import may be generally, +satisfactorily and certainly ascertained. Thus the same canons or rules +which we apply in the interpretation of other writings, will be equally +available in "searching the Scriptures,"--never, never forgetting that +it is the Spirit of Christ that "guides into all truth," or his own +all-comprehensive rule of interpretation, "comparing spiritual things +with spiritual." (1 Cor. ii. 13.) + +In order to the right observance of the divinely prescribed rule, +"comparing spiritual things with spiritual," we must often refer to the +prophecies of the Old Testament,--to the second and seventh chapters of +Daniel in particular, because that prophet, while the church was captive +under the power of literal Babylon, was favoured with a discovery of the +purpose of God, that a succession of imperial powers should afterwards +arise to "try the patience and the faith of the saints." As in the case +of Pharaoh, so in the whole history of the rise, reign and overthrow of +succeeding persecuting powers, Jehovah's design was precisely the +same,--"to make his power known, and that his name might be declared +throughout all the earth." (Ex. ix. 16; Rom. ix. 17.) In connexion with +this, he would "glorify the riches of his grace on the vessels of mercy, +which he had afore prepared unto glory," by sustaining them in the +furnace of trial. + + +1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and +the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with +me; which said. Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must +be hereafter. + +2. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in +heaven, and one sat on the throne. + +3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: +and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an +emerald. + +Verses 1-3.--"After these things," contained in the three preceding +chapters, the glorious vision of the mediatorial person, and the writing +and sending of the seven epistles; there seems to have intervened a +pause. While John was in expectation of farther discoveries of "things +which were to be thereafter," "behold, a door was opened in heaven," the +place of Jehovah's special residence. But as this "heaven" is sometimes +the theatre of _war_, (ch. xii. 7,) of course it is not to be taken +literally. As a symbol it generally signifies organized society, over +which the Most High presides. The "door opened" afforded the means to +John of seeing the objects within. The "voice as of a trumpet," which +arrested his attention, was that of Christ,--the "voice of the Lord, +full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4; ch. i. 10, 11.) John was in his own +apprehension, like Paul, "caught up into the third heaven," that he +might behold in glorious succession "things which must be hereafter." +Why _must_ they be? Simply because such was the "purpose of Him who +worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; who is wonderful +in counsel and excellent in working; whose counsel stands, and who doeth +all his pleasure." (Eph. i. 11.) Can a rational creature work without a +plan? And shall mortal man be more rational than his Maker? The objects +which were presented to John are not to be understood as _material_ +objects. It was requisite that he should be "in the Spirit," before he +could see them. The exercise of his bodily senses, the organs of +sensation, must be suspended, that he might have a perception of the +objects presented in vision. As the "spirits of just men made perfect" +in glory, in a disembodied state, are still conscious and active; so are +we warranted to conceive of souls yet in the body as being in a state +analagous,--falling into a trance. (Acts x. 10.) The first object seen +by John was a "throne set in heaven," the emblem of sovereignty. "One +sat on the throne," who cannot be described, only in an obscure manner +by comparison, being "the invisible God, whom no eye hath seen, nor can +see." Yet we know with certainty it is the person of the Father, because +he is in the next chapter plainly distinguished from "the Lamb." Seated +on the throne,--and "in the throne he is greater than the Mediator." A +relation between these divine persons was shadowed forth in Egypt +between Pharaoh and Joseph. (Gen. xli. 40.) Occupying the throne of the +universe, the Father sustains the majesty of the Godhead, and represents +the persons of the adorable Trinity; for the idea is equally +unscriptural and absurd, that either person appears or acts (_ad extra_) +in absolute or essential character. (Is. xlii. 1; John x. 18; xiv. 31.) +He that "sat, was ... like a jasper and a sardine stone,"--not like any +human form, but in allusion, perhaps, to the Shekinah or visible glory +above the mercy-seat in the most holy place, he appeared in the +essential purity or holiness of his nature and awful justice,--one "who +will by no means clear the guilty." The rainbow is the familiar emblem +or "token of the covenant." Its being "round about the throne" teaches +us, that God "in wrath remembers mercy." As "green" is the color most +pleasing to the natural eye, so is the rainbow of covenant mercy most +grateful to the penitent sinner, contemplated by the eye of faith. God +is "ever mindful of his covenant." (Ps. cxi. 5.) + +Ever since the revelation of mercy to fallen man, God deals with +mankind, not in essential or absolute character, but by covenant in +economical standing. All along since that epoch in the history of this +world, "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto +the Son." As yet, however, the Son is not brought upon the stage in the +apostle's present view. The Son has his appropriate place in the vision, +where he will appear as Mediator. In the conflict to be carried on for +twelve hundred and sixty years by the combined powers of earth and hell +"against the Lord and his Anointed," we have the agencies exhibited in +these two chapters _only on heaven's side_. The opposing hosts will +afterwards appear. + + +4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the +seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; +and they had on their heads crowns of gold. + +5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and +voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, +which are the seven spirits of God. + +Verses 4, 5.--To John's view, the "throne" seen from one side would +appear to be surrounded by a segment of a circle, within which were +"four and twenty seats," (thrones,) occupied by an equal number of +"elders." In society divinely organized "elders" have always been the +legal representatives of God's covenant society in civil and +ecclesiastical relations. (Exod. iii. 16; Acts xx. 17.) These "four and +twenty elders" represent the collective body of God's people under the +Old and New Testaments,--the "twelve tribes of Israel" and the "twelve +apostles." (ch. vii. 4; xxi. 12-14.) Their "white raiment" and "crowns +of gold" indicate their legal state and moral purity,--their +justification and sanctification, as also their promotion to honour, to +"reign as kings." (ch, i. 6; v. 10.) ["_reign on the earth_," ch, xx. +4.] Allusion is had to the terrific scene at Sinai by the "lightnings," +etc., when "Moses did exceedingly fear and quake," importing that God, +"our God, is a consuming fire" to all his impenitent, especially +antichristian, enemies, even under the milder economy of the New +Testament. (Heb. x. 28-31; ch. xx. 10.) The "seven lamps of fire" are +explained to mean "the seven spirits of God," in allusion to the golden +candlestick in the temple, (Exod. xxxvii. 23; Zech. iv. 2,) and +signifying the gifts and graces of those who are "baptized with the Holy +Ghost and "with fire." + + +6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and +in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts +full of eyes before and behind. + +7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a +calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was +like a flying eagle. + +8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they +were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, +holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. + +9. And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks, to him that +sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, + +10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the +throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their +crowns before the throne, saying, + +11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; +for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were +created. + +Vs. 6-11.--The "sea of glass before the throne" is a symbol taken from +the "brazen sea" in the temple, in which priests and victims were to be +washed. (Exod. xxx. 18; 1 Kings vii. 23.) This sea represents the same +thing as the "fountain opened," (Zech. xiii. 1,) which denotes the +atoning and cleansing blood of Christ. (Ch. vii. 14.) All who offer +"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God," must first be washed; for the +"Lord had respect to Abel" _first_, and then to his "offering," (Gen. +iv. 4.)--Next, John saw "four beasts." The translation here is faulty, +as noticed by many expositors. Different words in the original +Greek,--not only different, but in some respects opposite in +signification, ought not to be rendered by the same English word; for +this tends to mislead the unlearned leader. He is thus bewildered +instead of being enlightened. There are several beasts besides these, +introduced as instructive symbols in this book. Two are mentioned in ch. +xiii. 1, 11, altogether different from these,--so different as to be +antagonistic. Instead of "beasts," they should have been called +"animals" or "living beings;" for even the phrase "living _creatures_" +hardly covers or conveys the whole import of the Greek word. The +position of these "four animals" is worthy of special notice:--"in the +midst of the throne, and round about the throne." How can this be? Well, +if the "seats" and the "elders" occupying them are "round about the +throne," in a segment of a circle, as viewed by John, then it will be +readily perceived that the "animals" seen from the same quarter would +appear to him as occupying a space forming a smaller segment of a circle +between the elders and the throne. Thus we have the relative positions, +(_a_) the throne, (_b_) the "four animals" next to the throne, and +lastly, (_c_) the "four and twenty elders." The places occupied by these +several parties are pregnant with scriptural instruction, as may appear +when we come to the latter part of ch. 6. + +In the mean time, what do these "four animals" represent? Not the +adorable Trinity, as some learned men have imagined; nor holy angels, as +more learned men have supposed and laboured to prove. These "animals" +are worshippers; (v. 8,) therefore they are not the Object of worship. +They are culpably blind who mistake the creature for the Creator. (Rom. +i. 25.) Other expositors have attempted, with greater plausibility, but +no better success, to prove these animals to be symbolical of angels. +For this purpose, reference has been made to Isaiah's vision of the +_seraphims_, (ch. vi. 2,) and also to the "four living creatures" which +appeared in vision to Ezekiel, (i. 5-10.) The identity of John's +"animals" and Ezekiel's "living creatures" is argued especially from +their number, "four," and their "faces" being the same. To the +thoughtful and unbiased reader it is sufficient to reply,--that John's +"animals" acknowledge themselves to have been _redeemed_ by the blood of +the Lamb, (ch. v. 8, 9,) an expression which is inapplicable to angels. +As the "four and twenty elders" and the "four animals" comprise the +whole company of the _redeemed_, as distinguished from the higher and +lower orders of God's worshippers, (ch. v. 8-14,) and as the "elders" +represent the whole church, it would seem to be reasonable to suppose, +that these "animals" are the symbols of the gospel ministry. And to this +agree their functions as exercised in the farther developments of this +book, as we shall see. + +One plausible objection to this interpretation is grounded on the fact +that their "faces" are the same as those of Ezekiel's angels,--"of an +ox, or young calf, of a lion, of a man, and of an eagle." But each of +the "cherubims" had "four faces" whereas these "animals" have but _one_ +face each. Nor ought it to be thought incongruous that faithful +ministers are represented as possessing some of the properties of holy +angels, when we find them called by the same name: (ch. i. 20;) and +also, when we find the Master directing them to imitate and emulate holy +angels in their services. (Matt. vi. 10; Ps. ciii. 20, 21.) These +"animals," emblematical of the gospel ministry, are in number "four," +answerable to the universality of their mission into the four quarters +of the earth,--"all the world." (Matt, xxviii. 19; Mark, xvi. 15.) So +the "four winds," (ch. vii. 1,) mean all winds. As the "lion, which is +the strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any," is +distinguished for courage and magnanimity; so, as a symbol, it +represents a ministry of courageous and heroic spirit. Luther in +continental, and Knox in insular Europe, may be named as displaying this +prominent feature of ministerial character. The "calf" or young ox, +symbolizes "patient continuance in well-doing" amidst trials, such as +"cruel mockings," etc. The "face as a man" indicates sagacity, +"Christian prudence," together with active sympathy. The "flying eagle" +is emblematical of penetration and discrimination,--ability to teach +others," from a spiritual insight into the divine character and +purposes,--an experimental acquaintance with "the God of glory." All +these properties are not to be supposed ordinarily in any one minister, +but as distributed among the ministry at large,--"according to the +measure of the gift of Christ,"--the Holy Spirit "dividing to every man +severally as he will." (Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xii. 11.) It may be remarked, +that in some cases all these properties may be discerned in great +measure in the same individual. In the gifts and grace of the apostle +Paul, may be discovered the _boldness_ of the _lion_, the _patience_ of +the _ox_, the _compassion_ of the _man_, and the _soaring flight_ of the +_eagle_. Our covenant God endows his servants for the service to which +he calls them, always making good the promise,--"As thy days, so shall +thy strength be." The "six wings," of course, are expressive of the +activity of the ministry,--"in season, out of season," emulating the +heavenly seraphims in serving the same Lord. They were "full of eyes +before, behind, within." They are to "take heed to themselves, and to +the ministry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it." +(Col. iv. 17; 1 Tim. iv. 16.) They are to regard the operation of God's +hand in providence, so as to "have understanding of the times, and know +what Israel ought to do." (1 Chron. xii. 32.) They are to "try the +spirits whether they are of God;" and "after the first and second +admonition, to reject heretics." (Tit. iii. 10.) They are to "oversee +the flock," (Acts xx. 28;) and to "watch for souls, as they that must +give account" to the Master. (Heb. xiii. 17.) And we may say with +Paul,--"Who is sufficient for these things?" Modern prelates, who +arrogate to themselves the exclusive use of the Scriptural official name +"BISHOP," generally manifest that they are _only bishops_, (_two-eyed_) +and not the _many-eyed_ servants of Christ, symbolized by the "four +animals" of our text, or the "overseeing _elders_" charged at Miletus by +the apostle Paul. (Acts xx. 17.) "While these men slept, the enemy sowed +tares."--In direct acts of worship, these "animals,"--the ministers, +take the lead, answerable to another official name,--"guides, in things +pertaining to God." (Heb. xiii. 7; [Greek] v. 1.) They are, as well +expressed by another phrase, the "sworn expounders of God's word," and +authoritative rulers in his house. Destitute of legislative power, which +in ecclesiastical affairs pertains to Christ alone; they are the +authorized administrators of all the laws by which his household is to +be governed. (Heb. xiii. 7, 17.)--The language of adoration here is the +same uttered by the seraphim. (Isa. vi. 3) The "holiness" of God is that +adorable character which is most attractive to holy angels and redeemed +sinners, being the principal feature of the divine image reflected by +themselves. (Matt. xxv. 31; Jude 14; 1 John iii. 2.) The glorious Being +seen by John, as sitting on a throne, is the same who was seen by +Isaiah, (vi. 1;) and precisely in the same attitude; but called by +different names. By Isaiah he is denominated "the Lord of Hosts,"--by +John, "the Lord God Almighty." The context proves,--especially ch. v. 1; +that John in vision contemplated God in the _person_ of the _Father_; +whereas we are assured, in John xii. 41, that Isaiah saw him in the +_person_ of the _Son_. Thus we may understand our Lord's words addressed +to Philip, (John xiv. 9.) "He that hath seen me hath seen the father." +(See Heb. i. 8; Col. i. 15.) + +Led by the "four animals,"--the ministry of reconciliation; the "four +and twenty elders," representing all the redeemed of mankind, "fall down +before him that sat on the throne" in prostrate adoration of that +glorious Being whose "eternal power and Godhead" are demonstrated in the +volume of creation. We are thus taught that motives to acceptable +worship of God are _primarily_ to be found in the _perfections_ of his +_nature_ as our beneficent Creator,--perfections possessed by him in +essential character, independently of all his works of creation and +redemption. His "worthiness" of worship is inherent in himself, but +outwardly manifested to intelligent creatures by the work of creation, +of which he is the first Cause and the last End,--the efficient and +final Cause. This doctrine, understood by the intellect and unbraced in +the heart, would greatly tend to "hide pride from man." (Job xxxiii. +17.) Aside from the doctrine of the "cross," which is still counted +"foolishness" by our modern self-styled "philosophers, psychologists and +freethinkers;" there is enough here revealed of this eternal One to +humble the "proud looks and haughty hearts" of these "enemies of the +King." Without repentance, "he that made them will not have mercy on +them; and he that formed them will show them no favour;" for +notwithstanding their pride of superior intellect, he whose judgment is +according to truth, has pronounced them a "people of no understanding." +(Isa. xxvii. 11.) It is no disparagement to those in places of highest +earthly dignity, as David; nor to the wisest of all men, as Solomon: to +"cast their crowns before the throne" of this only universal Monarch; +saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; +for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were +created;" "and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." (Ps. +lxxii. 19.) + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book +written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. + +Verse 1.--The dividing of the books of Scripture into chapters and +verses is not by inspiration. Fallible men have used their discretion in +this respect, as they still do, by parceling chapters into sections, +paragraphs, &c. And so, although we have passed to another chapter, the +vision is the same. The inspired penman had looked upon the great King +surrounded by part of his retinue. In earnest expectation of farther +discoveries, he beheld "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne +a book written within and on the back side," (or _outside,_ as in some +copies.) The book was "sealed with seven seals." This volume was in the +form of a _roll,_ as the word _volume_ signifies. The form of a book is +determined by the kind of material on which one writes. This has +consisted of great variety in the successive ages of the world. The +first of which we have any notice in history is _stone._ When Job, in +his affliction, was sustained by faith in the promised Redeemer; and +when he would emphasize and transmit an expression of that faith to +future generations; he thought of the nearest expedient familiar to his +mind:--"Oh that my words were now written.... that they were graven with +an iron pen.... in the rock forever," (Job xix. 23, 24.) On the same +material the law was written at Horeb, (Exod. xxiv. 12.) No doubt this +was the usual method of recording events in Egypt in the time of Joseph, +as the word "hieroglyphics" or _sacred sculpture,_ appears to imply. +Next, it appears that the inside bark of trees was used for this +purpose, as of birch, which has a natural tendency to _curl_ or _roll_ +together when dry. Hence the word _library,_ and volume, or _rolled +bark._ The royal archives, or "house of the rolls," is thus explained, +(Ezra. vi. 1.) "Vellum," or dressed skins of beasts, appears to have +been next used; then linen and cotton; and as now put through a chemical +process, these are the material in most common use at the present day. +Thus contemplating the symbol in the text, we may trace in our thoughts +the gradual advancement of this department of science and the mechanic +arts. The second stage of progress had been reached in John's time, from +stone to the bark of timber. The "book" appears to have been of +cylindrical form, but whether in one piece or in seven separate pieces, +revolving on a common axis, it is not easy nor perhaps important to +determine. It is of much greater importance to know that the "book" is +emblematical of the decrees of God. This will appear by comparing Psalm +xl. 7, where we find the same symbol employed to represent the record of +covenant agreement or stipulation between the Father and the Son, and to +which our Saviour appeals as evidence in his case. (Heb. x. 7.) While +the symbol may be safely considered as involving all the purposes of +God; it signifies here more especially the following part of the +Apocalypse, containing, as it were, a transcript from the great +original.--"Seals" are for security and secrecy. Both may be included in +the case. And indeed their being "seven" in number--a number of +perfection, would seem to confirm this two-fold meaning. The sealed +book, symbolical of the decrees of God, comprehending all events of all +time, teaches us the doctrine expressed in plain words thus:--"Known +unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world," (Acts xv. +18.) The complex symbol also teaches more forcibly than in words,--"My +counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," (Is, xlvi. 10.) +Some have suggested a little change in the punctuation. Instead of +placing the comma, after the word "side," place it after the word +"within," the meaning would then be, that the "book was written only on +_one_ side, namely on the side _within_." We do not accept the +suggestion. The reason is sufficient for its rejection, that the +material in the time of the apostle, was too costly to leave one-half of +it _blank_; and here our divine Lord "speaks to us of heavenly things" +through the medium of earthly things with which we are familiar. + + +2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy +to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? + +3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able +to open the book, neither to look thereon. + +Vs. 2-3.--Proclamation is made by a "strong angel," the Almighty +Monarch's herald to the universe, challenging all creatures to the task +of opening the seals. His "loud voice" reverberates throughout +illimitable space, that all concerned might hear. The challenge is not, +"who is _able_?" but, "who is _worthy_?"--Who is "worthy," by personal +dignity, or distinguished and meritorious services, "to open the book +and to loose the seals thereof?" No response comes from any quarter to +break the solemn silence. The whole creation is mute. "Who hath known +the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" "O the depth of +the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are +his judgments and his ways past finding out!" (Rom. xi. 33, 34.)--"And +no man in heaven," &c. The word "man" is in this place, as in many +others, an imperfect and inadequate supplement. In some places it is +calculated to mislead the "unlearned and unstable," as John x. 28, 29, +(in some copies,) Heb. ii. 9. The former text, as supplemented by the +word "man," contradicts the apostle, Rom. viii. 39. The meaning here is +obviously that no _creature_,--angel or man, was worthy or "able" to +"open the book." To holy angels, devils, and the dead "under the earth," +the purposes of God are as inscrutable as they are to us, until they are +revealed. (Eph. iii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) + + +4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read +the book, neither to look thereon. + +V. 4.--John understood by the symbol which he saw, that its contents +were of deep significance. A sanctified curiosity and anxiety, more +powerful than that of the Ethiopian eunuch, (Acts viii. 34,) occupied +his soul. But the book is sealed and there is no visible interpreter! +(Is. xxix. 11.) The "beloved disciple" is much affected. He has more +than once or twice "beheld the glory of God," and cannot but earnestly +desire to know more of his mind. "Hope deferred maketh his heart sick." +He "wept much." His covenant God "has seen his tears." He "will heal +him," (2 Kings xx. 5.) + + +5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of +the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, +and to loose the seven seals thereof. + +V. 5.--From a quite unexpected quarter comes a hint! How could John +anticipate relief from such a source? "One of the elders" is made the +messenger of joyful tidings. As Aquila and Priscilla took to them the +eloquent Apollos, and "expounded unto him the way of God more +perfectly," (Acts xviii. 26,) so one of the elders--one of the humble +disciples was the instrument of comfortable instruction to the aged +apostle! The prophet Daniel was similarly affected by a partial +exhibition of the same important events; but his anxiety to know the +meaning of the vision, though allayed, was not fully gratified, as that +of John. (Dan. xii. 8, 9,) "Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed +up and sealed." The desire of the best of God's people to know his +purposes may be sometimes excessive, as exemplified by the disciples of +Christ, (Acts i. 7.) "It is not for them to know the times and the +seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." So much, however, +is revealed as may be necessary to their present support and comfort; +and the rest they "shall know hereafter," (John xiii. 7.) But as the +events involved in the secret purpose of God, were concealed from +Daniel; because not to be evolved till near "the time of the end:" so in +John's time, when as in Abraham's case, "the time of the promise drew +nigh"--the time was approaching when the interests of God's people would +be greatly affected by these events; it became needful that the book +should be unsealed and its contents made known. "The time was at hand." +Accordingly, John is exhorted by the elder to dry up his tears, for to +the unspeakable joy of himself and of the whole creation, the +announcement is made,--"Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root +of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals +thereof." Here our attention is called away back to the famous prophecy +of dying Jacob, (Gen. xlix. 9, 10,) and also to the subsequent and +concurrent declaration of the evangelical prophet, (Isa. xi. 1, 10.) +Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in reference to his human +nature; "for it is evident," from the inspired tables of his genealogy, +"that our Lord sprang out of Judah," (Heb. vii. 14;) and it is no less +evident that he is the Root of David, in respect to his divine nature, +(John i. 1, 3; Isa. ix. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 47.) The "one Mediator between God +and men," partaking of the nature of each party, is "worthy"--alone +worthy, by reason of personal dignity, to "open the book." It is also to +be noticed that _worthiness_ is not his only qualification. In view of +the challenge published,--"who is worthy?" the answer is, this champion +"hath _prevailed_!"--Isaiah saw him in vision, victorious over +enemies--"travelling in the greatness of his strength," (Isa. lxiii. 1.) +To his _personal_ worthiness is to be added the unrivalled merit of his +achievements in conflict with hostile powers, (Gen. iii. 15; Isa. liii. +12; Col. ii. 15.) + + +6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four +beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been +slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of +God sent forth into all the earth. + +V. 6.--In this verse we have the Lord Jesus Christ introduced to the +view of John and the intelligent universe in his sacerdotal or priestly +office, "a lamb, as it had been slain." In the order of nature and of +merit, his priestly office precedes his prophetical and kingly offices. +This is evident from the position which he occupies in relation to the +throne and royal retinue. He stands in the attitude of a priest "in the +midst of the throne and of the four animals," etc. As seen here, our +Saviour does not _sit on the throne_. He appeared in a standing posture. +His position was obviously _before_ the throne. As the priestly function +required, he stood nearest to the object of worship, between the +ministers and the throne,--in the inmost circle. There he exhibited the +scars received in war; the wounds made by the sword of divine justice; +(Zech. xiii. 7;) the holes in his hands and side by the nails and +soldier's spear. (John xix. 34; xx. 23.) This "Lamb slain,"--typified by +all the spotless lambs offered in sacrifice by divine appointment from +the time of Abel, had been marvellously restored to life, as no other +victim had ever been. (John x. 18; ch. i. 18.) The "seven horns and +seven eyes," symbolize the power and wisdom of the Mediator. "It pleased +the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." (Col. i. 19.) He +"giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John iii. 34; Heb. i. 9.) +Christ was privy to all the purposes of his Father, (John v. 20,) and +the extent of his knowledge is limited in him _as Mediator_, only by the +authority and will of the Father. "Of that day and that hour ... knoweth +no man ... neither the Son." (Mark xiii. 32.) The same interesting and +important truth is taught by the Father's holding the book in his hand, +as also in plain words, (ch. i. 1,)--"the Revelation of Jesus Christ +which God gave unto him." "No man knoweth the Father but the Son." +(Matt. xi. 27.) In office-capacity the Lord Christ is qualified to +unfold and execute the decree of God. (Ps. ii. 7,) as more fully appears +in the following part of the book. + + +7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat +upon the throne. + +V. 7.--The Lord Jesus approaches his Father's throne to receive the +roll. And with the prophet we may ask,--"Who is this that engaged his +heart to approach?" (Jer. xxx. 21.)--With all who are honored to +surround the throne, we may joyfully answer in the words of the +Psalmist,--It is the "Lord, strong and mighty in battle." (Ps. xxiv. 8.) +"He took the book."--This action symbolically signified the +authoritative commission given by the Father and received by the +Mediator to proceed in the execution of the divine decree, and in +discharge of his threefold office as prophet, priest and +king,--especially and more formally his prophetical and kingly offices. + + +8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty +elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and +golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. + +V. 8.--No sooner does the "Lamb take the book," than all spectators are +apprized of the act, and instantly give expression to their confidence +and joy. Among all the worshippers before the throne, the "four animals" +take precedence, and lead by their own example as before, (ch. iv. 9.) +They gave "glory" etc., to God creator, as in the person of the Father; +and now in the presence of the Father's manifested glory, they prostrate +themselves before the "Lamb," in obedience to the Father's command, +"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." +(John v. 23.)--The "four and twenty elders,"--the representatives of all +the children of God, cordially join the ministry in these acts of solemn +worship. Some of the furniture employed in the temple worship, is here +introduced, to harmonize with the rest of the symbolic scenery. "Harps +and golden vials" signify praise and prayer. Our modern advocates for +instrumental music in God's worship, to be consistent, must associate +with the "harps," the "incense-cups" and the "golden altar:" for all +belonged alike to the service of the temple. Even in the time when such +"vessels of the ministry" were in use with divine approbation, the +Psalmist had greater clearness,--more evangelical conceptions of the +temporary use of those "beggarly elements whereunto many desire again to +be in bondage" than they seem to have. (Gal. iv. 9.) He knew, even then, +that "incense and the evening sacrifice" represented spiritual worship. +(Ps. cxli. 2.) Others there are, who question whether Christ as Mediator +be the _formal_ object of worship? While they acknowledge his supreme +deity as God equal with the Father, they are in doubt on his assuming +human nature, whether, "as such, he is the object of worship!" Such +doubts are groundless, as unanswerably shown in this place, and in many +others, such as John xx. 28: xxi. 17; Ps. xlv. 11; xcvii. 7; Heb. i. 6. +All these worshippers appear to know that the nature of the _altar_ at +which they worship determines the kind of oblations to be offered: +namely,--"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 +Pet. ii. 5.) + + +9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, +and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us +to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and +nation; + +10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign +on the earth. + +Vs. 9, 10.--"They sung a new song." They all agreed in the matter, as +well as in the divine object of worship. "Now will I sing to my well +beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard." (Isa. v. 1.) Agreed +as to the object and matter of the song none is silent in Immanuel's +praise,--no _select choir_, not one who _worships by proxy_. Such belong +to a different fellowship. This is the "song of the Lamb," which joined +to the "song of Moses," constitutes the whole of the "high praises of +the Lord," leaving no place for the vapid, empty, bombastic, amorous and +heretical effusions, of uninspired men, whether of sound or "corrupt +minds."--The burden of the song is the same as the "Song of Songs" and +the forty-fifth Psalm,--"Christ crucified,"--Christ glorified, "the +praises of him who hath called them from darkness into his marvellous +light." The key-note among them all is the work of redemption. "Thou +hast redeemed us to God by thy blood,"--_us_, and not others in the same +condition. Others may talk of a ransom that does not redeem: but these +dwell with emphasis upon the price and power that brought them "out of +every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." This happy and +joyful company never conceived the idea that, in order at once to +vindicate Jehovah's moral government and give the most impressive +demonstration of his opposition to sin, he subjected his beloved Son to +untold sufferings, which should be equally available by all his enemies, +but _specially intended for none in particular_! They never imagined +that their adorable Creator was under a natural necessity of "seeking +the greatest good of the greatest number," that he might thereby escape +the just imputation of _partiality_. Such impious conceptions imply +distributive injustice on the part of God, when he "spared not the +angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell." (2 Pet. ii. 4.) Neither +man's chief end nor God's is the happiness of creatures,--no, neither in +creation nor redemption, as is clear to unsophisticated reason, and +plainly determined by the Spirit of God. (See ch. iv. 11; Isa. xliii. 7, +21; Eph. i. 12.) The manifestation of his own perfections,--his own +glory, is the highest and ultimate end of Jehovah in all his purposes +and works. "The Lord hath made all things for himself." (Prov. xvi. 4; +Rom. xi. 36.) Now, if the Lamb has redeemed the whole human family, as +some affirm; then it will follow that all must be saved, or Christ died +in vain, in reference to them that are lost: and besides, the "Judge of +all the earth" would be chargeable with exercising distributive +injustice, in exacting double payment, first from the Surety, and then +from the sinner! "That be far from God." "He is just and having +salvation,"--"a just God and a Saviour." (Zech. ix. 9; Isa. xlv. 21.) As +there can be no liberty without law, so there can be no mercy without +justice, though there may be "justice without mercy." (James i. 25; ii. +13.) This worshipping company, the representatives of the universal +church, ascribe their redemption to the blood of Christ. It is their +declared faith that pardon is grounded on atonement, that "without +shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. ix. 22; Lev. xvii. 11; ch. i. +5.) They believe, moreover, that as the obedience of Christ unto death, +his doing and dying, is an adequate satisfaction to law and justice; so +by compact between the Father and the Son, his penal sufferings avail +the believing sinner for pardon. Thus it is, that "if we confess our +sins, he (God the Father,) is faithful and _just_ to forgive us our +sins." (1 John i. 9.) This doctrine the apostle, as the mouth of the +whole church, had already avowed: (ch. i. 5, 6;) and now again we have +it repeated and incorporated in the song of praise. Thus, while "Christ +crucified is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks +foolishness;" to them who are saved this humbling doctrine is "the power +of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. i. 24, 25.) God's glory and the +saints' honor and felicity equally spring from the slaying of the Lamb. +These good things the blood of Abel's sacrifice spake in type soon after +the fall: and here we have the same things proclaimed as the faith of +all believers. (Heb. xi. 1.) + +By this blood they are consecrated a "royal priesthood" to offer up +spiritual sacrifices; and there is a period in the world's eventful +history, when they shall "reign on the earth." Of the nature of this +_reign_ there are two views entertained. That of the Millenarians, under +the supposed corporeal presence of Christ, which is _too gross,_ after +the manner of carnal Jews: the other _too refined_ and remote, after the +manner of carnal Christians, who "will not have this man to reign over +them,"--_except in the church._ Such Christians come very near the views +and sentiment of those who exclaimed,--"Not this man, but Barabbas." +(John xviii. 40.) Of the nature of Christ's royal dominion we will have +occasion to treat in other parts of the Apocalypse; but we take occasion +to remark, that his kingly office is formally and meritoriously founded +on the efficacy of his sacrifice: "Thou art worthy, for thou wast +slain."--That the saints shall "reign in glory" in company with their +Saviour is a precious scripture truth; but it is not the truth taught in +the words,--"we shall reign _on the earth."_ This is not the place to +enter on a full discussion of the doctrine here avowed; yet the +following may be adduced as part of the warrant of this doctrine. (Dan. +vii. 27; Rev. xx. 4.) + + +11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the +throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten +thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; + +12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to +receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and +glory, and blessing. + +Vs. 11, 12.--Here we have the concurrence of holy angels, as seen by +John in vision, with all the redeemed in acts of solemn worship offered +directly to the Lamb.--"Many angels," how many? Some divines have +actually attempted, by arithmetical rules, to compute the number! Such +employment may amuse, but it cannot edify. The definite here mentioned +for indefinite numbers, may be easily computed; (as in Dan. vii. 10; Ps. +lxviii. 17;) but still we would labor in vain "to find out the account;" +for we are expressly told that they are "innumerable." (Heb. xii. 22.) +Like the ransomed children of Adam, they are "a great multitude which no +man can number." (ch. vii. 9.) Why then attempt that which the Holy +Spirit has pronounced impossible? "Vain man would be wise." It is of +much more consequence for us to contemplate their position, relations +and employments. Their _position_ is "round about the throne," beholding +the "Lamb as it had been slain." The law of their creation could not +reveal to them this object of adoration. That they may know their duty +to the Mediatorial Person as their moral Head, it is requisite that they +be directed by a new revelation. Accordingly, we find a "new +commandment" issued from God the Father expressly to them. (Ps. xcvii. +7; Heb. i. 6.) "Worship him, all ye gods;" that is, "Let all the angels +of God worship him." By the development of the eternal counsels of God +in his dealings with the church, these "principalities and powers in +heavenly places," discover with adoring wonder more and more of the +"manifold wisdom of God." They _stoop down_, as it were, "to look into +this" mysterious economy, (Eph. iii. 10, 11; 1 Pet. i. 12.) They are +humbly but intensely desirous to discover still more of "the hidden +wisdom which God ordained before the world unto the glory" of their +fellow worshippers. (1 Cor. ii. 7.) Such is their position.--They are +related to the Lamb as his subjects by the Father's grant and command. +"He (Jesus) is gone into heaven ... angels ... being made subject unto +him." (1 Pet. iii. 22.) They are also related to the "elder" and +"animals," the members and ministers of the church. Said one of them to +John,--"I am thy fellow-servant." (ch. xix. 10.) Angels are not ashamed +to call them "fellow-servants," whom the Lord Jesus "is not ashamed to +call his brethren." (Heb. ii. 11.) As the "four animals" are nearer the +throne than the "elders," so are the "elders" nearer the throne than the +angels. These are ranged, in John's view, in the outside segment of the +circle. All the redeemed, ministry and membership, are "nearer of kin" +to the Lamb than angels are. "He took not on him the nature of angels, +but he took on him the seed of Abraham." (Heb. ii. 16.) All believers +are "members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones." (Eph. v. 30.) +He has highly advanced human nature, by taking it into real and +indissoluble union with his divine person. This is the special ground of +nearness and intimacy between Christ and his brethren. And O, how ought +we to emulate holy angels in adoring this precious Redeemer! "He loved +the church and gave himself for it," (Eph. v. 25,) and he loved and gave +himself for every member of the church. (Gal. ii. 20.) + +The employments of this innumerable company of angels, besides +"ministering for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb. i. 14;) +consist much in admiring contemplations of the glory of the "Lamb slain, +and in ascriptions of praise to him who is "worthy to receive power," +etc. In this they cordially harmonize with the redeemed, whose +delightful exercise is "to show forth the praises of him who hath called +them out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Pet. ii. 9:) and all +the honor, thus ascribed to the Mediator by both classes of worshippers, +is intended to terminate ultimately on the person of God the Father. +(Phil. ii. 9-11.) The Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son, +that all men," yes, and all angels, "should honor the Son, even as they +honor the Father." (John v. 22, 23.) + + +13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under +the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I +saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, + +14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell +down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. + +Vs. 13,14.--In addition to angels and men, we have here enumerated +"every creature" in the whole vast universe, co-operating in the worship +of the two divine Persons as associated in concerting and executing the +plan of redemption. Thus the "host of heaven" and all inferior creatures +according to their several capacities unite in ascribing "blessing, and +honor, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and +unto the Lamb for ever and ever." And we may say with Nehemiah,--They +are both "exalted above all blessing and praise." (Neh. ix. 5.) Fallen +angels and reprobate men are excluded, from the nature of the case, and +by the unalterable laws of the moral government of the Most High, from +any participation in this service. (Ps. cx. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25; Luke +xix. 27.)--Can any one who denies the supreme deity of the Lord Jesus, +or who refuses to worship him, ever join the society of these +worshippers? Or, supposing the possibility of their admission, could +they be otherwise than miserable? O the "blasphemy of them who say they +are Jews!"--This is one of the sublime doxologies framed by the Holy +Spirit, for the use of all creatures on special occasions, but not to be +abused by "vain repetitions" as by Papists and Prelates. The like +specimens of the "high praises of the Lord" we have in Ps. lxix. 34.--As +the three ranks of worshippers here presented in vision to John, +beautifully harmonize in holy exercises, each in its appropriate sphere; +so the "animals and elders,"--the rulers and ruled of the church, take +precedence of all others in acts of solemn worship, and also close the +solemn service, saying,--"Amen." + +The "sealed book" being delivered by the Father into the possession of +the Mediator, the whole creation awaits with confidence and joy the +development of the counsels of God, as they may affect the destinies of +his redeemed people. The "Lamb has prevailed to open the book," and his +established character is sufficient guarantee for success in +accomplishing the responsible work assigned him by his Father. This +feeling of confidence is expressed by the worshippers, not only by the +matter of their praise, but also by the closing word, "amen;" which word +is expressive of their "desires and assurance to be heard." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it +were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. + +2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a +bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and +to conquer. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The apostle "saw when the Lamb" proceeded to disclose the +contents of the book by breaking the seals in regular succession. It is +not requisite to suppose that each of the seals covers an exactly equal +part of the roll. These parts may be quite different in quantity or +length. It is obvious, however, that upon the breaking of any one seal, +that part of the roll which the seal was intended to cover, would be +disclosed to a spectator's view,--the whole of such part and no more. We +shall find as we advance that the several parts of this book are in fact +very different in extent. When the seventh and last seal is opened, the +whole contents of the book must of course be disclosed: and it will +appear that the last of the seals contained a much greater part of the +roll than any of the others. To a superficial reader this may be +apparent from the circumstance that within the compass of this short +chapter, six of the seals exhibit their contents. + +By the most learned and sober divines the first six seals are considered +as disclosing the events which transpired from the time of the apostle +John till the overthrow of pagan idolatry in the Roman empire and the +accession of Constantine. + +Let us consider the contents of these seals in order: Upon the opening +"of one of the seals," the first of course, "one of the four animals" +with a voice like "thunder, said, Come and see." This was the animal +like a "lion," emblematical of those bold and dauntless servants of +Christ who took their life in their hand and "went every where preaching +the word," (Acts viii. 4.) Many expositors, of secular notions and +affinities, imagine that some one of the Roman emperors is to be +understood as represented by him who rides on the white +horse,--Vespasian, Titus, or Trajan. To name such figments is enough to +confute them in the mind of such as have spiritual discernment. "White" +is not the divinely chosen symbol of bloody warriors or persecutors. It +is most frequently the emblem of purity, legal or moral. (Matt. xvii. 2; +Rev. iii. 4, 5.) "White horse" may represent the gospel, the Covenant of +Grace or the church. In this "chariot," (Song iii. 9,) or upon this +horse, as it were, Christ, "the captain of salvation" in apostolic +times, "went forth conquering, and to conquer." Much opposition from +Jews and Gentiles was raised against his gospel, especially upon his +exaltation to his mediatorial throne: but the opening of this seal +discloses the Father's purpose to bear out his Son in extending his +rightful conquests. (Isa. xlii. 4.) "The Lord gave the word; great was +the company of those that published it." (Ps. lxviii. 11.) The "bow and +the crown" as symbols, combine the military and regal character of +Christ, indicating his victories and succeeding exaltation. He shall +wound the heads over the large earth; therefore shall he lift up the +head. (Ps. cx. 6.) He is the "Prince of peace," and the primary object +of his mission by the Father is, to establish "truth and meekness and +righteousness" in the earth. Yet he is a "Lamb," but a Lamb that makes +war; and "in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (ch. xix. 11.) +In this last cited text we have an irrefragable proof of the correctness +of our interpretation of the symbols under the first seal. The rider's +name is, "The Word of God," (v. 13.) + + +3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, +Come and see. + +4. And there went out another horse that was red; and power was given to +him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should +kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. + +V. 3,4.--The opening of the "second seal" furnishes occasion for the +"second animal" to cry, "Come and see." It is the customary business of +faithful ministers to invite the disciples of Christ to a contemplation +of his providential procedure. "Come, behold the works of the Lord." +(Ps. xlvi. 8.) This is the call of the ministry represented by the +symbol of a "calf or young ox." "Patient continuance in well doing" is +the special duty of Christ's servants in times of suffering. And such +seems to be the import of the emblem, the "red horse." By the horse, +singly considered, we are to understand a _dispensation_ of +_providence_. So we are to view it as a symbol in Zech. i. 8; vi. 1-8. +The prophet said, "O, my Lord, what are these?... And the man +answered,--These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro +through the earth." We speak familiarly of a "dispensation of the +gospel,"--the "white horse." Our attention is now called to a "red +horse,"--_fiery_, as the word imports. The character of the dispensation +is thus indicated as bloody. Wars should prevail so as to "take peace +from the earth." "They should kill one another." The instrument of +slaughter is seen,--"a great sword." _Mutual_ slaughter does not seem to +harmonize with the idea of persecution, by which the saints only "are +killed all the day long." History records that insurrections, battles, +massacres and devastations of an extraordinary kind took place in the +first half of the second century, by which more than half a million of +the Jews perished by the hand of the pagans; and a still greater number +on the opposite side were slain by the Jews. Thus the two parties who +rivalled each other in opposing the gospel and the progress of Christ's +kingdom, were made by him the instruments of their mutual destruction. +For he it is who directs the movements and course of providence, the +"red horse." "Behold what desolations he hath made in the earth!" "In +this text," says an eminent expositor, "earth signifies the Roman +empire." ... "Daniel, ... whose sealed prophecy is explained by the +opening of the Apocalyptical seals, denominates the Roman empire, 'the +fourth kingdom upon earth.'" We humbly suggest, that this does not +render the Roman empire _synonymous_ with _earth_, any more than the +Chaldean, Persian, or Grecian. And indeed the monarchs of those empires +put forth as extensive claims to universal empire as ever the Cesars +did. The word _earth_ is to be interpreted always by the context. Like +the term _world_, it may sometimes signify the Roman empire, as Luke ii. +1. But in other cases even within the compass of the Apocalypse, it is +not to be so understood without manifest confusion, as in ch. xvi. 1, 2. +The contents of _all_ the vials are there said to be poured out upon the +earth; but _earth_ is afterwards the special _object_ of the _first +only_. It follows that this term cannot be uniformly and safely in this +book interpreted as identical with and limited by the Roman empire. The +importance of accuracy here may become more apparent in our future +progress. + + +5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, +Come and see. And I beheld, and, lo, a black horse; and he that sat on +him had a pair of balances in his hand. + +6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of +wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see +thou hurt not the oil and the wine. + +Vs. 4-6.--The third of the four "animals" calls attention to the +disclosures made by breaking the "third seal." Hie "had a face as a +man," (ch. iv. 7,) indicating, as already said, active sympathy, +affectionate counsel and seasonable exhortation in calamitous times. +Christian ministers need "the tongue of the learned to speak a word in +season to him that is weary," when the judgments of God are abroad in +the earth; for some of these press, most sensibly, on the poor. Such is +the character of the dispensation symbolized by the "black horse." +Scarcity of bread is the judgment represented here by the combined +symbols. "Our skin was black like an oven, because of the terrible +famine." (Lam. v. 10; Zech. vi. 2.)--The rider "had a pair of balances +in his hand." The word translated "balances," literally rendered, +signifies a _yoke_,--_pair_,--_couple_.--In popular use, it came to +signify an instrument for weighing commodities, from the counterpoising +(double) scales. This symbol indicated famine,--that people should "eat +bread by weight and with care;" (Ezek. iv. 16;) and this is confirmed by +the "voice in the midst of the four animals:"--"A measure of wheat for a +penny," etc. The quantity of food, and the price, as here announced, +would seem to the English reader to express plenty and cheapness. But +when it is understood that the "measure of wheat" was the ordinary +allowance for a laboring man, and "a penny" the usual wages for _one +day_; a little more than a _quart_, for about _fifteen cents_: it may be +asked, How could the laboring man procure food and clothing for himself, +his wife and children? It is said that three times the quantity of +"barley" could be had for the same money; but being a coarser and less +nutritious grain, it would reach but little farther in sustaining a +family. Famine usually falls heaviest on the middle and lower classes of +society. Even in such times the "rich fare sumptuously every day." +Accordingly, "the oil and the wine,"--some of the staple productions of +Canaan,--are exempted from the providential blight sent upon the +necessaries of life. (Gen. xliii. 11.) + +According to history, from the year 138, till near the end of the second +century, a general scarcity of provisions was felt, notwithstanding all +the care and foresight of emperors and their ministers to anticipate the +scourge. The Pharaohs on the throne had no Joseph to lay up in store in +the "years of plenty." But when our New Testament Joseph would thus +fight against the persecutors of his saints by the judgment of famine; +he gave previous intimation here to his disciples of the approaching +calamity, as his manner is to his own. (Luke xxi. 20-22.) + + +7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the +fourth beast say, Come and see. + +8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him +was death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them +over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, +and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. + +Vs. 7, 8.--"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to +the house of feasting," according to the judgment of the wisest of mere +men; (Eccl. vii. 2,) and so we are invited here by a spiritually-minded +ministry,--"like a flying eagle." A scene of lamentation, mourning and +woe, is disclosed at the opening of the "fourth seal."--All the symbols +betoken augmented severity in the judgments. There is "pestilence" added +to the sword and famine. "The pale horse," or _livid green_, is the +emblem of pestilence. The Mediator conducts the destroying angel to +fulfil the will of God. "Before Him went the pestilence;" and by a +combination of awful symbols, the king of terrors,--"death," is +represented as slaying his victims, and "hell followed with him," +satiated with his prey. "Sword, hunger, death and beasts of the earth," +were commissioned to lay waste the fourth part of the then known world. + +If we are to interpret the "beasts of the earth" literally, then we may +easily perceive how the depopulation produced by the other calamities +would make way for their increase and destructive ravages. But if we +understand these "beasts" as symbolizing the persecuting powers; then +adding these to all the other destructive agencies,--especially to the +"pale horse," the chief symbol in the group; we may readily perceive the +force of the combined emblems, a concentrating, as it were, of all +destroying agencies. Historians inform us, that "a pestilence arising +from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and wasted them +for fifteen years." This, added to the sword of war and persecution, +which lasted sixty years, according to some interpreters, or from 211 to +270, would seem to exhaust the events symbolized by the series of the +seals, except the seventh, so far at least as the sufferings of the +church are concerned. For under the fifth and sixth seals, as will +appear, nothing of a calamitous nature befalls the righteous. + + +9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the +souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony +which they held: + +10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and +true, dost them not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the +earth? + +11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said +unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their +fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they +were, should be fulfilled. + +Vs. 9-11.--At the opening of the fifth seal, none of the "four animals" +calls attention to its contents. This fact may indicate that no new +development of providence is intended, but rather the effects of the +preceding three, produced upon the church and saints of God; as the +sixth discloses the penalty inflicted on his and their enemies. + +John saw the "souls of them that were slain."--Souls are visible only in +vision, (ch. xx. 4.) These souls were not slain, but they were the souls +of them, the persons, that were slain. (Matt. x. 28.) The enemy could +kill the body only, an essential part of the human person, although the +chief aim was to kill the soul. The ground of their suffering was the +same, as that of John, (ch. i. 9.) And from the first of this honoured +class,--Abel, mentioned in the Bible, to the last,--Antipas; the cause +is the same, and the distinguished name is the same. They are "martyrs +for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." And however +tenaciously a person may hold other principles, even though he should +die for them, he is not a martyr. The aphorism is true,--It is not +suffering for religion, but "the _cause_ that makes the +martyr,"--suffering unto death from love to "the truth as it is in +Jesus." + +These souls were "under the altar," in allusion still to the outward +means of grace under the Old Testament economy. It is not very material, +perhaps, whether we understand the altar for sacrifice or that for +incense, the comfortable doctrines, often taught in the Scriptures, are +here illustrated. _First_, That the redemption of the sinner is by the +atoning sacrifice of Christ. _Second_, That after death,--especially by +martyrdom, the soul is safe "under the altar,"--in fellowship with the +Saviour. _Third_, That the soul, "made perfect in holiness," retains a +deep conviction, that "vengeance belongs to God," (ch. xviii. 20; xix. +1-3.) _Fourth_, That "the spirits of just men made perfect," both desire +and need instruction relative to the future evolution of the divine +purposes. Adoring the infinite perfections of God, acknowledging his +holiness and acquiescing in his faithfulness; they cannot but desire a +farther display of his vindictive and distributive justice, as +indispensable to the manifestation of the divine glory, the vindication +of the claims of the divine government, the asserting of their injured +rights, and the completing of their eternal felicity. Accordingly, we +find their earnest plea admitted. "It was said unto them, that they +should rest."--Their repose can never be disturbed. The "white robes" in +which they are arrayed, are not spun out of their own bowels, like the +spider's web, either by their services or sufferings; but they are the +well known emblems of the imputed righteousness of their Redeemer,--fine +linen clean and white, the only righteousness of saints, (ch. xix. 8). +Persecution did not terminate under the preceding seals. Others, their +"fellow-servants and brethren, should be killed as they were." The +honorable roll of martyrs was not yet completed. The "little season" is +a very indefinite period in our mode of computation. But "with the Lord, +one day is as a thousand years,"--(2 Pet. iii. 8.) This "season" seems +to comprehend the whole period of persecution. Now, as we shall see, the +Roman empire, whether pagan or Christian, is still a ravenous +beast,--"devouring Jacob." + +The policy of Rome pagan was to dictate the state religion. The idol +gods of the conquered provinces were generally adopted and enrolled +among those of the Pantheon. There was a niche for any and every god but +"Jacob's God." As he would permit no rival, (Exod. xx. 2, 23; Is. xlii. +8;) so the populace "would have none of Him," (Acts xvi. 19-21.) Such we +will find to be the policy of Rome Christian. There is no "communion +between light and darkness." + + +12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a +great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the +moon became as blood; + +13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree +casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind: + +14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and +every mountain and island were moved out of their places; + +15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and +the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every +free-man, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains: + +16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from +the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the +Lamb: + +17. For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to +stand? + +Vs. 12-17.--The sixth seal is opened, like the rest, by the hand of the +Mediator, and here "his right hand teacheth terrible things." "By +terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our +salvation." (Ps. lxv. 5.) The awful scene disclosed would seem to be a +beginning of answer to the importunate cry of the "souls under the +altar," as in the foregoing vision. + +Many expositors since the time of Cyprian in the third century, have +understood this seal as disclosing the scene of the last judgment. No +doubt the symbols here employed are suited to that event; but the series +of seals, trumpets and vials, not to speak of events still more remote, +wholly precludes such an interpretation. All the symbols under the sixth +seal betoken revolution. Such is their established and well known import +in other parts of Scripture. + +The "earthquake" is more than a shaking of the earth. It is a +_concussion_ of the heavens also. As Haggai is interpreted by Paul, we +learn the civil and ecclesiastical change of the Jewish polity by the +"shaking of the heavens and the earth." (Hag. ii. 6; Heb. xii. 26, 27.) +The day of final judgment is so often referred to as certain, that no +special prediction was needed to assure us of that event. Indeed, the +description of the day of judgment is commonly employed by the prophets +to represent revolutions among the nations. So it is in reference to the +overthrow of Babylon, (Is. xiii. 13.)--of Egypt, (Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8,) of +Jerusalem, (Matt. xxiv. 7, 29.) The "sun, moon and stars" are emblems of +civil officers, supreme and subordinate, as well as of military +commanders. Their consternation and despair, now that they are cast down +from their exalted position, as heavenly luminaries darkened and hurled +from their orbits, betray their apprehension of deserved and inevitable +wrath. Indeed we may view the last three verses of this chapter, as +exegetical or explanatory of the preceding three. The whole frame of +imperial power underwent a change which is commonly called a revolution. +And the grandeur of the complex symbols, borrowed from the closing scene +of time, was never more appropriately employed by the Spirit of +prophecy, than in the present instance, to portray the total overthrow +of pagan power, idolatry and tyranny. The most conspicuous instrument in +the Mediator's hand by which this great revolution was effected, is well +known in history as "Constantine the Great." The great lights of the +heathen world, the powers civil and ecclesiastical, were not eclipsed, +but extinguished, heathen priests and augurs were extirpated and +idolatrous temples were closed. Christianity was professed by the +emperor himself, and his authority exerted for its recognition and +diffusion throughout his dominions. Thus did the God of Israel "avenge +his own elect, who cried to him night and day from under the altar;" and +thus did he afford unto them a "season of rest." + +Constantine, however, was more of a politician than divine. To the +student of history he will appear in many respects a striking prototype +of William Prince of Orange, who on a less extended scale answers as an +antitype in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Neither of them +exemplified in their lives the "power of godliness". Like Charles the +Second, they did not consider primitive apostolic Christianity "a +religion for a gentleman." Constantine combined in his character the +properties of the lion and the fox. He was crafty and ambitious. +Usurping the prerogatives of Zion's King, he assumed a blasphemous +supremacy over the church, and proceeded to model her external polity +after the example of the empire. Among the Christian ministry, he found +mercenary spirits who pandered to his ambition,--"having his person in +admiration because of advantage." Advancing these to positions of +opulence and splendor, he could certainly rely upon them to support him +in his schemes of aggrandizement. Thus the mystery of iniquity, whose +working Paul discovered in his time, was nurtured to its full +development in Heaven's appointed time. (2 Thess. ii. 7, etc.) If on +such occasions mighty kings and valiant generals are stricken with +dismay, what shall be the terror of all the impenitent enemies of the +Lord and his Anointed when the heavens and the earth shall pass away and +leave them without these imaginary hiding places from "the wrath of the +Lamb!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +The scenes portrayed by varied symbols in this chapter, are by some +considered as a continuation of the sixth seal. We think they may with +more propriety be viewed as relating to the events under the four which +precede; while they are obviously preparatory to the opening of the last +seal in the next chapter. + + +1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners +of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should +not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. + +V. 1. The "four angels" represent the instruments of providence. The +"four corners of the earth" intend all nations of the world, as then +known in geography. (Ch. xx. 8, 9.) The "holding of the winds" is +emblematical of the tranquillity consequent upon the accession of +Constantine to the imperial throne,--the temporary cessation of +desolating wars and persecutions,--the "rest" for which the martyrs +prayed. "Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee." (Ps. lxxxi. +7.) + + +2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of +the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to +whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. + +3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we +have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. + +Vs. 2, 3.--"Another angel ... having the seal of the living God," can be +none other but the Lord Christ. His people are "sealed unto the day of +redemption with that Holy Spirit of promise," or promised Holy Spirit. +(2 Cor. i. 22; Eph. i. 13). He came from the east. There the Son of +righteousness arose upon a dark world, and his beams enlightened the +kingdoms of Europe, in which multitudes were effectually called during +this tranquil period, (ch. xiv. 1). This angel, as having sovereign +authority over "earth and sea," and from whom the "four angels" had +their commission, now commands them not to "hurt the earth and the sea," +till He and the ministers,--the instruments of his grace,--had "sealed +the servants of God." This "sealing," while symbolizing baptism, +signifies especially the saving work of the eternal Spirit, by which its +subjects are to be, and actually are, preserved from apostacy in future +and trying times. We shall meet with them again, (ch. xiv. 1.) + +The favour shown by Constantine to Christian ministers and converts, +induced multitudes to make a profession of Christianity, and of course +filled the church with hypocrites. The flattery of those in power has +often proved as detrimental to the church's spiritual prosperity as +their frowns. (Dan. xi. 32.) Still, the special design of this sealing +seems to be the preservation of a chosen remnant,--the witnesses, during +the period of the trumpets, when Antichrist should be fully organized. + + +4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were +sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the +children of Israel. + +5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed +twelve thousand. + +6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were +sealed twelve thousand. + +7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed +twelve thousand. + +8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed +twelve thousand. + +Vs. 4-8.--The number sealed was "a hundred forty and four thousand;" of +"each tribe twelve thousand." These numbers are not to be taken +literally, but comparatively, as contradistinguished from another +company, (v. 9.) Neither do we suppose, with many expositors, that Jews +by nation are here exclusively intended. At the time referred to, in the +fifth century, the "middle wall of partition" had been long removed. +(Eph. ii. 14.) Jews and Gentiles were "all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. +iii. 28.) There is no ground to suppose that exactly the same number +would be sealed of every tribe. Besides, all the original tribes are not +named. Dan is not among them, and Judah is first in order in Reuben's +place. The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem are inscribed with the names +of the twelve tribes of Israel, (ch. xxii. 12.) In a word, this sealed +company is composed of Jews and Gentiles, representing the whole number +of true believers, who were enabled by grace to hold fast their +profession in trying times, and who experienced more special protection +in perilous times. (Ezek. ix. 4-6.) + + +9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could +number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood +before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and +palms in their hands; + +10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. + +11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the +elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, +and worshipped God, + +12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and +honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. + +Vs. 9-12.--The "great multitude, which no man could number," are +evidently distinguished from the number sealed. They are collected from +all the nations known at that time. They "stood before the throne and +before the Lamb," as accepted worshippers; ascribing "salvation," not to +their own merit, but to the free grace of God the Father, and the +oblation and intercession of the Lamb. They are now in a triumphant +state, as indicated by the "palms in their hands," the usual emblems of +victory. "White robes" bespeak their justification. "All the angels" in +heaven, signify their hearty assent to the praises of the redeemed by +saying, "Amen." Then in an attitude of profoundest reverence, they +celebrate the praises of God in strains proper, though not peculiar to +themselves. As in ch. v. 11, the angels in this place are disposed and +arranged in the outer circle of all the intelligent worshippers. +Redeemed sinners stand nearest to the throne, in virtue of their union +to Christ, while holy angels, without envy, contemplate, with rapturous +emotions, the displays of the "manifold wisdom of God" in his dealings +with the church. (Eph. iii. 10.) Thus we may learn to do the will of God +on earth, as it is done by the angels in heaven. + + +13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which +are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? + +14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are +they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, +and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. + +15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and +night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among +them. + +16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall +the sun light on them, nor any heat. + +17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, +and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe +away all tears from their eyes. + +Vs. 13-17.--"One of the elders" asks John,--not for information, but to +engage his attention,--"What are these, ... and whence came they?" +Ministers may often receive instruction from the members of the church. +This elder answers his own questions as the angel did to the prophet, +(Zech. iv. 5, 6.) These are the "great multitude,"--probably the same +whose "souls" John saw at the opening of the fifth seal, but now +appearing in a new aspect: for it is evident that they had been engaged +in war. This appears by the "palms" of victory. They had been in "great +tribulation" prior to the peaceful reign of Constantine, by Satan's +temptations, the spoiling of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, +and the sacrifice of their lives,--"not loving their lives unto the +death." All these tribulations, however, could not separate them from +the love of God. (Rom. viii. 37-39.) They had "washed their robes,"--not +in penitential tears, their own martyr-blood, their doing or suffering +in the cause of Christ; but their robes were "made white in the blood of +the Lamb," who was "made of God unto them ... justification and +sanctification." (1 Cor. i. 30.) Could the human mind conceive the idea +of rendering linen garments _white_ by washing them in _blood_? Never, +unless as suggested by the doctrine of Christ crucified, whose "blood +cleanseth from all sin." (1 John i. 7.) "Therefore are they before the +throne of God,--without fault before his throne," (ch. xiv. 5.) +Delivered from the tempestuous storms of war, and the scorching heat of +persecution; they are safe in the haven of eternal rest. + +Not only are they for ever freed from the sensation of "hunger or +thirst;" but they shall drink of the "living fountains of waters, +proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb," (ch. xxii. 1). "In +thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures +for evermore." (Ps. xvi. 11.) While this company, brought out of great +tribulation, to which they had been subjected in the centuries before +the time of Constantine, are represented as in possession of eternal +blessedness, the other company of the "sealed" ones, are by this mark +furnished with the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, to enter the +lists with the Dragon in a much more trying and prolonged contest. The +latter company, although _preceding_ the other, in the order of symbolic +revelation; do really in the order of time, succeed them in continuation +of the struggle with the powers of darkness. And here we make the +general remark, That nearly throughout the Apocalypse the two parties +whom we may call the powers of darkness and the children of light, often +change their relative positions, and assume different aspects. And in +this, there is nothing new, as appears, 2 Cor. xi. 14, 15; vi. 8, 9. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +Hitherto our observations have been brief, because interpreters are very +generally agreed in their views of the first series, the seals, in this +interesting book of prophecy. The first six seals, covering the time of +heathen Rome's opposition to Christianity, and before the Devil +succeeded in enlisting the nominal church of Christ in his interest, do +not therefore furnish occasion for much controversy among expositors. +Besides, the seventh seal covers much more time than all the others. The +first six refer to pagan Rome, and constitute the first period, properly +styled the PERIOD OF THE SEALS. The seventh seal, introducing the +trumpets, is the second period, called the PERIOD OF THE TRUMPETS. In +attempting to unfold their mystical import, greater amplification will +be indispensable. + + +1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven +about the space of half an hour. + +V. 1.--"Heaven" is the ordinary symbol of organized society, whether +civil or ecclesiastical or both. "Silence in heaven for half an hour," +indicates public tranquillity, together with anxious and mute +expectation of coming and alarming events. "Half an hour," a definite +for an indefinite duration, as usual, imports that the repose hitherto +enjoyed, shall shortly terminate. The respite which the saints enjoyed +during the period succeeding the revolution indicated by the opening of +the sixth seal, soon came to an end. + + +2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were +given seven trumpets. + +3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden +censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer +it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before +the throne. + +4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the +saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. + +Vs. 2-4.--"Seven angels" appear to John as ministers "standing before +God," ready to execute his commands. To them were given "seven +trumpets." Here, as all along hitherto, there is allusion to the former +dispensation. Under the Old Testament, trumpets were constructed by +divine direction and to be used for diverse purposes. Of the manifold +uses of this instrument, that which is here chiefly intended is, to +"sound an alarm." (Joel ii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 8). Whilst all is suspense, +and before the silence is broken by the sounding of the first trumpet, +the worship of God is exemplified after the usual manner. An angel, by +his official place and work easily distinguished from those having the +trumpets, holds in his hand a "golden censer" that with "much incense" +he might render acceptable "the prayers of all saints." As the angel who +had the "seal of the living God," is distinguished from those that "held +the winds," (ch. vii. 1;) so is he here, from those that had the +trumpets. Here he appears as the Great High Priest over the house of +God; and as "the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at +the time of incense;" (Luke i. 10;) so the service of God is thus +emblematically represented as conducted according to divine appointment. +This Angel therefore is Christ himself. "No man cometh unto the Father +but by him." He is the only Advocate with the Father; and through him +"we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. ii. 18.) + +May we not inquire, without presumption, a little into the nature or +purport of the "prayers of all saints" at this time of ominous silence? +And what could so likely be the burden of their petitions as that of the +cry of the souls under the altar, namely, the destruction of the Roman +empire? Surely this has been the prayer of God's persecuted servants in +all ages:--"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen," etc. (Jer. x. 25; Ps. +lxxix. 6). However inconsistent with Christian charity superficial +Christians may deem the law of retaliation; we shall find it often urged +on our attention as exemplified in this book. It is absolutely essential +to the divine government. + + +5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, +and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings and +lightnings and an earthquake. + +V. 5--The Lord Jesus, in carrying out the designs of the divine mind, +and executing the commission which he received from the Father as +Mediator, appears in various characters. Whilst as a priest he +intercedes for his people, and by the incense from the golden censer +renders their prayers acceptable before God; as a king he answers their +prayers by terrible things in righteousness. (Ps. lxv. 5). This work of +vengeance is vividly signified by scattering coals of fire on the earth. + +From the very same altar, whence the glorious Angel of the Covenant had +received fire to consume the incense, he next takes coals, the symbol of +his wrath, and scatters them into the earth. These "burning coals of +juniper" produce "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an +earthquake." "O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places." (Ps. +lxviii. 35; lxxvi. 12). "The Lord our God is a jealous God." Our +merciful Saviour once put a strange and startling question to his +disciples:--"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell +you, Nay."--For ends worthy of himself, the only wise God has +unchangeably decreed that "offences must needs come," (Matt, xviii. 7;) +and "there must be also heresies" among professing Christians. (1 Cor. +xi. 19.). However, in the administration of providence, judgment without +mercy awaits every nation to which the gospel is sent in vain. The +voices, thunderings, etc., consequent upon the scattering of the coals, +portended the calamities which would be inflicted upon men for their +opposition to the gospel and cruel treatment of the saints, in answer to +their prayers through the intercession of Christ. + + +6. And the seven angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared +themselves to sound. + +V. 6.--The "seven angels now prepare themselves to sound." The first +alarm, of course, will put an end to the "silence." It should be noted +that while each seal, when broken, disclosed so much of the roll of the +book as was concealed by it; the seventh leaves no part unrevealed. The +whole contents are laid open. It is otherwise with the trumpets. The +reverberations of one may not have ceased when the next begins to sound. +Thus, several may be partly cotemporary. Again, it may be questioned +whether mankind are to be considered in civil or ecclesiastical +organization as the formal object of the judgments indicated by the +trumpets. Some expositors view the one, and some the other, as the +object, and the contention has been sharp among them. We humbly suggest +that neither is the formal object without the other, simply because the +_same individuals_ constitute the complex _moral person_. The +correctness of this view is largely illustrated and abundantly confirmed +in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Provinces, nations, empires, +are no farther worthy of notice in prophecy than as they affect the +destiny of the church and illustrate the immutable principles of the +moral government of God. He is known by the judgments which he +executeth, and nations must be taught that "the heavens do rule." (Dan. +iv. 26.) Although the church and the state are, by divine institution, +distinct, not united; they are nevertheless co-ordinate, and always +exert a reciprocal influence for good or for evil. It has been the +policy of Satan to confound this distinction; and alas! with too much +success in the apprehension of many. There are not wanting divines who +boldly assert, that even among the Jews, under the Old Testament,--"the +church was the state, and the state was the church!" We may have +occasion to notice hereafter, that this gross error and antichristian +dogma, is yet entertained in relation to divinely organized society +under the present New Testament economy! + +The "voices, thunderings and earthquakes" resulting from the scattering +of the coals,--are the harbingers and precursors of coming calamities +upon Christendom at the sounding of the trumpets. And these may be +emblematical of the contentions, strife and divisions which accompanied +the rise and prevalence of the heresy of Arius and the apostacy of the +emperor Julian, during the time of comparative public tranquillity from +Constantine to Theodosius. The church and the state, as one complex +system, we have considered as the object of the judgments to be +inflicted under the trumpets. These had, in fact, become incorporated, +if not identified, under the reign of Constantine and his imperial +successors. But assuming the correctness of the phraseology of secular +historians and Christian expositors, when in a _popular sense_ they +speak of the Roman empire as the object of penal inflictions; we by no +means agree with the latter class of writers, when they _limit_ the +empire to the geographical boundaries as it existed at the time of this +prediction. This mistake, if not detected here, will materially affect +and control our views of the whole subsequent part of the Apocalypse. +Who would not discover the impropriety and absurdity of treating of +events now transpiring within the empire of the United States, as if +falling out within the limits of the original thirteen as they existed +in 1776? But the Roman empire yet exists, and we have sufficient +evidence that it will continue till the time of the sounding of the +seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. 15.) _Political bias_ has prevailed with one +class of expositors to exempt the British empire from the stroke of +God's wrath, symbolized by both the trumpets and vials. Others, from +similar predilections, would exempt the United States and British +Provinces from these plagues. Whilst a third class, giving fall scope to +the hallucinations of mere imagination, aver their conviction that +republican America is the special and doomed object of all these +plagues!--Hence, the necessity of caution, sobriety, reverence for +divine authority, reliance on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, whom the +Saviour has promised to his humble disciples to "guide them into all +truth, and to show them things to come." (John xvi. 13.) That the +student of prophecy,--especially of the Apocalypse, may realize the +fulfilment of this promise, it is indispensably necessary that he be +absolutely untrammeled by all antichristian politics. Such cases are +very rare, (ch. xiii. 3.) + +During the reign of Constantine, that monarch had transferred the +capital of the empire from the "city of seven hills" to another locality +and founded another metropolis, which as the future seat of imperial +rule, and to immortalize himself, he called after his own name, +Constantinople. This ambitious enterprise itself virtually divided the +empire, preparing the way for its total dismemberment by the trumpets. +And now the "seven angels prepared themselves to sound," for all things +are ready. The interceding Angel at the "golden altar" has prevailed to +obtain a period of tranquillity whilst preparatory steps are in progress +towards the next series of events; but that time shall be no longer, or +respite from impending judgments, is significantly intimated by the +symbolical Angel casting his "golden censer" from his hand, and hurling +it into the earth. Then without farther delay, + + +7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled +with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of +trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. + +V. 7.--"The first angel sounded." The object of this judgment is the +_earth_, the population of the empire in general. The judgment itself +is, "hail and fire mingled with blood,"--desolating wars, like +successive storms of hail mingled with lightning, "hailstones and coals +of fire." (Ps. xviii. 12.) The effect is, a consumption of a third part +of the "trees and grass," people in high and low degrees. Green trees +and grass are the ornaments and products, of a land: and when the earth +is an emblem of nations and dominions, trees and grass may represent +persons of higher and lower rank. + +The careful student of the Apocalypse will discover a striking analogy +between the effects of the trumpets and vials as the latter are +presented in the sixteenth chapter. This first trumpet therefore +produces an effect upon the social order of Christendom, which will +continue till the pouring out of the first vial. As the Roman empire in +its twofold division is the general object of all the trumpets; so the +first four are directed towards the western, and the next two against +the eastern member. + +The infidel historian Gibbon has unwittingly recorded the fulfilment of +these predictions, as Josephus has done those of our Lord respecting the +destruction of Jerusalem. Unconscious that he was bearing testimony to +the truth of prophecy, Gibbon used with his classic pen the very +allegorical language of the inspired apostle. Respecting the incursion +of the barbarous Goths, as led by Alaric their chief into the fertile +plains of southern Europe, he describes their alarming descent as a +_"dark cloud_, which having collected along the coasts of the Baltic, +burst in _thunder_ upon the banks of the upper Danube." He who directed +Balaam and Caiaphas to utter predictions, doubtless could direct +Josephus and Gibbon to attest the truth of prophecy; and this may be one +of the many ways in which "he makes the wrath of man to praise +him."--The Goths, the Scythians and Huns, first under Alaric and +afterwards under Attila, those savage warriors from the northern +regions, invaded the provinces of the Roman empire in both sections, +carrying all before them like an irresistible tornado,--with fire and +sword utterly destroying cities, temples, princes, priests, old and +young, male and female,--thus "burning up trees, and green grass." + + +8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning +with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became +blood: + +9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had +life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. + +Vs. 8, 9.--"The second angel sounded." The object of this judgment, is +the _sea_. As a great collection of waters, this symbol is explained, +(ch. xvii. 15.) "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," +indicate the population in an agitated and disorganized or revolutionary +condition. The judgment is a "burning mountain," a tremendous +object,--consuming and being itself consumed. The mountain is a symbol +of earthly power civil or military, and sometimes ecclesiastical.--"Who +art thou, O great mountain?" (Zech. iv. 7.) The Almighty says to the +king of Babylon,--"Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain ... +I will roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt +mountain." (Jer. li. 25; Ps. xlviii. 2.) + +The consequence of this judgment is, the third part of the sea became +blood, the fish perished, and the shipping was destroyed. Similar +language, illustrating these figurative expressions, had been used by +the prophets to represent divine judgments denounced against Egyptian +power. (Ezek. xxix. 3, etc.) In the eighth verse is contained the +explanation of the symbolic language,--"Behold I will bring a sword upon +thee, and cut off man and beast from thee." + +History verifies this part of the Apocalyptic prediction. Only two years +after the death of that northern "scourge of God," Attila, who boasted +that "the grass never grew where his horse had trod;" Genseric set sail +from the burning shores of Africa; and, like a burning mountain launched +into the sea, accompanied by a vast army of barbarous Vandals, suddenly +landed his fleet at the mouth of the river Tiber. Disregarding the +distinctions of rank, age or sex, these licentious and brutal plunderers +subjected their helpless victims to every species of indignity and +cruelty. Hence the hostility to arts and science, the tokens of refined +civilization,--indiscriminate devastation of life and property +perpetrated by the savage warriors, has given rise to the word +"Vandalism." + + +10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from +heaven, burning as it were a Lamp, and it fell upon the third part of +the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; + +11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of +the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because +they were made bitter. + +Vs. 10, 11.--The object of the third trumpet is the waters as +before,--the population of the empire, but not in collective form as a +_sea_; rather in a state of separation or disconnected, as "rivers and +fountains." Some apply this symbol of a "falling star" to Genseric, but +this is incongruous. On the contrary, he was a victorious prince,--a +_rising_ star. It is more consonant to the truth of history and the +chronological series of prophecy, to apply this symbol to the downfall +of Momyllus the last of the Roman emperors, who was deposed by Odoacer +king of the Heruli, called in derision Augustulus,--the diminutive +Augustus. Doubtless the allusion here is to the king of Babylon:--"How +art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (day-star,) son of the morning! +How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" +(Isa. xiv. 12.) A star may indeed signify either a civil or +ecclesiastical officer, but the scope and context determine all these +judgments to the enemies of the church, and those of her illustrious +Head. It is the "vengeance of his temple." We have already found a star +the emblem of a gospel minister, and we shall hereafter find it employed +in that sense; but it does not seem to refer in the present connexion to +any apostate. The name of this star,--"Wormwood," embittering the +waters, is a lively emblem of the miseries experienced by the people, in +the use of the remaining temporal comforts which the preceding +calamities had left. + + +12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was +smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the +stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not +for a third part of it, and the night likewise. + +V. 12.--The design of all the trumpets is to point out the utter +destruction of the Roman empire,--Daniel's "kingdom of iron." (Dan. ii. +40.) For although from the time of Constantine it assumed the Christian +name, it nevertheless continued to be a beast. Of this we shall have +cumulative evidence as we progress. The first trumpet began to demolish +the fabric of antichristian power; and by the fourth the western +division was overthrown. For although the northern barbarians under the +first, the southern Vandals under the second, and the successors of +both, prevailed to bring down the last of the Caesars, yet the ancient +frame of government still subsisted. The political heaven, though +shaken, was not yet wholly removed, while the Senate, Consuls and other +official dignitaries continued to shine as political luminaries in the +firmament of power. But as the last of the Caesars fell from power in +the year 476, so the last vestige of imperial dominion in the west was +removed in 566, when Rome, the queen of the nations, was by the emperor +of the east reduced to the humble condition of a tributary dukedom. Most +of the saints had their residence at this time in the nations of western +Europe and northern Africa, where they were grievously afflicted by the +Arian, Pelagian and other heresies; as also exposed to persecution by +the civil powers, whom those heresiarchs moved to oppress the orthodox: +consequently, the righteous judgments of God fall first upon that member +of the empire. The eastern section, however, is destined to become the +special object of the judgments indicated by the succeeding trumpets. +However interpreters differ in details when explaining the effects +produced by the sounding of the first four trumpets, they very generally +harmonize in the application of them to the western section of the Roman +empire. The luminaries of heaven are darkened, or fall, or are +extinguished, while the earth, the sea and the rivers are +correspondently affected. Now, these are the well known allegorical +representations of divine judicial visitations of guilty communities, as +we find in the prophetic writings. See, for example, the case of +Babylon, "the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" (Isa. xiii. 1, 10;) +also Egypt,--(Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8.) + + +13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, +saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the +earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, +which are yet to sound! + +V. 13.--Before the fifth angel sounds, a note of warning is given by the +ministry, of another angel distinct from the seven with the trumpets. He +pronounces a "woe" thrice repeated, upon the inhabitants of the earth, +indicating that heavier judgments and of longer duration are about to be +inflicted. This announcement was intended to excite attention and awful +expectation. This angel's message of "heavy tidings" may be viewed in +quite interesting contract with that of a subsequent angel,--"flying +through the midst of heaven," (ch. xiv. 6.) How different, yet +harmonious, is the ministry of those heavenly messengers! + +The first four trumpets, as we have seen, demolished the western +division of the Roman empire. About the middle of the sixth century this +work was brought to completion. Here, for greater clearness, we may be +allowed to anticipate by digressing a little. Assuming now, what shall +afterwards appear to be correct, that the Roman empire is Daniel's +fourth universal monarchy, and Paul's "let," or hinderance, to the +revealing of the "Man of Sin;" since the first four trumpets have +dismembered that great power, revealing the "ten toes,--ten horns," or +kingdoms; we would expect now to hear of the destruction of that "Son of +perdition." But it is not so. That is to be effected by the vials, (ch. +xvi.) As the general and grand design of the Apocalypse is to illustrate +the divine government, exhibiting the moral world as affecting, or +affected by the Christian religion, it seemed good to the Divine Author +that the destinies of the eastern section of the Roman empire yet +standing, where many of his saints reside, shall come under review. +Ecclesiastical history treats familiarly of a _Greek,_ as well as a +_Latin_ church and empire. As the trumpets cover the whole time from the +opening of the sixth seal till the final overthrow of the whole fourth +monarchy; (Dan. vii. 26; Rev. xi. 15,) it follows that the eastern +section must be the object of a part of them. Accordingly, the remaining +part of the second period,--the _Period of the Trumpets,_ includes the +first two of the three, emphatically and significantly styled +"woe-trumpets." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto +the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. + +2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a a smoke out of +the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were +darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. + +3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them +was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. + +4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the +earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men +which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. + +5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that +they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the +torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. + +6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and +shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. + +7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto +battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their +faces were us the faces of men. + +8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the +teeth of lions. + +9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the +sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running +to battle. + +10. And they had tails like unto scorpions; and there were stings in +their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. + +11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless +pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue +hath his name Apollyon. + +Vs. 1-11.--The scene of the events announced by the sounding of the +first "woe-trumpet," is the eastern Roman empire. A variety of symbols +is here employed to represent the judgment to be inflicted. The +principal agents and events are,--a "star, locusts, Apollyon their king, +their depredations, the time of their continuance." + +Neither Boniface III. nor Mahomet answers to the symbol "falling star." +Allowing that a star, as a symbol, may represent a person in either +civil or ecclesiastical office, no successful aspirants to places of +power, as both of these were, can be here understood. Obviously +degradation and not elevation is intended. Either dethronement of a +prince or apostacy of a theological dignitary must be intended. + +No character in history at the time referred to, so well agrees to the +symbol of a fallen star as the monk Sergius, who is known to have been +the coadjutor of Mahomet. He had been a monk of the Christian sect +called Nestorians from Nestorius their leader. This monk Sergius had +been excommunicated for heresy and immorality. He was glad to serve the +devil as dictator to Mahomet in composing the Koran, which bears +internal evidence of having been written by one who was acquainted with +the Sacred Scriptures. When this degraded man had finished his task, he +was put to death by his master, lest he should betray the imposture. + +He opened the bottomless pit, from which issued a smoke darkening the +whole face of the heavens. The pit is hell, whence came the smoke,--the +diabolical system of delusion. From the same place comes the character +afterwards to appear under the aspect of a beast, (ch. xi. 7.) Locusts +constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, and they are the emblem of a +destroying army. (Exod. x. 14-19; Joel i. 4-6.) And this is their import +here. They represent the deluded and destructive followers of Mahomet, +who in vast multitudes laid waste the nations of western Asia, southern +Europe, and northern Africa. The Saracens, originating in Arabia, the +national locality of the literal locusts, in great multitudes like +clouds, laid waste the fairest and most populous portions of the earth +for a succession of ages. + +These symbolic locusts have also the property of scorpions, a poisonous +reptile, resembling in some degree a lizard combined with a lobster, +armed with a sting in the end of its tail. Wicked and impenitent men are +compared to scorpions. (Ezek. ii. 6.) But these locusts are under +restraint. They are permitted to hurt only "those men which have not the +seal of God in their foreheads." The time of their continuance is "five +months," of thirty days each, making 150 years,--"a day for a year." +(Ezek. iv. 6.) In the year 606, Mahomet began his imposture by retiring +to the cave of Hera. In 612 he appeared publicly as the apostle of his +new religion at the head of his deluded followers. Between 612 and 762, +he and the warlike chiefs who succeeded him, overran with terrible +destruction, Syria, Persia, India, Egypt and Spain. Although the +Saracenic empire continued for a longer time, yet from this time it lost +the disorderly _Locust_ character and because a more settled +commonwealth. In the year 762, the city of Bagdad was built by one of +the caliphs, who called it "the city of peace." This put a stop to the +devastations of the locusts, when the empire began to decline. It was +foretold, however, that during the time of successful war by these cruel +invaders, they would inflict such miseries upon their wretched victims, +that they would earnestly but vainly desire death to put an end to their +exquisite torments. It is farther said that these locusts resembled +horses, as indeed they do, especially in their heads. The Arabians +excelled in horsemanship, and their chief force lay in cavalry. The +"crowns upon their heads" may refer to the turbans worn by the Arabians +as part of their national costume; or to the kingdoms which they +subdued. Flowing hair is also characteristic of these people. Their +"teeth" like those of lions indicated their strength and fury to +destroy. "Breast-plates of iron,"--defensive armour, indicates +self-protection by the most effectual public measures. The sound of +their wings may denote the fury of their assaults, and the rapidity of +their conquests. But the deadly stings in their tails were their most +fatal instruments of torture, symbolizing the poison of their abominable +and ruinous religion. + +Their king is "Abaddon or Apollyon," the destroyer: for so is his name +by interpretation, both in Hebrew and Greek. He is from the "bottomless +pit,"--from hell, the vicegerent of the devil. Mahomet in person, and in +the person of his official successors, will alone answer to this +_duplicate_ symbol. This is, without a rational shadow of ground for +controversy, the _Great Eastern Antichrist_, sufficiently distinguished +from the _Western_. The western combination against real Christianity +never attained to power by successful conquest of the nations; but on +the contrary by chicanery, insidious policy, flattery of princes and +priestcraft. This enemy is described with sufficient accuracy and +peculiar precision in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Prophecy +has a determinate meaning; and we are not at liberty to give loose reins +to our imagination: otherwise we shall bewilder, rather than satisfy the +devout and earnest inquirer. + + +12. One woe is past: and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. + +V. 12.--Before the time of the sixth trumpet, intimation is given that +some pause shall intervene prior to the judgments which are to +follow:--"One woe is past."--The object of the first woe is the +nominally Christian Roman empire, which still stands in its Eastern +section; and is to be totally demolished by the second woe-trumpet: for +the Western section, recovering from the effects of the first four +trumpets, is the object of the third and last woe. The "man of +Sin,"--the "little horn" of Daniel, is actuating the "ten horns" to +"scatter Judah," etc., during the time of the Mahometan conquests in the +East; by which the whole Roman empire is ripening for the harvest of the +vials of wrath. + + +13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns +of the golden altar which is before God, + +14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four +angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. + +15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, +and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. + +16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand +thousand; and I heard the number of them. + +17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, +having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the +heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths +issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone. + +18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by +the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. + +19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their +tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do +hurt. + +Vs. 13-19.--At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, a "voice comes from +the four horns of the golden altar," the immediate presence of the +Almighty. This indicates punishment to be inflicted upon men for +corrupting the gospel, similar to the judgment of fire from the "golden +censer," (ch. viii. 5.) The effects of the first woe may be supposed to +reach from the early part of the seventh century to the latter part of +the thirteenth,--the period of Arabian locusts. During the latter part +of this time, the Turks were held in check by the Crusaders, who strove +to wrest the Holy Land from the infidels. The "four angels" are the four +Turkish Sultanies. The river Euphrates is to be taken in this place +literally, as designating the geographical locality of these combined +powers, which were the instruments employed by the enthroned Mediator, +to demolish the remaining part of the Roman empire,--"the third part of +men." The time occupied in this barbarous work of slaughter is "an hour, +a day, a month and a year," about equal to 391 years; or from the year +1281 to 1672. The Western empire had been overthrown by the first four +trumpets, the Eastern nearly ruined under the fifth; and under the sixth +it was finally subverted. The numbers which the Turks brought into the +field are here said to be "two hundred thousand thousand,"--a definite +for an indefinite number as usual, a vast army. And historians tell us +that they were, in fact, from four to seven hundred thousand, and a +large proportion of them cavalry. + +From the year 1672, one of their own historians dates the "Decay of the +Othman empire!" Since that date, the Turkish power is well known to have +been straitened by the Russian empire. + +These eastern warriors and their horses are described by their military +costume and their arms. Fire is _red_, jacinth _blue_, and brimstone +_yellow_,--the chosen colors of the Ottoman warriors, their military +uniform. The heads of their horses "as the heads of lions," denote +strength, fierceness and cruelty. "Fire, smoke and brimstone issuing out +of their mouths," may be supposed to indicate the employment of +gunpowder, first invented about that time, as an element of destruction. +The commander at the siege of Constantinople is said to have employed +cannon, some of which were of such caliber as to send stones of three +hundred pounds weight! Thus their power was in their "mouth:" but like +the locusts, "they had in their tails power to do hurt,"--the deadly +poison of the Koran. The Turks left behind them wherever they went, as +the Saracens had done before, the poisonous and ruinous religion of +Mahomet, more durable and injurious to men than all their bloody +conquests. By this abominable system of delusion, the remains of the +Greek church in the Eastern division of the Roman empire, were almost +extirpated; Christianity was nearly extinguished in that part of the +world where the gospel had shone brightly, and there Mahometanism +continues till the present day. Such has been the desolating effect of +the sixth,--the second woe trumpet. Thus the Judge of all the earth +punishes impenitent communities. Besides the positive effects of the +second wo, we have intimation of some that are negative in the close of +this chapter. + + +20. And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues, yet +repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship +devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of +wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: + +21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor +of their fornication, nor of their thefts. + +Vs. 20, 21.--The "rest of the men that were not killed by these +plagues," or morally destroyed by becoming Mahometans, by the foregoing +calamities, were not brought to repentance of their evil deeds. The +population of the Western Latin empire and nominal Christian church, +still persisted in their idolatries and immoralities. Both individually +and as associated, they openly violated both tables of the moral law. It +is evident from these two verses, that the sins enumerated in them were +the procuring causes of the divine judgments symbolized by the +trumpets,--the two woe-trumpets, all the trumpets,--yes, including the +seventh and the last. Professing Christians both in the Greek and Latin +churches, after all the plagues inflicted by the angels of the past six +trumpets, continue to this day in the practice of worshipping demons, +angels and saints, for which they can produce no better arguments than +their Pagan predecessors whom the Lord charges with "worshipping devils" +here and elsewhere. (1 Cor. x. 20; Ps. cvi. 37.) In their stupid worship +of senseless images, consecration of places, etc., who cannot perceive +the identity of modern Papists and prelates with those portrayed by the +pen of inspiration in the passage before us? The horrible "murders," +massacres and bloody persecutions of the saints, are verified in +authentic history. Papal bulls, imperial and royal edicts, issued +against _heretics_, answer to the second part of this awful picture. +Then follow "sorceries," plainly pointing out pretended revelations, +false miracles, etc. To these are to be added "fornications," corporeal +and spiritual, in a mass of superstitions added to, or supplanting +divine ordinances; together with vows of celibacy, monkeries and +nunneries,--followed by public license of brothels. And +finally,--"thefts." By these are to be understood the illegal exactions +and oppressive impositions, by which the nations of Christendom have +been plundered of their revenues to enrich the lordly hierarchy of +apostate Christendom. This state of things still continuing after the +sixth angel sounds his trumpet, and no evidence of repentance; who can +doubt that the same community is yet to be visited with the "third woe?" +Surely the Lord may justly still say,--"For three transgressions, and +for four, (of Antichrist,) I will not turn away the punishment thereof." +The eastern church, in which the first corruptions prevailed, was +punished by the _first woe_ of the Saracens; and this not producing +repentance, her ruin was completed by the _second wo_ of the Ottomans. +So, when God judges, he will overcome; therefore the western church, +still persisting in her abominations, without repentance, shall be +destroyed by the _third woe_. Let not the pious reader suppose that by +these penal inflictions on churches, the church of Christ is to perish. +No, no. But, on the contrary, their overthrow is subservient to her +preservation. This also will appear with increasing evidence as we +proceed with our meditations on this instructive book. + +In the mean time it may be well to remark here, at the close of those +_woes_ which developed the rise and progress of Mahometanism, that the +creed of this religious sect is substantially the same as that of those +Christians called Socinians. Both presumptuously and arrogantly claim to +be the worshippers of _the one God_,--commonly called _Unitarians_. This +is one of the "depths of Satan." All who worship, as well as believe in, +three co-equal Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, believe in, +and worship _one God_, and in this sense are Unitarians.--_the only +scriptural Unitarians_. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not +the Father." (John ii. 23.) And the same is true of such who "have not +so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts xix. 2.) "He is +Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son,"--a deceiver and an +Antichrist. It is doubtless in view of these soul-ruining heresies, that +the beloved disciple tendered the caution,--"Little children, keep +yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 21.) + +We would expect the tenth chapter to begin with the sounding of the +seventh trumpet; but we find it is not so. Indeed, we shall not find any +direct intimation of the work of the seventh angel till we come to the +fourteenth verse of the eleventh chapter. The sixth trumpet continues to +reverberate throughout Christendom for centuries; and during the +intermediate time, our attention is called to another scene, which the +Lord Jesus deemed necessary as preparatory. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +This chapter and the greater part of the next, from the first to the +fourteenth verse inclusive, is of the nature of a parenthesis; for the +fifteenth verse of the 11th chapter evidently connects the narrative or +series of events with the ninth chapter. The ninth chapter closes with +an intimation of impenitence on the part of those who had been punished +by the plagues of the preceding trumpets. Then it follows, as we have +seen, that they are to be still farther visited by the infliction of the +closing judgment symbolized by the seventh trumpet. The immediate +design, therefore, of interrupting the natural order of the narrative is +to place before us the actual condition of society when the seventh +trumpet sounds. + + +1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a +cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face as it were the sun, +and his feet as pillars of fire: + +2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot +upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, + +3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had +cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. + +Vs. 1-3.--The majestic description of this Angel agrees to no creature. +It is proper to God-man only. It is partly the same display of the +Mediator's glory which we had in ch, i. 15. Especially is this the case +as to his _face_, his _feet_ and his _voice_. The "rainbow" is still the +sign of the everlasting covenant. "In wrath he remembers mercy." + +This "book" differs from the _sealed_ book as a part from the whole, or +a codicil from the will to which it is appended. Also, it is +distinguished from the former as being _little_ and _open_. They do +therefore greatly err here, who would make this little book comprehend +all the remaining part of the Apocalypse, which would make it larger +than the sealed book. The little book is _open_, because it is part of +the large one, from which the last seal had been removed by the +Mediator. But another reason why the little book is represented as being +open, is the fact that the most of the events to which it refers, had +transpired prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. That trumpet +had been without its appropriate object, as presented in any preceding +part of the prophecy. To present that object is the special design of +the little book. All the events predicted in this book of Revelation are +not successive in the order of time, but some are coincident; and the +inspired writer of the Apocalypse, on several occasions goes back, as we +shall see, in order to explain at greater length, what had been but +briefly and obscurely narrated. + +The angel set his feet upon the world, as his footstool; by which +position is emblematically signified his sovereign dominion over sea and +earth. And this is agreeable to his own plain teaching in the days of +his public ministry:--"All power is given unto me in heaven and in +earth." (Matt. xxviii. 18.) He trod upon the billows of the ocean +literally in the state of his humiliation, giving thereby evidence of +his power over the mystical waters,--"the tumults of the people." During +the popular commotions signified by the trumpets, he said to the raging +passions of men and their towering ambition, as to the waves of the +sea,--" Hitherto shall ye come, and no further; and here shall your +proud waves be stayed." "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves +thereof are still;" and whether the nations of Christendom are at war or +in peaceful tranquillity, he reigns over them as their rightful +sovereign;--"his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth." In +possession of universal dominion, he speaks with authority, "as when a +lion roareth." Although a lamb slain, the victim for our sins; he is +also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ruling over his own people, +restraining and conquering his own and their enemies. + +The "seven thunders," etc., give a _premonition_ of tremendous +judgments, the import of which is to be "sealed up" until it be +demonstrated to all the world by the seventh trumpet and vial. + + +4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to +write: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up those +things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. + +5. And the angel, which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, +lifted up his hand to heaven, + +6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, +and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are +therein, that there should be time no longer. + +7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall +begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath +declared to his servants the prophets. + +Vs. 4-7.--The attitude assumed by the Angel of the covenant is very +impressive, instructive and exemplary:--"his hand lifted up to heaven." +This is the external attitude of solemnity most becoming the jurant when +performing the act of religious worship, the oath. Abraham, in the +presence of the king of Sodom, used the same form, appealing to the +"Lord, the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth." (Gen. xiv. +22.) "Kissing the book" has no example in all the Bible; hence it is +unquestionably of heathen, and so of idolatrous origin and tendency. No +Christian can thus symbolize with heathens, without so far "having +fellowship with devils" as really as in eating in their temples. (1 Cor. +x. 21.) + +The matter of the Angel's oath is,--"that there should be time no +longer." Here it is humbly suggested that our excellent translators are +faulty as in ch. iv. 6, already noticed. Neither the original Greek +text, nor the coherence of the symbolic narrative, will sustain or +justify the version. John, like all pious people, when he heard the +lion's voice, followed by the "seven thunders," was filled with solemn +awe, anticipating the coming dissolution of all things. It was not the +only instance of his weakness and misapprehension, (ch. xix. 10;) nor is +this infirmity peculiar to the apostle John; for we find other disciples +mistaking "the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his +own power." (2 Thess. ii. 1-3.) These Thessalonians had misapprehended +the language of Paul in his first epistle to them, when speaking of the +end of the world. (1 Thess. iv. 15-17.) To relieve the anxieties of the +Thessalonians, relative to the apprehended and sudden coming of the +Lord, Paul wrote again to correct their mistake; so it may be supposed +that the Angel interposed this solemn assurance to his servant John, for +the like purpose, of allaying his forebodings. The words in the +original, literally translated, stand thus: "That the time shall not be +yet." That is, the "time of the end," as we read in Daniel xii. 9, shall +not be, till the seventh trumpet begins to sound. The phrase,--"time of +the end," may signify either the final overthrow of antichristian power, +or the end of the world, because of the resemblance between the two +events. The plain and certain meaning, then, of the Angel's oath is, +that the "mystery of God shall be finished" only by the work of the +seventh angel. What this mystery is, we will discover in the following +chapters. Indeed, it had been long before "declared to the prophets," +but still accompanied with comparative obscurity suitable to their time; +for the word "declared," is expressive of glad tidings, being the same +in origin and significance as that which we translate,--_gospel_, good +news. Accordingly, our Saviour directs his disciples, in view of his +appearing either to overthrow the Roman power, or to judge the world, in +the following words of cheer: "And when these things begin to come to +pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth +nigh." (Luke xxi. 28.) To the prophet Daniel the same event was attested +with like solemnity. (Dan. xii. 7.) This is the period to which the +suffering saints of God have been long looking forward with believing +and joyful hope. As Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day of appearing in +our nature, and by faith saw and it and was glad; so the covenanted seed +of the father of the faithful, in the light of prophecy, and by like +precious faith, are favored with a view of the certain downfall of +mystical Babylon. + + +8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and +said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel +which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. + +9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little +book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy +belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. + +10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; +and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my +belly was bitter. + +11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, +and nations, and tongues, and kings. + +Vs. 8-11.--John is next directed by a voice from heaven, or by divine +authority,--to take and eat the open book. There is obvious allusion to +a similar transaction in Ezekiel iii, 1-3. The prophet was a captive by +the river of Chebar in Babylon, under the dominion of the _first_ beast +of Daniel, as John was in Patmos under that of the _fourth_; and both +were favoured and employed by the glorious Head of the church in an +eminent part of their ministry. "The word is not bound" when ministers +are in confinement. + +The "eating of the book" represents the intellectual apprehension of the +things which it contained. + +"Thy words were found and I did eat them,"(Jer. xv. 16.) A speculative +knowledge of the word of God, and especially of those parts that are +prophetical, will afford pleasure to the human intellect, even though +the mind be unsanctified. (Matt. xiii. 20, 21.) But when the prophet +gets a farther insight into the contents as containing "lamentations, +and mourning and woe," like Ezekiel's roll;--the pleasure is converted +into pain. A foresight of the sorrows and sufferings of Christ's +witnesses causes grief to the Christian's sensitive heart. He "weeps +with them that weep," by the spontaneous sympathies of a common and +renewed nature. "Sweet in the mouth as honey, but in the belly bitter as +wormwood and gall." + +Upon the apostle's digesting the little book, the Angel interprets the +symbolic action by the plain and extensive commission,--"Thou must +prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and +kings." This commission did not terminate with the ministry of the +apostle, although he may be truly said to prophesy by the Apocalypse to +all nations till the end of the world. This is equally true, however, of +all the inspired penmen of the Holy Scriptures. (Psalm xlv. 17.) But +John is to be considered here as the official representative of a living +and faithful ministry, on whom devolves the indispensable obligation to +open and apply these sacred predictions to the commonwealth of nations, +however constituted authorities may be affected by them. And, indeed, +these messages will prove unwelcome to the immoral powers of the earth, +as in the days of old. (1 Kings xviii. 17.) + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The narrative of prophetic events was broken off at the end of the ninth +chapter. The tenth chapter and the greater part of this, from the +beginning to the thirteenth verse inclusive, present appearances and +actions quite foreign to the events which follow the sounding of the +trumpets. Why is this, the thoughtful student of the Apocalypse will +naturally ask? Why is the regular series of the trumpets suspended? When +the sixth trumpet,--the "second woe,"--has effected its objects, we +naturally expect the seventh trumpet to sound; yet we are held in +suspense till we come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter. Hitherto +we have met with no similar interruption. Let us take a retrospective +view:--The seven epistles to the churches followed each other in regular +succession. The seals, in like manner, followed successively; and this +is true of the vials, (ch. xvi.) + +We have seen that the object of the trumpets was the Roman empire, the +fourth beast of Daniel's prophecy. The same is the object of the +judgments symbolized by the vials. The final subversion and utter +destruction of that beastly power, was plainly revealed in the +Babylonian monarch's dream. (Dan. ii. 44.) And the same event was +afterwards exhibited in vision to Daniel, (ch. vii. 11, 26.) Now the +first four trumpets had demolished imperial power in the western or +Latin section; and the next two, by the Saracenic locusts and the +Euphratean horsemen had subverted the eastern or Greek section. Rome and +Constantinople were the capitals of the respective sections or members +of the _one_ empire. Under the first four trumpets, by the Northern +barbarians; and under the first two woes, by the Mahometans, both +sections of the empire were overthrown. The question now presses upon +our attention, Where shall we find an object for the tremendous judgment +to be inflicted by the third and last woe? This question requires a +solution. It demands it; and he who succeeds in the application of +history to solve this apparent enigma in the Apocalypse, will be able to +attain to a satisfactory, a certain, understanding of much that is yet +to most readers as if the "sealed book" were to this day in the "right +hand of Him that sitteth on the throne." Let us humbly attempt to solve +this difficulty. + +Daniel's fourth beast, the Roman empire, is to be contemplated in +_diverse aspects_, as the varied symbols obviously require. All know +that Nebuchadnezzar's "image" is the same as Daniel's "four beasts;" +therefore the same thing is presented in different forms or aspects. Of +course we are to view that object as presented. We have seen that under +the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12-17,) the Roman empire underwent a +revolution; that is, it was destroyed as to its Pagan form. The empire +became Christian under Constantine. History proves that Christianity +degenerated under the reign of that monarch and his successors. Heresy, +idolatry and persecutions characterize the subsequent history of the +empire. Then follow the judgments of the trumpets to vindicate the +divine government, and alleviate from time to time the sufferings of +true Christians. While the two woe-trumpets are demolishing the fabric +of idolatry and despotism in the east, the "deadly wound is healed" in +the west, which had been inflicted by the first four trumpets. Ten horns +are developed upon the beast's head, and another "little horn," by all +of which the saints suffer, as had been predicted by Daniel, (ch. vii. +24,) and of which we had intimation after the judgment of the second woe +or sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) All the "plagues," which had been +inflicted upon the people of Christendom under this trumpet left them +still impenitent,--"worshipping devils," etc. Surely we may now see +where the object of the third woe is to be found,--namely in the same +Roman empire, now become antichristian more than ever before. To +describe this antichristian combination and present the unholy +confederacy against the Lord and his Anointed, and so to justify the +ways of God; it was necessary to digress from the narrative of the +trumpets. We now proceed with our observations on the eleventh chapter. + + +1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, +saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them +that worship therein. + +2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it +not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they +tread under foot forty and two months. + +Vs. 1, 2.--This chapter, (vs. 1-13,) gives the contents of the "little +book" delivered to the apostle; as in the tenth chapter. It contains a +brief description and prospective history of the true church of Christ +for a period of 1260 years. Her conflicts with Daniel's fourth beast are +here epitomized. As the scene is laid in the temple and ministry all +along in the Apocalypse, so there is probably a special allusion here to +Ezekiel's vision, (ch. xl. 5.) At all times the Christian church is to +be organized, and all her ordinances to be administered by divine rule. +Accordingly we have here presented the actual condition of Christendom +during the whole time mentioned above. The command to John from the +Angel, is to be understood as from the Lord Jesus, Zion's only king to +the gospel ministry. Long before the time of the transactions here +predicted, the apostle John had gone the way of all the earth. The work +here enjoined was to be performed by his legitimate successors. + +The reed is the symbol of the word of God. It is of the same import as +Zechariah's "measuring line." (ch. ii. 1,) and to be used for the same +purpose--"to measure Jerusalem," the temple; for both are emblematical +of the church of God. The "temple, altar and worshippers," are emblems +of the church, her doctrines, worship and membership, tried by the +Scriptures--the "reed." There are Gentiles who worship in the outer +court, treading under foot both it and the city. These are formal, +immoral, idolatrous professors of Christianity. They are rejected by God +as reprobate, and by his command to be "cast out" from the fellowship of +his people,--authoritatively excommunicated by those to whom Jesus +Christ has given the key of discipline. + +Here then, at the disclosing of the contents of the little open book, it +is manifest that John goes back from the sixth trumpet in the +seventeenth century, when the Eastern section of the Roman empire was +subverted, by the Othmans, and gives us another view of society in +Christendom cotemporaneously with the trumpets. It follows necessarily +that the little book does not rank, as some imagine, under any one +trumpet; much less does it comprehend all the remaining chapters of the +Apocalypse, as others vainly suppose. This matter will receive +increasing confirmation as we advance. + +Those who worship within the temple and those who worship without, are +evidently distinguished from each other. They differ in character tested +by the word of God, in fellowship, as authoritatively separated +according to the rule of the same word: for whereas the gentile +worshippers are so numerous as to crowd both the outer court and the +city, the measured worshippers are all included within the confines of +the temple, (Song iv. 12.) _Measuring_ is equivalent to the _sealing_ of +the servants of God in the seventh chapter; and imports that they are +secured from the sins and plagues of their time. The period of the +apostacy from God is fixed to "forty and two months." According to +Jewish mode of reckoning, a day for a year, (Num. xiv. 34; Dan. ix. 24,) +the whole period is 1260 years. Each month has thirty days. Multiply +forty-two by thirty, and we have 1260. The _same_ period of time,--not +merely an equal period, is otherwise expressed by the prophet Daniel +thus: "time, times, and a half." (ch. xii. 7.) That is, 360, the number +of days in the Jewish year: times, or 720, the days in two years; and +half a time, or 180, the days in half a year. Now, add these three +numbers, 360, 720, 180; and the sum is 1260. Now see Daniel iv. 25, +where the word "times" means _years_, and then a child may calculate +these mystical numbers. + + +3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy +a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. + +V. 3.--While the nominal church, "the outer court and the holy city," +would be "trodden under foot," and the most eminent places would be +filled with idolaters, infidels, hypocrites, and mercenary spirits, and +true Christians grievously oppressed, the Lord would preserve a faithful +few from defiling themselves with the prevailing abominations. These he +claims and owns as his "peculiar treasure,"--"my witnesses." These have +found that it was "good for them to draw near to God," when the +multitude treacherously departed from him. The Lord Christ promises to +sustain them in the midst of all their tribulations. The duration of +their special work is the very same as that of the treading of the holy +city, "a thousand two hundred and three score days,"--1260 years. In +attempting to fix the beginning of this period, Daniel and John must be +compared; both treat of the same events and dates, and this gives +definiteness to the interpretation. Daniel fixes these events to the +fourth monarchy _after_ it had been _broken in pieces_, and the ten +horns had arisen: (ch. vii. 23-25;) so that we have both the geography +and chronology determined by the prophets themselves. Hence it follows +that we must date the beginning of the 1260 years after the first four +trumpets; for by these the western Roman empire was dismembered or +broken, that the ten horns might appear. Then the "little horn" of +Daniel arose after and among them, (ch. vii. 20, 24.) All reliable +expositors agree that the "little horn" is the papacy or the Romish +church. This little horn is the special enemy of the "saints of the Most +High," and they are to be "given into his hand." (Dan. vii. 25.) The +first four trumpets subverted the Roman empire in the west in the latter +part of the sixth century. This event made way for the bishop of Rome, +in process of time, to acquire a great accession of ecclesiastical +power. The civil and ecclesiastical rulers, equally unscrupulous and +aspiring, were at this period on terms of comparative intimacy, and +occasionally disposed to reciprocate good offices. Phocas, having waded +through the blood of the citizens to supreme civil power, in order to +secure his position, declared Boniface III., bishop of Rome, head of the +universal church. This impious public act took place in the year 606. +The pope became also a temporal prince in 756. Now we cannot know _with +certainty_ which of these events, nor indeed whether _either_ of them, +marks the period in time when the 1260 years _began_. Hence we must +remain at uncertainty as to the exact time when this most interesting +period will end. Of all transactions recorded in history, however, that +between Phocas and Boniface appears most like "giving the saints into +the hand of the little horn." At this juncture in particular, church and +state conspire, as never before, to resist the authority of Jesus Christ +the Mediator. Paul's "man of sin" has been "revealed in his time." (2 +Thess. ii. 6.) Paganism has been abolished by formal edict throughout +the Roman empire, and Christianity established as the recognised +religion of the commonwealth. That which "letted,"--hindered, that is, +the pagan idolatry of the civil state, is "taken out of the way;" and +nominal Christianity takes its place. This combination or alliance +between church and state will be more clearly made known in the +succeeding chapters of this book. Mean while it is the immediate design +of the "little open book," to give an epitome or outline of this unholy +confederacy in the first thirteen verses of this chapter. The treading +under foot of the holy city by the "Gentiles," furnishes occasion for +the witnesses to appear publicly against them. These pretended +Christians, but real hypocrites, as will appear with increasing evidence +as we proceed, have usurped the rights of Messiah's crown, and +grievously oppressed his real disciples. Against these outrages on the +prerogatives of Christ and the rights of man, these witnesses lift their +solemn protest. Their distinctive name, "witnesses," is familiar to +every one who searches the Scriptures. (Isa. xliii. 10; Acts i. 8.) But +witnesses who love not their lives unto the death are distinguished by +the name of _martyrs_. (Rev. ii. 13; Acts xxii. 20.) + +God has had his witnesses in all ages since the fall of Adam, in defence +of truth and holiness against error and ungodliness; but the specific +work _these_ witnesses is to oppose the corruption of his two ordinances +of church and state during the specified period of 1260 years. The +existence of this complex system of civil and ecclesiastical tyranny and +heresy, in the holy purpose and sovereign providence of God, calls for +the public and uncompromising opposition of the two witnesses. We shall +discover the two parties in more visible conflict hereafter; and tracing +the struggle to its issue, we shall find, that like the more general and +lasting warfare between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent, +(Gen. iii. 15,) it is a "war of extermination." + +These witnesses are distinguished as a part from the whole. All +witnesses are not _martyrs_, but these are such, (v. 7, ch. xx. 4.) And +here we are constrained to dissent from the opinion of some expositors, +for whose sentiments we entertain profound respect. These "two +witnesses" are supposed by these eminent interpreters to "differ as much +from the 144,000 sealed ones, (ch. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the +7000 in Israel in his time;" whereas, we think the 144,000 and the +_two_, are the same identical company. (See chapters vii. 4-8: xiv. 1; +xx. 4.) It is evident that they are the same party,--and the _whole_ of +the party, who are honored to "reign with Christ a thousand years," (ch. +xx. 4.) + +They are _two_ in number, because one witness is not sufficient in law, +to establish any matter in controversy. (Num. xxxv. 30; 2 Cor. xiii. 1.) +They are a small number compared with their opponents, (ch. xiii. 3.) +Again, they are few, but sufficient to confront and confute their two +opponents, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And, finally, they are _two_, that they +may be assimilated to their predecessors. + + +4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing +before the God of the earth. + +5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, +and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in +this manner be killed. + +6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of +their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to +smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. + +Vs. 4-6.--"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks," +answerable to Joshua and Zerubbabel, the representatives of a gospel +ministry and a scriptural magistracy in their day, as seen by the +prophet Zechariah, (ch. iv. 14.) The official administrators of the +divine ordinances of church and state, require the oil of divine grace +to qualify them for the discharge of their responsible duties to God and +man. (1 Tim. i. 2; Titus i. 4; Ps. lxxii. 1.) Thus were those public +servants of God and of his people qualified who "stood before the God of +the earth," as Moses and Aaron in Egypt, Elijah and Elisha in Israel, to +whom there is obvious allusion in the special work of these witnesses. +(2 Kings i. 10; 1 Kings xvii. 1; Exod. vii. 17.) "Fire proceedeth out of +their mouth," when from the scriptures they denounce just judgments upon +the impenitent enemies of him whom they represent. They "smite the earth +with all plagues," when, in answer to their prayers, vengeance comes +upon antichristian communities. (Luke xviii. 7, 8.) They "turn waters +into blood," when through their effective agency, the votaries of +Antichrist are made the instruments of mutual destruction. And all this +is made more clear in the symbolic "vials," (ch. 16.) These witnesses +"prophesy," not as being inspired, but because they,--and _they only_, +apply existing predictions to their appropriate objects, so far as they +receive light from Him who is "the light of the world." + +They are "clothed in sack-cloth," because they sigh and cry for all the +abominations of their time,--subjected to oppression, and excluded from +"kings' palaces,"--places of worldly honor, power and emolument. + +But the question is of great importance, and, to themselves in +particular, of absorbing interest,--How shall these witnesses be +identified among mankind? For however few, humble, despised and +persecuted, even unto death; strange as it may seem, there are not +wanting many to put forth a claim to be identified with them! Assuming +that these mystic witnesses are individual persons, the Papists say, +they are Enoch and Elijah, hereafter to appear on earth! By Protestants, +John Huss and Jerome.--Luther and Calvin, have been selected. Others +suppose the Old and New Testaments, with many other vague and groundless +conjectures. The witnesses die; but the two prophets named "were +translated that they should not see death:" and the thought is +preposterous that they should be brought again from their glorious state +of immortality and subjected to an ignominious death. John Huss and +Jerome of Prague did not prophesy 1260 years, nor have we the shadow of +a ground to believe that any of the human race shall ever prolong their +days on earth to the age of Methuselah. The two Testaments cannot die, +for "the word of God liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Pet. i. 23.) But +it would be tedious and unprofitable to confute the various chimeras +which on this question have been entertained in the minds equally of the +learned and the illiterate. The like fanciful and diversified opinions +have been, and still are, prevalent in relation to what constitutes "the +Antichrist." (1 John ii. 22.) Now, it is evident, even on a cursory +perusal of the Apocalypse; that the witnesses and their opponents are +the principal parties symbolized in the whole series of the seals, +trumpets and vials. How then can any one attain to a rational +understanding of the manifold details, who remains "willingly ignorant" +of the principal characters in this grandest of all tragico-dramas, +presented to man's view on the stage of Jehovah's moral empire, to be +contemplated for the whole period of 1260 years? The prevailing +ignorance, bewilderment and error, in the minds of most spectators of +these moving scenes, we are warranted to expect. (Dan. xii. 10.) For the +present we define the witnesses and Antichrist concisely thus:--_The +Witnesses are a competent number of Christians, who for 1260 years, +insist upon the application of God's word to church and state; and who +testify against all communities who rebel against the Lord Christ._ Such +communities, in visible organization, constitute THE ANTICHRIST, as will +more fully appear in the thirteenth and seventeenth chapters, where the +two prominent parties are more formally presented. + +Let us never lose sight of the fact, that these witnesses cease not to +prophesy,--to apply the scriptures, especially the prophetical parts of +them, during the _whole_ period of 1260 years; that is, _while they +live_. Authentic history supplies abundant evidence that such has been +their special work all along since the rise of the antichristian enemy. +That enemy is but obscurely mentioned,--_not described_ in the "little +book," the contents of which we have, as already said, in this chapter, +(vs. 1-13.) The character and achievements of the witnesses may be found +in the familiar histories of the Culdees and Lollards of Britain, the +Waldenses of Piedmont, the Bohemian Brethren; together with the more +recent and successful reformers on the continent of Europe and in the +British Isles. Is it unnecessary to mention the names of those men of +renown,--Zwingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Henderson, etc.,--men "mighty in +words and in deeds," whose influence on the great "family of nations," +their very enemies have reluctantly attested? The testimony of an enemy +has ever been deemed weighty. The following is appropriate and decisive +from the polished pen of the historian of the "Decline and Fall of the +Roman Empire:" "The visible assemblies of the Paulicians, or Albigeois, +were extirpated by fire and sword; and the bleeding remnant escaped by +flight, concealment, or catholic conformity. But the invincible spirit +which they had kindled still lived and breathed in the western +world.--In the state, in the church, and even in the cloister, a latent +succession was preserved of the disciples of St. Paul, who protested +against the tyranny of Rome, embraced the Bible as the rule of faith, +and purified their creed from all the visions of the Gnostic theology. +The struggles of Wickliff in England, and of Huss in Bohemia, were +premature and ineffectual: but the names of Zuinglius, Luther and +Calvin, are pronounced with gratitude as the deliverers of nations."[2] + +Ever since the time of those eminent witnesses, the same testimony has +been maintained. It is not yet finished, the witnesses are yet alive, +and the term of 1260 years is not expired. + + +7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that +ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and +shall overcome them, and kill them. + +8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, +which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was +crucified. + +9. And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall +see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their +dead bodies to be put in graves. + +10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make +merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets +tormented them that dwelt on the earth. + +Vs. 7-10.--In these verses we have described the death of the witnesses, +as also the agent mentioned, by whom the fatal stroke is given. As +future occasion will occur for identifying this bloody tyrant, +ascertaining with precision his diabolical origin, here only hinted, his +crimes and his awful doom, it is premature to amplify in this place. + +If the witnesses cannot be identified, neither can the time of their +death be ascertained. We find indeed among expositors as many vague +notions relative to the _time_ and the _nature_ of their death as in +relation to their identity. These notions are unworthy of notice; for +however they might amuse, they cannot edify. + +Four questions are suggested by these verses.--By whom; in what manner, +when, and where are the witnesses slain? + +The first question is explicitly answered in the sacred text. The +"beast," of hellish origin, kills them. But it will afterwards appear +that the beast is instigated to this relentless cruelty by another agent +of the devil. Again, as to the kind of death, we may in good measure +learn this from the kind of life. Now it is obvious that to give +testimony, or "prophesy" during the allotted time, constitutes their +life. They live, that they may prophesy. Hence it is usual to speak of +_silencing_, as equivalent to _slaying_ these witnesses. But this is not +strictly correct. Why? Because they have been hitherto "killed all the +day long." (Ps. xliv. 22; Rom. viii. 36.) Doubtless defection and +apostacy do always accompany persecution; and thus the testimony of such +is silenced. But the enemy in this case is "drunken with the blood" of +these witnesses; and this phrase must be understood literally. Moreover, +the enemy gets "blood to drink," because of "shedding blood." (ch. xvi. +6; xvii. 6.) The death of the witnesses is therefore a literal death, of +course it will be also moral,--they will cease to prophesy. + +Some have supposed the "three years, or days and a half," during which +the witnesses lie dead are the same as the 1260 days or years; because +if these three and a half days be considered as prophetical, and reduced +to literal days, they will amount exactly to 1260. Such an +interpretation, however, is preposterous; simply because according to +this hypothesis, they _never lived at all_!--The absurdity is evident. + +Having ascertained the nature of the death to which the witnesses are +appointed by the Lord of life, we now inquire as to the time of this +mournful event. The text informs us that their death is connected with +the "finishing of their testimony." However the original may be +translated,--when they _shall have finished_,--when they _shall be +finishing_,--or about to finish, affects not the question as to time. +While they live, their work is to prophesy, and their testimony is not +completed. Like their Master, to whose example they are conformed, their +life and testimony are finished together. These facts, briefly and +obscurely hinted here, will be more satisfactorily presented in the +next, but especially in the twentieth chapter, (vs. 1-4.) But inasmuch +as many, if not most interpreters, have expressed the opinion that the +witnesses are already slain, the following arguments in the negative are +submitted to the reader. + +The 1260 years are not yet terminated, during which,--the whole of which +time,--the witnesses are to "prophesy," (v. 3.) Their testimony is yet +continued, and sensibly felt by the wicked. They still more or less +"torment them that dwell on the earth," (v. 10.) Beyond the usual +reproach attached to their names and their work, there has been no +general reviling and deriding of them throughout Christendom, to render +their memory infamous, (v. 9.)--No opprobrious epithets such as, "These +deceivers said, while they were yet alive," (Matt, xxvii. 63,) that so +they might be conformed to their Lord in his death. Nor, lastly, have +"they that dwell upon the earth" exulted as yet over these hated +individuals, as no longer "hurtful to kings and provinces,"--although +there have been, often, partial but premature rejoicings by a part of +the enemy. But although from time to time, "some of them, have fallen, +to try them, and to purge, and to make them white" as predicted, (Dan. +xi. 35;) yet the time of "making merry, sending gifts,"--is not yet +come. + +While we believe, on the grounds adduced,--and much more might have been +cited from the context,--that the death of the witnesses is to be +understood literally, we do not suppose that every individual will be +personally put to death. No, but as in the time of Elijah's banishment, +or of our Saviour's lying in the grave, there will be no public body or +individual standard-bearer, to bear testimony against the enemies of +Jesus Christ, or boldly to assert and press his royal claims upon church +and state. In prospect of this dark time,--darker than the "dark ages," +we may ask with Joshua,--"What wilt thou do unto thy great name?" But +though the witnesses die, the Faithful Witness lives, (ch. i. 18.) + +The _place_, where the witnesses lie dead is pointed out by three places +well known in sacred history, Egypt, Sodom and Jerusalem. But these are +to be understood mystically. The place resembles Egypt for idolatry and +cruelty to the people of God; it is like Sodom for literal and spiritual +pollution; and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified afresh and put to +open shame in the persons of his slain witnesses. It follows of +course,--that place is to be utterly destroyed; having committed the +crimes and contracted the guilt of all those unpardonable criminals. +(Ps. lxxiv. 13, 14; Ezek. xxxi. 18; Isa. xiii. 19; Luke xxi. 20.) For +similar reasons, Babylon is afterwards mentioned repeatedly as the place +of this tragic event, this unpardonable crime,--the slaying of the +witnesses, (ch. xviii. 24.) It is to be specially noted here, that in +ascertaining the place of the death of these distinguished servants of +Christ, our attention is directed by the Holy Spirit to a "street" of +the city. At present it is assumed that _streets_ of the city and +_horns_ of the beast substantially harmonize as symbols. Now look over +the streets of the great city: contemplate the horns of the beast: +ascertain which is most guilty of persecution. In estimating the +relative degree of guilt, the degree of heavenly light against which the +criminal has rebelled is to be taken into the account. (John xv. 22; +Matt. xi. 24.) In view of these scriptural principles, and the actual +condition of Christendom as portrayed in authentic history, would the +conjecture seem presumptuous, should we venture to designate--Great +Britain? There, for centuries, the witnesses have been most numerous, +active, and pointed, in testifying against encroachments on the +crown-rights of Messiah. There also, lordly prelates, in close alliance +with a blasphemous horn of the beast, have often vied with the sworn +vassals of the "man of sin," in murdering the saints of God. "Therefore +it is no great thing" if, throwing off the mask of Protestantism, +English prelacy, combining with Romish Jesuitism, should make common +cause with undisguised infidelity, in slaying the witnesses against +their heaven-daring rebellion. The signs of the present time, (1870,) +render our conjecture not improbable. We give it only as a _conjecture_; +for in reference to events yet future,--as we believe that of the death +of the witnesses to be,--we may not presume to _prophesy_.--"Three days +and a half" is the limited period of their degradation; and this is +three natural years and a half: for the word "days" must be taken in the +same sense as in v. 3; otherwise we fall into an inextricable labyrinth +of endless confusion. From all which it appears that "the triumphing of +the wicked is short." If "while the wicked is in power, and we wait upon +God." we are called to "join trembling with our mirth;" the pleasing +prospect of the speedy and joyful resurrection of "these slain," may +inspire us with "a lively hope," and warrant us to join mirth with our +trembling. + + +11. And after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered +into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them +which saw them. + +12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up +hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies +beheld them. + +Vs. 11, 12.--In these two verses, as in the preceding, the thoughtful +reader will discern a beautiful allusion in the history of these +witnesses, to the death and life of our blessed Master. "For if they +have been planted together in the likeness of his death, they shall be +also in the likeness of his resurrection." Yes, they have communion with +him in death and life,--in grace and glory. "Nothing can separate them +from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord." + +"The Spirit of life from God entered into them." That is, God will +speedily raise up successors, who, maintaining the very same principles, +will be gloriously successful in putting down all rule and authority and +power," that had been in hostility to their Lord. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. +See Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14.) "This is the first resurrection," to be +explained by the inspired penman more fully hereafter, (ch. xx. 5.)--As +Saul feared David, and Herod John Baptist, because they were "just men +and holy;" so were the wicked afraid when these witnesses arose; and, +like Shimei, they justly dread the "due reward of their deeds." At the +time referred to, "the haters of the Lord will feign submission."--The +"great voice from heaven" inviting the witnesses to ascend, and their +actual ascent, is another allusion to Christ's exaltation. As when "he +was taken up, a cloud received him;" so here, "they ascended up to +heaven in a cloud." + +It has often been the cry of the antichristian multitude,--"The voice of +the people is the voice of God." This cry has been iterated and +reiterated, in centuries past, like that of the Ephesian worshippers of +Diana; that thereby the testimony of the witnesses might be counteracted +and silenced. It has been only too often successful. But where did +flattering demagogues and haughty despots find the sentiment? They found +it engraved on the moral constitution of man by our beneficent Creator. +They found it also transcribed on the pages of objective +revelation,--the Bible. But, like other moral and scriptural principles, +it has been perverted and misapplied by the perverse ingenuity of wicked +men.--This "voice from heaven" is indeed the _people's_ voice: and it is +legitimate, as coming from the people, because it is first the voice of +God. The "heaven" here mentioned is the seat of civil power,--"the +ordinance of man." (1 Pet. ii. 13.) In the times here +contemplated,--millennial times,--the rights of men will be respected, +predicated upon the rights of God, and flowing from them as inseparable. +In settling the point of title to civil sovereignty, or the eligibility +of any candidate for civil office, the principle enunciated by Hushai +the Archite will be found to be alone reliable:--"Whom the Lord and this +people choose." (2 Sam. xvi. 18.) Only let the Lord have the first +choice of candidates for office in both church and state, and society +will be prosperous and happy. (Acts i. 23, 24; vi. 5.) The "great voice" +of the 12th verse, comes from "heaven," as the "great voices" of the +15th verse, announcing the millennium. + + +13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part +of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven +thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of +heaven. + +V. 13.--"The same hour" that the witnesses mark by their +resurrection,--contemporaneously with that joyful event, is "a great +earthquake,"--a revolution, (ch. vi. 12.) "The tenth part of the city +fell." The city,--"Sodom." "Tenth part of the city,"--a "street," +equivalent to "horn." Some one of the "ten kingdoms" will secede from +the antichristian confederacy, or imperial dominion; "and the +remnant,"--the other nine, dreading the Mediator's vengeance, will +reluctantly but speedily submit. (See ch. vi. 16, 17.)--In the +"earthquake were slain of men (names, titles,) seven thousand." By +"names of men" to be slain,--that is, abolished in reorganized society, +we are to understand those "names of blasphemy" mentioned, (ch. xiii. +1,) hereafter to be explained. + +We have now taken a very cursory view of the contents of the "little +open book." Its place is between the termination of the fourth, and the +sounding of the seventh trumpet. In other words, it gives an outline of +the contest between the witnesses and Antichrist during 1260 +years,--events running parallel in time, at least in part, with the +first two woe-trumpets; for it obviously anticipates also, the effects +of the third and last woe. + +This may be as suitable a place as any other, before proceeding to a +consideration of the seventh trumpet, to direct attention to the method +which Infinite Wisdom has chosen, by which to reveal to mankind the +purposes of God in prophecy. He who alone "knows the end from the +beginning,"--who "from ancient times has declared the things that are +not yet done," has told us plainly,--"I have multiplied visions, and +used similitudes, by the ministry (_hand_,) of the prophets." (Hosea +xii. 10.) Now since God has _multiplied_ visions, we ought not to think +it strange if the same important events in providence be predicted by +several, or by many of the prophets; or that one and the same important +event be foretold "at sundry times and in diverse manners" by the same +prophet. How often, and by how many prophets was the dispersion of the +Jews foretold!--the downfall of ancient cities, Babylon, Nineveh, +Tyre!--Need we refer to the language of our Lord, addressed to his +disciples on the way to Emmaus?--"And beginning at Moses, and all the +prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things +concerning himself." (Luke xxiv. 27.) We may be sure that the things +concerning Christ and the interests of his kingdom in this world, are +the theme of inspired prophets in the New Testament as well as in the +old. Agreeably to these views, we find Nebuchadnezzar's dream and +Daniel's visions relate to the same objects and events. What was more +obscurely revealed in the monarch's dream, is rendered more intelligible +by various symbols in Daniel's first vision. (Dan. ii. 36-45; vii. +17-27.) But in the next, the eighth chapter, Daniel is favored with +still clearer information relative to what he had already seen in +vision; and in the eleventh chapter, his attention is called to the most +obscure, but most interesting parts of his former visions; and, after +all, the "vision is sealed," so that he sees not "the end of these +things." (ch. xii. 8, 9.) "I heard, but I understood not," (1 Pet. i. +10, 11.) + +In this book, styled Apocalypse, or Revelation, we are told in the first +verse, that the Lord Christ "signified,"--made known _by signs_, to his +servant John the things that were to come to pass. We have thus far seen +that the customary method has been pursued in using signs, symbols or +emblems. Henceforth we will find "multiplied visions" employed, more +clearly to illustrate events which have already passed under review, but +of which we could see little more than a _profile_:--"men, as trees +walking." + + +14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. + +15. And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in +heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of +our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. + +Vs. 14, 15.--"The third wo cometh quickly,"--the time elapsing since the +end of the second, is not to be so long as that intervening between the +first two woes.--The first wo is thought to have begun about the year +612, and continuing by the Saracenic conquests about 150 years, to have +terminated in 762. The second woe-trumpet, it is alleged, sounded about +1281, and continuing for 391 years,--the period of the ravages by the +Euphratean horsemen, ended about 1672. The destructive influence, +however, of these two judgments, may be considered as reaching to the +time of the third woe, the one which is to demolish the whole +antichristian fabric. + +Many eminent expositors,[3] in the early part of the present century, +while the first Napoleon was waging successful war with the other powers +of Europe, expressed their belief with much confidence, that the seventh +angel had begun to sound. They were evidently mistaken. Christendom will +not fail to hear the voice of the third woe. It may be so that an +individual may "not be conscious of having an interest inconsistent with +fidelity to the Scriptures," while political "bias" may in fact so +influence "sentiments, as to render conviction less dependent upon +_evidence_ than upon his _wishes_." And we doubt not that +misapprehensions and misinterpretation of "the other scriptures," are to +be attributed to this cause, insensibly influencing the minds and hearts +of learned and godly men, as well as in their expositions of the +Apocalypse. Indeed the misapplying of God's word, precept and prophecy, +to political and ecclesiastical organizations, has been the principal +means of combining and continuing the antichristian apostacy. Thus it is +precisely, that the great adversary has been successful, as "an angel of +light." + +"The little book" has been shown to contain such extensive and important +events as to justify the solemnity accompanying its delivery to the +apostle.--He now resumes the subject which had been interrupted at the +close of the ninth chapter.--The "great voices in heaven" represent the +expressions of joy by the saints on hearing the voice of the last of the +trumpets, as assuring them of the happy change in the moral condition of +the world, which they had been warranted to expect by God's "servants +the prophets" from the days of old, (ch. x. 7.) The great, the universal +change consists in this:--"The kingdoms of this world are become _the +kingdoms_ of our Lord and of his Christ." The English supplement,--"the +kingdoms," is justified and required, equally by the sense and the laws +of syntax: and he is a deceiver, if a scholar, who insists upon any +other, to supply the ellipsis. Indeed, the omission of similar +supplements, has occasioned needless obscurity to the unlearned in other +parts of this book. (See chs. xix. 10; xxii. 9.) The greatest of all +revolutions consists in restoring church and state to their scriptural +foundation,--transferring both from allegiance to "the god of this +world," (Matt. iv. 8; Luke iv. 5, 6;) to their rightful owner,--"the +Lord and his Anointed." (Ps. ii. 2, 8.) When this desirable epoch +arrives, for which the persecuted witnesses have long and fervently +prayed, (ch. vi. 10,) gospel ministers and Christian magistrates will +seek to do the will, and aim at the glory of God.--It is painful and +pitiable to hear learned and pious men often pray,--"That the kingdoms +of this world may soon become the _kingdom_ of our Lord and Saviour +Jesus Christ." This is to "ask amiss,"--to miss the promise; for no such +promise is on record. The groundless conception confounds the revealed +distinctions in the Godhead,--the Father with the Mediator; and it would +subvert Jehovah's moral empire, annihilating the eternal principle of +representative identification! But those good men "mean not so, neither +do their hearts think so." They ought, however, to be more careful and +diligent in "searching the Scriptures."--If the scriptural significance +of this joyful announcement "in heaven" were better understood by gospel +ministers generally, a chief barrier would be removed, which now +obstructs the advent of the millennium. Would they but cease, their +hearers might more readily cease, to "wonder after the beast." But we +may not anticipate. + +"He, (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." When the seventh trumpet, +the third woe, shall have accomplished its object, in the utter +destruction of immoral power, and the 1260 years shall have come to an +end, no other successful combination shall ever again be permitted to +assail and harass the city of the Lord:--"of his government there shall +be no end." (Dan. vii. 27.) "All dominions shall serve and obey him." +The final enterprise of Gog and Magog shall not succeed, (ch, xx. 7-9.) + + +16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God, on their +seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, + +17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and +wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, +and hast reigned. + +18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of +the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward +unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear +thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the +earth. + +Vs. 16-18.--These verses give us a glimpse of the times following the +last woe till the end of the world. The "elders," the +representatives,--not of the ministry, as prelates dream, but of the +collective body of God's people, now that they are emancipated from a +longer and more cruel bondage than that of their fathers in the literal +Egypt, "give thanks to God" for the display of his "great power" in +their deliverance. Many times had he made bare his holy arm in past ages +on behalf of his people: but this is in their eyes the most signal +display of his power. "Thou hast taken to thee thy great power."--He now +exercises his power over the nations, which was his before; their +"anger" in the time of their rebellion is now repressed,--Messiah's +"wrath is come," heavier wrath than that which fell upon Rome pagan: +(ch. vi. 16, 17.) Then follows an intimation of the final judgment, and +suitable "rewards." Our curiosity is excited here, but not gratified; +but while left in suspense, we may, with Daniel and the virgin +Mary,--"keep these things in our heart." (Dan. vii. 28; Luke ii. 19.) +Farther light will be given, (ch. xx. 11-13.) + +19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in +his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and +voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. + +V. 19.--The inspired books of the Bible were divided into chapters, +verses and other parts, for the convenience of reference. But those who +performed this useful service were imperfect like ourselves, and +therefore we are at liberty to differ from them in our arrangement. Now +it seems evident that the 18th verse closes this chapter with a concise +account of the ending of the last woe. But the last woe reaches to the +final consummation of all things as we have already seen: it follows +that the nineteenth verse _must_ introduce a new subject. Similar +mistakes may be seen in numerous instances elsewhere in our Bibles. + +But although a new vision is presented in the twelfth chapter, the two +principal parties delineated in the eleventh, engage the apostle's +attention. And as preparatory to future scenes, "the temple of God was +opened in heaven." "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath +shined." Before the following scene of warfare, John is favored with a +view of the "ark of the testament,"--a symbol of the covenant of grace, +which shall continue to be administered in the worst of times; and the +opposition to which, in its external dispensation, is emblematically set +forth by "lightnings,"--as well as the tokens of Jehovah's presence and +avenging judgments: for these awful symbols, taken from fearful +convulsions in nature, are usually indicative of the tremendous +judgments of God. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the +sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve +stars; + +2. And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to +be delivered. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The Apocalypse, besides the _three_ parts into which it is +divided by its divine Author, (noticed in ch. i. 19,) is also +susceptible of division into _two_ parts. With the eleventh chapter +terminates the _abridged_ prospective history of the church and of the +world, emblematically represented under the seals and trumpets. The +seventh seal, when opened, disclosed all the contents of the sealed +book, and also introduced the seven trumpets. But we have followed the +series of the trumpets in order, to the end of the world,--interrupted +only by the isolated history of the "little book; which, treating of +events which were matter of history under the first two woe-trumpets, +_could not be sealed_. Now at the twelfth chapter, without regard to the +seventh, or any other of the trumpets in particular, we are furnished +with a second and enlarged edition, as it were, of the most important +parts of the first edition. We have observed before, that this is the +manner of the prophets on a large scale, especially in predicting "the +sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So it is with +John and Paul. What the latter only hints at, when writing to Timothy, +(1 Tim. iv. 1-3,) he enlarges upon in addressing the Thessalonians. (2 +Thess. ii. 3-12.) The theme is the same as treated by these two +apostles; and this coincidence will in due time be more manifest. Next +to Christ personal, the prophets have been interested in the destiny of +Christ mystical. + +Three different views of this twelfth chapter have been taken by the +more sober and learned expositors. One considers it as referring to the +Roman empire in its heathen state, prior to the time of Constantine. +Another understands the first part of this chapter,--(vs. 1-6,)--as +relating to Rome pagan, and the rest of the chapter to antichristian +Rome. A third conceives that the whole of it applies to apostate +imperial Rome _only_. The last is doubtless the correct view. + +As the "sealed book" and the "little open book," must be supposed to +contain all the prophetical part of the Apocalypse; and as the whole of +the little book is comprised in the eleventh chapter, (vs. 1--13,) this +twelfth chapter must belong to the sealed book. Being a continuance of +the history under the seventh seal, although it may agree in time with +some of the trumpets, it cannot go back to a period prior to the seventh +seal. But under the sixth seal, paganism was abolished in the Roman +empire; therefore this chapter refers to the antichristian empire. +Moreover, as the little book was introductory to the seventh trumpet, +designating the object of the third woe, so this chapter and the next +two, are wholly occupied in describing the object of the vials, (ch. +16.) + +We ought to bear in mind continually, that the seals, trumpets and +vials, are introduced as symbols, to delineate one character, the +impenitent enemy of God and of his saints. But this enemy "beguiles +through his subtlety," changing his aspects and instruments, the more +successfully to assail the city of the Lord. It is therefore the design +of the Holy Spirit in these three chapters to present the foe in his +most prominent features, that the two witnesses may be able to identify +the enemy, be apprized of their danger, and intelligently choose their +commander,--"the Captain of salvation." + +"There appeared a great wonder in heaven." The word "wonder" in this +verse, and also in verse third, simply means a _sign_ or symbol; and the +whole structure of the book requires that it be so translated.--"Woman" +is here the true church of God. Here most expositors fail to explain the +symbol "heaven." Others say "heaven" symbolizes the church. Then we have +_two churches_,--a church within a church! This is unquestionably the +only correct view of the matter. During most, if not the whole period of +the 1260 years, the witnesses are so blended with, or overshadowed by +the church catholic or general, that few are able, and fewer still +disposed, to distinguish the one from the other. All through the Bible +the church is spoken of as a female. She is the "daughter of Zion,--the +bride, the Lamb's wife." Any body politic is spoken of in the sacred +writings in the same style. "The daughter of Babylon, of Tyre, or even +of Egypt,"--These are familiar figures. + +This woman is "clothed with the sun." She has "put on the Lord Jesus +Christ." (Rom. xiii. 14.) He is "the Lord her righteousness." (Jer. +xxiii. 6.) The "moon under her feet," may represent the "beggarly +elements" of the Mosaic ritual, sublunary things, or the ordinances +which derive all their light from the "Sun of righteousness." The +"twelve stars" are the doctrine of the apostles, or rather the apostles' +legitimate successors; their _legitimacy_ tested by their doctrine and +order in opposition to the _imaginary historical line_ of papistical and +prelatic succession. A faithful gospel ministry are ever her stars and +her crown, (ch. i. 20.) The true apostolic church, thus scripturally +constituted, (ch. xi. 1,) becomes the joyful mother of a holy seed. (Ps. +cxiii. 9; Gal. iv. 26, 27.) + + +3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and, behold, a great red +dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his +heads. + +4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast +them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready +to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. + +5. And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a +rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. + +6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place +prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred +and threescore days. + +Vs. 3-6.--The next "sign in heaven," exciting the apostle's admiration, +was "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns,"--The dragon +is fully described, v. 9, leaving no place, or even _pretence_ for +conjecture. He is known from the day that he "beguiled Eve" in the +garden of Eden. "That old serpent" still intrudes among the saints, in +the garden of the Lord. (Job i. 6; John vi. 70; xiii. 27.) As the devil +possessed the serpent to deceive the mother of mankind, so, with the +same malevolent design, he possessed himself of the whole political and +ecclesiastical power of the Roman empire, thereby to deceive and destroy +the "seed of the woman," all true believers. His color is _red_, +denoting his character as cruel and blood-thirsty. Sir Isaac Newton +considers the dragon as symbolical of the Greek Christian empire of +Constantinople. Scott thinks this symbol represents the pagan Roman +empire; while others suppose the British government to answer the +symbol, because of the scarlet costume of her officers and soldiers! +Thus, inspired symbols may mean any thing suggested to the imaginations +of men, not by the text or context, but by their respective and +conflicting political prejudices. Surely, if the red color signify any +thing besides _cruelty_, it may be discerned with equal clearness in the +scarlet cloaks of _Pope_ and _Cardinals_. As "heaven" is to be taken in +an ecclesiastical sense, so are the "stars," (ch. i. 20,--) "the angels +of the churches," ministers of the gospel.--As the Saracenic locusts and +the Euphratean horses had stings and hurtful power in their tails, (ch. +ix. 10, 19;) so it is with this dragon. The destructive influence of +Mahometan delusion and papal idolatry, operated as a fatal poison in the +souls of men. The judgments of the past woes left many still in a state +of impenitence, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) "The leaders of this people caused +them to err," by inculcating submission to existing corrupt civil power. +The "little horn" of Daniel, as first rendered visible in the person of +the brutal Phocas, began to be addressed in language of most fulsome and +degrading flattery, which seems to be copied till the present time. That +we may see how mercenary and aspiring ecclesiastics paid court to civil +despots from the commencement of the famous 1260 years, let the +following instance serve for a sample. Addressing the monster Phocas, +Pope Gregory, as the mouth of the clergy and laity,[4] uses this +language: "We rejoice that the benignity of _your piety_(!) has reached +the pinnacle of imperial power. Let the heavens he glad and the earth +rejoice."--Now let us hear the character of Phocas from the pen of an +infidel:--"Ignorant of letters, of laws, and even of arms, he indulged +in the supreme rank a more ample privilege of lust and drunkenness.--The +punishment of the victims of his tyranny was imbittered by the +refinements of cruelty: their eyes were pierced, their tongues were torn +from the root, their hands and feet were amputated: some expired under +the lash, others in the flames, others again were transfixed with +arrows: and a simple speedy death was mercy which they could rarely +obtain."[5] Thus the dragon's power was in his mouth, issuing bloody +edicts to "slay the innocent;" while "his tail drew the third part of +the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." They prostituted +their ministry to sustain the policy of the beast. "The ancient and +honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the +tail." (Is. ix. 15.) Thus it is that pastors, fond of show and ambitious +of worldly distinction, attach themselves to the train of earthly +thrones and dignities, and so constitute and perpetuate the +antichristian confederacy against the "woman"--the true church. During +the first six hundred years of the Christian era the woman had been +"travailing" to bring forth a holy progeny. All this time the dragon's +"eyes are privily set against the poor." (Ps. x. 8.) The allusion is +here to the cruel edict of Pharaoh (Exod. i. 16; Acts vii. 19.) The +great city where the witnesses are slain is "spiritually called Egypt." +(ch. xi. 8.) By a like form of speech, Pharaoh is called "the great +dragon," (Ezek. xxix. 3; Is. li. 9.) It should be noted, that the Roman +empire, the beast, in all its heads and horns is actuated by the +devil,--before as well as after its dismemberment, from the time of +Romulus its founder, till its overthrow by the third woe. At the time +referred to in the text, when the empire has "assumed the livery of +heaven,"--professedly in the interest of Christ, then it is that the +devil bestirs himself. Like his prototype, he dreads the growth and +power of the woman's offspring. Under pagan Rome's persecutions, "the +more God's people were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." +Now the adversary shapes his policy accordingly.--"Come on, let us deal +wisely with them, lest they multiply."--His avowed object is, to "devour +the child as soon as it is born,"--by persecution to prevent ministers +from laboring to convert sinners to God; and to destroy all who "as +new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word."--The woman had +still "strength to bring forth."--"She brought forth a man child, who +was to rule all nations with a rod of iron."--With united voice papists +and prelates declare, this child can be no other than Constantine the +first Christian emperor. The very fact that this interpretation comes +from such a source, may well suggest suspicion as to its correctness. +Two considerations demonstrate the error of this prelatic +interpretation, besides the fact that it is _prelatic_. Constantine had +gone the way of all the earth some hundreds of years before the birth of +this child. And again, the eternal Father never made the promise to +Constantine or any other earthly monarch, to which the apostle John here +refers. (Ps. ii. 8, 9.) This promise is obviously made to the Lord +Christ. But it is objected by those learned expositors,--much like the +Pharisees, (John vii. 52,)--"Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth +no prophet." So reason these men. They haughtily and confidently object +thus:--"Christ is the son of the _Jewish_ church, but this child is the +son of the _Christian_ church." This argument destroys the unity of the +church of God, which is one under all changes of dispensation of his +gracious covenant. (Rom. xi. 16-24; Eph. ii. 20.) The Messiah is here +represented as in the beginning of the war with the same enemy;--the +_seed_ of the _woman_ shall bruise the serpent's head. Still may the +church of God joyfully declare,--"Unto us a _Child_ is born, unto us a +_Son_ is given." (Is. ix. 6.) This _masculine_ son, however, is not to +be understood of Christ _personal_, but of Christ mystical,--of those +who are with him "called, and chosen, and faithful;" whom "he is not +ashamed to call his brethren." (ch. xvii. 14; Heb. ii. 11.) The "sealed" +company, (ch. vii. 4,) the "two witnesses;" (xi. 3), the "144 thousand," +(xiv. 1,) are the "manchild." As many rulers constitute but one "angel," +(chs. ii. and iii.,) so the two witnesses are one _manly Son_. The Lord +Jesus was _alone_ in the work of redemption; but he allows his faithful +disciples to share in the honor of his victories, (ch. ii. 26, 27; Ps. +cxlix. 9.) From the devouring jaws of the dragon, as it were, the "child +is caught up unto God, and to his throne." The leaders in church and +state supposed that they had "made sure" of the Saviour, when they had +"sealed the stone and set a watch." So thought the enemies of the +witnesses while their dead bodies lay unburied.--"He that sitteth in the +heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." The Anointed +of the Father, the Head of the church, and Prince of the kings of the +earth, as the representative of his people, in defiance of the serpent, +is caught up to the throne of God, (Eph. ii. 6;) while the church flies +to her appointed place in the wilderness during the 1260 years. At the +beginning of that gloomy period the woman fled. This flight is not +mentioned "by anticipation," as some suppose; for the wilderness +condition of the woman, and the sackcloth of the witnesses, are +emblematical of the same depressed state of the church, and during the +same time. The witnesses prophesy during the whole period of the 1260 +years; and the woman is fed in the wilderness during the _same_ time. +Her flight, sojourn in the wilderness, and feeding there, are allusions +to the history of Elijah as before, (ch. xi. 6.) when he fled for his +life from the wrath of Jezebel. (1 Kings xix. 1-4.) Jezebel has been +already introduced as an enemy to the church, (ch. ii. 20.) There may be +allusion also to the miraculous subsistence of the church in the +wilderness, till the "cup of the Amorites should be full." During the +time of the conflict, to be described in the rest of this chapter, the +woman is in a place of safety. In the worst of times there are places of +safety provided for God's children. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) + + +7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against +the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels. + +8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven, + +9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the +Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into +the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. + +10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, +and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; +for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before +our God day and night. + +11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of +their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. + +Vs. 7-11.--In this part of the chapter we have three attacks of the +dragon upon the friends of true religion. The first is the war in +heaven, (vs. 7-12.) The second persecution on the earth, (vs. 12-16.) +The third is mentioned in verse 17th: and these three contests cover the +whole period of the 1260 years. + +The first war is waged in heaven. The allusion is obviously to the +rebellion of angels, for which they were cast down from heaven, (2 Pet. +ii. 4.) The contest is the same in principle as the first war; but it is +conducted in a different form and place. Heaven here, is the church +general, and the serpent acts by the authority of the empire. The woman +having fled into the wilderness, the dragon's power becomes so great in +the symbolical heaven, that he aims at the entire destruction of true +religion in the world. The advocates of the true religion at this time +were the Waldenses, called by their adversaries in derision _Leonists_ +and _Cathari_,--citizens of Lyons in France; and Puritans, a term of +reproach heaped upon their successors till the present day. These people +were deemed the most dangerous enemies to the church of Rome. Yet the +reasons for their condemnation by the inquisitors, are their full +vindication in the judgment of impartial men. They are three,--"This is +the oldest sect; for some say it hath endured,--from the time of the +apostles. It is more general; for there is no country in which this sect +is not. Because when all other sects beget horror in the hearers, this +of the Leonists hath a great show of piety: they live justly before men, +and believe all things rightly concerning God; only they blaspheme the +church of Rome and the clergy." While the beast by its horns, instigated +by an apostate church, and both by the dragon, was "making havoc of the +church," represented by the Puritans: there were some even in the Romish +cloisters whose hearts God had touched, and who occasionally espoused +the cause of a virtuous minority at the hazard of life. This war _in +heaven_, conducted with various success by Bernard, Peter Waldo, John +Wickliffe and others on the European continent and in Britain, may be +pronounced by Gibbon "premature and ineffectual;" but the Captain of +salvation and his heroic followers, will give a different verdict. These +noble confessors and martyrs, under the conduct of Michael our prince, +began the struggle with the dragon, although the war did not come to its +height till the early part of the 16th century. Then it was that +"Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought +and his angels." Both parties became more visible in the symbolic heaven +before the eyes of all Christendom. Michael, (_who is like God_?) is the +well known description of Jesus Christ. (Phil. ii. 6; Heb. i. 3.) To +Daniel, while contemplating this same contest, he was made known as the +"great Prince, that standeth for the children of God's people," and long +before Daniel's time, had "contended with the devil." (Jude v. 9.) +"Christ and Belial" are therefore the two opposing leaders of the +armies. In other words, Christ mystical and the devil incarnate are the +belligerents; and we know that "greater is he that is in the saints, +than he that is in the world." (1 John iv. 4.) The result of the war is +not doubtful. The whole power of Rome, civil and +ecclesiastical,--emperors, kings, princes, pope, cardinals and prelates, +were baffled; and this too, whether in the use of the sword of the +Spirit,--polemic _theses_,--or of the material sword, in literal +warfare. When the Lord Jesus "mustered the hosts to the battle," he +furnished them "with the whole armour of God to stand in the evil way." +When Zuingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, their compeers and successors, were +obliged to wrestle with the hosts of Antichrist,--"against +principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of +this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," (_wicked +spirits in heavenly places_,) they found it both lawful and +necessary,--"having no sword, to buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.) + +The dragon and his angels were defeated and routed,--"They prevailed +not,--he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with +him." The thunders of the Vatican thenceforth lost their wonted power to +terrify. Ever since, they are but _brutum fulmen,--vox, et praeterea +nihel_,--harmless thunder,--unmeaning voice. Papal curses, though +annually launched against all heretics, tend only to amuse the popular +mind, not to reach or disturb the individual conscience. For centuries +the dragon has been unable to rouse any one horn of the beast to deeds +of blood. + +It is usual for the victors to give outward expression to their joy. +"The voice of them that shout for mastery," has been heard since the +days of Moses. (Exod. xxxii. 18.) Accordingly, these conquerors +congratulate one another on their recent victory, but their joy +terminates on the proper object. The "kingdom of their God and the power +of his Christ" constitute their theme. His right hand and his holy arm +have gotten him the victory. The devil accused Job before God. His +accusations in that instance were prosecuted through Job's friends and +his wife. (Job ii. 4, 5, 9, 11.)--So it was in the experience of the +reformers. They were loaded with infamy by their persecutors; and while +they were depressed, God himself seemed to give sentence against them. +This was the wormwood and the gall in the cup of their affliction, as it +was in holy Job's experience: but in due time God "brought forth their +righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday." Their +"good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The +power of the Lord's Christ was made manifest through the instrumentality +of his servants, by producing conviction in many hearts that the cause +for which they suffered was from God, and thus prevailing with such to +join in their fellowship. The hearts of kings and princes of the earth +were touched from on high; so that they braved the combinations of +imperial and papal power, while extending the shield of their protection +to the followers of the Lamb. Frederick the Wise, and especially John +his brother, electors of Saxony in Luther's time, were notable bulwarks +of defence to the sufferers, against the bloody edicts of Charles fifth, +emperor of Germany. The "good regent" in Scotland and others extended +effectual protection to Knox, his coadjutors and followers in the cause +of reformation. When the seven thunders uttered their voices, John "was +about to write," (ch. x. 4.) He was about to proclaim a final victory! +He was too sanguine. "The time was not yet." Just so in the case of his +legitimate successors in the work of the Lord. Confident in the power +and faithfulness of Michael their Prince, confident in the righteousness +of their cause, fondly hoping that at this time their Master is about to +restore again the kingdom to Israel, they prematurely exclaim,--"Now is +come salvation."--In reaping the first fruits of victory, they +anticipate the harvest of final and absolute conquest, (ch. xiv. 8.) +Indeed, the salvation of God and the power of his Christ, were +experienced by great multitudes during the time of this contest. The +saints experienced times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. +Then followed a work of grace, both on the continent of Europe and in +the British Isles; Christians entering into solemn covenant bonds with +God and with one another, whereby the kingdom of God was rendered more +visible among mankind than in the "dark ages." The weapons, with which +the saints overcame the dragon, were not carnal, but mighty. These, we +are told, were "the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." +They believed and they taught in opposition to the popular doctrine of +good works and penances, that the righteousness which the law of God +requires of a sinner, is provided by a Surety; that the blood of Christ +alone cleanses believers from the guilt of sin, and thus justifies them +in the sight of God. No man ever used stronger language than Luther in +denouncing the supposed efficacy of works, or in asserting the +sovereignty of free grace, in the justification of a sinner. Indeed it +was the deep impression which the doctrine of justification made upon +the hearts of men, and the firm hold which faith took of it, that +enabled and constrained them to forsake the Romish church and to seek +and erect a separate fellowship. This was with them "the word of +Christ's patience." Other doctrines of grace were, of course, connected +with this of justification in the apprehension of the Reformers, but it +was the central one. And thus we may learn, that any doctrine of the +Bible, when generally opposed, may lawfully become a point of testimony; +and when openly opposed and practically denied, it may become a +warrantable and imperative ground of separation. In all such cases,--and +history supplies multitudes of them,--the declining majority are truly +the schismatics and separatists. The malicious, the indolent and +credulous, however, in all ages have joined in the cry of schism as +attaching to the virtuous minority. + +Many of the combatants fell in the conflict, "resisting unto blood, +striving against sin." "They loved not their lives unto the death." They +could give no stronger evidence of love to Christ and truth. Their +faithful contendings constituted their testimony. This testimony is +called in the 17th verse, "the testimony of Jesus Christ." Does this +mean that it _belongs_ to Christ? or that it _treats_ of him? The +language may probably be taken in either sense, or as embracing both. It +is Christ's testimony, as he is "the faithful and true Witness, who +before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" or it may be +understood as bearing upon Christ in his person, offices and work. In +either sense his faithful disciples enjoy intimate communion with +himself, sharing the honour of his victories, (v. 5.) Therefore let the +heavens rejoice in prospect of _final_ victory, (ch. xviii. 20.) + + +12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the +inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto +you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short +time. + +13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he +persecuted the woman, which brought forth the manchild. + +Vs. 12, 13.--Here is a note of warning. The dragon, though ejected from +the symbolic heaven, the seat of imperial and ecclesiastic power, is not +yet bound with the great chain, (ch. xx. 1, 2.) His late defeat has only +incensed his rage, "as a bear robbed of her whelps." But the special +reason assigned for his "great wrath" is, "because he knoweth that he +hath but a short time." How does the devil come to this knowledge? Is he +omniscient! No. Was he joint-counsellor with the Most High? No. (Isa. +xl. 13, 14; Rom. xi. 34.) He must have derived this knowledge from +revelation; and from some instances in Scripture, we might infer that +the devil is more skilled in theology, especially in prophecy, than +many, if not most modern interpreters. In the time of our Lord's +humiliation he quoted and applied to him a prophecy in the 91st psalm, +(v. 11, 12.) He also dreaded being tormented,--"before the time." (Matt. +viii. 29:) from which it appears that he reasons of the "times and the +seasons" as revealed in the Bible. But by the phrase, "a short time," +the devil understood,--and we are to understand,--not the time to +transpire till the end of the world; but, the time intervening between +his ejectment out of heaven, and the overthrow of Antichrist, when he is +to be bound. Now, we may learn from the _devil's calculation_, that all +those learned and famous divines, especially of the prelatic church of +England, "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures;" who say, that the +dragon was cast out of the symbolic heaven _in the time of Constantine!_ +The space of duration _from Constantine till the millennium_, cannot be +relatively "short," under the New Testament dispensation. The time of +the dragon's being cast out of heaven, and the instruments by which this +was accomplished, are to be found clearly verified in the authentic +histories of the sixteenth century, to which some references have been +already made, as elucidating the events of the 11th chapter: for it is +to be still remembered that the former part of the 11th chapter _agrees +in time_ with the 12th, 13th and 14th chapters. At the end of the second +woe, which we supposed to be in the latter part of the seventeenth +century, about the year 1672, it is declared "the third woe cometh +quickly," (ch. xi. 14.) Now here it is said "the devil,--hath but a +short time." Taking both expressions as relating to the same period, it +follows that we are now living,--not in the time of the third woe, but +in the time of the devil's activity among the "inhabiters of the earth +and of the sea;" that is, the population of Christendom either in a +tranquil or revolutionary state. The enemy makes his _second_ attack +upon the "woman" in a new and unexpected mode of warfare. So long as +permitted, he never ceases to persecute the saints. When defeated in +_heaven_, he renews the assault upon the _earth_. If the edicts and +bulls of crowned and mitred heads have lost their power to terrify and +destroy the souls of men, he will try to effect the same object by other +means. + + +14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she +might fly into the wilderness, into her place; where she is nourished +for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. + +15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth, water as a flood, after the +woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. + +16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and +swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. + +Vs. 14-16.--To guard against the _second_ attack of the dragon, the +woman flees a _second_ time to the place of safety, which had been +mercifully prepared for her preservation before the war began, (v. 6.) +And she is in no less peril from her deadly enemy than before. + +The "two wings of a great eagle" have furnished occasion to many fertile +minds for indulging in fanciful conjectures. To such persons nothing +occurs answerable to the symbol but some emblem of imperial power or +national sovereignty. And because the eagle was the visible symbol on +the military banner of Rome, it is conjectured that "the eastern and +western empires afforded protection to the church!" Why, the empire, in +both its wings, was the deadly enemy of the church, as we have already +seen! (ch. xi. 7.) Alas! what absurdities result from political bias! +The unlettered Christian will readily perceive under the emblem in the +text, a plain allusion to the gracious interposition of the church's +Redeemer in the days of old. "Ye have seen what I did unto the +Egyptians, and how I bare you on _eagles' wings_, and brought you unto +myself." (Exod. xix. 4.) Thus the Lord delivered his people and brought +them into a literal wilderness on their way to the promised land of +liberty. And now in a time of equal danger, he will "set his hand again +the second time" to deliver his people. He who delivered them from so +great a death as Pharaoh threatened, doth still deliver: in whom his +saints have ground to trust that he will still deliver them, (2 Cor. i. +10) The great and beneficial change accomplished among the nations by +the reformation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, whereby the +dragon was hurled from seats of ecclesiastical and civil power, did not +materially change the position of the "two witnesses." The time had not +yet come when they were to be called up into the symbolic heaven. They +must continue to prophesy till the close of the appointed period of 1260 +years. Till the expiration of that definite period the true church of +Christ is not to be permanently established in any nation of the earth. +The actual condition of the church and of the nations among whom she +dwells, is delineated in these verses during the time subsequent to the +Protestant Reformation,--consequently in our own time. The "time, times +and half a time" of the 14th verse, are an obvious reference to Daniel +vii. 25: xii. 7; and are the same period as 42 months, or 1260 days, "a +day for a year." During this whole time the woman is nourished in the +wilderness "from the face of the serpent." Safety is secured for her +only "in her place." + +"Water," as a symbol or metaphor, is of frequent occurrence and varied +import in Scripture. Among its diversified significations, perhaps that +of a destructive element is most common. (Ps. xviii. 4; xxxii. 6.) It is +indeed often used to denote gospel blessings, (as Is. lv. 1; John vii. +38; Rev. xxii. 17.) As here used, the "water as a flood," represents +something intended by the dragon for the destruction of the woman. If he +cannot destroy her by fire, he aims to overwhelm her with water. This +water comes out of the dragon's "mouth." So of the "unclean spirits," +(ch. xvi. 13.) Soul-destroying errors,--heresies,--are undoubtedly +intended. If he cannot devour as a roaring lion, he will endeavour to +deceive and seduce as a cunning serpent. We are therefore instructed +hereby to look for "damnable heresies" to prevail, accompanied and +followed by popular commotions and licentiousness. The age in which we +live is remarkably characterized by false systems and impious theories. +Speculative atheism caused the French revolution, and led to the +erection of the United States government; which, having openly declared +independence of England, soon after virtually declared independence of +God. France, Germany, England and the United States, have all been +pervaded with infidel and atheistical sentiments; and these, whether +propagated under the name of _solid science_ or _polite literature_, +have corrupted the public mind for generations. In the name of science, +treating of the material or moral world, the agents of the dragon have +been exceedingly successful. Metaphysicians and geologists have +constructed systems which would exclude the Almighty from the heavens +and the earth. But however active and zealous these laborers in the +service of the dragon, they do not reach the popular ear but in part. +Those sons of Belial who devise false systems of religion under the name +of Christianity, have been still more pernicious to the nations, and +dangerous to the church. If the church of Rome cannot prevail with kings +as before, to execute her cruel sentences of death upon heretics, she is +not less active in disseminating her idolatrous and superstitious dogmas +among the nations. By freemasonry, odd-fellowship, temperance +associations, and a countless number of affiliated societies,--the +offshoots of popery and infidelity, the dragon still assails the woman. +Reason, toleration, humanity, charity and liberality are terms which +have been selected and abused by the servants of the devil "to deceive +the hearts of the simple." These are alike the watchwords of the +spiritual seducer and the political agitator. What dogma or heresy so +absurd,--what conduct so immoral, as not to find patronage in the +journals of the day? or not to find tolerance or protection under the +fostering wings of church or state? What is impiously called "free +love," as well as avowed infidelity and polygamy, are patronized by +constituted authorities in Christendom. When taking a survey of the +errors and systems of error, hostile to the honor of Messiah and the +free grace of his gospel, how few can be found in the different nations +of the earth, who "overcame by the blood of the Lamb!" The religions +established by the nations of the world are all more or less tainted +with the errors, and disfigured by the ceremonies of the church of Rome. +Surely we have before our eyes a constant fulfilment of the prophecy +under consideration. To all outward appearance the woman is in the +wilderness. She is in fact so obscure that some of her sons begin to +question her visibility. They are ready to cry in despondency,--"The +witnesses are slain."--They are mistaken. This is their infirmity. The +1260 years are not yet expired, nor the testimony finished. "When the +enemy shall come in _like a flood_, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up +a standard against him." (Isa. lix. 19.) The mystic woman is yet in the +wilderness, and there she is nourished with the hidden manna "a time, +times and half a time," "forty and two months, or twelve hundred and +sixty days,"--that is, years; for, as formerly noticed, all these +expressions mean the same period of time; the period during which the +witnesses prophesy, on the one side, and the gentiles tread the outer +court, on the other. The profanation of the holy city,--the church +nominal, and the testimony of the witnesses against that conduct, is the +same contest which in this chapter is represented under other symbols. +The waters of the symbolic flood have spread over all the nations of +Christendom, corrupting the very fountains of natural and moral science, +literature, politics and religion; so that hardly any principle is +accepted by the human mind as settled, but all is thrown into debate. +Man's intellect, craving substantial nourishment, and thirsting for +refreshment which nothing but the water of life can supply, vibrates +between ritualism and skepticism in our day. The flood from the dragon's +mouth, consisting of truth and error, a combination of Christianity, +refined idolatry and speculative atheism, fails to satisfy the necessary +cravings of the immortal soul. "There be many that say, Who will show us +any good?" (Ps. iv. 6.) + +In this state of the popular mind, there is a general sentiment which +discountenances penalties inflicted for mere opinion. The cry of +toleration,--"freedom of speech and of the press," resounds in the +public ear among most communities since the dragon was cast down from +the mystic heaven. This popular sentiment is not an expression of the +law of charity, actuating hearts influenced by divine grace; but rather +originates from indifference alike to the claims of Messiah and the +destinies of mankind. Thus "the earth helps the woman." Indeed, the +nations of Christendom, contrary to their former policy, are now much +more tolerant of ecclesiastical than of _political_ heresies. With few +exceptions, the policy of the nations at the present time is to +discriminate, not among _churches_, but among _religions_. The popular +voice is obviously in favor of dissevering that alliance between church +and state, from which mankind have suffered in past generations. While +every earthly potentate, usurping the place and prerogatives of the +Mediator, assumed to dictate the faith and worship of his subjects, all +dissenters and recusants must necessarily be subjected to penalties. +Such was the policy of the dragon for centuries, while in the heavens of +ecclesiastical and civil power. The nominal church established by the +state, _defined heresy_; and the heresy found by the church became +rebellion against the civil authority. Of course the saints were then +executed as _traitors_. Even a superficial view of the signs of the +times will result in the conviction, that a great change has taken place +in the policy of nations and churches. The dragon has now prevailed with +most politicians and statesmen, as well as with most professing +Christians, to demand a total "separation of church and state;" by which +demand they do not mean a divorce of the unscriptural and +_antichristian_ alliance only or chiefly, but a simple and absolute +rejection of religion, and especially the _Christian_ religion, from any +connexion with or influence upon _civil_ affairs. This is undeniably the +avowed aim and declared desire of the great body of the population of +Christendom at the present time, (1870.) And what is this but an open +denial of the authority of the Mediator as he is the "Prince of the +kings of the earth?" Thus has the dragon, since his ejection from heaven +become a terrible "woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" +And thus has the "earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood;" so +that the woman remains comparatively safe "from the face of the serpent" +in the very obscurity of her position. Some of her sons, from time to +time, venturing abroad from their secluded place in the wilderness, +becoming weary of sackcloth and aspiring to worldly distinction, have +been borne along by the waters of the flood, and _drowned in the general +deluge_. Against the force of this strong current of popular errors, +nothing will avail the seed of the woman but the "living water" which +Jesus imparted to the woman of Samaria. To him who partakes of this +water, those of the dragon will be distasteful; for "it shall be in him +a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John iv. 14.) +Since the middle of the seventeenth century, when by the reformation in +Europe and the British Isles, the dragon was cast down from the symbolic +heaven, he has been assailing in "great wrath" all ranks and degrees of +men, not, as before, with fire and sword, with scaffolds, gibbets, +thumb-screws,--torturing and destroying their mortal bodies, that he +might reach their immortal souls: but by bringing them together in +_voluntary associations_ on principles of the covenant of works, +subversive of the covenant of grace, and consequently aiming at the +drowning of the mystic woman. This the enemy of all righteousness has +been attempting, and with too much success, by public and professed +ecclesiastical and Christian associations; such as Jesuits, Socinians +and other self-styled Unitarians, Latter-day Saints, Mormons,--or by +combinations in secret and sworn confederacies; such as Odd Fellows, +Freemasons, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, with other affiliated +fellowships innumerable. The special subtlety of the serpent consists in +blending these two kinds of communions, so that under the name of +reform, moral and spiritual, those who fear God may be unconsciously +drawn into the snare. And alas! how many simple ones have been thus +carried away by the waters of the flood! And many strong men have been +thus cast down from their excellency. We are not to be surprised if we +find the witnesses few in our time,--the seed of the woman diminished +when the dragon makes his final attack. + + +17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with +the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have +the testimony of Jesus Christ. + +V. 17.--In this verse we have the last effort of the enemy, to destroy +the woman's offspring. It is the _third_ attempt, and, as we suppose, is +yet future. We cannot therefore, of course, be so exact or certain as to +the nature of this contest. Some things, however, are plain enough. The +dragon, disappointed in his efforts hitherto against the woman, so far +from ceasing the warfare, is only thereby the more exasperated. "The +dragon was wroth with the woman." Malice overcomes reason. He knows that +he cannot finally prevail,--that "no weapon formed against her shall +prosper;" yet he continues to vent his rage. The mode of attack is to be +different from what it was in the second struggle. He is said to "make +war,"--to resort to open violence, to employ the agency of the civil +power, the beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 7;) for this third and +last war, waged by the dragon agrees in time with the _slaying of the +witnesses_. This third onset agrees also with the "third woe-trumpet," +the "vintage" and the last "vial;" and immediately precedes the +introduction of the millennium. "The remnant of the woman's seed" are so +called with reference to those of her offspring who had suffered death +under pagan and papal Rome, (ch. vi. 9.) Perhaps also we may suppose the +number to be comparatively few at the time of the last war with the +dragon; as during the whole period of the 1260 years, it was the aim of +the dragon, through his instruments, to wear out the saints of the Most +High. (Dan. vii. 25.) The character which the Holy Spirit gives of these +sufferers proves them to be the woman's seed. They "keep the +commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This is +the special ground of the devil's hostility towards them. A more +comprehensive and definite description of true believers is not to be +found in the whole Bible. In matters of religion they adhere strictly to +the commandments of God. They will not introduce, nor permit to be +introduced, any corruptions into the doctrines of grace or into the +matter of God's worship. The temple, altar and worshippers must stand +the measurement of God's word in their fellowship. No human traditions +or innovations are to be tolerated. But besides their conscientious care +to have all the laws of the house of God duly observed, these remaining +witnesses sustain and propagate the testimony of their predecessors, +with such additional facts as they may have collected in their own time, +for the personal glory, the offices and work of Jesus Christ. This +testimony will necessarily bring them into collision with the children +of those who killed their fathers in the same quarrel. Like their +fathers, "they have the sentence of death in themselves, that they +should not trust in themselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,--not +accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." (2 +Cor. i. 9; Heb. xi. 35.) For as already hinted, this remnant is to +"overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," +as others did; and in death to gain the final victory over death by +vital union to their living Lord, "being made conformable to his death." +(Heb. ii. 14, 15.) + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of +the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten +crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. + +2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were +as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the +dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. + +3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his +deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. + +4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and +they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is +able to make war with him? + +5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and +blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two +months. + +6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his +name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. + +7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to +overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, +and nations. + +8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are +not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of +the world. + +9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. + +10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that +killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword. Here is the +patience and the faith of the saints. + +Vs. 1-10.--This chapter may be considered as an explication or +commentary upon the seventh chapter of Daniel's prophecy, and a farther +elucidation of what is revealed under different symbols in the two +preceding chapters; and no one can have an intelligent understanding of +its contents without a competent knowledge of the symbols employed in +those chapters. Here the Holy Spirit has given a most graphic, +intelligible and comprehensive exhibition of the complex power which the +dragon employs, to persecute and slay the witnessing servants of Christ. +Hitherto the devil has conducted the war against the saints through the +agency of the beast of the pit, (ch. xi. 7,) and those allies called +"his angels:" (ch. xii. 7:) but there has been a vail of obscurity +hanging over these agencies. Who the beast and other allies of the +dragon are, it is the very _design_ of this chapter to disclose, with +greater precision and clearness than heretofore. In a word, we have here +the _full portrait_ of THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. The distinct features and +component parts of this complex and diabolical system of hostility to +the Lord and his Anointed, are presented in detail for our inspection. +And it is a fact, that by a competent knowledge of this hostile +combination, the suffering saints of God have been hitherto enabled to +direct their testimony with intelligence and efficacy against their +appropriate objects. And although the developments of providence in past +centuries, and those transpiring in our own generation, are calculated +to shed light upon this and collateral prophecies; yet the gross +conceptions of the illiterate in the contemplation of prophetic symbols +on the one hand, and the reckless disregard of scripture rules and usage +by the learned on the other, have greatly contributed to the present +lamentable ignorance and culpable indifference of most Christians. For +people cannot feel an interest in that of which they are ignorant. But +to be "willingly ignorant" of that which may and ought to be known, is +one of the characteristic sins of a generation of impenitent and profane +"scoffers." (2 Pet. iii. 3, 5.) On the other hand, all who humbly and +earnestly desire to know the mind of God for their direction in faith +and holiness, shall assuredly obtain the necessary instruction. (Dan. +vii. 16: viii. 15; John xvi. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 38.) + +In these first ten verses are contained the characteristics of that +beast whose origin is given, ch. xi. 7. There we had no particular +description of this personage; only he was the agent by whom the +witnesses were opposed in open warfare, and by whom they were finally +killed. Now we have a more full account of his origin, character, +achievements and duration. This personage is denominated a "beast." So +are designated other characters, who are very different from this, (ch. +iv. 6.) In that place we intimated that the authorized version is +imperfect; and that either "living creatures" or simply "animals," which +latter we prefer, is that which the reader is to understand from the +original word. Not only are the "four animals" different in origin, +nature and agency from the "beast;" but in all these respects they are +morally opposite. This is a ravenous beast; a beast of prey. Elsewhere +the word is translated a "wild beast," a "venomous beast," a "viper." +(Acts x. 12; xxviii. 4.) This beast is the same which appeared in vision +to the prophet Daniel, (ch. vii. 3.) Of the four great beasts which that +prophet saw, this is the last. All the preceding are described by their +resemblance to some known animals, but each is ferocious,--"a lion, +bear, leopard." The fourth is a _nondescript_; there is no species in +the animal kingdom that can represent it; only it was "diverse from all +the beasts that were before it," (v. 7.) These four beasts represent +"four kings," (v. 17,) that is, "kingdoms," (v. 23,) or _dynasties_. Now +all interpreters agree that these four dynasties are the same as those +symbolized in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, (ch. ii. 31-43.) The different +parts of the "image" answer to the four beasts; and these again are the +symbols of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. Thus +far, all sober expositors are agreed. Also, there is a like agreement +that John's _first_ beast identifies with Daniel's _fourth_,--the Roman +empire. This is obvious from the general description by both +prophets,--"having seven heads and ten horns." (Dan. vii. 7; Rev. xiii. +1.) + +The origin of this beast is threefold,--"out of the sea," (v. 1,) "out +of the bottomless pit," (ch. xi. 7; xvii. 8,) and "out of the earth." +(Dan. vii. 17.) Out of the sea of the commotions arising from the +incursions of the northern barbarians, by whom the Roman empire was +dismembered. "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall +arise." (Dan. vii. 24.) This is the result of revolution,--"the sea." +The Roman empire, especially as nominally Christian, is thus +characterized as being "earthly, sensual, devilish," a suitable agent of +the dragon. + +The fact of the ten horns of the beast, _now wearing crowns_, proves +that the time to which the prophecy refers, is that which followed the +division of the empire into ten kingdoms. The seven heads of the beast +have a double significance,--seven different forms of government, and +seven mountains, afterwards to be more fully explained, (ch. xvii. 9, +10.) The "name of blasphemy" may indicate "eternal city, mistress of the +world."--Of this characteristic of the beast, other examples will be +discovered hereafter. + +Daniel was solicitous to "know the truth (interpretation) of the fourth +beast, which was diverse from all the others," (ch. vii. 19.) Although +"diverse from all the others" in geographical extent and destructive +power, this fourth beast combined in one all the ravenous propensities +of the three predecessors, but in _reverse order_. The "leopard, bear +and lion of Daniel," by which Grecian, Persian and Chaldean dynasties +were symbolized, are all comprised in John's beast of the sea,--the +antichristian Roman empire. Since this beast of the sea embodies all the +voracious properties of the three persecuting powers which went before +it; this may be a suitable place briefly to review the sufferings +inflicted by them upon the saints, that we may know what the witnesses +were taught to expect at the hands of this monstrous enemy.--"Israel is +a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away: first, the king of +Assyria hath devoured him, and last, this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon +hath broken his bones.--The violence done to me and to my flesh, be upon +Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and, My blood upon the +inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say." (Jer. 1. 17; li. +35.)--"Haman, the son Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews' enemy,--thought +scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone."--"If it please the king, let it +be written that they (the whole people) may be destroyed; and I will pay +ten thousand talents of silver,--to bring it into the king's +treasuries."--"Behold also the gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman +had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the +house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon." (Esth. iii. 1, 9; +vii. 9.) Such were the crimes and such the punishments of the enemies of +God's people in Babylon and Persia, as already matter of inspired +history: and had we equally full and authentic records of the +punishments as we have of the cruelties of Antiochus and other +successors of Alexander the Great, the king of Greece, we would see, as +in the other cases, "the just reward of the wicked." Of all these +idolatrous, tyrannical and persecuting powers, which the Divine Spirit +represented by beasts of prey, it was foretold that they were to be +removed in succession and with violence. This fourth beast, "dreadful +and terrible and strong exceedingly, was to devour and break in pieces, +and stamp the residue with the feet of it." (Dan. vii. 7.) Moreover, +while it is predicted of them that "they had their dominion taken away," +it is also added,--"yet their lives were prolonged for a season and +time," (v. 12.) That is, though their distinct and successive +_dominions_ were severally swept from the earth, yet their _lives_,--the +diabolical principles by which they had been actuated survived; and +these passed, by a kind of transmigration, into the body of the fourth +beast. This transition of animating principles or imperial policy of +inveterate hostility to the kingdom of God, we think, is plainly +indicated by the three features of this beast of the sea, the "leopard, +bear and lion." If these three "slew their thousands," this monster has +"slain his ten thousands" of the saints; and the remnant of the woman's +seed are yet to be "slain as they were," (ch. vi. 11.) + +"The dragon gave him his power,"--physical force, "his seat" or +_throne_,--his right to reign, "and great authority"--dominion--by the +voice of the people. Thus, it is obvious that the seven-headed, +ten-horned beast is the first, and the oldest, among the combined +enemies of the Christian church; all of whose origin is from the dragon, +the abyss or bottomless pit. The writers of the church of Rome, while +forced to acknowledge that this beast is emblematical of the Roman +empire, still insist that _pagan_ Rome is intended. It is sufficient in +opposition to this false interpretation to observe, that the beast +appears to John with crowns, not upon his _heads_, but upon his _horns_, +denoting the actual division of the empire into ten kingdoms: an event +which did not transpire till after the empire had become nominally +Christian under the reign of Constantine the Great. The reign of this +emperor and his successors, by their largesses fostered the luxurious +propensities of the Christian ministry, and so contributed to prepare +the way for the rise of the next enemy in this antichristian confederacy +against the witnesses.--The "head wounded unto death is the _sixth_. +John says expressly, elsewhere, "five are fallen, and one is, and the +other is not yet come," (ch. xvii. 10.) The "five fallen" were, kings, +consuls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes. All these forms of +civil government had passed before the time of the apostle. The one +existing in his time, was the sixth head,--the emperors; by one of whom +the apostle was now subjected to banishment in the desert isle of +Patmos. This wound is supposed by some to be the change from paganism to +Christianity in the empire. No; this view is many ways erroneous: but it +is enough to remark that the Roman empire, according to both prophets, +Daniel and John, is to continue _bestial_ under all changes, during the +whole period of 1260 years. The deadly wound was inflicted by the +northern invaders who overturned the empire, and, for the time, +extinguished the very name of emperor in the person of Augustulus. After +the division of the western member of the empire had been subdivided +among the victorious leaders of the invaders from the north, and the +people of that section supposed the beast slain, the throne of +Constantinople continued to be occupied by the representative of the +empire. In the popular apprehension the imperial head of the beast +seemed to be utterly cut off by the sword of Odoacer,--"wounded by a +sword:" but the several kingdoms into which the empire was divided, in +process of time became united in the bonds of an apostate faith. The +imperial name and dignity were revived in the person of the emperor of +Germany, Charlemagne, in 800; and by the wars among the horns of the +beast, the title of emperor has been claimed alternately by Germany, +Austria and France, down to our own time. These dissensions and +rivalries among the sovereigns of Europe,--the mystic horns of the +beast, were foreshadowed in the Babylonish monarch's dream:--"the +kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken,--they shall not cleave +one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay," (Dan. ii. 42, 43.) +And doubtless these internal commotions among the common enemies of the +saints of God, have tended, in divine mercy, to divert their attention +occasionally from the witnesses. While they have been made the +instruments of mutual punishment, the Lord's people have been "hid in +the day of his fierce anger." (Zeph. ii. 3.) + +At what time the sixth head of the beast disappeared and the seventh +became developed, is not clearly marked in the Apocalypse, and it is of +comparatively little importance, since the latter is to "continue a +short space" (ch. xvii. 10.) The _central fact_ is the continuance of +the beast a definite time under _all the heads_,--1260 years. Under all +the forms of government through which the empire passed, it continued +bestial and was the object of popular admiration. "All the world +wondered after the beast." The populace made court to, fawned upon, +followed in the train, or formed the retinue of the beast. We are to +limit the phrase,--"all the world," for not all the inhabitants are to +be understood, but such only as professed allegiance to the existing +imperial dominion; and among those within the beast's territorial +jurisdiction, the witnesses still stood to their protest against his +impious claims.--But from admiration and loyalty, the servile multitude +break forth into adoration, addressing the dragon and the beast in such +language as is proper to God only. (Ps. lxxxix. 6.) The shouts of the +rabble on Herod's birth-day may illustrate the conduct of these votaries +of the beast and dragon. (Acts xii. 22.) The poor ignorant and deluded +subject, in rendering homage to the beast, did homage to the devil, from +whom the power was derived. Such is the degradation to which man is +reduced by blind obedience to despotic power, whether civil or +ecclesiastical. He glories in the chains which bind him!--And this is +the actual and voluntary condition of the great majority of the +population of Christendom at the present hour. There has been, indeed, +within the current century, an effort by the masses of the people to +assert their natural and civil rights, to regain the exercise of the +elective franchise; but in selecting candidates to bear rule over them, +they generally prefer such as are, like the majority of +themselves,--"aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from +the covenants of promise." Hence, "vile men are exalted, the wicked bear +rule, and the people mourn." (Ps. xii. 8; Prov. xxix. 2.)--The +"blasphemies" uttered by this beast are all those _royal prerogatives_ +claimed by the several crowned horns or civil sovereigns who have +established idolatry and superstition within their respective dominions. +The "blasphemous headship" over the church of Christ, as viewed and +designated by his persecuted disciples in the British empire, may tend +to illustrate this part of the beast's history. King Henry VIII. of +England, upon renouncing the civil and ecclesiastical headship of the +Pope, proceeded to usurp an ecclesiastical headship within his own +dominions; and all his royal successors till the present day have +asserted a similar dominion over the faith of the Lord's people. As an +"inherent right of the crown," the sovereign of Britain, male or female, +is declared to be "supreme judge in all causes, as well ecclesiastical +as civil!" The rest of the horns are no less blasphemous in their +haughty pretensions. History attests that the martyrs of Jesus denounced +these encroachments on the prerogatives of Christ, and the intrinsic +power of his church, as "Erastian supremacies,--blasphemous +supremacies." Most expositors tell us that the blasphemies are +chargeable to the Pope or to the Romish church. But this interpretation +confounds this beast of the sea with the apostate church of Rome; and +indeed this confounding of symbols and consequent mistaking of objects +in actual history, are the primary errors of expositors in nearly all +their attempts at expounding the Apocalypse. This first beast of John, +and fourth of Daniel, however, is _wholly secular or civil_; and clearly +distinguished by both inspired prophets, from the other agents of the +dragon, as we shall find in the subsequent part of this chapter. This +beast "blasphemes the name of God" by compelling men to worship idols +and images, enacting penal statutes and issuing bloody edicts to force +their consciences. He "blasphemes his tabernacle," when stigmatizing the +assemblies of God's worshipping people as "traitorous conspiracies, +rendevouses of rebellion"--"and them that dwell in heaven," he +blasphemes by calling them "incendiaries, fanatics, enthusiasts, rebels +and traitors;" for all these terms of reproach are well authenticated in +history, as heaped upon the faithful and heroic servants of Christ. +Those who suppose that the phrase "them that dwell in heaven," means +saints departed and angels as worshipped by papists in obedience to the +Romish church, make two mistakes,--the one, that _ecclesiastical_ power +is here intended, whereas we have already shown that the power is +_civil_; the other, that the word "heaven" is to be taken in a literal +sense, contrary to the symbolic structure of the whole context. All +history, so far as authentic, teaches that the civil powers throughout +Christendom, attempt to coerce by penal inflictions the consciences of +all who refuse obedience to their commands, no less than the church of +Rome. Even _constitutional guarantees of liberty_ of _conscience_ have +never secured the witnesses from the savage rage of the beast or any of +his infuriated horns. Witness the history of the bloody house of the +Stuarts of Britain. In vain did the victims of papal and prelatic +cruelty plead, in their just defence in the seventeenth century, the +constitution and laws of their native land! Those who have done violence +to the law of God, will always disregard human enactments which stand in +the way of their ambitious schemes. Their own laws will be treated as +ropes of sand, as Samson's withs, and the blood of saints as water. Such +is persecution.--The seventh verse, expressing the beast's victory over +the saints and the extent of his power, is explanatory of ch. xi. 7, 9; +and the time of his continuance, (v. 5,) is the same as the treading +under foot of the city; (ch. xi. 2:) so that we are assured of the +agreement in time between the events here and those of the first part of +the eleventh chapter. Also, the parties here presented are the same as +in the two preceding chapters, only they are exhibited in different +aspects by appropriate symbols.--The worshippers of the beast include +all under his dominion except those "whose names were written in the +book of life."--This book is different both from the sealed book, (ch. +5;) and also from the open book, (ch. 10.) It is the register, as it +were, of the names of all whom the Father gave to the Son, to be by him +brought to glory. (John xvii. 2; Heb. ii. 10; Rev. xx. 12, 15.) During +the whole reign of the beast, these are preserved, having been "sealed +unto the day of redemption." In the seventh chapter we had the angels +employed in holding the four winds of the earth, till these servants of +God were sealed in their foreheads, before the first alarm should be +given by the trumpets. The book of life contained their names from the +foundation,--before the foundation of the world. (Eph. i. 4.) They were +in time "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," so that it was +impossible to deceive them, either by lying wonders or the serpent's +sophistry. (Eph. i. 13; Matt. xxiv. 24.)--The Lamb may be said to be +"slain from the foundation of the world" in the purpose of God, (2 Tim. +i. 9;) in sacrifice, (Gen. iv. 4;) in the ceremonial law and prophecy. +(Matt. xi. 13;) and in the efficacy of his satisfaction rendered to +divine justice, for which the Father gave him credit from the fall of +man. (Rom. iii. 25.)--So many erroneous views have been taken, and false +interpretations given of this chapter in particular, as of the +Apocalypse in general, that the Divine Spirit calls special attention +here to the rise, reign and ruin of the beast of the sea. The prophetic +description of this beast in an especial manner is of such importance to +instruct, and thereby sustain and comfort, the suffering disciples of +Christ, that he causes his servant John to pause, as it were, and allow +the reader to reflect. Indeed, wherever a note of attention is thus +given, we may be sure that something "hid from the wise and prudent" is +intended. Accordingly, it were endless to follow the vagaries of even +learned men dealing out their "private interpretations" of this chapter. +Yet the understanding of its general outlines was at the bottom of the +Reformation by Luther, his colleagues and successors. Elsewhere, +however, we may take occasion to notice how vague, and inadequate, and +bold, were some of their conceptions; all going to show the +seasonableness of the solemn admonition,--"If any man have an ear, let +him hear."--The beast is to be treated as he dealt with the victims of +his cruelty. He is justly doomed to captivity and death. "The beast was +taken and--cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," (ch. +xix. 20.) "Tophet is ordained of old." It was used by the prophets as a +figure of hell. (Is. xxx. 33.) To this place, whence there is no +redemption, this monstrous beast was to be consigned, as predicted by +the prophet Daniel, (vii. 11,)--"The beast was slain, and his body +destroyed, and given to the burning flame."--In the protracted contest +of 1260 years with this imperial power, "the patience and the faith of +the saints" were exemplified. Faith and patience would be more severely +tried in this case than in any other; as the period of persecution was +to be of much longer continuance than any that had preceded since the +beginning of the world. (Heb. vi. 12.) + + +11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had +two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. + +V. 11.--John "beheld another beast,"--therefore not the _same_, as many +expositors strangely suppose. No one can have an intelligent +understanding of this chapter unless he views the beast of the sea and +the beast of the earth as _perfectly distinct_. As the former arose out +of a revolutionary state of society, and was consequently more clearly +marked in history, so the latter grew "up out of the earth" more quietly +and gradually, like a spear of grass,--we "know not how." As this second +beast of the Apocalypse is to act a prominent part in the scenery +afterwards presented in vision to the apostle, and a correspondent part +in actual history, and as it is called by different names and appears +under different aspects, it is necessary that its character be closely +inspected, so that its identity may be clearly ascertained. The +description here given is very minute. One thing is very obvious,--that +this beast of the earth is the confederate, the ally, and the accomplice +of the beast of the sea. They act in concert. They had been thus +represented in vision to Daniel. In the seventh chapter of that prophecy +we have the beast of the sea, as here, with his "ten horns," (v. 7.) +While the prophet narrowly "considered the horns, behold, there came up +among them another little horn," (v. 8.) It has been already shown that +these horns represent the kingdoms into which the Roman empire was +divided, (v. 24.) Among these horns, kings, (v. 24,) or kingdoms, +"another shall rise after them,"--"among them," yet in the order of +time,--"after them." Thus it appears that Daniel's fourth beast had +_eleven_ horns; but the eleventh is called "another which came up," to +distinguish it from the ten, (v. 20.) "He shall be diverse from the +first," (v. 24.) It is thus evident that the last horn,--the eleventh, +is as really a horn of the beast, as the other ten; and of course this +horn,--"little" at its rise, but in time becoming "more stout than his +fellows," is the willing accomplice in crime of that beast whose horn it +is. "The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against +them," (v. 21.)--"He had two horns like a lamb." He professed to be +gentle and innocent as a lamb,--to be the vicegerent of the "Lamb of +God." He claimed only a _spiritual_ jurisdiction. As it is natural that +a lamb should have only two horns, so the symbol is agreeable to nature. +But this lamb "spake as a dragon;" and that was contrary to nature. No +two animals in creation are in their respective natures more diverse or +opposite than a lamb and a beast of prey. These two antagonistic natures +combined, indicate the crafty and cruel policy of this beast of the +earth. Daniel mentions the "little horn" of the civil beast; but says +nothing of the "two-horned beast." On the other hand, John speaks +plainly of this beast of the earth, but omits any mention of the "little +horn." But the "beast of the earth" and the "little horn" sustain the +same relation to the first beast, the "beast of the sea"--the Roman +empire; therefore the "two-horned beast of the earth" and the "little +horn" are identical; and this identity is confirmed by the additional +name "false prophet," given to the beast of the earth in ch. xix, 20. +His alliance and co-operation with the civil beast is precisely the same +as in this chapter. He "wrought miracles before him," that is,--in his +interest. Some interpreters have mistaken this "false prophet" as a +symbol of Mahometanism. The facts of history demonstrate the fallacy of +this interpretation; for the delusions of Mahomet never had, and they +have not now, any affinity with the idolatries of the Latin Roman +empire. But these two beasts of the sea and of the earth are obviously +in the closest sympathy, having a common interest. + + +12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and +causeth the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first +beast, whose deadly wound was healed. + +V. 12.--The second beast "exerciseth all the power of the first beast +before him,"--in his presence, under his sanction and powerful +protection. Thus the state, or empire, lays the church under obligation, +and of course expects a reciprocity of kind offices. This is effected by +the beast of the earth "causing the earth--to worship the first beast." +By force and craft this is accomplished. By his "two horns" of power, +the _regular_ and _secular_ orders of the hierarchy, as from the mouth +of a "dragon," he enjoins "submission to the (civil) powers that be." +But besides the horns of power, that is, ecclesiastical authority, this +beast of the earth, in order more effectually to enforce his commands to +worship the first or civil beast, resorts to "great wonders,--miracles," +(vs. 13,14,)--"lying wonders;" (2 Thess. ii. 9:) for Paul and John agree +in their description of the same diabolical agency. "As Jannes and +Jambres withstood Moses,--magicians doing so with their +_enchantments_,"--"beguiling unstable souls," so this second beast +"maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of +(credulous) men." (2 Tim. iii. 8; Exod. vii. 22; Acts viii. 9-11.) The +venal ministry of the heathenized church, (ch. xi. 2,) inculcate passive +obedience to the beast of the sea, as to the "ordinance of God;"--to +"resist" which, subjects the recusant to "damnation." (Rom. xiii. 2.) +Here, then, we behold the _counterfeits_ of the two great ordinances of +church and state, against which it is the special duty and arduous work +of the two witnesses to contend for 1260 years. This "false prophet," +who "spake as a dragon, and made fire to come down from heaven," to +authenticate his divine mission, may represent the bulls, anathemas, +interdicts, encyclical letters, which emanate from Rome, together with +the less terrifying mandates of her coadjutors,--"daughters." + + +13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from +heaven on the earth, in the sight of men, + +14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those +miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saving to +them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the +beast which had the wound by a sword, and did live. + +15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the +image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would +not worship the image of the beast should be killed. + +16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and +bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: + +17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the +name of the beast, or the number of his name. + +Vs. 13-17.--This lamb-like beast of the earth devises another agency, by +which to subserve his own diabolical interest, as well as that of the +"first beast." He causes to be made "an image" _to_ or _of_ the beast of +the sea. Of images in general, as objects of idolatrous worship, we are +warranted to say,--they are _dead_ and _dumb_ idols; (ch. ix. 20; Jer. +x. 14:) but this one is altogether different. And it is surprising to +find learned expositors fixing upon the superstitious use of the cross +by the papists, as exemplifying this symbol. The Holy Spirit, as if to +guard all readers against such misapprehension, declares explicitly, +that this image has "life, speaks," and _acts_. The only point in which +this image resembles others is, that it is to be _worshipped_: but of +all others we are assured that they "cannot do evil," (Jer. x. 5.) This +image has such "life," (breath,) and power as to cause the death of such +as refuse to worship _itself_. Three agents are to be noticed and +clearly distinguished here,--the ten-horned beast of the _sea_, the +two-horned _beast_ of the _earth_, and the _image_ of the beast. At the +instance of the second beast, an image is made; not _to_ or of himself, +but _to_, and also _of_, the first beast. Now, as the beasts put forth +their power by their horns, so this ecclesiastical beast of the earth +makes the image by his horns. In short, history explains the symbols. +The Roman clergy,--the horns, the cardinals, create the Pope; and, in +their own ceremonial and language,--_quem creant, adorant_, "whom they +create, they adore;" like all other idolaters. Thus, the Pope becomes +the "man of sin, sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he +is God," (2 Thess. ii. 4.) The Pope is the most perfect image of the +Roman emperor; claiming the same universal dominion, the same titles and +prerogatives, in the same city: but the Pope and the emperor never +identify. They are always distinct. Two authoritative measures are to be +specially noticed in this connexion; one by the beast of the earth, the +other by the image of the beast of the sea. The image demands worship +under pain of death. All _heretics_ are judged worthy of death. All are +required by the second beast to receive the mark of the first or civil +beast. The penalty in this case is privation of civil and political +privileges,--to "buy or sell." It is to be noticed here that the "mark" +is imposed by the authority of the _ecclesiastical_ power, the +two-horned beast. As there is liability to mistake as to which of the +two beasts the "mark" refers, and as this mistake is in fact generally +made by expositors, the apostle John has been directed, as in the case +of the image, to be peculiarly explicit, that all may know it to be the +mark of the _first_ beast. (See chs. xv. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4.) But it will +be asked,--What are we to understand by the "mark?" This question is +easily answered from history. The heathen idolater gloried in his +devotion to his imaginary god; as the ivy leaf was the token of the +worshippers of Bacchus: soldiers bore the initials of the names of their +commanders; and slaves, of their masters. These _characters_ were +impressed on the foreheads or other part of the persons of individuals. +The general idea suggested by the "mark" was subjection or _property_. +In short, the mark of the beast signifies open and avowed allegiance to +antichristian or immoral _civil_ power, when in the "forehead;" and +active co-operation with the same, when in the "hand." It is at once a +pitiable and culpable error, to suppose, as many preposterously do, that +this "mark of the beast" is _popery_! And as the "mark" is the +recognised badge of loyalty to civil rule, of course the prohibition to +"buy or sell," must signify civil disabilities,--_disfranchisement_. Men +who suffer, necessarily feel. Christ's witnesses, as they only have the +_scriptural_ conception of the rights of man, have long been familiar +with the deprivation of their rights, both civil and ecclesiastical. The +moral evils incorporated in the constitutions of church and state, +throughout all the streets of mystic Babylon, have effectually excluded +the two witnesses, and left them in the "wilderness." Here is their +destined "place," and here they are to be "nourished from the face of +the serpent" for 1260 years. Christ's promise,--"I will not leave you +comfortless," (orphans,) is all along verified in their soul-satisfying +experience.--This will appear in the next chapter. + + +18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of +the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred +threescore and six. + +V. 18.--"The name of the beast," since the time of Ireneus, the disciple +of Polycarp, who was cotemporary with the apostle John, is understood to +be _Lateinos_, or _Lateinus_; for it is well known to scholars, that +classical usage justifies the orthography of this word. However learned +men may indulge their fancy, and sport with this mystic and sacred name +and number, no other word fills up all the conditions required by the +inspired writer. _Latinus_ is the proper name of the "first beast," the +_Latin_ empire: it is the name common to the whole population of the +empire, the _Latins_: it is the name of the _founder_ of the empire, +_Latinus_; and it contains the _number_, 666. The probability that this +word contains the requisite name and number, amounts almost to a +certainty. The unlearned reader may be easily taught to understand how +to "count the number of the beast." Of course, the apostle John +accommodated his expressions to the custom of his own age. Well, even +children soon learn to number or count by the use of Roman letters of +the alphabet. They know that the letter I, stands for _one_; V. for +_five_, etc. Now, in the apostolic age, the Jews, Greeks and Romans, +were accustomed to express numbers by the use of the letters of their +respective alphabets. This we suppose to be the only rational and +probable method of solving the mystery. + +In this chapter we have the fullest exhibition of the great +antichristian confederacy, spoken of by prophets and apostles, including +the "man of sin, to be revealed in his time." The component parts of +that complex moral person called "Antichrist," are here graphically +portrayed. The three most prominent features are the _two beasts_ of the +sea and of the earth, with the _image_ of the first; or, a tyrannical +_empire_, an apostate _church_, and the _Pope_. To suppose that the +Antichrist is a power or moral person _distinct from these_,--a "wilful, +infidel or atheistical king," is a mere _chimera_ framed in a learned +brain, disordered by _antichristian_ politics. The chief, if not the +only ostensible ground of such hypothesis is the language of our +apostle, (1 John ii. 22.) "He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and +the Son." The _sound_ of the words of Scripture is too often mistaken +for the _sense_. This is a notable example. From the words of our Divine +Redeemer,--"My Father is greater than I, Socinians infer the _essential_ +inferiority of the Son to the Father. So in the preceding instance. The +inference is, that the Antichrist is to be known by a _doctrinal_ denial +of deity. But the very name of this enemy of all righteousness, +_Antichrist_, demonstrates his recognition of the existence and office +of our Saviour. For why should he oppose a _nonentity_? All scholars are +aware that the primary meaning of _anti_, is substitution. (Matt. xx. +28.) Antichrist usurps Christ's place in church and state, that he may +more successfully oppose his interest. There is no mystery to the +intelligent Christian in the declaration, that men too often "profess +that they know God, but in works deny him." This explains the fact of +Antichrist's denying the Father and the Son. Usurping the prerogatives +of the Mediator is a practical denial of him,--of his authority, and by +consequence, of the Father who sent him. "He that acknowledged the Son," +in this sense, "hath the Father also; while it is equally true, in the +same sense,--"whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father." +(1 John ii. 23.) Hence it _is not true_ that the _Pope_ is the +_Antichrist_ of prophecy, nor the church of Rome, nor both combined; but +Daniel's ten-horned beast,--John's seven-headed, ten-horned beast, which +are the same: Daniel's little horn and John's beast of the earth, which +are the same; together with the image of the first beast: the Saracenic +locusts and Euphratean horsemen;--all these go to the composition of the +Antichrist, the "eastern and western Antichrist," so identified and +_familiarly_ designated by the _martyrs_ and _witnesses_ of Jesus for +hundreds of years. The great family of nations, called "the nations of +this world," (chap. xi. 15;) in unholy alliance with a _gentile_ church; +(ch. xi. 2;) _these combined, constitute the Antichrist_. They "will not +have this man to reign over them." Against this combination it is the +appointed business,--the life of the two witnesses, to prophesy for a +definite period of 42 months, 1260 days, time, times and a half; all +indicating the same duration, 1260 natural years. All this time the +witnesses are alive and active, but in an obscure and depressed +condition, wearing sackcloth in the wilderness, "not reckoned, (not +_reckoning themselves_,) among the nations." (Num. xxiii. 9; Dan. vii. +22, 27; Rev. xx. 4.) Such is the condition of the saints, and such the +powerful combination against them, as symbolically represented in the +11th, 12th and 13th chapters of the Apocalypse. And in this prolonged +and eventful conflict we may with Moses, "turn aside and see this great +sight, why the bush is not burnt." (Exod. iii. 3.) The Lord was in the +bush, and "greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world." +(1 John iv. 4.) This will appear in the following chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +As the 13th chapter contains the most full and graphic description of +the great apostacy, so in this chapter we have the other party described +which protested against that apostacy. It is a concise history of the +two witnesses in holy and happy fellowship with Christ, when he had +rejected the heathenized church, because of her unholy league with the +beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 2, 7.) The contrast between the +"sealed" ones here, and those who bore the "mark of the beast," is very +noticeable. This fact suggests that the parties are _cotemporary_. +Besides, it is evident that this company of 144,000 are the legitimate +successors of those sealed in ch. vii. 4-8; or rather, from the +perpetual identity of the covenant society as a moral person, we may +view this company as the same with the sealed ones of the seventh +chapter, the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter, and as in the +wilderness in the 12th chapter. Political bias caused a learned +expositor to interpret the third angel of this chapter as a symbol of +the prelatic church of England! and a similar bias, or _modern_ charity, +induced another to distinguish between the "two witnesses" and the +144,000. To the unbiased and enlightened mind it is obvious that instead +of the 144,000 symbolizing the "pious people,--in the different branches +of the Christian church"--all true Christians; they are in fact +distinguished from _true Christians_, as 144,000 from "a great multitude +... who had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the +Lamb," (ch. vii. 9, 14.) + +As the Antichrist, after his first development in the world, appeared in +diverse forms of organization, thereby more effectually to deceive them +that dwell on the earth, yet still preserved his moral identity, so the +faithful servants of Christ are presented in corresponding attitudes and +aspects, to oppose and counteract his diabolical policy and tyranny; yet +always preserving their proper identity during the whole period of 1260 +years. + +The process of "sealing the servants of God in their foreheads," (ch. +vii. 4-8,) took place under the _sixth_ seal before the opening of the +seventh, (ch. viii. 1,) which introduced the trumpets,--the harbingers +of the visible organization of Antichrist. For this purpose the "four +winds,"--all winds, emblematical of popular commotions, were by four +angels restrained from blowing upon the earth etc., during the peaceful +reign of Constantine and his successors. Under the patronage of those +nominally Christian emperors, as history informs us, multitudes flocked +into the church; "the number of immoral and unworthy Christians began so +to increase, that the examples of real piety and virtue became extremely +rare.... The virtuous few were oppressed and overwhelmed with the +superior numbers of the wicked and licentious."[6] Thus the way was +prepared for the visible appearing of the "man of sin,"--the papacy. So +soon as the confederate hosts of the dragon are completely organized, +the two witnesses take their position with the Lamb. + + +1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a +hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in +their foreheads. + +V. 1.--While "all the world wonders after the beast," (xiii. 3,) and the +gross senses of the multitude are preoccupied with that object; here is +another presented more worthy of our contemplation. Often has the Lord +Jesus appeared in vision to John while viewing the grand panorama +passing before him in Patmos. Here he appears as the "captain of the +Lord's host" at the head of his army; not indeed in active military +enterprise, but rather as leader in acts of solemn worship during a +temporary recess from sanguinary warfare. He and his associates are on +the "Mount Zion." "In Zion is his seat." ... "The Lord hath founded +Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (Is. xiv. 32.) This +select company maintain fellowship with Christ, being "really and +inseparably united to him as their Head," by the bond of the Spirit, on +his part, and faith on theirs. Christ's "Father's name in their +foreheads" indicates that they are the _property_ and voluntary servants +of God in Christ. Of this covenant relation baptism is the visible sign; +but while Simon Magus may bear the sign, none but those who are "sealed +unto the day of redemption," are honored to "stand with the Lamb on +Mount Zion." To him their number is as accurately known, as one hundred +and forty-four thousand is to us; and "truly their fellowship is with +the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." The votaries of the beast may +either glory in bearing his mark in their foreheads, or conceal the mark +in their right hand; but the followers of the Lamb will "confess him and +his word before men," at the hazard of all that is dear to men,--even +life itself. (Mark viii. 38.) + + +2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as +the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping +with their harps: + +3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the +four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the +hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. + +Vs. 2, 3.--"Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.... Let the +high praises of God be in their mouth."--(Ps. cxlix. 2, 6.) Unterrified +by the roaring of the beasts of prey, these followers of the Lamb lift +their voices in unison; and whether on mountains or in valleys, in dens +or in caves of the earth, their songs of praise ascend to the ears of +the Lord of Sabaoth. The symphony is heightened by the "voice of +harpers, harping with their harps." And if any person be so ignorant as +to ground an argument on these words, for the use of instruments in the +worship of God, consistency will require him to take his position on the +literal Mount Zion with a literal lamb! + +The song was _new_. It was not peculiar to the Mosaic economy; that, +like it, was to "wax _old_ and vanish away."--(Heb. viii. 13.) No, it +was indited by the Holy Spirit, "to whom all hearts are known, and all +events foreknown." It was a song exactly framed to answer the twofold +end of all inspired songs--to display the glories of the Godhead, and +delineate the workings of grace and corruption with infallible +precision, neither of which can be even successfully imitated by the +best of uninspired men; much less by the licentious debauchees--the +slaves of Antichrist. Moreover, the _order_ of worship, as here +exemplified, merits special attention, The 144,000 perform this solemn +service "before the four beasts, and the elders." The office-bearers, +appointed by the Lamb--the Lord Christ--direct the whole solemnity. +Among this joyful and holy company, there is no hint that any part of +public worship is left to "a vote of the congregation." This "new song" +was unintelligible by the votaries of the beast; nor could they learn it +while in that servile vassalage. They only who were "redeemed from the +earth," as well as "from among men," were capable of learning it. As +this song related to the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and those +who "dwelt on the earth" had transferred their allegiance to Antichrist, +they became thereby incapacitated for learning that song. Alas! how many +complain of the _cloudiness_, the _Jewish peculiarities_, the +_unforgiving, revengeful spirit_ of the inspired Psalms! In their +apprehension, they are "contrary to the spirit of the gospel"--that is, +_the Holy Spirit is contrary to Himself!_ O, the blasphemy! Can such +learn the "new song?" No, indeed, unless they repent and "pray God if +perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them." + + +4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are +virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. +These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and +to the Lamb. + +5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault +before the throne of God. + +Vs. 4, 5.--These 144,000 worshippers are farther distinguished by their +chastity. Betrothed to the Lord Christ from eternity, they were married +to him in time. (Hosea ii. 19, 20; Rom. vii. 4; Cor. xi. 2.) Indeed the +marriage covenant is employed throughout the Bible, to shadow forth the +union between Christ and believers. (See Is. liv. 5; Jer. xxxi. 32; Hos. +ii. 2; Rev. xxi. 2) This analogy pervades the 45th Psalm and the Song of +Solomon. Idolatry is therefore adultery; and superstition, will-worship +and human inventions, as means of grace or of communion with God, are +fornication. (Ezek. xxiii. 27.) Accordingly, the "kings of the earth" +are charged with this crime, (ch. xviii. 3.) Hence, it is plain that +this company with the Lamb are such as do not receive or "teach for +doctrines the commandments of men," nor submit to a "voluntary humility +and worshipping of angels, (Col. ii. 18,) "for they are virgins." (Ps. +xlv. 14.) They are distinguished for "sound doctrine and the power of +godliness." "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second +admonition," they "reject." (Titus iii. 10.) They cannot be indifferent +to truth and error; and they may be known by their love for practical, +but _especially doctrinal_, preaching. They frequent the ministry of +those who "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 +Tim. iv. 13.) + +"These follow the Lamb." (John x. 4, 27.) Next after self-denial, taking +up the cross, becomes the test of discipleship. (Matt. xvi. 24, 25.) +Suffering is the most trying and most difficult part of a Christian's +obedience. But mere suffering for one's religion is no evidence that his +religion is scriptural. Nor is punishment endured for religion +_persecution_; but suffering "for righteousness' sake, or for Christ's +sake," is persecution. And this is what is implied in "following the +Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Not suffering, but the _cause_ for which +he suffers, makes a Christian martyr. All these 144,000 are martyrs in +principle and intention. + +Besides, "these were redeemed (bought) from among men." Purchase +supposes contract,--a price fixed and paid. This ransom is both from +debt and crime,--from bondage, sin and penalty. The Lamb is their +surety. With his blood he "redeemed them to God," (ch. v. 9; 1 Pet. i. +19.) An atonement which _does not reconcile_, a redemption which _does +not save_, must be an atonement and a redemption _without a compact_. +Hence the covenant of grace, and Christ's engagement as surety in that +covenant, determine the _extent_ of the atonement; for _without compact +no sinner could be saved!_ But such is the liberal doctrine of the +boasted Roman Catholic Church, and such the sandy foundation of that +"general and doubtsome faith" which the witnesses renounce. However +numerous these followers of the Lamb may seem to be, they are no more +than "the first fruits." But the first fruits are part of the coming +harvest, and an assured pledge of a larger ingathering. Their numbers +were to be greatly augmented by the Reformation, and still further in +the millennial era. + +"Godly sincerity" is the last quality of these upright ones. They are +"Israelites without guile." Integrity, probity, candor, distinguish them +from the "flocks of the companions" by whom they are surrounded. "As +they think in their heart, so do they express the truth." (Ps. xv. 2; +xii. 2; John i. 47.) They know nothing of the "pious frauds" any more +than the "indulgences" and "supererogations" by which the "man of sin" +sustains his interest. Their being "without fault before the throne of +God," is the highest commendation possible; yet it does not imply +sinless perfection. It speaks their justification by the righteousness +of Christ, and their Christian sincerity, such as God testifies of Job, +(ch. i. 8.) Who would not prefer the society and employments of those +who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion, to dwelling in the tents of +wickedness? Let our delights be with these excellent ones of the earth. + + +6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the +everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to +every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, + +7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the +hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and +earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. + +Vs. 6, 7.--The apostles, Paul and John agree, as already noticed, in +delineating a great defection from the purity and power of Christianity +in "the last days." Paul calls this event "the Apostacy," (2 Thess. ii. +3.) while John designates it "the Antichrist." (1 John ii, 22.) Both +these inspired writers use the Greek article, as may be supposed, to +_emphasize_ that wicked confederacy of Church and State,--a confederacy +of greater extent and longer continuance than any other conspiracy +"against the Lord and his Anointed." Against these the saints of God, +with Messiah at their head, contend for the allotted period of 1260 +years, as we have seen in the three preceding chapters. On their part +the warfare is mostly defensive, and their weapons ordinarily spiritual. +(2 Cor. vi. 6, 7.) + +From the 6th verse to the close of this chapter are presented, under +customary and well-defined symbols, three successive stages of +successful reformation, showing how the "two witnesses" manage their +scriptural and effective testimony against antichristian error and +disorder in organized society. Three mystic "angels" successively +appear, divinely commissioned to execute their respective and appointed +work. These angels have been correctly designated, by judicious +expositors, "angels of revival and reform." To the intelligent Christian +it will be obvious, that without _reform_ there can be no _revival_. The +popular idea of our time connected with the term _revival_, is without +foundation in the Holy Scriptures. It does not mean the regeneration of +a sinner, nor the first work of the Spirit in conviction. It presupposes +the existence of the vital principle, and the bringing of that living +principle into visible activity, (Rom. vii. 9;) and this is equally +true, whether of an individual or moral person. (Ps. lxxxv. 6; Ezek. +xxxvii.) Divine truth and external order are characteristics of a +genuine revival: for nothing but "sound doctrine" can produce "the power +of godliness." The popular commotions and social disorders which +accompany modern revivals, render them highly suspicious, if they do not +demonstrate them to be spurious. It is true, indeed, that passionate +declamation, vociferous assertion of heresy, intensified by theatrical +and violent gesticulation, may commove to a higher degree the active +powers,--the passions of the sinner; but such appliances can generate +only a temporary faith. Such converts, "having no root in themselves, +wither away." (Mark iv. 6.) "God is not the author of confusion, but of +peace, as in all the churches of the saints." So these angels of reform +declare by their ministry. + +The first of these angels is the recognized symbol of a gospel ministry, +(ch. i. 20; ii. 1, 8, 12, etc.) "Heaven" is the visible church general. +"Flying" indicates celerity of motion. This "angel" does not represent +any individual, as Luther; but the _collective body_ of those who carry +the joyful message of "the everlasting gospel." This gospel is +_everlasting_ as distinguished from "another gospel, which is not +another" (Gal. i. 6, 7, 8, 9,)--a spurious, counterfeit, and therefore +ephemeral gospel, invented and propagated by the "man of sin," from the +flood which issued from the mouth of the dragon, (ch. xii. 15) The +gospel preached by this angel is everlasting in its origin and duration. +(Tit. i. 2; John iv. 14; Gal. vi. 8.) This angel's commission is as +extensive as that of the apostles,--"every nation;" his "loud voice" is +expressive of his zeal, energy and authority; the subject matter of his +brief sermon indicates very plainly that the object of his teaching is +to counteract the heresies of the Romish apostacy. "Fear God and give +glory to him,"--not to the Virgin Mary, canonized saints and angels, +images of wood and stone, (ch. ix. 20.) All are solemnly warned to +"abstain from pollutions of idols," and their attention earnestly +directed to their Creator,--to him "who made heaven, and earth, the seas +and fountains of waters." This argument of the angel is very +short,--that He only is to be worshipped who created the universe; but +it is sufficient to "leave all men without excuse who do not glorify him +as God." (Rom. i. 20, 21.) And how much more aggravated is the guilt of +professing Christians! But the "angel" employs another powerful argument +to enforce his teaching,--"The hour of his judgment is come." The final +judgment of the last day is often set before us in the Bible, and it is +so even in this book; but the last judgment cannot be intended here, for +subsequent judgments are to be inflicted according to the messages of +the following angels. + +That Charlemagne should be mistaken for this flying angel betrays an +almost incredible hallucination of the human mind![7] No individual, as +already noticed, much less a successful civil or military tyrant, can be +intended by the Spirit as the herald of the "everlasting gospel!" + +In fact, this "angel" is identical with the "two witnesses," whose +special work is to oppose the great apostacy; and this they do in a +pre-eminent manner by proclaiming the everlasting gospel. For 500 years +those who are known in history by the name of Waldenses, kept the +doctrines and order of the apostles, in a state of separation from the +Church of Rome. In the latter part of the twelfth century their numbers +and influence attracted the notice and brought upon them the wrath of +the "man of sin." In the following ages multitudes of them were +subjected to all the penalties of confiscation, banishment and death. +Like the seed of Abraham in Egypt, however, "the more they were +afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." They revived true +religion in the kingdoms of southern Europe, and it is most probable +that the good seed sown by them reached even to the island of Britain. +John Huss and Jerome, who, by decree of the council of Constance, were +committed to the flames for heresy; and Wishart, in England, whose end +was similar, together with such as co-operated with them and succeeded +them in the same holy warfare, are to be viewed as answering to the +mystic angel. These faithful and dauntless men denounced divine +judgments against all who worshipped graven images, however enjoined by +civil and ecclesiastical authority. For their fidelity to Christ and the +souls of men, they were subjected to the heaviest censures of the +heathenized church, and the severest penalties of a tyrannical +state,--the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea always in unholy +alliance and acting in concert. The ministry of this angel is a +testimony against papal corruptions, such as the worshipping images of +the Creator and creatures, but especially the Pope,--the image of the +Roman emperor. It is a mere fancy to suppose this angel symbolizes +modern missions. The series of the prophecy forbids such an +interpretation. Besides, the idolatry of Rome Christian, is not less +real or gross than the idolatry of pagans, and calls for a more earnest +testimony; and God has never left himself without witnesses against +defection and apostacy. This angel prepares the way for his successor, +who prosecutes the same work with increasing clearness and confidence. + + +8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is +fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine +of the wrath of her fornication. + +V. 8.--"There followed another angel." Some expositors[8] interpret this +angel of Luther, some of Calvin; but no _individual_ is sufficiently +prominent in history to justify the application to him of so striking a +symbol in so concise a prophecy. Such restriction of a symbol to an +individual results from _prelatic_ habits of thought. In the mind of a +prelate the idea of a gospel ministry includes that of a _metropolitan_. +This angel is, in fact, as usual, simply the emblem of the ministry, not +excluding the social body of which they are the official guides. + +This second angel carries forward the reformation effected by his +predecessor, reviving that cause when it began to languish under the +violence of Antichrist. "While the Roman pontiff," says Mosheim, +"slumbered in security at the head of the church, and saw nothing +throughout the vast extent of his domain but tranquillity and +submission, and while the worthy and pious professors of genuine +Christianity almost despaired of seeing that Reformation on which their +most ardent desires and expectations were bent, an obscure and +inconsiderable person arose on a sudden, in the year 1517, and laid the +foundation of the long expected change, by opposing with undaunted +resolution his single force to the torrent of papal ambition and +despotism." That individual was the heroic Luther, whose praise is in +all the churches till the present day. No individual is so famous in the +history of that eventful period as Martin Luther, for recovering the +doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, to the +exclusion of all creature merit. This fundamental principle in the +economy of man's salvation he justly denominated _articulus stantis vel +cadentis ecclesiae_--"the hinge of a standing or falling church." By the +defence and propagation of this doctrine especially, the priestly office +of Christ was vindicated against the dogmas of penance, indulgence and +supererogation, inculcated by the "Man of Sin;" and by consequence, one +of the bulwarks of mystical Babylon effectually demolished. At the +famous Diet of Worms, which, like the Council of Constance, combined the +imperial power of Rome, civil and ecclesiastic, that indomitable servant +of Christ gave a visible demonstration that "the Spirit of the Father" +animated and "spake in him," (Matt. x. 20.) Not less explicit was Luther +on the fundamental doctrine of the divine decrees; which, with other +Arminian dogmas of creature-merit, had been almost universally +propagated and stamped with the pretended infallible authority of Rome. +By the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the +people, the idolatries, impositions and profligacy of the priesthood +were extensively discovered. And after years of deference to +ecclesiastical authority, conditional proposals of submission to the +Pope upon conviction of error in his _theses_, or conscientious belief, +Luther in time arrived at the conclusion that the church of Rome was +irreclaimable, giving publicity to his deep convictions in a treatise +_De Captivitate Babylonica_,--"The Captivity of Babylon." In the 18th +chapter of this book, he discovered that Babylon is doomed to +destruction. He considered the church of Rome as answering to the +prophetic symbol, and of course not to be reformed. It was an obvious +inference--he ought to obey Christ rather than the Pope,--"Come out of +her, my people."--This call was indeed a sufficient warrant to separate +from the Church of Rome; and, acting on it, protestant churches have +ever since been organized: but the type or symbol, Babylon, was +unwarrantably restricted in import, as representing only the Church of +Rome. And it is to be deplored that most protestant expositors continue +to limit the inspired symbol in the same way till the present time. The +literal Babylon, a name common to the ancient city and empire by the +river Euphrates, was in no sense a church; and it would be anomalous and +incongruous to select either city or empire as an _emblem of a church_! +There is, however, in the Apocalypse a combining or blending of symbols +in order clearly and fully to represent a complex moral person. This has +been already exemplified in ch. xiii. 2, where the prominent features of +Daniel's first _three_ beasts, (ch. vii. 4-6,) are combined in John's +_first_ beast of the sea. Just so in this instance. The idolatrous and +tyrannical Roman empire, in alliance with an apostate church, +constitutes mystical Babylon. History demonstrates the fact of their +coalition. The great red dragon, the devil, operates through both during +the allotted period of 1260 years against the witnesses of Christ. +Sometimes, indeed, the nominal church is the more active and visible +instrument, and at other times the state, in opposing Mediatory +authority; and thus Babylon, or one of her streets, which is the +equivalent of a horn of the beast, becomes prominent. This second angel +confidently proclaims,--"Babylon is fallen, is fallen." So said Isaiah +of literal Babylon long before the event; (ch. xxi. 9,) and so said +Jeremiah, (ch. li. 8,) to whose predictions John obviously alludes. All +these three prophets speak in present time of a future event, simply +because of the settled and unalterable purpose of God, acting not +formally as a sovereign, but as a judge. The multiplied and aggravated +crimes of Babylon, literal or mystical Babylon, are the just grounds of +her deserved and awful doom. From ancient times God has declared by his +prophets the things that are not yet done. (Isa. xlvi. 10.) His counsel +stands and he doeth all his pleasure. + +That the mystical Babylon emblematically represented the complex systems +of civil and ecclesiastical corruption and despotism organized in +Christendom, was in some degree understood by the reformers in Europe; +but the work of this second angel was carried on successively by men of +piety and learning, who were eminently qualified for systematically +arranging the doctrines of grace as deduced from the word of God. Their +pious labors we still have in the forms of Bodies of Divinity and +Confessions of Faith, in both which the unscriptural and antiscriptural +dogmas and heresies of Rome are condemned and solidly confuted by the +Scriptures. There is a wonderful "harmony of confessions" framed by +those who separated from the fellowship of the Romish church; which +harmony can be accounted for only by the fact that those who framed them +drew their materials from the Bible. But it was by their public +_covenants especially_, that the reformers lifted a testimony against +the heresies, immoralities and tyrannies of the church of Rome. And +among all the churches of the Reformation, that of Scotland is justly +entitled to the pre-eminence. In no nation or state in Christendom did +the witnesses of Christ,--the second angel, attain so nearly to a +scriptural model of organized society in church and state as in that +land, whose mountains and valleys were "flowered with martyrs" for a +"Covenanted Work of Reformation." As Zuingle the Swiss-reformer excelled +Luther, Calvin and others in Europe in the application of the divine +moral law, as revealed in Scriptures, to civil society, so John Knox in +Scotland was equally clear, that royal personages are amenable to the +body politic, and both to the Mediator. + +_We are now_ under the ministry of this _second_ "angel." The revival +effected by the first angel had greatly declined before the second made +his appearance; and all persons of intelligence and spiritual +discernment in our day, lament the visible decline in practical +godliness, arising from indifference to divine truth. Most professing +Christians, including the descendants of the martyrs, are "willingly +ignorant" of the attainments and sufferings of their illustrious +predecessors. The work of reformation to be accomplished by the second +angel, we suppose to have been completed about the middle of the +seventeenth century. Since that period his work appears from history to +consist in testifying against defection from the reformation which had +been reached. The "great city" is to fall "because she made all nations +drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She is "spiritually +called Sodom and Egypt," neither of which was a church any more than +Babylon. These were all heathen communities, never _married_ to the +Lord; therefore Babylon is not here charged as an adulteress, but with +_fornication_. The nations are her paramours. Her wine is intoxicating. +It deranges the intellect and stupifies the conscience. Will any +reasoning prevail with a drunken man? An active politician is +proverbially unscrupulous, and proof against the law of God. There is, +however, "wrath" in this cup. Those who refuse to "kiss the Son" must +feel the weight of his iron rod. (Ps. ii. 9, 12; lxxv. 8.) + +The "little book" introduced at the 10th chapter, is included in the +first 13 verses of the 11th chapter, which comprehends a concise history +of the 1260 years, as we have seen. At the 15th verse, the seventh and +last trumpet is sounded which introduces the millennium and gives a +brief outline of events till the end of the world. Then the three +following chapters give in detail the events prior to the millennium, a +commentary, as it were, on the "little book," but resuming a narrative +of the sealed book's contents, which had been suspended at the end of +the 9th chapter. There, as we have seen, the first and second +woe-trumpets left the population of the Roman church and empire still in +rebellion:--"They repented not."--Hence it is apparent that the work of +these symbolic angels consists in opposing the antichristian systems of +organized society during the period of the fifth and sixth trumpets. +This they do partly by declaring the truth as it is in Jesus, and partly +by denouncing divine judgments on the impenitent. The first angel, by +proclaiming the "everlasting gospel," called upon men to "fear God and +give glory to him," and not to idols,--threatening "coming judgment." +The great majority of those addressed, however, disregarding alike his +loving instructions and faithful warnings, must hear from the second +angel that the judgment threatened by his predecessor, is now +imminent:--"Babylon is fallen," etc. Notwithstanding the faithful and +earnest contendings of the Waldenses, Bohemians and others on the +continent of Europe, seconded by the Lollards in England, so far were +the votaries of Antichrist from repenting of their idolatry and +profligacy, that they became more and more exasperated against those +witnesses who tormented them, and attempted to silence their testimony +by committing their leaders to the flames. Hence the second angel's +ministry consists more in denouncing judgment than in offering mercy to +the penitent; and the history of the struggles in Europe and the British +Isles between Christ's witnesses and the Roman Antichrist in the 16th +and 17th centuries, demonstrates the awful fact that they, with great +and wonderful unanimity, judged the church of Rome at least, utterly +irreclaimable. Of this united judgment the Confessions of those +reformers are at this day a standing evidence. But chief among the +churches and nations of Christendom stands Scotland, as well before as +after her appearance, by her famous Commissioners, in the Westminster +Assembly of Divines. In her full and free Assembly, and by her national +representatives, sustained by all their pious constituency, she uttered +those memorable words,--"We abhor and detest ... chiefly all kind of +Papistry in general and particular heads, even as they are damned +(_condemned_) and _confuted_ by the word of God and Kirk of Scotland." +Perhaps this is the only instance hitherto within the 1260 years, where +a _whole church_ and _nation_, under the awful sanction of a _solemn +oath_, has pronounced a judicial sentence of condemnation upon the +church of Rome. Thus with confidence did those noble witnesses pronounce +the anticipated doom of the mystic Babylon. But alas! may we not adopt +and apply now (1870,) the language of the weeping prophet?--"How is she +become a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among +the provinces!" + +As declension among those who had protested against the corruptions of +Antichrist, under the ministry of the first angel of reform, together +with the continued impenitence of the multitude who still wondered after +the beast, called for the appearance of the second angel of revival, so +the moral condition of the world called for the work of his successor. +In the mean time, living as we now are, within the period allotted in +prophecy and in history to the ministry of the second angel of revival +and reform, it is but too evident that there is a great and increasing +decline among the best reformed churches. Many of the Protestant +ministry, especially of the prelatic order, are posting back to Rome; +and the growing ritualism, with its gaudy and splendid "attire of a +harlot," which characterizes others, plainly indicates their tendency in +the same direction. And even those other denominations, which are not +yet prepared to adopt that "blasphemous hierarchy," are visibly +departing from the soundness in doctrine and purity of gospel worship +which constituted the chief glory of the Second Reformation. These are +the baleful effects of the dragon's influence "on the earth," (ch. xii. +13, 15.) Besides, nearly all ecclesiastical bodies are yet in cordial +alliance with the beast of the sea; and this alliance is the Antichrist. +The Pope is now nearly divested of his former civil supremacy, and in +this respect become less the express image of the imperial beast of the +sea, (ch. xiii. 14;) yet the leaven of the Romish religion pervades all +the Christian community, so far as allegiance to the beast or his horns +is either enjoined or tolerated. This usurpation of the royal +prerogatives of Christ over the churches and nations in the eastern +hemisphere by the kings of the earth, and a similar usurpation in the +western hemisphere, whether by individual despots or by the body +politic, is the _great crime_ which fills the measure of the cup of +wrath, to be poured out of the "seven vials." While such is the moral +condition of society in all lands favored with a revelation of the will +of God,--visited with judgments, continuing impenitent and guilt +augmenting, what is to be expected but heavier judgments to follow? + + +9. And the third angel followed them, saying, with a loud voice, If any +man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his +forehead, or in his hand, + +10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is +poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall +be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, +and in the presence of the Lamb: + +11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and +they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, +and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. + +Vs. 9-11.--"And the third angel followed." The two preceding angels +addressed _communities_, calling them to repentance and reformation. +Indeed, the language of the second implies little or no hope of their +recovery. This third angel, "following" up the scriptural testimony of +those who went before, and assuming that church and state,--the +essential elements of the antichristian system,--continue irreclaimable, +addresses his message to _individuals_. This angel is the last that the +Lord Jesus will employ to awaken sinners that "are at ease in Zion." His +ministry is yet future, and he will never be succeeded by an angel of +mercy until mystical Babylon is overthrown. The special, arduous and +perilous work of this angel is, to threaten eternal death against every +individual who persists in the hitherto popular idolatry. "If any man +worship the beast."--Up to the time of this angel's appearance the beast +lives and devours his prey: consequently, his work comes within the +period of the 1260 years. During this limited time, there will be found +in the Apocalypse _three objects_ of popular devotion,--the dragon, (ch. +xiii. 4,) the _beast_, and his _image_, (v. 15.) In this place the +dragon is omitted, as also in ch. xv. 2; xx. 4. We may ask, why the +omission?--Simply because "the things which the _Gentiles_ sacrifice, +they sacrifice to devils, and not to God," (1 Cor. x. 20;) consequently, +these worshippers being _Gentiles_, (ch. xi. 2,) there is no necessity +that the dragon (the devil) should be particularized. From the first +rise of the beast, he was in alliance with the dragon, (ch. xiii. 2, 3;) +therefore both are doomed to perdition, (ch. xx. 10.) Most expositors +consider this angel as emblematical of events already past; the +reformation effected by Luther, his coadjutors and successors, or the +church of England![9] Their error consists in viewing the beast as the +symbol of the church of Rome. And it is remarkable, that through the +power of local and political bias, those commentators who themselves +perceive that the beast of the sea in chapter xiii. 1, symbolizes the +Roman _empire_, lose sight of their _own exposition_ when they arrive at +the place before us! And of this bias and inconsistency they seem to be +wholly unconscious! No, there has never yet appeared in the symbolic +heaven a minister or ecclesiastical organization, which has +authoritatively denounced everlasting punishment against all who +"receive the mark of the beast." It is to be noticed here that the sins +charged are _cumulative_, not _distributive_. Guilt is contracted as +here charged, by "worshipping the beast and his image, and receiving his +mark." If the beast signify immoral civil power, and his image signify +the Papacy, as we have seen they do, then it follows that worshipping +both, and receiving the mark of the former, constitute the special guilt +here charged by the angel: that is, eulogizing, praising, and actively +co-operating with civil and ecclesiastical society, at war with the +Bible--in organized hostility to the Lord and his Anointed. (Ps. ii. 9.) +"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth +mischief by a law?" (Ps. xciv. 20.) But during the 1260 years, the +secular imperial beast consists of "kingdoms of this world" in alliance +with the beast of the earth, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And as both are for +their crimes consigned to utter destruction, so in the time of the +"third angel," every individual is threatened with everlasting +punishment, who identifies with them. "No _temporal_ judgments on +_collective_ bodies can be the fulfilment of this awful denunciation, +which evidently relates to _individuals_, and to each individual who is +guilty; and if words can convey the idea of eternal punishment, it is +here denounced."[10] The words in the original, translated "for ever and +ever," (v. 11,) are the strongest in the Greek language to signify +eternity, and are not susceptible of any other meaning. + +As already intimated, the special mission and awful message of this +angel is yet future; but the testimony of his predecessor will have made +the tyranny, idolatry, immorality and profligacy of civil despots and +mercenary ministers so palpable and glaring, that the vengeance of the +Lord proclaimed by the last messenger will appear to be just. In this +way the "two witnesses smite the earth with all plagues," (ch. xi. 6;) +for they are identical with the "third angel," and have an active agency +in the work of judgment to be executed upon the antichristian enemies, +(ch. xv. 7.) And "who knows the power of that wrath which is poured out +without mixture into the cup of Jehovah's indignation?" In temporal +judgments there may be a mixture of mercy; but there is no such element +in the cup of the impenitent votaries of mystic Babylon. "Holy angels" +look on without sympathy for her agonies, while the Lamb inflicts the +tremendous penalty of her complicated and long-continued crimes. "_He_ +shall be tormented--_their_ torment:"--individuals found guilty of +complicity with Babylon, will be bound up into bundles as fuel for that +fire and brimstone, whose "smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever." "They +have no rest day nor night who worship the beast,"--no mitigation of +their sufferings. They are doomed to dwell "with everlasting burnings." +(Is. xxxiii. 14.) Such are the denunciations which the "third angel" is +commissioned to proclaim in the ears of men, either to bring them to +repentance, or to justify the Lamb in punishing their impenitent +disobedience. Now "every one who is acquainted with the writings of the +reformers and their successors, knows that they generally declared, +without hesitation, that popery is a damnable religion."[11] Popery, +however, is the religion which has corrupted states and churches +throughout the world; and therefore future reformers will not hesitate +to join civil states with her in their testimony and prayers, +saying,--"The wicked shall be turned into hell, _and all the nations_ +that forget God. Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that have not known +thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name; for they +have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place." (Psa. ix. 17; +lxxix. 6, 7.) + + +12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. + +13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are +the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, +that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. + +Vs. 12, 13.--The faithful and pointed testimony of the "third angel" of +reform against the organized enemies of God in church and state, instead +of producing repentance, tends only to provoke them to greater rage +against those who thus awaken their consciences and disturb their sinful +repose. The fires of persecution are again kindled, and the witnesses +are subjected to the anathemas of the church and the sword of the civil +magistrate,--the cruelty of the two beasts. It is therefore +added,--"Here is the patience of the saints." The events predicted here +agree in time with ch. xiii. 10; and the subjects of persecution are the +same moral person in their legitimate successors who appeared in ch. +xii. 17. They "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," +while the multitude "obey unrighteousness, receiving for doctrines the +commandments of men." + +To animate these sufferers who are in "jeopardy every hour" and who have +the sentence of death as outlaws, pronounced against them by Antichrist, +John "heard a voice from heaven," directing him to write,--"Blessed are +the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth."--To "die in the +Lord,"--means, in the faith and hope of the gospel, relieved by the +"witness of the Spirit" from the overwhelming fears of the pains of +_purgatory_. Both negatively and positively, this angel testifies +against the antichristian dogma of purgatory. He declares that the +torments of the wicked continue "for ever and ever," while the righteous +who die in the Lord, "cease from their labours."--No stronger testimony +can be conceived against the more gross papal heresy, or the more modern +and so called philosophical delusions of Universalists, Socinians and +others,--all of whom are the offspring of the "mother of harlots." But +besides the voice from heaven, and the concurrent witness of the Spirit, +against the papal dogma of purgatory, the "rest" here proclaimed for the +comfort of martyred saints, may be also understood as a termination to +their sharp conflicts with Antichrist. "_Henceforth_ they rest from +their labours,"--they shall never again be called to "resist unto blood, +striving against sin," as heretofore, by the combined opposition of the +"beast and false prophet," organized tyranny and idolatry. The ministry +of the "third angel," cotemporary with the "seventh trumpet,"--the third +and last "woe," prepares society throughout Christendom for entering +into the millennial rest. + + +14. And I looked, and, behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat +like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his +hand a sharp sickle. + +15. And another came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him +that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is +come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe. + +16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and +the earth was reaped. + +Vs. 14-16.--The gathering in of the harvest is sometimes emblematical of +mercy,--as when the believer is gathered to his fathers by death. His +sanctification being completed, he is taken home "as a shock of corn +ripe in his season." Reaping and threshing, however, are most frequently +symbolical of divine judgments, (Jer. li. 33;) and the apostle refers +here to the same event which the Lord foretold by the mouth of other +prophets. (Joel iii. 13-17; Micah iv. 12, 13.) This harvest is +emblematical of divine judgment on the nations of apostate Christendom. +He who executes the judgment is one like the Son of man, the Lord +Christ. Enthroned on a "white cloud" as his chariot, and having on his +royal "head a golden crown," the symbol of sovereignty, at the +solicitation, the loud cry of the symbolic angel,--a gospel ministry, he +"thrusts in his "sharp sickle," the emblem of avenging justice, and with +infinite ease, "the earth is reaped." This work of punishing guilty +_nations_ is not so proper to the ministry, the functions of whose +office are of a spiritual nature; yet are they active in a way competent +to them, calling upon the "Lord of the harvest" to reap. They judge of +the signs of the times. Such is part of their appropriate work. Thus +they say,--"The time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the +earth is ripe." The Lord Jesus appeared in royal majesty to John, as he +had appeared to Ezekiel, (ch. i. 26;) and to Daniel, (ch. vii. 13.) The +cloud on which he sat had a bright side towards his saints, but to his +enemies a dark side, as at the Red Sea. (Ex. xiv. 19, 20.) + +The two judgments of the _harvest_ and _vintage_, are obviously an +allusion to a natural order in the climate of Judea. Not only did the +barley and wheat-harvest precede the time of gathering grapes, but some +space elapsed between these labors of the husbandman. The usual order is +observed here. + + +17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also +having a sharp sickle. + +18. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over +fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, +saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine +of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. + +19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the +vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of +God. + +20. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out +of the wine-press even unto the horse-bridles, by the space of a +thousand and six hundred furlongs. + +Vs. 17-20.--As the ministry of the "third angel," (v. 9,) was final, as +to pronouncing the deserved doom of all the adherents of the +antichristian system, so in the symbols of the _harvest_ and _vintage_, +we have the execution of that sentence exhibited. The nations of +Christendom, having drunk the wine of the mother of harlots, and of her +daughters too, and having exhausted the patience of the Lord Jesus, +refusing to repent, while he warned them by his servants the three +angels of reform,--"rising early and sending them," were at length +"ripe" for his sharp sickle. Long had he expostulated with them, saying +to them, while addressing his church,--"The nation and kingdom that will +not serve thee (O Zion,) shall perish; yea, those nations shall be +utterly wasted." (Isa. lx. 12.)--The desolating judgments of the +reigning Mediator, having brought those nations to "hate the whore," +they become the willing and zealous agents of her destruction, as +appears, (ch. xvii. 16.) + +The "gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth,"--is a concise +emblematical representation of that tremendous work of punishing the +apostate church, to be exhibited in greater detail in the following +chapters. + +The "angel coming out of the temple,"--represents the gospel ministry as +usual. His "having a sharp sickle" may import his more immediate agency +in this than in the preceding work of the harvest." Christ himself +judged the nations,--had the "sharp sickle;" but in reckoning with +impenitent ecclesiastical communities, he will honor his faithful +servants. As in "measuring the temple,"--the Mediator held the +instrument in his own hand under the Old Testament, (Zech. ii. 1,) but +under the New Testament gave it into the hand of John, the +representative of a gospel ministry, (ch. xi. 1,) so that transaction +may illustrate the symbols here. + +The other angel "coming from the altar, who had power over fire," is +also symbolical of the ministry. The sickle in the hand of the former +angel, is for gathering the grapes; while the connexion of the latter +angel with the "altar," imports that a sacrifice is about to be offered, +as customary, to appease divine justice.--The "vine of the earth" is +plainly contrasted with the true vine. (Ps. lxxx. 1; Jer. ii. 21.) This +is a vine of Sodom with clusters of Gomorrah, (ch. xi. 8; Deut. xxxii. +32, 33.) It is the symbol of an apostate church, the chief heresy of +which is a practical rejection of the atonement of Christ; for it is +certain that vindictive justice is an attribute of God, and that he will +demand satisfaction from those impenitent sinners who despise his mercy +in the gospel offer, and "tread under foot the blood of the covenant +wherewith Christ was sanctified." (Heb. x. 29.) A heavier doom awaits +all such than to "die without mercy," which was the penalty for those +who "despised Moses' law." No sacrifice is appointed for the man or the +church that sins presumptuously. (Num. xv. 30, 31.) To all such, "_our_ +God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.)--The one angel calls upon the +other,--encourages his companion, to execute the judgment of God. +"Thrust in thy sharp sickle."--Under the superintendence of the +Mediator, his servants by their prayers and their sermons have an active +part in this work of judgment. From the mouth of the witnesses proceeded +fire to devour their enemies, (ch. xi. 5.) This is the last work of +judgment in which they will be honoured. Joining their victorious +predecessors who overcame the antichristian combinations "by the blood +of the Lamb and the word of their testimony," (chs. vi. 9, 10; xii. 11,) +these undaunted servants of the Lord are honored by him as instrumental +in the infliction of the final judgments symbolized by the seventh +trumpet and the seventh vial,--the third and _last woe_.--The +"wine-press" is the symbol of the "wrath of God," and its location +"without the city," denotes that the churches of the apostacy are +excommunicated,--"reprobate silver, because the Lord hath rejected +them." + +We are not told here by whom the grapes are trodden; but this is the +work of the Lord Jesus himself, who in the days of his flesh on earth +forewarned his impenitent foes that he would thus deal with them in his +wrath. "Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over +them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke xix. 27; Isa. lxiii. +3; Rev. xix. 15.)--The blood in depth is to the "horse-bridles," and in +extent "a thousand and six hundred furlongs,"--200 miles! Although this +language is hyperbolical, it is intended to signify "a time of trouble, +such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and +at that same time God's people shall be delivered, every one that shall +be found written in the book." (Dan. xii. 1; Rev. xiii. 8.)--Thus it +appears that church and state, having combined in the antichristian +apostacy, are severally visited with the unmingled wine of the wrath of +God. All the saints shall have obeyed the call,--"Come out of her, my +people;" and mystic Babylon shall then be utterly destroyed. Whether +Palestine, the Pope's patrimony, or some other territory be understood +by the "1600 furlongs," is matter of vague conjecture by all expositors, +and is to be verified only by the fulfilment of the prediction. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +This chapter introduces the third and last series of symbols under which +the prospective history of the church militant is given, to strengthen +the faith and animate the hopes of her suffering and heroic children. +The warfare of the witnesses for the crown rights of Immanuel, which +have been usurped by his enemies, has been symbolized under the seals, +(chs. vi.-ix.,) and under the trumpets, (chs. xi. xii.;) and the +symbolic narrative is yet under the vials to be greatly amplified, +especially their last and greatest conflict, briefly represented in the +latter part of the preceding chapter, (vs. 9-18.) Whether or not the +vials, to which this fifteenth chapter is introductory, be all +comprehended under the _seventh trumpet_, as the trumpets are all +comprehended under the _seventh seal_, is a question upon which +respectable expositors differ. It is indeed obvious that the breaking of +the last seal, lays open the whole of the book, consequently the angels +holding the vials would come into view. John, however, is obliged to +"write" _consecutively_ some visions which he saw as it were at _one +view_. Thus he was "about to write what the seven thunders uttered," +(ch. x. 4,) but was prohibited. That was not the proper time or place; +but it is there intimated, (v. 7,) that "in the days of the voice of the +seventh angel," the import of the "seven thunders" would be disclosed. +Then would the "mystery of God be finished, as he had declared to his +servants the prophets." (Joel iii. 2, 12, 13; Micah iv. 3; Zech. xii. +2-4; 2 Thess. ii. 8.) Some of the most learned and sober divines, who +wrote on the Apocalypse during the peninsular war waged by the first +Napolean, contemplating the anarchical and bloody scenes of the French +Revolution, and the subsequent tyranny and blood connected with the +successful wars of the Gallic usurper, thought they heard in the +commotions of European nations the sound of the seventh trumpet, and saw +the plagues inflicted as symbolized by the vials. And thus it is that +local events, which excite the political feelings, the prejudices and +partialities of even good men, are hastily interpreted as a fulfilment +of prophecy. It does not appear, however, that those events were either +of sufficient magnitude or geographical extent to answer the tremendous +symbols of either _harvest_ or _vintage_. Did the French revolution, the +American revolution, or the wars of Napolean First, influence the +civilized world or affect the church of God, as Popery and Mahometanism +have done? No, the comparison is preposterous. Hence it is most probable +that Christendom has not yet heard the alarming sound of the seventh +trumpet. + + +1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels +having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of +God. + +V. 1.--"Another sign in heaven."--All the visions were seen by the +apostle in the same place, (ch. i. 1; xii. 1.) The word translated +"sign" here is the same as "wonder" in the twelfth chapter, which for +greater clearness to the English reader ought to have been rendered by +the same word.--The symbol or sign consists of "seven angels having the +seven last plagues,"--the _last_ to be inflicted on the Antichrist, but +not absolutely the last penal inflictions on the enemies of God; for +"Gog and Magog" are in like manner to be destroyed, and there is +_eternal_ wrath. + +Upon the "Lamb's taking the book," and before he had opened the first +seal, songs of joy burst forth from saints and angels, (ch. v. 8, 9.) So +it is here. Before the angels proceed to execute their commission, the +redeemed of the Lord, anticipating the effects of these judgments, give +expression to their joy. + + +2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that +had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his +mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having +the harps of God. + +3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of +the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, +just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! + +4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only +art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy +judgments are made manifest. + +Vs. 2-4.--The "sea of glass," or transparent sea, (as in ch. iv. 6,) +refers us to the brazen sea before the throne of God in the temple. In +this sea the priests were to wash themselves, (Exod. xxx. 18, 19,) and +in water drawn from it the sacrifices were to be washed also. (Lev. i. +9, 13.) + +As the brazen sea typified the blood of Christ, that "fountain opened +for sin and for uncleanness," (Zech. xiii. 1,) so this "sea of glass" is +the symbol of the same thing; for the Lord washes away the filth of the +daughters of Zion, and purges the blood of Jerusalem from the midst +thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isa. +iv. 4.) This happy company were victorious by the blood of the Lamb, +"over the beast, his image, his name and number;" having clean escaped +from them who live in error, both in civil and ecclesiastical relations. +Holding the eucharistic "harps of God," they are the same company as +those on Mount Zion with the Lamb, (ch. xiv. 1, 2.) There, their song +was called _new_; here it is more fully described. There it was said, +"no man could learn that song" but themselves, here we have the matter +of the song epitomised. It is constructed of two parts, "the song of +Moses and the song of the Lamb." As the children of Israel at the Red +Sea celebrated the praises of God's justice in the overthrow of their +enemies the Egyptians, so do these with united voice express their +admiration and praise in anticipation of the final and awful end of +these cruel, idolatrous and persecuting mystical Egyptians, (ch. xi. 8,) +"saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and +true are thy ways, thou King of saints." They do also declare their +faith in the universal dominion of their King; that "all nations shall +come and worship before him." And to this day none but the witnesses are +prepared either with intelligence or affection to "learn" or use this +song. We have the subject matter of both parts of this triumphant song, +framed by the Holy Spirit and incorporated in the Book of Psalms, (as +Ps. ii. 8; xviii. 37-45; xlv. 3-6; cx. 1, etc.) The fortunes of God's +covenant people till the ingathering of the Jews, with the fulness of +the Gentiles, may be found in Moses' song, (Deut. xxxii. 1-43,) and the +"song of the Lamb" is found in chapter v. 9-13. + + +5. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of +the testimony in heaven was opened: + +6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven +plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts +girded with golden girdles. + +Vs. 5, 6.--John looked again, and saw the "temple opened," that the +seven angels might have egress to enter upon their heavenly mission. +Their clothing resembled the garments of the priests under the law, +"white linen and golden girdles," representing the holiness or moral +purity of their work. They shed the blood of the victim, so to speak, +without soiling their garments; but the Lord Jesus, whose work of +judgment this is, "stains all his raiment," (Isa. lxiii. 3,) "for the +day of vengeance is in his heart," (v. 4.) + + +7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden +vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. + +V. 7.--"One of the four beasts,"--_animals_, the symbol of the gospel +ministry, as we found, (ch. iv. 6.) Not all the ministry were employed +in this action, but _one_ only. That is, some few, a fractional part, +possessing more insight into the "sure word of prophecy," and endowed +with larger measure of heroic spirit by the Lord Jesus, co-operated with +holy angels in this work of judgment. "He gave the vials into the hand +of the angels." By their preaching, their prayers and their example, +faithful ministers, unseduced by the blandishments of corrupt power, and +undismayed by the bloody edicts of the beast,--"in nothing terrified by +their adversaries," denounce the judgments represented by these vials, +upon the impenitent enemies of the Lord and his Anointed. For an +illustration of this symbolic action of giving the vials of divine wrath +to the appointed agents, reference may be had to Jer. xxv. 15-26; li. 7. + + +8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from +his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven +plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. + +Vs. 8.--"The temple filled with smoke," represents the darkness of these +dispensations, the horror and dismay which seizes upon the votaries of +Antichrist. But during the time of executing these judgments, the +progress of the gospel will be retarded,--"no man being able to enter +into the temple." It is intimated, moreover, that these judgments will, +as it were, clear away the "smoke," and render the temple once more +luminous. So we may conclude by comparing the 4th and 8th verses. In the +4th verse the witnesses declare their faith thus,--"All nations shall +come and worship before thee." But this is a description of the +millennial state of the world. (Ps. lxxii. 11.) + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +All preliminaries being now arranged, the seven angels receive their +commission by a "great voice out of the temple." It is the "voice of the +Lord, full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4.)--As the _seals_ and _trumpets_ +were not coincident, but successive, so it is doubtless with the +_vials_. No two begin to be poured out at the same time. One follows +another in orderly succession. + +Several questions of difficult solution, arise in the minds of devout +and humble students of the Apocalypse, respecting the series of the +vials. Are the vials cotemporary with the trumpets? Seeing that the +seventh seal included all the trumpets, does analogy require that all +the vials be comprehended under the seventh or last trumpet? Or, do the +seven vials come under the last three trumpets, distinguished as they +are by the character of woe-trumpets? (ch. viii. 13.) Other questions +may here be propounded; but these seem to be the most obvious and +important, in fixing the time of the events predicted. + +The breaking of the seventh seal unquestionably laid open the whole of +the book, including all the trumpets and vials,--all future events till +the end of the world; but it does not follow, for instance, that the +awful scene of the final judgment is to be cotemporary with any of the +trumpets, (ch. xx. 11, 12.) The seventh seal, therefore, discloses +important events, which are to come to pass subsequently to both +trumpets and vials. The fact that both trumpets and vials are disclosed +by the opening of the last seal, admits of their being cotemporaneous. + +From the striking resemblance between the effects of the trumpets and +those of the vials, (ch. viii. 7-12; xvi. 2-12,) they might seem to be +cotemporary. This, however, is not the case, for the objects of the +judgments are different, that of the trumpets being more formally the +civil empire, while that of the vials is the ecclesiastical empire; +each, however, greatly affecting the other, because of their unholy +union against the cause of Christ. Perhaps it may be most consonant to +the mind of the Spirit to view the vials as agreeing in time with the +three woe-trumpets. Keeping in view the definite period of Antichrist's +domination in church and state, 1260 years, and the probability of its +drawing to a close, the remaining part would seem too short for the +period of the vials. As the series of the vials, like those which in +vision preceded them, is successive, the application of them all to the +French Revolution is simply preposterous.[12] That event answered not to +the symbol either in extent or duration. Nor indeed is there +satisfactory evidence in the actual condition of the Christian world, +notwithstanding the fond imagination of learned and good men, that the +voice of the seventh angel has yet been heard by Christendom. + + +1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven +angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon +the earth. + +V. 1.--"Earth" has here the usual meaning,--the whole territory and +population of the Roman empire, those only and always exempted, who are +true to the cause of Immanuel. The angels of destruction cannot hurt +those who are under the protection of his blood. (Exod. xii. 23.) They +may not "come near any man upon whom is the mark." (Ezek. ix. 6; Rev. +xiv. 1.) + + +2. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there +fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the +beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. + +3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became +as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. + +4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains +of waters; and they became blood. + +5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, +which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus: + +6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast +given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. + +7. And I heard another out of altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, +true and righteous are thy judgments. + +Vs. 2-7.--"And the first went."--However disagreeable the service, as we +are ready to suppose, this holy agent at once obeys the divine command. +The best of men hesitate and remonstrate when called to difficult and +disagreeable work. So it was with Moses, and with Jeremiah. (Exod. iv. +10; Jer. i. 6.) But all these heavenly messengers in succession, execute +their respective tasks without gainsaying. It is the will of our common +Lord that his disciples should emulate their example, that they should +"know, obey and submit to his will in all things as the angels do in +heaven." (Ps. ciii. 20, 21.)--The judgments upon the antichristian +enemies which have been briefly represented in the close of the 14th +chapter by a _harvest_ and _vintage_, are in this chapter more +extensively exhibited by the seven vials. A resemblance to the first +four trumpets may be observed in the effects of the first four vials, +and besides, these plagues resemble those inflicted on Egypt. If by her +crimes, especially by idolatry and cruelty to the people of God papal +Rome has copied the manners of Egypt and Babylon, it is but just that +she should be visited with like punishment.--The first vial selects as +victims those who "had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image;" +and this is true of the succeeding plagues, although the fact be not +repeated. The object of this vial is the "earth" in a more restricted +sense than in the first verse. The "earth" in the first verse comprises +all the parts of a system, "earth, sea, fountains, sun and air," +mentioned in the following verses.--The "noisome and grievous sore," +refers to one of the plagues of Egypt. (Exod. ix. 9-11.) The _earth_ was +the object affected also by the first trumpet; (ch. viii. 7;) but as +Antichrist had not then arisen, this plague cannot agree in time with +the first trumpet, though it might with the fifth or sixth trumpet; for +while these trumpets were demolishing the eastern member of the Roman +empire, making way for the development of Mahomet's imposture, the +"little horn" of Daniel, and Paul's "man of sin," was revealed in the +west. But the "two witnesses" were coincident in origin with Antichrist, +and were empowered by the Lord Christ "to smite the earth with all +plagues as often as they would," (ch. xi. 6.) The "grievous sore" is to +be understood metaphorically, not literally; for so the construction of +the Apocalypse requires. It may import the festering of unmortified +corruption among the votaries of Antichrist, intensified by the faithful +application of the divine law by the witnesses.--The object of the +second vial is the "sea," the same as that of the second trumpet, (ch. +viii. 8, 9.) The allusion is to Exod. vii. 20, 21. Intestine commotions, +with war, blood and death, seem to be symbolized. The horns of the beast +were often turned against one another; for the bestial kingdom was +"partly broken." The toes in Nebuchadnezzar's image did not "cleave one +to another." (Dan. ii. 42, 43.)--The object of the third vial is the +"rivers and fountains of waters," (ch. viii. 10; Exodus vii. 19.) These +symbols may signify the several kingdoms of the empire, tributary by +their wealth and traffic to the great city. And as the witnesses +continued to prophesy, giving increased point and publicity to their +testimony, and as the Turks were making encroachments upon the +territories of nominal Christian princes in the west, extensive wars and +great slaughter were the results. These awful judgments are followed by +the plaudits of two angels. The eternal Jehovah is recognized as the +Author of these judgments. The Mediator may here be understood, (ch. i. +8;) (John v. 22, 27.) The "angel of the waters" may be the same who +poured out the vial. He gives to the Lord the glory of his +justice:--"Thou art righteous." He also approves the "law of +retaliation:"--"For they are worthy." The other angel "out of the altar" +speaks on behalf of the martyrs, (ch. vi. 9, 10,) recognizing the +faithfulness of God:--"True and righteous are thy judgments." + + +8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was +given unto him to scorch men with fire. + +9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of +God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repented not to give +him glory. + +Vs. 8,9.--The object of the fourth vial is the "sun," (ch. viii. 12.) +"Power was given him,"--the angel. The two witnesses are represented as +armed with "fire, which proceedeth out of their mouth, devouring their +enemies," (ch. xi. 5.) As the formal object of all the vials is the +ecclesiastical, rather than the civil empire, and the sun is the symbol +of the chief dignitary, perhaps this vial strikes more directly upon the +"man of sin." The expression in the introduction to the vials, (ch. xv. +4,)--"thou only art holy," seems to be a testimony against the +antichristian "name of blasphemy,"--"His Holiness." By the Reformation, +symbolized by successive angels of the fourteenth chapter, those valiant +men tormented the Pope and his vassals, so that they raged and +blasphemed more and more, but "repented not to give God the glory." So +it was at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) + + +10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; +and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for +pain, + +11. And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their +sores, and repented not of their deeds. + +Vs. 10, 11.--"The seat of the beast" is the object of the fifth vial. +The "beast" is all along from chapter xi. 7, the Roman empire. The +"image of the beast," we have found to be the papacy, (ch. xiii. 14, +15.) Now the "seat (throne) of the beast," would seem to point to the +metropolis, where the Pope, as a kind of imperial, +politico-ecclesiastical head, keeps his court, and whence decrees are +issued. This plague is like the ninth inflicted upon Egypt, (Exod. x. +21.) It was the last but one, and left Pharaoh still impenitent. Just so +here; although this vial is the last but one to be poured out on the +western limb of the great antichristian conspiracy: the population of +the spiritual empire repress their complaints before men,--"they gnawed +their tongues for pain;" while they in their hearts "curse their king +and their God, and look upward." (Is. viii. 21.) This may be understood +to be the actual condition of the Pope and his retainers at the present +time, and especially since the year 1848, when he was forced to flee +from Rome. _Darkness_ is the emblem of distress, of mental despair, (Ps. +xxxv. 8; Is. viii. 22;) and the actual relation of European powers to +the see of Rome,--Austria, France, Spain, and the Italian states, is not +calculated to mitigate, but rather to augment and irritate the "pains +and the sores" inflicted by this and former vials. + +We can, however, offer only conjectures here, and dare not be too +confident; for learned and pious expositors are of the opinion that all +the vials are comprehended under the seventh trumpet; that the seventh +trumpet has not yet begun to sound; and consequently, that the vials are +all future. On the other hand, equally learned and godly interpreters of +these Apocalyptic hieroglyphics, are very confident that the _sixth_ +vial is in process of pouring out in our present time; and that in fact +its effects are obviously traceable in providence. Already we have +indicated our humble opinion, that all the vials are not necessarily +comprehended under the seventh trumpet; inasmuch as the opening of the +last seal disclosed equally trumpets and vials: yet doubtless it is +requisite that the series of the trumpets should precede that of the +vials, while nothing hinders that of both series should cotemporate. We +may conceive that as the first four trumpets demolished the western +member of the Roman empire, and the next two the eastern limb, so the +vials may be distributed in a manner somewhat similar. The second woe, +or sixth trumpet, has not yet finished its appropriate work in the final +subversion of the Turkish empire, which still exists; and during the +time of its last echoes, the vials may be supposed to be accomplishing +their appropriate work upon the western empire, as being "wholly given +to idolatry." While the first five vials are consuming the Antichrist in +the west, the sixth is operating in the east. + + +12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river +Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings +of the east might be prepared. + +13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of +the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of +the false prophet. + +14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth +unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to +the battle of that great day of God Almighty. + +15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth +his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. + +16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew +tongue Armageddon. + +Vs. 12-16.--"The great river Euphrates" is the object of the sixth vial. +By the very general consent of expositors the Turkish empire is intended +by this symbol; and they seem to be equally agreed that the sixth vial +in now in process of pouring out. The object of the sixth trumpet is the +same, (ch. ix. 14.) There is, besides, an obvious allusion to the +ancient literal Babylon; and to the manner of its overthrow by Cyrus the +king of Persia. (Jer. l. 38; li. 36; Dan. v. 26-28; Is. xliv. 27, +28.)--This monarch, as historians relate, changed the current of the +Euphrates, and by this means took possession of the city, while +Belshazzar and his nobles were engaged in a drunken festival. (Dan. v. +1-30.)--The waters of this river are to be taken as representing the +population of the Ottoman empire, (ch. xvii. 15.) By the "kings of the +east" may be understood the Jews, agreeably to the symbolical nature of +this book; (Is. xli. 2, 3;) yet as the Turkish empire and Mahometan +imposture constitute barriers to the extension of Christ's kingdom among +the populous nations of the east, as Popish despotism and idolatry, +obstruct the gospel in the west, we may give this symbol of the "kings +of the east" a more extensive interpretation. Probably a larger +proportion of the natural seed of Abraham are to be found on the west +than even on the east of the Turkish empire. The dynasty of the Turk is +in process of visible exhaustion, and nothing but what is termed among +antichristian nations "the balance of power," prolongs its existence or +hinders its extinction. "Drying up," evaporation, is a gradual process, +and with singular precision describes the waning light of the once proud +Crescent,--the expiring breath of what has been termed by a bold figure, +"the sick man."[13]--Under this vial, however, and likewise as the +termination of the second woe, a general, final and desperate alliance +is to be found to resist the aggressive forces of the "Lord of +Hosts."--This confederacy is headed by the dragon, and is identical with +the war, (ch. xii. 17,) against the "remnant of the woman's +seed."--These "unclean spirits like frogs" are called "spirits of +devils." They "come out of the mouth" of all the agents, the dragon, +(ch. xii. 3, 9,) the beast, (ch. xiii. 1,) and the false prophet,--the +same as the two-horned beast, (v. 11,) and (ch. xix. 20.) These "unclean +spirits" succeed in gathering the kings of the earth, by "working +miracles," "lying wonders." (2 Thess. ii. 9; 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2.) They are +the agents of antichristian Rome, spiritual wickedness in high places," +(Eph. vi. 12;)--"like frogs," living in moral filth; garrulous and +impudent, stealthily gaining access into the bedchambers of the kings, +"after the manner of Egypt." (Exod. viii. 3.)--Surely the policy of Rome +is here portrayed, her cardinals, archbishops, Jesuits, etc., gaining +entrance into the councils and cabinets of princes, inciting them to +debauchery, tyranny and blood. Hellish hosts are thus "gathered to the +battle of that great day of God Almighty,"--the day of the seventh vial, +of the "vintage," (ch. xiv. 18-20,) and of the seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. +15;) for all these agree in point of time.--This will be an "hour of +temptation," as intimated in the 15th verse, which is a parenthesis, +interrupting a little the narrative of the effects of the vial. There is +danger of apostacy, of "falling away to these Chaldeans," of temporizing +with the enemy in order to escape suffering. Thus Christian soldiers of +the cross, losing "the armour of righteousness," would be exposed to +"shame." But "blessed is he that watcheth," that looks to the Captain of +Salvation, to his cause, as elucidated by his providence,--the signs of +the times; for so shall he "keep his garments," when others are "found +naked."--"And he gathered them" or rather "_they_ gathered," (for the +singular verb agrees with its nominative plural neuter as usual,)--the +"unclean spirits gathered the kings of the earth" to the destined place. +This hinders not but that these antichristian enemies of the church are +brought together by the Almighty. Just so he sent the king of Assyria +against "a hypocritical nation." (Is. x. 5-7.) And doubtless the prophet +Joel prophesied of this great and decisive battle, (ch. iii. 11-14.) +"Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Compare vs. 1, 2. +The place is called "Armageddon," the _mountain of destruction_, +suggesting the issue of the battle in the final overthrow of Antichrist; +for it is not necessary to suppose that any _place_ is literally pointed +out; but as this is a compound word in the "Hebrew tongue," allusion may +be made to the slaughter of Sisera's army, (Judges v. 19;) or to the +mournful death of Josiah, (2 Chron. xxxv. 22.) + + +17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there +came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, +It is done. + +18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a +great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so +mighty an earthquake, and so great. + +19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of +the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to +give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. + +20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. + +21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone +about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God, because of the +plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. + +Vs. 17-21.--"The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air."--The +devil is emphatically styled "the prince of the power of the air." (Eph. +ii. 2.) All the preceding vials fell upon their respective and +successive objects, the several parts of the symbolic system; but this +"vial of consummation" affects the whole of that system at once. The +dragon, the beast, and his image, together with the false prophet,--all +the "kingdoms of this world and the glory of them," which the god of +this world claimed as his own, and offered to our Lord Jesus Christ in +the days of his humiliation, (Luke iv. 6, 7;)--all will be destroyed for +ever. He who gave commission by a "great voice," (v. 1,) to these +angels, now that they have fulfilled his pleasure, solemnly declares his +approbation,--"It is done." The Lord Christ had solemnly sworn that "in +the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he should begin to +sound, the mystery of God should be _finished_," (ch. x. 6, 7.) He is +faithful to his oath,--_It is done._ Hence, it is undeniably evident +that the seventh trumpet agrees in time with the seventh vial; and it is +equally evident that the events which they represent are yet future. +What was obscurely intimated as following the sounding of the seventh +trumpet,--"the nations were angry,--and thy wrath is come," (ch. xi. +18,) is here amplified; for the "voices, thunders and lightnings," are +the visible and sensible tokens of the wrath of God. (Exod. xix. 16; +Heb. xii. 21.) Next follows an "earthquake," the usual symbol of +revolution; but this one is without parallel. An earthquake followed the +opening of the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12;) when paganism was overthrown in +the Roman empire by Constantine, and another earthquake marked the close +of the second woe, (ch. xi. 13,) when "the tenth part of the city fell:" +but this _concussion_ is "so mighty and so great" as to "divide the +great city into three parts," or rival factions: next, "the cities of +the nations fell,"--revolted from their wonted allegiance, and "great +Babylon came in remembrance before God," who seemed to have forgotten +both her and his saints whom she had so long and so cruelly persecuted. +At the fall of Rome _pagan_, mountains and islands were only "moved out +of their places," (ch. vi. 14;) but at the fall of Rome _papal_, "every +island fled away, and the mountains were not found;"--the former +indicating _transition_, the latter utter _destruction_.--The "fall of +hail" is to be viewed as accompanying, not following, the fall of +cities, flight of islands and mountains. As hail-stones are symbolical +of divine judgments, and as there may be allusion here to another of the +plagues of Egypt, (Exod. ix. 18;) so more especially may the facts of +history supply the figurative language with which the judgments of the +vials terminate. If any escaped the destroying sword in the battle of +Armageddon, they are overtaken by these ponderous hail-stones out of +heaven; even as "the Lord cast down great stones from heaven" upon the +five kings of the Amorites; so that "more died with hailstones than they +whom the children of Israel slew with the sword." (Jos. x. 11.)--The +result is as before; the survivors remain impenitent. As history +supplies no instance of literal hail-stones of a talent weight, (sixty +pounds, or as others, a hundred,) so the symbol represents this as the +most tremendous of all the judgments of God, (ch. xiv. 20.) + +Thus, we have seen that the last trumpet and the last vial combine, in +the final perdition of Babylon the great. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +This chapter may be considered introductory to the eighteenth, or as a +digression in the narrative, to explain more fully the integral parts of +that complex, mystical moral person so often called "great Babylon," +whose destruction was so awfully presented in the foregoing chapter. + + +1. And there came one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials, +and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee +the judgment of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters; + +2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the +inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her +fornication. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The angel that "talked with the apostle" was probably the +seventh. "The great whore" is the symbol of the idolatrous church of +Rome, which broke her marriage covenant with Christ. Idolatry is +spiritual whoredom. (Hosea vi. 10.) Her "sitting upon many waters" is +explained, verse 15. "The kings of the earth" are her paramours, and +their subjects are partakers in the crime,--"made drunk." + + +3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a +woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, +having seven heads, and ten horns. + +4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour, and decked +with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her +hand, full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication. + +5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, +THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. + +Vs. 3-5.--The "scarlet-coloured beast" is the Roman empire professing +the Christian religion, modelled by the Romish church; for the "woman +sits upon the beast," guiding and controlling all its motions. (James +iii. 3.) The raiment of both is at once _imperial and bloody_,--"purple +and scarlet."--The raiment of this "woman" is decked with precious +metal, stones and pearls, after the usual "attire of a harlot." (Ezek. +xvi. 17.) The "cup" alludes to the practice of harlots giving +love-potions to their paramours, very expressive of the indulgences, +absolutions, preferments, etc., by which the church of Rome attracts +disciples to her idolatry. "The nations have drunken of her wine; +therefore the nations are mad." (Jer. li. 7.)--The inscription "upon her +forehead" is after the manner of shameless prostitutes, avowing Rome's +whoredoms of idolatry, monasticism, indulgences to sin, as essential to +religion, a "mystery of iniquity," by which the "man of sin thinks to +change times and laws." (Dan. vii. 24, 25; xi. 36, 37.) + + +6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with +the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with +great admiration. + +V. 6.--This "woman,"--_Christian church_,--was "drunken with the blood +of saints and martyrs." Of course, such a sight would give rise to the +apostle's astonishment. The attempt of popish writers to apply this to +_pagan_ Rome's persecutions is demonstrably false; for John could not +"wonder" at the persecution of the church when he was himself an actual +victim in Patmos, (ch. i. 9.) + + +7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell +thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which +hath the seven heads and ten horns. + +8. The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not; and shall ascend out of +the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the +earth shall wonder (whose names were not written in the book of life +from the foundation of the world,) when they behold the beast that was, +and is not, and yet is. + +9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven +mountains, on which the woman sitteth. + +10. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the +other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short +space. + +11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of +the seven, and goeth into perdition. + +Vs. 7-11.--The angel explains the "mystery of the woman and of the beast +that carrieth her." The beast, the civil power, carrieth, sustains the +woman, the church; as the church controls the state, (v. 3; ch. xiii. 1, +11, 16.) The "beast that was, and is not, and yet is," is a mysterious +personage as well as the woman; therefore all who "dwell upon the +earth,"--not in "heaven, wonder," (ch. xiii. 3-6;)--that is, all the +vassals of Antichrist, distinguished from those whose "names are in the +book of life,"--the two witnesses.--"The seven heads" of the beast +signify seven mountains, on which Rome literally stands, namely, +Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Coelian, Viminal and +Quirinal. Here the woman and Rome are manifestly identical,--the +spiritual empire. But the heads of the beast have a double meaning; for +they also signify "seven kings" or successive forms of civil government. +At the time when John wrote, "five had fallen;" they had passed into +actual history. One was then existing, namely, the emperor, in the +person of Domitian, as is supposed. This is the imperial head, whose +"deadly wound was healed," (ch. xiii. 3.)--The "seventh head was not +come" in the apostles' time, but on his appearance, he was to "continue +a short space." The papacy is not the seventh head. _He_ is a horn. +(Dan. vii. 8, 20.) But a _horn_ of the beast cannot identify with the +_beast himself_. It is otherwise with a head, which is the form of +government over the _whole empire_. The _patriciate_ succeeded the +imperial, being the seventh head, and only of _short_ duration, about +fifty years. Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans in the year +eight hundred; and so the patriciate terminated. This is the _eighth_, +which "is of the seven;" and goeth into perdition. This septimo-octave +head is so variable, sometimes acknowledged as residing in Austria, then +in France, etc., that for hundreds of years, the great republic of the +nations,--all _bestial_,--are at a loss to identify the visible head in +whom resides the precedency: hence the "balance of power" is so +perplexing and difficult to adjust. Were there an acknowledged imperial +and despotic head, this obvious difficulty could not exist. But the +beast is not. Nevertheless the arbitrary power of the horns of the beast +is sensibly felt in every part of the Roman empire.--The beast is, and +will continue till "the time of the end;" (Dan. xii. 9;) for the Roman +empire must be equal in duration with the life and actings of the two +witnesses, 1260 years. + + +12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have +received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the +beast. + +13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto +the beast. + +14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome +them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with +him are called, and chosen, and faithful. + +Vs. 12-14.--"The ten horns" signify "ten kings" or regal or civil +sovereignties, into which the empire was to be partitioned after John's +time, and which we have seen was effected by the first four trumpets, +(ch. viii. 7-12.)--These "received power _one hour_ with the +beast,"--rather, at _one time_, or cotemporaneously with the beast; for +they are his horns, and are of "one mind, giving their power and +strength," all their resources, to him. These shall make war with the +Lamb," the Mediator, headed by the dragon, and instigated by the beast +and his image, (ch. xii. 7; xiii. 7.) + + +15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore +sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. + +V. 15.--"The waters," controlled by "the whore," are the multitudes whom +the apostate church of Rome commands to volunteer in the wars of the +kings against the Lamb. + + +16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate +the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her +flesh, and burn her with fire. + +V. 16.--What a surprising change! yet how natural! (2 Sam. xiii. 15.) +The punishment is that which was adjudged in the case of a priest's +daughter. (Lev. xxi. 9.)--The "ten horns," here, are to be understood +generally, not universally, (ch. xviii. 9; xix. 19.) Some of those +princes that have contributed most to the aggrandizement of the Romish +church, and been most devoted to her religion, as the ruler of France, +"the eldest son of the church," their "catholic majesties" of Austria, +Spain, Portugal,--may be among the first in executing divine judgments +on Babylon.--"Make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh;" that is, +withdraw the lands, endowments, etc., which enriched her monasteries and +fattened her bishops, priests, etc. + + +17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, +and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be +fulfilled. + +V. 17.--Here we are led into the secret cause of the wonderful change in +the policy of the horns: "God hath put into their hearts." They just do +to the "great whore, whatsoever God's hand and counsel determined before +to be done." (Acts iv. 28. See also Exod. vii. 3; Gen. xiv. 8; l. 20; +Ps. cv. 25.) + + +18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth +over the kings of the earth. + +V. 18.--This "woman is the great city;" not literally the city of Rome; +but the imperial ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to whose authority +intoxicated kings and their subjects bowed in slavish submission; and +whose bloody decrees they had executed for 1260 years upon many of their +best subjects and fellow-creatures. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, +having great power; and the earth was lightened, with his glory. + +2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great +is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the +hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. + +3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her +fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with +her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance +of her delicacies. + +Vs. 1-3.--After the apostle had described Babylon in the preceding +chapter, he "saw another angel." This seems to be the Lord Christ, the +same as in ch. x. 1. He "confirmeth the word of his servants," (ch. xiv. +8;) that "Babylon the great has fallen," and is adequately punished for +her crimes, which are enumerated, v. 3. + + +4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my +people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of +her plagues. + +V. 4.--The phrase, "my people" indicates that the speaker is not a +created angel whose warning is here given with a "voice from heaven." +This call of the Lord Jesus has been addressed to his elect, ever since +the revelation of the "man of sin." It has been obeyed but partially +hitherto: but upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, his Holy Spirit +will give the call unusual efficacy. + + +5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her +iniquities. + +6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, +according to her works: in the cup which he hath filled, fill to her +double. + +7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much +torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart. I sit a queen; +and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. + +8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and +famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord +God who judgeth her. + +Vs. 5-8.--"Her sins have reached unto heaven," and now she is to be +visited with condign punishment; although it seemed both to her and +God's own people long delayed. "God hath remembered her iniquities." +There is reference to ancient Babylon's punishment, and the law of +retaliation. (Jer. l. 15; Ps. cxxxvii. 8; Is. xlvii. 1-8.) Her +punishment is destruction from the Almighty": "strong is the Lord God +who judgeth her." + + +9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived +deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they +shall see the smoke of her burning. + +10. Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, +that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy +judgment come. + +11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no +man buyeth their merchandise any more. + +12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of +pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet and all thyine +wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most +precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. + +13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, +and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, +and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. + +14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, +and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and +thou shalt find them no more at all. + +15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall +stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, + +16. And saying, Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine +linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious +stones, and pearls! + +17. For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every ship +master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade +by sea, stood afar off, + +18. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city +is like unto this great city? + +19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, +saying, Alas, alas! that great city, wherein were made rich all that had +ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she +made desolate. + +Vs. 9-19.--At the fall of Babylon some of the kings who had been her +supporters, will lament for her while utterly unable to protect her, and +afraid of partaking of her plagues. It may be proper to remark, that the +word translated "alas," and repeated in this chapter, is the same in the +Greek text as that which is rendered, "woe" in ch. viii. 13; from which +fact we are to infer that the fall of mystical Babylon described in this +chapter comes under the last three, or probably the seventh trumpet. +That the Turkish empire is to be overthrown by the sixth trumpet or +second woe, and gradually exhausted by the sixth vial, hardly admits of +a doubt: but it does not necessarily follow, that said trumpet and vial +are to terminate when that judgment ends. Each trumpet and vial may +continue its effects for some time after the following one +commences.--Kings, merchants and shipmasters are mentioned as chief +mourners, while they are helpless spectators of this judgment. In all +this narrative there is plain allusion to the language of Old Testament +prophets who predicted the destruction of the enemies of God's people; +as Babylon, Tyre, Egypt. All these powerful kingdoms have been made +desolate for their idolatry and cruelty; and thus history comes in aid +of prophecy to confirm the faith of the saints. The moral government of +the Most High is uniform, and he will execute vengeance upon his and +Zion's impenitent enemies. The merchandise and lamentations are borrowed +from Ezek. xxvii. In ver. 13 there is mention made of "the persons of +men" as part of the wares in the markets of Tyre, and we find "slaves +(_bodies_) and souls of men," among the commodities for sale in modern +Babylon. How can we, in view of historic facts, exempt the United States +of North America from complicity in the crimes of mystic Babylon as one +of her dependencies? While earthly politicians, sustained by eminent +divines, proclaimed to the world in gushing oratory that "America was an +asylum for the oppressed of all nations,"--"the land of the free, and +the home of the brave;" perhaps there never was a more effectual +refutation of this popular sentiment, accompanied with a more biting +sarcasm, than that which was uttered in derisive song by the sable, +coffled chain-gang in the streets of the national capital,--"Hail! +Columbia, happy land!"--All who are acquainted with the internal and +political history of the United States, know that the adherents of the +"Man of Sin" always gave their suffrages for the support and continuance +of that cursed traffic. + +The great variety of the articles of merchandise here enumerated, is +calculated to impress the reader with the idea of the wealth, luxury, +splendor, and self-indulgence of the metropolis of the idolatrous Roman +empire, the "mother and mistress of all churches."--The prophetic +declaration, however,--"with feigned words shall they make merchandise +of you," (2 Pet. ii. 3,) is not confined to the Romish communion. This +traffic, in _souls_, pervades all the streets of symbolic Babylon.--The +overthrow is sudden and unexpected,--"in one hour." This is thrice +repeated, (vs. 10, 17, 19.) In v. 18 this "spiritual Sodom" is compared +to her prototype in her fearful end. "They saw the smoke of her +burning." (Gen. xix. 28.) + + +20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; +for God hath avenged you on her. + +V. 20.--Judgments on the impenitent enemies of God and of the saints, +are mercies to the church. (Ps. cxxxvi. 15-20;) and consequently, while +the former are lamenting for the fall of the great city, the latter are +exhorted to rejoice in her ruin,--all the members of the church in +general, and "holy apostles and prophets" in particular. The apostles +are daily worshipped at Rome in their supposed likenesses, the work of +the "cunning artificer; but here they are mentioned as rejoicing in the +destruction of the idolatrous sinners who so greatly _dishonoured_ them, +and detracted from the glory of God.--As "there is joy in heaven over +one sinner that repenteth," so is there over the destruction of the +impenitent. (Jer. li. 48.) "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord." +(Judges v. 31.) + + +21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast +it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city +Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. + +22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and +trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of +whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound +of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; + +23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and +the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at +all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by +thy sorceries were all nations deceived. + +Vs. 21-23.--The emblem of "a great millstone cast into the sea," is a +very striking indication of the sudden and irretrievable ruin of mystic +Babylon, and contains an allusion to Jer. li. 63, 64.--The removal of +"musicians, craftsmen, candles, etc.," from this devoted city, as they +plainly point to the statuary, music and paintings which have attracted +multitudes to the idolatry, superstition and harlotry of antichristian +Rome, emphatically proclaims the utter and perpetual desolation of papal +Rome. The language is borrowed from Isa. xxiv. 8; Jer. xxv. 10; Ezek. +xxvi. 13.--Her merchants being the "great men of the earth," and the +"sorceries" by "which the nations were deceived, very plainly indicate +the successful traffic of the "mother of harlots,"--the church of Rome. + + +24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all +that were slain upon the earth. + +V. 24.--When the Lord "maketh inquisition for blood," the "blood of all +that were slain upon the earth,"--_for Christ's sake_, will be found in +the skirts of this Jezebel. Papal Rome has shed more innocent blood than +pagan Rome; than Babylon, Tyre and Egypt; and by her relentless cruelty +to "prophets and saints," ministers and members of the witnessing +church, she has endorsed all the murderous persecutions from Abel down +to the present day. (Luke xi. 50, 51; Acts vii. 52.)--Now when we +contemplate in the light of prophecy, confirmed by authentic history, +the numberless, aggravated and long-continued crimes of Babylon the +great, her pride, (v. 7,) her cruelty, (v. 3,) her luxury, her tyranny, +her idolatry, her fornication, her impenitence in all,--can we hesitate +to acquiesce in the righteousness of her final doom, or to join in the +plaudits of the saints in the next chapter? + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +1. And after these things, I heard a great voice of much people in +heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, +unto the Lord our God: + +2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the +great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath +avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. + +3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and +ever. + +4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and +worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. + +Vs. 1-4.--The frequent repetition of the Hebrew word "Alleluia" in this +chapter, may perhaps be an intimation of something which specially +relates to the Jews. The perpetuity of the covenant made with Abraham, +renewed to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob, (Ps. cv. 9, 10,) is clearly +taught in the Scriptures. (Gen. xvii. 7; Acts ii. 39; Rom. iv. 13; Gal. +iii. 14, 29.) + +It has been already intimated, (ch. xi. 15,) that at the sounding of the +seventh trumpet, "there were great voices in heaven, saying, The +kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord and of his +Christ; and he (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." Beholding the +overthrow of Babylon, all the people of God were invited, (ch. xviii. +20,) to "rejoice over her," for her downfall was effected under the last +trumpet and vial. With that invitation the saints here joyfully comply. +"_Much people_ in heaven," implies a great augmentation of their number, +and as "heaven" signifies the church on earth, we are warranted to +expect a rapid increase of her membership as the consequence of the +sounding of the seventh trumpet.--At the pouring out of the third vial, +(ch. xvi. 7,) the angel of the altar said, "True and righteous are thy +judgments." The very same sentiment is repeated here by the "much +people,"--all the saints. Thus they recognise the faithfulness and +justice of God, as he heard and answered the cry of the "souls under the +altar;" (ch. vi. 9, 10,) for he had now "avenged their blood" and that +of their "brethren that had been killed as they were," upon them that +dwell on the earth,--the population of mystic Babylon. (Ps. cxxxvii. 8, +9.) "And again they said, Alleluia; and her smoke rose up for ever and +ever," like that of Sodom. In all this, the ministry and members of the +whole church cordially join, adding their hearty and solemn "Amen!" + +For this protracted joy and exulting praise, two causes seem to be in +operation, God's judgment on Babylon, and his mercy on Zion. Both are +matter of praise. (Ps. ci. 1.) + + +5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye +his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. + +6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the +voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, +Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. + +7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage +of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. + +8. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, +clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. + +9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto +the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the +true sayings of God. + +Vs. 5-9.--This happy company are called upon to renew their song. The +call seems to come from some one who is authorized to speak with +authority, "out of the throne." All the servants of God are invited, and +all appear to respond, "a great multitude." This is the most animated of +all the examples of praise recorded in this book. It is compared to the +rushing of waters down a cataract, as the roaring of the sea, or the +rolling of thunder in the heavens. It is indeed the "voice of them that +shout for mastery,"--and "all the people shout with a great shout, for +the Lord hath given them the city,"--"Alleluia, _praise ye the Lord_, +for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "Thou wilt perform the truth to +Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers +from the days of old."--These joyful victors encourage each other to +prolong their acclamations:--"Let us be glad and rejoice," ... "for the +marriage of the Lamb is come:" and what can that be, but the recalling +of the Jews? This is the day of our New Testament Solomon's espousals, +and the day of the gladness of his heart. (Song iii. 11.)--Not only the +Jews, but the great majority of professing Christians during the 1260 +years of Antichrist's usurpations, have refused to "submit themselves to +the righteousness of God." (Rom. x. 3.) The kings of the earth also have +fostered the pride and profligacy of the great whore, instead of the +bride of the Lamb. The lewd woman, and the woman in the wilderness +hitherto, are now to be distinguished. As their character and conduct +are different, so is their raiment. The gaudy and splendid attire of the +former, is in striking contrast with that of the latter; which is that +of a "woman professing godliness," (ch. xvii. 4; 1 Tim. ii. 10.)--"To +her was granted,"--Precious words; for the "Lamb's wife of herself was +utterly destitute," (ch. iii. 17.) The Jews, in the day of their +Messiah's power, (Psa. cx. 3,) convinced of the law as transgressors, +will be brought to adopt the language of their own prophet, (Is. lxi. +10;) "he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered +me with the robe of righteousness." The righteousness of Christ imputed +for justification, and the Spirit of Christ imparted for sanctification, +together with good works, the visible evidence of both, will constitute +the "fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints." +This is, after all, a more _costly_, as well as more comely attire, than +that of the mother of harlots. (Ps. xlv. 13, 14.)--"And he saith."--That +is, say some, the angel, (ch. xvii. 1, 7; or ch. xviii. 1;) but we are +rather to view him as the same who brings all these messages from Christ +to the apostle, (ch. i. 1.) The angel pronounces those "blessed who are +called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."--In the beginning of the New +Testament dispensation, the invitation was to a _dinner_. (Matt. xxii. +4.) The day will have been far spent at the sounding of the seventh +trumpet, when Jews and Gentiles are called to this supper. It will be +the last _great feast_ of the church militant. But who shall live to +partake of the banquet? The angel gives his solemn attestation to "these +sayings." + + +10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See +_thou do it_ not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have +the testimony of Jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the +spirit of prophecy. + +V. 10.--This is a surprising incident,--an aged, experienced and holy +man, an apostle, "falling down to worship the angel!" And we are told +that he relapsed into the same sin, (ch. xxii. 8, 9.) Like Peter on the +mount, who "wist not what to say;" or Paul in the "third heaven ... +whether in the body or out of the body, he could not tell." (Mark ix. 6; +2 Cor. xii. 3.) John had become overpowered by the visions and +transported by the high praises which he saw and heard. The like effects +were experienced by Daniel, (viii. 18; x. 8, 17.)--This sin of idolatry +by the apostle was doubtless permitted by the Lord, in order to furnish +occasion for a testimony from the angel, against the "voluntary humility +and worshipping of angels," (Col. ii. 18;) practised by the Papists, and +to leave them without excuse.--The abrupt language of the angel in this +and a subsequent case, is strongly expressive of +resentment:--"See--not." Such is the _curt, sententious_ utterance in +the Greek text. He assigns the best reason and strongest argument +against idolatry:--"I am thy fellow-servant," a creature as well as +yourself: we are servants of one Lord, who alone is the object of our +devotion, "Worship God." This is the best counsel, enforced by the most +cogent reasoning,--"For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of +prophecy." This sentence may be read,--"The Spirit of prophecy is the +testimony of Jesus;" and it will be equally true. "To him give all the +prophets witness," (Acts x. 43;) for "the Spirit of Christ was in them;" +(1 Pet. i. 11;) and this fact is well known to holy angels. (Eph. iii. +10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) So this angel plainly declares. + + +11. And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse: and he that sat +upon him was called Faithful and True: and in righteousness he doth +judge and make war. + +12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns: +and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. + +13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is +called The Word of God. + +14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, +clothed in fine linen, white and clean. + +15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should +smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he +treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. + +16. And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF +KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. + +Vs. 11-16.--"Heaven opened" once more, allows the apostle to look upon +Messiah the Prince going forth to fresh conquests. As he began, (ch. vi. +2,) so he continues, "in righteousness to judge and make war;" not as +the ambitious tyrants who "destroy the earth," (ch. xi. 18.) He has here +three names,--"Faithful and True, The Word of God, king of kings and +Lord of lords; yet he has a "name written which no man knoweth but he +himself."--His infinite essence and eternal generation are +incomprehensible by angels and men.--He is, however, known by his +mediatorial titles,--"faithful and true" to all covenant engagements; as +the prophet of the church, he "declares the Father," making known the +"word of God;" and his lordship is at once a warning to his enemies and +security to his friends.--"On his head were many crowns," emblematical +of his numerous victories over the princes of the earth, especially the +"ten kings," (ch. xvii. 14.)--"His eyes as a flame of fire," going +though the whole earth "in every place," (Prov. xv. 3;) render it +impossible for his enemies to elude discovery. (Jer. xxiii. 24.)--His +"vesture dipped in blood," refers to his victories over all his +malicious and impenitent foes. (Is. lxiii. 1-3; Rev. xiv. 20.)--His +"armies on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean," are +uniformed like their leader, (ch. xii. 7;) for "they that are with him +are called, and chosen, and faithful," (ch. xvii. 14.)--The weapon with +which he "smites the nations" that oppose him, is the "sharp sword," an +emblem of his ruinous and avenging justice; for he "tradeth the +wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."--"On his +thigh," where he wears his sword, there is a legible inscription, +indicating his universal and rightful authority. + + +17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud +voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and +gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; + +18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and +the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on +them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and +great. + +19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, +gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and +against his army. + +20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought +miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the +mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were +cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. + +21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the +horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were +filled with their flesh. + +Vs. 17-21.--The position of the "angel standing in the sun," and "crying +with a loud voice;" represents, that Messiah's judgments would be +visible to all the world; and the extent of the invitation to the +"fowls," indicates the vast slaughter of his enemies. Babylon being +"utterly burned with fire," (ch. xvii. 16, xviii. 8,) as a suitable +punishment of an apostate church; the "flesh of kings, of captains, of +mighty men," etc., as a sacrifice to divine justice, is given as a feast +to the fowls of heaven. The allusion here is to the destruction of "Gog +and Magog." (Ezek. xxxix. 17-20.) These enemies of the saints are to +appear and be overthrown before the millennium; and although John +borrows the names of these enemies, (ch. xx. 8,) they are not the same +as those of Ezekiel; the one appearing _before_, the other _after_ the +thousand years. We have often found the enemies of the church called in +the Apocalypse by the names of persecutors under the Old +Testament;--Babylon, Egypt, etc.--We may consider the "fowls," the birds +of prey, as symbolizing the kings who retaliate upon Babylon; (as in ch. +xvii. 16;) or rather, as the Lord's people reclaiming their own, of +which they had been unjustly and long deprived,--"spoiling the +Egyptians." (Exod. xii. 36.) + +Some suppose that the confederacy of the "kings of the earth" with the +beast, (v. 19,) is a distinct attack from that mentioned in chapter +seventeenth; (v. 14;) but perhaps it is safer to consider it as the +same, only more distinctly and fully exhibited here. Indeed it seems, +from the agency of the "false prophet," to be the same event as that +under the sixth vial, (ch. xvi. 14;) preparing to the battle of +Armageddon. The Lord Jesus as "captain of the Lord's hosts," and the +army of heaven following him, all of them on white horses, appear to be +on the one side; and the beast with the kings of the earth, instigated +by the false prophet, on the other. The rank and file like their leaders +are described as having "received the mark of the beast and worshiped +his image." But the beast of the earth, (ch. iii. 11,) causes all ranks +to receive the mark, and worship the image of the beast, (vs. 15, 16) +The beast of the earth, the woman, and the false prophet, all mean the +same thing; and that is, an apostate church in alliance with tyrannical +civil powers, (ch. xvii. 3.) Now, if the great city Babylon, a symbol +which comprises the whole antichristian confederacy, has been utterly +destroyed, as appears in the eighteenth chapter, whence come these +enemies bearing the same characters? The only solution of this apparent +difficulty is by supposing as we have done, that this is a re-exhibition +of what has been more obscurely symbolized, (ch. xiv. 20; xvi. 17; xvii. +16; xviii. 2, 8, 20,) in order more distinctly to point out the end of +two principal leaders,--the "beast and the false prophet," the empire +and church of Rome. "These both were cast alive into a lake of fire +burning with brimstone."--"The remnant were slain." When the leaders +were discomfited, the ranks were soon broken, and the whole army melted +away. They were slain with Messiah's sword, the emblem of his justice, +(ch. i. 16.) + +Thus "Babylon is fallen, to rise no more at all:" all the visible +enemies of the Lord and his Anointed are cut off from the face of the +earth: and it remains only that he who originated the rebellious +conspiracy be put under necessary restraint. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the +bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. + +2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, +and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. + +3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal +upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand +years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little +season. + +Vs. 1-3.--"And I saw an angel." This angel is the Lord Christ, (ch. x. +1.) The key is the symbol of authority. (Is. xxii. 22; chs. i. 18; iii. +7.) The dragon had been previously cast down from heaven, (ch. xii. 9;) +by the Reformation, and during the "short time" of his liberty, he +persecuted the woman and the remnant of her seed, on the earth. Now, +however, his career is arrested. "Seizing, binding, casting into the +abyss, shutting up, and setting a seal upon that old serpent," (ch. xii. +9,) are strong figurative expressions, by which his secure confinement +is signified. Thus is the devil to be restrained from deceiving the +nations for a "thousand years." That this period is to be taken in a +proper, and not in a mystical sense, appears thus. If we multiply one +thousand by three hundred and sixty, as some fancifully do, the +resulting number of years, three hundred and sixty thousand, would be +out of all proportion to the past duration of the world, as well as the +well-defined period of 1260 years. Add to this, that when by Daniel and +John definite duration is symbolically mentioned, it is by "months, +days; time, times and a half a time," or "the dividing of time,"--never +by "years." + +At the expiration of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed a "little +season,"--_little_, as compared with the thousand years; so little, as +not to be deemed worth estimating. + + +4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given +unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the +witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped +the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their +foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a +thousand years. + +V. 4.--"And I saw thrones." Here there is no mention of _heaven being +opened_. Nothing henceforth obstructs John's vision. "The darkness is +past, and the true light now shineth."--"At evening time it shall be +light." (Zech. xiv. 7.)--"And they sat on them." Who?--There is here +what may be termed a remarkable chasm in the language of the text. There +is no visible or proximate antecedent. Who are they who "sit on +thrones?" Did Millenarians only put this question, and patiently search +for the solution in the context, agreeably to the _allegorical texture_ +of this whole book, all their hallucinations might be easily and happily +obviated. The inspired writer assumes, of course, that the reader will +readily identify these persons, who are thus promoted to honour, now +that Antichrist is no more, and society is to be reorganized.--Daniel +furnishes a satisfactory answer to our question. "I beheld till the +thrones were cast down." (Dan. vii. 9.) The Roman imperial thrones of +_civil despotism_ were subverted. Again,--"But the judgment shall sit, +and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto +the end." (v. 26.) The Roman imperial _throne_ of ecclesiastical +domination shall be destroyed. Then when Messiah "shall have put down +all rule, and all authority and power," of both sorts of tyranny, "the +kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole +heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, +whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions, (_rulers_) +shall serve and obey him," (v. 27.) The "saints of the Most High," +according to Daniel, are to be exalted to civil rule, and these are the +same whom John saw "sitting on thrones." Now, the effect of the seventh +trumpet becomes a fact in history.--"The kingdoms of this world," which +had been controlled by the beast, and bewitched by the sorceries of the +lewd woman, "are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his +Christ."--For in the millennial state of the world, there will be a +_plurality_ of _kingdoms_.--Hence a very common petition of pious but +ignorant people,--"That the kingdoms of this world may soon become the +kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," neither will, nor ever +can be answered.--Under the righteous and benign administration of the +saints, "kings shall be nursing-fathers, and their queens +nursing-mothers to the church:" for "the nations and kingdoms that would +not _serve her_, have perished; yea, those nations have been utterly +wasted." (Is. xlix. 23; lx. 12.)--The souls which the apostle saw under +the altar, whose cry for vengeance he heard, and who were directed to +rest for a little season, till the roll of their martyred brethren +should be completed, are here presented in quite a new position, +"sitting on thrones," (ch. vi. 9.) Although they are not the same +identical persons _physically_, they are the same _morally_; for the +life of the two witnesses is commensurate with the reign of +Antichrist,--twelve hundred and sixty years. These "lived and reigned +with Christ a thousand years; that is, in their successive generations: +for otherwise they would over-live the age of Methuselah!--Souls are +here evidently persons, and not souls as distinct from bodies, as some +needlessly argue against Millenarians: for "foreheads" and "hands" are +attributed to them: but foreheads cannot be literally ascribed to those +who had been "beheaded." Their living is to be understood of their +succeeding to the same scriptural position occupied by their +predecessors, as well as succeeding them in the order of natural +generation. The Holy Spirit says, "Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid +tithes in Abraham." (Heb. vii. 9, 10.) Elijah reappeared in the person +of John the Baptist. (Matt. xi. 14.) Jezebel and Balaam were recognised +in their wicked successors, (ch. ii. 14, 20.) But this is the very +structure of the Apocalypse, being composed of hieroglyphics, that the +free agency of the wicked might be left untrammelled, and the diligence +of God's people might be tested in "searching the Scriptures." + + +5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years +were finished. This is the first resurrection. + +V. 5.--"The rest of the dead" supposes two classes of the dead. These +are the witnesses, who died a violent and cruel death, and the wicked, +who died a natural death,--there "were no bands in their death." As +there are _two kinds_ of death, so are there two kinds of +resurrection,--a _first_ and _second_ of each. Those who had been +"beheaded for the witness of Jesus," etc., lived in their +successors,--sat on thrones, reigned with Christ a thousand years. Of +course those who were slain by Christ and his army at the battle of +Armageddon, and whose flesh was given to the fowls of heaven, "lived not +again" in their successors, "until the thousand years were finished." +Consequently, "this is the first resurrection," with which the true +disciples of Christ shall be honoured. They must, however, die as all +others, and await the _second_ resurrection: but "on them the second +death shall have no power." + + +6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on +such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God +and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. + +V. 6.--"Blessed and holy,"--and blessed, because _holy_; for sin is the +procuring cause of misery. This is a summary description of the +millennial period. The dragon being bound by the almighty power of +Christ, and not permitted to deceive the nations, wars shall cease unto +the ends of all the earth: the population of the globe must be rapidly +and greatly multiplied beyond all precedent. (Ps. xlvi. 9; lxxii. 16,) +the life of man will be prolonged; (Isa. lxv. 20-25,) holiness, +righteousness and praise shall spring forth before all the nations, +(lxi. 11.) + +That condition of our globe, which divines call the _millennium_,--a +state of holiness and happiness, second only to the enjoyment of +heavenly felicity, is as clearly and frequently promised to God's +people, as the promise of the Messiah was under the former economy. But +as many were "in expectation that the kingdom of God should immediately +appear," who then entertained unwarrantable and carnal conceptions of +the Messiah's person and reign, just such groundless and gross +expectations and aspirations are cherished now. A literal resurrection +of _all_ the righteous, who shall have died before the millennium is +supposed to take place at the personal appearance of Christ; and this, +too, before the general judgment. By _personal_, they mean _corporeal_: +for the Lord Christ promised his gracious _personal_ presence with his +people _all days_, when he was about to disappear from their bodily +vision. (Matt. xxviii. 20.) "To them that look for him shall he appear +the _second_ time, (not a _third_,) without sin unto salvation." (Heb. +ix. 28; Rev. i. 7.) Besides, is it for a moment supposable that saints +who have passed into glory, are to be brought upon earth to conflict +once more with enemies, when Gog and Magog shall surround the "camp of +the saints?" Such is a specimen of questions suggested by the +_Millenarian system_, which have failed of either scriptural or rational +solution by all the learning and ingenuity of its fanciful advocates. + +The whole series of the Apocalypse proves that the _two witnesses_ live +and prophesy throughout the 1260 years of Antichrist's reign. Their +lives and their testimony end together, (ch. xi. 7.) But the beast that +slays them is himself with his ally, the false prophet, at the close of +the contest, cast alive into the lake of fire, (ch. xix. 20.) + +After three and a half prophetical days, the witnesses are raised, and +ascend up to heaven, (ch. xi. 12;) and this is the identical fact which +is more fully presented here in the 20th chapter. The resurrection of +the witnesses in the 11th chapter is a spiritual and mystical +resurrection in the persons of their successors; the heaven to which +they were exalted is a mystical heaven: and just so of those beheaded +and advanced, after their resurrection, to positions of civil and +ecclesiastic power as in this 20th chapter. Thus exalted, and ruling in +the fear of God, they become a terror to evil doers, and a praise to +them that do well. (Rom. xiii. 3.) Then shall be realized the glorious +predictions of Isaiah and the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. (Isa. xi. 1-9; +Ps. lxxii. 1) + + +7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall +be loosed out of his prison. + +8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four +quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: +the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. + +9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp +of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God +out of heaven, and devoured them. + +Vs. 7-9.--"Satan shall be loosed out of his prison."--The Lord Christ +will remove the restraint which had repressed the chief enemy during the +thousand years, that the Faithful and True Witness may give a final +testimony to the moral universe, that neither the philosophy of proud +man, nor the law of Moses,--no, nor the ordinances of the gospel, will +ever change the nature of a sinner:--That neither judgments nor mercies +have any efficacy to subdue the stubborn will, or renew the desperately +wicked heart of man; and that it is a righteous thing with God to render +tribulation to them that trouble his saints and insult his Majesty. + +Thus released "for a little season," the prime enemy goes out as before +to "deceive the nations." He is successful. "The rest of the dead," who +lived not again during the 1000 years, at once re-appear in the persons +of their genuine successors. They are the children of them that killed +the witnesses;--the seed of the serpent aiming a last fatal stroke at +the seed of the woman.--They are called "Gog and Magog;" and because of +the identity of names, many have supposed them to be the same as those +enemies of the people of God described by Ezekiel, (chs. xxxviii., +xxxix.) This view is, however, without sanction in the Scriptures. The +characters are mystical according to the uniform structure of the +Apocalypse. Ezekiel's Gog and Magog come from the "north quarters;" +those of John from the "four quarters or corners of the earth." It is +also probable, if not absolutely certain, that the enemies predicted by +Ezekiel are to appear before, while those of John are to arise after the +millennium. The overthrow of Gog and Magog, foretold by Ezekiel, is +evidently connected with the conversion of the Jews, (ch. xxxix. 22, +29;) but that event must precede the millennial period. (Rom. xi. +26.)--Magog is reckoned with Meshech and Tubal among the sons of +Japheth, (Gen. x. 2;) and those nations called in history Scythians and +Tartars, in the "north quarters" of Europe and Asia, as well as the +"isles of the Gentiles," are supposed to be their descendants. By the +"three unclean spirits," (ch. xvi. 13,) a confederacy was effected under +the sixth vial to the battle of Armageddon; and the same is again +presented in ch. xix. 20, as the final attempt against the saints +previously to the millennium, when two of the prime instigators, the +beast and the false prophet, are cast into the lake of fire. Thus we may +suppose _eastern_ and _western_ Antichrist finally destroyed. + +Ezekiel's Gog and Magog being slain in the battle of Armageddon, how or +where shall we find those of John? They are to be found precisely on the +same principle on which we find the witnesses of Christ in this chapter. +Satan is loosed "a little season,"--_little_ as compared with the +thousand years of Messiah's reign; or rather, as compared with the 1260 +years of the dragon's successful enterprises against the saints through +the beast and false prophet as agents. These being now cast into the +lake of fire, Satan is for ever deprived of their agency. During the +millennial period people will be born in sin as at other times; and at +the close of that happy period, Almighty God will display his +sovereignty by withholding his grace, that a last demonstration may be +given to all the world of the necessity and efficacy of that grace in +changing the heart of a sinner. Without the intervention of the beast or +the false prophet, Satan will prevail by more direct temptations to +gather together to battle a multitude of the _same spirit_ as Ezekiel's +Gog and Magog displayed against the saints before the millennium. These +are the "rest of the dead that lived not again till the one thousand +years were finished." As the "deadly wound" of the civil beast "was +healed," and he received a new life, to the astonishment of spectators, +(ch. xiii. 3,) as the witnesses received "the Spirit of life from God," +to the dismay of their enemies; (chs. xi. 11; xx. 4,) so Gog and Magog +re-appear in the persons and bloody cruelties of their genuine +successors. And in language similar to that in the context we may +warrantably say,--this is the _second resurrection_; for when it is +declared that the "rest of the dead lived not again," it is manifest +that two classes of dead are intended. All are said to be dead; the +witnesses, slain by the beast; their enemies, slain by the Lord. The +witnesses rise, and "this is the first resurrection." A _first_ implies +a _second of the same kind_. Well, "the rest lived not again till the +thousand years were finished." What then? Why, simply this,--that the +other remaining class of the dead _lived again_; and this appears to be +the obvious scope and meaning of these terms, so vexing to many critics. + +By deception Satan prevails to assemble the nations in vast multitudes, +"as the sand of the sea,"--a proverbial form of expression applied to +Abraham's seed. (Gen. xxii. 17.) "They went up on the breadth of the +earth." Coming from the "four quarters of the earth," they "compassed +the camp of the saints." The allusion here is twofold: to Israel in the +wilderness, in the time of Moses; and to the holy city Jerusalem, in the +days of David; (Ps. cxviii. 10-12,) for often did the enemy with "joint +heart" attempt to "cut off the name of Israel." (Ps. lxxxiii. 4-8.) +Never was Pharaoh or Sennacherib more confident of a sure and easy +victory over the saints. (Exod. xv. 9; Isa. xxxvi. 20.) As in the days +of Noah, most of the generation of the righteous had been taken home to +glory before the ungodly were destroyed by the deluge, so we may suppose +the "camp of the saints" to be but a "little flock," when assailed for +the last time, while they are in a militant state.--The issue in this +case, however, will be more decisive and glorious than any other battle +with the powers of darkness. We may adopt and apply the words of the +prophet to God's people in the time of Jehoshaphat:--"Thus saith the +Lord,--Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for +the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this +battle." (2 Chron. xx. 15, 17.)--"Fire came down from God out of heaven, +and devoured" this great multitude. This most dreadful of all elements +in the material universe, is that which is commonly employed to +represent the wrath of God. By it Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, +Corah and his rebellious company, the captains and their fifties; fire +proceeded out of the mouth of the two witnesses and devoured their +enemies; Gog and Magog are consumed by this element; the heavens and the +earth which are now, are reserved unto fire; the Lord Jesus shall be +revealed from heaven ... in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that +know not God, and that obey not the gospel,--most probably _these very +enemies_; and all such are to be consigned to "the fire that never shall +be quenched." Awful thought! Tremendous destiny! Who would not fear +thee, O Lord; who art a consuming fire to all thy impenitent enemies? + + +10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and +brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be +tormented day and night for ever and ever. + +V. 10.--The _first_ rebel against the righteous authority of the Lord +and his Anointed, and the ceaseless instigator of all rebellions of +individual and social man, is the _last_ to be consigned to adequate +punishment. When the Lord first called sinners to account, the same +order is noticeable: First, Adam, then Eve, and last the serpent. The +beast and the false prophet are already in the lake of fire; (ch. xix. +20;) and now, Satan, who is here called the devil, is dismissed after +them, that they may all be tormented "for ever and ever,"--words, as +already noticed, which are the strongest in the Greek language, to +convey to the human mind the idea of _endless duration_. + + +11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose +face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place +for them. + +12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books +were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and +the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books +according to their works. + +13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell +delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man +according to their works. + +14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the +second death. + +15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast +into the lake of fire. + +Vs. 11-15.--Nothing now remains to bring to a close the moral +administration of Messiah, but the raising of the dead and pronouncing +final sentence on all the subjects of his government. There is no +intimation that any events shall intervene between the casting of the +devil into the burning lake, and the appearing of the Judge. + +The "great white throne" is suitable to the majesty and holiness of the +Judge. He is not at first called by any name, for "every eye shall see," +and seeing, recognise his divine dignity. In the next verse he is styled +God, not to identify him, but as a matter of course in the +narrative.--No sooner did the Judge take his seat, than "the earth and +the heaven fled away." The simplicity and sublimity of this language are +inimitable by human genius; and rarely if at all equalled, even by those +who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The first inspired +writer uses language very similar. (Gen. i. 3.) We are frequently and +sufficiently taught that the Lord Christ in person is to be the judge of +quick and dead. (Acts xvii. 31.) "All must appear before the judgment +seat of Christ." (2 Cor. v. 10.) No person is competent to this work of +judgment but one who is omniscient and omnipotent, not to speak of other +divine perfections. The "Judge of all the earth" is a divine person, +possessed of all the attributes of deity; and as there is not _now_ +among apostate angels, so there will not _then_ be a child of Adam, to +_deny the supreme deity of Jesus Christ_. (Matt. viii. 29.) Of this he +gave intimation at the beginning of the Apocalypse:--"Every eye shall +see him, and they also which pierced him," (ch. i. 7;) yes, they pierced +him for _blasphemy_, "because that he, being a man, made himself God." +(John x. 33.) Here the Judge on the throne demonstrates to an assembled +universe, the scriptural warrant for the language of the Reformers when +they say he is "very God, and very man." "God is judge himself," (Ps. l. +6,) in the person of the Father; but "he hath appointed a day in the +which _he_ will judge the world in righteousness, by that _man_ whom he +hath ordained."--(Acts xvii. 31.) + +Before the righteous Judge "shall be gathered all nations," (Matt. xxv. +32,) all that have ever lived upon the earth, from the creation till the +end of time, all ranks and degrees, however diversified by sex, age, or +social position; righteous and wicked, Jews and Gentiles, Herod and +Pontius Pilate, Cain and Abel, Judas, etc. + +In order to this general assize, "the dead shall hear the voice of the +Son of God," (John v. 25, 28, 29;) "and many of them that sleep in the +dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to +shame and everlasting contempt." (Dan. xii. 2.) The "sea, death and +hell," or the grave, (or rather, the place of souls as separated by +death from their bodies,) which are thus awfully, but beautifully +personified, shall surrender their respective tenants, that they may +stand before the Son of man in judgment.--Only such as have died are +mentioned here: but some will not die, but "remain alive unto the coming +of the Lord," the judge; and these, it is probable, will be the "camp of +the saints" which have been miraculously delivered from the rage of Gog +and Magog, (vs. 8, 9.) There is a beautiful order in the final +resurrection. "The dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thess. iv. 16; 1 +Cor. xv. 23.) Next will be raised the wicked; for "like sheep they are +laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have +dominion over them in the morning." (Ps. xlix. 14.) The dead, being all +raised, those who shall be alive will undergo a change equivalent to +death,--"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;" for these "shall not +prevent (anticipate) them which were asleep;" that is, they will not be +_changed_ until their companions are called from the grave, etc. All +being now "before the judgment seat of Christ,"--the "books are opened!" +Oh, what emotions will swell and heave the bosoms of the +righteous!--"joy unspeakable and full of glory:" for before the sentence +of acquittal is publicly pronounced, their position on the Judge's right +hand indicates the sentence. And next what terror insupportable will now +seize the wicked! What "fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery +indignation," when in breathless suspense, they await the just +sentence,--"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared +for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. xxv. 41; Heb. x. 27.) The +righteousness of this sentence will be attested by the "opened +books,"--of the divine omniscience, the human conscience, and in the +case of gospel-rejecters, the Bible. (2 Thess. i. 7, 8.) And the like +condemnation would pass upon the righteous, but that "another book is +opened," in which are inscribed the names of all the objects of God's +electing love: and this will be the key-note in their songs of praise to +all eternity. (Jer. xxxi. 3; Rev. i. 5.) All are "judged according to +their works," as these are witnessed by the books,--for "their works do +follow them," (ch. xiv. 13.) + +"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Death, or the grave; +hell, or the separate state, will never again be needed, as prisons to +keep their inmates for trial. "The lake of fire" is the place of +ceaseless and endless torment for all who are not "found written in the +book of life;" and this place seems to be distinct from the "bottomless +pit," Satan's "prison," out of which he had been loosed, (v. 7.)--Of the +beast it was said, he "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," but not +that he was remanded thither again: he is said to "go into perdition," +which must be "the lake of fire." (Compare ch. xvii. 8, with xix. 20; +and xx. 1-3 with v. 10.)--The plain and obvious meaning of these closing +verses of the 20th chapter, as delineated in its general import by +appropriate and familiar symbols and intelligible words, for ever +excludes, and emphatically condemns the conscience-stupifying heresies +and blasphemies of Unitarians and Universalists. The God-man Mediator, +seated upon the "throne of his glory," before whose face the "earth and +the heaven fled away," is thus evidenced to be the Son of God, Jehovah's +Fellow. And we may here adopt the assertion and caution of the "beloved +disciple,"--"This is the true God and eternal life.--Little children, +keep yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 20, 21.)--Moreover, these verses +reveal a place or state, more to be dreaded than the "killing of the +body,"--"the lake of fire, which is the second death," "where their worm +dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Matt. x. 28; 2 Thess. i. +8-10; Heb. x. 26-31.) + +With the 20th chapter of the Apocalypse terminate the events of time, in +which the divine Author demonstrates, that "known unto him are all his +works, from the beginning of the world." (Acts xv. 18.) Many, indeed, of +the learned and pious have supposed the remaining chapters of the +Apocalypse, to be a description of the church on earth during the +millennial period. But besides the series, coherence and dependence of +the several parts of the book, precluding such _retrogression_, this +interpretation overthrows the scriptural distinction between the +militant and triumphant state of the church. And it is not to be thought +out of place, that the inspired prophet should describe, by suitable +emblems, the outline of the heavenly state; for this he has done briefly +already in a number of instances. (See chs. ii. and iii., also ch. vii. +15, 17.)--Those who consider the last two chapters as a delineation of +the church on earth, have first formed in their minds ideas of a +corporeal or bodily presence of Christ, and of a literal and visible +reign on the earth. Such views we have already shown to be without +scripture warrant, yea against plain declarations of the Holy Spirit, +(as Acts iii. 21; Matt. xvii. 11, 12; Heb. ix. 28.) Hence we shall +contemplate the symbols of the following chapters,--except as incidents +or allusions may render this incompatible,--as shadowing forth the +glories of the church's heavenly state. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the +first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. + +2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out +of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. + +3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the +tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they +shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their +God. + +4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be +no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any +more pain: for the former things are passed away. + +5. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new. +And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. + +6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning +and the end: I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of +the water of life freely. + +7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, +and he shall be my son. + +Vs. 1-7.--It is unquestionable that the phrase "new heavens and a new +earth" is to be understood sometimes as descriptive of moral renovation +in the world. As the moral change affected by grace in the character of +an individual sinner is called a new creation, and is in truth no less, +so in respect to a community. The analogy in this case is the same as +between a revolution and an earthquake. Thus, we must understand Is. +lxv. 17, lxvi. 22, of that great moral change which will characterize +the millennium. But the "new heaven and the new earth" are here +contrasted with the "first heaven and the first earth which were passed +away," (ch. xx. 11.) The apostle Peter describes the very same grand and +glorious change. Mingling the important facts of authentic history with +the future facts of prophecy, he tells us that the "heavens and the +earth which are now, ... are reserved unto fire."--He speaks obviously +of the visible heavens and earth. These "heavens shall pass away ... and +"the earth also, ... shall be burnt up." He adds,--"We look for new +heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet. iii. +7, 13.)--"There was no more sea," no more disorderly passions, +animosities, arising from human depravity, to interrupt the delightful +harmony and fellowship of saints in glory. It is estimated that about +two thirds of this world are occupied by water. In that happy place +occupied by the people of God, there is no sea; consequently, "yet there +is room," many mansions, room enough for all the redeemed. "The holy +city," compared to a "bride," two very incongruous emblems, shows the +poverty of symbols, their inadequacy to represent the church triumphant: +how then shall created objects furnish suitable emblems of the glorious +and glorified Bridegroom? In vision the city seemed to the apostle as if +suspended in the air on the same plane with himself; for now he stood +neither on "the sand of the sea," (ch. xiii. 1,) for "there was no more +sea," nor upon the earth, for it was "passed away." No intervening +object could obstruct his view.--He heard a voice from heaven, saying, +"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with +them," as his reconciled and beloved people. As a tender Father, he will +"wipe away all tears from their eyes." "There shall be no more death," +either of themselves or their beloved friends, to open the fountain of +tears any more for ever. But death is the last enemy to be destroyed; (1 +Cor. xv. 26;) how then can these words apply to any state short of +immortality in heaven? "Neither sorrow nor crying,"--for sin or +suffering; "neither shall there be any more pain," causing tears or +cries: and what is this but heaven? Yes, "the former things are passed +away." Now "he that hath the bride is the bridegroom," and she shall +never be false to her marriage covenant any more.--"He that sat on the +throne," denotes the Father most frequently in this book, as he is +distinguished from the Son; but the Son "is set down with his Father in +his throne," (ch. iii. 21;) and the Son is to be viewed as the person on +the throne here, as the following words, compared with the twentieth +chapter, verse eleventh, make evident.--He it is who "makes all things +new." He left his disciples as to his bodily presence, and went to +"prepare a place for them," (John xiv. 2;) and now he has come again and +received them to himself, in fulfilment of his promise. Having sent the +Holy Spirit to create them anew and to carry on to completion their +sanctification, he now sees of the travail of his soul, the Father has +given him his heart's desire, and hath not withholden the request of his +lips. Now, all his ransomed ones are with him, in answer to his prayer, +and also their own prayers, that they may behold his glory which the +Father gave him. (Ps. xxi. 2; John xvii. 24; Phil. i. 23.)--The Lord +Christ said to John,--"Write; for these words are true and faithful." +And what has sustained the spirits, animated the hopes, and filled with +exulting joy, the confessors, witnesses and martyrs of Jesus, but +faith's realizing views of the King in his beauty, and the glories of +Immanuel's land? For this peculiarity the disciples of Christ have been +as speckled birds, men wondered at, in all generations.--"It is done," +so he said at the pouring out of the seventh vial, (ch. xvi. 17;) when +the final stroke was given to the antichristian enemies: but now these +words import the completion of the whole counsel of the will of God, as +carried into effect by the Captain of salvation, in bringing the beloved +and adopted sons and daughters of the Father home to glory. (Heb. ii. +10.) He who is the "Alpha and Omega," is the "author and finisher of +their faith."--Although the Lord Jesus has made of sinners "new +creatures," prepared them as "vessels of mercy unto glory," and +introduced them into heaven, they are _creatures_ still, and necessarily +dependent. They thirst for refreshment suited to their holy nature; and +accordingly he gives of the "_fountain_ of the water of life freely," +for the _streams_ of which they thirsted, "as the heart panteth for the +water brooks," while they sojourned in a dry and parched land, far from +their Father's house. Man's sin consisted in forsaking this "Fountain of +living waters," and his recovery and felicity must arise from his +returning from his own "broken cisterns" to the original spring.--The +water of life was purchased at infinite cost by Christ; but he offers it +to the thirsty without price, (Is. lxv. 1, 2.)--Those who are refreshed +by the streams of the water of life, have many enemies to encounter in +their militant state, but all who overcome are encouraged in their +warfare by the animating promise, that they shall "inherit all things." +(1 Cor. iii. 21.)--"He shall be my son," and "if a son, then an heir of +God, and joint heir with Christ." + + +8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, +and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall +have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which +is the second death. + +V. 8.--"But the fearful," who dread suffering or reproach for the cause +of Christ,--not the self-diffident who loves his Captain, but the coward +or deserter, who "turns back in the day of battle," who fears the enemy +more than his Captain:--"and unbelieving," not the misbelieving, as +Thomas; nor the _weak_ in faith, but such as have _no_ +faith,--_infidels_;--"the abominable," defiling the flesh as +Sodomites:--"murderers," suicides, duelists, assassins, burglars, etc., +"whoremongers," adulterers, fornicators:--"sorcerers," necromancers, +spiritualists, who are the devil's prophets, pretending to new +revelations, "and all liars," perjured persons, deceivers, hypocrites, +false teachers, who handle the word of the Lord deceitfully, for filthy +lucre's sake,--all such shall have their part in the lake, with the +devil, the beast, and the false prophet. (1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Gal. v. +19-21; Eph. v. 5, 6; 2 Cor. xi. 13.) + + +9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven +vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come +hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. + +10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, +and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of +heaven from God, + +11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most +precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal; + +12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the +gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of +the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. + +13. On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, +three gates; and on the west, three gates. + +14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the +names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. + +Vs. 9-14.--This "angel" is probably the same who had shown John the +mystic Babylon and her destruction, (ch. xvii. 1;) and who now proposes +to show him the "bride of the Lamb" by way of contrast.--Under the +influence of the Spirit, who has access to the soul without the use of +the bodily organs, (2 Cor. xii. 2,)--John was "carried to a great and +high mountain," where the prospect might be sufficiently enlarged. When +the angel proposed to show him the "scarlet whore," he "carried him into +the wilderness," intimating that such is the _only position_ in which +the "mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her," can be +clearly seen or perfectly understood. (2 Pet. i. 9.) Great indeed is the +contrast. Both objects are complex, and the combination of symbols, +wholly incongruous in nature, admonishes the sober interpreter to beware +of indulging his vain fancy by attempting to trace analogies in detail, +where none are intended by the Holy Spirit. The true church of Christ is +compared to a virtuous and fruitful woman, (ch. xii. 5;) and the +apostate church is symbolized by a fruitful but profligate woman, (ch. +xvii. 5.) Then both are also represented by two cities, which are +equally contrasted. As the women differ in their outward adornment, +(chs. xix. 8, xvii. 4,) so do the cities in the quality of population, +commerce and employment, (ch. xviii. 4; xxii. 14.)--The nuptials being +consummated between the Lamb and his bride, and she being now "made +perfect in holiness;" under the emblem of a city, she is illuminated +with "the glory of God," made "comely through his comeliness put upon +her," rendered beautiful and illustrious beyond conception or +expression: for the happiness of heaven results from conformity to the +God-man, communion with him and communications from him. (1 John iii. +2.)--"Her light" resembled the "jasper, clear as crystal." The knowledge +of saints in heaven will be intuitive: they will no longer "see through +a glass darkly," by word and sacraments; nor shall the glorious +Bridegroom show himself as formerly "through the lattice;" (Song ii. 9;) +but they "shall see him as he is." (1 John iii. 2.)--"A wall great and +high" denotes the security of this city, which can never be scaled by an +enemy. The "twelve gates" are to admit the twelve tribes of God's +spiritual Israel,--the sealed ones, (ch. vii. 5-8;) who "shall come from +the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and +shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke xiii. 29.)--At the gates +were "twelve angels," as guards and porters. The "foundations" of the +wall, named after the "twelve apostles," denote that all who enter the +city, gained admission by "belief of the truth" as taught by the +apostles,--had "continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and +fellowship," in the face of reproach, persecution and apostacy. They +were "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,"--Old and +New Testament believers saved by the blood of the Lamb: for the twelve +tribes, multiplied by the twelve apostles, make a hundred and +forty-four; and these again, multiplied by a thousand, make the whole +number who appeared with the Lamb on Mount Zion, (ch. xiv. 1;) _the +public witnesses_ of Christ, in the _church militant_ during the great +apostacy. + + +15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, +and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. + +16. And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the +breadth. Ami he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand +furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. + +17. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four +cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. + +Vs. 15-17.--The apostle borrows the symbols and language of preceding +prophets, especially those of Ezek. (xl. 3,) and Zech. (ii. 1.) The +"furlongs" measured by the "reed," indicate a city of vast dimensions; +and being "four square," each side would be about fifteen hundred miles! +And as the "length and breadth and height of it are equal," we are +hereby taught that no gross conceptions are to be formed in our +imaginations, since a city fifteen hundred miles high, is utterly +inconceivable. The instruction intended to be conveyed to us by the vast +dimensions, and precious materials of this city may be, the +incomprehensible nature and transcendent glory of heaven. (1 Cor. ii. +9.) A cubit, as the word signifies, "is the measure of a man" from his +elbow to the end of his middle finger. The measure of the wall, in +height or breadth, was a hundred and forty-four cubits, or the twelve +tribes, as before, multiplied by the twelve apostles; for the idea of a +cube, as the most perfect symbol of symmetrical form, seems to be +intended. + + +18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was +pure gold, like unto clear glass: + +19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all +manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, +sapphire; the third chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; + +20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; +the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the +eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. + +21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of +one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were +transparent glass. + +Vs. 18-21.--The "jasper, gold and glass," are here all combined; though +their natural properties and chemical elements are so different. Glass +is clear, transparent, but brittle; gold is solid and shining, but +opaque. In heaven, the saints shall _know_ more than we can now +_imagine_. The glass will be all gold. As the eye sees an object through +glass at a glance, so the saints in heaven will perceive truth without +the tedious process of comparison and reasoning. The gold will be all +glass. All these symbols are intended to show to the devout reader, that +the antichristian harlot is incomparably eclipsed by the glory of the +Lamb's bride,--having "no glory, by reason of the glory that +excelleth."--The twelve "precious stones" which "garnished the +foundations of the wall of the city," are an allusion to those of +Aaron's breastplate of judgment. (Exod. xxviii. 17-20;) indicating that +the _Urim_ and _Thummim_, the _light_ and _perfection_ of glory, shall +be there, superseding the oracle and Shekinah: for one thing is peculiar +to this city by which it is distinguished from the old Jerusalem,--no +temple. + + +22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the +Lamb, are the temple of it. + +23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine +in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light +thereof. + +24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of +it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. + +25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall +be no night there. + +26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. + +27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, +neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which +are written in the Lamb's book of life. + +Vs. 22-27.--There was "no temple therein." As there _was a temple_ in +the city which Ezekiel saw in vision, (ch. xli. 1,) and this fact +determines the point, that his prophecy relates to the church +_militant_; so, the absence of even the semblance of such a structure +here, proves that this is a description of the church _triumphant_. In +heaven there is no need of external, material, visible symbols of God's +presence. As the ceremonial "law had a shadow of good things to come," +but "vanished away" when Christ appeared, (Heb. x. 1,) so will it be in +heaven; no ordinances will be used to act upon either sense or faith, +these having issued in vision. + +The glorious presence of "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb," having +superseded the necessity of a temple; the light of the sun and moon +shall be no longer needed. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at +all," (1 John i. 5;) and "as long as Christ was in the world, he was the +light of the world." (John ix. 5.) We have seen that other suns and +moons which were _symbolical,_ have been darkened or blotted out of +existence by the omnipotent Mediator; but now these natural luminaries +are totally and for ever obscured by the ineffable effulgence of +uncreated light,--the manifested and immediate presence of the Father +and the Son.--All the redeemed shall "walk in the light of the Lord;" +and all the glory of "the kings of the earth," concentrated in one +place, would bear no comparison with the splendor of this "holy city." +The gates are not to be shut during the "day" of _eternity_; and since +the "excellent ones of the earth" shall all enter the twelve open gates +from every part of the world, it may be truly said "they bring the glory +and honor of the nations into it." What a delightful scene of a holy, +happy, safe and harmonious fellowship!--It is observable that the +apostle altogether drops _personalities_ here. He seizes only upon +properties or qualities,--"any thing,"--so holy is the place, and so +holy the inhabitants; yea, so safe and secure, that no creature,--no +"beast of the field which the Lord God has made," shall ever gain an +entrance into this heavenly Paradise: but only those whose names are +"written in the Lamb's book of life;" who, despite of the Serpent, +brings all his spiritual seed safe to glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, +proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. + +2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, +was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and +yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the +healing of the nations. + +3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the +Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. + +4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their +foreheads. + +5. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither +light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall +reign for ever and ever. + +Vs. 1-5.--These verses, being a continuance of the description of the +"holy city," naturally belong to the preceding chapter.--The angel +proceeds to show John the source and current from which emanate all +heavenly blessings. The allusion is to Ezekiel, xlvii. 1-12; but both he +and John call our attention to man's primeval state, when our first +parents dwelt in Eden. This abode of the blessed is beautified and +enriched with all the products, delights and attractions which are +adapted to the refined senses of holy creatures,--"pleasant to the eyes, +and good for food." It is Paradise restored, by the "doing and dying" of +the second Adam. It is also Paradise _improved_, having not only the +"tree of life," as the first had, but also, in addition, the "water of +life." The "tree of life" was to sinless Adam a symbol and pledge of +immortality to himself and all his posterity whom he represented in the +Covenant of Works. Now that heaven is procured for all believers by the +second Adam, it is emblematically represented to our weak apprehension +by directing our attention to the primitive and earthly Paradise. This +is repeatedly done in Scripture. The Lord Jesus, before he expired upon +the cross, said to the penitent thief,--"To day shall thou be with me in +Paradise. (Luke xxiii. 43.) Paul was "caught up" thither, (2 Cor. xii. +4;) and he calls the place "heaven," (v. 2;) and in this book, (ch. ii. +7,) the Lord promises,--"I will give to him that overcometh to eat of +the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The +"tree" is an emblem of Christ, (Song ii. 3;) the "river of the water of +life" symbolizes the Holy Spirit, (John vii. 38, 39;) for as the Son and +the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father, the former by generation, the +latter by emanation from eternity,--so "that eternal life which was with +the Father" in the person of the Son, and purchased by the Son, is +communicated by the Holy Ghost to all the redeemed by regeneration. (2 +Cor. iii. 6; Rom. viii. 2.)--Thus, the eternal duration of life in glory +"proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb." On each side of the +river "the tree of life" is accessible by the inhabitants; and the +fruits of the tree, ripe in all months of the year, and adapted to every +taste, each one may "put forth his hand" as he passes, "and take ... and +eat, and live for ever." (Gen. iii. 22.) Or, "the people that are +therein" may "sit down under its shadow, and its fruit will be sweet to +their taste."--"The leaves of the tree" are for medicine, being +preventive of all disease, so that "the inhabitant shall not say, I am +sick: the people that dwell therein are forgiven their iniquities." (Is. +xxxiii. 24.) "There shall be no more curse." Satan gained entrance into +the garden of Eden, and succeeded in entailing the "curse" upon man, and +upon beast, and upon the fruits of the ground; but he shall never be +loosed again, or emerge from "the lake of fire," to disturb the repose +of that blessed society in heaven, (ch. xxi. 27.)--As the "throne of God +and the Lamb" is _one,_ (ch. iii. 21;) so it is remarkable that the +distinction of persons is omitted, as though the Father and the Son were +but one person. True, Christ said, "I and my Father are one," (John x. +30;) but he referred to _unity_ of _nature_ and purpose, not of +_personality;_ for, in consistency with this, he said also,--"My Father +is greater than I;" an assertion which must consist with the former, and +which plainly involves personal distinction, (ch. xiv. 28.)--"His name +shall be in their foreheads."--Which of them? We have found Christ's +Father's name "written in the foreheads" of a hundred and forty-four +thousand saints _militant_, (ch. xiv. 1.) While in conflict, "the world +knew them not," and the adherents of Antichrist "cast out their names as +evil," branding them as _heretics_; but now they are known to the whole +universe, as the _covenant property_ of both the Father and the Son, +(ch. iii. 12.)--"Behold, I and the children which God hath given me;" +(Heb. ii. 13.) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou +gavest me cut of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; +and they have kept thy word. ... All mine are thine, and thine are mine; +and I am glorified in them." (John xvii. 6,10.)--There will be no +intermission or interruption of service, "no night there,"--no hidings +of God's countenance, no desertions; for "they shall see his face" in +the "express image of the Father's person," be assured of his +love;--"need no candle," nor any earthly accommodation; "for the Lord +God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever," in +fulness of joy and unalloyed pleasures for evermore. (Ps. xvi. 11.) How +different is this heaven from the Mahometan paradise, which, if real, +could gratify only carnal and sensual sinners! yet the imaginations of +many, and their aspirations too, with the Bible in their hands, are +little better than those of Mahometans or pagans. All speculations of +heathen philosophers about the "chief good," or the enjoyments of their +imaginary gods, are so gross and brutish as to demonstrate the +all-important truth, that "except a man be born again, _he cannot_ see +the kingdom of God." (John iii. 3.) And it is too evident that some +modern philosophers are as little acquainted as Nicodemus with the +humbling doctrines of the gospel. The society of learned men, making +perpetual advance in natural science, especially in astronomy,--would +seem to be the highest conception of happiness which too many modern +philosophers can reach. They know not some of the elementary teachings +of the Holy Scriptures; such as,--"Without holiness no man shall see the +Lord;" and that this indispensable preparation for heavenly felicity +consists in "the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy +Ghost." + +The hundreds of diverse and conflicting opinions of learned writers on +the _summum bonum_, or chief good, proves to demonstration, that without +supernatural revelation and regeneration, man cannot conceive in what +happiness consists. Thus far is the description of the heavenly state; +and how little can we know, or even conceive of the glory and felicity +of the upper sanctuary! We must still say with the prophet Isaiah and +the apostle Paul,--"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have +entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for +them that love him." (Isa. lxiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.) + + +6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the +Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants +the things which must shortly be done. + +7. Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the +prophecy of this book. + +Vs. 6, 7.--The angel assures the apostle and all who read, that "these +sayings are faithful and true," however sublime and incomprehensible; +however, incredible to infidels; however contradicted and misinterpreted +by antichristian apostates and enthusiasts. They are all from "the Lord +God of the holy prophets,"--from Jesus Christ and God the Father, (ch. +i. 1.)--All prophets who wrote _any part_ of the Bible, were "holy men +of God." (2 Pet. i. 21.)--Of "these things" some were "shortly to be +done;" and all in regular series would be accomplished in due +time.--"Behold I come quickly." Christ is the speaker here, and declares +that each one is "blessed who keepeth the sayings ... of this book." +This benediction was pronounced on such at the beginning of this +Revelation, (ch. i. 3,) and it is repeated by its immediate divine +Author, to encourage all to study it. This blessing is not to be +expected by any who merely _read_ or _hear_, but by those only who +_keep_ the "sayings of this prophecy." Its Author foreknew its enemies +and corrupters. + + +8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and +seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed +me these things. + +9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy +fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep +the sayings of this book: worship God. + +Vs. 8, 9.--A _second_ time, John attempts an act of idolatry! While we +may wonder at this, let us not fail to admire the wonderful wisdom of +God in permitting his servant to fall, as he did in the case of our +first father Adam, that he might take occasion more fully to display his +glory in "bringing good out of evil." The Apocalypse is directed chiefly +against that primary feature of the great Antichrist, _idolatry_. This +was part of "the mystery of inquity "which did already work" in the time +of the apostles, (Col. ii. 18,) and was to be fully developed +afterwards. (2 Thess. ii. 4.) This second rebuke of an apostle, by one +of the most exalted of creatures, for ever answers all arguments of +Papists or others, who plead for, or palliate the "worshipping of +angels" or souls of men. Idolaters worship angels and souls _when +absent_, as though they were omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent; +thus giving the glory to creatures of these divine perfections: whereas +this heavenly messenger, _when present_, keenly resents this indignity +to his and the apostle's adorable Creator and Lord. Once more the angel +directs John and all men to join him and all the heavenly host in +observing "the first and great commandment,"--"Worship God," (ch. v. +11-14.) This angelic rebuke, leaves Papists for ever without excuse; and +consequently all others who deny the _supreme deity_ of our Lord and +Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet worship him. + + +10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this +book; for the time is at hand. + +11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, +let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous +still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. + +12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every +man according as his work shall be. + +Vs. 10-12.--Christ himself addresses John in person. He had done so at +the beginning of these glorious scenes of the future, (ch. i. 8.) Now he +appears again in glory, though not described as before, that he may thus +authenticate and close the vision.--"Seal not the sayings of the +prophecy of this book." Why is this? The reason is assigned, because +"the time is at hand" when they shall begin to be verified in actual +history. The case was different in Daniel's time, who was inspired by +the same omniscient Spirit to predict the same events. "O Daniel, shut +up the words, and seal the vision, even to the time of the end." (Dan. +xii. 4.) If the vision of the empires of Persia and Greece was to be +"for many days," (ch. viii. 26,) then the rise, reign and overthrow of +the Roman empire, were still more remote. No wonder that Daniel, with +becoming humility but intense interest inquired, "O, my Lord, what shall +be the end of these things?" Such was the subdued anxiety of other +prophets. (1 Pet. i. 10.) And here we may once for all notice the _three +distinct_ periods mentioned by Daniel, as measuring the duration of the +Roman empire, the Romish apostacy, and as they bear upon the promised +and desirable millennium. The two prophets, Daniel and John, agree in +fixing and limiting the domination of the Antichrist to 1260 years. This +agreement has been already pointed out. The Lord, however, to allay the +laudable anxiety of his "greatly beloved" servant Daniel, makes mention +of two other periods of time, 1290 and 1335 days or years, (ch. xii. 11, +12.) Now, when we have manifold assurances that the great apostacy shall +terminate with the close of the 1260 years, we may venture humbly to +suppose, that the next thirty years may be occupied in the conversion of +the Jews, and the remaining forty-five in the effectual calling of the +residue of the gentile nations; so as to bring the kingdoms of the earth +and the church of Christ to perfect organization and visible harmony, +and the whole population of the globe into voluntary and avowed +subjection to the Lord and his Anointed,--to perfect millennial +splendor, the nearest approximation to heaven. (Rom. xi. 25, 26; Ps. +cii. 15, 16.) But "who shall live when God doeth this?" (Num. xxiv. +23.)--The divine Author of this book, having given to mankind a complete +and sufficient revelation of his will, containing invitations and +warnings, at this juncture gives intimation that obstinate sinners shall +at length be left to the consequences of their own free and perverse +choice, "unjust and filthy still;" no further means to be employed for +their conviction; but those who have embraced the offer of the gospel, +shall be confirmed for ever in holiness and happiness,--"righteous and +holy still."--He also repeats the assurances of his sudden appearance to +reward "every man according as his work shall be." The recompense which +he brings will be of debt or justice to the impenitent unbeliever; but +wholly of free grace to the believer; for the works of each class shall +follow them, as decisive evidence of their respective characters, (ch. +xiv. 13.) + + +13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the +last. + +V. 13.--The Lord Christ here declares and asserts the eternity of his +personal subsistence and official standing, as an all-sufficient +guarantee of his ability and authority to deal with the righteous and +the wicked, as also to bring to pass all events by his providence which +are here predicted. The same guarantee he had given at the beginning of +the Apocalypse, (ch. i. 8.) + +14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right +to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. + +V. 14.--Those who "do his commandments," are believers, (John xiv. 15,) +and no others can obtain a "right to the tree of life"--all the +blessings of Christ's purchase: for "without faith it is impossible to +please God," (Heb. xi. 6;) and "this is the love of God, that we keep +his commandments." (1 John v. 3.) "By the deeds of the law,"--keeping +the commandments, whether moral or ceremonial, "shall no flesh be +justified in the sight of God," or _merit_ a "right to the tree of +life," or to "enter in through the gates into the city." This right, +power, or privilege, is confined to those, and to those only, who +"receive and believe on the name of Christ." (John i. 12.) They who +serve the Lord Christ, are entitled to the reward of the inheritance, +(Col. iii. 24;) and in keeping of his commandments, there is great +reward. (Ps. xix. 11.) This reward is of _grace_, not of _debt_ to any +of the children of Adam: "not of works, lest any man should boast." +(Rom. xi. 6; Eph. ii. 9.) And when the last elected sinner, pertaining +to the whole company of the redeemed, shall have been called, justified +and sanctified, then "with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: +they shall enter into the King's palace." (Ps. xlv. 15.) + + +15. For without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, +and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. + +V. 15.--"Without are dogs."--These characters have been excluded by the +righteous and unalterable sentence of the judge of quick and dead, +having their part in the "lake of fire:" for there is no intimation here +or elsewhere, of any _purgatory_ or intermediate place, with the +delusive hope of which, those who "love and make lies," flatter +themselves and their blind votaries. Oh, that such "sinners in Zion," +and out of Zion, "might be afraid!"--that timely "fearfulness might +surprise these hypocrites!" that they might ponder those awful +questions!--"Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among +us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa. xxxiii. 14.) + + +16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the +churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and +morning star. + +V. 16.--This is the "angel" whose ministry the Lord Christ was pleased +to employ in making known to the church through his servant John, most +of the discoveries of this book, (ch. i. 1, 11.) Many other angels have +indeed been employed by the Mediator as the ministers of his providence; +but this one seems to have been the principal all along. None of these +heavenly messengers, however, was found competent to reveal the purposes +of God, (ch. v. 3.) To this work the eternal Son of God alone was found +adequate by nature and office,--the "Lamb that had been slain." Christ +has a personal property in the angels, as he is their Creator and Lord; +and as they are his creatures and willing servants,--"_mine_ +angel."--This is perfectly reasonable; for he is the "Root of David" in +his divine nature; and the "Offspring of David," in his human nature, +(Rom. i. 3.)--God-Man, Mediator. And here let it be remarked, that in +speaking or writing of our Redeemer there appears to be no scriptural +warrant for the popular phrases,--"the _union_ of the two +natures,"--"Christ as man;" or, "as God." These expressions militate +against the _unity_ of his _divine nature_ and _personality;_ and are +calculated,--we do not say _intended_, to mislead or confuse the mind of +his disciples. "In _him personally_, not in the Father or the Holy +Ghost, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. ii. +9.)--By John the descent of Christ's human nature is traced through +David here, because of the Covenant of Royalty; by Paul, he is +represented as being of the "seed of Abraham," by reason of the more +extended relation involved in the Covenant of Grace. (Heb. ii. 16.)--He +is also "the bright, even the morning star." This may be in reference to +the less luminous "stars in his right hand," (ch. i. 16, 20,) and by way +of contrast with them: but he takes this name chiefly to intimate that +he is the Author of all supernatural illumination, whether in the +kingdom of grace or of glory:--"The Lamb is the light thereof," (ch. +xxi. 23.) + + +17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, +say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let +him take the water of life freely. + +V. 17.--Here is the unrestricted universal call of the gospel, to "come" +to Christ for eternal life.--"We do testify that the Father sent the Son +to be the Saviour of the world," (1 John iv. 14.)--The invitation is +manifold and pressing. "The Spirit" by the word and conscience says, +"Come." "The Bride," the church militant and triumphant, says, "Come." +Every one "that heareth" the invitation, is warranted to say to others, +"Come." Let every one that "thirsts" for true and lasting felicity, +"Come." If any one be in doubt, whether his desire be spiritual or not, +it is added for his encouragement, as well as sufficient warrant,--"Let +whosoever will, take of the water of life freely." Any sinner of Adam's +race may "wash and be clean," in that "fountain open for sin and for +uncleanness;" may with confidence and pleasure, "draw water from the +wells of salvation." (Zech. xiii. 1: Isa. xii. 3.) Who can resist these +calls, invitations and persuasions, and be guiltless? or who can devise +easier terms of reconciliation to an offended God, than are here +addressed to the chief of sinners? + + +18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy +of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto +him the plagues that are written in this book: + +19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this +prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out +of holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. + +Vs. 18, 19.--"For I testify."--He who is "the faithful and true Witness" +closes this book of prophecy, with a solemn and awful sanction. These +tremendous threatenings by the "Lord God of the holy prophets," may well +cause all who read or hear to tremble: for who can abide his +indignation?--While the "prophecy of this book" is primarily intended, +all other parts of the Bible are included in this solemn conclusion: for +doubtless our Lord intended the Apocalypse to be a close to the whole +canon. The threatening is twofold, corresponding to the criminality. +Learned, bold and irreverent biblical critics; enthusiasts and +pretenders to new revelations, are in danger of these judgments. "The +plagues that are written in this book," are such as will utterly destroy +the presumptuous sinner who "adds to these things." And he that +impiously "takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy," +exposes himself to the like awful punishment. "God shall take away his +part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the +things which are written in this book."--Tremendous doom! All that which +he seemed to have shall be taken away. (Luke viii. 18.) Great will be +the sudden and unexpected loss!--These awful denunciations, however, +have special reference, like the rest of the threatened judgments in +this book, to the great, continued and defiant impieties of the apostate +church of Rome. She has "added" her _traditions_ to the Scriptures, as +part and principal part, of the "Rule of Faith!" She has "taken away" +the Scriptures from the body of her people; or shut them up in an +"unknown tongue," so that "every man may" _not_ "hear in his own tongue +wherein he was born, the wonderful works of God." (Acts ii. 8, 11.) This +is one of the articles in Rome's indictment here; and whatever modern +infidelity or spurious charity may suggest, this theft of God's word, +and robbery of his people, is not to be expiated with burnt offering or +sacrifice. And he who scans all time, foresaw this attempt of the dragon +and his allies to deprive the church and the world of the "lively +oracles;" therefore, as he promised a blessing on the reader of this +book, as it were on the title-page, here in the close he appends a +malediction, that all who read or hear, may be deterred from such +sacrilege. + + +20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. +Even so, come, Lord Jesus. + +V. 20.--"He which testifieth these things" is the Lord Jesus. Again he +reminds all to whom these presents come, of his certain and speedy +appearance. These frequent assurances are not "vain repetitions." They +are intended to strengthen the faith and counteract the despondency of +the saints, and to alarm the consciences of his enemies. (2 Pet. iii. 3, +4, 8, 10; Jude 14, 15.) To this "promise of his coming," John responds +in the name of the whole church,--"Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus," to +fulfil these predictions, in their promises and threatenings; "to be +glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe." "So +shall they ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. iv. 17.) + + +21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. + +V. 21.--These are also the words of John. He had just been addressing +the "Lord Jesus," and his next words are addressed to the "seven +churches," (ch. i. 4, 11,) or to all who read or hear the words of this +book: but especially the church general. This is a concise form of the +"apostolic benediction," (2 Thess. iii. 18,) which is sometimes +amplified, by naming the Father and the Son; or, at other times, the +three divine persons. (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) However, "the grace of the Lord +Jesus Christ" is originally from God the Father, procured for us by +Jesus Christ, and communicated to us by the Holy Spirit. And unto the +Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, let equal, undivided, and +everlasting glory be ascribed, by all the subjects of his regenerating +and sanctifying grace, "throughout all ages, world without end." Amen. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Life of Martin Luther. Pp. 173, 174. London. 1855. Luther +afterwards became convinced of his error.] + +[Footnote 2: Gibbon has unconsciously written a commentary on +prophecy!--an involuntary witness, like Josephus!] + +[Footnote 3: "It has been our lot to hear the voice of the third woe," +Faber.--"In this I entirely agree with that expositor." M'Leod. The +blinding influence of earth's politics upon the minds of pious men, has +often occasioned the hearts of their brethren to "sigh for their +inconsistency."] + +[Footnote 4: The terms "clergy and laity" are of papal origin, and the +unlearned Christian should know that they are contrary to the mind of +the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. v. 3. The body of the people are "God's +heritage,"--_clergy_.] + +[Footnote 5: Gibbon.] + +[Footnote 6: Mosheim.] + +[Footnote 7: Such is the interpretation of Bishop Newton!] + +[Footnote 8: Faber.] + +[Footnote 9: This is the opinion of Mr. Faber.] + +[Footnote 10: Scott.] + +[Footnote 11: Scott] + +[Footnote 12: So Mr. Faber imagined.] + +[Footnote 13: So designated by Nicholas, late emperor of Russia.] + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +THE NEW JERUSALEM. + +Interpreters are much divided in opinion as to the import of this +symbol. Some think it represents the church on earth during the period +of the millennium; while others, no less learned and pious, consider it +as an emblematical representation of the heavenly state. Of those who +acquiesce in the former view, some consider the arguments "quite +conclusive." It may be conceded that much may be advanced, and with +great plausibility, in support of this position. + +Perhaps the most specious arguments to this purpose are such as the +following:--"That the New Jerusalem is distinguished from the Old, +because of the superior light and grace of the present dispensation of +the Covenant. Moreover, the glowing descriptions of the church militant +given by the prophets, especially Isaiah, are thought to be as boldly +rhetorical as those of John; yet those lofty flights are confessedly +descriptive of the church on earth. Besides, who can conceive how "the +kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into" the heavenly +state? or how are "the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the +nations," when there _are no nations to be healed?_ etc. + +To these arguments the following answers may be given. + +The church is one under all changes of dispensation, and by what names +soever she is called: but it does not appear that we are warranted by +Scripture usage to view the New Jerusalem as a designation of the church +in her militant state. She is indeed sometimes called in the New +Testament by Old Testament names: as when Paul calls her by the name +Zion, (Heb. xii. 22.) But he does not say, _new_ Zion. Again, when our +Lord promises, (as in Rev. iii. 12,) to reward "him that overcometh," it +must be supposed from the connexion, that, as in all similar cases of +spiritual conflict, this reward is to be conferred in a future +state,--heaven. But part of the reward he describes in these words:--"I +will write upon him the name of the city of my God, which is New +Jerusalem." Surely it may be supposed without presumption, that in this +place New Jerusalem means heaven. Nor is the assumption true,--that the +descriptive language of the Old Testament prophets is always to be +understood of the church on earth. For instance, can the following +language (Is. xxxiii. 24,) be predicated of the saints while in the +body:--"The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick?" "The glory and honour +of the nations" are the "saints of God, the excellent;" who while here, +are "the light of the world, the salt of the earth;" and doubtless +nations as well as families and individuals "have learned by experience +that the Lord hath blessed them for their sakes:" (Gen. xxx. 27; xxxix. +5;)--and that he has also "reproved kings" and destroyed nations for +their sakes, (Ps. cv. 14; Is. xliii. 3, 4.) And when all the saints who +are to rule the nations, (Rev. xx. 4, 6,) for a thousand years, shall +have been brought home to glory, then emphatically will the glory and +honour of the nations be brought into the New Jerusalem. + +As to the "leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations," it may be +remarked, that their sanative virtue will have been experienced by +national societies on earth: and there is not, there never was, nor will +there ever be, any other healing medicine for them, (Ezek. xlvii. 12) In +addition to what has been said, it is worthy of notice that the tree of +life, in allusion to the delights of the garden of Eden, which was an +emblem of heaven, is mentioned in the Apocalypse, near the beginning and +near the end of the book, (chs. ii. 7; xxii. 2.) Now, we are told +expressly that this tree is "in the midst of Paradise." But we learn +both from our Lord and the apostle Paul that Paradise signifies +heaven:--"To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," said Christ to the +penitent thief. "I was caught up into Paradise;" that is, "the third +heaven," said Paul. Did Christ and Paul mean the visible, or the +invisible church militant by the name Paradise? But the tree of life +flourishes there, and all the redeemed eat of its fruit. They are where +the tree is, the tree is in Paradise, and Paradise is heaven itself: +therefore we are warranted to conclude with certainty that New Jerusalem +is a symbol of the church triumphant; and, consequently, that those +parts of chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, which are of symbolic +structure, are descriptive of the heavenly state. + + +THE ANTICHRIST. + +This word does not occur in the Apocalypse, nor in any other book of the +New Testament except the first and second epistles, by the apostle John. +There it is found in the singular and plural form. (1 John ii. 18, 22; +iv. 3; ii. 7.) The apostles in their ministry had spoken frequently and +familiarly to the disciples of this personage, as an enemy of God and +man. "Ye _have heard_ that Antichrist shall come." "Remember ye not," +asks Paul, "that, when I was yet with you, I _told you_ these things?" +(2 Thess. ii. 5.) Paul blames his countrymen, the Hebrews, that they had +need that one should teach them again which be the first principles of +the oracles of God, (Heb. v. 12.) And it is just so now, in the case of +most professing Christians, learned and illiterate; they yet need to be +taught again what is meant by Antichrist. + +All who are acquainted with the sentiments of the reformers of the +sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are aware that their conceptions of +this enemy were vague and confused. Persecuted as heretics and apostates +from the only true church, the church of Rome, the reformers very +naturally concluded that the Pope, or the church of which he is the +visible head, was the Antichrist. And this opinion is very generally +held at the present day. + +Mr. Faber, however, dissents from this popular notion, and with much +confidence and plausibility broaches a new theory of his own. His style +is always forcible, and so perspicuous that he cannot be misunderstood. +In his "Dissertation on the Prophecies," he lays down the following +canon or rule for expositors:--"Before a commentator can reasonably +expect his own system to be adopted by others, he must show likewise +that the expositions of his predecessors are erroneous in those points +wherein he differs from them." To enforce this rule he adds,--"It will +be found to be the only way, in which there is even a probability of +attaining to the truth." I can neither admit the justness of his rule, +nor the conclusiveness of his reason; for by its adoption, "of making +many books there would be no end; and the world itself could not contain +the books that should be written." To deduce the truth from any portion +of God's word, it is by no means necessary that the expositor shall +undertake the Herculean task of refuting all the heresies and vagaries +which "men of corrupt minds" have pretended or attempted to wring out of +it. But as Mr. Faber is not to be reckoned in this category, I shall pay +him so much deserved respect as to apply to himself _his own rule_ in +some following particulars:-- + +By a formal syllogism Mr. Faber proposes to overthrow the generally +received interpretation of the term _Antichrist_, that it means, the +_Papacy_, or, the _Church of Rome_. Thus he reasons:--"He is Antichrist +that denieth the Father and the Son: but _the Church of Rome_ never +denied either the Father or the Son: therefore _the church of Rome_ +cannot be the _Antichrist_ intended by St. John." Now, in this argument, +which seems to be so clear and conclusive, there is a latent sophism, an +assumption contrary to the Scriptures. The false assumption is, that the +word _denieth is univocal_; that is, that it has in the Bible, and on +this doctrinal point in particular, only _one sense_; whereas this is +not the case. The Church of Rome does indeed "profess to know" the +Father and the Son, but "in works denies" both, (1 Tim. v. 8; Tit. i. +16.) Therefore Mr. Faber's conclusion is not sustained by his premises, +and the Church of Rome might be the Antichrist for any thing that his +syllogism says to the contrary. + +Mr. Faber imagined that "Republican France,--infidel and atheistical +France,"--was the Antichrist; and he labored with much ingenuity to +sustain his position by applying to revolutionary France the latter part +of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, together with the prophecies of Paul, +Peter and Jude. I presume that most divines and intelligent Christians +are long since convinced, by the developments of Providence, that he was +mistaken. The commotions of the French Revolution and the military +achievements of the first Napoleon, however important to peninsular +Europe, were on much too limited a scale to correspond with the +magnitude and duration of the great Antichrist's achievements. They +were, however, owing to their proximity to Britain and their threatening +aspect, of sufficient importance to excite the alarm and rouse the +political antipathies of the Vicar of Stockton upon Tees! Mr. Faber's +Antichrist is an "infidel king, wilful king, an atheistical king, a +professed atheist," of short duration, and his influence of limited +geographical extent. He is not in most of these features the Antichrist +of prophecy, whose baleful influence is co-extensive with Christendom, +and whose duration is to be 1260 years. Mr. Faber's erudition is to be +respected, his imagination admired, but his political feelings to be +lamented. Indeed, his very ecclesiastical title of office,--"Vicar," is +itself partly indicative and symbolical of the prophetic Antichrist. + +I do not believe that infidel France, whether republican or monarchical, +nor the Papacy, nor the Church of Rome, is the Antichrist of the apostle +John; yet I do believe that all these are essential elements in his +composition. The following are the principal component parts of that +complex moral person, as defined by the Holy Spirit, by which any +disciple of Christ without much learning may identify John's Antichrist. +His elemental parts are three, _and only three_, and all presented in +the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The "beast of the sea," (vs. 1, +2,) the "beast of the earth," (v. 11,) and the "image of, or to the +first beast," (v. 14,) that is, the Roman empire, the Roman church and +the Pope: all these in combination, _professing Christianity_; these, +with their adjuncts as subordinate agencies constitute the Apocalyptic +Antichrist. Besides this personage, well defined by the inspired +prophets, Daniel, Paul, John and others, there is no other Antichrist. +An "infidel king, a professed atheist," as distinct from this one and +symbolized in prophetic revelation, I find not. I conclude that such a +personage is wholly chimerical, framed as a creature of a lively +imagination. + + +THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST. + +Mr. Faber is unsuccessful in his interpretation of the "image of the +beast." His reasoning is ingenious, specious and intelligible as usual. +He labours to prove that the worshipping of images by the Papists is the +meaning of the symbol. Material images, however, whether of papal origin +or otherwise, are harmless vanities: "for they cannot do evil, neither +also _is it_ in them to do good," (Jer. x. 5.) The case is quite +otherwise with this image. It has "life, speaks, and has power to +_kill_," (Rev. xiii. 15.) These properties of John's "image" are so +opposite to those of the Papal images, that they effectually confute Mr. +Faber's fanciful, not to say whimsical theory. It has been already shown +that the "image" symbolizes the Papacy, the _fac-simile_ of the Roman +emperor. + + +THE BEAST'S "_deadly wound_." + +The Erastian heresy, the usual concomitant of prelacy, will readily +account for Mr. Faber's explanation of the "deadly wound," which the +first beast received in his sixth head. Constantine, he thinks, +inflicted that wound by abolishing paganism. He writes as though the +beast had been _actually killed_, and had lain literally dead for a +period of nearly three centuries! (viz., from 313 till 606.) Yet the +apostle assures us that the "deadly wound was healed." The _beast did +not die_. Daniel gives no hint of the death of his fourth beast, which +is the same as John's beast of the sea, until his final destruction at +the close of the 1260 years. It was in fact under the reigns of +Constantine and his successors, that ambitious pastors were nurtured +into antichristian prelates, and passed by a natural transition into +Popery. The empire never ceased to be a beast during the whole period of +its continuance. The sixth _head_ was wounded, but the beast still +survived. The sixth or imperial form of government was changed, but that +change brought no advantage to the Christian church either in her +doctrine or order. As a distinct horn of this beast the British nation +with her hierarchy is easily traceable to mystic Babylon in point of +maternity. Since, as well as before the time of Henry the Eighth, +spiritual fornication has ever been the crime of the "British +Establishment." This historical fact requires no proof. + +Mr. Faber seems to me to give too little prominence in his exposition to +Daniel and John's beast of the sea, as an enemy to Christ. Indeed, he +appears to overlook the leading idea involved in the name Antichrist, as +a _substitutionary_, false, and therefore inimical or hostile christ. +Instead of keeping before his mind the glorious person of the Mediator +as the special object of Antichrist's enmity, as prophecy requires, he +places before him the church or the gospel instead of Christ. Hence he +writes thus:--"We find in the predictions of St. John,--(why not _St_ +Daniel?) two _great enemies_ of the _gospel_, Popery and Mohammedism." +Then he adds,--"a third power is introduced," (Preface, p. 7.) This +"third power" he calls "a wilful infidel king," and, as already noticed, +interprets it of "atheistical France." Now, it will be evident to the +intelligent reader that among his "three powers" considered by him as +"enemies to the gospel," he has entirely lost sight of the _seven headed +ten horned beast_, and _his hostility to Christ_! He has, in fact, +manifestly substituted his imaginary "wilful king",--infidel France, for +the Roman empire, the beast of Daniel and John, the agent that slays the +witnesses, (Rev. xi. 7.) To almost every expositor, and in his lucid +moments, even to Mr. Faber himself, it is apparent, that the Roman +empire is the primary element in the complex personage that wars against +the Lamb. Even kings are but _horns of the beast_, and Popery but a +_horn_. (Dan. vii. 20; Rev. xvii. 12, 13.) + +It is therefore a great mistake on the part of this learned author, to +feign an Antichrist distinct from the three confederated enemies of +Christ and his witnesses,--enemies so clearly pointed out in prophecy by +appropriate and intelligible symbols:--the beast with ten, and the beast +with two horns, and the image of the first. These three, all professing +the Christian religion, and practically denying it, without the shadow +of a doubt, constitute the Antichrist of John, (1 John ii. 19-21.) This +is the identical enemy described by Daniel, and according to the +inspired predictions of both prophets, doomed to eternal destruction, +(Dan. vii. 11; Rev. xix. 20.) Hence it is obvious that Mr. Faber's +"wilful king" is wholly a creature of his own fancy, constituting no +feature of the prophetic Antichrist. + + +THE LITTLE BOOK. + +This symbol is in the tenth chapter evidently distinguished from the one +in the fifth chapter. It is considered by several interpreters as +containing all that follows to the end of the book. According to this +view, it would be larger than the sealed book, (ch. v. 1.) Such a view +is altogether untenable, involving, as it does, almost a palpable +contradiction. The little book is indeed comprehended in the sealed +book, as a part of the whole; or it may be viewed as an appendix or +codicil, or perhaps still more correctly as a _parenthesis_, +interrupting the series of the trumpets, that the object of the seventh +or last woe-trumpet maybe thus described and rendered intelligible when +sounded. + +Mr. Faber is correct in saying, "the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and +fourteenth chapters, in point of chronology run parallel to each other;" +but he is mistaken when he says the "little book comprehends these four +chapters." It comprehends only so much as intervenes between the close +of the ninth chapter and the fifteenth verse of the eleventh chapter; +or, in other words, between the sounding of the sixth and seventh +trumpet. To be more correct and explicit,--the tenth chapter introduces +the little book, and the eleventh chapter, from the first to the +fourteenth verse inclusive, exhibits an abstract of its contents,--a +condensed narrative or mere outline of the contest during the 1260 +years. + + +THE DEATH OF THE WITNESSES. + +Many divines have considered the death of the two witnesses, as +consisting in a moral slaying, equivalent to apostacy. Mr. Faber views +their life and death as altogether political. He censures Mr. Galloway +for "want of strict adherence to _unity of symbolical_ interpretation," +but he inadvertently falls into the same error. Assuming, as he does, +that the two witnesses are the Old and New Testament _Churches_, where +is the "unity of symbolical interpretation" when he tells us that the +witnesses were politically slain in the "disastrous battle of Mulburgh +in the year 1547, by the total route of the protestants under the lead +of the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse?" The _political_ +death of two churches in the battle of Mulburgh!--Such language +exemplifies neither the accuracy of historic narrative, nor the "unity +of symbolical interpretation:" nor does it accord with another rule of +the writer, one of his three cardinal rules, namely,--That "no +interpretation of a prophecy is valid, except the prophecy agree _in +every particular_ with the event to which it is supposed to relate." +Mistaking the character of the witnesses, as one of the primary symbols +in the Apocalypse, he is unable to ascertain in history either their +identity or work, their life or their death. Having imagined their +political death in 1547, he supposes their resurrection to political +life in 1550,--"by the accession of Edward the Sixth to the throne of +England!" and "the defeat of the Duke of Mecklenburgh in the October of +that year!!" Of course, these witnesses, according to Mr. Faber's +interpretation, resumed their function of prophesying so soon as they +were restored to political life: but we look in vain for the prophesying +of the mystic witnesses after their ascension to the symbolic heaven, +(Rev. xi. 12.) As we have shown to the readers of these Notes, their +lives and their testimony, or prophesying, terminate together, (ch. xi. +7; xii. 11.) + + +THE MARK OF THE BEAST. + +"With regard to the mark of the beast," Mr. Faber "thinks, with Sir +Isaac Newton, that it is _the cross_," (p. 176.) This _thought_ has +indeed been almost universal in the minds of protestants. So deep-seated +is this conviction in the popular belief, that one is deemed chargeable +with temerity, if not something worse, who would call its grounds in +question. Popular opinion, or belief in matters of this spiritual and +mystical nature, is, however, of very little weight in the estimation of +such as are accustomed to "try the spirits." Although the mark was to be +received at the instance and by the authority of the two horned beast of +the earth, it was not enjoined as a mark of devotion to _himself_. It +was manifestly commanded by him as a _tessera_ of loyalty to the +ten-horned beast of the sea, the obvious symbol of corrupt and +tyrannical civil power. Instead therefore of the cross as a sign of +devotion to Popery,--of membership in the church of Rome, as identifying +with the beast's mark, this mark is evidently and demonstrably the +tessera of loyalty to the Roman empire,--immoral civil power; and this, +too, in any of the dependencies of that iron empire, (Dan. ii. 40; vii. +7.) + +From the errors and vagaries of this learned and acute expositor, some +of which have been pointed out, it is apparent that no amount of +intellectual culture, no natural powers of discrimination, no logical or +metaphysical acumen, will compensate for the want of early and accurate +training in the knowledge of supernatural revelation. On the prophetical +and priestly offices of our Redeemer, some of the English prelates have +written with a force, perspicuity and zeal against the heresies of the +Romish apostacy, not excelled by the writings of those who have +dissented from the semi-papal hierarchy of the Anglican Church. But on +the _royal_ office of Immanuel, their prelatic training and associations +seem to have blinded their minds. "No bishop, no king," is a maxim which +seems to lie at the foundation of all their political disquisitions and +speculations, and which gives a tincture to all their expositions of +prophecy. Nevertheless, even in this field of labor, the diligent +student may consult with much advantage the learned works of such +writers as the two Newtons, Kett, Galloway, Whitaker, Zouch, with their +predecessors, Lowman, Mede and others. + +After all, the best works to be obtained as helps to understand the +prophetic parts of Scripture, will be found in the labors of those who, +from age to age, have obeyed the gracious call of Christ,--who have +"come out from mystic Babylon," from the Romish communion,--from the +mother and her harlot daughters, and who have associated more or less +intimately with the _witnesses_. Among these may be consulted with +profit the works of Durham, Mason and M'Leod. But while searching after +the mind of God revealed in this part of his word, let us never exercise +implicit faith in the teachings of any fallible expositor. Let us always +regard the injunction of our apostle:--"Beloved, believe not every +spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." Of course, the +only infallible standard by which we can try the spirits is the whole +word of God,--"comparing spiritual things with spiritual." + + +THE FIRST RESURRECTION. + +Bishop Newton, among those divines distinguished in ecclesiastical +history as Millenarians, may be regarded as one of the most learned, +judicious and cautious. The amount of the deductions which this class of +writers draw from the scripture phrase "first resurrection," and its +context, confirmed as they suppose by many other parts of Scripture, +appears to be the following:--All the righteous shall be raised from +their graves to meet our Saviour coming from heaven at the beginning of +the Millennium: he and these saints, clothed in real human bodies, are +to dwell and reign together upon a renovated earth during that happy +period. Indeed, writers on this interesting subject differ so much in +details, that no well-defined theory or system can be discovered among +them. The _literal resurrection_ of the bodies of the saints, and the +_corporeal presence_ of Christ among them, seem to be the cardinal +points of agreement with this class of expositors; and from this literal +interpretation of the resurrection of the righteous and bodily +appearance of the Saviour, they either took or received the name +_Millenarians_. Other Christians, however, who differ from them in the +interpretation of symbols, are no less believers in a millennium than +they,--a thousand years of righteousness and peace _on the earth_. + +Bishop Newton understands "this 'first resurrection' of a particular +resurrection preceding the general one at least a thousand years." "It +is to this first resurrection," says he, "that St. Paul alludes, (1 +Thess. iv. 16,) when he affirms that the 'dead in Christ shall rise +first,' and (1 Cor. xv. 23;) that every man shall be made alive in his +own order, Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at +his coming." It is surprising that a person of the Bishop's learning +should so readily mistake the _sound_ for the _sense_ of the words which +he quotes. While the apostle is, for the "comfort" of the saints, +treating of _their_ resurrection, he is evidently speaking of the +general resurrection at the _end of time_. In the morning of the +resurrection Christ's members will be raised after the manner and in +virtue of his resurrection,--"the first fruits" securing the following +harvest, in obvious allusion to the ceremonial law. In the other case, +when Paul says, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," does he +mean,--before "the rest of the dead?" No, but before those of their +_redeemed brethren_ who shall then be "alive and remain;" for these +"shall not prevent (_anticipate_) them which are asleep," (_in the +grave_.) That is, the bodies of the saints who have died shall be raised +in glory, _before_ those then alive shall undergo a change equivalent to +that of the resurrection. Such is manifestly the meaning of the +apostle's plain language which has no reference whatever to the +millennium, not even the remotest allusion. Nothing but a groundless +preconception of the nature of the millennium will account for the sound +of words taking the place of their sense in the reader's mind, and no +degree of mere scholarship can obviate this propensity of the human mind +in "the things of the Spirit of God." + +Not only does the learned prelate misapprehend and misapply the texts +above quoted to support his theory, but he makes a gratuitous +concession, which is at once fatal to his scheme and inconsistent with +himself. He says,--"Indeed, the _death_ and _resurrection_ of the +witnesses before mentioned, (Rev. xi. 7, 11,) appears from the +concurrent circumstances of the vision to be _figurative_." The Bishop +evidently viewed the witnesses of the eleventh chapter as a company +altogether different from those of whom John speaks in the twentieth +chapter, (vs. 4, 5.) This is another of his surprising mistakes; for +that the _identical party_ as a moral person appears in both parts of +the symbolic and allegorical representation will readily appear to any +unbiassed mind by an induction of the following particulars. + +These witnesses are to continue "prophesying 1260 days (_years_,) (Rev. +xi. 3.) Then they are killed, (v. 7.) But we learn that _in death_ they +are _victorious_, (ch. xii. 11) They triumph "with the Lamb on Mount +Zion," (ch. xiv. 1) In a similar attitude of triumph they again appear +"standing on the sea of glass, (ch. xv. 2.) They are with their +victorious King, (ch. xvii. 14.) They are exhorted to retaliate upon +mystic Babylon, (xviii. 6.) They are also engaged in the last campaign +with the Captain of their salvation, (ch. xix. 14, 19, 20.) And at +length they are advanced to thrones of civil power to "rule the +nations," (ch. xx. 4,) in fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy and their +Saviour's promise, (Dan. vii. 27; Rev. ii. 26, 27.) The death and +resurrection of the witnesses is compendiously stated in the former part +of the eleventh chapter, (vs. 7-14;) but these events, epitomised again +in the "little book," are amplified in the subsequent chapters, where we +are made acquainted more fully with their enemies, their conflicts, +death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation; and in all these respects +is exhibited their conformity to the example of their Captain and +Leader. If, therefore, according to the Bishop's conception, "the death +and resurrection" of the witnesses in the eleventh chapter be +_figurative_, and if the witnesses of the twentieth be the same as those +of the eleventh chapter, which identity I have proved, it follows +incontrovertibly, that the "first resurrection" is to be understood in a +figurative sense. This interpretation may be abundantly confirmed in the +following manner:--The witnesses prophesy 1260 years. But since no +individual persons live so long, a succession _must_ be supposed. They +are, in fact, mystic characters, having their real counterpart in actual +history on this earth. The scarlet colored beast and woman, (ch. xvii. +3,) are of equal duration with the witnesses, and of similar mystic +character, and have their real counterpart in history. The witnesses are +slain by the beast at the instigation of the woman; but their death is +only temporary, (ch. xi. 7, 11;) their enemies "have no more that they +can do:" while, on the other hand, the death of the beast is +"perdition,"--eternal death, (ch. xvii. 8,) and in this death the +woman,--"the false prophet" participates, (ch. xix. 20.) All this +symbolical language respects Christ's enemies as corporate or organized +bodies. + +Here it is proper to notice an objection of Bishop Newton. He +asks,--"With what propriety can it be said, that some of the dead who +were beheaded "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years; but the +rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were +finished;" unless _the dying_ and _living again_ be the same in both +places?" Very true, the dying and living are doubtless "the same in both +places." The Bishop's mistake consists in taking these expressions in a +literal sense, "a proper death and resurrection." He evidently assumes +that "the rest of the dead," here mentioned, are to be literally raised +at the last day. This is undoubtedly true, for there shall be a +resurrection ... of the unjust." (Acts xxiv. 15,) but it is not the +truth contained in the words in question. From the assumption of the +_literal_ raising of "the rest of the dead," he infers the _literal_ +raising of those that were beheaded. The converse of this is obviously +the correct way of reasoning. We have found that the witnesses are +spoken of, (xi. 14,) as _figuratively_ raised by the Bishop's own +acknowledgment, therefore it is most natural and logical to infer that +"the rest of the dead" were to be raised in the same manner, namely, +_figuratively_. As at the beginning of the millennium,--the martyrs, not +some of them only, as the Bishop hints, will be raised in the persons of +their legitimate successors in faith and practice; and their faith and +practice will constitute the happy state of the world for a thousand +years, so, when that period shall have expired, Satan, being "loosed out +of his prison," (ch. xx. 8,) will deceive the nations as before, and +during the "little season" of liberty, will succeed in raising from the +dead as it were, a multitude of the same character as those who killed +the witnesses,--"Gog and Magog." This maybe called the _second_ +resurrection, and there will never be a _third of that kind_, for the +Lord will destroy them for ever, (ch. xx. 9.) The character of the +witnesses and their unparalleled conflicts with Antichrist sufficiently +identify them in the Apocalypse throughout the 1260 years, as also +during the thousand years of their reign; and the character of their +enemies identifies them in the time of conflict for 1260 years; but +during the succeeding period of righteousness and peace for a thousand +years, they will not be permitted to lift up the head. And so soon as +they are organized under the conduct of Satan, and like Pharaoh, most +confident of victory, (Exod. xv. 9,) then "sudden destruction cometh +upon them, and they shall not escape." + + +THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES. + +The late Rev. Alexander M'Leod, D. D., who had the works of learned +predecessors before him, has successfully corrected many of their +misinterpretations in his valuable publication, entitled "Lectures upon +the Principal Prophecies of the Revelation." At the time when he wrote +that work, he possessed several advantages in aid of his own +expositions. He had access to the most valuable works which had been +issued before that date, (1814.). He was then in the vigor of youthful +manhood; and he was also comparatively free from the trammels which in +attempts to expound the Apocalypse, have cramped the energies of many a +well-disciplined mind, _political partialities_. At the time of these +profound studies, he occupied a position "in the wilderness," from which +as a stand point, like John in Patmos, he could most advantageously +survey the passing scenes of providence with the ardor of youthful +emotion, and with unsullied affection for the divine Master. With all +these advantages, however, the dispassionate and impartial reviewer may +discover, in the rapid current of his thoughts, that the active powers +of the expositor some times took precedence of the intellectual. Two +special causes may be assigned for this, hereditary love of liberty, and +the actual condition of society at the time. Born in Scotland, the +cradle of civil and religious liberty from the days of John Knox, Dr. +M'Leod's traditions and mental associations were necessarily imbued with +the atmosphere of such surroundings. To such causes may be attributed +occasional declamation, extravagant verbosity and unconscious +inconsistencies, not well comporting with the solidity and self +possession so desirable on the part of an expositor. Yet even in such +outbursts of impassioned eloquence we may sometimes discover noble +conceptions commanding our admiration, if not altogether such as to +secure our approbation. It ought to be considered, moreover, that the +"Lectures" came from their author in a turbulent, if not in a +revolutionary condition of society. Peninsular Europe was convulsed by +the successful military career of that brilliant general, Napoleon. +England and the United States were also at war. The independence and +even the existence of the young Republic were apparently in peril. The +lecturer very naturally sympathized with the land of his adoption, in +which resided his domestic treasures and many of the "excellent ones of +the earth," to whom he was bound by conjugal, paternal and covenant +ties. In a condition of actual warfare, he could not but feel most +keenly the constriction of these manifold and endearing bonds, +especially when thought to be jeopardized. + +With these preliminaries, and expressing my obligation to the Doctor's +labors, to whose system of interpretation as well as to most of his +details, I cheerfully give my approbation in preference to all other +expositors whose works it has been in my power to consult; it is +proposed briefly to review some of his expositions and sentiments, from +which I crave liberty to dissent. "It is not the interest of any man to +be in error." + +In his interpretation of the seals and trumpets of the Apocalypse, Dr. +M'Leod has unquestionably corrected many misapprehensions of his learned +predecessors, especially Bishop Newton and Mr. Faber: and it is perhaps +to be regretted that he did not favor the public with his view of the +vials also, a work which he seems to have had in contemplation when the +"Lectures" were published. The three last named interpreters did +certainly improve upon the expositions of all who went before them in +this field of investigation; and in most cases of disagreement the +Doctor excelled in accuracy the other two, as will readily appear on +careful examination. + +In attempting to ascertain the import of the mystic "witnesses," as of +the Antichrist, expositors widely differ. Bishop Newton says +positively,--"The witnesses cannot be ... any two churches." Mr. Faber +is equally peremptory, that they "must be two churches," and he attempts +to sustain his position by many citations of Scripture, and by much +plausible argumentation. The Bishop is substantially correct in saying, +"They are a succession of men, and a succession of churches." Mr. Faber +is also correct in the main when he says,--"The two witnesses signify +the spiritual members of the catholic church:" but his notion of _two +churches_, the "Old and New Testament churches," betrays his imperfect +conception of the _essential unity_ of the church of God. Both he and +the Bishop overlook too often the important fact that civil magistracy +is a divine ordinance, which, as corrupted, constitutes the first beast +of the Apocalypse, and the most prominent feature of the great +Antichrist. + +Doctor M'Leod's definition or description of the witnesses is as +follows:--"They are a small company of true Christians, defending the +interests of true religion against all opposition, and frequently +sealing with their blood the testimony which they hold," (p. 314.) This +description is more definite than either of the two preceding, and is +therefore worthy of preference; yet the reader will still wish for +something more precise and tangible. Since the prophets of the Old and +New Testaments reveal the hostility of the Devil to Christ and his +people, and since both Daniel and John represent this hostility by +appropriate and intelligible symbols, as carried out by corrupting the +two great ordinances of _church_ and _state_, would it not follow that +the witnesses are those Christians who, for 1260 years, apply the word +of God to these two ordinances, contending for a _scriptural magistracy_ +and a _gospel ministry_,--the "Two Sons of Oil;" and testifying against +their _Counterfeits_? Such appears to be the import of those mystical +characters of whom we read, Zech. iv. 14; Rev. xi. 4. + +In tracing the witnesses through their eventful history for 1260 years +as portrayed in the Apocalypse, and in fixing with precision their +_continuous identity_, I am constrained reluctantly to dissent from the +Doctor and agree with Faber. Adopting the language of "Frazer's Key," +Dr. M'Leod says, "These witnesses differ as much from their +cotemporaries, the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed ones, +(Rev. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the seven thousand in Israel in +his time." The attempt is made to prove this assertion by the following +plausible argument:--"God is never for a moment without a people upon +earth." This is true,--"And the visible church is an indestructible +society." Is this assertion true? It is partly true, and partly +untrue:--"true of her _existence_ and moral identity, but not of her +_visibility_ as an organized body." For example, where was the visible +church while Elijah "dwelt by the brook Cherith?" (1 Kings xvii. 3, xix. +10;) or while the "woman was in the wilderness?" (Rev. xii. 6.) Is it +consistent with propriety to contemplate the woman as _literally +visible_, when she is symbolically "in the wilderness?" This seems to be +impossible. I am therefore prepared to give my decided preference to the +sentiment of Mr. Faber contained in the following words of his +"Dissertation:" "The one hundred and forty-four thousand here mentioned, +(Rev. xiv. 1,) are the immediate successors of the one hundred and forty +four thousand sealed servants of God; (ch. vii. 4.) They are the same in +short, as _the two witnesses_.... They constitute the _persecuted church +in the wilderness_."--I cannot but think the evidence of identity here +irresistible; and in the pithy language of the Doctor on another point, +I say,--"A man must shut his eyes not to see" the correctness of Mr. +Faber's interpretation of this identity. The Doctor's censure of English +expositors in one of his notes will too often justly apply to other +divines in expounding prophecy:--"They have greatly diminished the value +of their publications, by permitting themselves to indulge so much of +the spirit of political partiality." Doctor M'Leod and Mr. Faber I +consider among the best expositors of the prophecies on which they +severally wrote; and therefore their valuable works have been +principally contemplated in these animadversions. On material points +they have shed much light where those who preceded them left the reader +in darkness, or involved him in perplexing labyrinths. Faber preceded +M'Leod, and the latter availed himself of all the aid furnished by the +former; yet till the "mystery of God shall be finished," his people will +be receiving accessions of light from the "sure word of prophecy." + + +SOUNDING OP THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. + +At the time when those learned divines wrote, the political agitations +in Europe and America, as already noticed, gave a peculiar tincture to +their opinions and expositions of the Apocalyptic symbols. This state of +feeling on the part of these distinguished men, and on opposite sides of +the Atlantic, is very strikingly illustrated in their conflicting +interpretations of the "third woe,"--the seventh trumpet. Amidst the +conflict of arms and the booming of cannon, in both hemispheres, those +writers thought the first blast of the seventh trumpet and third woe +could be distinctly heard. They differed widely, however, in their +interpretations of its import and effects. To Mr. Faber, Napoleon, who +was the most conspicuous figure in the passing drama, appeared as a +terrific Vandal at the head of his legions, threatening to uproot and +lay waste the fair fabric of European civilization. To the Doctor, on +the other hand, Napoleon seemed the possible minister of Providence, +destined to prepare the way of the Lord, and to introduce a better, a +scriptural civilization. As time has sufficiently demonstrated the +fallacy of their respective expositions of the seventh trumpet, it is +needless to quote or review their speculations. + +The principal defect pervading the "Lectures," and one which most +readers will be disposed to view in an opposite light, appears to be, a +charity _too broad_, a catholicity _too expansive_, to be easily +reconciled with a consistent position among the mystic witnesses. Their +author, however, deriving much information from the learned labours of +English prelates on prophecy, could not "find in his heart" to exclude +them from a place in the _honourable roll of the witnesses_. I am unable +to recognize any of those who are in organic fellowship with the "eldest +daughter of Popery," as entitled to rank among those who are symbolized +as "clothed in sackcloth." The two positions and fellowships appear to +be obviously incompatible and palpably irreconcilable. It is true that +there have been and still are in the English establishment divines who +are strictly evangelical; but the reigning Mediator views and treats +individuals, as he views and treats the moral person with which +individuals freely choose to associate; and we ought to "have the mind +of Christ." (1 Cor. ii. 16.) + +Assuming that the third woe trumpet was sounding in his ears, the +Doctor, transported with the imaginary but delightful prospect, that the +kingdoms of this world were speedily to become the kingdoms of our Lord +and of his Christ, speaks of France as follows:--"She had given +assistance to the sons of freedom on the plains and along the shores of +Columbia, until the republican eagle snatched the oppressed provinces +from the paw of the royal lion of England."--We may admire the metaphors +of the _orator_, while we deplore the political feeling of the _divine_. +It is true, as the orator in calmer moments reflects,--"The political +conduct of professing Christians is generally lamentable;" and alas! +this "lamentable conduct" is usually tolerated and too often exemplified +by their spiritual guides. It has been generally so since the days of +Jeroboam who "made priests of the lowest of the people," and thereby +rendered the ministry the stipendiaries of the state. And as it was +then, even so it is now, whether in the kingdoms, empires or republics +of the earth. "Let us," with the Doctor, "lament the political conduct +of Christians in the present age of the world." + +Allusion has been already made to seeming inconsistencies in the +Doctor's sentiments. There is truth in the adage,--"_tempora mutantur et +nos mutamur cum illis_,"--"times change, and we change with them." And +indeed changes are allowable in matters of a circumstantial nature which +do not affect moral principle. Moral principle, however, is in its +nature immutable. In the early period of the Doctor's public life he had +nobly proved "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable." But this accursed system was +from the first interwoven with the very framework of that "Republican +America," which in his "Lectures" he takes occasion thus to eulogize! +"We never formed a street of the mystical Babylon.... Let this be the +asylum of the oppressed.... She (Republican America) has not, either by +sea or land, encouraged oppression (?) or despoiled of his goods him +that was at peace with us?"--I confess my inability to credit these +statements, or to reconcile them with "the great moral principles" which +the author justly tells his readers it was the object of the Author of +the Apocalypse to illustrate before the world. + +I have thus noticed some of the most important particulars in which I +dissent from the interpretations of the Doctor and others, that the +reader may be guided by all accessible way-marks in searching after the +mind of God in this mysterious but highly instructive part of his +precious word. I can again cordially recommend to his attention the +Lectures of Doctor M'Leod, as the best exposition of those parts of the +Apocalypse of which he treats, that has come under my notice. In the +Notes will be found minor points of dissent from the Doctor's views, and +from multiplied aberrations of many others. I have studied great +plainness of speech, abstaining from the introduction of many verbal +criticisms on the original text, and from the use of terms and phrases +not familiar to the unlearned reader. Let no sincere Christian be +deterred by seeming difficulties from reading the Apocalypse, or be +dissuaded from searching it, by the discrepancies of interpreters; for +this is equally true of "the other Scriptures." (2 Pet. iii, 16.) + + +THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK. + +In our authorized version of the Bible, this last book is correctly +translated "Revelation." It is otherwise designated "The Apocalypse," by +simply Anglicising the Greek title,--_Apokalupsis_. A distinguished +modern divine, Doctor Seiss, has furnished the public with a novel +interpretation of the title. But it is remarkable that he does not +propose an _interpretation_ at all; he merely gives what he conceives to +be a _correct translation_. It is this:--"The Book of the _Unvailing_ of +Jesus Christ!" In this singular translation two things are +transparent,--affectation of scholarship, and the (_proton pseudos_) the +cardinal error of Millenarianism. Learned men, however, are not devoid +of fancy. Of this fact those who are historically designated +Millenarians have given many illustrations from the primitive ages down +to our own time. The Doctor's rendering of the name of this book +discloses the predominant idea conceived in his imagination and +cherished there, that Christ is to appear upon earth in glorified +humanity at the beginning of the millennium, and that the Apocalypse is +intended chiefly to apprize the church and the world of this momentous +event. + +"The unvailing of Jesus Christ," indeed! Why, the Lord Jesus Christ was +revealed,--"unvailed" to the faith of our first parents in the promise +of the "woman's seed" as every intelligent Christian knows, (Gen. iii. +15.) We are assured that "to him give all the prophets witness," (Acts +x. 43.) Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, (John viii. 56.) His +advent in the flesh was so well known that Old Testament believers spoke +of him familiarly as of "Him that was to come," (Matt. xi. 3.) Surely he +was "unvailed" to his disciples all the time that he went in and out +among them before his death. And after his resurrection he appeared unto +them the third time,--"was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after +that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once," (1 Cor. xv. 5, +6.) After his ascension Stephen "saw Jesus standing on the right hand of +God," (Acts vii. 56) How preposterous then, since the whole Bible +"unvails" the Saviour, to insinuate that the _specific object_ of the +Apocalypse is to _unvail Jesus Christ_! + +That Doctor Seiss and those who endorse his _mistranslation_, or, as it +ought to be called, his _false exposition_ of the title to this book, do +totally misapprehend and misinterpret the mind of the Holy Spirit, is +further evident from the obvious import of the plain words in the first +verse;--this "Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave unto him."--Christ. +Did God the Father "unvail" Christ to Christ himself? How gross the +absurdity! We do not transgress the law of charity in pronouncing as +impious, such manifest "wresting of the Scriptures." Moreover, the +declared object of this book is to "show unto God's servants +_things_,--(not to show Christ,) which must shortly come to pass:" +namely, events of providence which were then future,--the evolution of +the purposes of God. It is indeed true that in the sublime scenery +presented in vision to John, the Lord Jesus often appears as a very +conspicuous object; but he is only one among a multiplicity of other +objects, and generally as the principal agent in executing the divine +decrees. In this attitude he appears immediately on the opening of the +seals of that book, which all sober expositors consider as the symbol of +God's purposes, especially of those "unvailed" in this prophetic book. +When in the sixth chapter, the "four animals" say in succession, "Come +and see," is Jesus Christ the only object to be seen?--the exclusive +object unvailed? or even always the _primary_ object? By no means. + +Thus it is evident that at the very beginning of his career as an +expositor of this sacred book, Doctor Seiss gives loose reins to his +fancy; and then it is not difficult to foresee through what mazes of +error the credulous reader will be conducted, who in his simplicity, +follows such a reckless guide. The hallucinations of Millenarians of old +and of late have greatly discouraged the disciples of Christ, and +seriously hindered them in obeying his command,--"Search the +Scriptures," especially this precious book. Their unscriptural error, +which some might call an _antiscriptural heresy_, of the pre-millennial +corporeal appearance of our Saviour, with its carnal concomitants, has +been a temptation to not a few to look upon this part of the Bible as +wholly unintelligible, _contrary to its very name_,--REVELATION, The +hereditary and inveterate misconception by Millenarians of the nature of +the thousand years' reign of the saints, bears a striking analogy to +that of the Jews concerning the kingdom of their Messiah, and suggests a +remark by that prince of divines among English Dissenters, Doctor Owen, +in his "Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews." He says +truly,--"There are precious, useful, significant truths in the +Scripture, so disposed of, so laid up, as that if we accomplish not a +diligent search, we shall never set eye on them. The common course of +reading the Scriptures, nor the common help of expositors, who for the +most part, go in the same track, and scarce venture one step beyond +those that are gone before them, will not suffice, if we intend a +discovery of these hid treasures." And again he says, "How hard it is to +dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes On The Apocalypse, by David Steele + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14485 *** diff --git a/14485-h/14485-h.htm b/14485-h/14485-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e80aa1 --- /dev/null +++ b/14485-h/14485-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10805 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Notes On The Apocalypse, by David Steele, Sr.</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; } + p { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; } + .foot { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 85%; } + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + center { padding: 0.8em;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14485 ***</div> + +<h1> + NOTES +</h1> +<h5> + ON +</h5> +<h1> + THE APOCALYPSE; +</h1> +<h5> + WITH +</h5> +<h2> + An Appendix +</h2> +<h4> + CONTAINING DISSERTATIONS ON SOME OF THE APOCALYPTIC SYMBOLS, +</h4> +<h5> + TOGETHER WITH +</h5> +<h4> + ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE INTERPRETATIONS OF SEVERAL<br/>AMONG THE MOST LEARNED + AND APPROVED<br/>EXPOSITORS OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA. +</h4> +<h2> + BY DAVID STEELE, Sr., +</h2> +<h5> + Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, Philadelphia. +</h5> +<hr> +<h4> + PHILADELPHIA: YOUNG & FERGUSON, No. 14 SOUTH SEVENTH ST. 1870. +</h4> +<hr> +<h5> + TO THE +</h5> +<h3> + REV. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, LL.D., +</h3> +<h5> + <i>Missionary from the Reformed Presbyterian Church to the Jews in London, + England.</i> +</h5> +<p> + REV. AND VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER:— +</p> +<p> + Although we are "separated upon the wall, one far from the other," we + are not altogether precluded from mutual salutation. Placed by our + Master on two hemispheres, between which the electric current bears + frequent tidings, our respective positions are advantageous for noting + the events of providence. These constitute the signs of the times, and + are the counterpart of prophecy. Prophecy and providence reflect light + upon each other, and both are helpful to the interpretation of each; but + He alone who is the "Wonderful Counsellor," can cause us to understand + either. +</p> +<p> + In submitting the following work to the public, I venture to do so under + your auspices, if not under the sanction of your name. And I embrace the + present occasion, Rev. Sir, to bear willing testimony to your + acknowledged scholarship,—your profound erudition, especially in + Natural Science and Philology. I do also cheerfully and joyfully + recognise you as a public witness; and at the present time of general + defection, as an official and <i>consistent</i> witness in the British Isles + for the integrity of our Covenanted Reformation,—that reformation which + in its fuller development is destined to secure the rights of God and + man in reorganized society. Such, I believe to be one of the cheering + lessons which may be learned by Christ's witnesses from searching the + Apocalypse. +</p> +<p> + That you, Dear Sir, may be long preserved, sustained and comforted by + the providence and grace of the Most High, amid all your self-sacrifice, + privation and reproach which you endure for the truth's Bake, is the + prayer of +</p> +<p style="text-align: right"> + Your brother in covenant bonds,<br/> + DAVID STEELE.<br/> + PHILADELPHIA, <i>February 1st, 1870</i>. +</p> + + + + +<hr> +<p><b>Contents</b></p> +<p class="toc"><br/> +<a href="#2H_PREF"> +PREFACE +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_NOTE"> +NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0022"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_FOOT"> +FOOTNOTES: +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_APPE"> +APPENDIX. +</a></p> +<a name="2H_PREF"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + PREFACE +</h2> +<p> + The Apocalypse is one of the most sublime and wonderful dramatic + exhibitions presented for human contemplation. Internal evidence concurs + with authentic history, in demonstrating to the devout and intelligent + reader, its divine origin. God, angels and men, are the principal + actors. Men's natural curiosity may find entertainment in this book; and + from no higher principle, many have doubtless been prompted to attempt a + discovery of its mysterious contents. What is true, however, of + supernatural revelation in general, is equally true of this book:—"The + natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can + he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." +</p> +<p> + To the right understanding of the Apocalypse, so far as the prophetical + parts of it are contemplated, the following prerequisites would seem to + be indispensable:— +</p> +<p> + 1. A competent knowledge of what may be termed the fundamental doctrines + of the gospel: such as the unity of the Divine Nature; the distinction + of persons in the Godhead; the atonement and intercession of Christ; the + total depravity and renovation of human nature; the resurrection and + final retribution, etc. +</p> +<p> + 2. Acquaintance with symbolical language, as the only language common to + all men since the confusion of tongues. +</p> +<p> + 3. Familiarity with the typical dispensation, from which most of the + symbols are taken. 4. Freedom from all political bias. +</p> +<p> + No expositor of the Apocalypse appears to have possessed all these + qualifications, however few and simple. The most learned and judicious + interpreters of this book have been divines of Britain and of the United + States. +</p> +<p> + After so many laborers employed in this harvest, the reader may + ask,—What remains to be gleaned? To this inquiry, it may be sufficient + to remind the devout Christian, that as the Apocalypse is the end of the + Bible, so "the harvest is the end of the world;" and during the + intermediate time "the Lord of the harvest is sending forth laborers." + Prophecy has engaged the attention and occupied the thoughts of the + writer, more or less, for the last thirty years. He has consulted the + views of most of the distinguished and approved interpreters of the book + of Revelation; among whom the following are named, viz.: <i>Mede, Sir + Isaac</i> and <i>Bishop Newton, Durham, Fleming, Gill, Whitaker, Kett, + Galloway, Faber, Scott, Mason, McLeod</i>; and many others: from all whose + labors, he has derived much instruction; and from all of whom he has + been obliged in important points to dissent. +</p> +<p> + The immediate occasion of this undertaking, was the urgent request of + the people of his charge, that the substance of a course of lectures + delivered in ordinary Sabbath ministrations, might be put into a more + permanent form, for their future edification. +</p> +<p> + In the early centuries of the Christian era, so wild, enthusiastic and + corrupt were the sentiments of some Millenarians, that this book ceased + in great measure to be read or studied; and even its divine authority + came to be questioned by many learned and pious men. As the "Dark Ages" + of Popery resulted from neglect of the sacred Scriptures in general, so + even among the first reformers the Apocalypse was viewed with suspicion + as to its claim to inspiration. It is probable that many of the + unlearned will hear with wonder, and doubt the assertion, that even the + great reformer Luther rejected the Apocalypse, as being no part of the + sacred canon! The same judgment he formed of the epistle by James! With + characteristic boldness, he wrote as follows:—"The epistle of James + hath nothing evangelical in it. I do not consider it the writing of an + apostle at all.... It ascribes justification to works, in direct + contradiction to Paul and all the other sacred writers.... With respect + to the Revelation of John, I state what I feel. For more than one + reason, I cannot deem this book either apostolic or prophetical, ... and + it is sufficient reason for me not to esteem it highly, that Christ is + neither taught nor known in it."<a href="#note-1"><small>1</small></a> Such was the estimation in which + that distinguished reformer held <i>two</i> inspired books of the New + Testament at the dawn of the Reformation. How great the increase of + scriptural light since his day! +</p> +<p> + The grand design of this book, as declared by its divine Author, is, "to + show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass," ... "to + testify these things in the churches:"—to make known beforehand, to + those styled his "witnesses," the certainty of a great apostacy,—the + rise, reign and overthrow of the Antichrist, that "when it came to pass, + they might believe," and exemplify before the world "the patience and + the faith of the saints." During that protracted period, the witnesses + could neither know their duty nor sustain their allotted trials without + these necessary instructions. +</p> +<p> + From the position of the witnessing church—"in the wilderness" during + the whole time of Antichrist's reign, which is also the position of the + apostle John when viewing in vision the "woman upon the beast;" (ch. + xvii. 3,) <i>that</i> appears to be the <i>only advantageous position</i> from + which to view the actors in this wonderful scene. And since few have + voluntarily "gone forth to Christ without the camp, bearing his + reproach," or submitted to wear the mourning garments of "sackcloth," it + is not at all surprising that the Apocalypse—emphatically a + <i>Revelation</i>—should continue to be, to many, a "sealed book." But on + the other hand, "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the + words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written + therein." +</p> +<p> + As this work is intended for the instruction and edification of the + unlearned, rather than for the entertainment of the learned, words of + foreign extract are used as seldom as possible. Practical remarks and + reflections are rarely introduced; the principal aim being simply to + ascertain and present to the reader the mind of the Holy Spirit. How far + this object has been accomplished, is of course left to the judgment of + the honest inquirer. The reader, however, in forming his judgment of the + value of these Notes, may be reminded of that inspired rule in searching + the Scriptures,—"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual." To assist + him in the application of this divine rule, many chapters and verses are + quoted from other parts of the Bible, but especially within the + Apocalypse itself; that by concentrating the various rays upon + particular texts or symbols, their intrinsic light may be rendered more + luminous. Thus the interpretation given, if correct, may be confirmed + and illustrated. +</p> +<a name="2H_NOTE"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. +</h2> +<p> + The heavens and the earth did not make themselves. The material universe + furnishes to the intelligent creature a visible demonstration of the + "eternal power and godhead of its Author." Besides, a <i>sense of Deity</i> + is essential to humanity; and a supernatural revelation is not necessary + to convince rational beings that there is a God. Man is a dependent + being in common with all other creatures, and all creatures depend upon + a first cause. That cause is God. Dependent as a creature, man may know + something of the natural perfections of his Maker; and possessing a + conscience, which implies accountability to a superior, he may know,—he + <i>must</i> know, something of the moral attributes of God. +</p> +<p> + In view of these positions, we may account for the fact, too often + overlooked by the reader of the Bible, that the Holy Spirit directed the + first of all historians to begin his narrative <i>so abruptly</i>. Assuming + that the reader is already assured of <i>God's being,</i> Moses proceeds at + once to account for the origination of the material universe. In simple + narrative he writes,—"In the beginning God created the heaven and the + earth." Thus God's being, and the eternity of his being are assumed as + known by the first inspired penman; a fact or principle not to be + disputed. True, the being of God has been questioned, but only by + "fools"—"brutish people;" who, by their atheistical suggestions have + proclaimed to their fellows their "brutish folly." (Ps. xiv. 6, xciv. 8, + 9.) +</p> +<p> + As the Bible takes for granted that mankind have had a previous + revelation in their own physical and moral constitution,—in the visible + heavens and earth; the same is true of the last book of the Bible, the + Apocalypse. It assumes that the reader has some competent knowledge of + the preceding books of the sacred Scriptures. The reader is supposed to + be acquainted with the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations of the + Covenant of Grace. Moreover, the moral law, as inculcated in the Old + Testament; the Levitical priesthood and ministry, as being "shadows of + good things to come;" the "doctrine according to godliness," taught in + the gospels and epistles of the New Testament,—are all taken for + granted and supposed to be received with a divine faith by all who would + profit by this last book of the sacred canon. +</p> +<p> + It is further assumed in the Apocalypse, that the humble inquirer into + the mind of the Holy Spirit has a knowledge of ancient history, of the + character and destiny of Egypt, Babylon, etc. And finally, it is + requisite that the successful inquirer into the mind of God be + acquainted with the language of symbols; and, above all, that he be + resolved, with the inspired writer John, to take a position with the + mystic woman <i>in the wilderness</i>. +</p> +<p> + With these few preliminaries, we proceed: +</p> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER I. +</h2> +<p> + 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto + his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and + signified it by his angel unto his servant John: +</p> +<p> + 2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus + Christ, and of all things that he saw. +</p> +<p> + 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this + prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time + is at hand. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-3.—Here, our divine Mediator appears in the continued exercise + of his prophetical office "in his estate of exaltation." While present + with his disciples on earth, he told them he had many things to say to + them, but they could not hear them then. (John xvi. 12) Upon his + ascension he fulfilled his own and his Father's promise in sending the + Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth—bring all things to their + remembrance, and show them <i>things to come</i>. (v. 13.) The fulfilment of + this promise we have in the whole of the New Testament,—doctrines, + facts and predictions. +</p> +<p> + Jesus said,—"Of mine own-self I can do nothing." (v. 30.) The same is + true of his teachings as of his works:—"The words that I speak unto + you, I speak not of myself, (xiv. 10.) In all that "Jesus began both to + do and to teach," (Acts i. 1,) he was instructed by his Father. These + things are all plainly implied in the first verse. Indeed, the official + actings of the three Persons in the Godhead had been frequently taught + by Christ during the time of his personal ministry; and they are more + fully and frequently recorded by the beloved disciple than by any other + evangelist, in that gospel which still bears this apostle's name. Thus, + it appears that although this book is called a "Revelation of Jesus + Christ," he is not the ultimate author. It is a revelation "which God + gave unto him." By God here, we are to understand the person of the + Father. The reader is thus conducted to the divine origin of all + supernatural revelation,—the eternal purpose of God. (Heb. i. 1, 2.) + The object of the whole Bible, in the evolvement of the divine economy + of man's redemption, appears to be the unfolding of the ineffable + mystery of the Trinity, and displaying the perfections of the Godhead, + to his own glory as the highest and last end. +</p> +<p> + The channel through which the divine will comes to the church, is + exhibited in the beginning of this book. Originating with God the + Father, passing to the Mediator, communicated to a holy angel; by his + ministry it is made known to John, who reveals it to the church! How + beautiful the order here! How wonderful and condescending on the part of + God! +</p> +<p> + Although we commonly and justly designate the whole Bible by the name + "Revelation;" yet we are to consider that this book is so called by way + of eminence. Doubtless it is so styled by its divine Author because it + reveals events which were then future, and which could not be discovered + by human sagacity. But this holds equally true of other parts of the + Scriptures, especially those parts which are prophetical. It may be that + this book is called "Apocalypse" because of the opposition which it was + to encounter from Antichrist, as also because of its singular and + intended use to a peculiar portion of professing Christians. As on the + one hand the Romish church, and too many who protest against her + encroachments, prohibit or discourage the disciples of Christ from + reading this book; so, on the other hand, it has been of singular use to + others in strengthening their faith and ministering to their comfort. +</p> +<p> + John "bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus + Christ and of all things that he saw." A question arises here,—What is + the difference, if any, between the "word of God" and the "testimony of + Jesus Christ?" Or is there any distinction intended by the Holy Spirit? + Most readers as well as expositors view these expressions as identical. + We shall meet with them, or their equivalent, frequently hereafter; and + it may be proper at the outset to inquire a little into this familiar + phraseology. (See chapters i. 9; vi. 9; xii. 11, 17; xx. 4, etc.) +</p> +<p> + Recognising the inspired rule of interpretation,—"comparing spiritual + things with spiritual," we refer to Psalm lxxviii. 5, where "testimony + and law" are obviously distinguished. The same distinction will be found + in Isa. viii. 16, 20. The prophet refers the reader to <i>two tests</i> of + doctrine and practice: first the "law." But as the spouse of Christ is + unable, in her perplexity, to apply the law to the present case in a + manner satisfactory to herself, she is directed by her Lord, (Song i. + 8,) to "go forth by the footsteps of the flock." That is, search and + ascertain how the disciples applied the law in similar circumstances, + and imitate their approved example. This is a rule recognised and often + inculcated in the New Testament. (Heb. vi. 12.) +</p> +<p> + The inspired penman in Psalm lxxviii. 5, refers to the covenant + transaction at Mount Sinai, where the "law" was exhibited as an appendix + to the covenant of grace—"added to the promise." (Gal. iii. 19.) The + reader will find this whole matter set before him, perhaps to his + surprise and delight in Exod. xx. 1-17. The Lord (Jehovah) is the God + (Elohim) of his people. How shall they know that he is <i>their</i> God? By + the law?—No, for that is a rule to all men. They know by the + <i>testimony</i> as distinct from the law. Testimony consists of <i>facts</i>. + God's people knew that he was their God, because he "brought them out of + the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This was "the doing of + the Lord,"—"the testimony of Jesus Christ." And so it is an important + and precious truth to us at the present day.—"The preface to the Ten + Commandments teacheth us, that God is the Lord (Jehovah) and <i>our + God</i>."—This great historical fact is the controlling motive to + acceptable obedience to the moral law. To this, among other truths of + the gospel, every faithful minister will "bear witness" with the apostle + John. +</p> +<p> + John also bore witness to "all things that he saw," as presented to him + in a succession of visions to the end of this book, in view of some of + which, he "wondered with great admiration." (xvii. 6.) +</p> +<p> + In the third verse there is a "blessing" pronounced on all such as + "hear, read and keep those things which are written in the words of this + prophecy." A mere reading and hearing of the Apocalypse will not secure + the blessing. It is suspended on the <i>keeping</i>. "Blessed is he that + <i>keepeth</i> the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Ch. xxii. 7.) The + divine and compassionate Author of this prophecy, who "knoweth the end + from the beginning," foresaw the violent and ignorant opposition even to + the <i>reading</i> of it, which would be encountered by those for whose + special direction and comfort it was given. While the "man of sin" would + attempt to deprive the church of the light of the Bible in general, the + great "Antichrist" would join him in special hostility to this book. The + judgment of the former is, that the Bible in the hands of the people + will generate <i>heresies</i>; of the latter,—the Apocalypse is so "hard to + be understood" as to be unintelligible. A revelation, and yet + unintelligible! This is very nearly a contradiction. Such sentiments + betray rebellion against the authority, and a reflection upon the wisdom + and beneficence of God. All Christians acknowledge, as Peter says of the + writings of Paul, that in this book are "some things dark and hard to be + understood:" but there have been always and now are, some disciples who + do not subscribe to the teaching of most expositors of this book,—that + their actual fulfilment, alone, will interpret these + predictions.—Doubtless it was in view of such discouragements that our + Lord prefixed and repeated the special blessing. And this promised + blessing of the Master himself is sufficient to countervail all the + discouragements and hostility of the adversaries, thrown in the way of + the reader and expositor. Moses "endured as having respect unto the + recompense of the reward." Let us copy his example. "He is faithful that + promised." Let the pious reader, therefore, disregard the counsel to + "omit the reading, of this book in family worship," as we have sometimes + heard; whether it be tendered by Papist, Prelate or Presbyterian, + because it is directly contrary to the express command of Christ, (John + v. 39,) and because by following such counsel, he would forfeit the + special blessing here promised. +</p> +<p> + 4. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and + peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from + the seven Spirits which are before his throne; +</p> +<p> + 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the + First-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. + Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, +</p> +<p> + 6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to whom + be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—Here we have the customary salutation, addressed to the + churches of Asia Minor. Many other churches had been organized in other + parts of the earth at this date; (A.D. 96:) but the special reason why + John saluted these seven, and addressed an epistle to each, would seem + to be his vicinity to them in the place of his present sojourning, and + probably his personal acquaintance with them in the exercise of his + ministry among them, (v. 11.) His prayer for these churches is + substantially the same as that prefixed to most of Paul's epistles. + Grace and peace are inseparable in the divine arrangement. "There is no + peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isa. lvii. 21.) +</p> +<p> + The solitary pilgrim in his place of banishment, contemplating the + Abrahamic covenant, and realizing that grace and that peace in which he + desires his fellow disciples to share, sets before us the threefold + source whence these divine influences flow. First, "from him which is, + and which was, and which is to come;" a description of God the Father, + whose personal subsistence has priority in the Godhead, and who occupies + the like priority in voluntary relationship and economic standing. From + the Father personally, as the representative of Trinity, we have seen + (in verse 1,) this book emanated; and now from the same we are taught + that "grace and peace" come to fallen man. Second, John's prayer here, + differs from Paul's usual form in the beginning of his epistles; for + Paul omits the Holy Spirit, commonly saying,—"Grace be to you, and + peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ," (as in Gal. + i. 3.) In this last book of Scripture we have the co-equal Three + introduced as co-operating in the work of man's redemption. Thus our + attention is directed to the "seven Spirits which are before the + throne;" by which we are to understand the Holy Ghost, in his essential + equality with God the Father, but in the place of official + subordination. The Holy Spirit is <i>one</i> personally, but <i>seven</i> in his + manifold gifts and graces, with special reference to the "seven + churches." And whereas the divine Spirit, in the order of his personal + subsistence and operation is <i>third,</i> here he occupies the <i>second</i> + place in the order of revelation. Third, The special reason for + reserving the notice of our Saviour to the last place, is doubtless that + the "beloved disciple" may take occasion to leave on record an + expression of his admiration of the Mediator's person, one of whose + names is "Wonderful," (Isa. ix. 6;) and that he might exemplify the + ruling principle of his own heart,—"We love him, because he first loved + us." (1 John iv. 19.) The apostle dwells upon the personal glory of + Immanuel, contemplating him in his threefold office of prophet, priest + and king.—He is "the faithful witness" in his prophetical office. "The + only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared + him." (John i. 18;) "who, before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good + confession." (John xviii. 37.) He is "the first-begotten of the dead." + He "died unto sin once," as an expiatory sacrifice to atone for the + guilt of an elect world. Being a "priest for ever after the order of + Melchizedek," "he ever liveth to make intercession,"—"death hath no + more dominion over him," as it had over Lazarus and many others who + "came out of the graves after his resurrection." (Matt, xxvii. 52, 53.) + <i>Among all</i>, he has the preeminence. (Col. i. 18.) He is "the Prince of + the kings of the earth." There is not in the sacred volume a title of + our Redeemer more full or expressive than this, on his headship or royal + office. A <i>prince</i> is of royal parentage. Such is the understanding of + mankind in all civilized nations. Joseph in Egypt typified, in part, the + kingly office of Christ; and Solomon on the throne of Israel partially + typified him in his dominion: but as Balaam foretold that he should be + "higher than Agag," (Num. xxiv. 7,) so we may say he is higher than + Joseph,—"A greater than Solomon is here." "Pharaoh said unto Joseph, + Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my + people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." When + the Father says to the Son, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever," + (Ps. xlv. 6,) this is consistent with "excepting him that did put all + things under him." (1 Cor. xv. 27.) Although we are not warranted to say + with some, "The Father is the fountain of the Godhead, we may + warrantably and boldly say, the Father is the <i>fountain</i> of <i>authority</i>. + (John vi. 38.) The dominion of the Mediator is universal, reaching "from + the roofless heaven to the bottomless hell." It is comfortable to the + disciples to know this in anticipation of the rise and reign of + Antichrist. He is, by the appointment of the Father "head over all + things," (Eph. i. 22,)—"able to save to the uttermost all that come + unto God by him," to "consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy + with the brightness of his coming, that Wicked, the Man of Sin." (2 + Thess. ii. 8.) +</p> +<p> + In view of the personal dignity and mediatorial dominion of Christ, the + apostle gives expression to his admiration and wonder at the amazing + love and condescension displayed by him on behalf of himself and all + others, on whom that love was fixed from everlasting, and whose guilt + and pollution were taken away by the atoning and cleansing blood of the + Lamb. To these saving benefits is to be added the honour to which the + redeemed are advanced as "kings and priests,—a royal priesthood." The + living Head is "a priest upon his throne," (Zech. vi. 13,) and all the + members are assimilated to him. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.) +</p> +<p> + 7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they + also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because + of him. Even so, Amen. +</p> +<p> + Verse 7.—How animated the language, sublime the conception, and + awe-inspiring the sentiment here! Time is annihilated! The end is seen + from the beginning, and all eyes are directed to the sovereign Judge of + the world, as he comes in majesty to fix the final destiny of all the + children of Adam! These have constituted only two classes sincere world + began. "Every eye shall see him," but the eye will affect the heart very + differently. The hearts of some, with holy Job, will be filled with joy + unspeakable, (Job xix. 26, 27;) but others, with mercenary Balaam, will + be inspired with terror and dismay. (Num. xxiv. 17.) Of "them that + pierced him," who shall be able to abide his indignation? Judas, + Caiaphas, Herod and his men of war; Pontius Pilate, and all who have + consented to the counsel and deed of them, "must appear before his + judgment seat." "All kindreds of the earth," covering all the + combinations of "Antichrist" during the definite period of twelve + hundred and sixty years, "shall wail because of him," (Rev. xiv. 10, + 11.) Assured of the equity of Messiah's judgment, the apostle, in the + exercise of "like precious faith with all them that believe," subjoins + his hearty assent,—"Even so, Amen:" "So let all thine enemies perish, O + Lord." Doubtless the design of the Holy Spirit in this verse is to + furnish ground of encouragement to those who were to be engaged in the + protracted conflict with the powers of darkness foreshadowed in the + prophecy of this book. +</p> +<p> + 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, + which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. +</p> +<p> + Ver. 8.—The same divine person, to whom the apostle directs the + doxology in the 6th verse, is introduced in the 8th: that is, the Lord + Christ. He claims eternity and omnipotence. He describes himself here in + the <i>very words</i> which in the 4th verse are descriptive of the eternal + subsistence of the person of the Father. "Alpha and Omega," the first + and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are explained in the + words,—"the beginning and the ending." This language is not to be + understood as expressing or defining the duration of the Godhead only; + but it points also to the divine purpose and providence. To the same + purpose speaks our Redeemer under the name of Wisdom:—"The Lord (the + Father) possessed me in the beginning (head, purpose) of his way, before + his works of old." (Prov. viii. 22.) In joint counsel with the Father, + ere the wheels of time began to move, and being "almighty" to execute + the purposes of God, he is perfectly qualified to act as the final Judge + of the world. And in the great and last day "every tongue must confess + that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. ii. 11.) "For + to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be + Lord both of the dead and living." (Rom. xiv. 9.)—"God is judge + himself." (Ps. 1. 6.) +</p> +<p> + 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and + in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is + called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus + Christ. +</p> +<p> + Ver. 9.—Again, the inspired writer addresses the Christians in Asia, + acquainting them very briefly and simply with his present local + situation; not so much to move their sympathy with him, as to express + his unabated affection for them:—"I am your brother, and companion in + tribulation." Although the "like afflictions were accomplished in his + brethren," the Devil was permitted to "cast" only "some of them into + prison." But it is remarkable that John utters not a word, much less + manifests any resentment, against the persecutor. He was "in the isle + that is called Patmos:"—but he does not say who sent him there. + Historians tell us that he was banished by Domitian, the Roman emperor; + others say, by Nero; but the former is more probable. This island is + proverbially barren. It is situated among a number of islands in the + Aegean sea, a point of the Mediterranean running northward between + Europe and Asia, and not very remote from most of the churches here + addressed. +</p> +<p> + The ground of controversy between John and his persecutors was "the word + of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Of these he "bare record." + (v, 2.) "This," say most expositors, "was the cause of John's + banishment." This unguarded language confounds the difference between a + <i>cause</i> and an <i>occasion</i>. John had given no cause of banishment to his + enemies. The true cause of their hostility was their hatred of the "word + of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." For these John contended + earnestly, as Jude enjoined; (ver. 3:) just as Paul and others were + "bold in their God to speak the gospel of God with much contention." (1 + Thes. ii. 2.) We have here the standing ground of strife between the + believer and the infidel; between Christ and Belial, between the church + and the world. There is a divine hand interposed all along in this + warfare, and the conflict will terminate only in the extermination of + one of the parties. (Gen. iii. 15; Rev. xx. 10.) +</p> +<p> + 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great + voice, as of a trumpet, +</p> +<p> + Ver. 10.—The beloved disciple had often "tasted the good word of God," + while the bosom-companion of Christ in the time of his ministry on + earth: His "heart burned within him." (Luke xxiv. 32.) Especially had + this been his happy experience on the holy Sabbath. Now that his + condition is solitary, being by violence "driven out from the + inheritance of the Lord," (1 Sam. xxvi. 19,) his gracious Master favours + him with a special visit. Did he not say to his disciples while he was + yet with them,—"I will not leave you comfortless? I will come to you." + (John xiv. 18.) The Comforter was promised to supply the want of the + Saviour's bodily presence, (v. 16,) and now John is "in the Spirit," and + it is "the Lord's day,"—the Christian Sabbath. We may well suppose this + disciple never was happier, no, not when he was "leaning on Jesus' + bosom." He would not now envy the emperor or any of his persecutors in + all their outward peace and prosperity. He was in an ecstasy,—"whether + in the body or out of the body he could not tell:" but his soul was + susceptible of the impressions of Christ's love, and of the intimations + of his sovereign will. "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" + (Gen. xviii. 17.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth + his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos iii. 7.) John does not + boast as Balaam,—"falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:" yet + he heard and saw as distinctly and clearly as if his perceptions had + come through the medium of his bodily ears and eyes. "He heard behind + him a great voice as of a trumpet," not to alarm, but to engage + attention. +</p> +<p> + 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega; the first and the last: and, What thou + seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in + Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto + Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. +</p> +<p> + V. 11.—Christ speaks, asserting his eternity, and consequently his + equality with the Father. This book being written in the Greek language, + our Saviour names and appropriates to himself the first and last letters + of the alphabet in that language, and gives the interpretation,—"the + first and the last," as in v. 8. John is directed to write and send to + the seven churches all that is contained in this last book of the Bible. + The churches are named here, and in the second and third chapters they + are addressed severally in a letter to each. It may be noted that + besides the general commission to preach the gospel to every creature, + apostles had a special call to <i>write</i>; and sometimes a + prohibition,—"write not," (ch. x. 4.) Many of the most learned and + godly divines whom we would consider best qualified, have never left any + writings for the instruction of posterity; whilst others less qualified, + either in respect of literature or piety, or not at all qualified, have + filled the world with books without a special call from Christ. (John + xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.) +</p> +<p> + 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, + I saw seven golden candlesticks; +</p> +<p> + 13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of + man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps + with a golden girdle. +</p> +<p> + 14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and + his eyes were as a flame of fire; +</p> +<p> + 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; + and his voice as the sound of many waters. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went + a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in + his strength. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-16.—His attention being arrested, the apostle "turned to see the + voice,"—that is, the person from whom the voice came. A glorious vision + was presented to his view,—"seven golden candlesticks" or lamp-bearers, + in allusion to the golden candlestick with the seven lamps as placed in + the tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 31-40.) "In the midst of the candlesticks + appeared one like unto the Son of man," the Mediator, clothed in + sacerdotal garments, supplying oil for the light, after the example of + Aaron and his sons. (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21.) The "garment" may signify his + mediatorial righteousness,—the "golden girdle" the preciousness of his + love,—"his head and his hairs white like wool," his purity and + eternity,—"his eyes as a flame of fire," his omniscience, by which he + searches the reins and hearts, and sees the end from the beginning; "his + feet like unto fine brass," the stability of his appointments and the + excellency of his providential dispensations,—"his voice," the + irresistible energy of his word to quicken, terrify or destroy at his + pleasure. (John v. 25, Heb. xii. 26.) "The sharp two-edged sword" will + represent his awful justice against the impenitent who resist his + righteous authority. "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the + wicked." (Is. xi. 4; Luke xix. 27.) "His countenance as the sun shining + in his strength," disclosed to the beloved disciple such splendor as to + overwhelm him. The like display of divine majesty was insupportable to + Saul of Tarsus when on his way to Damascus. (Acts xxvi. 13.) To the + workers of iniquity, "our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.) It + is a certain truth,—"The vengeance of the gospel is weighter than the + vengeance of the law." (Heb. x. 28, 31.) "Let us therefore fear." +</p> +<p> + 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his + right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the + last: +</p> +<p> + 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for + evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. +</p> +<p> + 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and + the things which shall be hereafter; +</p> +<p> + 20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, + and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the + seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the + seven churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-20.—We have the effect of the vision upon the beloved disciple. + He who had leaned on Christ's bosom at supper, and who had seen his + Master transfigured on the holy mount, was now utterly overwhelmed with + the effulgence of his glory. John "fell at his feet as dead." So it was + with Daniel, "a man greatly beloved." (Daniel x. 4-8.) But the + compassionate Saviour dispelled his fears, as in all similar cases; + making known to his astonished servant his supreme deity and real + humanity, as "the first and the last," who died for the sins, and was + raised again for the justification of his people. (Rom. iv. 25.) He is + "alive for evermore,"—become "the first fruits of them that slept." (1 + Cor. xv. 20.) He "dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over him." + (Rom. vi. 9.) And so complete is his victory over the king of terrors, + the last enemy of the believer, that he hath "the keys of hell and of + death." He has the "key of the bottomless pit," (xx. 1;) having + triumphed over principalities and powers, making a show of them openly. + (Col. ii. 15.) Whether Christ used the word, "amen," to ratify the truth + of his immortality; or whether this is an expression by John of his + joyful acquiescence in that truth, is not material: we know on + satisfactory evidence, that our Lord is a prophet and king, as well as a + priest, "after the power of an endless life." (Heb. vii. 16; Rom. xiv. + 9.) +</p> +<p> + John is next commanded to write,—<i>First</i>, "the things which he had + seen;" that is, the description of the foregoing vision:—<i>Second</i>, "the + things which are;" that is, the actual condition of the church, as + delineated in the diverse characters of the seven churches addressed, as + in the next two chapters:—<i>Third</i>, "the things which shall be + hereafter:" that is, the prophetical part of the book, from the + beginning of the fourth chapter to the close, as containing the + prospective history of the church and of the nations, as she was to be + affected by them, or they by her, till the consummation of all things. + This is the division of the book made by the divine Author himself, and + it is a natural and intelligible one. All attempts of learned and pious + men by other divisions to render this mysterious part of the Bible more + clear to the unlearned reader, tend only to display the ingenuity of the + writers,—not to say their temerity, while they "darken counsel by words + without knowledge." Such artificial divisions are as unfounded, in the + apprehension of sober expositors, as the attempts of impious Arians and + others, to turn the historical narrative of the creation and fall of man + into an allegory! +</p> +<p> + The meaning of the "seven stars and seven candlesticks" is then + explained to John. The word, "are," is used in a figurative sense, and + not to be taken literally. It means here, <i>symbolize, represent</i> or + <i>signify</i>. It is to be interpreted in the same sense as in the following + places of sacred Scripture:—"It <i>is</i> the Lord's passover." (Exod. xii. + 11.) "That rock <i>was</i> Christ." (1 Cor. x. 4.) "This <i>is</i> my body." + (Matt. xxvi. 26.) None but a Papist will have any difficulty here, or + perhaps,—a Lutheran! +</p> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II. +</h2> +<p> + Some commentators, among whom may be mentioned the learned Dr. Gill, a + leading Antipedobaptist minister of England, have imagined, that the + seven epistles addressed to the Asiatic churches, contain a mystical + prophecy of the church general, covering the whole period of her history + from the apostolic age till the end of the world. According to this + fancy,—for it is nothing more than a fancy; the church in Smyrna, will + represent the church's condition in the second stage of her history, + when Arianism prevailed! And the Laodicean must represent her last, and + so her worst condition! How will this harmonize with the 20th chapter, + where she appears in triumph over all her antichristian foes? This is + given as a specimen of the unbridled fancy and licentious imagination + with which even good men may be tempted to approach the reading and + interpreting of this important and instructive part of God's word. But + Peter informs us that some persons in his time, "wrested" those parts of + Paul's writings which were "dark and hard to be understood:" and this + was not the worst of their conduct, for they treated "the other + scriptures also" in the same reckless and irreverent manner, which were + neither dark nor hard to be understood. (2 Pet. iii. 16.) These epistles + are no more mystical or prophetical than those of the apostle Paul. They + are simply and properly descriptive, although like all other epistles, + they are applicable to the church general in all ages, and equally + suited to the case of individuals, as is clear in the close of + each:—"If <i>any man</i> have an ear, let <i>him</i> hear." +</p> +<p> + 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he + that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst + of the seven golden candlesticks; +</p> +<p> + 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou + canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say + they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: +</p> +<p> + 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast + laboured, and hast not fainted. +</p> +<p> + 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left + thy first love. +</p> +<p> + 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do + the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove + thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. +</p> +<p> + 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, + which I also hate. +</p> +<p> + 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, + which is in the midst of the paradise of God. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-7.—This first epistle, addressed to the church in Ephesus, + comes from the Lord Jesus, who holds the stars in his right hand; who + gives commission to the ministry, gives them authority as his + ambassadors to negotiate with mankind, communicates to them the light + which they diffuse in the world, sustains them in their respective + spheres, and controls them as they move in their orbits. He walks in the + midst of the candlesticks, as the sun in the system of nature, trimming + and snuffing the lamps that they may burn more clearly. +</p> +<p> + This is the second epistle sent from Christ to the church of Ephesus. + Paul, who is thought to have planted this church, (Acts xviii. 19,) had + written to those Christians some thirty years before, while he was a + prisoner in Rome. (Eph. i. 4; vi. 20.) Paul and John were nothing more + than Christ's amanuenses,—"the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. xlv. 1; 1 + Cor. iii. 7.)—"The angel of the church" is at once a symbolic and + collective name, including also the idea of representation:—not a pope + or any other prelatic personage. No doubt in our Saviour's estimation + the saints take precedence here of the "bishops (overseers.) and + deacons," as they do in Phil. i. 1; Eph. iv. 8-12. All ecclesiastical + officers are Christ's gift to the church; but the object or recipient of + the gift is more valued than the gift. And just here is the point where + prelates "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures." They have + arrogated to themselves the honourary title of "clergy;" and for the + sake of distinction, and to give plausibility to their ambitious + pretensions, call the membership of the church the "laity,"—contrary to + the express decision of the unerring Spirit. Peter cautions the + "elders" that they be not as "lords over God's <i>heritage,"</i>—<i>lot, + clergy;</i> where it is obvious that the body of the people, as + distinguished from their rulers, are denominated the <i>clergy.</i> Moreover, + it is evident to any unbiased reader, that the membership, and not a + bishop only, are addressed by our Lord in these epistles; as when he + says,—"some of you." (v. 10.) Hence it may be inferred that there is no + proof in these epistles on which to erect the antichristian hierarchy of + diocesan prelacy; and consequently that ecclesiastical government is by + divine right, lodged in the hands of a plurality of presbyters. +</p> +<p> + Christ notices what is commendable, before he administers reproof. "I + know thy works."—There seems to be an incompatibility between the + "patience" commended, and not being able to "bear them which were evil." + But patience under persecution or any other providential dispensation, + is perfectly consistent with an enlightened zeal against error and + immorality. Indeed, the two graces,—patience and zeal, are inseparable + in themselves, and as connected with all the other graces of the Holy + Spirit.—There were such in the primitive church, who claimed to be + apostles, and who, upon trial, were discovered to be impostors. Paul, in + the exercise of the miraculous gift of "discerning of spirits," could, + without presbyterial examination of witnesses, personally detect "false + apostles, deceitful workers" in Corinth. (2 Cor. xi. 13.) But John was + not at Ephesus, and therefore the ordinary rulers are approved by Christ + for the faithful exercise of discipline. Persons who falsify the + doctrines and corrupt the order and ordinances of divine appointment, + are the worst of liars, and having been by competent authority "found" + to be such; they may be so called without breach of charity. When + discipline is neglected or relaxed, error and tyranny soon enter, with + "confusion and every evil work." But when false teachers have gained + followers and influence in the church, the friends of truth and order + will be in danger of yielding to the pressure. They are liable to become + "weary and faint in their minds," (Heb. xii. 3;) but zeal for their + Master's honor will animate them to contend for the faith so as to + secure his approbation. It is remarkable that so much labor, patience, + zeal etc., should be found in this church while chargeable with having + "fallen from first love." Habits contracted in the fervor of early + affection to Christ, may continue to influence an individual or a + church, when the fervency of affection is sensibly abated. This state of + feeling the exercised Christian will confess and lament. Nothing but + repentance and reformation in such a case will procure the approbation + and restore the favor of Christ. Continued impenitence is threatened + with removing "the candlestick," the gospel, ministry and ordinances. +</p> +<p> + The Nicolaitans were a sect of corrupt professors of Christianity of + whose doctrines and deeds little or nothing is certainly known. It is + most generally supposed that they were a sort of Antinomians, who turned + the grace of God into lasciviousness; and there is a tradition, not well + sustained, that their heresy was derived from Nicolas, a proselyte of + Antioch, one of the seven deacons of whom we read, Acts vi. 5. The + similarity of name seems to have suggested this fancy; for there is no + historical evidence that one who was "of honest report, full of the Holy + Ghost and wisdom," was permitted thus to fall away. Their deeds, + however, were hateful to Christ, and therefore hateful to his real + disciples: for one of the infallible marks of a state of grace is to + hate what,—yes and whom,—our Lord hates. (Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22.) All who + read or hear these things are interested in them, whether they will + hear, or whether they will forbear. What Christ saith in each of these + epistles, the Spirit saith; and what is said to each church is said to + all the seven; that is, to the whole visible church. "To him that + overcometh" false apostles, the deeds of the Nicolaitans, any doctrines + or practices in opposition to the truth of Christ, or militating against + the honor of Christ; to such he "will give to eat of the tree of life," + from which Adam was excluded upon the breach of the first covenant. + (Genesis iii. 22-24.) What the first Adam lost by the fall, the last + Adam will restore with interest, (1 Cor. ii. 9.) The felicity of the + saints in glory can be represented only by sensible things; and even + then but very imperfectly. (1 Cor. xiii. 12; 1 John iii. 2.) +</p> +<p> + 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith + the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; +</p> +<p> + 9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) + and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, + but are the synagogue of Satan. +</p> +<p> + 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil + shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall + have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give + thee a crown of life. +</p> +<p> + 11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8-11.—Smyrna is the second in order of the seven churches addressed + through the ministry as the official representatives. Our Saviour here + assumes those titles mentioned in ch. i. 17, 18, which bespeak his + divine personal dignity and voluntary humiliation, his eternal Godhead + and true manhood,—"God manifest in the flesh," having by death + triumphed over death, to deliver them who through fear of death were all + their life-time subject to bondage. (Heb. ii. 15.) This church was + subjected to "tribulation,"—persecution in name, substance and person. + The members were either of the poorer sort of the citizens of Smyrna, or + rendered poor by fines,—"the spoiling of their goods."—"But thou art + rich," rich in faith, in good works, in the gifts and graces of the + Spirit, the earnest of the heavenly inheritance.—In this place a colony + of Jews had gained such social influence as to move the populace, and + even the local magistrates, to offer violence to the servants of God. It + does not appear that these Jews were professing Christians of any creed, + but just such as Paul often encountered in Judea and elsewhere. (Acts + xvi. 19-22.) The devil instigated the Jews, and they the Gentiles; and + both, the magistrates, to silence the testimony of Christ's witnesses, + by which all were tormented. The design of the devil, who was a murderer + from the beginning, was to <i>destroy</i> that church; but Christ's design + was to <i>try</i> her members. Only <i>some</i> were to be imprisoned, and the + time of trial would be limited to "ten days,"—a definite for an + indefinite, but short time. Those who resist the truth contradict its + advocates, and blaspheme the holy name of God, though professing to be + either Jews or Christians, area "synagogue of Satan." "A crown of life" + is promised to such as proved "faithful unto death." They shall not be + "hurt of the second death;" that is, eternal death. (Ch. xx. 14, 15.) +</p> +<p> + 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith + he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; +</p> +<p> + 13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat + is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in + those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among + you, where Satan dwelleth. +</p> +<p> + 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them + that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a + stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed + unto idols, and to commit fornication. +</p> +<p> + 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, + which thing I hate. +</p> +<p> + 16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight + against them with the sword of my mouth. +</p> +<p> + 17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, + and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, + which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-17.—To the church in Pergamos reproofs and threatenings are + addressed by him who has the "sharp sword." Satan had his throne in this + place, whence he assailed the true doctrine and disciples of Christ by + heresy and persecution. In such a great fight of afflictions there was + one distinguished, like Stephen, for boldness and fortitude, who + "resisted unto blood, striving against sin." And wherever there is a + "faithful martyr" for Christ, who "holds fast his name, and will not + deny his faith" at the risk of his life, his divine Lord will condescend + to register his name among that noble company who "by faith have + obtained a good report." (Heb. Xv. 2.) The "doctrine of Balaam" and that + of the Nicolaitans led to gross immoralities in apostolic times as of + old in the days of Moses. (Num. xxxi. 16.) And thus it appears, that old + heresies, which have been condemned, are afterwards revived under new + names, and patronized by new leaders. In such a case, we have the + authority of Christ for calling them by the same names of those whose + principles they adopt, and whose example they emulate. It was no breach + of charity, therefore, by our forefathers to designate those who + "delated" them to the cruel persecutors in Scotland by the name of + "Ziphites," or to call the archtraitor Sharp,—"a Judas." The Lord Jesus + "hates the doctrine" as well as "deeds of Nicolaitans," which are + subversive of truth and godliness. Those who oppose the doctrines of + Balaam and the Nicolaitans in any age when these are popular, must + expect persecution. But when "troubles abound for Christ's sake, + consolations much more abound by Christ." This is to "eat of the hidden + manna." Also, the "white stone" or pebble,—the token of + justification,—will be given to the conqueror in the Christian + conflict. The allusion here is to the mode of procedure in courts of + judgment among the ancient Greeks. White stones were cast for acquittal; + black for condemnation. The manna is <i>hidden</i>, and so is the <i>white</i> + stone, both signifying the sustaining and consoling evidence of the + Comforter,—the Holy "Spirit witnessing with the spirit" of the + persecuted believer, that he is a "child of God." It is the same thing + as the "hundred-fold in this life," promised by Christ. (Matt. xix. 29.) +</p> +<p> + It is worthy of notice, in the condition of this church, that while + among a minority may be found an "Antipas,—faithful martyr" for the + cause of Christ, against those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the + Nicolaitans: the majority are called upon to "repent,"—evidently for + conniving at the destructive errors and immoralities of those seducers. + And unless the discipline of the church was employed to "purge out these + rebels;" the Master would take the work into his own hand, and "fight + against them with the sword of his mouth:" and then such as screened or + spared these sinners might expect to partake of their just punishment. + Rulers in the church "must give account for those over whom they watch." +</p> +<p> + 18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things + saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and + his feet are like fine brass; +</p> +<p> + 19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy + patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. +</p> +<p> + 20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou + sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to + teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things + sacrificed unto idols. +</p> +<p> + 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented + not. +</p> +<p> + 22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery + with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. +</p> +<p> + 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall + know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give + unto every one of you according to your works. +</p> +<p> + 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, (as many as have + not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they + speak;) I will put upon you none other burden: +</p> +<p> + 25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. +</p> +<p> + 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him + will I give power over the nations: +</p> +<p> + 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a + potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. +</p> +<p> + 28. And I will give him the morning-star. +</p> +<p> + 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18-29.—The most lengthy epistle is sent to the church in Thyatira. + He who is the "Son of God," a divine person, possessing the essential + attributes of omniscience and immutability, has more to say to this + church than to any of the rest. Commending, as usual, whatever was + commendable,—their "works, charity, service," etc.; "and the last to be + more than the first:" he has, nevertheless, "a few things against + them,"—especially "suffering that woman Jezebel to teach." Is this + "woman Jezebel" to be taken in a literal or figurative sense? Analogy + seems to require a metaphorical sense. If, in the preceding epistle, + "Balaam" is not to be understood literally and personally, but + figuratively and representatively, so Jezebel represents an individual, + or rather as that other woman, (ch. xvii. 4.) a faction or sect, who + propagated destructive heresy. Jezebel was daughter of Ethbaal, King of + the Zidonians, whom Ahab married contrary to the express law of God. (1 + Kings xvi. 31; Deut. vii. 3.) She was a violent persecutor of the Lord's + people, because she was given to idolatry; and she was an instigator of + all the cruelty perpetrated by that wicked king, "whom Jezebel his wife + stirred up." As Ahab suffered his wife to control his policy, "giving + him the vineyard of Naboth," etc., so it appears, the rulers in this + church are blamed for permitting "a woman to teach," contrary to the law + of Christ." (1 Tim. ii. 12.) She "called herself a prophetess,"—why not + then require her to show her credentials? Permitted to usurp the + functions of a public teacher, she "seduced Christ's servants" to join + in the abominable rites of the heathen. Spiritual fornication, + especially when conducted by female agency, has always issued in that + which is literal. This may be verified from the time of Noah and Balaam + till the erection of nunneries under the sanction of the "man of sin." + The distinction here between "committing fornication" and "eating things + sacrificed unto idols," intimates that the "adultery" is to be taken in + a literal sense. Time was allowed for repentance, "and she repented + not." All this time the rulers were culpable: therefore the Lord + himself, as before, will interpose to rectify such gross sin and + scandal. This he would do by visiting these impenitent transgressors + with some incurable disease which would issue in certain death. So he + did in the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) By this example he would + teach "all the churches, that it is he who searcheth the reins and + hearts,"—demonstrating his divine omniscience.—"But unto you I say." + Where now is to be discovered, in this address of the Saviour, that + "presiding minister," or diocesan bishop, whom the anti-christian + prelates affirm our Lord addresses in all these epistles? "And unto the + rest in Thyatira,"—still no prelate addressed; but those laborious and + patient ones previously commended, who "had not known the depths of + Satan." Those deceivers pretended to instruct their deluded followers in + the "deep things of God;" but Christ calls them "depths of Satan." It is + usual with the devil's factors to delude credulous persons with + pretending to teach them deep mysteries,—"curious arts. (Acts xix. 18, + 19.) +</p> +<p> + To such as withstood the adversary and his allies, Christ would give no + additional injunctions to those which they had received. And to animate + them to continued fidelity and fortitude in future conflicts with these + enemies of all righteousness, he holds forth an ample reward. He shall + share in the honor of his Master, conferred on him by his Father. + Whatever may be comprehended in this promise, it can be made good to the + victorious Christian only by Him who is divine. None else has "power + over the nations," but he to whom "all power is given in heaven and in + earth." (Matt, xxviii. 18.) "The morning star" may signify Christ + himself, (ch. xxii, 16,) or the "first fruits of the Spirit," (Rom. + viii. 23,) or the full assurance of grace. (2 Peter i. 19.) +</p> +<p> + As before, what "Christ saith, the Spirit saith;" and the instruction, + warning and threatening sent to the church in Thyatira, was addressed to + all churches and to every human being endowed with an "ear to hear." It + is assumed in the beginning of the Apocalypse, that only some will have + sufficient education to "read the words of the prophecy of this book;" + and such is the condescension of our gracious Master, that those who, by + reason of invincible ignorance, cannot <i>read</i>, yet may share in the + reward promised to such as "hear and keep" the sayings of this book. And + no doubt thousands have received this reward since the begun decline of + Popery, who were privileged to hear and to "know the joyful sound" of + the gospel proclaimed by the heralds of the Reformation. In the times of + Luther, Calvin, Knox, and others, who were their compeers and + successors, many were called from darkness to light, in continental and + insular Europe, who could not read. +</p> +<p> + All are commanded to "search the Scriptures." Now to be able to obey + this reasonable command, either all must be instructed in the knowledge + of Hebrew and Greek,—the two languages in which the Bible was + originally written, or the Bible must be translated into the languages + of all nations. But the former supposition is impracticable, and + therefore the latter is dutiful. And after all that has been done, and + is yet to be accomplished, in translating the sacred writings into the + languages of the nations of the earth, the "angels of the churches" will + be employed by the chief Shepherd in feeding his flock. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith + he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy + works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. +</p> +<p> + 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready + to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. +</p> +<p> + 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, + and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a + thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. +</p> +<p> + 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their + garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. +</p> +<p> + 5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I + will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess + his name before my Father, and before his angels. +</p> +<p> + 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-6.—As hitherto in these epistles we do not discover a "presiding + minister" above an elder, so neither do we in this one find any hint of + a "bishop and pastors." All Christ's bishops are elders, and "all are + brethren." (Acts xx. 17, 28.) Prelacy,—that is, preferring one pastor + before another in office, is expressly prohibited by the church's only + Lawgiver. (Matt. xx. 25, 26.) The attempts to annul this law of Christ + has caused more sin and suffering to his disciples than any one external + agency of the devil. The whole history of the church furnishes the + evidence of this. +</p> +<p> + The church in Sardis is addressed by him who "hath the seven spirits of + God and the seven stars," who has authority by office to give the + quickening influences of the Spirit to the dead, and his reviving + influences to the dormant; for revival presupposes life. Their "works + were not perfect before God," however they might appear to men. The + majority were in a languishing condition, had "given themselves over to + a detestable neutrality" in the Lord's cause. And as the whole body is + justly characterized by the major part; this church is described as + "dead." "Be watchful,—remember,—repent." These duties point out the + prevailing sins, namely, slothfulness, forgetfulness and security. Where + these predominate, "things that remain are ready to die." And there is + no other remedy but that of applying to the "Seven Spirits of God," + which Christ is ready to shed abundantly on all who make believing + application. +</p> +<p> + Christ threatens to "come as a thief" upon those who do not "watch." In + similitudes, we are not to indulge a licentious fancy in our attempts to + interpret them. The objects of the thief's visit and that of Christ are + not the point of resemblance; for "the thief cometh not but for to + steal, and to kill, and to destroy." The point, and the only point of + resemblance, is the suddenness of the visit. Ignorance or neglect of + this rule of interpretation has been a fruitful source of error, + especially in expounding Revelation. +</p> +<p> + In this epistle, the order hitherto observed by the Saviour is reversed. + What was praiseworthy in other churches was first noticed. Here the + commendation follows the reproof. "Thou hast a few names," etc. A + virtuous minority are "undefiled in the way." They have nobly withstood + the prevailing contamination, and therefore Christ will admit them to + fellowship and honor. The victor shall be "clothed in white + raiment,"—grace shall be perfected in glory; and their names, which + were inscribed in the book of life,—the register of the church of the + first-born, shall be confessed by Christ "before his Father and before + his angels," as having "followed the Lamb," when others went back like + Orpah. (Ruth i. 15.) Let those who, having "put their hand to the + plough," are tempted to "look back," consider "what the Spirit saith" to + the church in Sardis. +</p> +<p> + 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things + saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, + he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; +</p> +<p> + 8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no + man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, + and has not denied my name. +</p> +<p> + 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they + are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and + worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. +</p> +<p> + 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep + thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, + to try them that dwell upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + 11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man + take thy crown. +</p> +<p> + 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, + and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my + God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which + cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new + name. +</p> +<p> + 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-13.—This church, like the one in Smyrna, is "without rebuke," in + the midst of similar trials.—Christ's message is prefaced, as usual, by + some description of himself, implying his supreme deity and authority. + "He that is holy, he that is true," is more than a creature. As "there + is none <i>good</i> but one, that is God;" so, "there is none <i>holy</i> as the + Lord," (Jehovah,) (1 Sam. ii. 2.) Here is another, among many plain + proofs, of our Saviour's proper divinity. His divine authority is held + forth in his "having the key of David," etc. A key is the symbol of + authority, (Matt. xvi. 19,) and the reference is to that prophecy, (Isa. + xxii. 20-24,) in which the mediatorial dominion of Christ is set forth, + by calling Eliakim to the place of authority in the room of Shebna. "The + key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." It is in virtue + of this extensive grant of power from the Father, that the Lord Christ + has a right, <i>as Mediator</i>, to send his ambassadors into all nations, to + call sinners (rebels) back to their rightful allegiance; and also to + execute deserved punishment upon all who do harm to his servants. (Ps. + cv, 15.) In the exercise of his rightful authority, he has set before + this church an "open door" of liberty, of opportunity, of activity; that + she may put forth her "little strength" in keeping Christ's word and + confessing his name amidst opposition, reproach and violence; for it is + obvious, that when impostors fail to reach their objects by deceit, they + will resort to forcible measures. Because this church was unable to + purge herself by corrective discipline,—having but "a little strength," + therefore Christ declares his purpose to strip these lying Jews of their + cloak of hypocrisy, and exhibit them in their true character a + "synagogue (church) of Satan." (James ii. 2.) Seeing that in apostolic + times there were apostles, ministers, churches of the devil, is it to be + supposed that we violate the law of charity, if in our own degenerate + age, when heresies abound, when ecclesiastical order is trampled upon, + we venture to apply the language of the Holy Spirit to unholy and + profane amalgamations? No, it is part of the special business of + Christ's witnesses to unmask specious hypocrites and warn of danger from + false teachers, (2 Cor. xi. 13-15; Gal. i. 6, 7,) that "their folly may + be made manifest to all men." (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9; 2 Peter ii. 1, 3.)—The + cruel enemy, who in the day of prosperity boasts of his success, in the + day of adversity becomes the most arrant coward and cringing + suppliant,—whether it be Saul or Shimei. (1 Sam. xv. 30; 2 Sam. xix. + 18.) Haughty persecutors have been changed to humble suitors for an + interest in the prayers of their victims,—"to worship before their + feet." "The word of Christ's patience" may signify any truth or doctrine + of the Bible which is of supernatural revelation. The same idea is + suggested by the phrase, "the present truth,"—any divine truth which + may come to be opposed or denied, especially as it may bear upon the + personal glory of our Redeemer. Love to Christ is often tested by an + enlightened and firm adherence to the "truth as it is in Jesus," when + "false apostles will sell it for a mess of pottage." (Prov. xxiii. 23; 2 + Cor. xiii. 8.) The first promise here is of a temporal kind, of + protection in time of general danger. The "temptation" thus predicted + may refer to some of those "ten persecutions" waged by the Roman + emperors against the Christians, as that of Trajan in particular; but + doubtless, like many other predictions, it was to have more than one + fulfilment. The expression, "all the world" does indeed sometimes mean + the Roman empire, (Luke ii. 1;) but perhaps it would be rash to affirm, + that it is to be always thus limited. Like "the kingdom of heaven,—the + kingdom of God,"—phrases which have unquestionably a two-fold + signification, so it will be safer to consider this expression as of a + similar kind. All other churches would be exposed to trial, from which + this one would be exempted. The trial might consist of persecution, or + the spreading of heretical principles and wicked practices, followed by + apostacies. At such a time of trial, a firm adherence to the "doctrines + which are after godliness," would be imperative duty, and the only way + to secure the victor's crown. The gracious reward of fidelity here + promised is a permanent and honorable place in the heavenly temple,—the + temple of Christ's Father, whose name the citizen of the New Jerusalem + should bear for ever, and should be known and recognised as + "fellow-citizen with the saints." These names may be safely interpreted + as importing, "son, daughter of the Lord Almighty, citizen of Zion, + Christian." As "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch," + so their gracious Master will "confess their names before his Father and + the holy angels." (Acts xi. 26; Rev. iii. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These + things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of + the creation of God; +</p> +<p> + 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou + wert cold or hot. +</p> +<p> + 16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will + spue thee out of my mouth. +</p> +<p> + 17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have + need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, + and poor, and blind, and naked. +</p> +<p> + 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest + be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the + shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with + eye-salve, that thou mayest see. +</p> +<p> + 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and + repent. +</p> +<p> + 20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and + open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with + me. +</p> +<p> + 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, + even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. +</p> +<p> + 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-22.—It appears that in Paul's time a Christian church had been + planted in Laodicea. (Col. ii. 1; iv. 16.) This church had the benefit + of his ministry as well as that of Ephesus: and as both these churches + were comparatively near to all the other five, we may suppose that a man + of his zealous, active and persevering character and habits, would + "impart unto them some spiritual gift." (Rom. i. 11.) +</p> +<p> + It is evident that this church had degenerated more than all the others. + In her there is nothing to commend. Her officers and members are + described in their real character by him who is the "Amen, the faithful + and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Each of these + titles speaks the divine dignity of Christ. They are all to be + understood in an absolute, not in a comparative sense. As "there is none + <i>good</i> (absolutely so,) but one; that is, God," Matt. xix. 17; so Christ + only is the "Amen" in such sense that he "cannot lie" as a "witness.'" + He "speaks that which he has seen with his Father." (John viii. 38.) + Jesus is, moreover, the "Beginning;" the author, owner and sovereign + ruler of "the creation of God." This is clearly taught in Col. i. 15-18, + where the same person, who (in v. 18) is called "the beginning," as + here; is (in v. 17,) said to "be before all things;" by whom (v. 16,) + "were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in + earth."—Creation is a work proper to God only. But our Redeemer has + "created all things." Now, according to Heb. iii. 4, "he that built all + things is God;" therefore he of whom these things are spoken is "the + Most High God." And so said the inspired prophet long ago, "For thy + Maker is thine husband." (Isa. liv. 5.) In the language of Jeremiah, (x. + 11,)—thus do we say to Arians, Socinians, and other self-styled + Unitarians,—"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, + even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens:" + and their blinded votaries, "except they repent, shall all likewise + perish."—However far the body of this church had declined, it does not + appear that they had yet, as a community, gone the length of "denying + the Lord that bought them." +</p> +<p> + Spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, seems to have been the prevailing sin + among these degenerate professors. Like the Pharisee, they would boast + of their riches, the spiritual gifts which they possessed, by which they + flattered themselves that "they were not as other men." Possibly they + might excel in knowledge, that "knowledge which puffeth up;" in + utterance,—"great swelling words of vanity," by which they gained both + "filthy lucre" and the admiration of an ignorant and carnal multitude. + Such is too often the actual condition of ministers and people, when + they are all the while under the power of sin, and wholly "blind" to + their spiritual destitution. Self-deception is fatal; and it would be + just in the Lord Jesus to give such persons up to their own hearts' + lusts. So he threatens,—"I will spue thee out of my mouth," as a man's + stomach loathes that which is nauseating. The like figure is used by + Isaiah, (lxv. 5,) personating his Lord when describing similar + characters:—"These are a smoke in my nose,"—intolerably offensive.—To + us the case of this church would appear hopeless. It is not so, however: + on the contrary, he assures them that these sharp rebukes proceed from + love. "As many as I love, I rebuke, and chasten." (Heb. xii. 6-8.) And + from the "counsel" which he gives, as farther evidence of his love, we + learn wherein this church was lacking,—in grace, justifying + righteousness, and the saving self searching illumination of the Holy + Spirit. As this church had not the promise of exemption from the coming + "temptation," (v. 10,) the "gold tried in the fire" of persecution will + be indispensable to preserve any from apostacy, whereby their cloak of + hypocrisy would be removed, and they be exposed to "shame."—Christ + "stands and knocks."—If the church refuses him admittance, yet if but + one will "hear his voice and open the door," he will certainly + communicate such consolations,—the "joy of his salvation," that it may + be said they sup together. (Song v. 1.) +</p> +<p> + This, as before, is the "hundred-fold," promised in this life, as a + foretaste and pledge of heavenly felicity.—There is added, a + participation in his honor and authority; for those who suffer with him + shall also reign with him. (2 Tim. ii. 12.) Whilst "this honour is to + all his saints," it is to be conferred upon them by Christ. This + assertion may seem to contradict what Christ said to the mother of + Zebedee's sons, (Matt. xx. 23,)—"to sit on my right hand, and on my + left, is not mine to give."—No, it is not his to give,—"but, except to + them for whom it is prepared of his Father." Then it is his to + give,—his right. Of the honor and felicity promised to such as "fight + the good fight of faith," none can have an adequate conception without + actual experience. (1 John iii. 2.) +</p> +<center> + GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. +</center> +<p> + Although the fundamental doctrine of the <i>Trinity in Unity</i> be not + expressly taught or asserted in these epistles, it is nevertheless often + and plainly presupposed. Each epistle begins and closes with express + mention of two divine persons as equally the author. What Christ says, + the Spirit says to these churches. But there is a <i>third</i> divine person + often mentioned who is called "God," and "Father." (Ch. ii. 7, 18, 27, + etc.;) and in the first verse of chapter third, one speaks who has the + seven Spirits of God," where the <i>Trinity</i> is included. Thus, while in + these epistles this important doctrine of the adorable Trinity,—a + doctrine which lies at the very foundation of a sinner's hope, is + obscurely revealed, as being clearly discovered in the preceding parts + of the Holy Scriptures; the subsequent part of this book of Revelation + is intended, among other objects, to demonstrate <i>the distinct + subsistence and economical actings</i> of the co-equal and eternal Three, + in the protection and salvation of the church, and in the control and + moral government of the universe. +</p> +<p> + Again, on the groundless and chimerical assumption of those expositors + who view these epistles as prophetical of seven successive periods of + the destiny of the church general, the last estate would be worse than + the first,—Laodicea being the worst of all. But this is obviously + contrary to the description contained in ch. xx. 1-10, where the saints + are represented as in possession and exercise of all their purchased and + social rights. Neither does authentic history prove that the church of + Christ was more prosperous under the "ten persecutions" by the heathen + Roman emperors than in the apostolic age, as the superior condition of + the church in Smyrna to that of Ephesus would require. The very contrary + is true; and hence the groundlessness of such interpretation, however + respectable the names of its authors. The object of our Saviour in all + the instructions, counsels, warnings, rebukes and threatenings addressed + to these several churches is doubtless the real benefit of his people in + after generations;—just as his dealings with the church in Old + Testament times, "were written for our admonition and learning." (Rom. + xv. 4; 1 Cor. x. 11.) Moreover, some persons have inferred from our + Lord's treatment of these churches, a <i>divine warrant</i> for the + existence, and an imperative Christian duty for the charitable + recognition, of all the conflicting and antagonistic organizations of + our time, popularly styled Christian churches. But as the designation, + "Christian churches," is in the apprehension of some too general, the + term "evangelical" is used by them as restrictive of the term + "Christian." Still the question will present itself,—What constitutes a + church "evangelical?" And this question is still without any definite + answer. Perhaps no two persons would include in one category the same + denominations of professing Christians. For example,—Is a community to + be considered a Christian church in which the "doctrine of Balaam" is + taught? Does the law of charity require the recognition of an + organization as a Christian church, in which a "Jezebel would be + suffered to teach, and to seduce the servants of Christ?" Is that a + Christian church which denies the supreme deity of Christ, and rejects + the seals of the covenant of grace,—the only charter of the Christian + church's existence, on earth? Or is that combination to be viewed as a + Christian church which has no regular ministry, but expressly rejects + the "pastors and teachers" of Christ's appointment and the morality of + the sabbath? These, and many other questions of similar or analogous + import, will suggest negative answers to all who fear God, respect his + authority, and are free from the bewildering effects of popular error. +</p> +<p> + It ought to be considered that all these <i>seven</i> churches were <i>one + church</i>, as originally constituted, having the same,—that, is, a + divine, scriptural organization. And although in the divine forbearance, + they were still owned by Christ, notwithstanding the errors, heresies + and immoralities which had crept into them; yet it is manifest that he + threatens some of them with divorce, total extinction in case of + impenitence. He has indeed fulfilled his awful threats in making them a + desolation. Is it reasonable to suppose that he would reorganize these, + or recognise others which incorporate the same or the like corruptions + in doctrine and practice for tolerating which he has "removed their + candlestick," or "spued them out of his mouth?" (<i>Absit blasphemia</i>.) To + say so, or write so, does not manifest the "charity which rejoiceth not + in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Alas! the present condition of + the church general contains frequent evidences, that our Saviour's + affectionate counsels, solemn warnings, and awful threatenings, are + neither duly pondered nor dutifully regarded. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV. +</h2> +<p> + With this chapter the prophetical part of the Apocalypse begins. This is + the place where the third division of the book commences, of which + intimation had been given to John.—"Write ... the things which shall be + hereafter." (Ch. i. 19.) The third is therefore much the largest part of + the whole book, comprising all from the 4th to the 22d ch. It is also to + be noticed that the fourth and fifth chapters are properly of the nature + of an introduction to what follows, presenting to view, as it were, a + grand theatre on which are to be exhibited the dramatic characters and + events which constitute the outline of history in the church and the + world from the apostle's time till the consummation of all things. +</p> +<p> + Expositors commonly frame and lay down some rules by which they suppose + symbolic language in general, and the symbols of this book in + particular, may be interpreted. On examination, however, it will be + discovered that the learned are not agreed either in the nature or + number of such rules, and sometimes an expositor who has exerted his + ingenuity most in devising canons of interpretation, forgets to apply + them. +</p> +<p> + All languages, whether spoken or written, are more or less metaphorical, + interspersed with what are called figures of speech. It is customary to + represent nations and tribes, whose language abounds in symbols, as but + little advanced in civilization; and to view oriental nations as more + disposed to indulge in tropes and figures than those of the west; but + perhaps this relative estimate of the modes of speech in the eastern and + western hemispheres will admit of some modification, when we consider + the gesticulations and similes by which the aborigines of America + attempt to give expression to their ideas. The word <i>hieroglyphics</i>, + signifying sacred sculpture, derived from the ancient mode of writing by + the priests of Egypt, has received conventional currency among the + learned, as descriptive of any writing which is obscure, "hard to be + understood." And all who read this book will find some of it "dark" + indeed. The divine Author intended that it should be so, (ch. xiii. 18;) + yet he calls it emphatically, a "Revelation." +</p> +<p> + We have already noticed, that the symbols in this book are taken from + the ceremonial law in part, and part are taken from the works of + creation. The heavens and the earth present to our senses a variety of + material objects; some more, some less calculated to arrest our + attention. Among these, the sun, moon and stars,—earth and sea, + mountains and rivers, occupy prominent places. To facilitate our + knowledge of these, and prompt reference to any part of them, we + generalize or throw them into groups. Thus we speak familiarly of the + "solar system," the "animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom." Now, just + transfer these systematized objects from the material and physical, to + the moral and spiritual world. Then consider what relation any one + object bears to the system, and what influence it has upon the other + objects of which it is a part, and its import may be generally, + satisfactorily and certainly ascertained. Thus the same canons or rules + which we apply in the interpretation of other writings, will be equally + available in "searching the Scriptures,"—never, never forgetting that + it is the Spirit of Christ that "guides into all truth," or his own + all-comprehensive rule of interpretation, "comparing spiritual things + with spiritual." (1 Cor. ii. 13.) +</p> +<p> + In order to the right observance of the divinely prescribed rule, + "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," we must often refer to the + prophecies of the Old Testament,—to the second and seventh chapters of + Daniel in particular, because that prophet, while the church was captive + under the power of literal Babylon, was favoured with a discovery of the + purpose of God, that a succession of imperial powers should afterwards + arise to "try the patience and the faith of the saints." As in the case + of Pharaoh, so in the whole history of the rise, reign and overthrow of + succeeding persecuting powers, Jehovah's design was precisely the + same,—"to make his power known, and that his name might be declared + throughout all the earth." (Ex. ix. 16; Rom. ix. 17.) In connexion with + this, he would "glorify the riches of his grace on the vessels of mercy, + which he had afore prepared unto glory," by sustaining them in the + furnace of trial. +</p> +<p> + 1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and + the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with + me; which said. Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must + be hereafter. +</p> +<p> + 2. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in + heaven, and one sat on the throne. +</p> +<p> + 3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: + and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an + emerald. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-3.—"After these things," contained in the three preceding + chapters, the glorious vision of the mediatorial person, and the writing + and sending of the seven epistles; there seems to have intervened a + pause. While John was in expectation of farther discoveries of "things + which were to be thereafter," "behold, a door was opened in heaven," the + place of Jehovah's special residence. But as this "heaven" is sometimes + the theatre of <i>war</i>, (ch. xii. 7,) of course it is not to be taken + literally. As a symbol it generally signifies organized society, over + which the Most High presides. The "door opened" afforded the means to + John of seeing the objects within. The "voice as of a trumpet," which + arrested his attention, was that of Christ,—the "voice of the Lord, + full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4; ch. i. 10, 11.) John was in his own + apprehension, like Paul, "caught up into the third heaven," that he + might behold in glorious succession "things which must be hereafter." + Why <i>must</i> they be? Simply because such was the "purpose of Him who + worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; who is wonderful + in counsel and excellent in working; whose counsel stands, and who doeth + all his pleasure." (Eph. i. 11.) Can a rational creature work without a + plan? And shall mortal man be more rational than his Maker? The objects + which were presented to John are not to be understood as <i>material</i> + objects. It was requisite that he should be "in the Spirit," before he + could see them. The exercise of his bodily senses, the organs of + sensation, must be suspended, that he might have a perception of the + objects presented in vision. As the "spirits of just men made perfect" + in glory, in a disembodied state, are still conscious and active; so are + we warranted to conceive of souls yet in the body as being in a state + analagous,—falling into a trance. (Acts x. 10.) The first object seen + by John was a "throne set in heaven," the emblem of sovereignty. "One + sat on the throne," who cannot be described, only in an obscure manner + by comparison, being "the invisible God, whom no eye hath seen, nor can + see." Yet we know with certainty it is the person of the Father, because + he is in the next chapter plainly distinguished from "the Lamb." Seated + on the throne,—and "in the throne he is greater than the Mediator." A + relation between these divine persons was shadowed forth in Egypt + between Pharaoh and Joseph. (Gen. xli. 40.) Occupying the throne of the + universe, the Father sustains the majesty of the Godhead, and represents + the persons of the adorable Trinity; for the idea is equally + unscriptural and absurd, that either person appears or acts (<i>ad extra</i>) + in absolute or essential character. (Is. xlii. 1; John x. 18; xiv. 31.) + He that "sat, was ... like a jasper and a sardine stone,"—not like any + human form, but in allusion, perhaps, to the Shekinah or visible glory + above the mercy-seat in the most holy place, he appeared in the + essential purity or holiness of his nature and awful justice,—one "who + will by no means clear the guilty." The rainbow is the familiar emblem + or "token of the covenant." Its being "round about the throne" teaches + us, that God "in wrath remembers mercy." As "green" is the color most + pleasing to the natural eye, so is the rainbow of covenant mercy most + grateful to the penitent sinner, contemplated by the eye of faith. God + is "ever mindful of his covenant." (Ps. cxi. 5.) +</p> +<p> + Ever since the revelation of mercy to fallen man, God deals with + mankind, not in essential or absolute character, but by covenant in + economical standing. All along since that epoch in the history of this + world, "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto + the Son." As yet, however, the Son is not brought upon the stage in the + apostle's present view. The Son has his appropriate place in the vision, + where he will appear as Mediator. In the conflict to be carried on for + twelve hundred and sixty years by the combined powers of earth and hell + "against the Lord and his Anointed," we have the agencies exhibited in + these two chapters <i>only on heaven's side</i>. The opposing hosts will + afterwards appear. +</p> +<p> + 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the + seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; + and they had on their heads crowns of gold. +</p> +<p> + 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and + voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, + which are the seven spirits of God. +</p> +<p> + Verses 4, 5.—To John's view, the "throne" seen from one side would + appear to be surrounded by a segment of a circle, within which were + "four and twenty seats," (thrones,) occupied by an equal number of + "elders." In society divinely organized "elders" have always been the + legal representatives of God's covenant society in civil and + ecclesiastical relations. (Exod. iii. 16; Acts xx. 17.) These "four and + twenty elders" represent the collective body of God's people under the + Old and New Testaments,—the "twelve tribes of Israel" and the "twelve + apostles." (ch. vii. 4; xxi. 12-14.) Their "white raiment" and "crowns + of gold" indicate their legal state and moral purity,—their + justification and sanctification, as also their promotion to honour, to + "reign as kings." (ch, i. 6; v. 10.) ["<i>reign on the earth</i>," ch, xx. + 4.] Allusion is had to the terrific scene at Sinai by the "lightnings," + etc., when "Moses did exceedingly fear and quake," importing that God, + "our God, is a consuming fire" to all his impenitent, especially + antichristian, enemies, even under the milder economy of the New + Testament. (Heb. x. 28-31; ch. xx. 10.) The "seven lamps of fire" are + explained to mean "the seven spirits of God," in allusion to the golden + candlestick in the temple, (Exod. xxxvii. 23; Zech. iv. 2,) and + signifying the gifts and graces of those who are "baptized with the Holy + Ghost and "with fire." +</p> +<p> + 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and + in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts + full of eyes before and behind. +</p> +<p> + 7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a + calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was + like a flying eagle. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they + were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, + holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. +</p> +<p> + 9. And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks, to him that + sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, +</p> +<p> + 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the + throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their + crowns before the throne, saying, +</p> +<p> + 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; + for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were + created. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6-11.—The "sea of glass before the throne" is a symbol taken from + the "brazen sea" in the temple, in which priests and victims were to be + washed. (Exod. xxx. 18; 1 Kings vii. 23.) This sea represents the same + thing as the "fountain opened," (Zech. xiii. 1,) which denotes the + atoning and cleansing blood of Christ. (Ch. vii. 14.) All who offer + "spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God," must first be washed; for the + "Lord had respect to Abel" <i>first</i>, and then to his "offering," (Gen. + iv. 4.)—Next, John saw "four beasts." The translation here is faulty, + as noticed by many expositors. Different words in the original + Greek,—not only different, but in some respects opposite in + signification, ought not to be rendered by the same English word; for + this tends to mislead the unlearned leader. He is thus bewildered + instead of being enlightened. There are several beasts besides these, + introduced as instructive symbols in this book. Two are mentioned in ch. + xiii. 1, 11, altogether different from these,—so different as to be + antagonistic. Instead of "beasts," they should have been called + "animals" or "living beings;" for even the phrase "living <i>creatures</i>" + hardly covers or conveys the whole import of the Greek word. The + position of these "four animals" is worthy of special notice:—"in the + midst of the throne, and round about the throne." How can this be? Well, + if the "seats" and the "elders" occupying them are "round about the + throne," in a segment of a circle, as viewed by John, then it will be + readily perceived that the "animals" seen from the same quarter would + appear to him as occupying a space forming a smaller segment of a circle + between the elders and the throne. Thus we have the relative positions, + (<i>a</i>) the throne, (<i>b</i>) the "four animals" next to the throne, and + lastly, (<i>c</i>) the "four and twenty elders." The places occupied by these + several parties are pregnant with scriptural instruction, as may appear + when we come to the latter part of ch. 6. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time, what do these "four animals" represent? Not the + adorable Trinity, as some learned men have imagined; nor holy angels, as + more learned men have supposed and laboured to prove. These "animals" + are worshippers; (v. 8,) therefore they are not the Object of worship. + They are culpably blind who mistake the creature for the Creator. (Rom. + i. 25.) Other expositors have attempted, with greater plausibility, but + no better success, to prove these animals to be symbolical of angels. + For this purpose, reference has been made to Isaiah's vision of the + <i>seraphims</i>, (ch. vi. 2,) and also to the "four living creatures" which + appeared in vision to Ezekiel, (i. 5-10.) The identity of John's + "animals" and Ezekiel's "living creatures" is argued especially from + their number, "four," and their "faces" being the same. To the + thoughtful and unbiased reader it is sufficient to reply,—that John's + "animals" acknowledge themselves to have been <i>redeemed</i> by the blood of + the Lamb, (ch. v. 8, 9,) an expression which is inapplicable to angels. + As the "four and twenty elders" and the "four animals" comprise the + whole company of the <i>redeemed</i>, as distinguished from the higher and + lower orders of God's worshippers, (ch. v. 8-14,) and as the "elders" + represent the whole church, it would seem to be reasonable to suppose, + that these "animals" are the symbols of the gospel ministry. And to this + agree their functions as exercised in the farther developments of this + book, as we shall see. +</p> +<p> + One plausible objection to this interpretation is grounded on the fact + that their "faces" are the same as those of Ezekiel's angels,—"of an + ox, or young calf, of a lion, of a man, and of an eagle." But each of + the "cherubims" had "four faces" whereas these "animals" have but <i>one</i> + face each. Nor ought it to be thought incongruous that faithful + ministers are represented as possessing some of the properties of holy + angels, when we find them called by the same name: (ch. i. 20;) and + also, when we find the Master directing them to imitate and emulate holy + angels in their services. (Matt. vi. 10; Ps. ciii. 20, 21.) These + "animals," emblematical of the gospel ministry, are in number "four," + answerable to the universality of their mission into the four quarters + of the earth,—"all the world." (Matt, xxviii. 19; Mark, xvi. 15.) So + the "four winds," (ch. vii. 1,) mean all winds. As the "lion, which is + the strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any," is + distinguished for courage and magnanimity; so, as a symbol, it + represents a ministry of courageous and heroic spirit. Luther in + continental, and Knox in insular Europe, may be named as displaying this + prominent feature of ministerial character. The "calf" or young ox, + symbolizes "patient continuance in well-doing" amidst trials, such as + "cruel mockings," etc. The "face as a man" indicates sagacity, + "Christian prudence," together with active sympathy. The "flying eagle" + is emblematical of penetration and discrimination,—ability to teach + others," from a spiritual insight into the divine character and + purposes,—an experimental acquaintance with "the God of glory." All + these properties are not to be supposed ordinarily in any one minister, + but as distributed among the ministry at large,—"according to the + measure of the gift of Christ,"—the Holy Spirit "dividing to every man + severally as he will." (Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xii. 11.) It may be remarked, + that in some cases all these properties may be discerned in great + measure in the same individual. In the gifts and grace of the apostle + Paul, may be discovered the <i>boldness</i> of the <i>lion</i>, the <i>patience</i> of + the <i>ox</i>, the <i>compassion</i> of the <i>man</i>, and the <i>soaring flight</i> of the + <i>eagle</i>. Our covenant God endows his servants for the service to which + he calls them, always making good the promise,—"As thy days, so shall + thy strength be." The "six wings," of course, are expressive of the + activity of the ministry,—"in season, out of season," emulating the + heavenly seraphims in serving the same Lord. They were "full of eyes + before, behind, within." They are to "take heed to themselves, and to + the ministry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it." + (Col. iv. 17; 1 Tim. iv. 16.) They are to regard the operation of God's + hand in providence, so as to "have understanding of the times, and know + what Israel ought to do." (1 Chron. xii. 32.) They are to "try the + spirits whether they are of God;" and "after the first and second + admonition, to reject heretics." (Tit. iii. 10.) They are to "oversee + the flock," (Acts xx. 28;) and to "watch for souls, as they that must + give account" to the Master. (Heb. xiii. 17.) And we may say with + Paul,—"Who is sufficient for these things?" Modern prelates, who + arrogate to themselves the exclusive use of the Scriptural official name + "BISHOP," generally manifest that they are <i>only bishops</i>, (<i>two-eyed</i>) + and not the <i>many-eyed</i> servants of Christ, symbolized by the "four + animals" of our text, or the "overseeing <i>elders</i>" charged at Miletus by + the apostle Paul. (Acts xx. 17.) "While these men slept, the enemy sowed + tares."—In direct acts of worship, these "animals,"—the ministers, + take the lead, answerable to another official name,—"guides, in things + pertaining to God." (Heb. xiii. 7; [Greek] v. 1.) They are, as well + expressed by another phrase, the "sworn expounders of God's word," and + authoritative rulers in his house. Destitute of legislative power, which + in ecclesiastical affairs pertains to Christ alone; they are the + authorized administrators of all the laws by which his household is to + be governed. (Heb. xiii. 7, 17.)—The language of adoration here is the + same uttered by the seraphim. (Isa. vi. 3) The "holiness" of God is that + adorable character which is most attractive to holy angels and redeemed + sinners, being the principal feature of the divine image reflected by + themselves. (Matt. xxv. 31; Jude 14; 1 John iii. 2.) The glorious Being + seen by John, as sitting on a throne, is the same who was seen by + Isaiah, (vi. 1;) and precisely in the same attitude; but called by + different names. By Isaiah he is denominated "the Lord of Hosts,"—by + John, "the Lord God Almighty." The context proves,—especially ch. v. 1; + that John in vision contemplated God in the <i>person</i> of the <i>Father</i>; + whereas we are assured, in John xii. 41, that Isaiah saw him in the + <i>person</i> of the <i>Son</i>. Thus we may understand our Lord's words addressed + to Philip, (John xiv. 9.) "He that hath seen me hath seen the father." + (See Heb. i. 8; Col. i. 15.) +</p> +<p> + Led by the "four animals,"—the ministry of reconciliation; the "four + and twenty elders," representing all the redeemed of mankind, "fall down + before him that sat on the throne" in prostrate adoration of that + glorious Being whose "eternal power and Godhead" are demonstrated in the + volume of creation. We are thus taught that motives to acceptable + worship of God are <i>primarily</i> to be found in the <i>perfections</i> of his + <i>nature</i> as our beneficent Creator,—perfections possessed by him in + essential character, independently of all his works of creation and + redemption. His "worthiness" of worship is inherent in himself, but + outwardly manifested to intelligent creatures by the work of creation, + of which he is the first Cause and the last End,—the efficient and + final Cause. This doctrine, understood by the intellect and unbraced in + the heart, would greatly tend to "hide pride from man." (Job xxxiii. + 17.) Aside from the doctrine of the "cross," which is still counted + "foolishness" by our modern self-styled "philosophers, psychologists and + freethinkers;" there is enough here revealed of this eternal One to + humble the "proud looks and haughty hearts" of these "enemies of the + King." Without repentance, "he that made them will not have mercy on + them; and he that formed them will show them no favour;" for + notwithstanding their pride of superior intellect, he whose judgment is + according to truth, has pronounced them a "people of no understanding." + (Isa. xxvii. 11.) It is no disparagement to those in places of highest + earthly dignity, as David; nor to the wisest of all men, as Solomon: to + "cast their crowns before the throne" of this only universal Monarch; + saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; + for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were + created;" "and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." (Ps. + lxxii. 19.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book + written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. +</p> +<p> + Verse 1.—The dividing of the books of Scripture into chapters and + verses is not by inspiration. Fallible men have used their discretion in + this respect, as they still do, by parceling chapters into sections, + paragraphs, &c. And so, although we have passed to another chapter, the + vision is the same. The inspired penman had looked upon the great King + surrounded by part of his retinue. In earnest expectation of farther + discoveries, he beheld "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne + a book written within and on the back side," (or <i>outside,</i> as in some + copies.) The book was "sealed with seven seals." This volume was in the + form of a <i>roll,</i> as the word <i>volume</i> signifies. The form of a book is + determined by the kind of material on which one writes. This has + consisted of great variety in the successive ages of the world. The + first of which we have any notice in history is <i>stone.</i> When Job, in + his affliction, was sustained by faith in the promised Redeemer; and + when he would emphasize and transmit an expression of that faith to + future generations; he thought of the nearest expedient familiar to his + mind:—"Oh that my words were now written.... that they were graven with + an iron pen.... in the rock forever," (Job xix. 23, 24.) On the same + material the law was written at Horeb, (Exod. xxiv. 12.) No doubt this + was the usual method of recording events in Egypt in the time of Joseph, + as the word "hieroglyphics" or <i>sacred sculpture,</i> appears to imply. + Next, it appears that the inside bark of trees was used for this + purpose, as of birch, which has a natural tendency to <i>curl</i> or <i>roll</i> + together when dry. Hence the word <i>library,</i> and volume, or <i>rolled + bark.</i> The royal archives, or "house of the rolls," is thus explained, + (Ezra. vi. 1.) "Vellum," or dressed skins of beasts, appears to have + been next used; then linen and cotton; and as now put through a chemical + process, these are the material in most common use at the present day. + Thus contemplating the symbol in the text, we may trace in our thoughts + the gradual advancement of this department of science and the mechanic + arts. The second stage of progress had been reached in John's time, from + stone to the bark of timber. The "book" appears to have been of + cylindrical form, but whether in one piece or in seven separate pieces, + revolving on a common axis, it is not easy nor perhaps important to + determine. It is of much greater importance to know that the "book" is + emblematical of the decrees of God. This will appear by comparing Psalm + xl. 7, where we find the same symbol employed to represent the record of + covenant agreement or stipulation between the Father and the Son, and to + which our Saviour appeals as evidence in his case. (Heb. x. 7.) While + the symbol may be safely considered as involving all the purposes of + God; it signifies here more especially the following part of the + Apocalypse, containing, as it were, a transcript from the great + original.—"Seals" are for security and secrecy. Both may be included in + the case. And indeed their being "seven" in number—a number of + perfection, would seem to confirm this two-fold meaning. The sealed + book, symbolical of the decrees of God, comprehending all events of all + time, teaches us the doctrine expressed in plain words thus:—"Known + unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world," (Acts xv. + 18.) The complex symbol also teaches more forcibly than in words,—"My + counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," (Is, xlvi. 10.) + Some have suggested a little change in the punctuation. Instead of + placing the comma, after the word "side," place it after the word + "within," the meaning would then be, that the "book was written only on + <i>one</i> side, namely on the side <i>within</i>." We do not accept the + suggestion. The reason is sufficient for its rejection, that the + material in the time of the apostle, was too costly to leave one-half of + it <i>blank</i>; and here our divine Lord "speaks to us of heavenly things" + through the medium of earthly things with which we are familiar. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy + to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? +</p> +<p> + 3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able + to open the book, neither to look thereon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-3.—Proclamation is made by a "strong angel," the Almighty + Monarch's herald to the universe, challenging all creatures to the task + of opening the seals. His "loud voice" reverberates throughout + illimitable space, that all concerned might hear. The challenge is not, + "who is <i>able</i>?" but, "who is <i>worthy</i>?"—Who is "worthy," by personal + dignity, or distinguished and meritorious services, "to open the book + and to loose the seals thereof?" No response comes from any quarter to + break the solemn silence. The whole creation is mute. "Who hath known + the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" "O the depth of + the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are + his judgments and his ways past finding out!" (Rom. xi. 33, 34.)—"And + no man in heaven," &c. The word "man" is in this place, as in many + others, an imperfect and inadequate supplement. In some places it is + calculated to mislead the "unlearned and unstable," as John x. 28, 29, + (in some copies,) Heb. ii. 9. The former text, as supplemented by the + word "man," contradicts the apostle, Rom. viii. 39. The meaning here is + obviously that no <i>creature</i>,—angel or man, was worthy or "able" to + "open the book." To holy angels, devils, and the dead "under the earth," + the purposes of God are as inscrutable as they are to us, until they are + revealed. (Eph. iii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) +</p> +<p> + 4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read + the book, neither to look thereon. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—John understood by the symbol which he saw, that its contents + were of deep significance. A sanctified curiosity and anxiety, more + powerful than that of the Ethiopian eunuch, (Acts viii. 34,) occupied + his soul. But the book is sealed and there is no visible interpreter! + (Is. xxix. 11.) The "beloved disciple" is much affected. He has more + than once or twice "beheld the glory of God," and cannot but earnestly + desire to know more of his mind. "Hope deferred maketh his heart sick." + He "wept much." His covenant God "has seen his tears." He "will heal + him," (2 Kings xx. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of + the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, + and to loose the seven seals thereof. +</p> +<p> + V. 5.—From a quite unexpected quarter comes a hint! How could John + anticipate relief from such a source? "One of the elders" is made the + messenger of joyful tidings. As Aquila and Priscilla took to them the + eloquent Apollos, and "expounded unto him the way of God more + perfectly," (Acts xviii. 26,) so one of the elders—one of the humble + disciples was the instrument of comfortable instruction to the aged + apostle! The prophet Daniel was similarly affected by a partial + exhibition of the same important events; but his anxiety to know the + meaning of the vision, though allayed, was not fully gratified, as that + of John. (Dan. xii. 8, 9,) "Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed + up and sealed." The desire of the best of God's people to know his + purposes may be sometimes excessive, as exemplified by the disciples of + Christ, (Acts i. 7.) "It is not for them to know the times and the + seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." So much, however, + is revealed as may be necessary to their present support and comfort; + and the rest they "shall know hereafter," (John xiii. 7.) But as the + events involved in the secret purpose of God, were concealed from + Daniel; because not to be evolved till near "the time of the end:" so in + John's time, when as in Abraham's case, "the time of the promise drew + nigh"—the time was approaching when the interests of God's people would + be greatly affected by these events; it became needful that the book + should be unsealed and its contents made known. "The time was at hand." + Accordingly, John is exhorted by the elder to dry up his tears, for to + the unspeakable joy of himself and of the whole creation, the + announcement is made,—"Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root + of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals + thereof." Here our attention is called away back to the famous prophecy + of dying Jacob, (Gen. xlix. 9, 10,) and also to the subsequent and + concurrent declaration of the evangelical prophet, (Isa. xi. 1, 10.) + Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in reference to his human + nature; "for it is evident," from the inspired tables of his genealogy, + "that our Lord sprang out of Judah," (Heb. vii. 14;) and it is no less + evident that he is the Root of David, in respect to his divine nature, + (John i. 1, 3; Isa. ix. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 47.) The "one Mediator between God + and men," partaking of the nature of each party, is "worthy"—alone + worthy, by reason of personal dignity, to "open the book." It is also to + be noticed that <i>worthiness</i> is not his only qualification. In view of + the challenge published,—"who is worthy?" the answer is, this champion + "hath <i>prevailed</i>!"—Isaiah saw him in vision, victorious over + enemies—"travelling in the greatness of his strength," (Isa. lxiii. 1.) + To his <i>personal</i> worthiness is to be added the unrivalled merit of his + achievements in conflict with hostile powers, (Gen. iii. 15; Isa. liii. + 12; Col. ii. 15.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four + beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been + slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of + God sent forth into all the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—In this verse we have the Lord Jesus Christ introduced to the + view of John and the intelligent universe in his sacerdotal or priestly + office, "a lamb, as it had been slain." In the order of nature and of + merit, his priestly office precedes his prophetical and kingly offices. + This is evident from the position which he occupies in relation to the + throne and royal retinue. He stands in the attitude of a priest "in the + midst of the throne and of the four animals," etc. As seen here, our + Saviour does not <i>sit on the throne</i>. He appeared in a standing posture. + His position was obviously <i>before</i> the throne. As the priestly function + required, he stood nearest to the object of worship, between the + ministers and the throne,—in the inmost circle. There he exhibited the + scars received in war; the wounds made by the sword of divine justice; + (Zech. xiii. 7;) the holes in his hands and side by the nails and + soldier's spear. (John xix. 34; xx. 23.) This "Lamb slain,"—typified by + all the spotless lambs offered in sacrifice by divine appointment from + the time of Abel, had been marvellously restored to life, as no other + victim had ever been. (John x. 18; ch. i. 18.) The "seven horns and + seven eyes," symbolize the power and wisdom of the Mediator. "It pleased + the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." (Col. i. 19.) He + "giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John iii. 34; Heb. i. 9.) + Christ was privy to all the purposes of his Father, (John v. 20,) and + the extent of his knowledge is limited in him <i>as Mediator</i>, only by the + authority and will of the Father. "Of that day and that hour ... knoweth + no man ... neither the Son." (Mark xiii. 32.) The same interesting and + important truth is taught by the Father's holding the book in his hand, + as also in plain words, (ch. i. 1,)—"the Revelation of Jesus Christ + which God gave unto him." "No man knoweth the Father but the Son." + (Matt. xi. 27.) In office-capacity the Lord Christ is qualified to + unfold and execute the decree of God. (Ps. ii. 7,) as more fully appears + in the following part of the book. +</p> +<p> + 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat + upon the throne. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—The Lord Jesus approaches his Father's throne to receive the + roll. And with the prophet we may ask,—"Who is this that engaged his + heart to approach?" (Jer. xxx. 21.)—With all who are honored to + surround the throne, we may joyfully answer in the words of the + Psalmist,—It is the "Lord, strong and mighty in battle." (Ps. xxiv. 8.) + "He took the book."—This action symbolically signified the + authoritative commission given by the Father and received by the + Mediator to proceed in the execution of the divine decree, and in + discharge of his threefold office as prophet, priest and + king,—especially and more formally his prophetical and kingly offices. +</p> +<p> + 8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty + elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and + golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—No sooner does the "Lamb take the book," than all spectators are + apprized of the act, and instantly give expression to their confidence + and joy. Among all the worshippers before the throne, the "four animals" + take precedence, and lead by their own example as before, (ch. iv. 9.) + They gave "glory" etc., to God creator, as in the person of the Father; + and now in the presence of the Father's manifested glory, they prostrate + themselves before the "Lamb," in obedience to the Father's command, + "That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." + (John v. 23.)—The "four and twenty elders,"—the representatives of all + the children of God, cordially join the ministry in these acts of solemn + worship. Some of the furniture employed in the temple worship, is here + introduced, to harmonize with the rest of the symbolic scenery. "Harps + and golden vials" signify praise and prayer. Our modern advocates for + instrumental music in God's worship, to be consistent, must associate + with the "harps," the "incense-cups" and the "golden altar:" for all + belonged alike to the service of the temple. Even in the time when such + "vessels of the ministry" were in use with divine approbation, the + Psalmist had greater clearness,—more evangelical conceptions of the + temporary use of those "beggarly elements whereunto many desire again to + be in bondage" than they seem to have. (Gal. iv. 9.) He knew, even then, + that "incense and the evening sacrifice" represented spiritual worship. + (Ps. cxli. 2.) Others there are, who question whether Christ as Mediator + be the <i>formal</i> object of worship? While they acknowledge his supreme + deity as God equal with the Father, they are in doubt on his assuming + human nature, whether, "as such, he is the object of worship!" Such + doubts are groundless, as unanswerably shown in this place, and in many + others, such as John xx. 28: xxi. 17; Ps. xlv. 11; xcvii. 7; Heb. i. 6. + All these worshippers appear to know that the nature of the <i>altar</i> at + which they worship determines the kind of oblations to be offered: + namely,—"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 + Pet. ii. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, + and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us + to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and + nation; +</p> +<p> + 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign + on the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9, 10.—"They sung a new song." They all agreed in the matter, as + well as in the divine object of worship. "Now will I sing to my well + beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard." (Isa. v. 1.) Agreed + as to the object and matter of the song none is silent in Immanuel's + praise,—no <i>select choir</i>, not one who <i>worships by proxy</i>. Such belong + to a different fellowship. This is the "song of the Lamb," which joined + to the "song of Moses," constitutes the whole of the "high praises of + the Lord," leaving no place for the vapid, empty, bombastic, amorous and + heretical effusions, of uninspired men, whether of sound or "corrupt + minds."—The burden of the song is the same as the "Song of Songs" and + the forty-fifth Psalm,—"Christ crucified,"—Christ glorified, "the + praises of him who hath called them from darkness into his marvellous + light." The key-note among them all is the work of redemption. "Thou + hast redeemed us to God by thy blood,"—<i>us</i>, and not others in the same + condition. Others may talk of a ransom that does not redeem: but these + dwell with emphasis upon the price and power that brought them "out of + every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." This happy and + joyful company never conceived the idea that, in order at once to + vindicate Jehovah's moral government and give the most impressive + demonstration of his opposition to sin, he subjected his beloved Son to + untold sufferings, which should be equally available by all his enemies, + but <i>specially intended for none in particular</i>! They never imagined + that their adorable Creator was under a natural necessity of "seeking + the greatest good of the greatest number," that he might thereby escape + the just imputation of <i>partiality</i>. Such impious conceptions imply + distributive injustice on the part of God, when he "spared not the + angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell." (2 Pet. ii. 4.) Neither + man's chief end nor God's is the happiness of creatures,—no, neither in + creation nor redemption, as is clear to unsophisticated reason, and + plainly determined by the Spirit of God. (See ch. iv. 11; Isa. xliii. 7, + 21; Eph. i. 12.) The manifestation of his own perfections,—his own + glory, is the highest and ultimate end of Jehovah in all his purposes + and works. "The Lord hath made all things for himself." (Prov. xvi. 4; + Rom. xi. 36.) Now, if the Lamb has redeemed the whole human family, as + some affirm; then it will follow that all must be saved, or Christ died + in vain, in reference to them that are lost: and besides, the "Judge of + all the earth" would be chargeable with exercising distributive + injustice, in exacting double payment, first from the Surety, and then + from the sinner! "That be far from God." "He is just and having + salvation,"—"a just God and a Saviour." (Zech. ix. 9; Isa. xlv. 21.) As + there can be no liberty without law, so there can be no mercy without + justice, though there may be "justice without mercy." (James i. 25; ii. + 13.) This worshipping company, the representatives of the universal + church, ascribe their redemption to the blood of Christ. It is their + declared faith that pardon is grounded on atonement, that "without + shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. ix. 22; Lev. xvii. 11; ch. i. + 5.) They believe, moreover, that as the obedience of Christ unto death, + his doing and dying, is an adequate satisfaction to law and justice; so + by compact between the Father and the Son, his penal sufferings avail + the believing sinner for pardon. Thus it is, that "if we confess our + sins, he (God the Father,) is faithful and <i>just</i> to forgive us our + sins." (1 John i. 9.) This doctrine the apostle, as the mouth of the + whole church, had already avowed: (ch. i. 5, 6;) and now again we have + it repeated and incorporated in the song of praise. Thus, while "Christ + crucified is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks + foolishness;" to them who are saved this humbling doctrine is "the power + of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. i. 24, 25.) God's glory and the + saints' honor and felicity equally spring from the slaying of the Lamb. + These good things the blood of Abel's sacrifice spake in type soon after + the fall: and here we have the same things proclaimed as the faith of + all believers. (Heb. xi. 1.) +</p> +<p> + By this blood they are consecrated a "royal priesthood" to offer up + spiritual sacrifices; and there is a period in the world's eventful + history, when they shall "reign on the earth." Of the nature of this + <i>reign</i> there are two views entertained. That of the Millenarians, under + the supposed corporeal presence of Christ, which is <i>too gross,</i> after + the manner of carnal Jews: the other <i>too refined</i> and remote, after the + manner of carnal Christians, who "will not have this man to reign over + them,"—<i>except in the church.</i> Such Christians come very near the views + and sentiment of those who exclaimed,—"Not this man, but Barabbas." + (John xviii. 40.) Of the nature of Christ's royal dominion we will have + occasion to treat in other parts of the Apocalypse; but we take occasion + to remark, that his kingly office is formally and meritoriously founded + on the efficacy of his sacrifice: "Thou art worthy, for thou wast + slain."—That the saints shall "reign in glory" in company with their + Saviour is a precious scripture truth; but it is not the truth taught in + the words,—"we shall reign <i>on the earth."</i> This is not the place to + enter on a full discussion of the doctrine here avowed; yet the + following may be adduced as part of the warrant of this doctrine. (Dan. + vii. 27; Rev. xx. 4.) +</p> +<p> + 11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the + throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten + thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; +</p> +<p> + 12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to + receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and + glory, and blessing. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11, 12.—Here we have the concurrence of holy angels, as seen by + John in vision, with all the redeemed in acts of solemn worship offered + directly to the Lamb.—"Many angels," how many? Some divines have + actually attempted, by arithmetical rules, to compute the number! Such + employment may amuse, but it cannot edify. The definite here mentioned + for indefinite numbers, may be easily computed; (as in Dan. vii. 10; Ps. + lxviii. 17;) but still we would labor in vain "to find out the account;" + for we are expressly told that they are "innumerable." (Heb. xii. 22.) + Like the ransomed children of Adam, they are "a great multitude which no + man can number." (ch. vii. 9.) Why then attempt that which the Holy + Spirit has pronounced impossible? "Vain man would be wise." It is of + much more consequence for us to contemplate their position, relations + and employments. Their <i>position</i> is "round about the throne," beholding + the "Lamb as it had been slain." The law of their creation could not + reveal to them this object of adoration. That they may know their duty + to the Mediatorial Person as their moral Head, it is requisite that they + be directed by a new revelation. Accordingly, we find a "new + commandment" issued from God the Father expressly to them. (Ps. xcvii. + 7; Heb. i. 6.) "Worship him, all ye gods;" that is, "Let all the angels + of God worship him." By the development of the eternal counsels of God + in his dealings with the church, these "principalities and powers in + heavenly places," discover with adoring wonder more and more of the + "manifold wisdom of God." They <i>stoop down</i>, as it were, "to look into + this" mysterious economy, (Eph. iii. 10, 11; 1 Pet. i. 12.) They are + humbly but intensely desirous to discover still more of "the hidden + wisdom which God ordained before the world unto the glory" of their + fellow worshippers. (1 Cor. ii. 7.) Such is their position.—They are + related to the Lamb as his subjects by the Father's grant and command. + "He (Jesus) is gone into heaven ... angels ... being made subject unto + him." (1 Pet. iii. 22.) They are also related to the "elder" and + "animals," the members and ministers of the church. Said one of them to + John,—"I am thy fellow-servant." (ch. xix. 10.) Angels are not ashamed + to call them "fellow-servants," whom the Lord Jesus "is not ashamed to + call his brethren." (Heb. ii. 11.) As the "four animals" are nearer the + throne than the "elders," so are the "elders" nearer the throne than the + angels. These are ranged, in John's view, in the outside segment of the + circle. All the redeemed, ministry and membership, are "nearer of kin" + to the Lamb than angels are. "He took not on him the nature of angels, + but he took on him the seed of Abraham." (Heb. ii. 16.) All believers + are "members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones." (Eph. v. 30.) + He has highly advanced human nature, by taking it into real and + indissoluble union with his divine person. This is the special ground of + nearness and intimacy between Christ and his brethren. And O, how ought + we to emulate holy angels in adoring this precious Redeemer! "He loved + the church and gave himself for it," (Eph. v. 25,) and he loved and gave + himself for every member of the church. (Gal. ii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + The employments of this innumerable company of angels, besides + "ministering for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb. i. 14;) + consist much in admiring contemplations of the glory of the "Lamb slain, + and in ascriptions of praise to him who is "worthy to receive power," + etc. In this they cordially harmonize with the redeemed, whose + delightful exercise is "to show forth the praises of him who hath called + them out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Pet. ii. 9:) and all + the honor, thus ascribed to the Mediator by both classes of worshippers, + is intended to terminate ultimately on the person of God the Father. + (Phil. ii. 9-11.) The Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son, + that all men," yes, and all angels, "should honor the Son, even as they + honor the Father." (John v. 22, 23.) +</p> +<p> + 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under + the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I + saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that + sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, +</p> +<p> + 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell + down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13,14.—In addition to angels and men, we have here enumerated + "every creature" in the whole vast universe, co-operating in the worship + of the two divine Persons as associated in concerting and executing the + plan of redemption. Thus the "host of heaven" and all inferior creatures + according to their several capacities unite in ascribing "blessing, and + honor, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and + unto the Lamb for ever and ever." And we may say with Nehemiah,—They + are both "exalted above all blessing and praise." (Neh. ix. 5.) Fallen + angels and reprobate men are excluded, from the nature of the case, and + by the unalterable laws of the moral government of the Most High, from + any participation in this service. (Ps. cx. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25; Luke + xix. 27.)—Can any one who denies the supreme deity of the Lord Jesus, + or who refuses to worship him, ever join the society of these + worshippers? Or, supposing the possibility of their admission, could + they be otherwise than miserable? O the "blasphemy of them who say they + are Jews!"—This is one of the sublime doxologies framed by the Holy + Spirit, for the use of all creatures on special occasions, but not to be + abused by "vain repetitions" as by Papists and Prelates. The like + specimens of the "high praises of the Lord" we have in Ps. lxix. 34.—As + the three ranks of worshippers here presented in vision to John, + beautifully harmonize in holy exercises, each in its appropriate sphere; + so the "animals and elders,"—the rulers and ruled of the church, take + precedence of all others in acts of solemn worship, and also close the + solemn service, saying,—"Amen." +</p> +<p> + The "sealed book" being delivered by the Father into the possession of + the Mediator, the whole creation awaits with confidence and joy the + development of the counsels of God, as they may affect the destinies of + his redeemed people. The "Lamb has prevailed to open the book," and his + established character is sufficient guarantee for success in + accomplishing the responsible work assigned him by his Father. This + feeling of confidence is expressed by the worshippers, not only by the + matter of their praise, but also by the closing word, "amen;" which word + is expressive of their "desires and assurance to be heard." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it + were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a + bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and + to conquer. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The apostle "saw when the Lamb" proceeded to disclose the + contents of the book by breaking the seals in regular succession. It is + not requisite to suppose that each of the seals covers an exactly equal + part of the roll. These parts may be quite different in quantity or + length. It is obvious, however, that upon the breaking of any one seal, + that part of the roll which the seal was intended to cover, would be + disclosed to a spectator's view,—the whole of such part and no more. We + shall find as we advance that the several parts of this book are in fact + very different in extent. When the seventh and last seal is opened, the + whole contents of the book must of course be disclosed: and it will + appear that the last of the seals contained a much greater part of the + roll than any of the others. To a superficial reader this may be + apparent from the circumstance that within the compass of this short + chapter, six of the seals exhibit their contents. +</p> +<p> + By the most learned and sober divines the first six seals are considered + as disclosing the events which transpired from the time of the apostle + John till the overthrow of pagan idolatry in the Roman empire and the + accession of Constantine. +</p> +<p> + Let us consider the contents of these seals in order: Upon the opening + "of one of the seals," the first of course, "one of the four animals" + with a voice like "thunder, said, Come and see." This was the animal + like a "lion," emblematical of those bold and dauntless servants of + Christ who took their life in their hand and "went every where preaching + the word," (Acts viii. 4.) Many expositors, of secular notions and + affinities, imagine that some one of the Roman emperors is to be + understood as represented by him who rides on the white + horse,—Vespasian, Titus, or Trajan. To name such figments is enough to + confute them in the mind of such as have spiritual discernment. "White" + is not the divinely chosen symbol of bloody warriors or persecutors. It + is most frequently the emblem of purity, legal or moral. (Matt. xvii. 2; + Rev. iii. 4, 5.) "White horse" may represent the gospel, the Covenant of + Grace or the church. In this "chariot," (Song iii. 9,) or upon this + horse, as it were, Christ, "the captain of salvation" in apostolic + times, "went forth conquering, and to conquer." Much opposition from + Jews and Gentiles was raised against his gospel, especially upon his + exaltation to his mediatorial throne: but the opening of this seal + discloses the Father's purpose to bear out his Son in extending his + rightful conquests. (Isa. xlii. 4.) "The Lord gave the word; great was + the company of those that published it." (Ps. lxviii. 11.) The "bow and + the crown" as symbols, combine the military and regal character of + Christ, indicating his victories and succeeding exaltation. He shall + wound the heads over the large earth; therefore shall he lift up the + head. (Ps. cx. 6.) He is the "Prince of peace," and the primary object + of his mission by the Father is, to establish "truth and meekness and + righteousness" in the earth. Yet he is a "Lamb," but a Lamb that makes + war; and "in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (ch. xix. 11.) + In this last cited text we have an irrefragable proof of the correctness + of our interpretation of the symbols under the first seal. The rider's + name is, "The Word of God," (v. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, + Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 4. And there went out another horse that was red; and power was given to + him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should + kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. +</p> +<p> + V. 3,4.—The opening of the "second seal" furnishes occasion for the + "second animal" to cry, "Come and see." It is the customary business of + faithful ministers to invite the disciples of Christ to a contemplation + of his providential procedure. "Come, behold the works of the Lord." + (Ps. xlvi. 8.) This is the call of the ministry represented by the + symbol of a "calf or young ox." "Patient continuance in well doing" is + the special duty of Christ's servants in times of suffering. And such + seems to be the import of the emblem, the "red horse." By the horse, + singly considered, we are to understand a <i>dispensation</i> of + <i>providence</i>. So we are to view it as a symbol in Zech. i. 8; vi. 1-8. + The prophet said, "O, my Lord, what are these?... And the man + answered,—These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro + through the earth." We speak familiarly of a "dispensation of the + gospel,"—the "white horse." Our attention is now called to a "red + horse,"—<i>fiery</i>, as the word imports. The character of the dispensation + is thus indicated as bloody. Wars should prevail so as to "take peace + from the earth." "They should kill one another." The instrument of + slaughter is seen,—"a great sword." <i>Mutual</i> slaughter does not seem to + harmonize with the idea of persecution, by which the saints only "are + killed all the day long." History records that insurrections, battles, + massacres and devastations of an extraordinary kind took place in the + first half of the second century, by which more than half a million of + the Jews perished by the hand of the pagans; and a still greater number + on the opposite side were slain by the Jews. Thus the two parties who + rivalled each other in opposing the gospel and the progress of Christ's + kingdom, were made by him the instruments of their mutual destruction. + For he it is who directs the movements and course of providence, the + "red horse." "Behold what desolations he hath made in the earth!" "In + this text," says an eminent expositor, "earth signifies the Roman + empire." ... "Daniel, ... whose sealed prophecy is explained by the + opening of the Apocalyptical seals, denominates the Roman empire, 'the + fourth kingdom upon earth.'" We humbly suggest, that this does not + render the Roman empire <i>synonymous</i> with <i>earth</i>, any more than the + Chaldean, Persian, or Grecian. And indeed the monarchs of those empires + put forth as extensive claims to universal empire as ever the Cesars + did. The word <i>earth</i> is to be interpreted always by the context. Like + the term <i>world</i>, it may sometimes signify the Roman empire, as Luke ii. + 1. But in other cases even within the compass of the Apocalypse, it is + not to be so understood without manifest confusion, as in ch. xvi. 1, 2. + The contents of <i>all</i> the vials are there said to be poured out upon the + earth; but <i>earth</i> is afterwards the special <i>object</i> of the <i>first + only</i>. It follows that this term cannot be uniformly and safely in this + book interpreted as identical with and limited by the Roman empire. The + importance of accuracy here may become more apparent in our future + progress. +</p> +<p> + 5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, + Come and see. And I beheld, and, lo, a black horse; and he that sat on + him had a pair of balances in his hand. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of + wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see + thou hurt not the oil and the wine. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—The third of the four "animals" calls attention to the + disclosures made by breaking the "third seal." Hie "had a face as a + man," (ch. iv. 7,) indicating, as already said, active sympathy, + affectionate counsel and seasonable exhortation in calamitous times. + Christian ministers need "the tongue of the learned to speak a word in + season to him that is weary," when the judgments of God are abroad in + the earth; for some of these press, most sensibly, on the poor. Such is + the character of the dispensation symbolized by the "black horse." + Scarcity of bread is the judgment represented here by the combined + symbols. "Our skin was black like an oven, because of the terrible + famine." (Lam. v. 10; Zech. vi. 2.)—The rider "had a pair of balances + in his hand." The word translated "balances," literally rendered, + signifies a <i>yoke</i>,—<i>pair</i>,—<i>couple</i>.—In popular use, it came to + signify an instrument for weighing commodities, from the counterpoising + (double) scales. This symbol indicated famine,—that people should "eat + bread by weight and with care;" (Ezek. iv. 16;) and this is confirmed by + the "voice in the midst of the four animals:"—"A measure of wheat for a + penny," etc. The quantity of food, and the price, as here announced, + would seem to the English reader to express plenty and cheapness. But + when it is understood that the "measure of wheat" was the ordinary + allowance for a laboring man, and "a penny" the usual wages for <i>one + day</i>; a little more than a <i>quart</i>, for about <i>fifteen cents</i>: it may be + asked, How could the laboring man procure food and clothing for himself, + his wife and children? It is said that three times the quantity of + "barley" could be had for the same money; but being a coarser and less + nutritious grain, it would reach but little farther in sustaining a + family. Famine usually falls heaviest on the middle and lower classes of + society. Even in such times the "rich fare sumptuously every day." + Accordingly, "the oil and the wine,"—some of the staple productions of + Canaan,—are exempted from the providential blight sent upon the + necessaries of life. (Gen. xliii. 11.) +</p> +<p> + According to history, from the year 138, till near the end of the second + century, a general scarcity of provisions was felt, notwithstanding all + the care and foresight of emperors and their ministers to anticipate the + scourge. The Pharaohs on the throne had no Joseph to lay up in store in + the "years of plenty." But when our New Testament Joseph would thus + fight against the persecutors of his saints by the judgment of famine; + he gave previous intimation here to his disciples of the approaching + calamity, as his manner is to his own. (Luke xxi. 20-22.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the + fourth beast say, Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him + was death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them + over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, + and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7, 8.—"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to + the house of feasting," according to the judgment of the wisest of mere + men; (Eccl. vii. 2,) and so we are invited here by a spiritually-minded + ministry,—"like a flying eagle." A scene of lamentation, mourning and + woe, is disclosed at the opening of the "fourth seal."—All the symbols + betoken augmented severity in the judgments. There is "pestilence" added + to the sword and famine. "The pale horse," or <i>livid green</i>, is the + emblem of pestilence. The Mediator conducts the destroying angel to + fulfil the will of God. "Before Him went the pestilence;" and by a + combination of awful symbols, the king of terrors,—"death," is + represented as slaying his victims, and "hell followed with him," + satiated with his prey. "Sword, hunger, death and beasts of the earth," + were commissioned to lay waste the fourth part of the then known world. +</p> +<p> + If we are to interpret the "beasts of the earth" literally, then we may + easily perceive how the depopulation produced by the other calamities + would make way for their increase and destructive ravages. But if we + understand these "beasts" as symbolizing the persecuting powers; then + adding these to all the other destructive agencies,—especially to the + "pale horse," the chief symbol in the group; we may readily perceive the + force of the combined emblems, a concentrating, as it were, of all + destroying agencies. Historians inform us, that "a pestilence arising + from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and wasted them + for fifteen years." This, added to the sword of war and persecution, + which lasted sixty years, according to some interpreters, or from 211 to + 270, would seem to exhaust the events symbolized by the series of the + seals, except the seventh, so far at least as the sufferings of the + church are concerned. For under the fifth and sixth seals, as will + appear, nothing of a calamitous nature befalls the righteous. +</p> +<p> + 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the + souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony + which they held: +</p> +<p> + 10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and + true, dost them not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the + earth? +</p> +<p> + 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said + unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their + fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they + were, should be fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-11.—At the opening of the fifth seal, none of the "four animals" + calls attention to its contents. This fact may indicate that no new + development of providence is intended, but rather the effects of the + preceding three, produced upon the church and saints of God; as the + sixth discloses the penalty inflicted on his and their enemies. +</p> +<p> + John saw the "souls of them that were slain."—Souls are visible only in + vision, (ch. xx. 4.) These souls were not slain, but they were the souls + of them, the persons, that were slain. (Matt. x. 28.) The enemy could + kill the body only, an essential part of the human person, although the + chief aim was to kill the soul. The ground of their suffering was the + same, as that of John, (ch. i. 9.) And from the first of this honoured + class,—Abel, mentioned in the Bible, to the last,—Antipas; the cause + is the same, and the distinguished name is the same. They are "martyrs + for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." And however + tenaciously a person may hold other principles, even though he should + die for them, he is not a martyr. The aphorism is true,—It is not + suffering for religion, but "the <i>cause</i> that makes the + martyr,"—suffering unto death from love to "the truth as it is in + Jesus." +</p> +<p> + These souls were "under the altar," in allusion still to the outward + means of grace under the Old Testament economy. It is not very material, + perhaps, whether we understand the altar for sacrifice or that for + incense, the comfortable doctrines, often taught in the Scriptures, are + here illustrated. <i>First</i>, That the redemption of the sinner is by the + atoning sacrifice of Christ. <i>Second</i>, That after death,—especially by + martyrdom, the soul is safe "under the altar,"—in fellowship with the + Saviour. <i>Third</i>, That the soul, "made perfect in holiness," retains a + deep conviction, that "vengeance belongs to God," (ch. xviii. 20; xix. + 1-3.) <i>Fourth</i>, That "the spirits of just men made perfect," both desire + and need instruction relative to the future evolution of the divine + purposes. Adoring the infinite perfections of God, acknowledging his + holiness and acquiescing in his faithfulness; they cannot but desire a + farther display of his vindictive and distributive justice, as + indispensable to the manifestation of the divine glory, the vindication + of the claims of the divine government, the asserting of their injured + rights, and the completing of their eternal felicity. Accordingly, we + find their earnest plea admitted. "It was said unto them, that they + should rest."—Their repose can never be disturbed. The "white robes" in + which they are arrayed, are not spun out of their own bowels, like the + spider's web, either by their services or sufferings; but they are the + well known emblems of the imputed righteousness of their Redeemer,—fine + linen clean and white, the only righteousness of saints, (ch. xix. 8). + Persecution did not terminate under the preceding seals. Others, their + "fellow-servants and brethren, should be killed as they were." The + honorable roll of martyrs was not yet completed. The "little season" is + a very indefinite period in our mode of computation. But "with the Lord, + one day is as a thousand years,"—(2 Pet. iii. 8.) This "season" seems + to comprehend the whole period of persecution. Now, as we shall see, the + Roman empire, whether pagan or Christian, is still a ravenous + beast,—"devouring Jacob." +</p> +<p> + The policy of Rome pagan was to dictate the state religion. The idol + gods of the conquered provinces were generally adopted and enrolled + among those of the Pantheon. There was a niche for any and every god but + "Jacob's God." As he would permit no rival, (Exod. xx. 2, 23; Is. xlii. + 8;) so the populace "would have none of Him," (Acts xvi. 19-21.) Such we + will find to be the policy of Rome Christian. There is no "communion + between light and darkness." +</p> +<p> + 12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a + great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the + moon became as blood; +</p> +<p> + 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree + casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind: +</p> +<p> + 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and + every mountain and island were moved out of their places; +</p> +<p> + 15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and + the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every + free-man, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains: +</p> +<p> + 16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from + the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the + Lamb: +</p> +<p> + 17. For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to + stand? +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-17.—The sixth seal is opened, like the rest, by the hand of the + Mediator, and here "his right hand teacheth terrible things." "By + terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our + salvation." (Ps. lxv. 5.) The awful scene disclosed would seem to be a + beginning of answer to the importunate cry of the "souls under the + altar," as in the foregoing vision. +</p> +<p> + Many expositors since the time of Cyprian in the third century, have + understood this seal as disclosing the scene of the last judgment. No + doubt the symbols here employed are suited to that event; but the series + of seals, trumpets and vials, not to speak of events still more remote, + wholly precludes such an interpretation. All the symbols under the sixth + seal betoken revolution. Such is their established and well known import + in other parts of Scripture. +</p> +<p> + The "earthquake" is more than a shaking of the earth. It is a + <i>concussion</i> of the heavens also. As Haggai is interpreted by Paul, we + learn the civil and ecclesiastical change of the Jewish polity by the + "shaking of the heavens and the earth." (Hag. ii. 6; Heb. xii. 26, 27.) + The day of final judgment is so often referred to as certain, that no + special prediction was needed to assure us of that event. Indeed, the + description of the day of judgment is commonly employed by the prophets + to represent revolutions among the nations. So it is in reference to the + overthrow of Babylon, (Is. xiii. 13.)—of Egypt, (Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8,) of + Jerusalem, (Matt. xxiv. 7, 29.) The "sun, moon and stars" are emblems of + civil officers, supreme and subordinate, as well as of military + commanders. Their consternation and despair, now that they are cast down + from their exalted position, as heavenly luminaries darkened and hurled + from their orbits, betray their apprehension of deserved and inevitable + wrath. Indeed we may view the last three verses of this chapter, as + exegetical or explanatory of the preceding three. The whole frame of + imperial power underwent a change which is commonly called a revolution. + And the grandeur of the complex symbols, borrowed from the closing scene + of time, was never more appropriately employed by the Spirit of + prophecy, than in the present instance, to portray the total overthrow + of pagan power, idolatry and tyranny. The most conspicuous instrument in + the Mediator's hand by which this great revolution was effected, is well + known in history as "Constantine the Great." The great lights of the + heathen world, the powers civil and ecclesiastical, were not eclipsed, + but extinguished, heathen priests and augurs were extirpated and + idolatrous temples were closed. Christianity was professed by the + emperor himself, and his authority exerted for its recognition and + diffusion throughout his dominions. Thus did the God of Israel "avenge + his own elect, who cried to him night and day from under the altar;" and + thus did he afford unto them a "season of rest." +</p> +<p> + Constantine, however, was more of a politician than divine. To the + student of history he will appear in many respects a striking prototype + of William Prince of Orange, who on a less extended scale answers as an + antitype in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Neither of them + exemplified in their lives the "power of godliness". Like Charles the + Second, they did not consider primitive apostolic Christianity "a + religion for a gentleman." Constantine combined in his character the + properties of the lion and the fox. He was crafty and ambitious. + Usurping the prerogatives of Zion's King, he assumed a blasphemous + supremacy over the church, and proceeded to model her external polity + after the example of the empire. Among the Christian ministry, he found + mercenary spirits who pandered to his ambition,—"having his person in + admiration because of advantage." Advancing these to positions of + opulence and splendor, he could certainly rely upon them to support him + in his schemes of aggrandizement. Thus the mystery of iniquity, whose + working Paul discovered in his time, was nurtured to its full + development in Heaven's appointed time. (2 Thess. ii. 7, etc.) If on + such occasions mighty kings and valiant generals are stricken with + dismay, what shall be the terror of all the impenitent enemies of the + Lord and his Anointed when the heavens and the earth shall pass away and + leave them without these imaginary hiding places from "the wrath of the + Lamb!" +</p> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VII. +</h2> +<p> + The scenes portrayed by varied symbols in this chapter, are by some + considered as a continuation of the sixth seal. We think they may with + more propriety be viewed as relating to the events under the four which + precede; while they are obviously preparatory to the opening of the last + seal in the next chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners + of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should + not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. +</p> +<p> + V. 1. The "four angels" represent the instruments of providence. The + "four corners of the earth" intend all nations of the world, as then + known in geography. (Ch. xx. 8, 9.) The "holding of the winds" is + emblematical of the tranquillity consequent upon the accession of + Constantine to the imperial throne,—the temporary cessation of + desolating wars and persecutions,—the "rest" for which the martyrs + prayed. "Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee." (Ps. lxxxi. + 7.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of + the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to + whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. +</p> +<p> + 3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we + have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2, 3.—"Another angel ... having the seal of the living God," can be + none other but the Lord Christ. His people are "sealed unto the day of + redemption with that Holy Spirit of promise," or promised Holy Spirit. + (2 Cor. i. 22; Eph. i. 13). He came from the east. There the Son of + righteousness arose upon a dark world, and his beams enlightened the + kingdoms of Europe, in which multitudes were effectually called during + this tranquil period, (ch. xiv. 1). This angel, as having sovereign + authority over "earth and sea," and from whom the "four angels" had + their commission, now commands them not to "hurt the earth and the sea," + till He and the ministers,—the instruments of his grace,—had "sealed + the servants of God." This "sealing," while symbolizing baptism, + signifies especially the saving work of the eternal Spirit, by which its + subjects are to be, and actually are, preserved from apostacy in future + and trying times. We shall meet with them again, (ch. xiv. 1.) +</p> +<p> + The favour shown by Constantine to Christian ministers and converts, + induced multitudes to make a profession of Christianity, and of course + filled the church with hypocrites. The flattery of those in power has + often proved as detrimental to the church's spiritual prosperity as + their frowns. (Dan. xi. 32.) Still, the special design of this sealing + seems to be the preservation of a chosen remnant,—the witnesses, during + the period of the trumpets, when Antichrist should be fully organized. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were + sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the + children of Israel. +</p> +<p> + 5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were + sealed twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-8.—The number sealed was "a hundred forty and four thousand;" of + "each tribe twelve thousand." These numbers are not to be taken + literally, but comparatively, as contradistinguished from another + company, (v. 9.) Neither do we suppose, with many expositors, that Jews + by nation are here exclusively intended. At the time referred to, in the + fifth century, the "middle wall of partition" had been long removed. + (Eph. ii. 14.) Jews and Gentiles were "all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. + iii. 28.) There is no ground to suppose that exactly the same number + would be sealed of every tribe. Besides, all the original tribes are not + named. Dan is not among them, and Judah is first in order in Reuben's + place. The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem are inscribed with the names + of the twelve tribes of Israel, (ch. xxii. 12.) In a word, this sealed + company is composed of Jews and Gentiles, representing the whole number + of true believers, who were enabled by grace to hold fast their + profession in trying times, and who experienced more special protection + in perilous times. (Ezek. ix. 4-6.) +</p> +<p> + 9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could + number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood + before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and + palms in their hands; +</p> +<p> + 10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which + sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the + elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, + and worshipped God, +</p> +<p> + 12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and + honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-12.—The "great multitude, which no man could number," are + evidently distinguished from the number sealed. They are collected from + all the nations known at that time. They "stood before the throne and + before the Lamb," as accepted worshippers; ascribing "salvation," not to + their own merit, but to the free grace of God the Father, and the + oblation and intercession of the Lamb. They are now in a triumphant + state, as indicated by the "palms in their hands," the usual emblems of + victory. "White robes" bespeak their justification. "All the angels" in + heaven, signify their hearty assent to the praises of the redeemed by + saying, "Amen." Then in an attitude of profoundest reverence, they + celebrate the praises of God in strains proper, though not peculiar to + themselves. As in ch. v. 11, the angels in this place are disposed and + arranged in the outer circle of all the intelligent worshippers. + Redeemed sinners stand nearest to the throne, in virtue of their union + to Christ, while holy angels, without envy, contemplate, with rapturous + emotions, the displays of the "manifold wisdom of God" in his dealings + with the church. (Eph. iii. 10.) Thus we may learn to do the will of God + on earth, as it is done by the angels in heaven. +</p> +<p> + 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which + are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? +</p> +<p> + 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are + they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, + and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and + night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among + them. +</p> +<p> + 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall + the sun light on them, nor any heat. +</p> +<p> + 17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, + and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe + away all tears from their eyes. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-17.—"One of the elders" asks John,—not for information, but to + engage his attention,—"What are these, ... and whence came they?" + Ministers may often receive instruction from the members of the church. + This elder answers his own questions as the angel did to the prophet, + (Zech. iv. 5, 6.) These are the "great multitude,"—probably the same + whose "souls" John saw at the opening of the fifth seal, but now + appearing in a new aspect: for it is evident that they had been engaged + in war. This appears by the "palms" of victory. They had been in "great + tribulation" prior to the peaceful reign of Constantine, by Satan's + temptations, the spoiling of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, + and the sacrifice of their lives,—"not loving their lives unto the + death." All these tribulations, however, could not separate them from + the love of God. (Rom. viii. 37-39.) They had "washed their robes,"—not + in penitential tears, their own martyr-blood, their doing or suffering + in the cause of Christ; but their robes were "made white in the blood of + the Lamb," who was "made of God unto them ... justification and + sanctification." (1 Cor. i. 30.) Could the human mind conceive the idea + of rendering linen garments <i>white</i> by washing them in <i>blood</i>? Never, + unless as suggested by the doctrine of Christ crucified, whose "blood + cleanseth from all sin." (1 John i. 7.) "Therefore are they before the + throne of God,—without fault before his throne," (ch. xiv. 5.) + Delivered from the tempestuous storms of war, and the scorching heat of + persecution; they are safe in the haven of eternal rest. +</p> +<p> + Not only are they for ever freed from the sensation of "hunger or + thirst;" but they shall drink of the "living fountains of waters, + proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb," (ch. xxii. 1). "In + thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures + for evermore." (Ps. xvi. 11.) While this company, brought out of great + tribulation, to which they had been subjected in the centuries before + the time of Constantine, are represented as in possession of eternal + blessedness, the other company of the "sealed" ones, are by this mark + furnished with the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, to enter the + lists with the Dragon in a much more trying and prolonged contest. The + latter company, although <i>preceding</i> the other, in the order of symbolic + revelation; do really in the order of time, succeed them in continuation + of the struggle with the powers of darkness. And here we make the + general remark, That nearly throughout the Apocalypse the two parties + whom we may call the powers of darkness and the children of light, often + change their relative positions, and assume different aspects. And in + this, there is nothing new, as appears, 2 Cor. xi. 14, 15; vi. 8, 9. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> +<p> + Hitherto our observations have been brief, because interpreters are very + generally agreed in their views of the first series, the seals, in this + interesting book of prophecy. The first six seals, covering the time of + heathen Rome's opposition to Christianity, and before the Devil + succeeded in enlisting the nominal church of Christ in his interest, do + not therefore furnish occasion for much controversy among expositors. + Besides, the seventh seal covers much more time than all the others. The + first six refer to pagan Rome, and constitute the first period, properly + styled the PERIOD OF THE SEALS. The seventh seal, introducing the + trumpets, is the second period, called the PERIOD OF THE TRUMPETS. In + attempting to unfold their mystical import, greater amplification will + be indispensable. +</p> +<p> + 1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven + about the space of half an hour. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Heaven" is the ordinary symbol of organized society, whether + civil or ecclesiastical or both. "Silence in heaven for half an hour," + indicates public tranquillity, together with anxious and mute + expectation of coming and alarming events. "Half an hour," a definite + for an indefinite duration, as usual, imports that the repose hitherto + enjoyed, shall shortly terminate. The respite which the saints enjoyed + during the period succeeding the revolution indicated by the opening of + the sixth seal, soon came to an end. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were + given seven trumpets. +</p> +<p> + 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden + censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer + it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before + the throne. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the + saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-4.—"Seven angels" appear to John as ministers "standing before + God," ready to execute his commands. To them were given "seven + trumpets." Here, as all along hitherto, there is allusion to the former + dispensation. Under the Old Testament, trumpets were constructed by + divine direction and to be used for diverse purposes. Of the manifold + uses of this instrument, that which is here chiefly intended is, to + "sound an alarm." (Joel ii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 8). Whilst all is suspense, + and before the silence is broken by the sounding of the first trumpet, + the worship of God is exemplified after the usual manner. An angel, by + his official place and work easily distinguished from those having the + trumpets, holds in his hand a "golden censer" that with "much incense" + he might render acceptable "the prayers of all saints." As the angel who + had the "seal of the living God," is distinguished from those that "held + the winds," (ch. vii. 1;) so is he here, from those that had the + trumpets. Here he appears as the Great High Priest over the house of + God; and as "the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at + the time of incense;" (Luke i. 10;) so the service of God is thus + emblematically represented as conducted according to divine appointment. + This Angel therefore is Christ himself. "No man cometh unto the Father + but by him." He is the only Advocate with the Father; and through him + "we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. ii. 18.) +</p> +<p> + May we not inquire, without presumption, a little into the nature or + purport of the "prayers of all saints" at this time of ominous silence? + And what could so likely be the burden of their petitions as that of the + cry of the souls under the altar, namely, the destruction of the Roman + empire? Surely this has been the prayer of God's persecuted servants in + all ages:—"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen," etc. (Jer. x. 25; Ps. + lxxix. 6). However inconsistent with Christian charity superficial + Christians may deem the law of retaliation; we shall find it often urged + on our attention as exemplified in this book. It is absolutely essential + to the divine government. +</p> +<p> + 5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, + and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings and + lightnings and an earthquake. +</p> +<p> + V. 5—The Lord Jesus, in carrying out the designs of the divine mind, + and executing the commission which he received from the Father as + Mediator, appears in various characters. Whilst as a priest he + intercedes for his people, and by the incense from the golden censer + renders their prayers acceptable before God; as a king he answers their + prayers by terrible things in righteousness. (Ps. lxv. 5). This work of + vengeance is vividly signified by scattering coals of fire on the earth. +</p> +<p> + From the very same altar, whence the glorious Angel of the Covenant had + received fire to consume the incense, he next takes coals, the symbol of + his wrath, and scatters them into the earth. These "burning coals of + juniper" produce "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an + earthquake." "O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places." (Ps. + lxviii. 35; lxxvi. 12). "The Lord our God is a jealous God." Our + merciful Saviour once put a strange and startling question to his + disciples:—"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell + you, Nay."—For ends worthy of himself, the only wise God has + unchangeably decreed that "offences must needs come," (Matt, xviii. 7;) + and "there must be also heresies" among professing Christians. (1 Cor. + xi. 19.). However, in the administration of providence, judgment without + mercy awaits every nation to which the gospel is sent in vain. The + voices, thunderings, etc., consequent upon the scattering of the coals, + portended the calamities which would be inflicted upon men for their + opposition to the gospel and cruel treatment of the saints, in answer to + their prayers through the intercession of Christ. +</p> +<p> + 6. And the seven angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared + themselves to sound. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—The "seven angels now prepare themselves to sound." The first + alarm, of course, will put an end to the "silence." It should be noted + that while each seal, when broken, disclosed so much of the roll of the + book as was concealed by it; the seventh leaves no part unrevealed. The + whole contents are laid open. It is otherwise with the trumpets. The + reverberations of one may not have ceased when the next begins to sound. + Thus, several may be partly cotemporary. Again, it may be questioned + whether mankind are to be considered in civil or ecclesiastical + organization as the formal object of the judgments indicated by the + trumpets. Some expositors view the one, and some the other, as the + object, and the contention has been sharp among them. We humbly suggest + that neither is the formal object without the other, simply because the + <i>same individuals</i> constitute the complex <i>moral person</i>. The + correctness of this view is largely illustrated and abundantly confirmed + in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Provinces, nations, empires, + are no farther worthy of notice in prophecy than as they affect the + destiny of the church and illustrate the immutable principles of the + moral government of God. He is known by the judgments which he + executeth, and nations must be taught that "the heavens do rule." (Dan. + iv. 26.) Although the church and the state are, by divine institution, + distinct, not united; they are nevertheless co-ordinate, and always + exert a reciprocal influence for good or for evil. It has been the + policy of Satan to confound this distinction; and alas! with too much + success in the apprehension of many. There are not wanting divines who + boldly assert, that even among the Jews, under the Old Testament,—"the + church was the state, and the state was the church!" We may have + occasion to notice hereafter, that this gross error and antichristian + dogma, is yet entertained in relation to divinely organized society + under the present New Testament economy! +</p> +<p> + The "voices, thunderings and earthquakes" resulting from the scattering + of the coals,—are the harbingers and precursors of coming calamities + upon Christendom at the sounding of the trumpets. And these may be + emblematical of the contentions, strife and divisions which accompanied + the rise and prevalence of the heresy of Arius and the apostacy of the + emperor Julian, during the time of comparative public tranquillity from + Constantine to Theodosius. The church and the state, as one complex + system, we have considered as the object of the judgments to be + inflicted under the trumpets. These had, in fact, become incorporated, + if not identified, under the reign of Constantine and his imperial + successors. But assuming the correctness of the phraseology of secular + historians and Christian expositors, when in a <i>popular sense</i> they + speak of the Roman empire as the object of penal inflictions; we by no + means agree with the latter class of writers, when they <i>limit</i> the + empire to the geographical boundaries as it existed at the time of this + prediction. This mistake, if not detected here, will materially affect + and control our views of the whole subsequent part of the Apocalypse. + Who would not discover the impropriety and absurdity of treating of + events now transpiring within the empire of the United States, as if + falling out within the limits of the original thirteen as they existed + in 1776? But the Roman empire yet exists, and we have sufficient + evidence that it will continue till the time of the sounding of the + seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. 15.) <i>Political bias</i> has prevailed with one + class of expositors to exempt the British empire from the stroke of + God's wrath, symbolized by both the trumpets and vials. Others, from + similar predilections, would exempt the United States and British + Provinces from these plagues. Whilst a third class, giving fall scope to + the hallucinations of mere imagination, aver their conviction that + republican America is the special and doomed object of all these + plagues!—Hence, the necessity of caution, sobriety, reverence for + divine authority, reliance on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, whom the + Saviour has promised to his humble disciples to "guide them into all + truth, and to show them things to come." (John xvi. 13.) That the + student of prophecy,—especially of the Apocalypse, may realize the + fulfilment of this promise, it is indispensably necessary that he be + absolutely untrammeled by all antichristian politics. Such cases are + very rare, (ch. xiii. 3.) +</p> +<p> + During the reign of Constantine, that monarch had transferred the + capital of the empire from the "city of seven hills" to another locality + and founded another metropolis, which as the future seat of imperial + rule, and to immortalize himself, he called after his own name, + Constantinople. This ambitious enterprise itself virtually divided the + empire, preparing the way for its total dismemberment by the trumpets. + And now the "seven angels prepared themselves to sound," for all things + are ready. The interceding Angel at the "golden altar" has prevailed to + obtain a period of tranquillity whilst preparatory steps are in progress + towards the next series of events; but that time shall be no longer, or + respite from impending judgments, is significantly intimated by the + symbolical Angel casting his "golden censer" from his hand, and hurling + it into the earth. Then without farther delay, +</p> +<p> + 7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled + with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of + trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—"The first angel sounded." The object of this judgment is the + <i>earth</i>, the population of the empire in general. The judgment itself + is, "hail and fire mingled with blood,"—desolating wars, like + successive storms of hail mingled with lightning, "hailstones and coals + of fire." (Ps. xviii. 12.) The effect is, a consumption of a third part + of the "trees and grass," people in high and low degrees. Green trees + and grass are the ornaments and products, of a land: and when the earth + is an emblem of nations and dominions, trees and grass may represent + persons of higher and lower rank. +</p> +<p> + The careful student of the Apocalypse will discover a striking analogy + between the effects of the trumpets and vials as the latter are + presented in the sixteenth chapter. This first trumpet therefore + produces an effect upon the social order of Christendom, which will + continue till the pouring out of the first vial. As the Roman empire in + its twofold division is the general object of all the trumpets; so the + first four are directed towards the western, and the next two against + the eastern member. +</p> +<p> + The infidel historian Gibbon has unwittingly recorded the fulfilment of + these predictions, as Josephus has done those of our Lord respecting the + destruction of Jerusalem. Unconscious that he was bearing testimony to + the truth of prophecy, Gibbon used with his classic pen the very + allegorical language of the inspired apostle. Respecting the incursion + of the barbarous Goths, as led by Alaric their chief into the fertile + plains of southern Europe, he describes their alarming descent as a + <i>"dark cloud</i>, which having collected along the coasts of the Baltic, + burst in <i>thunder</i> upon the banks of the upper Danube." He who directed + Balaam and Caiaphas to utter predictions, doubtless could direct + Josephus and Gibbon to attest the truth of prophecy; and this may be one + of the many ways in which "he makes the wrath of man to praise + him."—The Goths, the Scythians and Huns, first under Alaric and + afterwards under Attila, those savage warriors from the northern + regions, invaded the provinces of the Roman empire in both sections, + carrying all before them like an irresistible tornado,—with fire and + sword utterly destroying cities, temples, princes, priests, old and + young, male and female,—thus "burning up trees, and green grass." +</p> +<p> + 8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning + with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became + blood: +</p> +<p> + 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had + life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8, 9.—"The second angel sounded." The object of this judgment, is + the <i>sea</i>. As a great collection of waters, this symbol is explained, + (ch. xvii. 15.) "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," + indicate the population in an agitated and disorganized or revolutionary + condition. The judgment is a "burning mountain," a tremendous + object,—consuming and being itself consumed. The mountain is a symbol + of earthly power civil or military, and sometimes ecclesiastical.—"Who + art thou, O great mountain?" (Zech. iv. 7.) The Almighty says to the + king of Babylon,—"Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain ... + I will roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt + mountain." (Jer. li. 25; Ps. xlviii. 2.) +</p> +<p> + The consequence of this judgment is, the third part of the sea became + blood, the fish perished, and the shipping was destroyed. Similar + language, illustrating these figurative expressions, had been used by + the prophets to represent divine judgments denounced against Egyptian + power. (Ezek. xxix. 3, etc.) In the eighth verse is contained the + explanation of the symbolic language,—"Behold I will bring a sword upon + thee, and cut off man and beast from thee." +</p> +<p> + History verifies this part of the Apocalyptic prediction. Only two years + after the death of that northern "scourge of God," Attila, who boasted + that "the grass never grew where his horse had trod;" Genseric set sail + from the burning shores of Africa; and, like a burning mountain launched + into the sea, accompanied by a vast army of barbarous Vandals, suddenly + landed his fleet at the mouth of the river Tiber. Disregarding the + distinctions of rank, age or sex, these licentious and brutal plunderers + subjected their helpless victims to every species of indignity and + cruelty. Hence the hostility to arts and science, the tokens of refined + civilization,—indiscriminate devastation of life and property + perpetrated by the savage warriors, has given rise to the word + "Vandalism." +</p> +<p> + 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from + heaven, burning as it were a Lamp, and it fell upon the third part of + the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; +</p> +<p> + 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of + the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because + they were made bitter. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10, 11.—The object of the third trumpet is the waters as + before,—the population of the empire, but not in collective form as a + <i>sea</i>; rather in a state of separation or disconnected, as "rivers and + fountains." Some apply this symbol of a "falling star" to Genseric, but + this is incongruous. On the contrary, he was a victorious prince,—a + <i>rising</i> star. It is more consonant to the truth of history and the + chronological series of prophecy, to apply this symbol to the downfall + of Momyllus the last of the Roman emperors, who was deposed by Odoacer + king of the Heruli, called in derision Augustulus,—the diminutive + Augustus. Doubtless the allusion here is to the king of Babylon:—"How + art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (day-star,) son of the morning! + How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" + (Isa. xiv. 12.) A star may indeed signify either a civil or + ecclesiastical officer, but the scope and context determine all these + judgments to the enemies of the church, and those of her illustrious + Head. It is the "vengeance of his temple." We have already found a star + the emblem of a gospel minister, and we shall hereafter find it employed + in that sense; but it does not seem to refer in the present connexion to + any apostate. The name of this star,—"Wormwood," embittering the + waters, is a lively emblem of the miseries experienced by the people, in + the use of the remaining temporal comforts which the preceding + calamities had left. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was + smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the + stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not + for a third part of it, and the night likewise. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—The design of all the trumpets is to point out the utter + destruction of the Roman empire,—Daniel's "kingdom of iron." (Dan. ii. + 40.) For although from the time of Constantine it assumed the Christian + name, it nevertheless continued to be a beast. Of this we shall have + cumulative evidence as we progress. The first trumpet began to demolish + the fabric of antichristian power; and by the fourth the western + division was overthrown. For although the northern barbarians under the + first, the southern Vandals under the second, and the successors of + both, prevailed to bring down the last of the Caesars, yet the ancient + frame of government still subsisted. The political heaven, though + shaken, was not yet wholly removed, while the Senate, Consuls and other + official dignitaries continued to shine as political luminaries in the + firmament of power. But as the last of the Caesars fell from power in + the year 476, so the last vestige of imperial dominion in the west was + removed in 566, when Rome, the queen of the nations, was by the emperor + of the east reduced to the humble condition of a tributary dukedom. Most + of the saints had their residence at this time in the nations of western + Europe and northern Africa, where they were grievously afflicted by the + Arian, Pelagian and other heresies; as also exposed to persecution by + the civil powers, whom those heresiarchs moved to oppress the orthodox: + consequently, the righteous judgments of God fall first upon that member + of the empire. The eastern section, however, is destined to become the + special object of the judgments indicated by the succeeding trumpets. + However interpreters differ in details when explaining the effects + produced by the sounding of the first four trumpets, they very generally + harmonize in the application of them to the western section of the Roman + empire. The luminaries of heaven are darkened, or fall, or are + extinguished, while the earth, the sea and the rivers are + correspondently affected. Now, these are the well known allegorical + representations of divine judicial visitations of guilty communities, as + we find in the prophetic writings. See, for example, the case of + Babylon, "the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" (Isa. xiii. 1, 10;) + also Egypt,—(Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8.) +</p> +<p> + 13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, + saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the + earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, + which are yet to sound! +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—Before the fifth angel sounds, a note of warning is given by the + ministry, of another angel distinct from the seven with the trumpets. He + pronounces a "woe" thrice repeated, upon the inhabitants of the earth, + indicating that heavier judgments and of longer duration are about to be + inflicted. This announcement was intended to excite attention and awful + expectation. This angel's message of "heavy tidings" may be viewed in + quite interesting contract with that of a subsequent angel,—"flying + through the midst of heaven," (ch. xiv. 6.) How different, yet + harmonious, is the ministry of those heavenly messengers! +</p> +<p> + The first four trumpets, as we have seen, demolished the western + division of the Roman empire. About the middle of the sixth century this + work was brought to completion. Here, for greater clearness, we may be + allowed to anticipate by digressing a little. Assuming now, what shall + afterwards appear to be correct, that the Roman empire is Daniel's + fourth universal monarchy, and Paul's "let," or hinderance, to the + revealing of the "Man of Sin;" since the first four trumpets have + dismembered that great power, revealing the "ten toes,—ten horns," or + kingdoms; we would expect now to hear of the destruction of that "Son of + perdition." But it is not so. That is to be effected by the vials, (ch. + xvi.) As the general and grand design of the Apocalypse is to illustrate + the divine government, exhibiting the moral world as affecting, or + affected by the Christian religion, it seemed good to the Divine Author + that the destinies of the eastern section of the Roman empire yet + standing, where many of his saints reside, shall come under review. + Ecclesiastical history treats familiarly of a <i>Greek,</i> as well as a + <i>Latin</i> church and empire. As the trumpets cover the whole time from the + opening of the sixth seal till the final overthrow of the whole fourth + monarchy; (Dan. vii. 26; Rev. xi. 15,) it follows that the eastern + section must be the object of a part of them. Accordingly, the remaining + part of the second period,—the <i>Period of the Trumpets,</i> includes the + first two of the three, emphatically and significantly styled + "woe-trumpets." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto + the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a a smoke out of + the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were + darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. +</p> +<p> + 3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them + was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. +</p> +<p> + 4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the + earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men + which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + 5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that + they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the + torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. +</p> +<p> + 6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and + shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. +</p> +<p> + 7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto + battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their + faces were us the faces of men. +</p> +<p> + 8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the + teeth of lions. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the + sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running + to battle. +</p> +<p> + 10. And they had tails like unto scorpions; and there were stings in + their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. +</p> +<p> + 11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless + pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue + hath his name Apollyon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-11.—The scene of the events announced by the sounding of the + first "woe-trumpet," is the eastern Roman empire. A variety of symbols + is here employed to represent the judgment to be inflicted. The + principal agents and events are,—a "star, locusts, Apollyon their king, + their depredations, the time of their continuance." +</p> +<p> + Neither Boniface III. nor Mahomet answers to the symbol "falling star." + Allowing that a star, as a symbol, may represent a person in either + civil or ecclesiastical office, no successful aspirants to places of + power, as both of these were, can be here understood. Obviously + degradation and not elevation is intended. Either dethronement of a + prince or apostacy of a theological dignitary must be intended. +</p> +<p> + No character in history at the time referred to, so well agrees to the + symbol of a fallen star as the monk Sergius, who is known to have been + the coadjutor of Mahomet. He had been a monk of the Christian sect + called Nestorians from Nestorius their leader. This monk Sergius had + been excommunicated for heresy and immorality. He was glad to serve the + devil as dictator to Mahomet in composing the Koran, which bears + internal evidence of having been written by one who was acquainted with + the Sacred Scriptures. When this degraded man had finished his task, he + was put to death by his master, lest he should betray the imposture. +</p> +<p> + He opened the bottomless pit, from which issued a smoke darkening the + whole face of the heavens. The pit is hell, whence came the smoke,—the + diabolical system of delusion. From the same place comes the character + afterwards to appear under the aspect of a beast, (ch. xi. 7.) Locusts + constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, and they are the emblem of a + destroying army. (Exod. x. 14-19; Joel i. 4-6.) And this is their import + here. They represent the deluded and destructive followers of Mahomet, + who in vast multitudes laid waste the nations of western Asia, southern + Europe, and northern Africa. The Saracens, originating in Arabia, the + national locality of the literal locusts, in great multitudes like + clouds, laid waste the fairest and most populous portions of the earth + for a succession of ages. +</p> +<p> + These symbolic locusts have also the property of scorpions, a poisonous + reptile, resembling in some degree a lizard combined with a lobster, + armed with a sting in the end of its tail. Wicked and impenitent men are + compared to scorpions. (Ezek. ii. 6.) But these locusts are under + restraint. They are permitted to hurt only "those men which have not the + seal of God in their foreheads." The time of their continuance is "five + months," of thirty days each, making 150 years,—"a day for a year." + (Ezek. iv. 6.) In the year 606, Mahomet began his imposture by retiring + to the cave of Hera. In 612 he appeared publicly as the apostle of his + new religion at the head of his deluded followers. Between 612 and 762, + he and the warlike chiefs who succeeded him, overran with terrible + destruction, Syria, Persia, India, Egypt and Spain. Although the + Saracenic empire continued for a longer time, yet from this time it lost + the disorderly <i>Locust</i> character and because a more settled + commonwealth. In the year 762, the city of Bagdad was built by one of + the caliphs, who called it "the city of peace." This put a stop to the + devastations of the locusts, when the empire began to decline. It was + foretold, however, that during the time of successful war by these cruel + invaders, they would inflict such miseries upon their wretched victims, + that they would earnestly but vainly desire death to put an end to their + exquisite torments. It is farther said that these locusts resembled + horses, as indeed they do, especially in their heads. The Arabians + excelled in horsemanship, and their chief force lay in cavalry. The + "crowns upon their heads" may refer to the turbans worn by the Arabians + as part of their national costume; or to the kingdoms which they + subdued. Flowing hair is also characteristic of these people. Their + "teeth" like those of lions indicated their strength and fury to + destroy. "Breast-plates of iron,"—defensive armour, indicates + self-protection by the most effectual public measures. The sound of + their wings may denote the fury of their assaults, and the rapidity of + their conquests. But the deadly stings in their tails were their most + fatal instruments of torture, symbolizing the poison of their abominable + and ruinous religion. +</p> +<p> + Their king is "Abaddon or Apollyon," the destroyer: for so is his name + by interpretation, both in Hebrew and Greek. He is from the "bottomless + pit,"—from hell, the vicegerent of the devil. Mahomet in person, and in + the person of his official successors, will alone answer to this + <i>duplicate</i> symbol. This is, without a rational shadow of ground for + controversy, the <i>Great Eastern Antichrist</i>, sufficiently distinguished + from the <i>Western</i>. The western combination against real Christianity + never attained to power by successful conquest of the nations; but on + the contrary by chicanery, insidious policy, flattery of princes and + priestcraft. This enemy is described with sufficient accuracy and + peculiar precision in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Prophecy + has a determinate meaning; and we are not at liberty to give loose reins + to our imagination: otherwise we shall bewilder, rather than satisfy the + devout and earnest inquirer. +</p> +<p> + 12. One woe is past: and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—Before the time of the sixth trumpet, intimation is given that + some pause shall intervene prior to the judgments which are to + follow:—"One woe is past."—The object of the first woe is the + nominally Christian Roman empire, which still stands in its Eastern + section; and is to be totally demolished by the second woe-trumpet: for + the Western section, recovering from the effects of the first four + trumpets, is the object of the third and last woe. The "man of + Sin,"—the "little horn" of Daniel, is actuating the "ten horns" to + "scatter Judah," etc., during the time of the Mahometan conquests in the + East; by which the whole Roman empire is ripening for the harvest of the + vials of wrath. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns + of the golden altar which is before God, +</p> +<p> + 14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four + angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, + and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand + thousand; and I heard the number of them. +</p> +<p> + 17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, + having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the + heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths + issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone. +</p> +<p> + 18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by + the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. +</p> +<p> + 19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their + tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do + hurt. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-19.—At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, a "voice comes from + the four horns of the golden altar," the immediate presence of the + Almighty. This indicates punishment to be inflicted upon men for + corrupting the gospel, similar to the judgment of fire from the "golden + censer," (ch. viii. 5.) The effects of the first woe may be supposed to + reach from the early part of the seventh century to the latter part of + the thirteenth,—the period of Arabian locusts. During the latter part + of this time, the Turks were held in check by the Crusaders, who strove + to wrest the Holy Land from the infidels. The "four angels" are the four + Turkish Sultanies. The river Euphrates is to be taken in this place + literally, as designating the geographical locality of these combined + powers, which were the instruments employed by the enthroned Mediator, + to demolish the remaining part of the Roman empire,—"the third part of + men." The time occupied in this barbarous work of slaughter is "an hour, + a day, a month and a year," about equal to 391 years; or from the year + 1281 to 1672. The Western empire had been overthrown by the first four + trumpets, the Eastern nearly ruined under the fifth; and under the sixth + it was finally subverted. The numbers which the Turks brought into the + field are here said to be "two hundred thousand thousand,"—a definite + for an indefinite number as usual, a vast army. And historians tell us + that they were, in fact, from four to seven hundred thousand, and a + large proportion of them cavalry. +</p> +<p> + From the year 1672, one of their own historians dates the "Decay of the + Othman empire!" Since that date, the Turkish power is well known to have + been straitened by the Russian empire. +</p> +<p> + These eastern warriors and their horses are described by their military + costume and their arms. Fire is <i>red</i>, jacinth <i>blue</i>, and brimstone + <i>yellow</i>,—the chosen colors of the Ottoman warriors, their military + uniform. The heads of their horses "as the heads of lions," denote + strength, fierceness and cruelty. "Fire, smoke and brimstone issuing out + of their mouths," may be supposed to indicate the employment of + gunpowder, first invented about that time, as an element of destruction. + The commander at the siege of Constantinople is said to have employed + cannon, some of which were of such caliber as to send stones of three + hundred pounds weight! Thus their power was in their "mouth:" but like + the locusts, "they had in their tails power to do hurt,"—the deadly + poison of the Koran. The Turks left behind them wherever they went, as + the Saracens had done before, the poisonous and ruinous religion of + Mahomet, more durable and injurious to men than all their bloody + conquests. By this abominable system of delusion, the remains of the + Greek church in the Eastern division of the Roman empire, were almost + extirpated; Christianity was nearly extinguished in that part of the + world where the gospel had shone brightly, and there Mahometanism + continues till the present day. Such has been the desolating effect of + the sixth,—the second woe trumpet. Thus the Judge of all the earth + punishes impenitent communities. Besides the positive effects of the + second wo, we have intimation of some that are negative in the close of + this chapter. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues, yet + repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship + devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of + wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: +</p> +<p> + 21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor + of their fornication, nor of their thefts. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 20, 21.—The "rest of the men that were not killed by these + plagues," or morally destroyed by becoming Mahometans, by the foregoing + calamities, were not brought to repentance of their evil deeds. The + population of the Western Latin empire and nominal Christian church, + still persisted in their idolatries and immoralities. Both individually + and as associated, they openly violated both tables of the moral law. It + is evident from these two verses, that the sins enumerated in them were + the procuring causes of the divine judgments symbolized by the + trumpets,—the two woe-trumpets, all the trumpets,—yes, including the + seventh and the last. Professing Christians both in the Greek and Latin + churches, after all the plagues inflicted by the angels of the past six + trumpets, continue to this day in the practice of worshipping demons, + angels and saints, for which they can produce no better arguments than + their Pagan predecessors whom the Lord charges with "worshipping devils" + here and elsewhere. (1 Cor. x. 20; Ps. cvi. 37.) In their stupid worship + of senseless images, consecration of places, etc., who cannot perceive + the identity of modern Papists and prelates with those portrayed by the + pen of inspiration in the passage before us? The horrible "murders," + massacres and bloody persecutions of the saints, are verified in + authentic history. Papal bulls, imperial and royal edicts, issued + against <i>heretics</i>, answer to the second part of this awful picture. + Then follow "sorceries," plainly pointing out pretended revelations, + false miracles, etc. To these are to be added "fornications," corporeal + and spiritual, in a mass of superstitions added to, or supplanting + divine ordinances; together with vows of celibacy, monkeries and + nunneries,—followed by public license of brothels. And + finally,—"thefts." By these are to be understood the illegal exactions + and oppressive impositions, by which the nations of Christendom have + been plundered of their revenues to enrich the lordly hierarchy of + apostate Christendom. This state of things still continuing after the + sixth angel sounds his trumpet, and no evidence of repentance; who can + doubt that the same community is yet to be visited with the "third woe?" + Surely the Lord may justly still say,—"For three transgressions, and + for four, (of Antichrist,) I will not turn away the punishment thereof." + The eastern church, in which the first corruptions prevailed, was + punished by the <i>first woe</i> of the Saracens; and this not producing + repentance, her ruin was completed by the <i>second wo</i> of the Ottomans. + So, when God judges, he will overcome; therefore the western church, + still persisting in her abominations, without repentance, shall be + destroyed by the <i>third woe</i>. Let not the pious reader suppose that by + these penal inflictions on churches, the church of Christ is to perish. + No, no. But, on the contrary, their overthrow is subservient to her + preservation. This also will appear with increasing evidence as we + proceed with our meditations on this instructive book. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time it may be well to remark here, at the close of those + <i>woes</i> which developed the rise and progress of Mahometanism, that the + creed of this religious sect is substantially the same as that of those + Christians called Socinians. Both presumptuously and arrogantly claim to + be the worshippers of <i>the one God</i>,—commonly called <i>Unitarians</i>. This + is one of the "depths of Satan." All who worship, as well as believe in, + three co-equal Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, believe in, + and worship <i>one God</i>, and in this sense are Unitarians.—<i>the only + scriptural Unitarians</i>. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not + the Father." (John ii. 23.) And the same is true of such who "have not + so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts xix. 2.) "He is + Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son,"—a deceiver and an + Antichrist. It is doubtless in view of these soul-ruining heresies, that + the beloved disciple tendered the caution,—"Little children, keep + yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 21.) +</p> +<p> + We would expect the tenth chapter to begin with the sounding of the + seventh trumpet; but we find it is not so. Indeed, we shall not find any + direct intimation of the work of the seventh angel till we come to the + fourteenth verse of the eleventh chapter. The sixth trumpet continues to + reverberate throughout Christendom for centuries; and during the + intermediate time, our attention is called to another scene, which the + Lord Jesus deemed necessary as preparatory. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter and the greater part of the next, from the first to the + fourteenth verse inclusive, is of the nature of a parenthesis; for the + fifteenth verse of the 11th chapter evidently connects the narrative or + series of events with the ninth chapter. The ninth chapter closes with + an intimation of impenitence on the part of those who had been punished + by the plagues of the preceding trumpets. Then it follows, as we have + seen, that they are to be still farther visited by the infliction of the + closing judgment symbolized by the seventh trumpet. The immediate + design, therefore, of interrupting the natural order of the narrative is + to place before us the actual condition of society when the seventh + trumpet sounds. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a + cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face as it were the sun, + and his feet as pillars of fire: +</p> +<p> + 2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot + upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, +</p> +<p> + 3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had + cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—The majestic description of this Angel agrees to no creature. + It is proper to God-man only. It is partly the same display of the + Mediator's glory which we had in ch, i. 15. Especially is this the case + as to his <i>face</i>, his <i>feet</i> and his <i>voice</i>. The "rainbow" is still the + sign of the everlasting covenant. "In wrath he remembers mercy." +</p> +<p> + This "book" differs from the <i>sealed</i> book as a part from the whole, or + a codicil from the will to which it is appended. Also, it is + distinguished from the former as being <i>little</i> and <i>open</i>. They do + therefore greatly err here, who would make this little book comprehend + all the remaining part of the Apocalypse, which would make it larger + than the sealed book. The little book is <i>open</i>, because it is part of + the large one, from which the last seal had been removed by the + Mediator. But another reason why the little book is represented as being + open, is the fact that the most of the events to which it refers, had + transpired prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. That trumpet + had been without its appropriate object, as presented in any preceding + part of the prophecy. To present that object is the special design of + the little book. All the events predicted in this book of Revelation are + not successive in the order of time, but some are coincident; and the + inspired writer of the Apocalypse, on several occasions goes back, as we + shall see, in order to explain at greater length, what had been but + briefly and obscurely narrated. +</p> +<p> + The angel set his feet upon the world, as his footstool; by which + position is emblematically signified his sovereign dominion over sea and + earth. And this is agreeable to his own plain teaching in the days of + his public ministry:—"All power is given unto me in heaven and in + earth." (Matt. xxviii. 18.) He trod upon the billows of the ocean + literally in the state of his humiliation, giving thereby evidence of + his power over the mystical waters,—"the tumults of the people." During + the popular commotions signified by the trumpets, he said to the raging + passions of men and their towering ambition, as to the waves of the + sea,—" Hitherto shall ye come, and no further; and here shall your + proud waves be stayed." "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves + thereof are still;" and whether the nations of Christendom are at war or + in peaceful tranquillity, he reigns over them as their rightful + sovereign;—"his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth." In + possession of universal dominion, he speaks with authority, "as when a + lion roareth." Although a lamb slain, the victim for our sins; he is + also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ruling over his own people, + restraining and conquering his own and their enemies. +</p> +<p> + The "seven thunders," etc., give a <i>premonition</i> of tremendous + judgments, the import of which is to be "sealed up" until it be + demonstrated to all the world by the seventh trumpet and vial. +</p> +<p> + 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to + write: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up those + things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. +</p> +<p> + 5. And the angel, which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, + lifted up his hand to heaven, +</p> +<p> + 6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, + and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are + therein, that there should be time no longer. +</p> +<p> + 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall + begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath + declared to his servants the prophets. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-7.—The attitude assumed by the Angel of the covenant is very + impressive, instructive and exemplary:—"his hand lifted up to heaven." + This is the external attitude of solemnity most becoming the jurant when + performing the act of religious worship, the oath. Abraham, in the + presence of the king of Sodom, used the same form, appealing to the + "Lord, the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth." (Gen. xiv. + 22.) "Kissing the book" has no example in all the Bible; hence it is + unquestionably of heathen, and so of idolatrous origin and tendency. No + Christian can thus symbolize with heathens, without so far "having + fellowship with devils" as really as in eating in their temples. (1 Cor. + x. 21.) +</p> +<p> + The matter of the Angel's oath is,—"that there should be time no + longer." Here it is humbly suggested that our excellent translators are + faulty as in ch. iv. 6, already noticed. Neither the original Greek + text, nor the coherence of the symbolic narrative, will sustain or + justify the version. John, like all pious people, when he heard the + lion's voice, followed by the "seven thunders," was filled with solemn + awe, anticipating the coming dissolution of all things. It was not the + only instance of his weakness and misapprehension, (ch. xix. 10;) nor is + this infirmity peculiar to the apostle John; for we find other disciples + mistaking "the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his + own power." (2 Thess. ii. 1-3.) These Thessalonians had misapprehended + the language of Paul in his first epistle to them, when speaking of the + end of the world. (1 Thess. iv. 15-17.) To relieve the anxieties of the + Thessalonians, relative to the apprehended and sudden coming of the + Lord, Paul wrote again to correct their mistake; so it may be supposed + that the Angel interposed this solemn assurance to his servant John, for + the like purpose, of allaying his forebodings. The words in the + original, literally translated, stand thus: "That the time shall not be + yet." That is, the "time of the end," as we read in Daniel xii. 9, shall + not be, till the seventh trumpet begins to sound. The phrase,—"time of + the end," may signify either the final overthrow of antichristian power, + or the end of the world, because of the resemblance between the two + events. The plain and certain meaning, then, of the Angel's oath is, + that the "mystery of God shall be finished" only by the work of the + seventh angel. What this mystery is, we will discover in the following + chapters. Indeed, it had been long before "declared to the prophets," + but still accompanied with comparative obscurity suitable to their time; + for the word "declared," is expressive of glad tidings, being the same + in origin and significance as that which we translate,—<i>gospel</i>, good + news. Accordingly, our Saviour directs his disciples, in view of his + appearing either to overthrow the Roman power, or to judge the world, in + the following words of cheer: "And when these things begin to come to + pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth + nigh." (Luke xxi. 28.) To the prophet Daniel the same event was attested + with like solemnity. (Dan. xii. 7.) This is the period to which the + suffering saints of God have been long looking forward with believing + and joyful hope. As Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day of appearing in + our nature, and by faith saw and it and was glad; so the covenanted seed + of the father of the faithful, in the light of prophecy, and by like + precious faith, are favored with a view of the certain downfall of + mystical Babylon. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and + said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel + which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + 9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little + book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy + belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. +</p> +<p> + 10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; + and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my + belly was bitter. +</p> +<p> + 11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, + and nations, and tongues, and kings. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8-11.—John is next directed by a voice from heaven, or by divine + authority,—to take and eat the open book. There is obvious allusion to + a similar transaction in Ezekiel iii, 1-3. The prophet was a captive by + the river of Chebar in Babylon, under the dominion of the <i>first</i> beast + of Daniel, as John was in Patmos under that of the <i>fourth</i>; and both + were favoured and employed by the glorious Head of the church in an + eminent part of their ministry. "The word is not bound" when ministers + are in confinement. +</p> +<p> + The "eating of the book" represents the intellectual apprehension of the + things which it contained. +</p> +<p> + "Thy words were found and I did eat them,"(Jer. xv. 16.) A speculative + knowledge of the word of God, and especially of those parts that are + prophetical, will afford pleasure to the human intellect, even though + the mind be unsanctified. (Matt. xiii. 20, 21.) But when the prophet + gets a farther insight into the contents as containing "lamentations, + and mourning and woe," like Ezekiel's roll;—the pleasure is converted + into pain. A foresight of the sorrows and sufferings of Christ's + witnesses causes grief to the Christian's sensitive heart. He "weeps + with them that weep," by the spontaneous sympathies of a common and + renewed nature. "Sweet in the mouth as honey, but in the belly bitter as + wormwood and gall." +</p> +<p> + Upon the apostle's digesting the little book, the Angel interprets the + symbolic action by the plain and extensive commission,—"Thou must + prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and + kings." This commission did not terminate with the ministry of the + apostle, although he may be truly said to prophesy by the Apocalypse to + all nations till the end of the world. This is equally true, however, of + all the inspired penmen of the Holy Scriptures. (Psalm xlv. 17.) But + John is to be considered here as the official representative of a living + and faithful ministry, on whom devolves the indispensable obligation to + open and apply these sacred predictions to the commonwealth of nations, + however constituted authorities may be affected by them. And, indeed, + these messages will prove unwelcome to the immoral powers of the earth, + as in the days of old. (1 Kings xviii. 17.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI. +</h2> +<p> + The narrative of prophetic events was broken off at the end of the ninth + chapter. The tenth chapter and the greater part of this, from the + beginning to the thirteenth verse inclusive, present appearances and + actions quite foreign to the events which follow the sounding of the + trumpets. Why is this, the thoughtful student of the Apocalypse will + naturally ask? Why is the regular series of the trumpets suspended? When + the sixth trumpet,—the "second woe,"—has effected its objects, we + naturally expect the seventh trumpet to sound; yet we are held in + suspense till we come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter. Hitherto + we have met with no similar interruption. Let us take a retrospective + view:—The seven epistles to the churches followed each other in regular + succession. The seals, in like manner, followed successively; and this + is true of the vials, (ch. xvi.) +</p> +<p> + We have seen that the object of the trumpets was the Roman empire, the + fourth beast of Daniel's prophecy. The same is the object of the + judgments symbolized by the vials. The final subversion and utter + destruction of that beastly power, was plainly revealed in the + Babylonian monarch's dream. (Dan. ii. 44.) And the same event was + afterwards exhibited in vision to Daniel, (ch. vii. 11, 26.) Now the + first four trumpets had demolished imperial power in the western or + Latin section; and the next two, by the Saracenic locusts and the + Euphratean horsemen had subverted the eastern or Greek section. Rome and + Constantinople were the capitals of the respective sections or members + of the <i>one</i> empire. Under the first four trumpets, by the Northern + barbarians; and under the first two woes, by the Mahometans, both + sections of the empire were overthrown. The question now presses upon + our attention, Where shall we find an object for the tremendous judgment + to be inflicted by the third and last woe? This question requires a + solution. It demands it; and he who succeeds in the application of + history to solve this apparent enigma in the Apocalypse, will be able to + attain to a satisfactory, a certain, understanding of much that is yet + to most readers as if the "sealed book" were to this day in the "right + hand of Him that sitteth on the throne." Let us humbly attempt to solve + this difficulty. +</p> +<p> + Daniel's fourth beast, the Roman empire, is to be contemplated in + <i>diverse aspects</i>, as the varied symbols obviously require. All know + that Nebuchadnezzar's "image" is the same as Daniel's "four beasts;" + therefore the same thing is presented in different forms or aspects. Of + course we are to view that object as presented. We have seen that under + the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12-17,) the Roman empire underwent a + revolution; that is, it was destroyed as to its Pagan form. The empire + became Christian under Constantine. History proves that Christianity + degenerated under the reign of that monarch and his successors. Heresy, + idolatry and persecutions characterize the subsequent history of the + empire. Then follow the judgments of the trumpets to vindicate the + divine government, and alleviate from time to time the sufferings of + true Christians. While the two woe-trumpets are demolishing the fabric + of idolatry and despotism in the east, the "deadly wound is healed" in + the west, which had been inflicted by the first four trumpets. Ten horns + are developed upon the beast's head, and another "little horn," by all + of which the saints suffer, as had been predicted by Daniel, (ch. vii. + 24,) and of which we had intimation after the judgment of the second woe + or sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) All the "plagues," which had been + inflicted upon the people of Christendom under this trumpet left them + still impenitent,—"worshipping devils," etc. Surely we may now see + where the object of the third woe is to be found,—namely in the same + Roman empire, now become antichristian more than ever before. To + describe this antichristian combination and present the unholy + confederacy against the Lord and his Anointed, and so to justify the + ways of God; it was necessary to digress from the narrative of the + trumpets. We now proceed with our observations on the eleventh chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, + saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them + that worship therein. +</p> +<p> + 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it + not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they + tread under foot forty and two months. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—This chapter, (vs. 1-13,) gives the contents of the "little + book" delivered to the apostle; as in the tenth chapter. It contains a + brief description and prospective history of the true church of Christ + for a period of 1260 years. Her conflicts with Daniel's fourth beast are + here epitomized. As the scene is laid in the temple and ministry all + along in the Apocalypse, so there is probably a special allusion here to + Ezekiel's vision, (ch. xl. 5.) At all times the Christian church is to + be organized, and all her ordinances to be administered by divine rule. + Accordingly we have here presented the actual condition of Christendom + during the whole time mentioned above. The command to John from the + Angel, is to be understood as from the Lord Jesus, Zion's only king to + the gospel ministry. Long before the time of the transactions here + predicted, the apostle John had gone the way of all the earth. The work + here enjoined was to be performed by his legitimate successors. +</p> +<p> + The reed is the symbol of the word of God. It is of the same import as + Zechariah's "measuring line." (ch. ii. 1,) and to be used for the same + purpose—"to measure Jerusalem," the temple; for both are emblematical + of the church of God. The "temple, altar and worshippers," are emblems + of the church, her doctrines, worship and membership, tried by the + Scriptures—the "reed." There are Gentiles who worship in the outer + court, treading under foot both it and the city. These are formal, + immoral, idolatrous professors of Christianity. They are rejected by God + as reprobate, and by his command to be "cast out" from the fellowship of + his people,—authoritatively excommunicated by those to whom Jesus + Christ has given the key of discipline. +</p> +<p> + Here then, at the disclosing of the contents of the little open book, it + is manifest that John goes back from the sixth trumpet in the + seventeenth century, when the Eastern section of the Roman empire was + subverted, by the Othmans, and gives us another view of society in + Christendom cotemporaneously with the trumpets. It follows necessarily + that the little book does not rank, as some imagine, under any one + trumpet; much less does it comprehend all the remaining chapters of the + Apocalypse, as others vainly suppose. This matter will receive + increasing confirmation as we advance. +</p> +<p> + Those who worship within the temple and those who worship without, are + evidently distinguished from each other. They differ in character tested + by the word of God, in fellowship, as authoritatively separated + according to the rule of the same word: for whereas the gentile + worshippers are so numerous as to crowd both the outer court and the + city, the measured worshippers are all included within the confines of + the temple, (Song iv. 12.) <i>Measuring</i> is equivalent to the <i>sealing</i> of + the servants of God in the seventh chapter; and imports that they are + secured from the sins and plagues of their time. The period of the + apostacy from God is fixed to "forty and two months." According to + Jewish mode of reckoning, a day for a year, (Num. xiv. 34; Dan. ix. 24,) + the whole period is 1260 years. Each month has thirty days. Multiply + forty-two by thirty, and we have 1260. The <i>same</i> period of time,—not + merely an equal period, is otherwise expressed by the prophet Daniel + thus: "time, times, and a half." (ch. xii. 7.) That is, 360, the number + of days in the Jewish year: times, or 720, the days in two years; and + half a time, or 180, the days in half a year. Now, add these three + numbers, 360, 720, 180; and the sum is 1260. Now see Daniel iv. 25, + where the word "times" means <i>years</i>, and then a child may calculate + these mystical numbers. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy + a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. +</p> +<p> + V. 3.—While the nominal church, "the outer court and the holy city," + would be "trodden under foot," and the most eminent places would be + filled with idolaters, infidels, hypocrites, and mercenary spirits, and + true Christians grievously oppressed, the Lord would preserve a faithful + few from defiling themselves with the prevailing abominations. These he + claims and owns as his "peculiar treasure,"—"my witnesses." These have + found that it was "good for them to draw near to God," when the + multitude treacherously departed from him. The Lord Christ promises to + sustain them in the midst of all their tribulations. The duration of + their special work is the very same as that of the treading of the holy + city, "a thousand two hundred and three score days,"—1260 years. In + attempting to fix the beginning of this period, Daniel and John must be + compared; both treat of the same events and dates, and this gives + definiteness to the interpretation. Daniel fixes these events to the + fourth monarchy <i>after</i> it had been <i>broken in pieces</i>, and the ten + horns had arisen: (ch. vii. 23-25;) so that we have both the geography + and chronology determined by the prophets themselves. Hence it follows + that we must date the beginning of the 1260 years after the first four + trumpets; for by these the western Roman empire was dismembered or + broken, that the ten horns might appear. Then the "little horn" of + Daniel arose after and among them, (ch. vii. 20, 24.) All reliable + expositors agree that the "little horn" is the papacy or the Romish + church. This little horn is the special enemy of the "saints of the Most + High," and they are to be "given into his hand." (Dan. vii. 25.) The + first four trumpets subverted the Roman empire in the west in the latter + part of the sixth century. This event made way for the bishop of Rome, + in process of time, to acquire a great accession of ecclesiastical + power. The civil and ecclesiastical rulers, equally unscrupulous and + aspiring, were at this period on terms of comparative intimacy, and + occasionally disposed to reciprocate good offices. Phocas, having waded + through the blood of the citizens to supreme civil power, in order to + secure his position, declared Boniface III., bishop of Rome, head of the + universal church. This impious public act took place in the year 606. + The pope became also a temporal prince in 756. Now we cannot know <i>with + certainty</i> which of these events, nor indeed whether <i>either</i> of them, + marks the period in time when the 1260 years <i>began</i>. Hence we must + remain at uncertainty as to the exact time when this most interesting + period will end. Of all transactions recorded in history, however, that + between Phocas and Boniface appears most like "giving the saints into + the hand of the little horn." At this juncture in particular, church and + state conspire, as never before, to resist the authority of Jesus Christ + the Mediator. Paul's "man of sin" has been "revealed in his time." (2 + Thess. ii. 6.) Paganism has been abolished by formal edict throughout + the Roman empire, and Christianity established as the recognised + religion of the commonwealth. That which "letted,"—hindered, that is, + the pagan idolatry of the civil state, is "taken out of the way;" and + nominal Christianity takes its place. This combination or alliance + between church and state will be more clearly made known in the + succeeding chapters of this book. Mean while it is the immediate design + of the "little open book," to give an epitome or outline of this unholy + confederacy in the first thirteen verses of this chapter. The treading + under foot of the holy city by the "Gentiles," furnishes occasion for + the witnesses to appear publicly against them. These pretended + Christians, but real hypocrites, as will appear with increasing evidence + as we proceed, have usurped the rights of Messiah's crown, and + grievously oppressed his real disciples. Against these outrages on the + prerogatives of Christ and the rights of man, these witnesses lift their + solemn protest. Their distinctive name, "witnesses," is familiar to + every one who searches the Scriptures. (Isa. xliii. 10; Acts i. 8.) But + witnesses who love not their lives unto the death are distinguished by + the name of <i>martyrs</i>. (Rev. ii. 13; Acts xxii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + God has had his witnesses in all ages since the fall of Adam, in defence + of truth and holiness against error and ungodliness; but the specific + work <i>these</i> witnesses is to oppose the corruption of his two ordinances + of church and state during the specified period of 1260 years. The + existence of this complex system of civil and ecclesiastical tyranny and + heresy, in the holy purpose and sovereign providence of God, calls for + the public and uncompromising opposition of the two witnesses. We shall + discover the two parties in more visible conflict hereafter; and tracing + the struggle to its issue, we shall find, that like the more general and + lasting warfare between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent, + (Gen. iii. 15,) it is a "war of extermination." +</p> +<p> + These witnesses are distinguished as a part from the whole. All + witnesses are not <i>martyrs</i>, but these are such, (v. 7, ch. xx. 4.) And + here we are constrained to dissent from the opinion of some expositors, + for whose sentiments we entertain profound respect. These "two + witnesses" are supposed by these eminent interpreters to "differ as much + from the 144,000 sealed ones, (ch. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the + 7000 in Israel in his time;" whereas, we think the 144,000 and the + <i>two</i>, are the same identical company. (See chapters vii. 4-8: xiv. 1; + xx. 4.) It is evident that they are the same party,—and the <i>whole</i> of + the party, who are honored to "reign with Christ a thousand years," (ch. + xx. 4.) +</p> +<p> + They are <i>two</i> in number, because one witness is not sufficient in law, + to establish any matter in controversy. (Num. xxxv. 30; 2 Cor. xiii. 1.) + They are a small number compared with their opponents, (ch. xiii. 3.) + Again, they are few, but sufficient to confront and confute their two + opponents, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And, finally, they are <i>two</i>, that they + may be assimilated to their predecessors. +</p> +<p> + 4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing + before the God of the earth. +</p> +<p> + 5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, + and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in + this manner be killed. +</p> +<p> + 6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of + their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to + smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks," + answerable to Joshua and Zerubbabel, the representatives of a gospel + ministry and a scriptural magistracy in their day, as seen by the + prophet Zechariah, (ch. iv. 14.) The official administrators of the + divine ordinances of church and state, require the oil of divine grace + to qualify them for the discharge of their responsible duties to God and + man. (1 Tim. i. 2; Titus i. 4; Ps. lxxii. 1.) Thus were those public + servants of God and of his people qualified who "stood before the God of + the earth," as Moses and Aaron in Egypt, Elijah and Elisha in Israel, to + whom there is obvious allusion in the special work of these witnesses. + (2 Kings i. 10; 1 Kings xvii. 1; Exod. vii. 17.) "Fire proceedeth out of + their mouth," when from the scriptures they denounce just judgments upon + the impenitent enemies of him whom they represent. They "smite the earth + with all plagues," when, in answer to their prayers, vengeance comes + upon antichristian communities. (Luke xviii. 7, 8.) They "turn waters + into blood," when through their effective agency, the votaries of + Antichrist are made the instruments of mutual destruction. And all this + is made more clear in the symbolic "vials," (ch. 16.) These witnesses + "prophesy," not as being inspired, but because they,—and <i>they only</i>, + apply existing predictions to their appropriate objects, so far as they + receive light from Him who is "the light of the world." +</p> +<p> + They are "clothed in sack-cloth," because they sigh and cry for all the + abominations of their time,—subjected to oppression, and excluded from + "kings' palaces,"—places of worldly honor, power and emolument. +</p> +<p> + But the question is of great importance, and, to themselves in + particular, of absorbing interest,—How shall these witnesses be + identified among mankind? For however few, humble, despised and + persecuted, even unto death; strange as it may seem, there are not + wanting many to put forth a claim to be identified with them! Assuming + that these mystic witnesses are individual persons, the Papists say, + they are Enoch and Elijah, hereafter to appear on earth! By Protestants, + John Huss and Jerome.—Luther and Calvin, have been selected. Others + suppose the Old and New Testaments, with many other vague and groundless + conjectures. The witnesses die; but the two prophets named "were + translated that they should not see death:" and the thought is + preposterous that they should be brought again from their glorious state + of immortality and subjected to an ignominious death. John Huss and + Jerome of Prague did not prophesy 1260 years, nor have we the shadow of + a ground to believe that any of the human race shall ever prolong their + days on earth to the age of Methuselah. The two Testaments cannot die, + for "the word of God liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Pet. i. 23.) But + it would be tedious and unprofitable to confute the various chimeras + which on this question have been entertained in the minds equally of the + learned and the illiterate. The like fanciful and diversified opinions + have been, and still are, prevalent in relation to what constitutes "the + Antichrist." (1 John ii. 22.) Now, it is evident, even on a cursory + perusal of the Apocalypse; that the witnesses and their opponents are + the principal parties symbolized in the whole series of the seals, + trumpets and vials. How then can any one attain to a rational + understanding of the manifold details, who remains "willingly ignorant" + of the principal characters in this grandest of all tragico-dramas, + presented to man's view on the stage of Jehovah's moral empire, to be + contemplated for the whole period of 1260 years? The prevailing + ignorance, bewilderment and error, in the minds of most spectators of + these moving scenes, we are warranted to expect. (Dan. xii. 10.) For the + present we define the witnesses and Antichrist concisely thus:—<i>The + Witnesses are a competent number of Christians, who for 1260 years, + insist upon the application of God's word to church and state; and who + testify against all communities who rebel against the Lord Christ.</i> Such + communities, in visible organization, constitute THE ANTICHRIST, as will + more fully appear in the thirteenth and seventeenth chapters, where the + two prominent parties are more formally presented. +</p> +<p> + Let us never lose sight of the fact, that these witnesses cease not to + prophesy,—to apply the scriptures, especially the prophetical parts of + them, during the <i>whole</i> period of 1260 years; that is, <i>while they + live</i>. Authentic history supplies abundant evidence that such has been + their special work all along since the rise of the antichristian enemy. + That enemy is but obscurely mentioned,—<i>not described</i> in the "little + book," the contents of which we have, as already said, in this chapter, + (vs. 1-13.) The character and achievements of the witnesses may be found + in the familiar histories of the Culdees and Lollards of Britain, the + Waldenses of Piedmont, the Bohemian Brethren; together with the more + recent and successful reformers on the continent of Europe and in the + British Isles. Is it unnecessary to mention the names of those men of + renown,—Zwingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Henderson, etc.,—men "mighty in + words and in deeds," whose influence on the great "family of nations," + their very enemies have reluctantly attested? The testimony of an enemy + has ever been deemed weighty. The following is appropriate and decisive + from the polished pen of the historian of the "Decline and Fall of the + Roman Empire:" "The visible assemblies of the Paulicians, or Albigeois, + were extirpated by fire and sword; and the bleeding remnant escaped by + flight, concealment, or catholic conformity. But the invincible spirit + which they had kindled still lived and breathed in the western + world.—In the state, in the church, and even in the cloister, a latent + succession was preserved of the disciples of St. Paul, who protested + against the tyranny of Rome, embraced the Bible as the rule of faith, + and purified their creed from all the visions of the Gnostic theology. + The struggles of Wickliff in England, and of Huss in Bohemia, were + premature and ineffectual: but the names of Zuinglius, Luther and + Calvin, are pronounced with gratitude as the deliverers of nations."<a href="#note-2"><small>2</small></a> +</p> +<p> + Ever since the time of those eminent witnesses, the same testimony has + been maintained. It is not yet finished, the witnesses are yet alive, + and the term of 1260 years is not expired. +</p> +<p> + 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that + ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and + shall overcome them, and kill them. +</p> +<p> + 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, + which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was + crucified. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall + see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their + dead bodies to be put in graves. +</p> +<p> + 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make + merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets + tormented them that dwelt on the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-10.—In these verses we have described the death of the witnesses, + as also the agent mentioned, by whom the fatal stroke is given. As + future occasion will occur for identifying this bloody tyrant, + ascertaining with precision his diabolical origin, here only hinted, his + crimes and his awful doom, it is premature to amplify in this place. +</p> +<p> + If the witnesses cannot be identified, neither can the time of their + death be ascertained. We find indeed among expositors as many vague + notions relative to the <i>time</i> and the <i>nature</i> of their death as in + relation to their identity. These notions are unworthy of notice; for + however they might amuse, they cannot edify. +</p> +<p> + Four questions are suggested by these verses.—By whom; in what manner, + when, and where are the witnesses slain? +</p> +<p> + The first question is explicitly answered in the sacred text. The + "beast," of hellish origin, kills them. But it will afterwards appear + that the beast is instigated to this relentless cruelty by another agent + of the devil. Again, as to the kind of death, we may in good measure + learn this from the kind of life. Now it is obvious that to give + testimony, or "prophesy" during the allotted time, constitutes their + life. They live, that they may prophesy. Hence it is usual to speak of + <i>silencing</i>, as equivalent to <i>slaying</i> these witnesses. But this is not + strictly correct. Why? Because they have been hitherto "killed all the + day long." (Ps. xliv. 22; Rom. viii. 36.) Doubtless defection and + apostacy do always accompany persecution; and thus the testimony of such + is silenced. But the enemy in this case is "drunken with the blood" of + these witnesses; and this phrase must be understood literally. Moreover, + the enemy gets "blood to drink," because of "shedding blood." (ch. xvi. + 6; xvii. 6.) The death of the witnesses is therefore a literal death, of + course it will be also moral,—they will cease to prophesy. +</p> +<p> + Some have supposed the "three years, or days and a half," during which + the witnesses lie dead are the same as the 1260 days or years; because + if these three and a half days be considered as prophetical, and reduced + to literal days, they will amount exactly to 1260. Such an + interpretation, however, is preposterous; simply because according to + this hypothesis, they <i>never lived at all</i>!—The absurdity is evident. +</p> +<p> + Having ascertained the nature of the death to which the witnesses are + appointed by the Lord of life, we now inquire as to the time of this + mournful event. The text informs us that their death is connected with + the "finishing of their testimony." However the original may be + translated,—when they <i>shall have finished</i>,—when they <i>shall be + finishing</i>,—or about to finish, affects not the question as to time. + While they live, their work is to prophesy, and their testimony is not + completed. Like their Master, to whose example they are conformed, their + life and testimony are finished together. These facts, briefly and + obscurely hinted here, will be more satisfactorily presented in the + next, but especially in the twentieth chapter, (vs. 1-4.) But inasmuch + as many, if not most interpreters, have expressed the opinion that the + witnesses are already slain, the following arguments in the negative are + submitted to the reader. +</p> +<p> + The 1260 years are not yet terminated, during which,—the whole of which + time,—the witnesses are to "prophesy," (v. 3.) Their testimony is yet + continued, and sensibly felt by the wicked. They still more or less + "torment them that dwell on the earth," (v. 10.) Beyond the usual + reproach attached to their names and their work, there has been no + general reviling and deriding of them throughout Christendom, to render + their memory infamous, (v. 9.)—No opprobrious epithets such as, "These + deceivers said, while they were yet alive," (Matt, xxvii. 63,) that so + they might be conformed to their Lord in his death. Nor, lastly, have + "they that dwell upon the earth" exulted as yet over these hated + individuals, as no longer "hurtful to kings and provinces,"—although + there have been, often, partial but premature rejoicings by a part of + the enemy. But although from time to time, "some of them, have fallen, + to try them, and to purge, and to make them white" as predicted, (Dan. + xi. 35;) yet the time of "making merry, sending gifts,"—is not yet + come. +</p> +<p> + While we believe, on the grounds adduced,—and much more might have been + cited from the context,—that the death of the witnesses is to be + understood literally, we do not suppose that every individual will be + personally put to death. No, but as in the time of Elijah's banishment, + or of our Saviour's lying in the grave, there will be no public body or + individual standard-bearer, to bear testimony against the enemies of + Jesus Christ, or boldly to assert and press his royal claims upon church + and state. In prospect of this dark time,—darker than the "dark ages," + we may ask with Joshua,—"What wilt thou do unto thy great name?" But + though the witnesses die, the Faithful Witness lives, (ch. i. 18.) +</p> +<p> + The <i>place</i>, where the witnesses lie dead is pointed out by three places + well known in sacred history, Egypt, Sodom and Jerusalem. But these are + to be understood mystically. The place resembles Egypt for idolatry and + cruelty to the people of God; it is like Sodom for literal and spiritual + pollution; and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified afresh and put to + open shame in the persons of his slain witnesses. It follows of + course,—that place is to be utterly destroyed; having committed the + crimes and contracted the guilt of all those unpardonable criminals. + (Ps. lxxiv. 13, 14; Ezek. xxxi. 18; Isa. xiii. 19; Luke xxi. 20.) For + similar reasons, Babylon is afterwards mentioned repeatedly as the place + of this tragic event, this unpardonable crime,—the slaying of the + witnesses, (ch. xviii. 24.) It is to be specially noted here, that in + ascertaining the place of the death of these distinguished servants of + Christ, our attention is directed by the Holy Spirit to a "street" of + the city. At present it is assumed that <i>streets</i> of the city and + <i>horns</i> of the beast substantially harmonize as symbols. Now look over + the streets of the great city: contemplate the horns of the beast: + ascertain which is most guilty of persecution. In estimating the + relative degree of guilt, the degree of heavenly light against which the + criminal has rebelled is to be taken into the account. (John xv. 22; + Matt. xi. 24.) In view of these scriptural principles, and the actual + condition of Christendom as portrayed in authentic history, would the + conjecture seem presumptuous, should we venture to designate—Great + Britain? There, for centuries, the witnesses have been most numerous, + active, and pointed, in testifying against encroachments on the + crown-rights of Messiah. There also, lordly prelates, in close alliance + with a blasphemous horn of the beast, have often vied with the sworn + vassals of the "man of sin," in murdering the saints of God. "Therefore + it is no great thing" if, throwing off the mask of Protestantism, + English prelacy, combining with Romish Jesuitism, should make common + cause with undisguised infidelity, in slaying the witnesses against + their heaven-daring rebellion. The signs of the present time, (1870,) + render our conjecture not improbable. We give it only as a <i>conjecture</i>; + for in reference to events yet future,—as we believe that of the death + of the witnesses to be,—we may not presume to <i>prophesy</i>.—"Three days + and a half" is the limited period of their degradation; and this is + three natural years and a half: for the word "days" must be taken in the + same sense as in v. 3; otherwise we fall into an inextricable labyrinth + of endless confusion. From all which it appears that "the triumphing of + the wicked is short." If "while the wicked is in power, and we wait upon + God." we are called to "join trembling with our mirth;" the pleasing + prospect of the speedy and joyful resurrection of "these slain," may + inspire us with "a lively hope," and warrant us to join mirth with our + trembling. +</p> +<p> + 11. And after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered + into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them + which saw them. +</p> +<p> + 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up + hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies + beheld them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11, 12.—In these two verses, as in the preceding, the thoughtful + reader will discern a beautiful allusion in the history of these + witnesses, to the death and life of our blessed Master. "For if they + have been planted together in the likeness of his death, they shall be + also in the likeness of his resurrection." Yes, they have communion with + him in death and life,—in grace and glory. "Nothing can separate them + from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord." +</p> +<p> + "The Spirit of life from God entered into them." That is, God will + speedily raise up successors, who, maintaining the very same principles, + will be gloriously successful in putting down all rule and authority and + power," that had been in hostility to their Lord. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. + See Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14.) "This is the first resurrection," to be + explained by the inspired penman more fully hereafter, (ch. xx. 5.)—As + Saul feared David, and Herod John Baptist, because they were "just men + and holy;" so were the wicked afraid when these witnesses arose; and, + like Shimei, they justly dread the "due reward of their deeds." At the + time referred to, "the haters of the Lord will feign submission."—The + "great voice from heaven" inviting the witnesses to ascend, and their + actual ascent, is another allusion to Christ's exaltation. As when "he + was taken up, a cloud received him;" so here, "they ascended up to + heaven in a cloud." +</p> +<p> + It has often been the cry of the antichristian multitude,—"The voice of + the people is the voice of God." This cry has been iterated and + reiterated, in centuries past, like that of the Ephesian worshippers of + Diana; that thereby the testimony of the witnesses might be counteracted + and silenced. It has been only too often successful. But where did + flattering demagogues and haughty despots find the sentiment? They found + it engraved on the moral constitution of man by our beneficent Creator. + They found it also transcribed on the pages of objective + revelation,—the Bible. But, like other moral and scriptural principles, + it has been perverted and misapplied by the perverse ingenuity of wicked + men.—This "voice from heaven" is indeed the <i>people's</i> voice: and it is + legitimate, as coming from the people, because it is first the voice of + God. The "heaven" here mentioned is the seat of civil power,—"the + ordinance of man." (1 Pet. ii. 13.) In the times here + contemplated,—millennial times,—the rights of men will be respected, + predicated upon the rights of God, and flowing from them as inseparable. + In settling the point of title to civil sovereignty, or the eligibility + of any candidate for civil office, the principle enunciated by Hushai + the Archite will be found to be alone reliable:—"Whom the Lord and this + people choose." (2 Sam. xvi. 18.) Only let the Lord have the first + choice of candidates for office in both church and state, and society + will be prosperous and happy. (Acts i. 23, 24; vi. 5.) The "great voice" + of the 12th verse, comes from "heaven," as the "great voices" of the + 15th verse, announcing the millennium. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part + of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven + thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of + heaven. +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—"The same hour" that the witnesses mark by their + resurrection,—contemporaneously with that joyful event, is "a great + earthquake,"—a revolution, (ch. vi. 12.) "The tenth part of the city + fell." The city,—"Sodom." "Tenth part of the city,"—a "street," + equivalent to "horn." Some one of the "ten kingdoms" will secede from + the antichristian confederacy, or imperial dominion; "and the + remnant,"—the other nine, dreading the Mediator's vengeance, will + reluctantly but speedily submit. (See ch. vi. 16, 17.)—In the + "earthquake were slain of men (names, titles,) seven thousand." By + "names of men" to be slain,—that is, abolished in reorganized society, + we are to understand those "names of blasphemy" mentioned, (ch. xiii. + 1,) hereafter to be explained. +</p> +<p> + We have now taken a very cursory view of the contents of the "little + open book." Its place is between the termination of the fourth, and the + sounding of the seventh trumpet. In other words, it gives an outline of + the contest between the witnesses and Antichrist during 1260 + years,—events running parallel in time, at least in part, with the + first two woe-trumpets; for it obviously anticipates also, the effects + of the third and last woe. +</p> +<p> + This may be as suitable a place as any other, before proceeding to a + consideration of the seventh trumpet, to direct attention to the method + which Infinite Wisdom has chosen, by which to reveal to mankind the + purposes of God in prophecy. He who alone "knows the end from the + beginning,"—who "from ancient times has declared the things that are + not yet done," has told us plainly,—"I have multiplied visions, and + used similitudes, by the ministry (<i>hand</i>,) of the prophets." (Hosea + xii. 10.) Now since God has <i>multiplied</i> visions, we ought not to think + it strange if the same important events in providence be predicted by + several, or by many of the prophets; or that one and the same important + event be foretold "at sundry times and in diverse manners" by the same + prophet. How often, and by how many prophets was the dispersion of the + Jews foretold!—the downfall of ancient cities, Babylon, Nineveh, + Tyre!—Need we refer to the language of our Lord, addressed to his + disciples on the way to Emmaus?—"And beginning at Moses, and all the + prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things + concerning himself." (Luke xxiv. 27.) We may be sure that the things + concerning Christ and the interests of his kingdom in this world, are + the theme of inspired prophets in the New Testament as well as in the + old. Agreeably to these views, we find Nebuchadnezzar's dream and + Daniel's visions relate to the same objects and events. What was more + obscurely revealed in the monarch's dream, is rendered more intelligible + by various symbols in Daniel's first vision. (Dan. ii. 36-45; vii. + 17-27.) But in the next, the eighth chapter, Daniel is favored with + still clearer information relative to what he had already seen in + vision; and in the eleventh chapter, his attention is called to the most + obscure, but most interesting parts of his former visions; and, after + all, the "vision is sealed," so that he sees not "the end of these + things." (ch. xii. 8, 9.) "I heard, but I understood not," (1 Pet. i. + 10, 11.) +</p> +<p> + In this book, styled Apocalypse, or Revelation, we are told in the first + verse, that the Lord Christ "signified,"—made known <i>by signs</i>, to his + servant John the things that were to come to pass. We have thus far seen + that the customary method has been pursued in using signs, symbols or + emblems. Henceforth we will find "multiplied visions" employed, more + clearly to illustrate events which have already passed under review, but + of which we could see little more than a <i>profile</i>:—"men, as trees + walking." +</p> +<p> + 14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in + heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of + our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14, 15.—"The third wo cometh quickly,"—the time elapsing since the + end of the second, is not to be so long as that intervening between the + first two woes.—The first wo is thought to have begun about the year + 612, and continuing by the Saracenic conquests about 150 years, to have + terminated in 762. The second woe-trumpet, it is alleged, sounded about + 1281, and continuing for 391 years,—the period of the ravages by the + Euphratean horsemen, ended about 1672. The destructive influence, + however, of these two judgments, may be considered as reaching to the + time of the third woe, the one which is to demolish the whole + antichristian fabric. +</p> +<p> + Many eminent expositors,<a href="#note-3"><small>3</small></a> in the early part of the present century, + while the first Napoleon was waging successful war with the other powers + of Europe, expressed their belief with much confidence, that the seventh + angel had begun to sound. They were evidently mistaken. Christendom will + not fail to hear the voice of the third woe. It may be so that an + individual may "not be conscious of having an interest inconsistent with + fidelity to the Scriptures," while political "bias" may in fact so + influence "sentiments, as to render conviction less dependent upon + <i>evidence</i> than upon his <i>wishes</i>." And we doubt not that + misapprehensions and misinterpretation of "the other scriptures," are to + be attributed to this cause, insensibly influencing the minds and hearts + of learned and godly men, as well as in their expositions of the + Apocalypse. Indeed the misapplying of God's word, precept and prophecy, + to political and ecclesiastical organizations, has been the principal + means of combining and continuing the antichristian apostacy. Thus it is + precisely, that the great adversary has been successful, as "an angel of + light." +</p> +<p> + "The little book" has been shown to contain such extensive and important + events as to justify the solemnity accompanying its delivery to the + apostle.—He now resumes the subject which had been interrupted at the + close of the ninth chapter.—The "great voices in heaven" represent the + expressions of joy by the saints on hearing the voice of the last of the + trumpets, as assuring them of the happy change in the moral condition of + the world, which they had been warranted to expect by God's "servants + the prophets" from the days of old, (ch. x. 7.) The great, the universal + change consists in this:—"The kingdoms of this world are become <i>the + kingdoms</i> of our Lord and of his Christ." The English supplement,—"the + kingdoms," is justified and required, equally by the sense and the laws + of syntax: and he is a deceiver, if a scholar, who insists upon any + other, to supply the ellipsis. Indeed, the omission of similar + supplements, has occasioned needless obscurity to the unlearned in other + parts of this book. (See chs. xix. 10; xxii. 9.) The greatest of all + revolutions consists in restoring church and state to their scriptural + foundation,—transferring both from allegiance to "the god of this + world," (Matt. iv. 8; Luke iv. 5, 6;) to their rightful owner,—"the + Lord and his Anointed." (Ps. ii. 2, 8.) When this desirable epoch + arrives, for which the persecuted witnesses have long and fervently + prayed, (ch. vi. 10,) gospel ministers and Christian magistrates will + seek to do the will, and aim at the glory of God.—It is painful and + pitiable to hear learned and pious men often pray,—"That the kingdoms + of this world may soon become the <i>kingdom</i> of our Lord and Saviour + Jesus Christ." This is to "ask amiss,"—to miss the promise; for no such + promise is on record. The groundless conception confounds the revealed + distinctions in the Godhead,—the Father with the Mediator; and it would + subvert Jehovah's moral empire, annihilating the eternal principle of + representative identification! But those good men "mean not so, neither + do their hearts think so." They ought, however, to be more careful and + diligent in "searching the Scriptures."—If the scriptural significance + of this joyful announcement "in heaven" were better understood by gospel + ministers generally, a chief barrier would be removed, which now + obstructs the advent of the millennium. Would they but cease, their + hearers might more readily cease, to "wonder after the beast." But we + may not anticipate. +</p> +<p> + "He, (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." When the seventh trumpet, + the third woe, shall have accomplished its object, in the utter + destruction of immoral power, and the 1260 years shall have come to an + end, no other successful combination shall ever again be permitted to + assail and harass the city of the Lord:—"of his government there shall + be no end." (Dan. vii. 27.) "All dominions shall serve and obey him." + The final enterprise of Gog and Magog shall not succeed, (ch, xx. 7-9.) +</p> +<p> + 16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God, on their + seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, +</p> +<p> + 17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and + wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, + and hast reigned. +</p> +<p> + 18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of + the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward + unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear + thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the + earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 16-18.—These verses give us a glimpse of the times following the + last woe till the end of the world. The "elders," the + representatives,—not of the ministry, as prelates dream, but of the + collective body of God's people, now that they are emancipated from a + longer and more cruel bondage than that of their fathers in the literal + Egypt, "give thanks to God" for the display of his "great power" in + their deliverance. Many times had he made bare his holy arm in past ages + on behalf of his people: but this is in their eyes the most signal + display of his power. "Thou hast taken to thee thy great power."—He now + exercises his power over the nations, which was his before; their + "anger" in the time of their rebellion is now repressed,—Messiah's + "wrath is come," heavier wrath than that which fell upon Rome pagan: + (ch. vi. 16, 17.) Then follows an intimation of the final judgment, and + suitable "rewards." Our curiosity is excited here, but not gratified; + but while left in suspense, we may, with Daniel and the virgin + Mary,—"keep these things in our heart." (Dan. vii. 28; Luke ii. 19.) + Farther light will be given, (ch. xx. 11-13.) +</p> +<p> + 19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in + his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and + voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. +</p> +<p> + V. 19.—The inspired books of the Bible were divided into chapters, + verses and other parts, for the convenience of reference. But those who + performed this useful service were imperfect like ourselves, and + therefore we are at liberty to differ from them in our arrangement. Now + it seems evident that the 18th verse closes this chapter with a concise + account of the ending of the last woe. But the last woe reaches to the + final consummation of all things as we have already seen: it follows + that the nineteenth verse <i>must</i> introduce a new subject. Similar + mistakes may be seen in numerous instances elsewhere in our Bibles. +</p> +<p> + But although a new vision is presented in the twelfth chapter, the two + principal parties delineated in the eleventh, engage the apostle's + attention. And as preparatory to future scenes, "the temple of God was + opened in heaven." "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath + shined." Before the following scene of warfare, John is favored with a + view of the "ark of the testament,"—a symbol of the covenant of grace, + which shall continue to be administered in the worst of times; and the + opposition to which, in its external dispensation, is emblematically set + forth by "lightnings,"—as well as the tokens of Jehovah's presence and + avenging judgments: for these awful symbols, taken from fearful + convulsions in nature, are usually indicative of the tremendous + judgments of God. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the + sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve + stars; +</p> +<p> + 2. And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to + be delivered. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The Apocalypse, besides the <i>three</i> parts into which it is + divided by its divine Author, (noticed in ch. i. 19,) is also + susceptible of division into <i>two</i> parts. With the eleventh chapter + terminates the <i>abridged</i> prospective history of the church and of the + world, emblematically represented under the seals and trumpets. The + seventh seal, when opened, disclosed all the contents of the sealed + book, and also introduced the seven trumpets. But we have followed the + series of the trumpets in order, to the end of the world,—interrupted + only by the isolated history of the "little book; which, treating of + events which were matter of history under the first two woe-trumpets, + <i>could not be sealed</i>. Now at the twelfth chapter, without regard to the + seventh, or any other of the trumpets in particular, we are furnished + with a second and enlarged edition, as it were, of the most important + parts of the first edition. We have observed before, that this is the + manner of the prophets on a large scale, especially in predicting "the + sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So it is with + John and Paul. What the latter only hints at, when writing to Timothy, + (1 Tim. iv. 1-3,) he enlarges upon in addressing the Thessalonians. (2 + Thess. ii. 3-12.) The theme is the same as treated by these two + apostles; and this coincidence will in due time be more manifest. Next + to Christ personal, the prophets have been interested in the destiny of + Christ mystical. +</p> +<p> + Three different views of this twelfth chapter have been taken by the + more sober and learned expositors. One considers it as referring to the + Roman empire in its heathen state, prior to the time of Constantine. + Another understands the first part of this chapter,—(vs. 1-6,)—as + relating to Rome pagan, and the rest of the chapter to antichristian + Rome. A third conceives that the whole of it applies to apostate + imperial Rome <i>only</i>. The last is doubtless the correct view. +</p> +<p> + As the "sealed book" and the "little open book," must be supposed to + contain all the prophetical part of the Apocalypse; and as the whole of + the little book is comprised in the eleventh chapter, (vs. 1—13,) this + twelfth chapter must belong to the sealed book. Being a continuance of + the history under the seventh seal, although it may agree in time with + some of the trumpets, it cannot go back to a period prior to the seventh + seal. But under the sixth seal, paganism was abolished in the Roman + empire; therefore this chapter refers to the antichristian empire. + Moreover, as the little book was introductory to the seventh trumpet, + designating the object of the third woe, so this chapter and the next + two, are wholly occupied in describing the object of the vials, (ch. + 16.) +</p> +<p> + We ought to bear in mind continually, that the seals, trumpets and + vials, are introduced as symbols, to delineate one character, the + impenitent enemy of God and of his saints. But this enemy "beguiles + through his subtlety," changing his aspects and instruments, the more + successfully to assail the city of the Lord. It is therefore the design + of the Holy Spirit in these three chapters to present the foe in his + most prominent features, that the two witnesses may be able to identify + the enemy, be apprized of their danger, and intelligently choose their + commander,—"the Captain of salvation." +</p> +<p> + "There appeared a great wonder in heaven." The word "wonder" in this + verse, and also in verse third, simply means a <i>sign</i> or symbol; and the + whole structure of the book requires that it be so translated.—"Woman" + is here the true church of God. Here most expositors fail to explain the + symbol "heaven." Others say "heaven" symbolizes the church. Then we have + <i>two churches</i>,—a church within a church! This is unquestionably the + only correct view of the matter. During most, if not the whole period of + the 1260 years, the witnesses are so blended with, or overshadowed by + the church catholic or general, that few are able, and fewer still + disposed, to distinguish the one from the other. All through the Bible + the church is spoken of as a female. She is the "daughter of Zion,—the + bride, the Lamb's wife." Any body politic is spoken of in the sacred + writings in the same style. "The daughter of Babylon, of Tyre, or even + of Egypt,"—These are familiar figures. +</p> +<p> + This woman is "clothed with the sun." She has "put on the Lord Jesus + Christ." (Rom. xiii. 14.) He is "the Lord her righteousness." (Jer. + xxiii. 6.) The "moon under her feet," may represent the "beggarly + elements" of the Mosaic ritual, sublunary things, or the ordinances + which derive all their light from the "Sun of righteousness." The + "twelve stars" are the doctrine of the apostles, or rather the apostles' + legitimate successors; their <i>legitimacy</i> tested by their doctrine and + order in opposition to the <i>imaginary historical line</i> of papistical and + prelatic succession. A faithful gospel ministry are ever her stars and + her crown, (ch. i. 20.) The true apostolic church, thus scripturally + constituted, (ch. xi. 1,) becomes the joyful mother of a holy seed. (Ps. + cxiii. 9; Gal. iv. 26, 27.) +</p> +<p> + 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and, behold, a great red + dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his + heads. +</p> +<p> + 4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast + them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready + to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. +</p> +<p> + 5. And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a + rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. +</p> +<p> + 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place + prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred + and threescore days. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 3-6.—The next "sign in heaven," exciting the apostle's admiration, + was "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns,"—The dragon + is fully described, v. 9, leaving no place, or even <i>pretence</i> for + conjecture. He is known from the day that he "beguiled Eve" in the + garden of Eden. "That old serpent" still intrudes among the saints, in + the garden of the Lord. (Job i. 6; John vi. 70; xiii. 27.) As the devil + possessed the serpent to deceive the mother of mankind, so, with the + same malevolent design, he possessed himself of the whole political and + ecclesiastical power of the Roman empire, thereby to deceive and destroy + the "seed of the woman," all true believers. His color is <i>red</i>, + denoting his character as cruel and blood-thirsty. Sir Isaac Newton + considers the dragon as symbolical of the Greek Christian empire of + Constantinople. Scott thinks this symbol represents the pagan Roman + empire; while others suppose the British government to answer the + symbol, because of the scarlet costume of her officers and soldiers! + Thus, inspired symbols may mean any thing suggested to the imaginations + of men, not by the text or context, but by their respective and + conflicting political prejudices. Surely, if the red color signify any + thing besides <i>cruelty</i>, it may be discerned with equal clearness in the + scarlet cloaks of <i>Pope</i> and <i>Cardinals</i>. As "heaven" is to be taken in + an ecclesiastical sense, so are the "stars," (ch. i. 20,—) "the angels + of the churches," ministers of the gospel.—As the Saracenic locusts and + the Euphratean horses had stings and hurtful power in their tails, (ch. + ix. 10, 19;) so it is with this dragon. The destructive influence of + Mahometan delusion and papal idolatry, operated as a fatal poison in the + souls of men. The judgments of the past woes left many still in a state + of impenitence, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) "The leaders of this people caused + them to err," by inculcating submission to existing corrupt civil power. + The "little horn" of Daniel, as first rendered visible in the person of + the brutal Phocas, began to be addressed in language of most fulsome and + degrading flattery, which seems to be copied till the present time. That + we may see how mercenary and aspiring ecclesiastics paid court to civil + despots from the commencement of the famous 1260 years, let the + following instance serve for a sample. Addressing the monster Phocas, + Pope Gregory, as the mouth of the clergy and laity,<a href="#note-4"><small>4</small></a> uses this + language: "We rejoice that the benignity of <i>your piety</i>(!) has reached + the pinnacle of imperial power. Let the heavens he glad and the earth + rejoice."—Now let us hear the character of Phocas from the pen of an + infidel:—"Ignorant of letters, of laws, and even of arms, he indulged + in the supreme rank a more ample privilege of lust and drunkenness.—The + punishment of the victims of his tyranny was imbittered by the + refinements of cruelty: their eyes were pierced, their tongues were torn + from the root, their hands and feet were amputated: some expired under + the lash, others in the flames, others again were transfixed with + arrows: and a simple speedy death was mercy which they could rarely + obtain."<a href="#note-5"><small>5</small></a> Thus the dragon's power was in his mouth, issuing bloody + edicts to "slay the innocent;" while "his tail drew the third part of + the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." They prostituted + their ministry to sustain the policy of the beast. "The ancient and + honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the + tail." (Is. ix. 15.) Thus it is that pastors, fond of show and ambitious + of worldly distinction, attach themselves to the train of earthly + thrones and dignities, and so constitute and perpetuate the + antichristian confederacy against the "woman"—the true church. During + the first six hundred years of the Christian era the woman had been + "travailing" to bring forth a holy progeny. All this time the dragon's + "eyes are privily set against the poor." (Ps. x. 8.) The allusion is + here to the cruel edict of Pharaoh (Exod. i. 16; Acts vii. 19.) The + great city where the witnesses are slain is "spiritually called Egypt." + (ch. xi. 8.) By a like form of speech, Pharaoh is called "the great + dragon," (Ezek. xxix. 3; Is. li. 9.) It should be noted, that the Roman + empire, the beast, in all its heads and horns is actuated by the + devil,—before as well as after its dismemberment, from the time of + Romulus its founder, till its overthrow by the third woe. At the time + referred to in the text, when the empire has "assumed the livery of + heaven,"—professedly in the interest of Christ, then it is that the + devil bestirs himself. Like his prototype, he dreads the growth and + power of the woman's offspring. Under pagan Rome's persecutions, "the + more God's people were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." + Now the adversary shapes his policy accordingly.—"Come on, let us deal + wisely with them, lest they multiply."—His avowed object is, to "devour + the child as soon as it is born,"—by persecution to prevent ministers + from laboring to convert sinners to God; and to destroy all who "as + new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word."—The woman had + still "strength to bring forth."—"She brought forth a man child, who + was to rule all nations with a rod of iron."—With united voice papists + and prelates declare, this child can be no other than Constantine the + first Christian emperor. The very fact that this interpretation comes + from such a source, may well suggest suspicion as to its correctness. + Two considerations demonstrate the error of this prelatic + interpretation, besides the fact that it is <i>prelatic</i>. Constantine had + gone the way of all the earth some hundreds of years before the birth of + this child. And again, the eternal Father never made the promise to + Constantine or any other earthly monarch, to which the apostle John here + refers. (Ps. ii. 8, 9.) This promise is obviously made to the Lord + Christ. But it is objected by those learned expositors,—much like the + Pharisees, (John vii. 52,)—"Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth + no prophet." So reason these men. They haughtily and confidently object + thus:—"Christ is the son of the <i>Jewish</i> church, but this child is the + son of the <i>Christian</i> church." This argument destroys the unity of the + church of God, which is one under all changes of dispensation of his + gracious covenant. (Rom. xi. 16-24; Eph. ii. 20.) The Messiah is here + represented as in the beginning of the war with the same enemy;—the + <i>seed</i> of the <i>woman</i> shall bruise the serpent's head. Still may the + church of God joyfully declare,—"Unto us a <i>Child</i> is born, unto us a + <i>Son</i> is given." (Is. ix. 6.) This <i>masculine</i> son, however, is not to + be understood of Christ <i>personal</i>, but of Christ mystical,—of those + who are with him "called, and chosen, and faithful;" whom "he is not + ashamed to call his brethren." (ch. xvii. 14; Heb. ii. 11.) The "sealed" + company, (ch. vii. 4,) the "two witnesses;" (xi. 3), the "144 thousand," + (xiv. 1,) are the "manchild." As many rulers constitute but one "angel," + (chs. ii. and iii.,) so the two witnesses are one <i>manly Son</i>. The Lord + Jesus was <i>alone</i> in the work of redemption; but he allows his faithful + disciples to share in the honor of his victories, (ch. ii. 26, 27; Ps. + cxlix. 9.) From the devouring jaws of the dragon, as it were, the "child + is caught up unto God, and to his throne." The leaders in church and + state supposed that they had "made sure" of the Saviour, when they had + "sealed the stone and set a watch." So thought the enemies of the + witnesses while their dead bodies lay unburied.—"He that sitteth in the + heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." The Anointed + of the Father, the Head of the church, and Prince of the kings of the + earth, as the representative of his people, in defiance of the serpent, + is caught up to the throne of God, (Eph. ii. 6;) while the church flies + to her appointed place in the wilderness during the 1260 years. At the + beginning of that gloomy period the woman fled. This flight is not + mentioned "by anticipation," as some suppose; for the wilderness + condition of the woman, and the sackcloth of the witnesses, are + emblematical of the same depressed state of the church, and during the + same time. The witnesses prophesy during the whole period of the 1260 + years; and the woman is fed in the wilderness during the <i>same</i> time. + Her flight, sojourn in the wilderness, and feeding there, are allusions + to the history of Elijah as before, (ch. xi. 6.) when he fled for his + life from the wrath of Jezebel. (1 Kings xix. 1-4.) Jezebel has been + already introduced as an enemy to the church, (ch. ii. 20.) There may be + allusion also to the miraculous subsistence of the church in the + wilderness, till the "cup of the Amorites should be full." During the + time of the conflict, to be described in the rest of this chapter, the + woman is in a place of safety. In the worst of times there are places of + safety provided for God's children. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against + the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels. +</p> +<p> + 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven, +</p> +<p> + 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the + Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into + the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. +</p> +<p> + 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, + and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; + for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before + our God day and night. +</p> +<p> + 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of + their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-11.—In this part of the chapter we have three attacks of the + dragon upon the friends of true religion. The first is the war in + heaven, (vs. 7-12.) The second persecution on the earth, (vs. 12-16.) + The third is mentioned in verse 17th: and these three contests cover the + whole period of the 1260 years. +</p> +<p> + The first war is waged in heaven. The allusion is obviously to the + rebellion of angels, for which they were cast down from heaven, (2 Pet. + ii. 4.) The contest is the same in principle as the first war; but it is + conducted in a different form and place. Heaven here, is the church + general, and the serpent acts by the authority of the empire. The woman + having fled into the wilderness, the dragon's power becomes so great in + the symbolical heaven, that he aims at the entire destruction of true + religion in the world. The advocates of the true religion at this time + were the Waldenses, called by their adversaries in derision <i>Leonists</i> + and <i>Cathari</i>,—citizens of Lyons in France; and Puritans, a term of + reproach heaped upon their successors till the present day. These people + were deemed the most dangerous enemies to the church of Rome. Yet the + reasons for their condemnation by the inquisitors, are their full + vindication in the judgment of impartial men. They are three,—"This is + the oldest sect; for some say it hath endured,—from the time of the + apostles. It is more general; for there is no country in which this sect + is not. Because when all other sects beget horror in the hearers, this + of the Leonists hath a great show of piety: they live justly before men, + and believe all things rightly concerning God; only they blaspheme the + church of Rome and the clergy." While the beast by its horns, instigated + by an apostate church, and both by the dragon, was "making havoc of the + church," represented by the Puritans: there were some even in the Romish + cloisters whose hearts God had touched, and who occasionally espoused + the cause of a virtuous minority at the hazard of life. This war <i>in + heaven</i>, conducted with various success by Bernard, Peter Waldo, John + Wickliffe and others on the European continent and in Britain, may be + pronounced by Gibbon "premature and ineffectual;" but the Captain of + salvation and his heroic followers, will give a different verdict. These + noble confessors and martyrs, under the conduct of Michael our prince, + began the struggle with the dragon, although the war did not come to its + height till the early part of the 16th century. Then it was that + "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought + and his angels." Both parties became more visible in the symbolic heaven + before the eyes of all Christendom. Michael, (<i>who is like God</i>?) is the + well known description of Jesus Christ. (Phil. ii. 6; Heb. i. 3.) To + Daniel, while contemplating this same contest, he was made known as the + "great Prince, that standeth for the children of God's people," and long + before Daniel's time, had "contended with the devil." (Jude v. 9.) + "Christ and Belial" are therefore the two opposing leaders of the + armies. In other words, Christ mystical and the devil incarnate are the + belligerents; and we know that "greater is he that is in the saints, + than he that is in the world." (1 John iv. 4.) The result of the war is + not doubtful. The whole power of Rome, civil and + ecclesiastical,—emperors, kings, princes, pope, cardinals and prelates, + were baffled; and this too, whether in the use of the sword of the + Spirit,—polemic <i>theses</i>,—or of the material sword, in literal + warfare. When the Lord Jesus "mustered the hosts to the battle," he + furnished them "with the whole armour of God to stand in the evil way." + When Zuingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, their compeers and successors, were + obliged to wrestle with the hosts of Antichrist,—"against + principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of + this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," (<i>wicked + spirits in heavenly places</i>,) they found it both lawful and + necessary,—"having no sword, to buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.) +</p> +<p> + The dragon and his angels were defeated and routed,—"They prevailed + not,—he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with + him." The thunders of the Vatican thenceforth lost their wonted power to + terrify. Ever since, they are but <i>brutum fulmen,—vox, et praeterea + nihel</i>,—harmless thunder,—unmeaning voice. Papal curses, though + annually launched against all heretics, tend only to amuse the popular + mind, not to reach or disturb the individual conscience. For centuries + the dragon has been unable to rouse any one horn of the beast to deeds + of blood. +</p> +<p> + It is usual for the victors to give outward expression to their joy. + "The voice of them that shout for mastery," has been heard since the + days of Moses. (Exod. xxxii. 18.) Accordingly, these conquerors + congratulate one another on their recent victory, but their joy + terminates on the proper object. The "kingdom of their God and the power + of his Christ" constitute their theme. His right hand and his holy arm + have gotten him the victory. The devil accused Job before God. His + accusations in that instance were prosecuted through Job's friends and + his wife. (Job ii. 4, 5, 9, 11.)—So it was in the experience of the + reformers. They were loaded with infamy by their persecutors; and while + they were depressed, God himself seemed to give sentence against them. + This was the wormwood and the gall in the cup of their affliction, as it + was in holy Job's experience: but in due time God "brought forth their + righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday." Their + "good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The + power of the Lord's Christ was made manifest through the instrumentality + of his servants, by producing conviction in many hearts that the cause + for which they suffered was from God, and thus prevailing with such to + join in their fellowship. The hearts of kings and princes of the earth + were touched from on high; so that they braved the combinations of + imperial and papal power, while extending the shield of their protection + to the followers of the Lamb. Frederick the Wise, and especially John + his brother, electors of Saxony in Luther's time, were notable bulwarks + of defence to the sufferers, against the bloody edicts of Charles fifth, + emperor of Germany. The "good regent" in Scotland and others extended + effectual protection to Knox, his coadjutors and followers in the cause + of reformation. When the seven thunders uttered their voices, John "was + about to write," (ch. x. 4.) He was about to proclaim a final victory! + He was too sanguine. "The time was not yet." Just so in the case of his + legitimate successors in the work of the Lord. Confident in the power + and faithfulness of Michael their Prince, confident in the righteousness + of their cause, fondly hoping that at this time their Master is about to + restore again the kingdom to Israel, they prematurely exclaim,—"Now is + come salvation."—In reaping the first fruits of victory, they + anticipate the harvest of final and absolute conquest, (ch. xiv. 8.) + Indeed, the salvation of God and the power of his Christ, were + experienced by great multitudes during the time of this contest. The + saints experienced times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. + Then followed a work of grace, both on the continent of Europe and in + the British Isles; Christians entering into solemn covenant bonds with + God and with one another, whereby the kingdom of God was rendered more + visible among mankind than in the "dark ages." The weapons, with which + the saints overcame the dragon, were not carnal, but mighty. These, we + are told, were "the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." + They believed and they taught in opposition to the popular doctrine of + good works and penances, that the righteousness which the law of God + requires of a sinner, is provided by a Surety; that the blood of Christ + alone cleanses believers from the guilt of sin, and thus justifies them + in the sight of God. No man ever used stronger language than Luther in + denouncing the supposed efficacy of works, or in asserting the + sovereignty of free grace, in the justification of a sinner. Indeed it + was the deep impression which the doctrine of justification made upon + the hearts of men, and the firm hold which faith took of it, that + enabled and constrained them to forsake the Romish church and to seek + and erect a separate fellowship. This was with them "the word of + Christ's patience." Other doctrines of grace were, of course, connected + with this of justification in the apprehension of the Reformers, but it + was the central one. And thus we may learn, that any doctrine of the + Bible, when generally opposed, may lawfully become a point of testimony; + and when openly opposed and practically denied, it may become a + warrantable and imperative ground of separation. In all such cases,—and + history supplies multitudes of them,—the declining majority are truly + the schismatics and separatists. The malicious, the indolent and + credulous, however, in all ages have joined in the cry of schism as + attaching to the virtuous minority. +</p> +<p> + Many of the combatants fell in the conflict, "resisting unto blood, + striving against sin." "They loved not their lives unto the death." They + could give no stronger evidence of love to Christ and truth. Their + faithful contendings constituted their testimony. This testimony is + called in the 17th verse, "the testimony of Jesus Christ." Does this + mean that it <i>belongs</i> to Christ? or that it <i>treats</i> of him? The + language may probably be taken in either sense, or as embracing both. It + is Christ's testimony, as he is "the faithful and true Witness, who + before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" or it may be + understood as bearing upon Christ in his person, offices and work. In + either sense his faithful disciples enjoy intimate communion with + himself, sharing the honour of his victories, (v. 5.) Therefore let the + heavens rejoice in prospect of <i>final</i> victory, (ch. xviii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the + inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto + you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short + time. +</p> +<p> + 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he + persecuted the woman, which brought forth the manchild. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12, 13.—Here is a note of warning. The dragon, though ejected from + the symbolic heaven, the seat of imperial and ecclesiastic power, is not + yet bound with the great chain, (ch. xx. 1, 2.) His late defeat has only + incensed his rage, "as a bear robbed of her whelps." But the special + reason assigned for his "great wrath" is, "because he knoweth that he + hath but a short time." How does the devil come to this knowledge? Is he + omniscient! No. Was he joint-counsellor with the Most High? No. (Isa. + xl. 13, 14; Rom. xi. 34.) He must have derived this knowledge from + revelation; and from some instances in Scripture, we might infer that + the devil is more skilled in theology, especially in prophecy, than + many, if not most modern interpreters. In the time of our Lord's + humiliation he quoted and applied to him a prophecy in the 91st psalm, + (v. 11, 12.) He also dreaded being tormented,—"before the time." (Matt. + viii. 29:) from which it appears that he reasons of the "times and the + seasons" as revealed in the Bible. But by the phrase, "a short time," + the devil understood,—and we are to understand,—not the time to + transpire till the end of the world; but, the time intervening between + his ejectment out of heaven, and the overthrow of Antichrist, when he is + to be bound. Now, we may learn from the <i>devil's calculation</i>, that all + those learned and famous divines, especially of the prelatic church of + England, "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures;" who say, that the + dragon was cast out of the symbolic heaven <i>in the time of Constantine!</i> + The space of duration <i>from Constantine till the millennium</i>, cannot be + relatively "short," under the New Testament dispensation. The time of + the dragon's being cast out of heaven, and the instruments by which this + was accomplished, are to be found clearly verified in the authentic + histories of the sixteenth century, to which some references have been + already made, as elucidating the events of the 11th chapter: for it is + to be still remembered that the former part of the 11th chapter <i>agrees + in time</i> with the 12th, 13th and 14th chapters. At the end of the second + woe, which we supposed to be in the latter part of the seventeenth + century, about the year 1672, it is declared "the third woe cometh + quickly," (ch. xi. 14.) Now here it is said "the devil,—hath but a + short time." Taking both expressions as relating to the same period, it + follows that we are now living,—not in the time of the third woe, but + in the time of the devil's activity among the "inhabiters of the earth + and of the sea;" that is, the population of Christendom either in a + tranquil or revolutionary state. The enemy makes his <i>second</i> attack + upon the "woman" in a new and unexpected mode of warfare. So long as + permitted, he never ceases to persecute the saints. When defeated in + <i>heaven</i>, he renews the assault upon the <i>earth</i>. If the edicts and + bulls of crowned and mitred heads have lost their power to terrify and + destroy the souls of men, he will try to effect the same object by other + means. +</p> +<p> + 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she + might fly into the wilderness, into her place; where she is nourished + for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth, water as a flood, after the + woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and + swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-16.—To guard against the <i>second</i> attack of the dragon, the + woman flees a <i>second</i> time to the place of safety, which had been + mercifully prepared for her preservation before the war began, (v. 6.) + And she is in no less peril from her deadly enemy than before. +</p> +<p> + The "two wings of a great eagle" have furnished occasion to many fertile + minds for indulging in fanciful conjectures. To such persons nothing + occurs answerable to the symbol but some emblem of imperial power or + national sovereignty. And because the eagle was the visible symbol on + the military banner of Rome, it is conjectured that "the eastern and + western empires afforded protection to the church!" Why, the empire, in + both its wings, was the deadly enemy of the church, as we have already + seen! (ch. xi. 7.) Alas! what absurdities result from political bias! + The unlettered Christian will readily perceive under the emblem in the + text, a plain allusion to the gracious interposition of the church's + Redeemer in the days of old. "Ye have seen what I did unto the + Egyptians, and how I bare you on <i>eagles' wings</i>, and brought you unto + myself." (Exod. xix. 4.) Thus the Lord delivered his people and brought + them into a literal wilderness on their way to the promised land of + liberty. And now in a time of equal danger, he will "set his hand again + the second time" to deliver his people. He who delivered them from so + great a death as Pharaoh threatened, doth still deliver: in whom his + saints have ground to trust that he will still deliver them, (2 Cor. i. + 10) The great and beneficial change accomplished among the nations by + the reformation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, whereby the + dragon was hurled from seats of ecclesiastical and civil power, did not + materially change the position of the "two witnesses." The time had not + yet come when they were to be called up into the symbolic heaven. They + must continue to prophesy till the close of the appointed period of 1260 + years. Till the expiration of that definite period the true church of + Christ is not to be permanently established in any nation of the earth. + The actual condition of the church and of the nations among whom she + dwells, is delineated in these verses during the time subsequent to the + Protestant Reformation,—consequently in our own time. The "time, times + and half a time" of the 14th verse, are an obvious reference to Daniel + vii. 25: xii. 7; and are the same period as 42 months, or 1260 days, "a + day for a year." During this whole time the woman is nourished in the + wilderness "from the face of the serpent." Safety is secured for her + only "in her place." +</p> +<p> + "Water," as a symbol or metaphor, is of frequent occurrence and varied + import in Scripture. Among its diversified significations, perhaps that + of a destructive element is most common. (Ps. xviii. 4; xxxii. 6.) It is + indeed often used to denote gospel blessings, (as Is. lv. 1; John vii. + 38; Rev. xxii. 17.) As here used, the "water as a flood," represents + something intended by the dragon for the destruction of the woman. If he + cannot destroy her by fire, he aims to overwhelm her with water. This + water comes out of the dragon's "mouth." So of the "unclean spirits," + (ch. xvi. 13.) Soul-destroying errors,—heresies,—are undoubtedly + intended. If he cannot devour as a roaring lion, he will endeavour to + deceive and seduce as a cunning serpent. We are therefore instructed + hereby to look for "damnable heresies" to prevail, accompanied and + followed by popular commotions and licentiousness. The age in which we + live is remarkably characterized by false systems and impious theories. + Speculative atheism caused the French revolution, and led to the + erection of the United States government; which, having openly declared + independence of England, soon after virtually declared independence of + God. France, Germany, England and the United States, have all been + pervaded with infidel and atheistical sentiments; and these, whether + propagated under the name of <i>solid science</i> or <i>polite literature</i>, + have corrupted the public mind for generations. In the name of science, + treating of the material or moral world, the agents of the dragon have + been exceedingly successful. Metaphysicians and geologists have + constructed systems which would exclude the Almighty from the heavens + and the earth. But however active and zealous these laborers in the + service of the dragon, they do not reach the popular ear but in part. + Those sons of Belial who devise false systems of religion under the name + of Christianity, have been still more pernicious to the nations, and + dangerous to the church. If the church of Rome cannot prevail with kings + as before, to execute her cruel sentences of death upon heretics, she is + not less active in disseminating her idolatrous and superstitious dogmas + among the nations. By freemasonry, odd-fellowship, temperance + associations, and a countless number of affiliated societies,—the + offshoots of popery and infidelity, the dragon still assails the woman. + Reason, toleration, humanity, charity and liberality are terms which + have been selected and abused by the servants of the devil "to deceive + the hearts of the simple." These are alike the watchwords of the + spiritual seducer and the political agitator. What dogma or heresy so + absurd,—what conduct so immoral, as not to find patronage in the + journals of the day? or not to find tolerance or protection under the + fostering wings of church or state? What is impiously called "free + love," as well as avowed infidelity and polygamy, are patronized by + constituted authorities in Christendom. When taking a survey of the + errors and systems of error, hostile to the honor of Messiah and the + free grace of his gospel, how few can be found in the different nations + of the earth, who "overcame by the blood of the Lamb!" The religions + established by the nations of the world are all more or less tainted + with the errors, and disfigured by the ceremonies of the church of Rome. + Surely we have before our eyes a constant fulfilment of the prophecy + under consideration. To all outward appearance the woman is in the + wilderness. She is in fact so obscure that some of her sons begin to + question her visibility. They are ready to cry in despondency,—"The + witnesses are slain."—They are mistaken. This is their infirmity. The + 1260 years are not yet expired, nor the testimony finished. "When the + enemy shall come in <i>like a flood</i>, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up + a standard against him." (Isa. lix. 19.) The mystic woman is yet in the + wilderness, and there she is nourished with the hidden manna "a time, + times and half a time," "forty and two months, or twelve hundred and + sixty days,"—that is, years; for, as formerly noticed, all these + expressions mean the same period of time; the period during which the + witnesses prophesy, on the one side, and the gentiles tread the outer + court, on the other. The profanation of the holy city,—the church + nominal, and the testimony of the witnesses against that conduct, is the + same contest which in this chapter is represented under other symbols. + The waters of the symbolic flood have spread over all the nations of + Christendom, corrupting the very fountains of natural and moral science, + literature, politics and religion; so that hardly any principle is + accepted by the human mind as settled, but all is thrown into debate. + Man's intellect, craving substantial nourishment, and thirsting for + refreshment which nothing but the water of life can supply, vibrates + between ritualism and skepticism in our day. The flood from the dragon's + mouth, consisting of truth and error, a combination of Christianity, + refined idolatry and speculative atheism, fails to satisfy the necessary + cravings of the immortal soul. "There be many that say, Who will show us + any good?" (Ps. iv. 6.) +</p> +<p> + In this state of the popular mind, there is a general sentiment which + discountenances penalties inflicted for mere opinion. The cry of + toleration,—"freedom of speech and of the press," resounds in the + public ear among most communities since the dragon was cast down from + the mystic heaven. This popular sentiment is not an expression of the + law of charity, actuating hearts influenced by divine grace; but rather + originates from indifference alike to the claims of Messiah and the + destinies of mankind. Thus "the earth helps the woman." Indeed, the + nations of Christendom, contrary to their former policy, are now much + more tolerant of ecclesiastical than of <i>political</i> heresies. With few + exceptions, the policy of the nations at the present time is to + discriminate, not among <i>churches</i>, but among <i>religions</i>. The popular + voice is obviously in favor of dissevering that alliance between church + and state, from which mankind have suffered in past generations. While + every earthly potentate, usurping the place and prerogatives of the + Mediator, assumed to dictate the faith and worship of his subjects, all + dissenters and recusants must necessarily be subjected to penalties. + Such was the policy of the dragon for centuries, while in the heavens of + ecclesiastical and civil power. The nominal church established by the + state, <i>defined heresy</i>; and the heresy found by the church became + rebellion against the civil authority. Of course the saints were then + executed as <i>traitors</i>. Even a superficial view of the signs of the + times will result in the conviction, that a great change has taken place + in the policy of nations and churches. The dragon has now prevailed with + most politicians and statesmen, as well as with most professing + Christians, to demand a total "separation of church and state;" by which + demand they do not mean a divorce of the unscriptural and + <i>antichristian</i> alliance only or chiefly, but a simple and absolute + rejection of religion, and especially the <i>Christian</i> religion, from any + connexion with or influence upon <i>civil</i> affairs. This is undeniably the + avowed aim and declared desire of the great body of the population of + Christendom at the present time, (1870.) And what is this but an open + denial of the authority of the Mediator as he is the "Prince of the + kings of the earth?" Thus has the dragon, since his ejection from heaven + become a terrible "woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" + And thus has the "earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood;" so + that the woman remains comparatively safe "from the face of the serpent" + in the very obscurity of her position. Some of her sons, from time to + time, venturing abroad from their secluded place in the wilderness, + becoming weary of sackcloth and aspiring to worldly distinction, have + been borne along by the waters of the flood, and <i>drowned in the general + deluge</i>. Against the force of this strong current of popular errors, + nothing will avail the seed of the woman but the "living water" which + Jesus imparted to the woman of Samaria. To him who partakes of this + water, those of the dragon will be distasteful; for "it shall be in him + a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John iv. 14.) + Since the middle of the seventeenth century, when by the reformation in + Europe and the British Isles, the dragon was cast down from the symbolic + heaven, he has been assailing in "great wrath" all ranks and degrees of + men, not, as before, with fire and sword, with scaffolds, gibbets, + thumb-screws,—torturing and destroying their mortal bodies, that he + might reach their immortal souls: but by bringing them together in + <i>voluntary associations</i> on principles of the covenant of works, + subversive of the covenant of grace, and consequently aiming at the + drowning of the mystic woman. This the enemy of all righteousness has + been attempting, and with too much success, by public and professed + ecclesiastical and Christian associations; such as Jesuits, Socinians + and other self-styled Unitarians, Latter-day Saints, Mormons,—or by + combinations in secret and sworn confederacies; such as Odd Fellows, + Freemasons, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, with other affiliated + fellowships innumerable. The special subtlety of the serpent consists in + blending these two kinds of communions, so that under the name of + reform, moral and spiritual, those who fear God may be unconsciously + drawn into the snare. And alas! how many simple ones have been thus + carried away by the waters of the flood! And many strong men have been + thus cast down from their excellency. We are not to be surprised if we + find the witnesses few in our time,—the seed of the woman diminished + when the dragon makes his final attack. +</p> +<p> + 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with + the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have + the testimony of Jesus Christ. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—In this verse we have the last effort of the enemy, to destroy + the woman's offspring. It is the <i>third</i> attempt, and, as we suppose, is + yet future. We cannot therefore, of course, be so exact or certain as to + the nature of this contest. Some things, however, are plain enough. The + dragon, disappointed in his efforts hitherto against the woman, so far + from ceasing the warfare, is only thereby the more exasperated. "The + dragon was wroth with the woman." Malice overcomes reason. He knows that + he cannot finally prevail,—that "no weapon formed against her shall + prosper;" yet he continues to vent his rage. The mode of attack is to be + different from what it was in the second struggle. He is said to "make + war,"—to resort to open violence, to employ the agency of the civil + power, the beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 7;) for this third and + last war, waged by the dragon agrees in time with the <i>slaying of the + witnesses</i>. This third onset agrees also with the "third woe-trumpet," + the "vintage" and the last "vial;" and immediately precedes the + introduction of the millennium. "The remnant of the woman's seed" are so + called with reference to those of her offspring who had suffered death + under pagan and papal Rome, (ch. vi. 9.) Perhaps also we may suppose the + number to be comparatively few at the time of the last war with the + dragon; as during the whole period of the 1260 years, it was the aim of + the dragon, through his instruments, to wear out the saints of the Most + High. (Dan. vii. 25.) The character which the Holy Spirit gives of these + sufferers proves them to be the woman's seed. They "keep the + commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This is + the special ground of the devil's hostility towards them. A more + comprehensive and definite description of true believers is not to be + found in the whole Bible. In matters of religion they adhere strictly to + the commandments of God. They will not introduce, nor permit to be + introduced, any corruptions into the doctrines of grace or into the + matter of God's worship. The temple, altar and worshippers must stand + the measurement of God's word in their fellowship. No human traditions + or innovations are to be tolerated. But besides their conscientious care + to have all the laws of the house of God duly observed, these remaining + witnesses sustain and propagate the testimony of their predecessors, + with such additional facts as they may have collected in their own time, + for the personal glory, the offices and work of Jesus Christ. This + testimony will necessarily bring them into collision with the children + of those who killed their fathers in the same quarrel. Like their + fathers, "they have the sentence of death in themselves, that they + should not trust in themselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,—not + accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." (2 + Cor. i. 9; Heb. xi. 35.) For as already hinted, this remnant is to + "overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," + as others did; and in death to gain the final victory over death by + vital union to their living Lord, "being made conformable to his death." + (Heb. ii. 14, 15.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of + the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten + crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. +</p> +<p> + 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were + as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the + dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his + deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. +</p> +<p> + 4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and + they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is + able to make war with him? +</p> +<p> + 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and + blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two + months. +</p> +<p> + 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his + name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. +</p> +<p> + 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to + overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, + and nations. +</p> +<p> + 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are + not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of + the world. +</p> +<p> + 9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. +</p> +<p> + 10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that + killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword. Here is the + patience and the faith of the saints. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-10.—This chapter may be considered as an explication or + commentary upon the seventh chapter of Daniel's prophecy, and a farther + elucidation of what is revealed under different symbols in the two + preceding chapters; and no one can have an intelligent understanding of + its contents without a competent knowledge of the symbols employed in + those chapters. Here the Holy Spirit has given a most graphic, + intelligible and comprehensive exhibition of the complex power which the + dragon employs, to persecute and slay the witnessing servants of Christ. + Hitherto the devil has conducted the war against the saints through the + agency of the beast of the pit, (ch. xi. 7,) and those allies called + "his angels:" (ch. xii. 7:) but there has been a vail of obscurity + hanging over these agencies. Who the beast and other allies of the + dragon are, it is the very <i>design</i> of this chapter to disclose, with + greater precision and clearness than heretofore. In a word, we have here + the <i>full portrait</i> of THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. The distinct features and + component parts of this complex and diabolical system of hostility to + the Lord and his Anointed, are presented in detail for our inspection. + And it is a fact, that by a competent knowledge of this hostile + combination, the suffering saints of God have been hitherto enabled to + direct their testimony with intelligence and efficacy against their + appropriate objects. And although the developments of providence in past + centuries, and those transpiring in our own generation, are calculated + to shed light upon this and collateral prophecies; yet the gross + conceptions of the illiterate in the contemplation of prophetic symbols + on the one hand, and the reckless disregard of scripture rules and usage + by the learned on the other, have greatly contributed to the present + lamentable ignorance and culpable indifference of most Christians. For + people cannot feel an interest in that of which they are ignorant. But + to be "willingly ignorant" of that which may and ought to be known, is + one of the characteristic sins of a generation of impenitent and profane + "scoffers." (2 Pet. iii. 3, 5.) On the other hand, all who humbly and + earnestly desire to know the mind of God for their direction in faith + and holiness, shall assuredly obtain the necessary instruction. (Dan. + vii. 16: viii. 15; John xvi. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 38.) +</p> +<p> + In these first ten verses are contained the characteristics of that + beast whose origin is given, ch. xi. 7. There we had no particular + description of this personage; only he was the agent by whom the + witnesses were opposed in open warfare, and by whom they were finally + killed. Now we have a more full account of his origin, character, + achievements and duration. This personage is denominated a "beast." So + are designated other characters, who are very different from this, (ch. + iv. 6.) In that place we intimated that the authorized version is + imperfect; and that either "living creatures" or simply "animals," which + latter we prefer, is that which the reader is to understand from the + original word. Not only are the "four animals" different in origin, + nature and agency from the "beast;" but in all these respects they are + morally opposite. This is a ravenous beast; a beast of prey. Elsewhere + the word is translated a "wild beast," a "venomous beast," a "viper." + (Acts x. 12; xxviii. 4.) This beast is the same which appeared in vision + to the prophet Daniel, (ch. vii. 3.) Of the four great beasts which that + prophet saw, this is the last. All the preceding are described by their + resemblance to some known animals, but each is ferocious,—"a lion, + bear, leopard." The fourth is a <i>nondescript</i>; there is no species in + the animal kingdom that can represent it; only it was "diverse from all + the beasts that were before it," (v. 7.) These four beasts represent + "four kings," (v. 17,) that is, "kingdoms," (v. 23,) or <i>dynasties</i>. Now + all interpreters agree that these four dynasties are the same as those + symbolized in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, (ch. ii. 31-43.) The different + parts of the "image" answer to the four beasts; and these again are the + symbols of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. Thus + far, all sober expositors are agreed. Also, there is a like agreement + that John's <i>first</i> beast identifies with Daniel's <i>fourth</i>,—the Roman + empire. This is obvious from the general description by both + prophets,—"having seven heads and ten horns." (Dan. vii. 7; Rev. xiii. + 1.) +</p> +<p> + The origin of this beast is threefold,—"out of the sea," (v. 1,) "out + of the bottomless pit," (ch. xi. 7; xvii. 8,) and "out of the earth." + (Dan. vii. 17.) Out of the sea of the commotions arising from the + incursions of the northern barbarians, by whom the Roman empire was + dismembered. "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall + arise." (Dan. vii. 24.) This is the result of revolution,—"the sea." + The Roman empire, especially as nominally Christian, is thus + characterized as being "earthly, sensual, devilish," a suitable agent of + the dragon. +</p> +<p> + The fact of the ten horns of the beast, <i>now wearing crowns</i>, proves + that the time to which the prophecy refers, is that which followed the + division of the empire into ten kingdoms. The seven heads of the beast + have a double significance,—seven different forms of government, and + seven mountains, afterwards to be more fully explained, (ch. xvii. 9, + 10.) The "name of blasphemy" may indicate "eternal city, mistress of the + world."—Of this characteristic of the beast, other examples will be + discovered hereafter. +</p> +<p> + Daniel was solicitous to "know the truth (interpretation) of the fourth + beast, which was diverse from all the others," (ch. vii. 19.) Although + "diverse from all the others" in geographical extent and destructive + power, this fourth beast combined in one all the ravenous propensities + of the three predecessors, but in <i>reverse order</i>. The "leopard, bear + and lion of Daniel," by which Grecian, Persian and Chaldean dynasties + were symbolized, are all comprised in John's beast of the sea,—the + antichristian Roman empire. Since this beast of the sea embodies all the + voracious properties of the three persecuting powers which went before + it; this may be a suitable place briefly to review the sufferings + inflicted by them upon the saints, that we may know what the witnesses + were taught to expect at the hands of this monstrous enemy.—"Israel is + a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away: first, the king of + Assyria hath devoured him, and last, this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon + hath broken his bones.—The violence done to me and to my flesh, be upon + Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and, My blood upon the + inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say." (Jer. 1. 17; li. + 35.)—"Haman, the son Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews' enemy,—thought + scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone."—"If it please the king, let it + be written that they (the whole people) may be destroyed; and I will pay + ten thousand talents of silver,—to bring it into the king's + treasuries."—"Behold also the gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman + had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the + house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon." (Esth. iii. 1, 9; + vii. 9.) Such were the crimes and such the punishments of the enemies of + God's people in Babylon and Persia, as already matter of inspired + history: and had we equally full and authentic records of the + punishments as we have of the cruelties of Antiochus and other + successors of Alexander the Great, the king of Greece, we would see, as + in the other cases, "the just reward of the wicked." Of all these + idolatrous, tyrannical and persecuting powers, which the Divine Spirit + represented by beasts of prey, it was foretold that they were to be + removed in succession and with violence. This fourth beast, "dreadful + and terrible and strong exceedingly, was to devour and break in pieces, + and stamp the residue with the feet of it." (Dan. vii. 7.) Moreover, + while it is predicted of them that "they had their dominion taken away," + it is also added,—"yet their lives were prolonged for a season and + time," (v. 12.) That is, though their distinct and successive + <i>dominions</i> were severally swept from the earth, yet their <i>lives</i>,—the + diabolical principles by which they had been actuated survived; and + these passed, by a kind of transmigration, into the body of the fourth + beast. This transition of animating principles or imperial policy of + inveterate hostility to the kingdom of God, we think, is plainly + indicated by the three features of this beast of the sea, the "leopard, + bear and lion." If these three "slew their thousands," this monster has + "slain his ten thousands" of the saints; and the remnant of the woman's + seed are yet to be "slain as they were," (ch. vi. 11.) +</p> +<p> + "The dragon gave him his power,"—physical force, "his seat" or + <i>throne</i>,—his right to reign, "and great authority"—dominion—by the + voice of the people. Thus, it is obvious that the seven-headed, + ten-horned beast is the first, and the oldest, among the combined + enemies of the Christian church; all of whose origin is from the dragon, + the abyss or bottomless pit. The writers of the church of Rome, while + forced to acknowledge that this beast is emblematical of the Roman + empire, still insist that <i>pagan</i> Rome is intended. It is sufficient in + opposition to this false interpretation to observe, that the beast + appears to John with crowns, not upon his <i>heads</i>, but upon his <i>horns</i>, + denoting the actual division of the empire into ten kingdoms: an event + which did not transpire till after the empire had become nominally + Christian under the reign of Constantine the Great. The reign of this + emperor and his successors, by their largesses fostered the luxurious + propensities of the Christian ministry, and so contributed to prepare + the way for the rise of the next enemy in this antichristian confederacy + against the witnesses.—The "head wounded unto death is the <i>sixth</i>. + John says expressly, elsewhere, "five are fallen, and one is, and the + other is not yet come," (ch. xvii. 10.) The "five fallen" were, kings, + consuls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes. All these forms of + civil government had passed before the time of the apostle. The one + existing in his time, was the sixth head,—the emperors; by one of whom + the apostle was now subjected to banishment in the desert isle of + Patmos. This wound is supposed by some to be the change from paganism to + Christianity in the empire. No; this view is many ways erroneous: but it + is enough to remark that the Roman empire, according to both prophets, + Daniel and John, is to continue <i>bestial</i> under all changes, during the + whole period of 1260 years. The deadly wound was inflicted by the + northern invaders who overturned the empire, and, for the time, + extinguished the very name of emperor in the person of Augustulus. After + the division of the western member of the empire had been subdivided + among the victorious leaders of the invaders from the north, and the + people of that section supposed the beast slain, the throne of + Constantinople continued to be occupied by the representative of the + empire. In the popular apprehension the imperial head of the beast + seemed to be utterly cut off by the sword of Odoacer,—"wounded by a + sword:" but the several kingdoms into which the empire was divided, in + process of time became united in the bonds of an apostate faith. The + imperial name and dignity were revived in the person of the emperor of + Germany, Charlemagne, in 800; and by the wars among the horns of the + beast, the title of emperor has been claimed alternately by Germany, + Austria and France, down to our own time. These dissensions and + rivalries among the sovereigns of Europe,—the mystic horns of the + beast, were foreshadowed in the Babylonish monarch's dream:—"the + kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken,—they shall not cleave + one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay," (Dan. ii. 42, 43.) + And doubtless these internal commotions among the common enemies of the + saints of God, have tended, in divine mercy, to divert their attention + occasionally from the witnesses. While they have been made the + instruments of mutual punishment, the Lord's people have been "hid in + the day of his fierce anger." (Zeph. ii. 3.) +</p> +<p> + At what time the sixth head of the beast disappeared and the seventh + became developed, is not clearly marked in the Apocalypse, and it is of + comparatively little importance, since the latter is to "continue a + short space" (ch. xvii. 10.) The <i>central fact</i> is the continuance of + the beast a definite time under <i>all the heads</i>,—1260 years. Under all + the forms of government through which the empire passed, it continued + bestial and was the object of popular admiration. "All the world + wondered after the beast." The populace made court to, fawned upon, + followed in the train, or formed the retinue of the beast. We are to + limit the phrase,—"all the world," for not all the inhabitants are to + be understood, but such only as professed allegiance to the existing + imperial dominion; and among those within the beast's territorial + jurisdiction, the witnesses still stood to their protest against his + impious claims.—But from admiration and loyalty, the servile multitude + break forth into adoration, addressing the dragon and the beast in such + language as is proper to God only. (Ps. lxxxix. 6.) The shouts of the + rabble on Herod's birth-day may illustrate the conduct of these votaries + of the beast and dragon. (Acts xii. 22.) The poor ignorant and deluded + subject, in rendering homage to the beast, did homage to the devil, from + whom the power was derived. Such is the degradation to which man is + reduced by blind obedience to despotic power, whether civil or + ecclesiastical. He glories in the chains which bind him!—And this is + the actual and voluntary condition of the great majority of the + population of Christendom at the present hour. There has been, indeed, + within the current century, an effort by the masses of the people to + assert their natural and civil rights, to regain the exercise of the + elective franchise; but in selecting candidates to bear rule over them, + they generally prefer such as are, like the majority of + themselves,—"aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from + the covenants of promise." Hence, "vile men are exalted, the wicked bear + rule, and the people mourn." (Ps. xii. 8; Prov. xxix. 2.)—The + "blasphemies" uttered by this beast are all those <i>royal prerogatives</i> + claimed by the several crowned horns or civil sovereigns who have + established idolatry and superstition within their respective dominions. + The "blasphemous headship" over the church of Christ, as viewed and + designated by his persecuted disciples in the British empire, may tend + to illustrate this part of the beast's history. King Henry VIII. of + England, upon renouncing the civil and ecclesiastical headship of the + Pope, proceeded to usurp an ecclesiastical headship within his own + dominions; and all his royal successors till the present day have + asserted a similar dominion over the faith of the Lord's people. As an + "inherent right of the crown," the sovereign of Britain, male or female, + is declared to be "supreme judge in all causes, as well ecclesiastical + as civil!" The rest of the horns are no less blasphemous in their + haughty pretensions. History attests that the martyrs of Jesus denounced + these encroachments on the prerogatives of Christ, and the intrinsic + power of his church, as "Erastian supremacies,—blasphemous + supremacies." Most expositors tell us that the blasphemies are + chargeable to the Pope or to the Romish church. But this interpretation + confounds this beast of the sea with the apostate church of Rome; and + indeed this confounding of symbols and consequent mistaking of objects + in actual history, are the primary errors of expositors in nearly all + their attempts at expounding the Apocalypse. This first beast of John, + and fourth of Daniel, however, is <i>wholly secular or civil</i>; and clearly + distinguished by both inspired prophets, from the other agents of the + dragon, as we shall find in the subsequent part of this chapter. This + beast "blasphemes the name of God" by compelling men to worship idols + and images, enacting penal statutes and issuing bloody edicts to force + their consciences. He "blasphemes his tabernacle," when stigmatizing the + assemblies of God's worshipping people as "traitorous conspiracies, + rendevouses of rebellion"—"and them that dwell in heaven," he + blasphemes by calling them "incendiaries, fanatics, enthusiasts, rebels + and traitors;" for all these terms of reproach are well authenticated in + history, as heaped upon the faithful and heroic servants of Christ. + Those who suppose that the phrase "them that dwell in heaven," means + saints departed and angels as worshipped by papists in obedience to the + Romish church, make two mistakes,—the one, that <i>ecclesiastical</i> power + is here intended, whereas we have already shown that the power is + <i>civil</i>; the other, that the word "heaven" is to be taken in a literal + sense, contrary to the symbolic structure of the whole context. All + history, so far as authentic, teaches that the civil powers throughout + Christendom, attempt to coerce by penal inflictions the consciences of + all who refuse obedience to their commands, no less than the church of + Rome. Even <i>constitutional guarantees of liberty</i> of <i>conscience</i> have + never secured the witnesses from the savage rage of the beast or any of + his infuriated horns. Witness the history of the bloody house of the + Stuarts of Britain. In vain did the victims of papal and prelatic + cruelty plead, in their just defence in the seventeenth century, the + constitution and laws of their native land! Those who have done violence + to the law of God, will always disregard human enactments which stand in + the way of their ambitious schemes. Their own laws will be treated as + ropes of sand, as Samson's withs, and the blood of saints as water. Such + is persecution.—The seventh verse, expressing the beast's victory over + the saints and the extent of his power, is explanatory of ch. xi. 7, 9; + and the time of his continuance, (v. 5,) is the same as the treading + under foot of the city; (ch. xi. 2:) so that we are assured of the + agreement in time between the events here and those of the first part of + the eleventh chapter. Also, the parties here presented are the same as + in the two preceding chapters, only they are exhibited in different + aspects by appropriate symbols.—The worshippers of the beast include + all under his dominion except those "whose names were written in the + book of life."—This book is different both from the sealed book, (ch. + 5;) and also from the open book, (ch. 10.) It is the register, as it + were, of the names of all whom the Father gave to the Son, to be by him + brought to glory. (John xvii. 2; Heb. ii. 10; Rev. xx. 12, 15.) During + the whole reign of the beast, these are preserved, having been "sealed + unto the day of redemption." In the seventh chapter we had the angels + employed in holding the four winds of the earth, till these servants of + God were sealed in their foreheads, before the first alarm should be + given by the trumpets. The book of life contained their names from the + foundation,—before the foundation of the world. (Eph. i. 4.) They were + in time "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," so that it was + impossible to deceive them, either by lying wonders or the serpent's + sophistry. (Eph. i. 13; Matt. xxiv. 24.)—The Lamb may be said to be + "slain from the foundation of the world" in the purpose of God, (2 Tim. + i. 9;) in sacrifice, (Gen. iv. 4;) in the ceremonial law and prophecy. + (Matt. xi. 13;) and in the efficacy of his satisfaction rendered to + divine justice, for which the Father gave him credit from the fall of + man. (Rom. iii. 25.)—So many erroneous views have been taken, and false + interpretations given of this chapter in particular, as of the + Apocalypse in general, that the Divine Spirit calls special attention + here to the rise, reign and ruin of the beast of the sea. The prophetic + description of this beast in an especial manner is of such importance to + instruct, and thereby sustain and comfort, the suffering disciples of + Christ, that he causes his servant John to pause, as it were, and allow + the reader to reflect. Indeed, wherever a note of attention is thus + given, we may be sure that something "hid from the wise and prudent" is + intended. Accordingly, it were endless to follow the vagaries of even + learned men dealing out their "private interpretations" of this chapter. + Yet the understanding of its general outlines was at the bottom of the + Reformation by Luther, his colleagues and successors. Elsewhere, + however, we may take occasion to notice how vague, and inadequate, and + bold, were some of their conceptions; all going to show the + seasonableness of the solemn admonition,—"If any man have an ear, let + him hear."—The beast is to be treated as he dealt with the victims of + his cruelty. He is justly doomed to captivity and death. "The beast was + taken and—cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," (ch. + xix. 20.) "Tophet is ordained of old." It was used by the prophets as a + figure of hell. (Is. xxx. 33.) To this place, whence there is no + redemption, this monstrous beast was to be consigned, as predicted by + the prophet Daniel, (vii. 11,)—"The beast was slain, and his body + destroyed, and given to the burning flame."—In the protracted contest + of 1260 years with this imperial power, "the patience and the faith of + the saints" were exemplified. Faith and patience would be more severely + tried in this case than in any other; as the period of persecution was + to be of much longer continuance than any that had preceded since the + beginning of the world. (Heb. vi. 12.) +</p> +<p> + 11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had + two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. +</p> +<p> + V. 11.—John "beheld another beast,"—therefore not the <i>same</i>, as many + expositors strangely suppose. No one can have an intelligent + understanding of this chapter unless he views the beast of the sea and + the beast of the earth as <i>perfectly distinct</i>. As the former arose out + of a revolutionary state of society, and was consequently more clearly + marked in history, so the latter grew "up out of the earth" more quietly + and gradually, like a spear of grass,—we "know not how." As this second + beast of the Apocalypse is to act a prominent part in the scenery + afterwards presented in vision to the apostle, and a correspondent part + in actual history, and as it is called by different names and appears + under different aspects, it is necessary that its character be closely + inspected, so that its identity may be clearly ascertained. The + description here given is very minute. One thing is very obvious,—that + this beast of the earth is the confederate, the ally, and the accomplice + of the beast of the sea. They act in concert. They had been thus + represented in vision to Daniel. In the seventh chapter of that prophecy + we have the beast of the sea, as here, with his "ten horns," (v. 7.) + While the prophet narrowly "considered the horns, behold, there came up + among them another little horn," (v. 8.) It has been already shown that + these horns represent the kingdoms into which the Roman empire was + divided, (v. 24.) Among these horns, kings, (v. 24,) or kingdoms, + "another shall rise after them,"—"among them," yet in the order of + time,—"after them." Thus it appears that Daniel's fourth beast had + <i>eleven</i> horns; but the eleventh is called "another which came up," to + distinguish it from the ten, (v. 20.) "He shall be diverse from the + first," (v. 24.) It is thus evident that the last horn,—the eleventh, + is as really a horn of the beast, as the other ten; and of course this + horn,—"little" at its rise, but in time becoming "more stout than his + fellows," is the willing accomplice in crime of that beast whose horn it + is. "The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against + them," (v. 21.)—"He had two horns like a lamb." He professed to be + gentle and innocent as a lamb,—to be the vicegerent of the "Lamb of + God." He claimed only a <i>spiritual</i> jurisdiction. As it is natural that + a lamb should have only two horns, so the symbol is agreeable to nature. + But this lamb "spake as a dragon;" and that was contrary to nature. No + two animals in creation are in their respective natures more diverse or + opposite than a lamb and a beast of prey. These two antagonistic natures + combined, indicate the crafty and cruel policy of this beast of the + earth. Daniel mentions the "little horn" of the civil beast; but says + nothing of the "two-horned beast." On the other hand, John speaks + plainly of this beast of the earth, but omits any mention of the "little + horn." But the "beast of the earth" and the "little horn" sustain the + same relation to the first beast, the "beast of the sea"—the Roman + empire; therefore the "two-horned beast of the earth" and the "little + horn" are identical; and this identity is confirmed by the additional + name "false prophet," given to the beast of the earth in ch. xix, 20. + His alliance and co-operation with the civil beast is precisely the same + as in this chapter. He "wrought miracles before him," that is,—in his + interest. Some interpreters have mistaken this "false prophet" as a + symbol of Mahometanism. The facts of history demonstrate the fallacy of + this interpretation; for the delusions of Mahomet never had, and they + have not now, any affinity with the idolatries of the Latin Roman + empire. But these two beasts of the sea and of the earth are obviously + in the closest sympathy, having a common interest. +</p> +<p> + 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and + causeth the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first + beast, whose deadly wound was healed. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—The second beast "exerciseth all the power of the first beast + before him,"—in his presence, under his sanction and powerful + protection. Thus the state, or empire, lays the church under obligation, + and of course expects a reciprocity of kind offices. This is effected by + the beast of the earth "causing the earth—to worship the first beast." + By force and craft this is accomplished. By his "two horns" of power, + the <i>regular</i> and <i>secular</i> orders of the hierarchy, as from the mouth + of a "dragon," he enjoins "submission to the (civil) powers that be." + But besides the horns of power, that is, ecclesiastical authority, this + beast of the earth, in order more effectually to enforce his commands to + worship the first or civil beast, resorts to "great wonders,—miracles," + (vs. 13,14,)—"lying wonders;" (2 Thess. ii. 9:) for Paul and John agree + in their description of the same diabolical agency. "As Jannes and + Jambres withstood Moses,—magicians doing so with their + <i>enchantments</i>,"—"beguiling unstable souls," so this second beast + "maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of + (credulous) men." (2 Tim. iii. 8; Exod. vii. 22; Acts viii. 9-11.) The + venal ministry of the heathenized church, (ch. xi. 2,) inculcate passive + obedience to the beast of the sea, as to the "ordinance of God;"—to + "resist" which, subjects the recusant to "damnation." (Rom. xiii. 2.) + Here, then, we behold the <i>counterfeits</i> of the two great ordinances of + church and state, against which it is the special duty and arduous work + of the two witnesses to contend for 1260 years. This "false prophet," + who "spake as a dragon, and made fire to come down from heaven," to + authenticate his divine mission, may represent the bulls, anathemas, + interdicts, encyclical letters, which emanate from Rome, together with + the less terrifying mandates of her coadjutors,—"daughters." +</p> +<p> + 13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from + heaven on the earth, in the sight of men, +</p> +<p> + 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those + miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saving to + them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the + beast which had the wound by a sword, and did live. +</p> +<p> + 15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the + image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would + not worship the image of the beast should be killed. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and + bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: +</p> +<p> + 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the + name of the beast, or the number of his name. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-17.—This lamb-like beast of the earth devises another agency, by + which to subserve his own diabolical interest, as well as that of the + "first beast." He causes to be made "an image" <i>to</i> or <i>of</i> the beast of + the sea. Of images in general, as objects of idolatrous worship, we are + warranted to say,—they are <i>dead</i> and <i>dumb</i> idols; (ch. ix. 20; Jer. + x. 14:) but this one is altogether different. And it is surprising to + find learned expositors fixing upon the superstitious use of the cross + by the papists, as exemplifying this symbol. The Holy Spirit, as if to + guard all readers against such misapprehension, declares explicitly, + that this image has "life, speaks," and <i>acts</i>. The only point in which + this image resembles others is, that it is to be <i>worshipped</i>: but of + all others we are assured that they "cannot do evil," (Jer. x. 5.) This + image has such "life," (breath,) and power as to cause the death of such + as refuse to worship <i>itself</i>. Three agents are to be noticed and + clearly distinguished here,—the ten-horned beast of the <i>sea</i>, the + two-horned <i>beast</i> of the <i>earth</i>, and the <i>image</i> of the beast. At the + instance of the second beast, an image is made; not <i>to</i> or of himself, + but <i>to</i>, and also <i>of</i>, the first beast. Now, as the beasts put forth + their power by their horns, so this ecclesiastical beast of the earth + makes the image by his horns. In short, history explains the symbols. + The Roman clergy,—the horns, the cardinals, create the Pope; and, in + their own ceremonial and language,—<i>quem creant, adorant</i>, "whom they + create, they adore;" like all other idolaters. Thus, the Pope becomes + the "man of sin, sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he + is God," (2 Thess. ii. 4.) The Pope is the most perfect image of the + Roman emperor; claiming the same universal dominion, the same titles and + prerogatives, in the same city: but the Pope and the emperor never + identify. They are always distinct. Two authoritative measures are to be + specially noticed in this connexion; one by the beast of the earth, the + other by the image of the beast of the sea. The image demands worship + under pain of death. All <i>heretics</i> are judged worthy of death. All are + required by the second beast to receive the mark of the first or civil + beast. The penalty in this case is privation of civil and political + privileges,—to "buy or sell." It is to be noticed here that the "mark" + is imposed by the authority of the <i>ecclesiastical</i> power, the + two-horned beast. As there is liability to mistake as to which of the + two beasts the "mark" refers, and as this mistake is in fact generally + made by expositors, the apostle John has been directed, as in the case + of the image, to be peculiarly explicit, that all may know it to be the + mark of the <i>first</i> beast. (See chs. xv. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4.) But it will + be asked,—What are we to understand by the "mark?" This question is + easily answered from history. The heathen idolater gloried in his + devotion to his imaginary god; as the ivy leaf was the token of the + worshippers of Bacchus: soldiers bore the initials of the names of their + commanders; and slaves, of their masters. These <i>characters</i> were + impressed on the foreheads or other part of the persons of individuals. + The general idea suggested by the "mark" was subjection or <i>property</i>. + In short, the mark of the beast signifies open and avowed allegiance to + antichristian or immoral <i>civil</i> power, when in the "forehead;" and + active co-operation with the same, when in the "hand." It is at once a + pitiable and culpable error, to suppose, as many preposterously do, that + this "mark of the beast" is <i>popery</i>! And as the "mark" is the + recognised badge of loyalty to civil rule, of course the prohibition to + "buy or sell," must signify civil disabilities,—<i>disfranchisement</i>. Men + who suffer, necessarily feel. Christ's witnesses, as they only have the + <i>scriptural</i> conception of the rights of man, have long been familiar + with the deprivation of their rights, both civil and ecclesiastical. The + moral evils incorporated in the constitutions of church and state, + throughout all the streets of mystic Babylon, have effectually excluded + the two witnesses, and left them in the "wilderness." Here is their + destined "place," and here they are to be "nourished from the face of + the serpent" for 1260 years. Christ's promise,—"I will not leave you + comfortless," (orphans,) is all along verified in their soul-satisfying + experience.—This will appear in the next chapter. +</p> +<p> + 18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of + the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred + threescore and six. +</p> +<p> + V. 18.—"The name of the beast," since the time of Ireneus, the disciple + of Polycarp, who was cotemporary with the apostle John, is understood to + be <i>Lateinos</i>, or <i>Lateinus</i>; for it is well known to scholars, that + classical usage justifies the orthography of this word. However learned + men may indulge their fancy, and sport with this mystic and sacred name + and number, no other word fills up all the conditions required by the + inspired writer. <i>Latinus</i> is the proper name of the "first beast," the + <i>Latin</i> empire: it is the name common to the whole population of the + empire, the <i>Latins</i>: it is the name of the <i>founder</i> of the empire, + <i>Latinus</i>; and it contains the <i>number</i>, 666. The probability that this + word contains the requisite name and number, amounts almost to a + certainty. The unlearned reader may be easily taught to understand how + to "count the number of the beast." Of course, the apostle John + accommodated his expressions to the custom of his own age. Well, even + children soon learn to number or count by the use of Roman letters of + the alphabet. They know that the letter I, stands for <i>one</i>; V. for + <i>five</i>, etc. Now, in the apostolic age, the Jews, Greeks and Romans, + were accustomed to express numbers by the use of the letters of their + respective alphabets. This we suppose to be the only rational and + probable method of solving the mystery. +</p> +<p> + In this chapter we have the fullest exhibition of the great + antichristian confederacy, spoken of by prophets and apostles, including + the "man of sin, to be revealed in his time." The component parts of + that complex moral person called "Antichrist," are here graphically + portrayed. The three most prominent features are the <i>two beasts</i> of the + sea and of the earth, with the <i>image</i> of the first; or, a tyrannical + <i>empire</i>, an apostate <i>church</i>, and the <i>Pope</i>. To suppose that the + Antichrist is a power or moral person <i>distinct from these</i>,—a "wilful, + infidel or atheistical king," is a mere <i>chimera</i> framed in a learned + brain, disordered by <i>antichristian</i> politics. The chief, if not the + only ostensible ground of such hypothesis is the language of our + apostle, (1 John ii. 22.) "He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and + the Son." The <i>sound</i> of the words of Scripture is too often mistaken + for the <i>sense</i>. This is a notable example. From the words of our Divine + Redeemer,—"My Father is greater than I, Socinians infer the <i>essential</i> + inferiority of the Son to the Father. So in the preceding instance. The + inference is, that the Antichrist is to be known by a <i>doctrinal</i> denial + of deity. But the very name of this enemy of all righteousness, + <i>Antichrist</i>, demonstrates his recognition of the existence and office + of our Saviour. For why should he oppose a <i>nonentity</i>? All scholars are + aware that the primary meaning of <i>anti</i>, is substitution. (Matt. xx. + 28.) Antichrist usurps Christ's place in church and state, that he may + more successfully oppose his interest. There is no mystery to the + intelligent Christian in the declaration, that men too often "profess + that they know God, but in works deny him." This explains the fact of + Antichrist's denying the Father and the Son. Usurping the prerogatives + of the Mediator is a practical denial of him,—of his authority, and by + consequence, of the Father who sent him. "He that acknowledged the Son," + in this sense, "hath the Father also; while it is equally true, in the + same sense,—"whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father." + (1 John ii. 23.) Hence it <i>is not true</i> that the <i>Pope</i> is the + <i>Antichrist</i> of prophecy, nor the church of Rome, nor both combined; but + Daniel's ten-horned beast,—John's seven-headed, ten-horned beast, which + are the same: Daniel's little horn and John's beast of the earth, which + are the same; together with the image of the first beast: the Saracenic + locusts and Euphratean horsemen;—all these go to the composition of the + Antichrist, the "eastern and western Antichrist," so identified and + <i>familiarly</i> designated by the <i>martyrs</i> and <i>witnesses</i> of Jesus for + hundreds of years. The great family of nations, called "the nations of + this world," (chap. xi. 15;) in unholy alliance with a <i>gentile</i> church; + (ch. xi. 2;) <i>these combined, constitute the Antichrist</i>. They "will not + have this man to reign over them." Against this combination it is the + appointed business,—the life of the two witnesses, to prophesy for a + definite period of 42 months, 1260 days, time, times and a half; all + indicating the same duration, 1260 natural years. All this time the + witnesses are alive and active, but in an obscure and depressed + condition, wearing sackcloth in the wilderness, "not reckoned, (not + <i>reckoning themselves</i>,) among the nations." (Num. xxiii. 9; Dan. vii. + 22, 27; Rev. xx. 4.) Such is the condition of the saints, and such the + powerful combination against them, as symbolically represented in the + 11th, 12th and 13th chapters of the Apocalypse. And in this prolonged + and eventful conflict we may with Moses, "turn aside and see this great + sight, why the bush is not burnt." (Exod. iii. 3.) The Lord was in the + bush, and "greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world." + (1 John iv. 4.) This will appear in the following chapter. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> +<p> + As the 13th chapter contains the most full and graphic description of + the great apostacy, so in this chapter we have the other party described + which protested against that apostacy. It is a concise history of the + two witnesses in holy and happy fellowship with Christ, when he had + rejected the heathenized church, because of her unholy league with the + beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 2, 7.) The contrast between the + "sealed" ones here, and those who bore the "mark of the beast," is very + noticeable. This fact suggests that the parties are <i>cotemporary</i>. + Besides, it is evident that this company of 144,000 are the legitimate + successors of those sealed in ch. vii. 4-8; or rather, from the + perpetual identity of the covenant society as a moral person, we may + view this company as the same with the sealed ones of the seventh + chapter, the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter, and as in the + wilderness in the 12th chapter. Political bias caused a learned + expositor to interpret the third angel of this chapter as a symbol of + the prelatic church of England! and a similar bias, or <i>modern</i> charity, + induced another to distinguish between the "two witnesses" and the + 144,000. To the unbiased and enlightened mind it is obvious that instead + of the 144,000 symbolizing the "pious people,—in the different branches + of the Christian church"—all true Christians; they are in fact + distinguished from <i>true Christians</i>, as 144,000 from "a great multitude + ... who had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the + Lamb," (ch. vii. 9, 14.) +</p> +<p> + As the Antichrist, after his first development in the world, appeared in + diverse forms of organization, thereby more effectually to deceive them + that dwell on the earth, yet still preserved his moral identity, so the + faithful servants of Christ are presented in corresponding attitudes and + aspects, to oppose and counteract his diabolical policy and tyranny; yet + always preserving their proper identity during the whole period of 1260 + years. +</p> +<p> + The process of "sealing the servants of God in their foreheads," (ch. + vii. 4-8,) took place under the <i>sixth</i> seal before the opening of the + seventh, (ch. viii. 1,) which introduced the trumpets,—the harbingers + of the visible organization of Antichrist. For this purpose the "four + winds,"—all winds, emblematical of popular commotions, were by four + angels restrained from blowing upon the earth etc., during the peaceful + reign of Constantine and his successors. Under the patronage of those + nominally Christian emperors, as history informs us, multitudes flocked + into the church; "the number of immoral and unworthy Christians began so + to increase, that the examples of real piety and virtue became extremely + rare.... The virtuous few were oppressed and overwhelmed with the + superior numbers of the wicked and licentious."<a href="#note-6"><small>6</small></a> Thus the way was + prepared for the visible appearing of the "man of sin,"—the papacy. So + soon as the confederate hosts of the dragon are completely organized, + the two witnesses take their position with the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a + hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in + their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—While "all the world wonders after the beast," (xiii. 3,) and the + gross senses of the multitude are preoccupied with that object; here is + another presented more worthy of our contemplation. Often has the Lord + Jesus appeared in vision to John while viewing the grand panorama + passing before him in Patmos. Here he appears as the "captain of the + Lord's host" at the head of his army; not indeed in active military + enterprise, but rather as leader in acts of solemn worship during a + temporary recess from sanguinary warfare. He and his associates are on + the "Mount Zion." "In Zion is his seat." ... "The Lord hath founded + Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (Is. xiv. 32.) This + select company maintain fellowship with Christ, being "really and + inseparably united to him as their Head," by the bond of the Spirit, on + his part, and faith on theirs. Christ's "Father's name in their + foreheads" indicates that they are the <i>property</i> and voluntary servants + of God in Christ. Of this covenant relation baptism is the visible sign; + but while Simon Magus may bear the sign, none but those who are "sealed + unto the day of redemption," are honored to "stand with the Lamb on + Mount Zion." To him their number is as accurately known, as one hundred + and forty-four thousand is to us; and "truly their fellowship is with + the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." The votaries of the beast may + either glory in bearing his mark in their foreheads, or conceal the mark + in their right hand; but the followers of the Lamb will "confess him and + his word before men," at the hazard of all that is dear to men,—even + life itself. (Mark viii. 38.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as + the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping + with their harps: +</p> +<p> + 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the + four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the + hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2, 3.—"Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.... Let the + high praises of God be in their mouth."—(Ps. cxlix. 2, 6.) Unterrified + by the roaring of the beasts of prey, these followers of the Lamb lift + their voices in unison; and whether on mountains or in valleys, in dens + or in caves of the earth, their songs of praise ascend to the ears of + the Lord of Sabaoth. The symphony is heightened by the "voice of + harpers, harping with their harps." And if any person be so ignorant as + to ground an argument on these words, for the use of instruments in the + worship of God, consistency will require him to take his position on the + literal Mount Zion with a literal lamb! +</p> +<p> + The song was <i>new</i>. It was not peculiar to the Mosaic economy; that, + like it, was to "wax <i>old</i> and vanish away."—(Heb. viii. 13.) No, it + was indited by the Holy Spirit, "to whom all hearts are known, and all + events foreknown." It was a song exactly framed to answer the twofold + end of all inspired songs—to display the glories of the Godhead, and + delineate the workings of grace and corruption with infallible + precision, neither of which can be even successfully imitated by the + best of uninspired men; much less by the licentious debauchees—the + slaves of Antichrist. Moreover, the <i>order</i> of worship, as here + exemplified, merits special attention, The 144,000 perform this solemn + service "before the four beasts, and the elders." The office-bearers, + appointed by the Lamb—the Lord Christ—direct the whole solemnity. + Among this joyful and holy company, there is no hint that any part of + public worship is left to "a vote of the congregation." This "new song" + was unintelligible by the votaries of the beast; nor could they learn it + while in that servile vassalage. They only who were "redeemed from the + earth," as well as "from among men," were capable of learning it. As + this song related to the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and those + who "dwelt on the earth" had transferred their allegiance to Antichrist, + they became thereby incapacitated for learning that song. Alas! how many + complain of the <i>cloudiness</i>, the <i>Jewish peculiarities</i>, the + <i>unforgiving, revengeful spirit</i> of the inspired Psalms! In their + apprehension, they are "contrary to the spirit of the gospel"—that is, + <i>the Holy Spirit is contrary to Himself!</i> O, the blasphemy! Can such + learn the "new song?" No, indeed, unless they repent and "pray God if + perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them." +</p> +<p> + 4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are + virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. + These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and + to the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault + before the throne of God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4, 5.—These 144,000 worshippers are farther distinguished by their + chastity. Betrothed to the Lord Christ from eternity, they were married + to him in time. (Hosea ii. 19, 20; Rom. vii. 4; Cor. xi. 2.) Indeed the + marriage covenant is employed throughout the Bible, to shadow forth the + union between Christ and believers. (See Is. liv. 5; Jer. xxxi. 32; Hos. + ii. 2; Rev. xxi. 2) This analogy pervades the 45th Psalm and the Song of + Solomon. Idolatry is therefore adultery; and superstition, will-worship + and human inventions, as means of grace or of communion with God, are + fornication. (Ezek. xxiii. 27.) Accordingly, the "kings of the earth" + are charged with this crime, (ch. xviii. 3.) Hence, it is plain that + this company with the Lamb are such as do not receive or "teach for + doctrines the commandments of men," nor submit to a "voluntary humility + and worshipping of angels, (Col. ii. 18,) "for they are virgins." (Ps. + xlv. 14.) They are distinguished for "sound doctrine and the power of + godliness." "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second + admonition," they "reject." (Titus iii. 10.) They cannot be indifferent + to truth and error; and they may be known by their love for practical, + but <i>especially doctrinal</i>, preaching. They frequent the ministry of + those who "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 + Tim. iv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + "These follow the Lamb." (John x. 4, 27.) Next after self-denial, taking + up the cross, becomes the test of discipleship. (Matt. xvi. 24, 25.) + Suffering is the most trying and most difficult part of a Christian's + obedience. But mere suffering for one's religion is no evidence that his + religion is scriptural. Nor is punishment endured for religion + <i>persecution</i>; but suffering "for righteousness' sake, or for Christ's + sake," is persecution. And this is what is implied in "following the + Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Not suffering, but the <i>cause</i> for which + he suffers, makes a Christian martyr. All these 144,000 are martyrs in + principle and intention. +</p> +<p> + Besides, "these were redeemed (bought) from among men." Purchase + supposes contract,—a price fixed and paid. This ransom is both from + debt and crime,—from bondage, sin and penalty. The Lamb is their + surety. With his blood he "redeemed them to God," (ch. v. 9; 1 Pet. i. + 19.) An atonement which <i>does not reconcile</i>, a redemption which <i>does + not save</i>, must be an atonement and a redemption <i>without a compact</i>. + Hence the covenant of grace, and Christ's engagement as surety in that + covenant, determine the <i>extent</i> of the atonement; for <i>without compact + no sinner could be saved!</i> But such is the liberal doctrine of the + boasted Roman Catholic Church, and such the sandy foundation of that + "general and doubtsome faith" which the witnesses renounce. However + numerous these followers of the Lamb may seem to be, they are no more + than "the first fruits." But the first fruits are part of the coming + harvest, and an assured pledge of a larger ingathering. Their numbers + were to be greatly augmented by the Reformation, and still further in + the millennial era. +</p> +<p> + "Godly sincerity" is the last quality of these upright ones. They are + "Israelites without guile." Integrity, probity, candor, distinguish them + from the "flocks of the companions" by whom they are surrounded. "As + they think in their heart, so do they express the truth." (Ps. xv. 2; + xii. 2; John i. 47.) They know nothing of the "pious frauds" any more + than the "indulgences" and "supererogations" by which the "man of sin" + sustains his interest. Their being "without fault before the throne of + God," is the highest commendation possible; yet it does not imply + sinless perfection. It speaks their justification by the righteousness + of Christ, and their Christian sincerity, such as God testifies of Job, + (ch. i. 8.) Who would not prefer the society and employments of those + who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion, to dwelling in the tents of + wickedness? Let our delights be with these excellent ones of the earth. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the + everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to + every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, +</p> +<p> + 7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the + hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and + earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6, 7.—The apostles, Paul and John agree, as already noticed, in + delineating a great defection from the purity and power of Christianity + in "the last days." Paul calls this event "the Apostacy," (2 Thess. ii. + 3.) while John designates it "the Antichrist." (1 John ii, 22.) Both + these inspired writers use the Greek article, as may be supposed, to + <i>emphasize</i> that wicked confederacy of Church and State,—a confederacy + of greater extent and longer continuance than any other conspiracy + "against the Lord and his Anointed." Against these the saints of God, + with Messiah at their head, contend for the allotted period of 1260 + years, as we have seen in the three preceding chapters. On their part + the warfare is mostly defensive, and their weapons ordinarily spiritual. + (2 Cor. vi. 6, 7.) +</p> +<p> + From the 6th verse to the close of this chapter are presented, under + customary and well-defined symbols, three successive stages of + successful reformation, showing how the "two witnesses" manage their + scriptural and effective testimony against antichristian error and + disorder in organized society. Three mystic "angels" successively + appear, divinely commissioned to execute their respective and appointed + work. These angels have been correctly designated, by judicious + expositors, "angels of revival and reform." To the intelligent Christian + it will be obvious, that without <i>reform</i> there can be no <i>revival</i>. The + popular idea of our time connected with the term <i>revival</i>, is without + foundation in the Holy Scriptures. It does not mean the regeneration of + a sinner, nor the first work of the Spirit in conviction. It presupposes + the existence of the vital principle, and the bringing of that living + principle into visible activity, (Rom. vii. 9;) and this is equally + true, whether of an individual or moral person. (Ps. lxxxv. 6; Ezek. + xxxvii.) Divine truth and external order are characteristics of a + genuine revival: for nothing but "sound doctrine" can produce "the power + of godliness." The popular commotions and social disorders which + accompany modern revivals, render them highly suspicious, if they do not + demonstrate them to be spurious. It is true, indeed, that passionate + declamation, vociferous assertion of heresy, intensified by theatrical + and violent gesticulation, may commove to a higher degree the active + powers,—the passions of the sinner; but such appliances can generate + only a temporary faith. Such converts, "having no root in themselves, + wither away." (Mark iv. 6.) "God is not the author of confusion, but of + peace, as in all the churches of the saints." So these angels of reform + declare by their ministry. +</p> +<p> + The first of these angels is the recognized symbol of a gospel ministry, + (ch. i. 20; ii. 1, 8, 12, etc.) "Heaven" is the visible church general. + "Flying" indicates celerity of motion. This "angel" does not represent + any individual, as Luther; but the <i>collective body</i> of those who carry + the joyful message of "the everlasting gospel." This gospel is + <i>everlasting</i> as distinguished from "another gospel, which is not + another" (Gal. i. 6, 7, 8, 9,)—a spurious, counterfeit, and therefore + ephemeral gospel, invented and propagated by the "man of sin," from the + flood which issued from the mouth of the dragon, (ch. xii. 15) The + gospel preached by this angel is everlasting in its origin and duration. + (Tit. i. 2; John iv. 14; Gal. vi. 8.) This angel's commission is as + extensive as that of the apostles,—"every nation;" his "loud voice" is + expressive of his zeal, energy and authority; the subject matter of his + brief sermon indicates very plainly that the object of his teaching is + to counteract the heresies of the Romish apostacy. "Fear God and give + glory to him,"—not to the Virgin Mary, canonized saints and angels, + images of wood and stone, (ch. ix. 20.) All are solemnly warned to + "abstain from pollutions of idols," and their attention earnestly + directed to their Creator,—to him "who made heaven, and earth, the seas + and fountains of waters." This argument of the angel is very + short,—that He only is to be worshipped who created the universe; but + it is sufficient to "leave all men without excuse who do not glorify him + as God." (Rom. i. 20, 21.) And how much more aggravated is the guilt of + professing Christians! But the "angel" employs another powerful argument + to enforce his teaching,—"The hour of his judgment is come." The final + judgment of the last day is often set before us in the Bible, and it is + so even in this book; but the last judgment cannot be intended here, for + subsequent judgments are to be inflicted according to the messages of + the following angels. +</p> +<p> + That Charlemagne should be mistaken for this flying angel betrays an + almost incredible hallucination of the human mind!<a href="#note-7"><small>7</small></a> No individual, as + already noticed, much less a successful civil or military tyrant, can be + intended by the Spirit as the herald of the "everlasting gospel!" +</p> +<p> + In fact, this "angel" is identical with the "two witnesses," whose + special work is to oppose the great apostacy; and this they do in a + pre-eminent manner by proclaiming the everlasting gospel. For 500 years + those who are known in history by the name of Waldenses, kept the + doctrines and order of the apostles, in a state of separation from the + Church of Rome. In the latter part of the twelfth century their numbers + and influence attracted the notice and brought upon them the wrath of + the "man of sin." In the following ages multitudes of them were + subjected to all the penalties of confiscation, banishment and death. + Like the seed of Abraham in Egypt, however, "the more they were + afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." They revived true + religion in the kingdoms of southern Europe, and it is most probable + that the good seed sown by them reached even to the island of Britain. + John Huss and Jerome, who, by decree of the council of Constance, were + committed to the flames for heresy; and Wishart, in England, whose end + was similar, together with such as co-operated with them and succeeded + them in the same holy warfare, are to be viewed as answering to the + mystic angel. These faithful and dauntless men denounced divine + judgments against all who worshipped graven images, however enjoined by + civil and ecclesiastical authority. For their fidelity to Christ and the + souls of men, they were subjected to the heaviest censures of the + heathenized church, and the severest penalties of a tyrannical + state,—the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea always in unholy + alliance and acting in concert. The ministry of this angel is a + testimony against papal corruptions, such as the worshipping images of + the Creator and creatures, but especially the Pope,—the image of the + Roman emperor. It is a mere fancy to suppose this angel symbolizes + modern missions. The series of the prophecy forbids such an + interpretation. Besides, the idolatry of Rome Christian, is not less + real or gross than the idolatry of pagans, and calls for a more earnest + testimony; and God has never left himself without witnesses against + defection and apostacy. This angel prepares the way for his successor, + who prosecutes the same work with increasing clearness and confidence. +</p> +<p> + 8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is + fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine + of the wrath of her fornication. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—"There followed another angel." Some expositors<a href="#note-8"><small>8</small></a> interpret this + angel of Luther, some of Calvin; but no <i>individual</i> is sufficiently + prominent in history to justify the application to him of so striking a + symbol in so concise a prophecy. Such restriction of a symbol to an + individual results from <i>prelatic</i> habits of thought. In the mind of a + prelate the idea of a gospel ministry includes that of a <i>metropolitan</i>. + This angel is, in fact, as usual, simply the emblem of the ministry, not + excluding the social body of which they are the official guides. +</p> +<p> + This second angel carries forward the reformation effected by his + predecessor, reviving that cause when it began to languish under the + violence of Antichrist. "While the Roman pontiff," says Mosheim, + "slumbered in security at the head of the church, and saw nothing + throughout the vast extent of his domain but tranquillity and + submission, and while the worthy and pious professors of genuine + Christianity almost despaired of seeing that Reformation on which their + most ardent desires and expectations were bent, an obscure and + inconsiderable person arose on a sudden, in the year 1517, and laid the + foundation of the long expected change, by opposing with undaunted + resolution his single force to the torrent of papal ambition and + despotism." That individual was the heroic Luther, whose praise is in + all the churches till the present day. No individual is so famous in the + history of that eventful period as Martin Luther, for recovering the + doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, to the + exclusion of all creature merit. This fundamental principle in the + economy of man's salvation he justly denominated <i>articulus stantis vel + cadentis ecclesiae</i>—"the hinge of a standing or falling church." By the + defence and propagation of this doctrine especially, the priestly office + of Christ was vindicated against the dogmas of penance, indulgence and + supererogation, inculcated by the "Man of Sin;" and by consequence, one + of the bulwarks of mystical Babylon effectually demolished. At the + famous Diet of Worms, which, like the Council of Constance, combined the + imperial power of Rome, civil and ecclesiastic, that indomitable servant + of Christ gave a visible demonstration that "the Spirit of the Father" + animated and "spake in him," (Matt. x. 20.) Not less explicit was Luther + on the fundamental doctrine of the divine decrees; which, with other + Arminian dogmas of creature-merit, had been almost universally + propagated and stamped with the pretended infallible authority of Rome. + By the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the + people, the idolatries, impositions and profligacy of the priesthood + were extensively discovered. And after years of deference to + ecclesiastical authority, conditional proposals of submission to the + Pope upon conviction of error in his <i>theses</i>, or conscientious belief, + Luther in time arrived at the conclusion that the church of Rome was + irreclaimable, giving publicity to his deep convictions in a treatise + <i>De Captivitate Babylonica</i>,—"The Captivity of Babylon." In the 18th + chapter of this book, he discovered that Babylon is doomed to + destruction. He considered the church of Rome as answering to the + prophetic symbol, and of course not to be reformed. It was an obvious + inference—he ought to obey Christ rather than the Pope,—"Come out of + her, my people."—This call was indeed a sufficient warrant to separate + from the Church of Rome; and, acting on it, protestant churches have + ever since been organized: but the type or symbol, Babylon, was + unwarrantably restricted in import, as representing only the Church of + Rome. And it is to be deplored that most protestant expositors continue + to limit the inspired symbol in the same way till the present time. The + literal Babylon, a name common to the ancient city and empire by the + river Euphrates, was in no sense a church; and it would be anomalous and + incongruous to select either city or empire as an <i>emblem of a church</i>! + There is, however, in the Apocalypse a combining or blending of symbols + in order clearly and fully to represent a complex moral person. This has + been already exemplified in ch. xiii. 2, where the prominent features of + Daniel's first <i>three</i> beasts, (ch. vii. 4-6,) are combined in John's + <i>first</i> beast of the sea. Just so in this instance. The idolatrous and + tyrannical Roman empire, in alliance with an apostate church, + constitutes mystical Babylon. History demonstrates the fact of their + coalition. The great red dragon, the devil, operates through both during + the allotted period of 1260 years against the witnesses of Christ. + Sometimes, indeed, the nominal church is the more active and visible + instrument, and at other times the state, in opposing Mediatory + authority; and thus Babylon, or one of her streets, which is the + equivalent of a horn of the beast, becomes prominent. This second angel + confidently proclaims,—"Babylon is fallen, is fallen." So said Isaiah + of literal Babylon long before the event; (ch. xxi. 9,) and so said + Jeremiah, (ch. li. 8,) to whose predictions John obviously alludes. All + these three prophets speak in present time of a future event, simply + because of the settled and unalterable purpose of God, acting not + formally as a sovereign, but as a judge. The multiplied and aggravated + crimes of Babylon, literal or mystical Babylon, are the just grounds of + her deserved and awful doom. From ancient times God has declared by his + prophets the things that are not yet done. (Isa. xlvi. 10.) His counsel + stands and he doeth all his pleasure. +</p> +<p> + That the mystical Babylon emblematically represented the complex systems + of civil and ecclesiastical corruption and despotism organized in + Christendom, was in some degree understood by the reformers in Europe; + but the work of this second angel was carried on successively by men of + piety and learning, who were eminently qualified for systematically + arranging the doctrines of grace as deduced from the word of God. Their + pious labors we still have in the forms of Bodies of Divinity and + Confessions of Faith, in both which the unscriptural and antiscriptural + dogmas and heresies of Rome are condemned and solidly confuted by the + Scriptures. There is a wonderful "harmony of confessions" framed by + those who separated from the fellowship of the Romish church; which + harmony can be accounted for only by the fact that those who framed them + drew their materials from the Bible. But it was by their public + <i>covenants especially</i>, that the reformers lifted a testimony against + the heresies, immoralities and tyrannies of the church of Rome. And + among all the churches of the Reformation, that of Scotland is justly + entitled to the pre-eminence. In no nation or state in Christendom did + the witnesses of Christ,—the second angel, attain so nearly to a + scriptural model of organized society in church and state as in that + land, whose mountains and valleys were "flowered with martyrs" for a + "Covenanted Work of Reformation." As Zuingle the Swiss-reformer excelled + Luther, Calvin and others in Europe in the application of the divine + moral law, as revealed in Scriptures, to civil society, so John Knox in + Scotland was equally clear, that royal personages are amenable to the + body politic, and both to the Mediator. +</p> +<p> + <i>We are now</i> under the ministry of this <i>second</i> "angel." The revival + effected by the first angel had greatly declined before the second made + his appearance; and all persons of intelligence and spiritual + discernment in our day, lament the visible decline in practical + godliness, arising from indifference to divine truth. Most professing + Christians, including the descendants of the martyrs, are "willingly + ignorant" of the attainments and sufferings of their illustrious + predecessors. The work of reformation to be accomplished by the second + angel, we suppose to have been completed about the middle of the + seventeenth century. Since that period his work appears from history to + consist in testifying against defection from the reformation which had + been reached. The "great city" is to fall "because she made all nations + drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She is "spiritually + called Sodom and Egypt," neither of which was a church any more than + Babylon. These were all heathen communities, never <i>married</i> to the + Lord; therefore Babylon is not here charged as an adulteress, but with + <i>fornication</i>. The nations are her paramours. Her wine is intoxicating. + It deranges the intellect and stupifies the conscience. Will any + reasoning prevail with a drunken man? An active politician is + proverbially unscrupulous, and proof against the law of God. There is, + however, "wrath" in this cup. Those who refuse to "kiss the Son" must + feel the weight of his iron rod. (Ps. ii. 9, 12; lxxv. 8.) +</p> +<p> + The "little book" introduced at the 10th chapter, is included in the + first 13 verses of the 11th chapter, which comprehends a concise history + of the 1260 years, as we have seen. At the 15th verse, the seventh and + last trumpet is sounded which introduces the millennium and gives a + brief outline of events till the end of the world. Then the three + following chapters give in detail the events prior to the millennium, a + commentary, as it were, on the "little book," but resuming a narrative + of the sealed book's contents, which had been suspended at the end of + the 9th chapter. There, as we have seen, the first and second + woe-trumpets left the population of the Roman church and empire still in + rebellion:—"They repented not."—Hence it is apparent that the work of + these symbolic angels consists in opposing the antichristian systems of + organized society during the period of the fifth and sixth trumpets. + This they do partly by declaring the truth as it is in Jesus, and partly + by denouncing divine judgments on the impenitent. The first angel, by + proclaiming the "everlasting gospel," called upon men to "fear God and + give glory to him," and not to idols,—threatening "coming judgment." + The great majority of those addressed, however, disregarding alike his + loving instructions and faithful warnings, must hear from the second + angel that the judgment threatened by his predecessor, is now + imminent:—"Babylon is fallen," etc. Notwithstanding the faithful and + earnest contendings of the Waldenses, Bohemians and others on the + continent of Europe, seconded by the Lollards in England, so far were + the votaries of Antichrist from repenting of their idolatry and + profligacy, that they became more and more exasperated against those + witnesses who tormented them, and attempted to silence their testimony + by committing their leaders to the flames. Hence the second angel's + ministry consists more in denouncing judgment than in offering mercy to + the penitent; and the history of the struggles in Europe and the British + Isles between Christ's witnesses and the Roman Antichrist in the 16th + and 17th centuries, demonstrates the awful fact that they, with great + and wonderful unanimity, judged the church of Rome at least, utterly + irreclaimable. Of this united judgment the Confessions of those + reformers are at this day a standing evidence. But chief among the + churches and nations of Christendom stands Scotland, as well before as + after her appearance, by her famous Commissioners, in the Westminster + Assembly of Divines. In her full and free Assembly, and by her national + representatives, sustained by all their pious constituency, she uttered + those memorable words,—"We abhor and detest ... chiefly all kind of + Papistry in general and particular heads, even as they are damned + (<i>condemned</i>) and <i>confuted</i> by the word of God and Kirk of Scotland." + Perhaps this is the only instance hitherto within the 1260 years, where + a <i>whole church</i> and <i>nation</i>, under the awful sanction of a <i>solemn + oath</i>, has pronounced a judicial sentence of condemnation upon the + church of Rome. Thus with confidence did those noble witnesses pronounce + the anticipated doom of the mystic Babylon. But alas! may we not adopt + and apply now (1870,) the language of the weeping prophet?—"How is she + become a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among + the provinces!" +</p> +<p> + As declension among those who had protested against the corruptions of + Antichrist, under the ministry of the first angel of reform, together + with the continued impenitence of the multitude who still wondered after + the beast, called for the appearance of the second angel of revival, so + the moral condition of the world called for the work of his successor. + In the mean time, living as we now are, within the period allotted in + prophecy and in history to the ministry of the second angel of revival + and reform, it is but too evident that there is a great and increasing + decline among the best reformed churches. Many of the Protestant + ministry, especially of the prelatic order, are posting back to Rome; + and the growing ritualism, with its gaudy and splendid "attire of a + harlot," which characterizes others, plainly indicates their tendency in + the same direction. And even those other denominations, which are not + yet prepared to adopt that "blasphemous hierarchy," are visibly + departing from the soundness in doctrine and purity of gospel worship + which constituted the chief glory of the Second Reformation. These are + the baleful effects of the dragon's influence "on the earth," (ch. xii. + 13, 15.) Besides, nearly all ecclesiastical bodies are yet in cordial + alliance with the beast of the sea; and this alliance is the Antichrist. + The Pope is now nearly divested of his former civil supremacy, and in + this respect become less the express image of the imperial beast of the + sea, (ch. xiii. 14;) yet the leaven of the Romish religion pervades all + the Christian community, so far as allegiance to the beast or his horns + is either enjoined or tolerated. This usurpation of the royal + prerogatives of Christ over the churches and nations in the eastern + hemisphere by the kings of the earth, and a similar usurpation in the + western hemisphere, whether by individual despots or by the body + politic, is the <i>great crime</i> which fills the measure of the cup of + wrath, to be poured out of the "seven vials." While such is the moral + condition of society in all lands favored with a revelation of the will + of God,—visited with judgments, continuing impenitent and guilt + augmenting, what is to be expected but heavier judgments to follow? +</p> +<p> + 9. And the third angel followed them, saying, with a loud voice, If any + man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his + forehead, or in his hand, +</p> +<p> + 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is + poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall + be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, + and in the presence of the Lamb: +</p> +<p> + 11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and + they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, + and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-11.—"And the third angel followed." The two preceding angels + addressed <i>communities</i>, calling them to repentance and reformation. + Indeed, the language of the second implies little or no hope of their + recovery. This third angel, "following" up the scriptural testimony of + those who went before, and assuming that church and state,—the + essential elements of the antichristian system,—continue irreclaimable, + addresses his message to <i>individuals</i>. This angel is the last that the + Lord Jesus will employ to awaken sinners that "are at ease in Zion." His + ministry is yet future, and he will never be succeeded by an angel of + mercy until mystical Babylon is overthrown. The special, arduous and + perilous work of this angel is, to threaten eternal death against every + individual who persists in the hitherto popular idolatry. "If any man + worship the beast."—Up to the time of this angel's appearance the beast + lives and devours his prey: consequently, his work comes within the + period of the 1260 years. During this limited time, there will be found + in the Apocalypse <i>three objects</i> of popular devotion,—the dragon, (ch. + xiii. 4,) the <i>beast</i>, and his <i>image</i>, (v. 15.) In this place the + dragon is omitted, as also in ch. xv. 2; xx. 4. We may ask, why the + omission?—Simply because "the things which the <i>Gentiles</i> sacrifice, + they sacrifice to devils, and not to God," (1 Cor. x. 20;) consequently, + these worshippers being <i>Gentiles</i>, (ch. xi. 2,) there is no necessity + that the dragon (the devil) should be particularized. From the first + rise of the beast, he was in alliance with the dragon, (ch. xiii. 2, 3;) + therefore both are doomed to perdition, (ch. xx. 10.) Most expositors + consider this angel as emblematical of events already past; the + reformation effected by Luther, his coadjutors and successors, or the + church of England!<a href="#note-9"><small>9</small></a> Their error consists in viewing the beast as the + symbol of the church of Rome. And it is remarkable, that through the + power of local and political bias, those commentators who themselves + perceive that the beast of the sea in chapter xiii. 1, symbolizes the + Roman <i>empire</i>, lose sight of their <i>own exposition</i> when they arrive at + the place before us! And of this bias and inconsistency they seem to be + wholly unconscious! No, there has never yet appeared in the symbolic + heaven a minister or ecclesiastical organization, which has + authoritatively denounced everlasting punishment against all who + "receive the mark of the beast." It is to be noticed here that the sins + charged are <i>cumulative</i>, not <i>distributive</i>. Guilt is contracted as + here charged, by "worshipping the beast and his image, and receiving his + mark." If the beast signify immoral civil power, and his image signify + the Papacy, as we have seen they do, then it follows that worshipping + both, and receiving the mark of the former, constitute the special guilt + here charged by the angel: that is, eulogizing, praising, and actively + co-operating with civil and ecclesiastical society, at war with the + Bible—in organized hostility to the Lord and his Anointed. (Ps. ii. 9.) + "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth + mischief by a law?" (Ps. xciv. 20.) But during the 1260 years, the + secular imperial beast consists of "kingdoms of this world" in alliance + with the beast of the earth, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And as both are for + their crimes consigned to utter destruction, so in the time of the + "third angel," every individual is threatened with everlasting + punishment, who identifies with them. "No <i>temporal</i> judgments on + <i>collective</i> bodies can be the fulfilment of this awful denunciation, + which evidently relates to <i>individuals</i>, and to each individual who is + guilty; and if words can convey the idea of eternal punishment, it is + here denounced."<a href="#note-10"><small>10</small></a> The words in the original, translated "for ever and + ever," (v. 11,) are the strongest in the Greek language to signify + eternity, and are not susceptible of any other meaning. +</p> +<p> + As already intimated, the special mission and awful message of this + angel is yet future; but the testimony of his predecessor will have made + the tyranny, idolatry, immorality and profligacy of civil despots and + mercenary ministers so palpable and glaring, that the vengeance of the + Lord proclaimed by the last messenger will appear to be just. In this + way the "two witnesses smite the earth with all plagues," (ch. xi. 6;) + for they are identical with the "third angel," and have an active agency + in the work of judgment to be executed upon the antichristian enemies, + (ch. xv. 7.) And "who knows the power of that wrath which is poured out + without mixture into the cup of Jehovah's indignation?" In temporal + judgments there may be a mixture of mercy; but there is no such element + in the cup of the impenitent votaries of mystic Babylon. "Holy angels" + look on without sympathy for her agonies, while the Lamb inflicts the + tremendous penalty of her complicated and long-continued crimes. "<i>He</i> + shall be tormented—<i>their</i> torment:"—individuals found guilty of + complicity with Babylon, will be bound up into bundles as fuel for that + fire and brimstone, whose "smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever." "They + have no rest day nor night who worship the beast,"—no mitigation of + their sufferings. They are doomed to dwell "with everlasting burnings." + (Is. xxxiii. 14.) Such are the denunciations which the "third angel" is + commissioned to proclaim in the ears of men, either to bring them to + repentance, or to justify the Lamb in punishing their impenitent + disobedience. Now "every one who is acquainted with the writings of the + reformers and their successors, knows that they generally declared, + without hesitation, that popery is a damnable religion."<a href="#note-11"><small>11</small></a> Popery, + however, is the religion which has corrupted states and churches + throughout the world; and therefore future reformers will not hesitate + to join civil states with her in their testimony and prayers, + saying,—"The wicked shall be turned into hell, <i>and all the nations</i> + that forget God. Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that have not known + thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name; for they + have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place." (Psa. ix. 17; + lxxix. 6, 7.) +</p> +<p> + 12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the + commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. +</p> +<p> + 13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are + the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, + that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12, 13.—The faithful and pointed testimony of the "third angel" of + reform against the organized enemies of God in church and state, instead + of producing repentance, tends only to provoke them to greater rage + against those who thus awaken their consciences and disturb their sinful + repose. The fires of persecution are again kindled, and the witnesses + are subjected to the anathemas of the church and the sword of the civil + magistrate,—the cruelty of the two beasts. It is therefore + added,—"Here is the patience of the saints." The events predicted here + agree in time with ch. xiii. 10; and the subjects of persecution are the + same moral person in their legitimate successors who appeared in ch. + xii. 17. They "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," + while the multitude "obey unrighteousness, receiving for doctrines the + commandments of men." +</p> +<p> + To animate these sufferers who are in "jeopardy every hour" and who have + the sentence of death as outlaws, pronounced against them by Antichrist, + John "heard a voice from heaven," directing him to write,—"Blessed are + the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth."—To "die in the + Lord,"—means, in the faith and hope of the gospel, relieved by the + "witness of the Spirit" from the overwhelming fears of the pains of + <i>purgatory</i>. Both negatively and positively, this angel testifies + against the antichristian dogma of purgatory. He declares that the + torments of the wicked continue "for ever and ever," while the righteous + who die in the Lord, "cease from their labours."—No stronger testimony + can be conceived against the more gross papal heresy, or the more modern + and so called philosophical delusions of Universalists, Socinians and + others,—all of whom are the offspring of the "mother of harlots." But + besides the voice from heaven, and the concurrent witness of the Spirit, + against the papal dogma of purgatory, the "rest" here proclaimed for the + comfort of martyred saints, may be also understood as a termination to + their sharp conflicts with Antichrist. "<i>Henceforth</i> they rest from + their labours,"—they shall never again be called to "resist unto blood, + striving against sin," as heretofore, by the combined opposition of the + "beast and false prophet," organized tyranny and idolatry. The ministry + of the "third angel," cotemporary with the "seventh trumpet,"—the third + and last "woe," prepares society throughout Christendom for entering + into the millennial rest. +</p> +<p> + 14. And I looked, and, behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat + like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his + hand a sharp sickle. +</p> +<p> + 15. And another came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him + that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is + come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and + the earth was reaped. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-16.—The gathering in of the harvest is sometimes emblematical of + mercy,—as when the believer is gathered to his fathers by death. His + sanctification being completed, he is taken home "as a shock of corn + ripe in his season." Reaping and threshing, however, are most frequently + symbolical of divine judgments, (Jer. li. 33;) and the apostle refers + here to the same event which the Lord foretold by the mouth of other + prophets. (Joel iii. 13-17; Micah iv. 12, 13.) This harvest is + emblematical of divine judgment on the nations of apostate Christendom. + He who executes the judgment is one like the Son of man, the Lord + Christ. Enthroned on a "white cloud" as his chariot, and having on his + royal "head a golden crown," the symbol of sovereignty, at the + solicitation, the loud cry of the symbolic angel,—a gospel ministry, he + "thrusts in his "sharp sickle," the emblem of avenging justice, and with + infinite ease, "the earth is reaped." This work of punishing guilty + <i>nations</i> is not so proper to the ministry, the functions of whose + office are of a spiritual nature; yet are they active in a way competent + to them, calling upon the "Lord of the harvest" to reap. They judge of + the signs of the times. Such is part of their appropriate work. Thus + they say,—"The time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the + earth is ripe." The Lord Jesus appeared in royal majesty to John, as he + had appeared to Ezekiel, (ch. i. 26;) and to Daniel, (ch. vii. 13.) The + cloud on which he sat had a bright side towards his saints, but to his + enemies a dark side, as at the Red Sea. (Ex. xiv. 19, 20.) +</p> +<p> + The two judgments of the <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, are obviously an + allusion to a natural order in the climate of Judea. Not only did the + barley and wheat-harvest precede the time of gathering grapes, but some + space elapsed between these labors of the husbandman. The usual order is + observed here. +</p> +<p> + 17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also + having a sharp sickle. +</p> +<p> + 18. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over + fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, + saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine + of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. +</p> +<p> + 19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the + vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of + God. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out + of the wine-press even unto the horse-bridles, by the space of a + thousand and six hundred furlongs. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-20.—As the ministry of the "third angel," (v. 9,) was final, as + to pronouncing the deserved doom of all the adherents of the + antichristian system, so in the symbols of the <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, + we have the execution of that sentence exhibited. The nations of + Christendom, having drunk the wine of the mother of harlots, and of her + daughters too, and having exhausted the patience of the Lord Jesus, + refusing to repent, while he warned them by his servants the three + angels of reform,—"rising early and sending them," were at length + "ripe" for his sharp sickle. Long had he expostulated with them, saying + to them, while addressing his church,—"The nation and kingdom that will + not serve thee (O Zion,) shall perish; yea, those nations shall be + utterly wasted." (Isa. lx. 12.)—The desolating judgments of the + reigning Mediator, having brought those nations to "hate the whore," + they become the willing and zealous agents of her destruction, as + appears, (ch. xvii. 16.) +</p> +<p> + The "gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth,"—is a concise + emblematical representation of that tremendous work of punishing the + apostate church, to be exhibited in greater detail in the following + chapters. +</p> +<p> + The "angel coming out of the temple,"—represents the gospel ministry as + usual. His "having a sharp sickle" may import his more immediate agency + in this than in the preceding work of the harvest." Christ himself + judged the nations,—had the "sharp sickle;" but in reckoning with + impenitent ecclesiastical communities, he will honor his faithful + servants. As in "measuring the temple,"—the Mediator held the + instrument in his own hand under the Old Testament, (Zech. ii. 1,) but + under the New Testament gave it into the hand of John, the + representative of a gospel ministry, (ch. xi. 1,) so that transaction + may illustrate the symbols here. +</p> +<p> + The other angel "coming from the altar, who had power over fire," is + also symbolical of the ministry. The sickle in the hand of the former + angel, is for gathering the grapes; while the connexion of the latter + angel with the "altar," imports that a sacrifice is about to be offered, + as customary, to appease divine justice.—The "vine of the earth" is + plainly contrasted with the true vine. (Ps. lxxx. 1; Jer. ii. 21.) This + is a vine of Sodom with clusters of Gomorrah, (ch. xi. 8; Deut. xxxii. + 32, 33.) It is the symbol of an apostate church, the chief heresy of + which is a practical rejection of the atonement of Christ; for it is + certain that vindictive justice is an attribute of God, and that he will + demand satisfaction from those impenitent sinners who despise his mercy + in the gospel offer, and "tread under foot the blood of the covenant + wherewith Christ was sanctified." (Heb. x. 29.) A heavier doom awaits + all such than to "die without mercy," which was the penalty for those + who "despised Moses' law." No sacrifice is appointed for the man or the + church that sins presumptuously. (Num. xv. 30, 31.) To all such, "<i>our</i> + God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.)—The one angel calls upon the + other,—encourages his companion, to execute the judgment of God. + "Thrust in thy sharp sickle."—Under the superintendence of the + Mediator, his servants by their prayers and their sermons have an active + part in this work of judgment. From the mouth of the witnesses proceeded + fire to devour their enemies, (ch. xi. 5.) This is the last work of + judgment in which they will be honoured. Joining their victorious + predecessors who overcame the antichristian combinations "by the blood + of the Lamb and the word of their testimony," (chs. vi. 9, 10; xii. 11,) + these undaunted servants of the Lord are honored by him as instrumental + in the infliction of the final judgments symbolized by the seventh + trumpet and the seventh vial,—the third and <i>last woe</i>.—The + "wine-press" is the symbol of the "wrath of God," and its location + "without the city," denotes that the churches of the apostacy are + excommunicated,—"reprobate silver, because the Lord hath rejected + them." +</p> +<p> + We are not told here by whom the grapes are trodden; but this is the + work of the Lord Jesus himself, who in the days of his flesh on earth + forewarned his impenitent foes that he would thus deal with them in his + wrath. "Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over + them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke xix. 27; Isa. lxiii. + 3; Rev. xix. 15.)—The blood in depth is to the "horse-bridles," and in + extent "a thousand and six hundred furlongs,"—200 miles! Although this + language is hyperbolical, it is intended to signify "a time of trouble, + such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and + at that same time God's people shall be delivered, every one that shall + be found written in the book." (Dan. xii. 1; Rev. xiii. 8.)—Thus it + appears that church and state, having combined in the antichristian + apostacy, are severally visited with the unmingled wine of the wrath of + God. All the saints shall have obeyed the call,—"Come out of her, my + people;" and mystic Babylon shall then be utterly destroyed. Whether + Palestine, the Pope's patrimony, or some other territory be understood + by the "1600 furlongs," is matter of vague conjecture by all expositors, + and is to be verified only by the fulfilment of the prediction. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter introduces the third and last series of symbols under which + the prospective history of the church militant is given, to strengthen + the faith and animate the hopes of her suffering and heroic children. + The warfare of the witnesses for the crown rights of Immanuel, which + have been usurped by his enemies, has been symbolized under the seals, + (chs. vi.-ix.,) and under the trumpets, (chs. xi. xii.;) and the + symbolic narrative is yet under the vials to be greatly amplified, + especially their last and greatest conflict, briefly represented in the + latter part of the preceding chapter, (vs. 9-18.) Whether or not the + vials, to which this fifteenth chapter is introductory, be all + comprehended under the <i>seventh trumpet</i>, as the trumpets are all + comprehended under the <i>seventh seal</i>, is a question upon which + respectable expositors differ. It is indeed obvious that the breaking of + the last seal, lays open the whole of the book, consequently the angels + holding the vials would come into view. John, however, is obliged to + "write" <i>consecutively</i> some visions which he saw as it were at <i>one + view</i>. Thus he was "about to write what the seven thunders uttered," + (ch. x. 4,) but was prohibited. That was not the proper time or place; + but it is there intimated, (v. 7,) that "in the days of the voice of the + seventh angel," the import of the "seven thunders" would be disclosed. + Then would the "mystery of God be finished, as he had declared to his + servants the prophets." (Joel iii. 2, 12, 13; Micah iv. 3; Zech. xii. + 2-4; 2 Thess. ii. 8.) Some of the most learned and sober divines, who + wrote on the Apocalypse during the peninsular war waged by the first + Napolean, contemplating the anarchical and bloody scenes of the French + Revolution, and the subsequent tyranny and blood connected with the + successful wars of the Gallic usurper, thought they heard in the + commotions of European nations the sound of the seventh trumpet, and saw + the plagues inflicted as symbolized by the vials. And thus it is that + local events, which excite the political feelings, the prejudices and + partialities of even good men, are hastily interpreted as a fulfilment + of prophecy. It does not appear, however, that those events were either + of sufficient magnitude or geographical extent to answer the tremendous + symbols of either <i>harvest</i> or <i>vintage</i>. Did the French revolution, the + American revolution, or the wars of Napolean First, influence the + civilized world or affect the church of God, as Popery and Mahometanism + have done? No, the comparison is preposterous. Hence it is most probable + that Christendom has not yet heard the alarming sound of the seventh + trumpet. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels + having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of + God. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Another sign in heaven."—All the visions were seen by the + apostle in the same place, (ch. i. 1; xii. 1.) The word translated + "sign" here is the same as "wonder" in the twelfth chapter, which for + greater clearness to the English reader ought to have been rendered by + the same word.—The symbol or sign consists of "seven angels having the + seven last plagues,"—the <i>last</i> to be inflicted on the Antichrist, but + not absolutely the last penal inflictions on the enemies of God; for + "Gog and Magog" are in like manner to be destroyed, and there is + <i>eternal</i> wrath. +</p> +<p> + Upon the "Lamb's taking the book," and before he had opened the first + seal, songs of joy burst forth from saints and angels, (ch. v. 8, 9.) So + it is here. Before the angels proceed to execute their commission, the + redeemed of the Lord, anticipating the effects of these judgments, give + expression to their joy. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that + had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his + mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having + the harps of God. +</p> +<p> + 3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of + the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, + just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! +</p> +<p> + 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only + art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy + judgments are made manifest. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-4.—The "sea of glass," or transparent sea, (as in ch. iv. 6,) + refers us to the brazen sea before the throne of God in the temple. In + this sea the priests were to wash themselves, (Exod. xxx. 18, 19,) and + in water drawn from it the sacrifices were to be washed also. (Lev. i. + 9, 13.) +</p> +<p> + As the brazen sea typified the blood of Christ, that "fountain opened + for sin and for uncleanness," (Zech. xiii. 1,) so this "sea of glass" is + the symbol of the same thing; for the Lord washes away the filth of the + daughters of Zion, and purges the blood of Jerusalem from the midst + thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isa. + iv. 4.) This happy company were victorious by the blood of the Lamb, + "over the beast, his image, his name and number;" having clean escaped + from them who live in error, both in civil and ecclesiastical relations. + Holding the eucharistic "harps of God," they are the same company as + those on Mount Zion with the Lamb, (ch. xiv. 1, 2.) There, their song + was called <i>new</i>; here it is more fully described. There it was said, + "no man could learn that song" but themselves, here we have the matter + of the song epitomised. It is constructed of two parts, "the song of + Moses and the song of the Lamb." As the children of Israel at the Red + Sea celebrated the praises of God's justice in the overthrow of their + enemies the Egyptians, so do these with united voice express their + admiration and praise in anticipation of the final and awful end of + these cruel, idolatrous and persecuting mystical Egyptians, (ch. xi. 8,) + "saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and + true are thy ways, thou King of saints." They do also declare their + faith in the universal dominion of their King; that "all nations shall + come and worship before him." And to this day none but the witnesses are + prepared either with intelligence or affection to "learn" or use this + song. We have the subject matter of both parts of this triumphant song, + framed by the Holy Spirit and incorporated in the Book of Psalms, (as + Ps. ii. 8; xviii. 37-45; xlv. 3-6; cx. 1, etc.) The fortunes of God's + covenant people till the ingathering of the Jews, with the fulness of + the Gentiles, may be found in Moses' song, (Deut. xxxii. 1-43,) and the + "song of the Lamb" is found in chapter v. 9-13. +</p> +<p> + 5. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of + the testimony in heaven was opened: +</p> +<p> + 6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven + plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts + girded with golden girdles. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5, 6.—John looked again, and saw the "temple opened," that the + seven angels might have egress to enter upon their heavenly mission. + Their clothing resembled the garments of the priests under the law, + "white linen and golden girdles," representing the holiness or moral + purity of their work. They shed the blood of the victim, so to speak, + without soiling their garments; but the Lord Jesus, whose work of + judgment this is, "stains all his raiment," (Isa. lxiii. 3,) "for the + day of vengeance is in his heart," (v. 4.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden + vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—"One of the four beasts,"—<i>animals</i>, the symbol of the gospel + ministry, as we found, (ch. iv. 6.) Not all the ministry were employed + in this action, but <i>one</i> only. That is, some few, a fractional part, + possessing more insight into the "sure word of prophecy," and endowed + with larger measure of heroic spirit by the Lord Jesus, co-operated with + holy angels in this work of judgment. "He gave the vials into the hand + of the angels." By their preaching, their prayers and their example, + faithful ministers, unseduced by the blandishments of corrupt power, and + undismayed by the bloody edicts of the beast,—"in nothing terrified by + their adversaries," denounce the judgments represented by these vials, + upon the impenitent enemies of the Lord and his Anointed. For an + illustration of this symbolic action of giving the vials of divine wrath + to the appointed agents, reference may be had to Jer. xxv. 15-26; li. 7. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from + his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven + plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8.—"The temple filled with smoke," represents the darkness of these + dispensations, the horror and dismay which seizes upon the votaries of + Antichrist. But during the time of executing these judgments, the + progress of the gospel will be retarded,—"no man being able to enter + into the temple." It is intimated, moreover, that these judgments will, + as it were, clear away the "smoke," and render the temple once more + luminous. So we may conclude by comparing the 4th and 8th verses. In the + 4th verse the witnesses declare their faith thus,—"All nations shall + come and worship before thee." But this is a description of the + millennial state of the world. (Ps. lxxii. 11.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> +<p> + All preliminaries being now arranged, the seven angels receive their + commission by a "great voice out of the temple." It is the "voice of the + Lord, full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4.)—As the <i>seals</i> and <i>trumpets</i> + were not coincident, but successive, so it is doubtless with the + <i>vials</i>. No two begin to be poured out at the same time. One follows + another in orderly succession. +</p> +<p> + Several questions of difficult solution, arise in the minds of devout + and humble students of the Apocalypse, respecting the series of the + vials. Are the vials cotemporary with the trumpets? Seeing that the + seventh seal included all the trumpets, does analogy require that all + the vials be comprehended under the seventh or last trumpet? Or, do the + seven vials come under the last three trumpets, distinguished as they + are by the character of woe-trumpets? (ch. viii. 13.) Other questions + may here be propounded; but these seem to be the most obvious and + important, in fixing the time of the events predicted. +</p> +<p> + The breaking of the seventh seal unquestionably laid open the whole of + the book, including all the trumpets and vials,—all future events till + the end of the world; but it does not follow, for instance, that the + awful scene of the final judgment is to be cotemporary with any of the + trumpets, (ch. xx. 11, 12.) The seventh seal, therefore, discloses + important events, which are to come to pass subsequently to both + trumpets and vials. The fact that both trumpets and vials are disclosed + by the opening of the last seal, admits of their being cotemporaneous. +</p> +<p> + From the striking resemblance between the effects of the trumpets and + those of the vials, (ch. viii. 7-12; xvi. 2-12,) they might seem to be + cotemporary. This, however, is not the case, for the objects of the + judgments are different, that of the trumpets being more formally the + civil empire, while that of the vials is the ecclesiastical empire; + each, however, greatly affecting the other, because of their unholy + union against the cause of Christ. Perhaps it may be most consonant to + the mind of the Spirit to view the vials as agreeing in time with the + three woe-trumpets. Keeping in view the definite period of Antichrist's + domination in church and state, 1260 years, and the probability of its + drawing to a close, the remaining part would seem too short for the + period of the vials. As the series of the vials, like those which in + vision preceded them, is successive, the application of them all to the + French Revolution is simply preposterous.<a href="#note-12"><small>12</small></a> That event answered not to + the symbol either in extent or duration. Nor indeed is there + satisfactory evidence in the actual condition of the Christian world, + notwithstanding the fond imagination of learned and good men, that the + voice of the seventh angel has yet been heard by Christendom. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven + angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon + the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Earth" has here the usual meaning,—the whole territory and + population of the Roman empire, those only and always exempted, who are + true to the cause of Immanuel. The angels of destruction cannot hurt + those who are under the protection of his blood. (Exod. xii. 23.) They + may not "come near any man upon whom is the mark." (Ezek. ix. 6; Rev. + xiv. 1.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there + fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the + beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. +</p> +<p> + 3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became + as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains + of waters; and they became blood. +</p> +<p> + 5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, + which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus: +</p> +<p> + 6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast + given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. +</p> +<p> + 7. And I heard another out of altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, + true and righteous are thy judgments. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-7.—"And the first went."—However disagreeable the service, as we + are ready to suppose, this holy agent at once obeys the divine command. + The best of men hesitate and remonstrate when called to difficult and + disagreeable work. So it was with Moses, and with Jeremiah. (Exod. iv. + 10; Jer. i. 6.) But all these heavenly messengers in succession, execute + their respective tasks without gainsaying. It is the will of our common + Lord that his disciples should emulate their example, that they should + "know, obey and submit to his will in all things as the angels do in + heaven." (Ps. ciii. 20, 21.)—The judgments upon the antichristian + enemies which have been briefly represented in the close of the 14th + chapter by a <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, are in this chapter more + extensively exhibited by the seven vials. A resemblance to the first + four trumpets may be observed in the effects of the first four vials, + and besides, these plagues resemble those inflicted on Egypt. If by her + crimes, especially by idolatry and cruelty to the people of God papal + Rome has copied the manners of Egypt and Babylon, it is but just that + she should be visited with like punishment.—The first vial selects as + victims those who "had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image;" + and this is true of the succeeding plagues, although the fact be not + repeated. The object of this vial is the "earth" in a more restricted + sense than in the first verse. The "earth" in the first verse comprises + all the parts of a system, "earth, sea, fountains, sun and air," + mentioned in the following verses.—The "noisome and grievous sore," + refers to one of the plagues of Egypt. (Exod. ix. 9-11.) The <i>earth</i> was + the object affected also by the first trumpet; (ch. viii. 7;) but as + Antichrist had not then arisen, this plague cannot agree in time with + the first trumpet, though it might with the fifth or sixth trumpet; for + while these trumpets were demolishing the eastern member of the Roman + empire, making way for the development of Mahomet's imposture, the + "little horn" of Daniel, and Paul's "man of sin," was revealed in the + west. But the "two witnesses" were coincident in origin with Antichrist, + and were empowered by the Lord Christ "to smite the earth with all + plagues as often as they would," (ch. xi. 6.) The "grievous sore" is to + be understood metaphorically, not literally; for so the construction of + the Apocalypse requires. It may import the festering of unmortified + corruption among the votaries of Antichrist, intensified by the faithful + application of the divine law by the witnesses.—The object of the + second vial is the "sea," the same as that of the second trumpet, (ch. + viii. 8, 9.) The allusion is to Exod. vii. 20, 21. Intestine commotions, + with war, blood and death, seem to be symbolized. The horns of the beast + were often turned against one another; for the bestial kingdom was + "partly broken." The toes in Nebuchadnezzar's image did not "cleave one + to another." (Dan. ii. 42, 43.)—The object of the third vial is the + "rivers and fountains of waters," (ch. viii. 10; Exodus vii. 19.) These + symbols may signify the several kingdoms of the empire, tributary by + their wealth and traffic to the great city. And as the witnesses + continued to prophesy, giving increased point and publicity to their + testimony, and as the Turks were making encroachments upon the + territories of nominal Christian princes in the west, extensive wars and + great slaughter were the results. These awful judgments are followed by + the plaudits of two angels. The eternal Jehovah is recognized as the + Author of these judgments. The Mediator may here be understood, (ch. i. + 8;) (John v. 22, 27.) The "angel of the waters" may be the same who + poured out the vial. He gives to the Lord the glory of his + justice:—"Thou art righteous." He also approves the "law of + retaliation:"—"For they are worthy." The other angel "out of the altar" + speaks on behalf of the martyrs, (ch. vi. 9, 10,) recognizing the + faithfulness of God:—"True and righteous are thy judgments." +</p> +<p> + 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was + given unto him to scorch men with fire. +</p> +<p> + 9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of + God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repented not to give + him glory. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8,9.—The object of the fourth vial is the "sun," (ch. viii. 12.) + "Power was given him,"—the angel. The two witnesses are represented as + armed with "fire, which proceedeth out of their mouth, devouring their + enemies," (ch. xi. 5.) As the formal object of all the vials is the + ecclesiastical, rather than the civil empire, and the sun is the symbol + of the chief dignitary, perhaps this vial strikes more directly upon the + "man of sin." The expression in the introduction to the vials, (ch. xv. + 4,)—"thou only art holy," seems to be a testimony against the + antichristian "name of blasphemy,"—"His Holiness." By the Reformation, + symbolized by successive angels of the fourteenth chapter, those valiant + men tormented the Pope and his vassals, so that they raged and + blasphemed more and more, but "repented not to give God the glory." So + it was at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) +</p> +<p> + 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; + and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for + pain, +</p> +<p> + 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their + sores, and repented not of their deeds. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10, 11.—"The seat of the beast" is the object of the fifth vial. + The "beast" is all along from chapter xi. 7, the Roman empire. The + "image of the beast," we have found to be the papacy, (ch. xiii. 14, + 15.) Now the "seat (throne) of the beast," would seem to point to the + metropolis, where the Pope, as a kind of imperial, + politico-ecclesiastical head, keeps his court, and whence decrees are + issued. This plague is like the ninth inflicted upon Egypt, (Exod. x. + 21.) It was the last but one, and left Pharaoh still impenitent. Just so + here; although this vial is the last but one to be poured out on the + western limb of the great antichristian conspiracy: the population of + the spiritual empire repress their complaints before men,—"they gnawed + their tongues for pain;" while they in their hearts "curse their king + and their God, and look upward." (Is. viii. 21.) This may be understood + to be the actual condition of the Pope and his retainers at the present + time, and especially since the year 1848, when he was forced to flee + from Rome. <i>Darkness</i> is the emblem of distress, of mental despair, (Ps. + xxxv. 8; Is. viii. 22;) and the actual relation of European powers to + the see of Rome,—Austria, France, Spain, and the Italian states, is not + calculated to mitigate, but rather to augment and irritate the "pains + and the sores" inflicted by this and former vials. +</p> +<p> + We can, however, offer only conjectures here, and dare not be too + confident; for learned and pious expositors are of the opinion that all + the vials are comprehended under the seventh trumpet; that the seventh + trumpet has not yet begun to sound; and consequently, that the vials are + all future. On the other hand, equally learned and godly interpreters of + these Apocalyptic hieroglyphics, are very confident that the <i>sixth</i> + vial is in process of pouring out in our present time; and that in fact + its effects are obviously traceable in providence. Already we have + indicated our humble opinion, that all the vials are not necessarily + comprehended under the seventh trumpet; inasmuch as the opening of the + last seal disclosed equally trumpets and vials: yet doubtless it is + requisite that the series of the trumpets should precede that of the + vials, while nothing hinders that of both series should cotemporate. We + may conceive that as the first four trumpets demolished the western + member of the Roman empire, and the next two the eastern limb, so the + vials may be distributed in a manner somewhat similar. The second woe, + or sixth trumpet, has not yet finished its appropriate work in the final + subversion of the Turkish empire, which still exists; and during the + time of its last echoes, the vials may be supposed to be accomplishing + their appropriate work upon the western empire, as being "wholly given + to idolatry." While the first five vials are consuming the Antichrist in + the west, the sixth is operating in the east. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river + Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings + of the east might be prepared. +</p> +<p> + 13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of + the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of + the false prophet. +</p> +<p> + 14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth + unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to + the battle of that great day of God Almighty. +</p> +<p> + 15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth + his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew + tongue Armageddon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-16.—"The great river Euphrates" is the object of the sixth vial. + By the very general consent of expositors the Turkish empire is intended + by this symbol; and they seem to be equally agreed that the sixth vial + in now in process of pouring out. The object of the sixth trumpet is the + same, (ch. ix. 14.) There is, besides, an obvious allusion to the + ancient literal Babylon; and to the manner of its overthrow by Cyrus the + king of Persia. (Jer. l. 38; li. 36; Dan. v. 26-28; Is. xliv. 27, + 28.)—This monarch, as historians relate, changed the current of the + Euphrates, and by this means took possession of the city, while + Belshazzar and his nobles were engaged in a drunken festival. (Dan. v. + 1-30.)—The waters of this river are to be taken as representing the + population of the Ottoman empire, (ch. xvii. 15.) By the "kings of the + east" may be understood the Jews, agreeably to the symbolical nature of + this book; (Is. xli. 2, 3;) yet as the Turkish empire and Mahometan + imposture constitute barriers to the extension of Christ's kingdom among + the populous nations of the east, as Popish despotism and idolatry, + obstruct the gospel in the west, we may give this symbol of the "kings + of the east" a more extensive interpretation. Probably a larger + proportion of the natural seed of Abraham are to be found on the west + than even on the east of the Turkish empire. The dynasty of the Turk is + in process of visible exhaustion, and nothing but what is termed among + antichristian nations "the balance of power," prolongs its existence or + hinders its extinction. "Drying up," evaporation, is a gradual process, + and with singular precision describes the waning light of the once proud + Crescent,—the expiring breath of what has been termed by a bold figure, + "the sick man."<a href="#note-13"><small>13</small></a>—Under this vial, however, and likewise as the + termination of the second woe, a general, final and desperate alliance + is to be found to resist the aggressive forces of the "Lord of + Hosts."—This confederacy is headed by the dragon, and is identical with + the war, (ch. xii. 17,) against the "remnant of the woman's + seed."—These "unclean spirits like frogs" are called "spirits of + devils." They "come out of the mouth" of all the agents, the dragon, + (ch. xii. 3, 9,) the beast, (ch. xiii. 1,) and the false prophet,—the + same as the two-horned beast, (v. 11,) and (ch. xix. 20.) These "unclean + spirits" succeed in gathering the kings of the earth, by "working + miracles," "lying wonders." (2 Thess. ii. 9; 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2.) They are + the agents of antichristian Rome, spiritual wickedness in high places," + (Eph. vi. 12;)—"like frogs," living in moral filth; garrulous and + impudent, stealthily gaining access into the bedchambers of the kings, + "after the manner of Egypt." (Exod. viii. 3.)—Surely the policy of Rome + is here portrayed, her cardinals, archbishops, Jesuits, etc., gaining + entrance into the councils and cabinets of princes, inciting them to + debauchery, tyranny and blood. Hellish hosts are thus "gathered to the + battle of that great day of God Almighty,"—the day of the seventh vial, + of the "vintage," (ch. xiv. 18-20,) and of the seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. + 15;) for all these agree in point of time.—This will be an "hour of + temptation," as intimated in the 15th verse, which is a parenthesis, + interrupting a little the narrative of the effects of the vial. There is + danger of apostacy, of "falling away to these Chaldeans," of temporizing + with the enemy in order to escape suffering. Thus Christian soldiers of + the cross, losing "the armour of righteousness," would be exposed to + "shame." But "blessed is he that watcheth," that looks to the Captain of + Salvation, to his cause, as elucidated by his providence,—the signs of + the times; for so shall he "keep his garments," when others are "found + naked."—"And he gathered them" or rather "<i>they</i> gathered," (for the + singular verb agrees with its nominative plural neuter as usual,)—the + "unclean spirits gathered the kings of the earth" to the destined place. + This hinders not but that these antichristian enemies of the church are + brought together by the Almighty. Just so he sent the king of Assyria + against "a hypocritical nation." (Is. x. 5-7.) And doubtless the prophet + Joel prophesied of this great and decisive battle, (ch. iii. 11-14.) + "Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Compare vs. 1, 2. + The place is called "Armageddon," the <i>mountain of destruction</i>, + suggesting the issue of the battle in the final overthrow of Antichrist; + for it is not necessary to suppose that any <i>place</i> is literally pointed + out; but as this is a compound word in the "Hebrew tongue," allusion may + be made to the slaughter of Sisera's army, (Judges v. 19;) or to the + mournful death of Josiah, (2 Chron. xxxv. 22.) +</p> +<p> + 17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there + came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, + It is done. +</p> +<p> + 18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a + great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so + mighty an earthquake, and so great. +</p> +<p> + 19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of + the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to + give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. +</p> +<p> + 20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. +</p> +<p> + 21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone + about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God, because of the + plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-21.—"The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air."—The + devil is emphatically styled "the prince of the power of the air." (Eph. + ii. 2.) All the preceding vials fell upon their respective and + successive objects, the several parts of the symbolic system; but this + "vial of consummation" affects the whole of that system at once. The + dragon, the beast, and his image, together with the false prophet,—all + the "kingdoms of this world and the glory of them," which the god of + this world claimed as his own, and offered to our Lord Jesus Christ in + the days of his humiliation, (Luke iv. 6, 7;)—all will be destroyed for + ever. He who gave commission by a "great voice," (v. 1,) to these + angels, now that they have fulfilled his pleasure, solemnly declares his + approbation,—"It is done." The Lord Christ had solemnly sworn that "in + the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he should begin to + sound, the mystery of God should be <i>finished</i>," (ch. x. 6, 7.) He is + faithful to his oath,—<i>It is done.</i> Hence, it is undeniably evident + that the seventh trumpet agrees in time with the seventh vial; and it is + equally evident that the events which they represent are yet future. + What was obscurely intimated as following the sounding of the seventh + trumpet,—"the nations were angry,—and thy wrath is come," (ch. xi. + 18,) is here amplified; for the "voices, thunders and lightnings," are + the visible and sensible tokens of the wrath of God. (Exod. xix. 16; + Heb. xii. 21.) Next follows an "earthquake," the usual symbol of + revolution; but this one is without parallel. An earthquake followed the + opening of the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12;) when paganism was overthrown in + the Roman empire by Constantine, and another earthquake marked the close + of the second woe, (ch. xi. 13,) when "the tenth part of the city fell:" + but this <i>concussion</i> is "so mighty and so great" as to "divide the + great city into three parts," or rival factions: next, "the cities of + the nations fell,"—revolted from their wonted allegiance, and "great + Babylon came in remembrance before God," who seemed to have forgotten + both her and his saints whom she had so long and so cruelly persecuted. + At the fall of Rome <i>pagan</i>, mountains and islands were only "moved out + of their places," (ch. vi. 14;) but at the fall of Rome <i>papal</i>, "every + island fled away, and the mountains were not found;"—the former + indicating <i>transition</i>, the latter utter <i>destruction</i>.—The "fall of + hail" is to be viewed as accompanying, not following, the fall of + cities, flight of islands and mountains. As hail-stones are symbolical + of divine judgments, and as there may be allusion here to another of the + plagues of Egypt, (Exod. ix. 18;) so more especially may the facts of + history supply the figurative language with which the judgments of the + vials terminate. If any escaped the destroying sword in the battle of + Armageddon, they are overtaken by these ponderous hail-stones out of + heaven; even as "the Lord cast down great stones from heaven" upon the + five kings of the Amorites; so that "more died with hailstones than they + whom the children of Israel slew with the sword." (Jos. x. 11.)—The + result is as before; the survivors remain impenitent. As history + supplies no instance of literal hail-stones of a talent weight, (sixty + pounds, or as others, a hundred,) so the symbol represents this as the + most tremendous of all the judgments of God, (ch. xiv. 20.) +</p> +<p> + Thus, we have seen that the last trumpet and the last vial combine, in + the final perdition of Babylon the great. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter may be considered introductory to the eighteenth, or as a + digression in the narrative, to explain more fully the integral parts of + that complex, mystical moral person so often called "great Babylon," + whose destruction was so awfully presented in the foregoing chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And there came one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials, + and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee + the judgment of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters; +</p> +<p> + 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the + inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her + fornication. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The angel that "talked with the apostle" was probably the + seventh. "The great whore" is the symbol of the idolatrous church of + Rome, which broke her marriage covenant with Christ. Idolatry is + spiritual whoredom. (Hosea vi. 10.) Her "sitting upon many waters" is + explained, verse 15. "The kings of the earth" are her paramours, and + their subjects are partakers in the crime,—"made drunk." +</p> +<p> + 3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a + woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, + having seven heads, and ten horns. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour, and decked + with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her + hand, full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication. +</p> +<p> + 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, + THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 3-5.—The "scarlet-coloured beast" is the Roman empire professing + the Christian religion, modelled by the Romish church; for the "woman + sits upon the beast," guiding and controlling all its motions. (James + iii. 3.) The raiment of both is at once <i>imperial and bloody</i>,—"purple + and scarlet."—The raiment of this "woman" is decked with precious + metal, stones and pearls, after the usual "attire of a harlot." (Ezek. + xvi. 17.) The "cup" alludes to the practice of harlots giving + love-potions to their paramours, very expressive of the indulgences, + absolutions, preferments, etc., by which the church of Rome attracts + disciples to her idolatry. "The nations have drunken of her wine; + therefore the nations are mad." (Jer. li. 7.)—The inscription "upon her + forehead" is after the manner of shameless prostitutes, avowing Rome's + whoredoms of idolatry, monasticism, indulgences to sin, as essential to + religion, a "mystery of iniquity," by which the "man of sin thinks to + change times and laws." (Dan. vii. 24, 25; xi. 36, 37.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with + the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with + great admiration. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—This "woman,"—<i>Christian church</i>,—was "drunken with the blood + of saints and martyrs." Of course, such a sight would give rise to the + apostle's astonishment. The attempt of popish writers to apply this to + <i>pagan</i> Rome's persecutions is demonstrably false; for John could not + "wonder" at the persecution of the church when he was himself an actual + victim in Patmos, (ch. i. 9.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell + thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which + hath the seven heads and ten horns. +</p> +<p> + 8. The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not; and shall ascend out of + the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the + earth shall wonder (whose names were not written in the book of life + from the foundation of the world,) when they behold the beast that was, + and is not, and yet is. +</p> +<p> + 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven + mountains, on which the woman sitteth. +</p> +<p> + 10. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the + other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short + space. +</p> +<p> + 11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of + the seven, and goeth into perdition. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-11.—The angel explains the "mystery of the woman and of the beast + that carrieth her." The beast, the civil power, carrieth, sustains the + woman, the church; as the church controls the state, (v. 3; ch. xiii. 1, + 11, 16.) The "beast that was, and is not, and yet is," is a mysterious + personage as well as the woman; therefore all who "dwell upon the + earth,"—not in "heaven, wonder," (ch. xiii. 3-6;)—that is, all the + vassals of Antichrist, distinguished from those whose "names are in the + book of life,"—the two witnesses.—"The seven heads" of the beast + signify seven mountains, on which Rome literally stands, namely, + Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Coelian, Viminal and + Quirinal. Here the woman and Rome are manifestly identical,—the + spiritual empire. But the heads of the beast have a double meaning; for + they also signify "seven kings" or successive forms of civil government. + At the time when John wrote, "five had fallen;" they had passed into + actual history. One was then existing, namely, the emperor, in the + person of Domitian, as is supposed. This is the imperial head, whose + "deadly wound was healed," (ch. xiii. 3.)—The "seventh head was not + come" in the apostles' time, but on his appearance, he was to "continue + a short space." The papacy is not the seventh head. <i>He</i> is a horn. + (Dan. vii. 8, 20.) But a <i>horn</i> of the beast cannot identify with the + <i>beast himself</i>. It is otherwise with a head, which is the form of + government over the <i>whole empire</i>. The <i>patriciate</i> succeeded the + imperial, being the seventh head, and only of <i>short</i> duration, about + fifty years. Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans in the year + eight hundred; and so the patriciate terminated. This is the <i>eighth</i>, + which "is of the seven;" and goeth into perdition. This septimo-octave + head is so variable, sometimes acknowledged as residing in Austria, then + in France, etc., that for hundreds of years, the great republic of the + nations,—all <i>bestial</i>,—are at a loss to identify the visible head in + whom resides the precedency: hence the "balance of power" is so + perplexing and difficult to adjust. Were there an acknowledged imperial + and despotic head, this obvious difficulty could not exist. But the + beast is not. Nevertheless the arbitrary power of the horns of the beast + is sensibly felt in every part of the Roman empire.—The beast is, and + will continue till "the time of the end;" (Dan. xii. 9;) for the Roman + empire must be equal in duration with the life and actings of the two + witnesses, 1260 years. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have + received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the + beast. +</p> +<p> + 13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto + the beast. +</p> +<p> + 14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome + them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with + him are called, and chosen, and faithful. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-14.—"The ten horns" signify "ten kings" or regal or civil + sovereignties, into which the empire was to be partitioned after John's + time, and which we have seen was effected by the first four trumpets, + (ch. viii. 7-12.)—These "received power <i>one hour</i> with the + beast,"—rather, at <i>one time</i>, or cotemporaneously with the beast; for + they are his horns, and are of "one mind, giving their power and + strength," all their resources, to him. These shall make war with the + Lamb," the Mediator, headed by the dragon, and instigated by the beast + and his image, (ch. xii. 7; xiii. 7.) +</p> +<p> + 15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore + sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. +</p> +<p> + V. 15.—"The waters," controlled by "the whore," are the multitudes whom + the apostate church of Rome commands to volunteer in the wars of the + kings against the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate + the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her + flesh, and burn her with fire. +</p> +<p> + V. 16.—What a surprising change! yet how natural! (2 Sam. xiii. 15.) + The punishment is that which was adjudged in the case of a priest's + daughter. (Lev. xxi. 9.)—The "ten horns," here, are to be understood + generally, not universally, (ch. xviii. 9; xix. 19.) Some of those + princes that have contributed most to the aggrandizement of the Romish + church, and been most devoted to her religion, as the ruler of France, + "the eldest son of the church," their "catholic majesties" of Austria, + Spain, Portugal,—may be among the first in executing divine judgments + on Babylon.—"Make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh;" that is, + withdraw the lands, endowments, etc., which enriched her monasteries and + fattened her bishops, priests, etc. +</p> +<p> + 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, + and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be + fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—Here we are led into the secret cause of the wonderful change in + the policy of the horns: "God hath put into their hearts." They just do + to the "great whore, whatsoever God's hand and counsel determined before + to be done." (Acts iv. 28. See also Exod. vii. 3; Gen. xiv. 8; l. 20; + Ps. cv. 25.) +</p> +<p> + 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth + over the kings of the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 18.—This "woman is the great city;" not literally the city of Rome; + but the imperial ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to whose authority + intoxicated kings and their subjects bowed in slavish submission; and + whose bloody decrees they had executed for 1260 years upon many of their + best subjects and fellow-creatures. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, + having great power; and the earth was lightened, with his glory. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great + is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the + hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. +</p> +<p> + 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her + fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with + her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance + of her delicacies. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—After the apostle had described Babylon in the preceding + chapter, he "saw another angel." This seems to be the Lord Christ, the + same as in ch. x. 1. He "confirmeth the word of his servants," (ch. xiv. + 8;) that "Babylon the great has fallen," and is adequately punished for + her crimes, which are enumerated, v. 3. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my + people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of + her plagues. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—The phrase, "my people" indicates that the speaker is not a + created angel whose warning is here given with a "voice from heaven." + This call of the Lord Jesus has been addressed to his elect, ever since + the revelation of the "man of sin." It has been obeyed but partially + hitherto: but upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, his Holy Spirit + will give the call unusual efficacy. +</p> +<p> + 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her + iniquities. +</p> +<p> + 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, + according to her works: in the cup which he hath filled, fill to her + double. +</p> +<p> + 7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much + torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart. I sit a queen; + and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. +</p> +<p> + 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and + famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord + God who judgeth her. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5-8.—"Her sins have reached unto heaven," and now she is to be + visited with condign punishment; although it seemed both to her and + God's own people long delayed. "God hath remembered her iniquities." + There is reference to ancient Babylon's punishment, and the law of + retaliation. (Jer. l. 15; Ps. cxxxvii. 8; Is. xlvii. 1-8.) Her + punishment is destruction from the Almighty": "strong is the Lord God + who judgeth her." +</p> +<p> + 9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived + deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they + shall see the smoke of her burning. +</p> +<p> + 10. Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, + that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy + judgment come. +</p> +<p> + 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no + man buyeth their merchandise any more. +</p> +<p> + 12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of + pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet and all thyine + wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most + precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. +</p> +<p> + 13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, + and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, + and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, + and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and + thou shalt find them no more at all. +</p> +<p> + 15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall + stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, +</p> +<p> + 16. And saying, Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine + linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious + stones, and pearls! +</p> +<p> + 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every ship + master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade + by sea, stood afar off, +</p> +<p> + 18. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city + is like unto this great city? +</p> +<p> + 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, + saying, Alas, alas! that great city, wherein were made rich all that had + ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she + made desolate. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-19.—At the fall of Babylon some of the kings who had been her + supporters, will lament for her while utterly unable to protect her, and + afraid of partaking of her plagues. It may be proper to remark, that the + word translated "alas," and repeated in this chapter, is the same in the + Greek text as that which is rendered, "woe" in ch. viii. 13; from which + fact we are to infer that the fall of mystical Babylon described in this + chapter comes under the last three, or probably the seventh trumpet. + That the Turkish empire is to be overthrown by the sixth trumpet or + second woe, and gradually exhausted by the sixth vial, hardly admits of + a doubt: but it does not necessarily follow, that said trumpet and vial + are to terminate when that judgment ends. Each trumpet and vial may + continue its effects for some time after the following one + commences.—Kings, merchants and shipmasters are mentioned as chief + mourners, while they are helpless spectators of this judgment. In all + this narrative there is plain allusion to the language of Old Testament + prophets who predicted the destruction of the enemies of God's people; + as Babylon, Tyre, Egypt. All these powerful kingdoms have been made + desolate for their idolatry and cruelty; and thus history comes in aid + of prophecy to confirm the faith of the saints. The moral government of + the Most High is uniform, and he will execute vengeance upon his and + Zion's impenitent enemies. The merchandise and lamentations are borrowed + from Ezek. xxvii. In ver. 13 there is mention made of "the persons of + men" as part of the wares in the markets of Tyre, and we find "slaves + (<i>bodies</i>) and souls of men," among the commodities for sale in modern + Babylon. How can we, in view of historic facts, exempt the United States + of North America from complicity in the crimes of mystic Babylon as one + of her dependencies? While earthly politicians, sustained by eminent + divines, proclaimed to the world in gushing oratory that "America was an + asylum for the oppressed of all nations,"—"the land of the free, and + the home of the brave;" perhaps there never was a more effectual + refutation of this popular sentiment, accompanied with a more biting + sarcasm, than that which was uttered in derisive song by the sable, + coffled chain-gang in the streets of the national capital,—"Hail! + Columbia, happy land!"—All who are acquainted with the internal and + political history of the United States, know that the adherents of the + "Man of Sin" always gave their suffrages for the support and continuance + of that cursed traffic. +</p> +<p> + The great variety of the articles of merchandise here enumerated, is + calculated to impress the reader with the idea of the wealth, luxury, + splendor, and self-indulgence of the metropolis of the idolatrous Roman + empire, the "mother and mistress of all churches."—The prophetic + declaration, however,—"with feigned words shall they make merchandise + of you," (2 Pet. ii. 3,) is not confined to the Romish communion. This + traffic, in <i>souls</i>, pervades all the streets of symbolic Babylon.—The + overthrow is sudden and unexpected,—"in one hour." This is thrice + repeated, (vs. 10, 17, 19.) In v. 18 this "spiritual Sodom" is compared + to her prototype in her fearful end. "They saw the smoke of her + burning." (Gen. xix. 28.) +</p> +<p> + 20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; + for God hath avenged you on her. +</p> +<p> + V. 20.—Judgments on the impenitent enemies of God and of the saints, + are mercies to the church. (Ps. cxxxvi. 15-20;) and consequently, while + the former are lamenting for the fall of the great city, the latter are + exhorted to rejoice in her ruin,—all the members of the church in + general, and "holy apostles and prophets" in particular. The apostles + are daily worshipped at Rome in their supposed likenesses, the work of + the "cunning artificer; but here they are mentioned as rejoicing in the + destruction of the idolatrous sinners who so greatly <i>dishonoured</i> them, + and detracted from the glory of God.—As "there is joy in heaven over + one sinner that repenteth," so is there over the destruction of the + impenitent. (Jer. li. 48.) "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord." + (Judges v. 31.) +</p> +<p> + 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast + it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city + Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. +</p> +<p> + 22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and + trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of + whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound + of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; +</p> +<p> + 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and + the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at + all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by + thy sorceries were all nations deceived. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 21-23.—The emblem of "a great millstone cast into the sea," is a + very striking indication of the sudden and irretrievable ruin of mystic + Babylon, and contains an allusion to Jer. li. 63, 64.—The removal of + "musicians, craftsmen, candles, etc.," from this devoted city, as they + plainly point to the statuary, music and paintings which have attracted + multitudes to the idolatry, superstition and harlotry of antichristian + Rome, emphatically proclaims the utter and perpetual desolation of papal + Rome. The language is borrowed from Isa. xxiv. 8; Jer. xxv. 10; Ezek. + xxvi. 13.—Her merchants being the "great men of the earth," and the + "sorceries" by "which the nations were deceived, very plainly indicate + the successful traffic of the "mother of harlots,"—the church of Rome. +</p> +<p> + 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all + that were slain upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 24.—When the Lord "maketh inquisition for blood," the "blood of all + that were slain upon the earth,"—<i>for Christ's sake</i>, will be found in + the skirts of this Jezebel. Papal Rome has shed more innocent blood than + pagan Rome; than Babylon, Tyre and Egypt; and by her relentless cruelty + to "prophets and saints," ministers and members of the witnessing + church, she has endorsed all the murderous persecutions from Abel down + to the present day. (Luke xi. 50, 51; Acts vii. 52.)—Now when we + contemplate in the light of prophecy, confirmed by authentic history, + the numberless, aggravated and long-continued crimes of Babylon the + great, her pride, (v. 7,) her cruelty, (v. 3,) her luxury, her tyranny, + her idolatry, her fornication, her impenitence in all,—can we hesitate + to acquiesce in the righteousness of her final doom, or to join in the + plaudits of the saints in the next chapter? +</p> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And after these things, I heard a great voice of much people in + heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, + unto the Lord our God: +</p> +<p> + 2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the + great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath + avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. +</p> +<p> + 3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and + ever. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and + worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-4.—The frequent repetition of the Hebrew word "Alleluia" in this + chapter, may perhaps be an intimation of something which specially + relates to the Jews. The perpetuity of the covenant made with Abraham, + renewed to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob, (Ps. cv. 9, 10,) is clearly + taught in the Scriptures. (Gen. xvii. 7; Acts ii. 39; Rom. iv. 13; Gal. + iii. 14, 29.) +</p> +<p> + It has been already intimated, (ch. xi. 15,) that at the sounding of the + seventh trumpet, "there were great voices in heaven, saying, The + kingdoms of this world are become <i>the kingdoms</i> of our Lord and of his + Christ; and he (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." Beholding the + overthrow of Babylon, all the people of God were invited, (ch. xviii. + 20,) to "rejoice over her," for her downfall was effected under the last + trumpet and vial. With that invitation the saints here joyfully comply. + "<i>Much people</i> in heaven," implies a great augmentation of their number, + and as "heaven" signifies the church on earth, we are warranted to + expect a rapid increase of her membership as the consequence of the + sounding of the seventh trumpet.—At the pouring out of the third vial, + (ch. xvi. 7,) the angel of the altar said, "True and righteous are thy + judgments." The very same sentiment is repeated here by the "much + people,"—all the saints. Thus they recognise the faithfulness and + justice of God, as he heard and answered the cry of the "souls under the + altar;" (ch. vi. 9, 10,) for he had now "avenged their blood" and that + of their "brethren that had been killed as they were," upon them that + dwell on the earth,—the population of mystic Babylon. (Ps. cxxxvii. 8, + 9.) "And again they said, Alleluia; and her smoke rose up for ever and + ever," like that of Sodom. In all this, the ministry and members of the + whole church cordially join, adding their hearty and solemn "Amen!" +</p> +<p> + For this protracted joy and exulting praise, two causes seem to be in + operation, God's judgment on Babylon, and his mercy on Zion. Both are + matter of praise. (Ps. ci. 1.) +</p> +<p> + 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye + his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the + voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, + Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. +</p> +<p> + 7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage + of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. +</p> +<p> + 8. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, + clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. +</p> +<p> + 9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto + the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the + true sayings of God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5-9.—This happy company are called upon to renew their song. The + call seems to come from some one who is authorized to speak with + authority, "out of the throne." All the servants of God are invited, and + all appear to respond, "a great multitude." This is the most animated of + all the examples of praise recorded in this book. It is compared to the + rushing of waters down a cataract, as the roaring of the sea, or the + rolling of thunder in the heavens. It is indeed the "voice of them that + shout for mastery,"—and "all the people shout with a great shout, for + the Lord hath given them the city,"—"Alleluia, <i>praise ye the Lord</i>, + for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "Thou wilt perform the truth to + Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers + from the days of old."—These joyful victors encourage each other to + prolong their acclamations:—"Let us be glad and rejoice," ... "for the + marriage of the Lamb is come:" and what can that be, but the recalling + of the Jews? This is the day of our New Testament Solomon's espousals, + and the day of the gladness of his heart. (Song iii. 11.)—Not only the + Jews, but the great majority of professing Christians during the 1260 + years of Antichrist's usurpations, have refused to "submit themselves to + the righteousness of God." (Rom. x. 3.) The kings of the earth also have + fostered the pride and profligacy of the great whore, instead of the + bride of the Lamb. The lewd woman, and the woman in the wilderness + hitherto, are now to be distinguished. As their character and conduct + are different, so is their raiment. The gaudy and splendid attire of the + former, is in striking contrast with that of the latter; which is that + of a "woman professing godliness," (ch. xvii. 4; 1 Tim. ii. 10.)—"To + her was granted,"—Precious words; for the "Lamb's wife of herself was + utterly destitute," (ch. iii. 17.) The Jews, in the day of their + Messiah's power, (Psa. cx. 3,) convinced of the law as transgressors, + will be brought to adopt the language of their own prophet, (Is. lxi. + 10;) "he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered + me with the robe of righteousness." The righteousness of Christ imputed + for justification, and the Spirit of Christ imparted for sanctification, + together with good works, the visible evidence of both, will constitute + the "fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints." + This is, after all, a more <i>costly</i>, as well as more comely attire, than + that of the mother of harlots. (Ps. xlv. 13, 14.)—"And he saith."—That + is, say some, the angel, (ch. xvii. 1, 7; or ch. xviii. 1;) but we are + rather to view him as the same who brings all these messages from Christ + to the apostle, (ch. i. 1.) The angel pronounces those "blessed who are + called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."—In the beginning of the New + Testament dispensation, the invitation was to a <i>dinner</i>. (Matt. xxii. + 4.) The day will have been far spent at the sounding of the seventh + trumpet, when Jews and Gentiles are called to this supper. It will be + the last <i>great feast</i> of the church militant. But who shall live to + partake of the banquet? The angel gives his solemn attestation to "these + sayings." +</p> +<p> + 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See + <i>thou do it</i> not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have + the testimony of Jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the + spirit of prophecy. +</p> +<p> + V. 10.—This is a surprising incident,—an aged, experienced and holy + man, an apostle, "falling down to worship the angel!" And we are told + that he relapsed into the same sin, (ch. xxii. 8, 9.) Like Peter on the + mount, who "wist not what to say;" or Paul in the "third heaven ... + whether in the body or out of the body, he could not tell." (Mark ix. 6; + 2 Cor. xii. 3.) John had become overpowered by the visions and + transported by the high praises which he saw and heard. The like effects + were experienced by Daniel, (viii. 18; x. 8, 17.)—This sin of idolatry + by the apostle was doubtless permitted by the Lord, in order to furnish + occasion for a testimony from the angel, against the "voluntary humility + and worshipping of angels," (Col. ii. 18;) practised by the Papists, and + to leave them without excuse.—The abrupt language of the angel in this + and a subsequent case, is strongly expressive of + resentment:—"See—not." Such is the <i>curt, sententious</i> utterance in + the Greek text. He assigns the best reason and strongest argument + against idolatry:—"I am thy fellow-servant," a creature as well as + yourself: we are servants of one Lord, who alone is the object of our + devotion, "Worship God." This is the best counsel, enforced by the most + cogent reasoning,—"For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of + prophecy." This sentence may be read,—"The Spirit of prophecy is the + testimony of Jesus;" and it will be equally true. "To him give all the + prophets witness," (Acts x. 43;) for "the Spirit of Christ was in them;" + (1 Pet. i. 11;) and this fact is well known to holy angels. (Eph. iii. + 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) So this angel plainly declares. +</p> +<p> + 11. And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse: and he that sat + upon him was called Faithful and True: and in righteousness he doth + judge and make war. +</p> +<p> + 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns: + and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. +</p> +<p> + 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is + called The Word of God. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, + clothed in fine linen, white and clean. +</p> +<p> + 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should + smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he + treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF + KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11-16.—"Heaven opened" once more, allows the apostle to look upon + Messiah the Prince going forth to fresh conquests. As he began, (ch. vi. + 2,) so he continues, "in righteousness to judge and make war;" not as + the ambitious tyrants who "destroy the earth," (ch. xi. 18.) He has here + three names,—"Faithful and True, The Word of God, king of kings and + Lord of lords; yet he has a "name written which no man knoweth but he + himself."—His infinite essence and eternal generation are + incomprehensible by angels and men.—He is, however, known by his + mediatorial titles,—"faithful and true" to all covenant engagements; as + the prophet of the church, he "declares the Father," making known the + "word of God;" and his lordship is at once a warning to his enemies and + security to his friends.—"On his head were many crowns," emblematical + of his numerous victories over the princes of the earth, especially the + "ten kings," (ch. xvii. 14.)—"His eyes as a flame of fire," going + though the whole earth "in every place," (Prov. xv. 3;) render it + impossible for his enemies to elude discovery. (Jer. xxiii. 24.)—His + "vesture dipped in blood," refers to his victories over all his + malicious and impenitent foes. (Is. lxiii. 1-3; Rev. xiv. 20.)—His + "armies on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean," are + uniformed like their leader, (ch. xii. 7;) for "they that are with him + are called, and chosen, and faithful," (ch. xvii. 14.)—The weapon with + which he "smites the nations" that oppose him, is the "sharp sword," an + emblem of his ruinous and avenging justice; for he "tradeth the + wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."—"On his + thigh," where he wears his sword, there is a legible inscription, + indicating his universal and rightful authority. +</p> +<p> + 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud + voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and + gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; +</p> +<p> + 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and + the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on + them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and + great. +</p> +<p> + 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, + gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and + against his army. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought + miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the + mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were + cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. +</p> +<p> + 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the + horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were + filled with their flesh. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-21.—The position of the "angel standing in the sun," and "crying + with a loud voice;" represents, that Messiah's judgments would be + visible to all the world; and the extent of the invitation to the + "fowls," indicates the vast slaughter of his enemies. Babylon being + "utterly burned with fire," (ch. xvii. 16, xviii. 8,) as a suitable + punishment of an apostate church; the "flesh of kings, of captains, of + mighty men," etc., as a sacrifice to divine justice, is given as a feast + to the fowls of heaven. The allusion here is to the destruction of "Gog + and Magog." (Ezek. xxxix. 17-20.) These enemies of the saints are to + appear and be overthrown before the millennium; and although John + borrows the names of these enemies, (ch. xx. 8,) they are not the same + as those of Ezekiel; the one appearing <i>before</i>, the other <i>after</i> the + thousand years. We have often found the enemies of the church called in + the Apocalypse by the names of persecutors under the Old + Testament;—Babylon, Egypt, etc.—We may consider the "fowls," the birds + of prey, as symbolizing the kings who retaliate upon Babylon; (as in ch. + xvii. 16;) or rather, as the Lord's people reclaiming their own, of + which they had been unjustly and long deprived,—"spoiling the + Egyptians." (Exod. xii. 36.) +</p> +<p> + Some suppose that the confederacy of the "kings of the earth" with the + beast, (v. 19,) is a distinct attack from that mentioned in chapter + seventeenth; (v. 14;) but perhaps it is safer to consider it as the + same, only more distinctly and fully exhibited here. Indeed it seems, + from the agency of the "false prophet," to be the same event as that + under the sixth vial, (ch. xvi. 14;) preparing to the battle of + Armageddon. The Lord Jesus as "captain of the Lord's hosts," and the + army of heaven following him, all of them on white horses, appear to be + on the one side; and the beast with the kings of the earth, instigated + by the false prophet, on the other. The rank and file like their leaders + are described as having "received the mark of the beast and worshiped + his image." But the beast of the earth, (ch. iii. 11,) causes all ranks + to receive the mark, and worship the image of the beast, (vs. 15, 16) + The beast of the earth, the woman, and the false prophet, all mean the + same thing; and that is, an apostate church in alliance with tyrannical + civil powers, (ch. xvii. 3.) Now, if the great city Babylon, a symbol + which comprises the whole antichristian confederacy, has been utterly + destroyed, as appears in the eighteenth chapter, whence come these + enemies bearing the same characters? The only solution of this apparent + difficulty is by supposing as we have done, that this is a re-exhibition + of what has been more obscurely symbolized, (ch. xiv. 20; xvi. 17; xvii. + 16; xviii. 2, 8, 20,) in order more distinctly to point out the end of + two principal leaders,—the "beast and the false prophet," the empire + and church of Rome. "These both were cast alive into a lake of fire + burning with brimstone."—"The remnant were slain." When the leaders + were discomfited, the ranks were soon broken, and the whole army melted + away. They were slain with Messiah's sword, the emblem of his justice, + (ch. i. 16.) +</p> +<p> + Thus "Babylon is fallen, to rise no more at all:" all the visible + enemies of the Lord and his Anointed are cut off from the face of the + earth: and it remains only that he who originated the rebellious + conspiracy be put under necessary restraint. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the + bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, + and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. +</p> +<p> + 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal + upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand + years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little + season. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—"And I saw an angel." This angel is the Lord Christ, (ch. x. + 1.) The key is the symbol of authority. (Is. xxii. 22; chs. i. 18; iii. + 7.) The dragon had been previously cast down from heaven, (ch. xii. 9;) + by the Reformation, and during the "short time" of his liberty, he + persecuted the woman and the remnant of her seed, on the earth. Now, + however, his career is arrested. "Seizing, binding, casting into the + abyss, shutting up, and setting a seal upon that old serpent," (ch. xii. + 9,) are strong figurative expressions, by which his secure confinement + is signified. Thus is the devil to be restrained from deceiving the + nations for a "thousand years." That this period is to be taken in a + proper, and not in a mystical sense, appears thus. If we multiply one + thousand by three hundred and sixty, as some fancifully do, the + resulting number of years, three hundred and sixty thousand, would be + out of all proportion to the past duration of the world, as well as the + well-defined period of 1260 years. Add to this, that when by Daniel and + John definite duration is symbolically mentioned, it is by "months, + days; time, times and a half a time," or "the dividing of time,"—never + by "years." +</p> +<p> + At the expiration of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed a "little + season,"—<i>little</i>, as compared with the thousand years; so little, as + not to be deemed worth estimating. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given + unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the + witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped + the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their + foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a + thousand years. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—"And I saw thrones." Here there is no mention of <i>heaven being + opened</i>. Nothing henceforth obstructs John's vision. "The darkness is + past, and the true light now shineth."—"At evening time it shall be + light." (Zech. xiv. 7.)—"And they sat on them." Who?—There is here + what may be termed a remarkable chasm in the language of the text. There + is no visible or proximate antecedent. Who are they who "sit on + thrones?" Did Millenarians only put this question, and patiently search + for the solution in the context, agreeably to the <i>allegorical texture</i> + of this whole book, all their hallucinations might be easily and happily + obviated. The inspired writer assumes, of course, that the reader will + readily identify these persons, who are thus promoted to honour, now + that Antichrist is no more, and society is to be reorganized.—Daniel + furnishes a satisfactory answer to our question. "I beheld till the + thrones were cast down." (Dan. vii. 9.) The Roman imperial thrones of + <i>civil despotism</i> were subverted. Again,—"But the judgment shall sit, + and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto + the end." (v. 26.) The Roman imperial <i>throne</i> of ecclesiastical + domination shall be destroyed. Then when Messiah "shall have put down + all rule, and all authority and power," of both sorts of tyranny, "the + kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole + heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, + whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions, (<i>rulers</i>) + shall serve and obey him," (v. 27.) The "saints of the Most High," + according to Daniel, are to be exalted to civil rule, and these are the + same whom John saw "sitting on thrones." Now, the effect of the seventh + trumpet becomes a fact in history.—"The kingdoms of this world," which + had been controlled by the beast, and bewitched by the sorceries of the + lewd woman, "are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his + Christ."—For in the millennial state of the world, there will be a + <i>plurality</i> of <i>kingdoms</i>.—Hence a very common petition of pious but + ignorant people,—"That the kingdoms of this world may soon become the + kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," neither will, nor ever + can be answered.—Under the righteous and benign administration of the + saints, "kings shall be nursing-fathers, and their queens + nursing-mothers to the church:" for "the nations and kingdoms that would + not <i>serve her</i>, have perished; yea, those nations have been utterly + wasted." (Is. xlix. 23; lx. 12.)—The souls which the apostle saw under + the altar, whose cry for vengeance he heard, and who were directed to + rest for a little season, till the roll of their martyred brethren + should be completed, are here presented in quite a new position, + "sitting on thrones," (ch. vi. 9.) Although they are not the same + identical persons <i>physically</i>, they are the same <i>morally</i>; for the + life of the two witnesses is commensurate with the reign of + Antichrist,—twelve hundred and sixty years. These "lived and reigned + with Christ a thousand years; that is, in their successive generations: + for otherwise they would over-live the age of Methuselah!—Souls are + here evidently persons, and not souls as distinct from bodies, as some + needlessly argue against Millenarians: for "foreheads" and "hands" are + attributed to them: but foreheads cannot be literally ascribed to those + who had been "beheaded." Their living is to be understood of their + succeeding to the same scriptural position occupied by their + predecessors, as well as succeeding them in the order of natural + generation. The Holy Spirit says, "Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid + tithes in Abraham." (Heb. vii. 9, 10.) Elijah reappeared in the person + of John the Baptist. (Matt. xi. 14.) Jezebel and Balaam were recognised + in their wicked successors, (ch. ii. 14, 20.) But this is the very + structure of the Apocalypse, being composed of hieroglyphics, that the + free agency of the wicked might be left untrammelled, and the diligence + of God's people might be tested in "searching the Scriptures." +</p> +<p> + 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years + were finished. This is the first resurrection. +</p> +<p> + V. 5.—"The rest of the dead" supposes two classes of the dead. These + are the witnesses, who died a violent and cruel death, and the wicked, + who died a natural death,—there "were no bands in their death." As + there are <i>two kinds</i> of death, so are there two kinds of + resurrection,—a <i>first</i> and <i>second</i> of each. Those who had been + "beheaded for the witness of Jesus," etc., lived in their + successors,—sat on thrones, reigned with Christ a thousand years. Of + course those who were slain by Christ and his army at the battle of + Armageddon, and whose flesh was given to the fowls of heaven, "lived not + again" in their successors, "until the thousand years were finished." + Consequently, "this is the first resurrection," with which the true + disciples of Christ shall be honoured. They must, however, die as all + others, and await the <i>second</i> resurrection: but "on them the second + death shall have no power." +</p> +<p> + 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on + such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God + and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—"Blessed and holy,"—and blessed, because <i>holy</i>; for sin is the + procuring cause of misery. This is a summary description of the + millennial period. The dragon being bound by the almighty power of + Christ, and not permitted to deceive the nations, wars shall cease unto + the ends of all the earth: the population of the globe must be rapidly + and greatly multiplied beyond all precedent. (Ps. xlvi. 9; lxxii. 16,) + the life of man will be prolonged; (Isa. lxv. 20-25,) holiness, + righteousness and praise shall spring forth before all the nations, + (lxi. 11.) +</p> +<p> + That condition of our globe, which divines call the <i>millennium</i>,—a + state of holiness and happiness, second only to the enjoyment of + heavenly felicity, is as clearly and frequently promised to God's + people, as the promise of the Messiah was under the former economy. But + as many were "in expectation that the kingdom of God should immediately + appear," who then entertained unwarrantable and carnal conceptions of + the Messiah's person and reign, just such groundless and gross + expectations and aspirations are cherished now. A literal resurrection + of <i>all</i> the righteous, who shall have died before the millennium is + supposed to take place at the personal appearance of Christ; and this, + too, before the general judgment. By <i>personal</i>, they mean <i>corporeal</i>: + for the Lord Christ promised his gracious <i>personal</i> presence with his + people <i>all days</i>, when he was about to disappear from their bodily + vision. (Matt. xxviii. 20.) "To them that look for him shall he appear + the <i>second</i> time, (not a <i>third</i>,) without sin unto salvation." (Heb. + ix. 28; Rev. i. 7.) Besides, is it for a moment supposable that saints + who have passed into glory, are to be brought upon earth to conflict + once more with enemies, when Gog and Magog shall surround the "camp of + the saints?" Such is a specimen of questions suggested by the + <i>Millenarian system</i>, which have failed of either scriptural or rational + solution by all the learning and ingenuity of its fanciful advocates. +</p> +<p> + The whole series of the Apocalypse proves that the <i>two witnesses</i> live + and prophesy throughout the 1260 years of Antichrist's reign. Their + lives and their testimony end together, (ch. xi. 7.) But the beast that + slays them is himself with his ally, the false prophet, at the close of + the contest, cast alive into the lake of fire, (ch. xix. 20.) +</p> +<p> + After three and a half prophetical days, the witnesses are raised, and + ascend up to heaven, (ch. xi. 12;) and this is the identical fact which + is more fully presented here in the 20th chapter. The resurrection of + the witnesses in the 11th chapter is a spiritual and mystical + resurrection in the persons of their successors; the heaven to which + they were exalted is a mystical heaven: and just so of those beheaded + and advanced, after their resurrection, to positions of civil and + ecclesiastic power as in this 20th chapter. Thus exalted, and ruling in + the fear of God, they become a terror to evil doers, and a praise to + them that do well. (Rom. xiii. 3.) Then shall be realized the glorious + predictions of Isaiah and the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. (Isa. xi. 1-9; + Ps. lxxii. 1) +</p> +<p> + 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall + be loosed out of his prison. +</p> +<p> + 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four + quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: + the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp + of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God + out of heaven, and devoured them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-9.—"Satan shall be loosed out of his prison."—The Lord Christ + will remove the restraint which had repressed the chief enemy during the + thousand years, that the Faithful and True Witness may give a final + testimony to the moral universe, that neither the philosophy of proud + man, nor the law of Moses,—no, nor the ordinances of the gospel, will + ever change the nature of a sinner:—That neither judgments nor mercies + have any efficacy to subdue the stubborn will, or renew the desperately + wicked heart of man; and that it is a righteous thing with God to render + tribulation to them that trouble his saints and insult his Majesty. +</p> +<p> + Thus released "for a little season," the prime enemy goes out as before + to "deceive the nations." He is successful. "The rest of the dead," who + lived not again during the 1000 years, at once re-appear in the persons + of their genuine successors. They are the children of them that killed + the witnesses;—the seed of the serpent aiming a last fatal stroke at + the seed of the woman.—They are called "Gog and Magog;" and because of + the identity of names, many have supposed them to be the same as those + enemies of the people of God described by Ezekiel, (chs. xxxviii., + xxxix.) This view is, however, without sanction in the Scriptures. The + characters are mystical according to the uniform structure of the + Apocalypse. Ezekiel's Gog and Magog come from the "north quarters;" + those of John from the "four quarters or corners of the earth." It is + also probable, if not absolutely certain, that the enemies predicted by + Ezekiel are to appear before, while those of John are to arise after the + millennium. The overthrow of Gog and Magog, foretold by Ezekiel, is + evidently connected with the conversion of the Jews, (ch. xxxix. 22, + 29;) but that event must precede the millennial period. (Rom. xi. + 26.)—Magog is reckoned with Meshech and Tubal among the sons of + Japheth, (Gen. x. 2;) and those nations called in history Scythians and + Tartars, in the "north quarters" of Europe and Asia, as well as the + "isles of the Gentiles," are supposed to be their descendants. By the + "three unclean spirits," (ch. xvi. 13,) a confederacy was effected under + the sixth vial to the battle of Armageddon; and the same is again + presented in ch. xix. 20, as the final attempt against the saints + previously to the millennium, when two of the prime instigators, the + beast and the false prophet, are cast into the lake of fire. Thus we may + suppose <i>eastern</i> and <i>western</i> Antichrist finally destroyed. +</p> +<p> + Ezekiel's Gog and Magog being slain in the battle of Armageddon, how or + where shall we find those of John? They are to be found precisely on the + same principle on which we find the witnesses of Christ in this chapter. + Satan is loosed "a little season,"—<i>little</i> as compared with the + thousand years of Messiah's reign; or rather, as compared with the 1260 + years of the dragon's successful enterprises against the saints through + the beast and false prophet as agents. These being now cast into the + lake of fire, Satan is for ever deprived of their agency. During the + millennial period people will be born in sin as at other times; and at + the close of that happy period, Almighty God will display his + sovereignty by withholding his grace, that a last demonstration may be + given to all the world of the necessity and efficacy of that grace in + changing the heart of a sinner. Without the intervention of the beast or + the false prophet, Satan will prevail by more direct temptations to + gather together to battle a multitude of the <i>same spirit</i> as Ezekiel's + Gog and Magog displayed against the saints before the millennium. These + are the "rest of the dead that lived not again till the one thousand + years were finished." As the "deadly wound" of the civil beast "was + healed," and he received a new life, to the astonishment of spectators, + (ch. xiii. 3,) as the witnesses received "the Spirit of life from God," + to the dismay of their enemies; (chs. xi. 11; xx. 4,) so Gog and Magog + re-appear in the persons and bloody cruelties of their genuine + successors. And in language similar to that in the context we may + warrantably say,—this is the <i>second resurrection</i>; for when it is + declared that the "rest of the dead lived not again," it is manifest + that two classes of dead are intended. All are said to be dead; the + witnesses, slain by the beast; their enemies, slain by the Lord. The + witnesses rise, and "this is the first resurrection." A <i>first</i> implies + a <i>second of the same kind</i>. Well, "the rest lived not again till the + thousand years were finished." What then? Why, simply this,—that the + other remaining class of the dead <i>lived again</i>; and this appears to be + the obvious scope and meaning of these terms, so vexing to many critics. +</p> +<p> + By deception Satan prevails to assemble the nations in vast multitudes, + "as the sand of the sea,"—a proverbial form of expression applied to + Abraham's seed. (Gen. xxii. 17.) "They went up on the breadth of the + earth." Coming from the "four quarters of the earth," they "compassed + the camp of the saints." The allusion here is twofold: to Israel in the + wilderness, in the time of Moses; and to the holy city Jerusalem, in the + days of David; (Ps. cxviii. 10-12,) for often did the enemy with "joint + heart" attempt to "cut off the name of Israel." (Ps. lxxxiii. 4-8.) + Never was Pharaoh or Sennacherib more confident of a sure and easy + victory over the saints. (Exod. xv. 9; Isa. xxxvi. 20.) As in the days + of Noah, most of the generation of the righteous had been taken home to + glory before the ungodly were destroyed by the deluge, so we may suppose + the "camp of the saints" to be but a "little flock," when assailed for + the last time, while they are in a militant state.—The issue in this + case, however, will be more decisive and glorious than any other battle + with the powers of darkness. We may adopt and apply the words of the + prophet to God's people in the time of Jehoshaphat:—"Thus saith the + Lord,—Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for + the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this + battle." (2 Chron. xx. 15, 17.)—"Fire came down from God out of heaven, + and devoured" this great multitude. This most dreadful of all elements + in the material universe, is that which is commonly employed to + represent the wrath of God. By it Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, + Corah and his rebellious company, the captains and their fifties; fire + proceeded out of the mouth of the two witnesses and devoured their + enemies; Gog and Magog are consumed by this element; the heavens and the + earth which are now, are reserved unto fire; the Lord Jesus shall be + revealed from heaven ... in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that + know not God, and that obey not the gospel,—most probably <i>these very + enemies</i>; and all such are to be consigned to "the fire that never shall + be quenched." Awful thought! Tremendous destiny! Who would not fear + thee, O Lord; who art a consuming fire to all thy impenitent enemies? +</p> +<p> + 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and + brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be + tormented day and night for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + V. 10.—The <i>first</i> rebel against the righteous authority of the Lord + and his Anointed, and the ceaseless instigator of all rebellions of + individual and social man, is the <i>last</i> to be consigned to adequate + punishment. When the Lord first called sinners to account, the same + order is noticeable: First, Adam, then Eve, and last the serpent. The + beast and the false prophet are already in the lake of fire; (ch. xix. + 20;) and now, Satan, who is here called the devil, is dismissed after + them, that they may all be tormented "for ever and ever,"—words, as + already noticed, which are the strongest in the Greek language, to + convey to the human mind the idea of <i>endless duration</i>. +</p> +<p> + 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose + face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place + for them. +</p> +<p> + 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books + were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and + the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books + according to their works. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell + delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man + according to their works. +</p> +<p> + 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the + second death. +</p> +<p> + 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast + into the lake of fire. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11-15.—Nothing now remains to bring to a close the moral + administration of Messiah, but the raising of the dead and pronouncing + final sentence on all the subjects of his government. There is no + intimation that any events shall intervene between the casting of the + devil into the burning lake, and the appearing of the Judge. +</p> +<p> + The "great white throne" is suitable to the majesty and holiness of the + Judge. He is not at first called by any name, for "every eye shall see," + and seeing, recognise his divine dignity. In the next verse he is styled + God, not to identify him, but as a matter of course in the + narrative.—No sooner did the Judge take his seat, than "the earth and + the heaven fled away." The simplicity and sublimity of this language are + inimitable by human genius; and rarely if at all equalled, even by those + who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The first inspired + writer uses language very similar. (Gen. i. 3.) We are frequently and + sufficiently taught that the Lord Christ in person is to be the judge of + quick and dead. (Acts xvii. 31.) "All must appear before the judgment + seat of Christ." (2 Cor. v. 10.) No person is competent to this work of + judgment but one who is omniscient and omnipotent, not to speak of other + divine perfections. The "Judge of all the earth" is a divine person, + possessed of all the attributes of deity; and as there is not <i>now</i> + among apostate angels, so there will not <i>then</i> be a child of Adam, to + <i>deny the supreme deity of Jesus Christ</i>. (Matt. viii. 29.) Of this he + gave intimation at the beginning of the Apocalypse:—"Every eye shall + see him, and they also which pierced him," (ch. i. 7;) yes, they pierced + him for <i>blasphemy</i>, "because that he, being a man, made himself God." + (John x. 33.) Here the Judge on the throne demonstrates to an assembled + universe, the scriptural warrant for the language of the Reformers when + they say he is "very God, and very man." "God is judge himself," (Ps. l. + 6,) in the person of the Father; but "he hath appointed a day in the + which <i>he</i> will judge the world in righteousness, by that <i>man</i> whom he + hath ordained."—(Acts xvii. 31.) +</p> +<p> + Before the righteous Judge "shall be gathered all nations," (Matt. xxv. + 32,) all that have ever lived upon the earth, from the creation till the + end of time, all ranks and degrees, however diversified by sex, age, or + social position; righteous and wicked, Jews and Gentiles, Herod and + Pontius Pilate, Cain and Abel, Judas, etc. +</p> +<p> + In order to this general assize, "the dead shall hear the voice of the + Son of God," (John v. 25, 28, 29;) "and many of them that sleep in the + dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to + shame and everlasting contempt." (Dan. xii. 2.) The "sea, death and + hell," or the grave, (or rather, the place of souls as separated by + death from their bodies,) which are thus awfully, but beautifully + personified, shall surrender their respective tenants, that they may + stand before the Son of man in judgment.—Only such as have died are + mentioned here: but some will not die, but "remain alive unto the coming + of the Lord," the judge; and these, it is probable, will be the "camp of + the saints" which have been miraculously delivered from the rage of Gog + and Magog, (vs. 8, 9.) There is a beautiful order in the final + resurrection. "The dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thess. iv. 16; 1 + Cor. xv. 23.) Next will be raised the wicked; for "like sheep they are + laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have + dominion over them in the morning." (Ps. xlix. 14.) The dead, being all + raised, those who shall be alive will undergo a change equivalent to + death,—"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;" for these "shall not + prevent (anticipate) them which were asleep;" that is, they will not be + <i>changed</i> until their companions are called from the grave, etc. All + being now "before the judgment seat of Christ,"—the "books are opened!" + Oh, what emotions will swell and heave the bosoms of the + righteous!—"joy unspeakable and full of glory:" for before the sentence + of acquittal is publicly pronounced, their position on the Judge's right + hand indicates the sentence. And next what terror insupportable will now + seize the wicked! What "fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery + indignation," when in breathless suspense, they await the just + sentence,—"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared + for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. xxv. 41; Heb. x. 27.) The + righteousness of this sentence will be attested by the "opened + books,"—of the divine omniscience, the human conscience, and in the + case of gospel-rejecters, the Bible. (2 Thess. i. 7, 8.) And the like + condemnation would pass upon the righteous, but that "another book is + opened," in which are inscribed the names of all the objects of God's + electing love: and this will be the key-note in their songs of praise to + all eternity. (Jer. xxxi. 3; Rev. i. 5.) All are "judged according to + their works," as these are witnessed by the books,—for "their works do + follow them," (ch. xiv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + "Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Death, or the grave; + hell, or the separate state, will never again be needed, as prisons to + keep their inmates for trial. "The lake of fire" is the place of + ceaseless and endless torment for all who are not "found written in the + book of life;" and this place seems to be distinct from the "bottomless + pit," Satan's "prison," out of which he had been loosed, (v. 7.)—Of the + beast it was said, he "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," but not + that he was remanded thither again: he is said to "go into perdition," + which must be "the lake of fire." (Compare ch. xvii. 8, with xix. 20; + and xx. 1-3 with v. 10.)—The plain and obvious meaning of these closing + verses of the 20th chapter, as delineated in its general import by + appropriate and familiar symbols and intelligible words, for ever + excludes, and emphatically condemns the conscience-stupifying heresies + and blasphemies of Unitarians and Universalists. The God-man Mediator, + seated upon the "throne of his glory," before whose face the "earth and + the heaven fled away," is thus evidenced to be the Son of God, Jehovah's + Fellow. And we may here adopt the assertion and caution of the "beloved + disciple,"—"This is the true God and eternal life.—Little children, + keep yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 20, 21.)—Moreover, these verses + reveal a place or state, more to be dreaded than the "killing of the + body,"—"the lake of fire, which is the second death," "where their worm + dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Matt. x. 28; 2 Thess. i. + 8-10; Heb. x. 26-31.) +</p> +<p> + With the 20th chapter of the Apocalypse terminate the events of time, in + which the divine Author demonstrates, that "known unto him are all his + works, from the beginning of the world." (Acts xv. 18.) Many, indeed, of + the learned and pious have supposed the remaining chapters of the + Apocalypse, to be a description of the church on earth during the + millennial period. But besides the series, coherence and dependence of + the several parts of the book, precluding such <i>retrogression</i>, this + interpretation overthrows the scriptural distinction between the + militant and triumphant state of the church. And it is not to be thought + out of place, that the inspired prophet should describe, by suitable + emblems, the outline of the heavenly state; for this he has done briefly + already in a number of instances. (See chs. ii. and iii., also ch. vii. + 15, 17.)—Those who consider the last two chapters as a delineation of + the church on earth, have first formed in their minds ideas of a + corporeal or bodily presence of Christ, and of a literal and visible + reign on the earth. Such views we have already shown to be without + scripture warrant, yea against plain declarations of the Holy Spirit, + (as Acts iii. 21; Matt. xvii. 11, 12; Heb. ix. 28.) Hence we shall + contemplate the symbols of the following chapters,—except as incidents + or allusions may render this incompatible,—as shadowing forth the + glories of the church's heavenly state. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the + first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out + of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the + tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they + shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their + God. +</p> +<p> + 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be + no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any + more pain: for the former things are passed away. +</p> +<p> + 5. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new. + And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. +</p> +<p> + 6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning + and the end: I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of + the water of life freely. +</p> +<p> + 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, + and he shall be my son. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-7.—It is unquestionable that the phrase "new heavens and a new + earth" is to be understood sometimes as descriptive of moral renovation + in the world. As the moral change affected by grace in the character of + an individual sinner is called a new creation, and is in truth no less, + so in respect to a community. The analogy in this case is the same as + between a revolution and an earthquake. Thus, we must understand Is. + lxv. 17, lxvi. 22, of that great moral change which will characterize + the millennium. But the "new heaven and the new earth" are here + contrasted with the "first heaven and the first earth which were passed + away," (ch. xx. 11.) The apostle Peter describes the very same grand and + glorious change. Mingling the important facts of authentic history with + the future facts of prophecy, he tells us that the "heavens and the + earth which are now, ... are reserved unto fire."—He speaks obviously + of the visible heavens and earth. These "heavens shall pass away ... and + "the earth also, ... shall be burnt up." He adds,—"We look for new + heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet. iii. + 7, 13.)—"There was no more sea," no more disorderly passions, + animosities, arising from human depravity, to interrupt the delightful + harmony and fellowship of saints in glory. It is estimated that about + two thirds of this world are occupied by water. In that happy place + occupied by the people of God, there is no sea; consequently, "yet there + is room," many mansions, room enough for all the redeemed. "The holy + city," compared to a "bride," two very incongruous emblems, shows the + poverty of symbols, their inadequacy to represent the church triumphant: + how then shall created objects furnish suitable emblems of the glorious + and glorified Bridegroom? In vision the city seemed to the apostle as if + suspended in the air on the same plane with himself; for now he stood + neither on "the sand of the sea," (ch. xiii. 1,) for "there was no more + sea," nor upon the earth, for it was "passed away." No intervening + object could obstruct his view.—He heard a voice from heaven, saying, + "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with + them," as his reconciled and beloved people. As a tender Father, he will + "wipe away all tears from their eyes." "There shall be no more death," + either of themselves or their beloved friends, to open the fountain of + tears any more for ever. But death is the last enemy to be destroyed; (1 + Cor. xv. 26;) how then can these words apply to any state short of + immortality in heaven? "Neither sorrow nor crying,"—for sin or + suffering; "neither shall there be any more pain," causing tears or + cries: and what is this but heaven? Yes, "the former things are passed + away." Now "he that hath the bride is the bridegroom," and she shall + never be false to her marriage covenant any more.—"He that sat on the + throne," denotes the Father most frequently in this book, as he is + distinguished from the Son; but the Son "is set down with his Father in + his throne," (ch. iii. 21;) and the Son is to be viewed as the person on + the throne here, as the following words, compared with the twentieth + chapter, verse eleventh, make evident.—He it is who "makes all things + new." He left his disciples as to his bodily presence, and went to + "prepare a place for them," (John xiv. 2;) and now he has come again and + received them to himself, in fulfilment of his promise. Having sent the + Holy Spirit to create them anew and to carry on to completion their + sanctification, he now sees of the travail of his soul, the Father has + given him his heart's desire, and hath not withholden the request of his + lips. Now, all his ransomed ones are with him, in answer to his prayer, + and also their own prayers, that they may behold his glory which the + Father gave him. (Ps. xxi. 2; John xvii. 24; Phil. i. 23.)—The Lord + Christ said to John,—"Write; for these words are true and faithful." + And what has sustained the spirits, animated the hopes, and filled with + exulting joy, the confessors, witnesses and martyrs of Jesus, but + faith's realizing views of the King in his beauty, and the glories of + Immanuel's land? For this peculiarity the disciples of Christ have been + as speckled birds, men wondered at, in all generations.—"It is done," + so he said at the pouring out of the seventh vial, (ch. xvi. 17;) when + the final stroke was given to the antichristian enemies: but now these + words import the completion of the whole counsel of the will of God, as + carried into effect by the Captain of salvation, in bringing the beloved + and adopted sons and daughters of the Father home to glory. (Heb. ii. + 10.) He who is the "Alpha and Omega," is the "author and finisher of + their faith."—Although the Lord Jesus has made of sinners "new + creatures," prepared them as "vessels of mercy unto glory," and + introduced them into heaven, they are <i>creatures</i> still, and necessarily + dependent. They thirst for refreshment suited to their holy nature; and + accordingly he gives of the "<i>fountain</i> of the water of life freely," + for the <i>streams</i> of which they thirsted, "as the heart panteth for the + water brooks," while they sojourned in a dry and parched land, far from + their Father's house. Man's sin consisted in forsaking this "Fountain of + living waters," and his recovery and felicity must arise from his + returning from his own "broken cisterns" to the original spring.—The + water of life was purchased at infinite cost by Christ; but he offers it + to the thirsty without price, (Is. lxv. 1, 2.)—Those who are refreshed + by the streams of the water of life, have many enemies to encounter in + their militant state, but all who overcome are encouraged in their + warfare by the animating promise, that they shall "inherit all things." + (1 Cor. iii. 21.)—"He shall be my son," and "if a son, then an heir of + God, and joint heir with Christ." +</p> +<p> + 8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, + and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall + have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which + is the second death. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—"But the fearful," who dread suffering or reproach for the cause + of Christ,—not the self-diffident who loves his Captain, but the coward + or deserter, who "turns back in the day of battle," who fears the enemy + more than his Captain:—"and unbelieving," not the misbelieving, as + Thomas; nor the <i>weak</i> in faith, but such as have <i>no</i> + faith,—<i>infidels</i>;—"the abominable," defiling the flesh as + Sodomites:—"murderers," suicides, duelists, assassins, burglars, etc., + "whoremongers," adulterers, fornicators:—"sorcerers," necromancers, + spiritualists, who are the devil's prophets, pretending to new + revelations, "and all liars," perjured persons, deceivers, hypocrites, + false teachers, who handle the word of the Lord deceitfully, for filthy + lucre's sake,—all such shall have their part in the lake, with the + devil, the beast, and the false prophet. (1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Gal. v. + 19-21; Eph. v. 5, 6; 2 Cor. xi. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven + vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come + hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. +</p> +<p> + 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, + and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of + heaven from God, +</p> +<p> + 11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most + precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal; +</p> +<p> + 12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the + gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of + the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. +</p> +<p> + 13. On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, + three gates; and on the west, three gates. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the + names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-14.—This "angel" is probably the same who had shown John the + mystic Babylon and her destruction, (ch. xvii. 1;) and who now proposes + to show him the "bride of the Lamb" by way of contrast.—Under the + influence of the Spirit, who has access to the soul without the use of + the bodily organs, (2 Cor. xii. 2,)—John was "carried to a great and + high mountain," where the prospect might be sufficiently enlarged. When + the angel proposed to show him the "scarlet whore," he "carried him into + the wilderness," intimating that such is the <i>only position</i> in which + the "mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her," can be + clearly seen or perfectly understood. (2 Pet. i. 9.) Great indeed is the + contrast. Both objects are complex, and the combination of symbols, + wholly incongruous in nature, admonishes the sober interpreter to beware + of indulging his vain fancy by attempting to trace analogies in detail, + where none are intended by the Holy Spirit. The true church of Christ is + compared to a virtuous and fruitful woman, (ch. xii. 5;) and the + apostate church is symbolized by a fruitful but profligate woman, (ch. + xvii. 5.) Then both are also represented by two cities, which are + equally contrasted. As the women differ in their outward adornment, + (chs. xix. 8, xvii. 4,) so do the cities in the quality of population, + commerce and employment, (ch. xviii. 4; xxii. 14.)—The nuptials being + consummated between the Lamb and his bride, and she being now "made + perfect in holiness;" under the emblem of a city, she is illuminated + with "the glory of God," made "comely through his comeliness put upon + her," rendered beautiful and illustrious beyond conception or + expression: for the happiness of heaven results from conformity to the + God-man, communion with him and communications from him. (1 John iii. + 2.)—"Her light" resembled the "jasper, clear as crystal." The knowledge + of saints in heaven will be intuitive: they will no longer "see through + a glass darkly," by word and sacraments; nor shall the glorious + Bridegroom show himself as formerly "through the lattice;" (Song ii. 9;) + but they "shall see him as he is." (1 John iii. 2.)—"A wall great and + high" denotes the security of this city, which can never be scaled by an + enemy. The "twelve gates" are to admit the twelve tribes of God's + spiritual Israel,—the sealed ones, (ch. vii. 5-8;) who "shall come from + the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and + shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke xiii. 29.)—At the gates + were "twelve angels," as guards and porters. The "foundations" of the + wall, named after the "twelve apostles," denote that all who enter the + city, gained admission by "belief of the truth" as taught by the + apostles,—had "continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and + fellowship," in the face of reproach, persecution and apostacy. They + were "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,"—Old and + New Testament believers saved by the blood of the Lamb: for the twelve + tribes, multiplied by the twelve apostles, make a hundred and + forty-four; and these again, multiplied by a thousand, make the whole + number who appeared with the Lamb on Mount Zion, (ch. xiv. 1;) <i>the + public witnesses</i> of Christ, in the <i>church militant</i> during the great + apostacy. +</p> +<p> + 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, + and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the + breadth. Ami he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand + furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. +</p> +<p> + 17. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four + cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 15-17.—The apostle borrows the symbols and language of preceding + prophets, especially those of Ezek. (xl. 3,) and Zech. (ii. 1.) The + "furlongs" measured by the "reed," indicate a city of vast dimensions; + and being "four square," each side would be about fifteen hundred miles! + And as the "length and breadth and height of it are equal," we are + hereby taught that no gross conceptions are to be formed in our + imaginations, since a city fifteen hundred miles high, is utterly + inconceivable. The instruction intended to be conveyed to us by the vast + dimensions, and precious materials of this city may be, the + incomprehensible nature and transcendent glory of heaven. (1 Cor. ii. + 9.) A cubit, as the word signifies, "is the measure of a man" from his + elbow to the end of his middle finger. The measure of the wall, in + height or breadth, was a hundred and forty-four cubits, or the twelve + tribes, as before, multiplied by the twelve apostles; for the idea of a + cube, as the most perfect symbol of symmetrical form, seems to be + intended. +</p> +<p> + 18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was + pure gold, like unto clear glass: +</p> +<p> + 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all + manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, + sapphire; the third chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; +</p> +<p> + 20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; + the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the + eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. +</p> +<p> + 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of + one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were + transparent glass. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18-21.—The "jasper, gold and glass," are here all combined; though + their natural properties and chemical elements are so different. Glass + is clear, transparent, but brittle; gold is solid and shining, but + opaque. In heaven, the saints shall <i>know</i> more than we can now + <i>imagine</i>. The glass will be all gold. As the eye sees an object through + glass at a glance, so the saints in heaven will perceive truth without + the tedious process of comparison and reasoning. The gold will be all + glass. All these symbols are intended to show to the devout reader, that + the antichristian harlot is incomparably eclipsed by the glory of the + Lamb's bride,—having "no glory, by reason of the glory that + excelleth."—The twelve "precious stones" which "garnished the + foundations of the wall of the city," are an allusion to those of + Aaron's breastplate of judgment. (Exod. xxviii. 17-20;) indicating that + the <i>Urim</i> and <i>Thummim</i>, the <i>light</i> and <i>perfection</i> of glory, shall + be there, superseding the oracle and Shekinah: for one thing is peculiar + to this city by which it is distinguished from the old Jerusalem,—no + temple. +</p> +<p> + 22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the + Lamb, are the temple of it. +</p> +<p> + 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine + in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light + thereof. +</p> +<p> + 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of + it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. +</p> +<p> + 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall + be no night there. +</p> +<p> + 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. +</p> +<p> + 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, + neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which + are written in the Lamb's book of life. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 22-27.—There was "no temple therein." As there <i>was a temple</i> in + the city which Ezekiel saw in vision, (ch. xli. 1,) and this fact + determines the point, that his prophecy relates to the church + <i>militant</i>; so, the absence of even the semblance of such a structure + here, proves that this is a description of the church <i>triumphant</i>. In + heaven there is no need of external, material, visible symbols of God's + presence. As the ceremonial "law had a shadow of good things to come," + but "vanished away" when Christ appeared, (Heb. x. 1,) so will it be in + heaven; no ordinances will be used to act upon either sense or faith, + these having issued in vision. +</p> +<p> + The glorious presence of "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb," having + superseded the necessity of a temple; the light of the sun and moon + shall be no longer needed. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at + all," (1 John i. 5;) and "as long as Christ was in the world, he was the + light of the world." (John ix. 5.) We have seen that other suns and + moons which were <i>symbolical,</i> have been darkened or blotted out of + existence by the omnipotent Mediator; but now these natural luminaries + are totally and for ever obscured by the ineffable effulgence of + uncreated light,—the manifested and immediate presence of the Father + and the Son.—All the redeemed shall "walk in the light of the Lord;" + and all the glory of "the kings of the earth," concentrated in one + place, would bear no comparison with the splendor of this "holy city." + The gates are not to be shut during the "day" of <i>eternity</i>; and since + the "excellent ones of the earth" shall all enter the twelve open gates + from every part of the world, it may be truly said "they bring the glory + and honor of the nations into it." What a delightful scene of a holy, + happy, safe and harmonious fellowship!—It is observable that the + apostle altogether drops <i>personalities</i> here. He seizes only upon + properties or qualities,—"any thing,"—so holy is the place, and so + holy the inhabitants; yea, so safe and secure, that no creature,—no + "beast of the field which the Lord God has made," shall ever gain an + entrance into this heavenly Paradise: but only those whose names are + "written in the Lamb's book of life;" who, despite of the Serpent, + brings all his spiritual seed safe to glory. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, + proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, + was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and + yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the + healing of the nations. +</p> +<p> + 3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the + Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. +</p> +<p> + 4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their + foreheads. +</p> +<p> + 5. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither + light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall + reign for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-5.—These verses, being a continuance of the description of the + "holy city," naturally belong to the preceding chapter.—The angel + proceeds to show John the source and current from which emanate all + heavenly blessings. The allusion is to Ezekiel, xlvii. 1-12; but both he + and John call our attention to man's primeval state, when our first + parents dwelt in Eden. This abode of the blessed is beautified and + enriched with all the products, delights and attractions which are + adapted to the refined senses of holy creatures,—"pleasant to the eyes, + and good for food." It is Paradise restored, by the "doing and dying" of + the second Adam. It is also Paradise <i>improved</i>, having not only the + "tree of life," as the first had, but also, in addition, the "water of + life." The "tree of life" was to sinless Adam a symbol and pledge of + immortality to himself and all his posterity whom he represented in the + Covenant of Works. Now that heaven is procured for all believers by the + second Adam, it is emblematically represented to our weak apprehension + by directing our attention to the primitive and earthly Paradise. This + is repeatedly done in Scripture. The Lord Jesus, before he expired upon + the cross, said to the penitent thief,—"To day shall thou be with me in + Paradise. (Luke xxiii. 43.) Paul was "caught up" thither, (2 Cor. xii. + 4;) and he calls the place "heaven," (v. 2;) and in this book, (ch. ii. + 7,) the Lord promises,—"I will give to him that overcometh to eat of + the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The + "tree" is an emblem of Christ, (Song ii. 3;) the "river of the water of + life" symbolizes the Holy Spirit, (John vii. 38, 39;) for as the Son and + the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father, the former by generation, the + latter by emanation from eternity,—so "that eternal life which was with + the Father" in the person of the Son, and purchased by the Son, is + communicated by the Holy Ghost to all the redeemed by regeneration. (2 + Cor. iii. 6; Rom. viii. 2.)—Thus, the eternal duration of life in glory + "proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb." On each side of the + river "the tree of life" is accessible by the inhabitants; and the + fruits of the tree, ripe in all months of the year, and adapted to every + taste, each one may "put forth his hand" as he passes, "and take ... and + eat, and live for ever." (Gen. iii. 22.) Or, "the people that are + therein" may "sit down under its shadow, and its fruit will be sweet to + their taste."—"The leaves of the tree" are for medicine, being + preventive of all disease, so that "the inhabitant shall not say, I am + sick: the people that dwell therein are forgiven their iniquities." (Is. + xxxiii. 24.) "There shall be no more curse." Satan gained entrance into + the garden of Eden, and succeeded in entailing the "curse" upon man, and + upon beast, and upon the fruits of the ground; but he shall never be + loosed again, or emerge from "the lake of fire," to disturb the repose + of that blessed society in heaven, (ch. xxi. 27.)—As the "throne of God + and the Lamb" is <i>one,</i> (ch. iii. 21;) so it is remarkable that the + distinction of persons is omitted, as though the Father and the Son were + but one person. True, Christ said, "I and my Father are one," (John x. + 30;) but he referred to <i>unity</i> of <i>nature</i> and purpose, not of + <i>personality;</i> for, in consistency with this, he said also,—"My Father + is greater than I;" an assertion which must consist with the former, and + which plainly involves personal distinction, (ch. xiv. 28.)—"His name + shall be in their foreheads."—Which of them? We have found Christ's + Father's name "written in the foreheads" of a hundred and forty-four + thousand saints <i>militant</i>, (ch. xiv. 1.) While in conflict, "the world + knew them not," and the adherents of Antichrist "cast out their names as + evil," branding them as <i>heretics</i>; but now they are known to the whole + universe, as the <i>covenant property</i> of both the Father and the Son, + (ch. iii. 12.)—"Behold, I and the children which God hath given me;" + (Heb. ii. 13.) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou + gavest me cut of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; + and they have kept thy word. ... All mine are thine, and thine are mine; + and I am glorified in them." (John xvii. 6,10.)—There will be no + intermission or interruption of service, "no night there,"—no hidings + of God's countenance, no desertions; for "they shall see his face" in + the "express image of the Father's person," be assured of his + love;—"need no candle," nor any earthly accommodation; "for the Lord + God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever," in + fulness of joy and unalloyed pleasures for evermore. (Ps. xvi. 11.) How + different is this heaven from the Mahometan paradise, which, if real, + could gratify only carnal and sensual sinners! yet the imaginations of + many, and their aspirations too, with the Bible in their hands, are + little better than those of Mahometans or pagans. All speculations of + heathen philosophers about the "chief good," or the enjoyments of their + imaginary gods, are so gross and brutish as to demonstrate the + all-important truth, that "except a man be born again, <i>he cannot</i> see + the kingdom of God." (John iii. 3.) And it is too evident that some + modern philosophers are as little acquainted as Nicodemus with the + humbling doctrines of the gospel. The society of learned men, making + perpetual advance in natural science, especially in astronomy,—would + seem to be the highest conception of happiness which too many modern + philosophers can reach. They know not some of the elementary teachings + of the Holy Scriptures; such as,—"Without holiness no man shall see the + Lord;" and that this indispensable preparation for heavenly felicity + consists in "the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy + Ghost." +</p> +<p> + The hundreds of diverse and conflicting opinions of learned writers on + the <i>summum bonum</i>, or chief good, proves to demonstration, that without + supernatural revelation and regeneration, man cannot conceive in what + happiness consists. Thus far is the description of the heavenly state; + and how little can we know, or even conceive of the glory and felicity + of the upper sanctuary! We must still say with the prophet Isaiah and + the apostle Paul,—"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have + entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for + them that love him." (Isa. lxiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the + Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants + the things which must shortly be done. +</p> +<p> + 7. Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the + prophecy of this book. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6, 7.—The angel assures the apostle and all who read, that "these + sayings are faithful and true," however sublime and incomprehensible; + however, incredible to infidels; however contradicted and misinterpreted + by antichristian apostates and enthusiasts. They are all from "the Lord + God of the holy prophets,"—from Jesus Christ and God the Father, (ch. + i. 1.)—All prophets who wrote <i>any part</i> of the Bible, were "holy men + of God." (2 Pet. i. 21.)—Of "these things" some were "shortly to be + done;" and all in regular series would be accomplished in due + time.—"Behold I come quickly." Christ is the speaker here, and declares + that each one is "blessed who keepeth the sayings ... of this book." + This benediction was pronounced on such at the beginning of this + Revelation, (ch. i. 3,) and it is repeated by its immediate divine + Author, to encourage all to study it. This blessing is not to be + expected by any who merely <i>read</i> or <i>hear</i>, but by those only who + <i>keep</i> the "sayings of this prophecy." Its Author foreknew its enemies + and corrupters. +</p> +<p> + 8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and + seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed + me these things. +</p> +<p> + 9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy + fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep + the sayings of this book: worship God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8, 9.—A <i>second</i> time, John attempts an act of idolatry! While we + may wonder at this, let us not fail to admire the wonderful wisdom of + God in permitting his servant to fall, as he did in the case of our + first father Adam, that he might take occasion more fully to display his + glory in "bringing good out of evil." The Apocalypse is directed chiefly + against that primary feature of the great Antichrist, <i>idolatry</i>. This + was part of "the mystery of inquity "which did already work" in the time + of the apostles, (Col. ii. 18,) and was to be fully developed + afterwards. (2 Thess. ii. 4.) This second rebuke of an apostle, by one + of the most exalted of creatures, for ever answers all arguments of + Papists or others, who plead for, or palliate the "worshipping of + angels" or souls of men. Idolaters worship angels and souls <i>when + absent</i>, as though they were omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent; + thus giving the glory to creatures of these divine perfections: whereas + this heavenly messenger, <i>when present</i>, keenly resents this indignity + to his and the apostle's adorable Creator and Lord. Once more the angel + directs John and all men to join him and all the heavenly host in + observing "the first and great commandment,"—"Worship God," (ch. v. + 11-14.) This angelic rebuke, leaves Papists for ever without excuse; and + consequently all others who deny the <i>supreme deity</i> of our Lord and + Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet worship him. +</p> +<p> + 10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this + book; for the time is at hand. +</p> +<p> + 11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, + let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous + still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. +</p> +<p> + 12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every + man according as his work shall be. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10-12.—Christ himself addresses John in person. He had done so at + the beginning of these glorious scenes of the future, (ch. i. 8.) Now he + appears again in glory, though not described as before, that he may thus + authenticate and close the vision.—"Seal not the sayings of the + prophecy of this book." Why is this? The reason is assigned, because + "the time is at hand" when they shall begin to be verified in actual + history. The case was different in Daniel's time, who was inspired by + the same omniscient Spirit to predict the same events. "O Daniel, shut + up the words, and seal the vision, even to the time of the end." (Dan. + xii. 4.) If the vision of the empires of Persia and Greece was to be + "for many days," (ch. viii. 26,) then the rise, reign and overthrow of + the Roman empire, were still more remote. No wonder that Daniel, with + becoming humility but intense interest inquired, "O, my Lord, what shall + be the end of these things?" Such was the subdued anxiety of other + prophets. (1 Pet. i. 10.) And here we may once for all notice the <i>three + distinct</i> periods mentioned by Daniel, as measuring the duration of the + Roman empire, the Romish apostacy, and as they bear upon the promised + and desirable millennium. The two prophets, Daniel and John, agree in + fixing and limiting the domination of the Antichrist to 1260 years. This + agreement has been already pointed out. The Lord, however, to allay the + laudable anxiety of his "greatly beloved" servant Daniel, makes mention + of two other periods of time, 1290 and 1335 days or years, (ch. xii. 11, + 12.) Now, when we have manifold assurances that the great apostacy shall + terminate with the close of the 1260 years, we may venture humbly to + suppose, that the next thirty years may be occupied in the conversion of + the Jews, and the remaining forty-five in the effectual calling of the + residue of the gentile nations; so as to bring the kingdoms of the earth + and the church of Christ to perfect organization and visible harmony, + and the whole population of the globe into voluntary and avowed + subjection to the Lord and his Anointed,—to perfect millennial + splendor, the nearest approximation to heaven. (Rom. xi. 25, 26; Ps. + cii. 15, 16.) But "who shall live when God doeth this?" (Num. xxiv. + 23.)—The divine Author of this book, having given to mankind a complete + and sufficient revelation of his will, containing invitations and + warnings, at this juncture gives intimation that obstinate sinners shall + at length be left to the consequences of their own free and perverse + choice, "unjust and filthy still;" no further means to be employed for + their conviction; but those who have embraced the offer of the gospel, + shall be confirmed for ever in holiness and happiness,—"righteous and + holy still."—He also repeats the assurances of his sudden appearance to + reward "every man according as his work shall be." The recompense which + he brings will be of debt or justice to the impenitent unbeliever; but + wholly of free grace to the believer; for the works of each class shall + follow them, as decisive evidence of their respective characters, (ch. + xiv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the + last. +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—The Lord Christ here declares and asserts the eternity of his + personal subsistence and official standing, as an all-sufficient + guarantee of his ability and authority to deal with the righteous and + the wicked, as also to bring to pass all events by his providence which + are here predicted. The same guarantee he had given at the beginning of + the Apocalypse, (ch. i. 8.) +</p> +<p> + 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right + to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. +</p> +<p> + V. 14.—Those who "do his commandments," are believers, (John xiv. 15,) + and no others can obtain a "right to the tree of life"—all the + blessings of Christ's purchase: for "without faith it is impossible to + please God," (Heb. xi. 6;) and "this is the love of God, that we keep + his commandments." (1 John v. 3.) "By the deeds of the law,"—keeping + the commandments, whether moral or ceremonial, "shall no flesh be + justified in the sight of God," or <i>merit</i> a "right to the tree of + life," or to "enter in through the gates into the city." This right, + power, or privilege, is confined to those, and to those only, who + "receive and believe on the name of Christ." (John i. 12.) They who + serve the Lord Christ, are entitled to the reward of the inheritance, + (Col. iii. 24;) and in keeping of his commandments, there is great + reward. (Ps. xix. 11.) This reward is of <i>grace</i>, not of <i>debt</i> to any + of the children of Adam: "not of works, lest any man should boast." + (Rom. xi. 6; Eph. ii. 9.) And when the last elected sinner, pertaining + to the whole company of the redeemed, shall have been called, justified + and sanctified, then "with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: + they shall enter into the King's palace." (Ps. xlv. 15.) +</p> +<p> + 15. For without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, + and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. +</p> +<p> + V. 15.—"Without are dogs."—These characters have been excluded by the + righteous and unalterable sentence of the judge of quick and dead, + having their part in the "lake of fire:" for there is no intimation here + or elsewhere, of any <i>purgatory</i> or intermediate place, with the + delusive hope of which, those who "love and make lies," flatter + themselves and their blind votaries. Oh, that such "sinners in Zion," + and out of Zion, "might be afraid!"—that timely "fearfulness might + surprise these hypocrites!" that they might ponder those awful + questions!—"Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among + us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa. xxxiii. 14.) +</p> +<p> + 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the + churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and + morning star. +</p> +<p> + V. 16.—This is the "angel" whose ministry the Lord Christ was pleased + to employ in making known to the church through his servant John, most + of the discoveries of this book, (ch. i. 1, 11.) Many other angels have + indeed been employed by the Mediator as the ministers of his providence; + but this one seems to have been the principal all along. None of these + heavenly messengers, however, was found competent to reveal the purposes + of God, (ch. v. 3.) To this work the eternal Son of God alone was found + adequate by nature and office,—the "Lamb that had been slain." Christ + has a personal property in the angels, as he is their Creator and Lord; + and as they are his creatures and willing servants,—"<i>mine</i> + angel."—This is perfectly reasonable; for he is the "Root of David" in + his divine nature; and the "Offspring of David," in his human nature, + (Rom. i. 3.)—God-Man, Mediator. And here let it be remarked, that in + speaking or writing of our Redeemer there appears to be no scriptural + warrant for the popular phrases,—"the <i>union</i> of the two + natures,"—"Christ as man;" or, "as God." These expressions militate + against the <i>unity</i> of his <i>divine nature</i> and <i>personality;</i> and are + calculated,—we do not say <i>intended</i>, to mislead or confuse the mind of + his disciples. "In <i>him personally</i>, not in the Father or the Holy + Ghost, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. ii. + 9.)—By John the descent of Christ's human nature is traced through + David here, because of the Covenant of Royalty; by Paul, he is + represented as being of the "seed of Abraham," by reason of the more + extended relation involved in the Covenant of Grace. (Heb. ii. 16.)—He + is also "the bright, even the morning star." This may be in reference to + the less luminous "stars in his right hand," (ch. i. 16, 20,) and by way + of contrast with them: but he takes this name chiefly to intimate that + he is the Author of all supernatural illumination, whether in the + kingdom of grace or of glory:—"The Lamb is the light thereof," (ch. + xxi. 23.) +</p> +<p> + 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, + say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let + him take the water of life freely. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—Here is the unrestricted universal call of the gospel, to "come" + to Christ for eternal life.—"We do testify that the Father sent the Son + to be the Saviour of the world," (1 John iv. 14.)—The invitation is + manifold and pressing. "The Spirit" by the word and conscience says, + "Come." "The Bride," the church militant and triumphant, says, "Come." + Every one "that heareth" the invitation, is warranted to say to others, + "Come." Let every one that "thirsts" for true and lasting felicity, + "Come." If any one be in doubt, whether his desire be spiritual or not, + it is added for his encouragement, as well as sufficient warrant,—"Let + whosoever will, take of the water of life freely." Any sinner of Adam's + race may "wash and be clean," in that "fountain open for sin and for + uncleanness;" may with confidence and pleasure, "draw water from the + wells of salvation." (Zech. xiii. 1: Isa. xii. 3.) Who can resist these + calls, invitations and persuasions, and be guiltless? or who can devise + easier terms of reconciliation to an offended God, than are here + addressed to the chief of sinners? +</p> +<p> + 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy + of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto + him the plagues that are written in this book: +</p> +<p> + 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this + prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out + of holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18, 19.—"For I testify."—He who is "the faithful and true Witness" + closes this book of prophecy, with a solemn and awful sanction. These + tremendous threatenings by the "Lord God of the holy prophets," may well + cause all who read or hear to tremble: for who can abide his + indignation?—While the "prophecy of this book" is primarily intended, + all other parts of the Bible are included in this solemn conclusion: for + doubtless our Lord intended the Apocalypse to be a close to the whole + canon. The threatening is twofold, corresponding to the criminality. + Learned, bold and irreverent biblical critics; enthusiasts and + pretenders to new revelations, are in danger of these judgments. "The + plagues that are written in this book," are such as will utterly destroy + the presumptuous sinner who "adds to these things." And he that + impiously "takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy," + exposes himself to the like awful punishment. "God shall take away his + part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the + things which are written in this book."—Tremendous doom! All that which + he seemed to have shall be taken away. (Luke viii. 18.) Great will be + the sudden and unexpected loss!—These awful denunciations, however, + have special reference, like the rest of the threatened judgments in + this book, to the great, continued and defiant impieties of the apostate + church of Rome. She has "added" her <i>traditions</i> to the Scriptures, as + part and principal part, of the "Rule of Faith!" She has "taken away" + the Scriptures from the body of her people; or shut them up in an + "unknown tongue," so that "every man may" <i>not</i> "hear in his own tongue + wherein he was born, the wonderful works of God." (Acts ii. 8, 11.) This + is one of the articles in Rome's indictment here; and whatever modern + infidelity or spurious charity may suggest, this theft of God's word, + and robbery of his people, is not to be expiated with burnt offering or + sacrifice. And he who scans all time, foresaw this attempt of the dragon + and his allies to deprive the church and the world of the "lively + oracles;" therefore, as he promised a blessing on the reader of this + book, as it were on the title-page, here in the close he appends a + malediction, that all who read or hear, may be deterred from such + sacrilege. +</p> +<p> + 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. + Even so, come, Lord Jesus. +</p> +<p> + V. 20.—"He which testifieth these things" is the Lord Jesus. Again he + reminds all to whom these presents come, of his certain and speedy + appearance. These frequent assurances are not "vain repetitions." They + are intended to strengthen the faith and counteract the despondency of + the saints, and to alarm the consciences of his enemies. (2 Pet. iii. 3, + 4, 8, 10; Jude 14, 15.) To this "promise of his coming," John responds + in the name of the whole church,—"Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus," to + fulfil these predictions, in their promises and threatenings; "to be + glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe." "So + shall they ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. iv. 17.) +</p> +<p> + 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. +</p> +<p> + V. 21.—These are also the words of John. He had just been addressing + the "Lord Jesus," and his next words are addressed to the "seven + churches," (ch. i. 4, 11,) or to all who read or hear the words of this + book: but especially the church general. This is a concise form of the + "apostolic benediction," (2 Thess. iii. 18,) which is sometimes + amplified, by naming the Father and the Son; or, at other times, the + three divine persons. (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) However, "the grace of the Lord + Jesus Christ" is originally from God the Father, procured for us by + Jesus Christ, and communicated to us by the Holy Spirit. And unto the + Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, let equal, undivided, and + everlasting glory be ascribed, by all the subjects of his regenerating + and sanctifying grace, "throughout all ages, world without end." Amen. +</p> +<a name="2H_FOOT"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + FOOTNOTES: +</h2> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>1</u> [ Life of Martin Luther. Pp. 173, 174. London. 1855. Luther + afterwards became convinced of his error.] +</p> +<a name="note-2"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>2</u> [ Gibbon has unconsciously written a commentary on + prophecy!—an involuntary witness, like Josephus!] +</p> +<a name="note-3"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>3</u> [ "It has been our lot to hear the voice of the third woe," + Faber.—"In this I entirely agree with that expositor." M'Leod. The + blinding influence of earth's politics upon the minds of pious men, has + often occasioned the hearts of their brethren to "sigh for their + inconsistency."] +</p> +<a name="note-4"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>4</u> [ The terms "clergy and laity" are of papal origin, and the + unlearned Christian should know that they are contrary to the mind of + the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. v. 3. The body of the people are "God's + heritage,"—<i>clergy</i>.] +</p> +<a name="note-5"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>5</u> [ Gibbon.] +</p> +<a name="note-6"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>6</u> [ Mosheim.] +</p> +<a name="note-7"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>7</u> [ Such is the interpretation of Bishop Newton!] +</p> +<a name="note-8"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>8</u> [ Faber.] +</p> +<a name="note-9"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>9</u> [ This is the opinion of Mr. Faber.] +</p> +<a name="note-10"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>10</u> [ Scott.] +</p> +<a name="note-11"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>11</u> [ Scott] +</p> +<a name="note-12"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>12</u> [ So Mr. Faber imagined.] +</p> +<a name="note-13"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>13</u> [ So designated by Nicholas, late emperor of Russia.] +</p> +<a name="2H_APPE"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + APPENDIX. +</h2> +<center> + THE NEW JERUSALEM. +</center> +<p> + Interpreters are much divided in opinion as to the import of this + symbol. Some think it represents the church on earth during the period + of the millennium; while others, no less learned and pious, consider it + as an emblematical representation of the heavenly state. Of those who + acquiesce in the former view, some consider the arguments "quite + conclusive." It may be conceded that much may be advanced, and with + great plausibility, in support of this position. +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the most specious arguments to this purpose are such as the + following:—"That the New Jerusalem is distinguished from the Old, + because of the superior light and grace of the present dispensation of + the Covenant. Moreover, the glowing descriptions of the church militant + given by the prophets, especially Isaiah, are thought to be as boldly + rhetorical as those of John; yet those lofty flights are confessedly + descriptive of the church on earth. Besides, who can conceive how "the + kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into" the heavenly + state? or how are "the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the + nations," when there <i>are no nations to be healed?</i> etc. +</p> +<p> + To these arguments the following answers may be given. +</p> +<p> + The church is one under all changes of dispensation, and by what names + soever she is called: but it does not appear that we are warranted by + Scripture usage to view the New Jerusalem as a designation of the church + in her militant state. She is indeed sometimes called in the New + Testament by Old Testament names: as when Paul calls her by the name + Zion, (Heb. xii. 22.) But he does not say, <i>new</i> Zion. Again, when our + Lord promises, (as in Rev. iii. 12,) to reward "him that overcometh," it + must be supposed from the connexion, that, as in all similar cases of + spiritual conflict, this reward is to be conferred in a future + state,—heaven. But part of the reward he describes in these words:—"I + will write upon him the name of the city of my God, which is New + Jerusalem." Surely it may be supposed without presumption, that in this + place New Jerusalem means heaven. Nor is the assumption true,—that the + descriptive language of the Old Testament prophets is always to be + understood of the church on earth. For instance, can the following + language (Is. xxxiii. 24,) be predicated of the saints while in the + body:—"The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick?" "The glory and honour + of the nations" are the "saints of God, the excellent;" who while here, + are "the light of the world, the salt of the earth;" and doubtless + nations as well as families and individuals "have learned by experience + that the Lord hath blessed them for their sakes:" (Gen. xxx. 27; xxxix. + 5;)—and that he has also "reproved kings" and destroyed nations for + their sakes, (Ps. cv. 14; Is. xliii. 3, 4.) And when all the saints who + are to rule the nations, (Rev. xx. 4, 6,) for a thousand years, shall + have been brought home to glory, then emphatically will the glory and + honour of the nations be brought into the New Jerusalem. +</p> +<p> + As to the "leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations," it may be + remarked, that their sanative virtue will have been experienced by + national societies on earth: and there is not, there never was, nor will + there ever be, any other healing medicine for them, (Ezek. xlvii. 12) In + addition to what has been said, it is worthy of notice that the tree of + life, in allusion to the delights of the garden of Eden, which was an + emblem of heaven, is mentioned in the Apocalypse, near the beginning and + near the end of the book, (chs. ii. 7; xxii. 2.) Now, we are told + expressly that this tree is "in the midst of Paradise." But we learn + both from our Lord and the apostle Paul that Paradise signifies + heaven:—"To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," said Christ to the + penitent thief. "I was caught up into Paradise;" that is, "the third + heaven," said Paul. Did Christ and Paul mean the visible, or the + invisible church militant by the name Paradise? But the tree of life + flourishes there, and all the redeemed eat of its fruit. They are where + the tree is, the tree is in Paradise, and Paradise is heaven itself: + therefore we are warranted to conclude with certainty that New Jerusalem + is a symbol of the church triumphant; and, consequently, that those + parts of chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, which are of symbolic + structure, are descriptive of the heavenly state. +</p> +<center> + THE ANTICHRIST. +</center> +<p> + This word does not occur in the Apocalypse, nor in any other book of the + New Testament except the first and second epistles, by the apostle John. + There it is found in the singular and plural form. (1 John ii. 18, 22; + iv. 3; ii. 7.) The apostles in their ministry had spoken frequently and + familiarly to the disciples of this personage, as an enemy of God and + man. "Ye <i>have heard</i> that Antichrist shall come." "Remember ye not," + asks Paul, "that, when I was yet with you, I <i>told you</i> these things?" + (2 Thess. ii. 5.) Paul blames his countrymen, the Hebrews, that they had + need that one should teach them again which be the first principles of + the oracles of God, (Heb. v. 12.) And it is just so now, in the case of + most professing Christians, learned and illiterate; they yet need to be + taught again what is meant by Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + All who are acquainted with the sentiments of the reformers of the + sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are aware that their conceptions of + this enemy were vague and confused. Persecuted as heretics and apostates + from the only true church, the church of Rome, the reformers very + naturally concluded that the Pope, or the church of which he is the + visible head, was the Antichrist. And this opinion is very generally + held at the present day. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber, however, dissents from this popular notion, and with much + confidence and plausibility broaches a new theory of his own. His style + is always forcible, and so perspicuous that he cannot be misunderstood. + In his "Dissertation on the Prophecies," he lays down the following + canon or rule for expositors:—"Before a commentator can reasonably + expect his own system to be adopted by others, he must show likewise + that the expositions of his predecessors are erroneous in those points + wherein he differs from them." To enforce this rule he adds,—"It will + be found to be the only way, in which there is even a probability of + attaining to the truth." I can neither admit the justness of his rule, + nor the conclusiveness of his reason; for by its adoption, "of making + many books there would be no end; and the world itself could not contain + the books that should be written." To deduce the truth from any portion + of God's word, it is by no means necessary that the expositor shall + undertake the Herculean task of refuting all the heresies and vagaries + which "men of corrupt minds" have pretended or attempted to wring out of + it. But as Mr. Faber is not to be reckoned in this category, I shall pay + him so much deserved respect as to apply to himself <i>his own rule</i> in + some following particulars:— +</p> +<p> + By a formal syllogism Mr. Faber proposes to overthrow the generally + received interpretation of the term <i>Antichrist</i>, that it means, the + <i>Papacy</i>, or, the <i>Church of Rome</i>. Thus he reasons:—"He is Antichrist + that denieth the Father and the Son: but <i>the Church of Rome</i> never + denied either the Father or the Son: therefore <i>the church of Rome</i> + cannot be the <i>Antichrist</i> intended by St. John." Now, in this argument, + which seems to be so clear and conclusive, there is a latent sophism, an + assumption contrary to the Scriptures. The false assumption is, that the + word <i>denieth is univocal</i>; that is, that it has in the Bible, and on + this doctrinal point in particular, only <i>one sense</i>; whereas this is + not the case. The Church of Rome does indeed "profess to know" the + Father and the Son, but "in works denies" both, (1 Tim. v. 8; Tit. i. + 16.) Therefore Mr. Faber's conclusion is not sustained by his premises, + and the Church of Rome might be the Antichrist for any thing that his + syllogism says to the contrary. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber imagined that "Republican France,—infidel and atheistical + France,"—was the Antichrist; and he labored with much ingenuity to + sustain his position by applying to revolutionary France the latter part + of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, together with the prophecies of Paul, + Peter and Jude. I presume that most divines and intelligent Christians + are long since convinced, by the developments of Providence, that he was + mistaken. The commotions of the French Revolution and the military + achievements of the first Napoleon, however important to peninsular + Europe, were on much too limited a scale to correspond with the + magnitude and duration of the great Antichrist's achievements. They + were, however, owing to their proximity to Britain and their threatening + aspect, of sufficient importance to excite the alarm and rouse the + political antipathies of the Vicar of Stockton upon Tees! Mr. Faber's + Antichrist is an "infidel king, wilful king, an atheistical king, a + professed atheist," of short duration, and his influence of limited + geographical extent. He is not in most of these features the Antichrist + of prophecy, whose baleful influence is co-extensive with Christendom, + and whose duration is to be 1260 years. Mr. Faber's erudition is to be + respected, his imagination admired, but his political feelings to be + lamented. Indeed, his very ecclesiastical title of office,—"Vicar," is + itself partly indicative and symbolical of the prophetic Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + I do not believe that infidel France, whether republican or monarchical, + nor the Papacy, nor the Church of Rome, is the Antichrist of the apostle + John; yet I do believe that all these are essential elements in his + composition. The following are the principal component parts of that + complex moral person, as defined by the Holy Spirit, by which any + disciple of Christ without much learning may identify John's Antichrist. + His elemental parts are three, <i>and only three</i>, and all presented in + the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The "beast of the sea," (vs. 1, + 2,) the "beast of the earth," (v. 11,) and the "image of, or to the + first beast," (v. 14,) that is, the Roman empire, the Roman church and + the Pope: all these in combination, <i>professing Christianity</i>; these, + with their adjuncts as subordinate agencies constitute the Apocalyptic + Antichrist. Besides this personage, well defined by the inspired + prophets, Daniel, Paul, John and others, there is no other Antichrist. + An "infidel king, a professed atheist," as distinct from this one and + symbolized in prophetic revelation, I find not. I conclude that such a + personage is wholly chimerical, framed as a creature of a lively + imagination. +</p> +<center> + THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST. +</center> +<p> + Mr. Faber is unsuccessful in his interpretation of the "image of the + beast." His reasoning is ingenious, specious and intelligible as usual. + He labours to prove that the worshipping of images by the Papists is the + meaning of the symbol. Material images, however, whether of papal origin + or otherwise, are harmless vanities: "for they cannot do evil, neither + also <i>is it</i> in them to do good," (Jer. x. 5.) The case is quite + otherwise with this image. It has "life, speaks, and has power to + <i>kill</i>," (Rev. xiii. 15.) These properties of John's "image" are so + opposite to those of the Papal images, that they effectually confute Mr. + Faber's fanciful, not to say whimsical theory. It has been already shown + that the "image" symbolizes the Papacy, the <i>fac-simile</i> of the Roman + emperor. +</p> +<p> + THE BEAST'S "<i>deadly wound</i>." +</p> +<p> + The Erastian heresy, the usual concomitant of prelacy, will readily + account for Mr. Faber's explanation of the "deadly wound," which the + first beast received in his sixth head. Constantine, he thinks, + inflicted that wound by abolishing paganism. He writes as though the + beast had been <i>actually killed</i>, and had lain literally dead for a + period of nearly three centuries! (viz., from 313 till 606.) Yet the + apostle assures us that the "deadly wound was healed." The <i>beast did + not die</i>. Daniel gives no hint of the death of his fourth beast, which + is the same as John's beast of the sea, until his final destruction at + the close of the 1260 years. It was in fact under the reigns of + Constantine and his successors, that ambitious pastors were nurtured + into antichristian prelates, and passed by a natural transition into + Popery. The empire never ceased to be a beast during the whole period of + its continuance. The sixth <i>head</i> was wounded, but the beast still + survived. The sixth or imperial form of government was changed, but that + change brought no advantage to the Christian church either in her + doctrine or order. As a distinct horn of this beast the British nation + with her hierarchy is easily traceable to mystic Babylon in point of + maternity. Since, as well as before the time of Henry the Eighth, + spiritual fornication has ever been the crime of the "British + Establishment." This historical fact requires no proof. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber seems to me to give too little prominence in his exposition to + Daniel and John's beast of the sea, as an enemy to Christ. Indeed, he + appears to overlook the leading idea involved in the name Antichrist, as + a <i>substitutionary</i>, false, and therefore inimical or hostile christ. + Instead of keeping before his mind the glorious person of the Mediator + as the special object of Antichrist's enmity, as prophecy requires, he + places before him the church or the gospel instead of Christ. Hence he + writes thus:—"We find in the predictions of St. John,—(why not <i>St</i> + Daniel?) two <i>great enemies</i> of the <i>gospel</i>, Popery and Mohammedism." + Then he adds,—"a third power is introduced," (Preface, p. 7.) This + "third power" he calls "a wilful infidel king," and, as already noticed, + interprets it of "atheistical France." Now, it will be evident to the + intelligent reader that among his "three powers" considered by him as + "enemies to the gospel," he has entirely lost sight of the <i>seven headed + ten horned beast</i>, and <i>his hostility to Christ</i>! He has, in fact, + manifestly substituted his imaginary "wilful king",—infidel France, for + the Roman empire, the beast of Daniel and John, the agent that slays the + witnesses, (Rev. xi. 7.) To almost every expositor, and in his lucid + moments, even to Mr. Faber himself, it is apparent, that the Roman + empire is the primary element in the complex personage that wars against + the Lamb. Even kings are but <i>horns of the beast</i>, and Popery but a + <i>horn</i>. (Dan. vii. 20; Rev. xvii. 12, 13.) +</p> +<p> + It is therefore a great mistake on the part of this learned author, to + feign an Antichrist distinct from the three confederated enemies of + Christ and his witnesses,—enemies so clearly pointed out in prophecy by + appropriate and intelligible symbols:—the beast with ten, and the beast + with two horns, and the image of the first. These three, all professing + the Christian religion, and practically denying it, without the shadow + of a doubt, constitute the Antichrist of John, (1 John ii. 19-21.) This + is the identical enemy described by Daniel, and according to the + inspired predictions of both prophets, doomed to eternal destruction, + (Dan. vii. 11; Rev. xix. 20.) Hence it is obvious that Mr. Faber's + "wilful king" is wholly a creature of his own fancy, constituting no + feature of the prophetic Antichrist. +</p> +<center> + THE LITTLE BOOK. +</center> +<p> + This symbol is in the tenth chapter evidently distinguished from the one + in the fifth chapter. It is considered by several interpreters as + containing all that follows to the end of the book. According to this + view, it would be larger than the sealed book, (ch. v. 1.) Such a view + is altogether untenable, involving, as it does, almost a palpable + contradiction. The little book is indeed comprehended in the sealed + book, as a part of the whole; or it may be viewed as an appendix or + codicil, or perhaps still more correctly as a <i>parenthesis</i>, + interrupting the series of the trumpets, that the object of the seventh + or last woe-trumpet maybe thus described and rendered intelligible when + sounded. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber is correct in saying, "the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and + fourteenth chapters, in point of chronology run parallel to each other;" + but he is mistaken when he says the "little book comprehends these four + chapters." It comprehends only so much as intervenes between the close + of the ninth chapter and the fifteenth verse of the eleventh chapter; + or, in other words, between the sounding of the sixth and seventh + trumpet. To be more correct and explicit,—the tenth chapter introduces + the little book, and the eleventh chapter, from the first to the + fourteenth verse inclusive, exhibits an abstract of its contents,—a + condensed narrative or mere outline of the contest during the 1260 + years. +</p> +<center> + THE DEATH OF THE WITNESSES. +</center> +<p> + Many divines have considered the death of the two witnesses, as + consisting in a moral slaying, equivalent to apostacy. Mr. Faber views + their life and death as altogether political. He censures Mr. Galloway + for "want of strict adherence to <i>unity of symbolical</i> interpretation," + but he inadvertently falls into the same error. Assuming, as he does, + that the two witnesses are the Old and New Testament <i>Churches</i>, where + is the "unity of symbolical interpretation" when he tells us that the + witnesses were politically slain in the "disastrous battle of Mulburgh + in the year 1547, by the total route of the protestants under the lead + of the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse?" The <i>political</i> + death of two churches in the battle of Mulburgh!—Such language + exemplifies neither the accuracy of historic narrative, nor the "unity + of symbolical interpretation:" nor does it accord with another rule of + the writer, one of his three cardinal rules, namely,—That "no + interpretation of a prophecy is valid, except the prophecy agree <i>in + every particular</i> with the event to which it is supposed to relate." + Mistaking the character of the witnesses, as one of the primary symbols + in the Apocalypse, he is unable to ascertain in history either their + identity or work, their life or their death. Having imagined their + political death in 1547, he supposes their resurrection to political + life in 1550,—"by the accession of Edward the Sixth to the throne of + England!" and "the defeat of the Duke of Mecklenburgh in the October of + that year!!" Of course, these witnesses, according to Mr. Faber's + interpretation, resumed their function of prophesying so soon as they + were restored to political life: but we look in vain for the prophesying + of the mystic witnesses after their ascension to the symbolic heaven, + (Rev. xi. 12.) As we have shown to the readers of these Notes, their + lives and their testimony, or prophesying, terminate together, (ch. xi. + 7; xii. 11.) +</p> +<center> + THE MARK OF THE BEAST. +</center> +<p> + "With regard to the mark of the beast," Mr. Faber "thinks, with Sir + Isaac Newton, that it is <i>the cross</i>," (p. 176.) This <i>thought</i> has + indeed been almost universal in the minds of protestants. So deep-seated + is this conviction in the popular belief, that one is deemed chargeable + with temerity, if not something worse, who would call its grounds in + question. Popular opinion, or belief in matters of this spiritual and + mystical nature, is, however, of very little weight in the estimation of + such as are accustomed to "try the spirits." Although the mark was to be + received at the instance and by the authority of the two horned beast of + the earth, it was not enjoined as a mark of devotion to <i>himself</i>. It + was manifestly commanded by him as a <i>tessera</i> of loyalty to the + ten-horned beast of the sea, the obvious symbol of corrupt and + tyrannical civil power. Instead therefore of the cross as a sign of + devotion to Popery,—of membership in the church of Rome, as identifying + with the beast's mark, this mark is evidently and demonstrably the + tessera of loyalty to the Roman empire,—immoral civil power; and this, + too, in any of the dependencies of that iron empire, (Dan. ii. 40; vii. + 7.) +</p> +<p> + From the errors and vagaries of this learned and acute expositor, some + of which have been pointed out, it is apparent that no amount of + intellectual culture, no natural powers of discrimination, no logical or + metaphysical acumen, will compensate for the want of early and accurate + training in the knowledge of supernatural revelation. On the prophetical + and priestly offices of our Redeemer, some of the English prelates have + written with a force, perspicuity and zeal against the heresies of the + Romish apostacy, not excelled by the writings of those who have + dissented from the semi-papal hierarchy of the Anglican Church. But on + the <i>royal</i> office of Immanuel, their prelatic training and associations + seem to have blinded their minds. "No bishop, no king," is a maxim which + seems to lie at the foundation of all their political disquisitions and + speculations, and which gives a tincture to all their expositions of + prophecy. Nevertheless, even in this field of labor, the diligent + student may consult with much advantage the learned works of such + writers as the two Newtons, Kett, Galloway, Whitaker, Zouch, with their + predecessors, Lowman, Mede and others. +</p> +<p> + After all, the best works to be obtained as helps to understand the + prophetic parts of Scripture, will be found in the labors of those who, + from age to age, have obeyed the gracious call of Christ,—who have + "come out from mystic Babylon," from the Romish communion,—from the + mother and her harlot daughters, and who have associated more or less + intimately with the <i>witnesses</i>. Among these may be consulted with + profit the works of Durham, Mason and M'Leod. But while searching after + the mind of God revealed in this part of his word, let us never exercise + implicit faith in the teachings of any fallible expositor. Let us always + regard the injunction of our apostle:—"Beloved, believe not every + spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." Of course, the + only infallible standard by which we can try the spirits is the whole + word of God,—"comparing spiritual things with spiritual." +</p> +<center> + THE FIRST RESURRECTION. +</center> +<p> + Bishop Newton, among those divines distinguished in ecclesiastical + history as Millenarians, may be regarded as one of the most learned, + judicious and cautious. The amount of the deductions which this class of + writers draw from the scripture phrase "first resurrection," and its + context, confirmed as they suppose by many other parts of Scripture, + appears to be the following:—All the righteous shall be raised from + their graves to meet our Saviour coming from heaven at the beginning of + the Millennium: he and these saints, clothed in real human bodies, are + to dwell and reign together upon a renovated earth during that happy + period. Indeed, writers on this interesting subject differ so much in + details, that no well-defined theory or system can be discovered among + them. The <i>literal resurrection</i> of the bodies of the saints, and the + <i>corporeal presence</i> of Christ among them, seem to be the cardinal + points of agreement with this class of expositors; and from this literal + interpretation of the resurrection of the righteous and bodily + appearance of the Saviour, they either took or received the name + <i>Millenarians</i>. Other Christians, however, who differ from them in the + interpretation of symbols, are no less believers in a millennium than + they,—a thousand years of righteousness and peace <i>on the earth</i>. +</p> +<p> + Bishop Newton understands "this 'first resurrection' of a particular + resurrection preceding the general one at least a thousand years." "It + is to this first resurrection," says he, "that St. Paul alludes, (1 + Thess. iv. 16,) when he affirms that the 'dead in Christ shall rise + first,' and (1 Cor. xv. 23;) that every man shall be made alive in his + own order, Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at + his coming." It is surprising that a person of the Bishop's learning + should so readily mistake the <i>sound</i> for the <i>sense</i> of the words which + he quotes. While the apostle is, for the "comfort" of the saints, + treating of <i>their</i> resurrection, he is evidently speaking of the + general resurrection at the <i>end of time</i>. In the morning of the + resurrection Christ's members will be raised after the manner and in + virtue of his resurrection,—"the first fruits" securing the following + harvest, in obvious allusion to the ceremonial law. In the other case, + when Paul says, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," does he + mean,—before "the rest of the dead?" No, but before those of their + <i>redeemed brethren</i> who shall then be "alive and remain;" for these + "shall not prevent (<i>anticipate</i>) them which are asleep," (<i>in the + grave</i>.) That is, the bodies of the saints who have died shall be raised + in glory, <i>before</i> those then alive shall undergo a change equivalent to + that of the resurrection. Such is manifestly the meaning of the + apostle's plain language which has no reference whatever to the + millennium, not even the remotest allusion. Nothing but a groundless + preconception of the nature of the millennium will account for the sound + of words taking the place of their sense in the reader's mind, and no + degree of mere scholarship can obviate this propensity of the human mind + in "the things of the Spirit of God." +</p> +<p> + Not only does the learned prelate misapprehend and misapply the texts + above quoted to support his theory, but he makes a gratuitous + concession, which is at once fatal to his scheme and inconsistent with + himself. He says,—"Indeed, the <i>death</i> and <i>resurrection</i> of the + witnesses before mentioned, (Rev. xi. 7, 11,) appears from the + concurrent circumstances of the vision to be <i>figurative</i>." The Bishop + evidently viewed the witnesses of the eleventh chapter as a company + altogether different from those of whom John speaks in the twentieth + chapter, (vs. 4, 5.) This is another of his surprising mistakes; for + that the <i>identical party</i> as a moral person appears in both parts of + the symbolic and allegorical representation will readily appear to any + unbiassed mind by an induction of the following particulars. +</p> +<p> + These witnesses are to continue "prophesying 1260 days (<i>years</i>,) (Rev. + xi. 3.) Then they are killed, (v. 7.) But we learn that <i>in death</i> they + are <i>victorious</i>, (ch. xii. 11) They triumph "with the Lamb on Mount + Zion," (ch. xiv. 1) In a similar attitude of triumph they again appear + "standing on the sea of glass, (ch. xv. 2.) They are with their + victorious King, (ch. xvii. 14.) They are exhorted to retaliate upon + mystic Babylon, (xviii. 6.) They are also engaged in the last campaign + with the Captain of their salvation, (ch. xix. 14, 19, 20.) And at + length they are advanced to thrones of civil power to "rule the + nations," (ch. xx. 4,) in fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy and their + Saviour's promise, (Dan. vii. 27; Rev. ii. 26, 27.) The death and + resurrection of the witnesses is compendiously stated in the former part + of the eleventh chapter, (vs. 7-14;) but these events, epitomised again + in the "little book," are amplified in the subsequent chapters, where we + are made acquainted more fully with their enemies, their conflicts, + death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation; and in all these respects + is exhibited their conformity to the example of their Captain and + Leader. If, therefore, according to the Bishop's conception, "the death + and resurrection" of the witnesses in the eleventh chapter be + <i>figurative</i>, and if the witnesses of the twentieth be the same as those + of the eleventh chapter, which identity I have proved, it follows + incontrovertibly, that the "first resurrection" is to be understood in a + figurative sense. This interpretation may be abundantly confirmed in the + following manner:—The witnesses prophesy 1260 years. But since no + individual persons live so long, a succession <i>must</i> be supposed. They + are, in fact, mystic characters, having their real counterpart in actual + history on this earth. The scarlet colored beast and woman, (ch. xvii. + 3,) are of equal duration with the witnesses, and of similar mystic + character, and have their real counterpart in history. The witnesses are + slain by the beast at the instigation of the woman; but their death is + only temporary, (ch. xi. 7, 11;) their enemies "have no more that they + can do:" while, on the other hand, the death of the beast is + "perdition,"—eternal death, (ch. xvii. 8,) and in this death the + woman,—"the false prophet" participates, (ch. xix. 20.) All this + symbolical language respects Christ's enemies as corporate or organized + bodies. +</p> +<p> + Here it is proper to notice an objection of Bishop Newton. He + asks,—"With what propriety can it be said, that some of the dead who + were beheaded "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years; but the + rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were + finished;" unless <i>the dying</i> and <i>living again</i> be the same in both + places?" Very true, the dying and living are doubtless "the same in both + places." The Bishop's mistake consists in taking these expressions in a + literal sense, "a proper death and resurrection." He evidently assumes + that "the rest of the dead," here mentioned, are to be literally raised + at the last day. This is undoubtedly true, for there shall be a + resurrection ... of the unjust." (Acts xxiv. 15,) but it is not the + truth contained in the words in question. From the assumption of the + <i>literal</i> raising of "the rest of the dead," he infers the <i>literal</i> + raising of those that were beheaded. The converse of this is obviously + the correct way of reasoning. We have found that the witnesses are + spoken of, (xi. 14,) as <i>figuratively</i> raised by the Bishop's own + acknowledgment, therefore it is most natural and logical to infer that + "the rest of the dead" were to be raised in the same manner, namely, + <i>figuratively</i>. As at the beginning of the millennium,—the martyrs, not + some of them only, as the Bishop hints, will be raised in the persons of + their legitimate successors in faith and practice; and their faith and + practice will constitute the happy state of the world for a thousand + years, so, when that period shall have expired, Satan, being "loosed out + of his prison," (ch. xx. 8,) will deceive the nations as before, and + during the "little season" of liberty, will succeed in raising from the + dead as it were, a multitude of the same character as those who killed + the witnesses,—"Gog and Magog." This maybe called the <i>second</i> + resurrection, and there will never be a <i>third of that kind</i>, for the + Lord will destroy them for ever, (ch. xx. 9.) The character of the + witnesses and their unparalleled conflicts with Antichrist sufficiently + identify them in the Apocalypse throughout the 1260 years, as also + during the thousand years of their reign; and the character of their + enemies identifies them in the time of conflict for 1260 years; but + during the succeeding period of righteousness and peace for a thousand + years, they will not be permitted to lift up the head. And so soon as + they are organized under the conduct of Satan, and like Pharaoh, most + confident of victory, (Exod. xv. 9,) then "sudden destruction cometh + upon them, and they shall not escape." +</p> +<center> + THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES. +</center> +<p> + The late Rev. Alexander M'Leod, D. D., who had the works of learned + predecessors before him, has successfully corrected many of their + misinterpretations in his valuable publication, entitled "Lectures upon + the Principal Prophecies of the Revelation." At the time when he wrote + that work, he possessed several advantages in aid of his own + expositions. He had access to the most valuable works which had been + issued before that date, (1814.). He was then in the vigor of youthful + manhood; and he was also comparatively free from the trammels which in + attempts to expound the Apocalypse, have cramped the energies of many a + well-disciplined mind, <i>political partialities</i>. At the time of these + profound studies, he occupied a position "in the wilderness," from which + as a stand point, like John in Patmos, he could most advantageously + survey the passing scenes of providence with the ardor of youthful + emotion, and with unsullied affection for the divine Master. With all + these advantages, however, the dispassionate and impartial reviewer may + discover, in the rapid current of his thoughts, that the active powers + of the expositor some times took precedence of the intellectual. Two + special causes may be assigned for this, hereditary love of liberty, and + the actual condition of society at the time. Born in Scotland, the + cradle of civil and religious liberty from the days of John Knox, Dr. + M'Leod's traditions and mental associations were necessarily imbued with + the atmosphere of such surroundings. To such causes may be attributed + occasional declamation, extravagant verbosity and unconscious + inconsistencies, not well comporting with the solidity and self + possession so desirable on the part of an expositor. Yet even in such + outbursts of impassioned eloquence we may sometimes discover noble + conceptions commanding our admiration, if not altogether such as to + secure our approbation. It ought to be considered, moreover, that the + "Lectures" came from their author in a turbulent, if not in a + revolutionary condition of society. Peninsular Europe was convulsed by + the successful military career of that brilliant general, Napoleon. + England and the United States were also at war. The independence and + even the existence of the young Republic were apparently in peril. The + lecturer very naturally sympathized with the land of his adoption, in + which resided his domestic treasures and many of the "excellent ones of + the earth," to whom he was bound by conjugal, paternal and covenant + ties. In a condition of actual warfare, he could not but feel most + keenly the constriction of these manifold and endearing bonds, + especially when thought to be jeopardized. +</p> +<p> + With these preliminaries, and expressing my obligation to the Doctor's + labors, to whose system of interpretation as well as to most of his + details, I cheerfully give my approbation in preference to all other + expositors whose works it has been in my power to consult; it is + proposed briefly to review some of his expositions and sentiments, from + which I crave liberty to dissent. "It is not the interest of any man to + be in error." +</p> +<p> + In his interpretation of the seals and trumpets of the Apocalypse, Dr. + M'Leod has unquestionably corrected many misapprehensions of his learned + predecessors, especially Bishop Newton and Mr. Faber: and it is perhaps + to be regretted that he did not favor the public with his view of the + vials also, a work which he seems to have had in contemplation when the + "Lectures" were published. The three last named interpreters did + certainly improve upon the expositions of all who went before them in + this field of investigation; and in most cases of disagreement the + Doctor excelled in accuracy the other two, as will readily appear on + careful examination. +</p> +<p> + In attempting to ascertain the import of the mystic "witnesses," as of + the Antichrist, expositors widely differ. Bishop Newton says + positively,—"The witnesses cannot be ... any two churches." Mr. Faber + is equally peremptory, that they "must be two churches," and he attempts + to sustain his position by many citations of Scripture, and by much + plausible argumentation. The Bishop is substantially correct in saying, + "They are a succession of men, and a succession of churches." Mr. Faber + is also correct in the main when he says,—"The two witnesses signify + the spiritual members of the catholic church:" but his notion of <i>two + churches</i>, the "Old and New Testament churches," betrays his imperfect + conception of the <i>essential unity</i> of the church of God. Both he and + the Bishop overlook too often the important fact that civil magistracy + is a divine ordinance, which, as corrupted, constitutes the first beast + of the Apocalypse, and the most prominent feature of the great + Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + Doctor M'Leod's definition or description of the witnesses is as + follows:—"They are a small company of true Christians, defending the + interests of true religion against all opposition, and frequently + sealing with their blood the testimony which they hold," (p. 314.) This + description is more definite than either of the two preceding, and is + therefore worthy of preference; yet the reader will still wish for + something more precise and tangible. Since the prophets of the Old and + New Testaments reveal the hostility of the Devil to Christ and his + people, and since both Daniel and John represent this hostility by + appropriate and intelligible symbols, as carried out by corrupting the + two great ordinances of <i>church</i> and <i>state</i>, would it not follow that + the witnesses are those Christians who, for 1260 years, apply the word + of God to these two ordinances, contending for a <i>scriptural magistracy</i> + and a <i>gospel ministry</i>,—the "Two Sons of Oil;" and testifying against + their <i>Counterfeits</i>? Such appears to be the import of those mystical + characters of whom we read, Zech. iv. 14; Rev. xi. 4. +</p> +<p> + In tracing the witnesses through their eventful history for 1260 years + as portrayed in the Apocalypse, and in fixing with precision their + <i>continuous identity</i>, I am constrained reluctantly to dissent from the + Doctor and agree with Faber. Adopting the language of "Frazer's Key," + Dr. M'Leod says, "These witnesses differ as much from their + cotemporaries, the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed ones, + (Rev. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the seven thousand in Israel in + his time." The attempt is made to prove this assertion by the following + plausible argument:—"God is never for a moment without a people upon + earth." This is true,—"And the visible church is an indestructible + society." Is this assertion true? It is partly true, and partly + untrue:—"true of her <i>existence</i> and moral identity, but not of her + <i>visibility</i> as an organized body." For example, where was the visible + church while Elijah "dwelt by the brook Cherith?" (1 Kings xvii. 3, xix. + 10;) or while the "woman was in the wilderness?" (Rev. xii. 6.) Is it + consistent with propriety to contemplate the woman as <i>literally + visible</i>, when she is symbolically "in the wilderness?" This seems to be + impossible. I am therefore prepared to give my decided preference to the + sentiment of Mr. Faber contained in the following words of his + "Dissertation:" "The one hundred and forty-four thousand here mentioned, + (Rev. xiv. 1,) are the immediate successors of the one hundred and forty + four thousand sealed servants of God; (ch. vii. 4.) They are the same in + short, as <i>the two witnesses</i>.... They constitute the <i>persecuted church + in the wilderness</i>."—I cannot but think the evidence of identity here + irresistible; and in the pithy language of the Doctor on another point, + I say,—"A man must shut his eyes not to see" the correctness of Mr. + Faber's interpretation of this identity. The Doctor's censure of English + expositors in one of his notes will too often justly apply to other + divines in expounding prophecy:—"They have greatly diminished the value + of their publications, by permitting themselves to indulge so much of + the spirit of political partiality." Doctor M'Leod and Mr. Faber I + consider among the best expositors of the prophecies on which they + severally wrote; and therefore their valuable works have been + principally contemplated in these animadversions. On material points + they have shed much light where those who preceded them left the reader + in darkness, or involved him in perplexing labyrinths. Faber preceded + M'Leod, and the latter availed himself of all the aid furnished by the + former; yet till the "mystery of God shall be finished," his people will + be receiving accessions of light from the "sure word of prophecy." +</p> +<center> + SOUNDING OP THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. +</center> +<p> + At the time when those learned divines wrote, the political agitations + in Europe and America, as already noticed, gave a peculiar tincture to + their opinions and expositions of the Apocalyptic symbols. This state of + feeling on the part of these distinguished men, and on opposite sides of + the Atlantic, is very strikingly illustrated in their conflicting + interpretations of the "third woe,"—the seventh trumpet. Amidst the + conflict of arms and the booming of cannon, in both hemispheres, those + writers thought the first blast of the seventh trumpet and third woe + could be distinctly heard. They differed widely, however, in their + interpretations of its import and effects. To Mr. Faber, Napoleon, who + was the most conspicuous figure in the passing drama, appeared as a + terrific Vandal at the head of his legions, threatening to uproot and + lay waste the fair fabric of European civilization. To the Doctor, on + the other hand, Napoleon seemed the possible minister of Providence, + destined to prepare the way of the Lord, and to introduce a better, a + scriptural civilization. As time has sufficiently demonstrated the + fallacy of their respective expositions of the seventh trumpet, it is + needless to quote or review their speculations. +</p> +<p> + The principal defect pervading the "Lectures," and one which most + readers will be disposed to view in an opposite light, appears to be, a + charity <i>too broad</i>, a catholicity <i>too expansive</i>, to be easily + reconciled with a consistent position among the mystic witnesses. Their + author, however, deriving much information from the learned labours of + English prelates on prophecy, could not "find in his heart" to exclude + them from a place in the <i>honourable roll of the witnesses</i>. I am unable + to recognize any of those who are in organic fellowship with the "eldest + daughter of Popery," as entitled to rank among those who are symbolized + as "clothed in sackcloth." The two positions and fellowships appear to + be obviously incompatible and palpably irreconcilable. It is true that + there have been and still are in the English establishment divines who + are strictly evangelical; but the reigning Mediator views and treats + individuals, as he views and treats the moral person with which + individuals freely choose to associate; and we ought to "have the mind + of Christ." (1 Cor. ii. 16.) +</p> +<p> + Assuming that the third woe trumpet was sounding in his ears, the + Doctor, transported with the imaginary but delightful prospect, that the + kingdoms of this world were speedily to become the kingdoms of our Lord + and of his Christ, speaks of France as follows:—"She had given + assistance to the sons of freedom on the plains and along the shores of + Columbia, until the republican eagle snatched the oppressed provinces + from the paw of the royal lion of England."—We may admire the metaphors + of the <i>orator</i>, while we deplore the political feeling of the <i>divine</i>. + It is true, as the orator in calmer moments reflects,—"The political + conduct of professing Christians is generally lamentable;" and alas! + this "lamentable conduct" is usually tolerated and too often exemplified + by their spiritual guides. It has been generally so since the days of + Jeroboam who "made priests of the lowest of the people," and thereby + rendered the ministry the stipendiaries of the state. And as it was + then, even so it is now, whether in the kingdoms, empires or republics + of the earth. "Let us," with the Doctor, "lament the political conduct + of Christians in the present age of the world." +</p> +<p> + Allusion has been already made to seeming inconsistencies in the + Doctor's sentiments. There is truth in the adage,—"<i>tempora mutantur et + nos mutamur cum illis</i>,"—"times change, and we change with them." And + indeed changes are allowable in matters of a circumstantial nature which + do not affect moral principle. Moral principle, however, is in its + nature immutable. In the early period of the Doctor's public life he had + nobly proved "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable." But this accursed system was + from the first interwoven with the very framework of that "Republican + America," which in his "Lectures" he takes occasion thus to eulogize! + "We never formed a street of the mystical Babylon.... Let this be the + asylum of the oppressed.... She (Republican America) has not, either by + sea or land, encouraged oppression (?) or despoiled of his goods him + that was at peace with us?"—I confess my inability to credit these + statements, or to reconcile them with "the great moral principles" which + the author justly tells his readers it was the object of the Author of + the Apocalypse to illustrate before the world. +</p> +<p> + I have thus noticed some of the most important particulars in which I + dissent from the interpretations of the Doctor and others, that the + reader may be guided by all accessible way-marks in searching after the + mind of God in this mysterious but highly instructive part of his + precious word. I can again cordially recommend to his attention the + Lectures of Doctor M'Leod, as the best exposition of those parts of the + Apocalypse of which he treats, that has come under my notice. In the + Notes will be found minor points of dissent from the Doctor's views, and + from multiplied aberrations of many others. I have studied great + plainness of speech, abstaining from the introduction of many verbal + criticisms on the original text, and from the use of terms and phrases + not familiar to the unlearned reader. Let no sincere Christian be + deterred by seeming difficulties from reading the Apocalypse, or be + dissuaded from searching it, by the discrepancies of interpreters; for + this is equally true of "the other Scriptures." (2 Pet. iii, 16.) +</p> +<center> + THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK. +</center> +<p> + In our authorized version of the Bible, this last book is correctly + translated "Revelation." It is otherwise designated "The Apocalypse," by + simply Anglicising the Greek title,—<i>Apokalupsis</i>. A distinguished + modern divine, Doctor Seiss, has furnished the public with a novel + interpretation of the title. But it is remarkable that he does not + propose an <i>interpretation</i> at all; he merely gives what he conceives to + be a <i>correct translation</i>. It is this:—"The Book of the <i>Unvailing</i> of + Jesus Christ!" In this singular translation two things are + transparent,—affectation of scholarship, and the (<i>proton pseudos</i>) the + cardinal error of Millenarianism. Learned men, however, are not devoid + of fancy. Of this fact those who are historically designated + Millenarians have given many illustrations from the primitive ages down + to our own time. The Doctor's rendering of the name of this book + discloses the predominant idea conceived in his imagination and + cherished there, that Christ is to appear upon earth in glorified + humanity at the beginning of the millennium, and that the Apocalypse is + intended chiefly to apprize the church and the world of this momentous + event. +</p> +<p> + "The unvailing of Jesus Christ," indeed! Why, the Lord Jesus Christ was + revealed,—"unvailed" to the faith of our first parents in the promise + of the "woman's seed" as every intelligent Christian knows, (Gen. iii. + 15.) We are assured that "to him give all the prophets witness," (Acts + x. 43.) Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, (John viii. 56.) His + advent in the flesh was so well known that Old Testament believers spoke + of him familiarly as of "Him that was to come," (Matt. xi. 3.) Surely he + was "unvailed" to his disciples all the time that he went in and out + among them before his death. And after his resurrection he appeared unto + them the third time,—"was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after + that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once," (1 Cor. xv. 5, + 6.) After his ascension Stephen "saw Jesus standing on the right hand of + God," (Acts vii. 56) How preposterous then, since the whole Bible + "unvails" the Saviour, to insinuate that the <i>specific object</i> of the + Apocalypse is to <i>unvail Jesus Christ</i>! +</p> +<p> + That Doctor Seiss and those who endorse his <i>mistranslation</i>, or, as it + ought to be called, his <i>false exposition</i> of the title to this book, do + totally misapprehend and misinterpret the mind of the Holy Spirit, is + further evident from the obvious import of the plain words in the first + verse;—this "Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave unto him."—Christ. + Did God the Father "unvail" Christ to Christ himself? How gross the + absurdity! We do not transgress the law of charity in pronouncing as + impious, such manifest "wresting of the Scriptures." Moreover, the + declared object of this book is to "show unto God's servants + <i>things</i>,—(not to show Christ,) which must shortly come to pass:" + namely, events of providence which were then future,—the evolution of + the purposes of God. It is indeed true that in the sublime scenery + presented in vision to John, the Lord Jesus often appears as a very + conspicuous object; but he is only one among a multiplicity of other + objects, and generally as the principal agent in executing the divine + decrees. In this attitude he appears immediately on the opening of the + seals of that book, which all sober expositors consider as the symbol of + God's purposes, especially of those "unvailed" in this prophetic book. + When in the sixth chapter, the "four animals" say in succession, "Come + and see," is Jesus Christ the only object to be seen?—the exclusive + object unvailed? or even always the <i>primary</i> object? By no means. +</p> +<p> + Thus it is evident that at the very beginning of his career as an + expositor of this sacred book, Doctor Seiss gives loose reins to his + fancy; and then it is not difficult to foresee through what mazes of + error the credulous reader will be conducted, who in his simplicity, + follows such a reckless guide. The hallucinations of Millenarians of old + and of late have greatly discouraged the disciples of Christ, and + seriously hindered them in obeying his command,—"Search the + Scriptures," especially this precious book. Their unscriptural error, + which some might call an <i>antiscriptural heresy</i>, of the pre-millennial + corporeal appearance of our Saviour, with its carnal concomitants, has + been a temptation to not a few to look upon this part of the Bible as + wholly unintelligible, <i>contrary to its very name</i>,—REVELATION, The + hereditary and inveterate misconception by Millenarians of the nature of + the thousand years' reign of the saints, bears a striking analogy to + that of the Jews concerning the kingdom of their Messiah, and suggests a + remark by that prince of divines among English Dissenters, Doctor Owen, + in his "Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews." He says + truly,—"There are precious, useful, significant truths in the + Scripture, so disposed of, so laid up, as that if we accomplish not a + diligent search, we shall never set eye on them. The common course of + reading the Scriptures, nor the common help of expositors, who for the + most part, go in the same track, and scarce venture one step beyond + those that are gone before them, will not suffice, if we intend a + discovery of these hid treasures." And again he says, "How hard it is to + dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" +dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14485 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes On The Apocalypse + +Author: David Steele + +Release Date: December 27, 2004 [EBook #14485] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE *** + + + + +Produced by Virginia and Jordan Dohms, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1> + NOTES +</h1> +<h5> + ON +</h5> +<h1> + THE APOCALYPSE; +</h1> +<h5> + WITH +</h5> +<h2> + An Appendix +</h2> +<h4> + CONTAINING DISSERTATIONS ON SOME OF THE APOCALYPTIC SYMBOLS, +</h4> +<h5> + TOGETHER WITH +</h5> +<h4> + ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE INTERPRETATIONS OF SEVERAL<br/>AMONG THE MOST LEARNED + AND APPROVED<br/>EXPOSITORS OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA. +</h4> +<h2> + BY DAVID STEELE, Sr., +</h2> +<h5> + Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, Philadelphia. +</h5> +<hr> +<h4> + PHILADELPHIA: YOUNG & FERGUSON, No. 14 SOUTH SEVENTH ST. 1870. +</h4> +<hr> +<h5> + TO THE +</h5> +<h3> + REV. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, LL.D., +</h3> +<h5> + <i>Missionary from the Reformed Presbyterian Church to the Jews in London, + England.</i> +</h5> +<p> + REV. AND VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER:— +</p> +<p> + Although we are "separated upon the wall, one far from the other," we + are not altogether precluded from mutual salutation. Placed by our + Master on two hemispheres, between which the electric current bears + frequent tidings, our respective positions are advantageous for noting + the events of providence. These constitute the signs of the times, and + are the counterpart of prophecy. Prophecy and providence reflect light + upon each other, and both are helpful to the interpretation of each; but + He alone who is the "Wonderful Counsellor," can cause us to understand + either. +</p> +<p> + In submitting the following work to the public, I venture to do so under + your auspices, if not under the sanction of your name. And I embrace the + present occasion, Rev. Sir, to bear willing testimony to your + acknowledged scholarship,—your profound erudition, especially in + Natural Science and Philology. I do also cheerfully and joyfully + recognise you as a public witness; and at the present time of general + defection, as an official and <i>consistent</i> witness in the British Isles + for the integrity of our Covenanted Reformation,—that reformation which + in its fuller development is destined to secure the rights of God and + man in reorganized society. Such, I believe to be one of the cheering + lessons which may be learned by Christ's witnesses from searching the + Apocalypse. +</p> +<p> + That you, Dear Sir, may be long preserved, sustained and comforted by + the providence and grace of the Most High, amid all your self-sacrifice, + privation and reproach which you endure for the truth's Bake, is the + prayer of +</p> +<p style="text-align: right"> + Your brother in covenant bonds,<br/> + DAVID STEELE.<br/> + PHILADELPHIA, <i>February 1st, 1870</i>. +</p> + + + + +<hr> +<p><b>Contents</b></p> +<p class="toc"><br/> +<a href="#2H_PREF"> +PREFACE +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_NOTE"> +NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2HCH0022"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_FOOT"> +FOOTNOTES: +</a><br /> +<a href="#2H_APPE"> +APPENDIX. +</a></p> +<a name="2H_PREF"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + PREFACE +</h2> +<p> + The Apocalypse is one of the most sublime and wonderful dramatic + exhibitions presented for human contemplation. Internal evidence concurs + with authentic history, in demonstrating to the devout and intelligent + reader, its divine origin. God, angels and men, are the principal + actors. Men's natural curiosity may find entertainment in this book; and + from no higher principle, many have doubtless been prompted to attempt a + discovery of its mysterious contents. What is true, however, of + supernatural revelation in general, is equally true of this book:—"The + natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can + he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." +</p> +<p> + To the right understanding of the Apocalypse, so far as the prophetical + parts of it are contemplated, the following prerequisites would seem to + be indispensable:— +</p> +<p> + 1. A competent knowledge of what may be termed the fundamental doctrines + of the gospel: such as the unity of the Divine Nature; the distinction + of persons in the Godhead; the atonement and intercession of Christ; the + total depravity and renovation of human nature; the resurrection and + final retribution, etc. +</p> +<p> + 2. Acquaintance with symbolical language, as the only language common to + all men since the confusion of tongues. +</p> +<p> + 3. Familiarity with the typical dispensation, from which most of the + symbols are taken. 4. Freedom from all political bias. +</p> +<p> + No expositor of the Apocalypse appears to have possessed all these + qualifications, however few and simple. The most learned and judicious + interpreters of this book have been divines of Britain and of the United + States. +</p> +<p> + After so many laborers employed in this harvest, the reader may + ask,—What remains to be gleaned? To this inquiry, it may be sufficient + to remind the devout Christian, that as the Apocalypse is the end of the + Bible, so "the harvest is the end of the world;" and during the + intermediate time "the Lord of the harvest is sending forth laborers." + Prophecy has engaged the attention and occupied the thoughts of the + writer, more or less, for the last thirty years. He has consulted the + views of most of the distinguished and approved interpreters of the book + of Revelation; among whom the following are named, viz.: <i>Mede, Sir + Isaac</i> and <i>Bishop Newton, Durham, Fleming, Gill, Whitaker, Kett, + Galloway, Faber, Scott, Mason, McLeod</i>; and many others: from all whose + labors, he has derived much instruction; and from all of whom he has + been obliged in important points to dissent. +</p> +<p> + The immediate occasion of this undertaking, was the urgent request of + the people of his charge, that the substance of a course of lectures + delivered in ordinary Sabbath ministrations, might be put into a more + permanent form, for their future edification. +</p> +<p> + In the early centuries of the Christian era, so wild, enthusiastic and + corrupt were the sentiments of some Millenarians, that this book ceased + in great measure to be read or studied; and even its divine authority + came to be questioned by many learned and pious men. As the "Dark Ages" + of Popery resulted from neglect of the sacred Scriptures in general, so + even among the first reformers the Apocalypse was viewed with suspicion + as to its claim to inspiration. It is probable that many of the + unlearned will hear with wonder, and doubt the assertion, that even the + great reformer Luther rejected the Apocalypse, as being no part of the + sacred canon! The same judgment he formed of the epistle by James! With + characteristic boldness, he wrote as follows:—"The epistle of James + hath nothing evangelical in it. I do not consider it the writing of an + apostle at all.... It ascribes justification to works, in direct + contradiction to Paul and all the other sacred writers.... With respect + to the Revelation of John, I state what I feel. For more than one + reason, I cannot deem this book either apostolic or prophetical, ... and + it is sufficient reason for me not to esteem it highly, that Christ is + neither taught nor known in it."<a href="#note-1"><small>1</small></a> Such was the estimation in which + that distinguished reformer held <i>two</i> inspired books of the New + Testament at the dawn of the Reformation. How great the increase of + scriptural light since his day! +</p> +<p> + The grand design of this book, as declared by its divine Author, is, "to + show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass," ... "to + testify these things in the churches:"—to make known beforehand, to + those styled his "witnesses," the certainty of a great apostacy,—the + rise, reign and overthrow of the Antichrist, that "when it came to pass, + they might believe," and exemplify before the world "the patience and + the faith of the saints." During that protracted period, the witnesses + could neither know their duty nor sustain their allotted trials without + these necessary instructions. +</p> +<p> + From the position of the witnessing church—"in the wilderness" during + the whole time of Antichrist's reign, which is also the position of the + apostle John when viewing in vision the "woman upon the beast;" (ch. + xvii. 3,) <i>that</i> appears to be the <i>only advantageous position</i> from + which to view the actors in this wonderful scene. And since few have + voluntarily "gone forth to Christ without the camp, bearing his + reproach," or submitted to wear the mourning garments of "sackcloth," it + is not at all surprising that the Apocalypse—emphatically a + <i>Revelation</i>—should continue to be, to many, a "sealed book." But on + the other hand, "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the + words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written + therein." +</p> +<p> + As this work is intended for the instruction and edification of the + unlearned, rather than for the entertainment of the learned, words of + foreign extract are used as seldom as possible. Practical remarks and + reflections are rarely introduced; the principal aim being simply to + ascertain and present to the reader the mind of the Holy Spirit. How far + this object has been accomplished, is of course left to the judgment of + the honest inquirer. The reader, however, in forming his judgment of the + value of these Notes, may be reminded of that inspired rule in searching + the Scriptures,—"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual." To assist + him in the application of this divine rule, many chapters and verses are + quoted from other parts of the Bible, but especially within the + Apocalypse itself; that by concentrating the various rays upon + particular texts or symbols, their intrinsic light may be rendered more + luminous. Thus the interpretation given, if correct, may be confirmed + and illustrated. +</p> +<a name="2H_NOTE"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. +</h2> +<p> + The heavens and the earth did not make themselves. The material universe + furnishes to the intelligent creature a visible demonstration of the + "eternal power and godhead of its Author." Besides, a <i>sense of Deity</i> + is essential to humanity; and a supernatural revelation is not necessary + to convince rational beings that there is a God. Man is a dependent + being in common with all other creatures, and all creatures depend upon + a first cause. That cause is God. Dependent as a creature, man may know + something of the natural perfections of his Maker; and possessing a + conscience, which implies accountability to a superior, he may know,—he + <i>must</i> know, something of the moral attributes of God. +</p> +<p> + In view of these positions, we may account for the fact, too often + overlooked by the reader of the Bible, that the Holy Spirit directed the + first of all historians to begin his narrative <i>so abruptly</i>. Assuming + that the reader is already assured of <i>God's being,</i> Moses proceeds at + once to account for the origination of the material universe. In simple + narrative he writes,—"In the beginning God created the heaven and the + earth." Thus God's being, and the eternity of his being are assumed as + known by the first inspired penman; a fact or principle not to be + disputed. True, the being of God has been questioned, but only by + "fools"—"brutish people;" who, by their atheistical suggestions have + proclaimed to their fellows their "brutish folly." (Ps. xiv. 6, xciv. 8, + 9.) +</p> +<p> + As the Bible takes for granted that mankind have had a previous + revelation in their own physical and moral constitution,—in the visible + heavens and earth; the same is true of the last book of the Bible, the + Apocalypse. It assumes that the reader has some competent knowledge of + the preceding books of the sacred Scriptures. The reader is supposed to + be acquainted with the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations of the + Covenant of Grace. Moreover, the moral law, as inculcated in the Old + Testament; the Levitical priesthood and ministry, as being "shadows of + good things to come;" the "doctrine according to godliness," taught in + the gospels and epistles of the New Testament,—are all taken for + granted and supposed to be received with a divine faith by all who would + profit by this last book of the sacred canon. +</p> +<p> + It is further assumed in the Apocalypse, that the humble inquirer into + the mind of the Holy Spirit has a knowledge of ancient history, of the + character and destiny of Egypt, Babylon, etc. And finally, it is + requisite that the successful inquirer into the mind of God be + acquainted with the language of symbols; and, above all, that he be + resolved, with the inspired writer John, to take a position with the + mystic woman <i>in the wilderness</i>. +</p> +<p> + With these few preliminaries, we proceed: +</p> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER I. +</h2> +<p> + 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto + his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and + signified it by his angel unto his servant John: +</p> +<p> + 2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus + Christ, and of all things that he saw. +</p> +<p> + 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this + prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time + is at hand. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-3.—Here, our divine Mediator appears in the continued exercise + of his prophetical office "in his estate of exaltation." While present + with his disciples on earth, he told them he had many things to say to + them, but they could not hear them then. (John xvi. 12) Upon his + ascension he fulfilled his own and his Father's promise in sending the + Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth—bring all things to their + remembrance, and show them <i>things to come</i>. (v. 13.) The fulfilment of + this promise we have in the whole of the New Testament,—doctrines, + facts and predictions. +</p> +<p> + Jesus said,—"Of mine own-self I can do nothing." (v. 30.) The same is + true of his teachings as of his works:—"The words that I speak unto + you, I speak not of myself, (xiv. 10.) In all that "Jesus began both to + do and to teach," (Acts i. 1,) he was instructed by his Father. These + things are all plainly implied in the first verse. Indeed, the official + actings of the three Persons in the Godhead had been frequently taught + by Christ during the time of his personal ministry; and they are more + fully and frequently recorded by the beloved disciple than by any other + evangelist, in that gospel which still bears this apostle's name. Thus, + it appears that although this book is called a "Revelation of Jesus + Christ," he is not the ultimate author. It is a revelation "which God + gave unto him." By God here, we are to understand the person of the + Father. The reader is thus conducted to the divine origin of all + supernatural revelation,—the eternal purpose of God. (Heb. i. 1, 2.) + The object of the whole Bible, in the evolvement of the divine economy + of man's redemption, appears to be the unfolding of the ineffable + mystery of the Trinity, and displaying the perfections of the Godhead, + to his own glory as the highest and last end. +</p> +<p> + The channel through which the divine will comes to the church, is + exhibited in the beginning of this book. Originating with God the + Father, passing to the Mediator, communicated to a holy angel; by his + ministry it is made known to John, who reveals it to the church! How + beautiful the order here! How wonderful and condescending on the part of + God! +</p> +<p> + Although we commonly and justly designate the whole Bible by the name + "Revelation;" yet we are to consider that this book is so called by way + of eminence. Doubtless it is so styled by its divine Author because it + reveals events which were then future, and which could not be discovered + by human sagacity. But this holds equally true of other parts of the + Scriptures, especially those parts which are prophetical. It may be that + this book is called "Apocalypse" because of the opposition which it was + to encounter from Antichrist, as also because of its singular and + intended use to a peculiar portion of professing Christians. As on the + one hand the Romish church, and too many who protest against her + encroachments, prohibit or discourage the disciples of Christ from + reading this book; so, on the other hand, it has been of singular use to + others in strengthening their faith and ministering to their comfort. +</p> +<p> + John "bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus + Christ and of all things that he saw." A question arises here,—What is + the difference, if any, between the "word of God" and the "testimony of + Jesus Christ?" Or is there any distinction intended by the Holy Spirit? + Most readers as well as expositors view these expressions as identical. + We shall meet with them, or their equivalent, frequently hereafter; and + it may be proper at the outset to inquire a little into this familiar + phraseology. (See chapters i. 9; vi. 9; xii. 11, 17; xx. 4, etc.) +</p> +<p> + Recognising the inspired rule of interpretation,—"comparing spiritual + things with spiritual," we refer to Psalm lxxviii. 5, where "testimony + and law" are obviously distinguished. The same distinction will be found + in Isa. viii. 16, 20. The prophet refers the reader to <i>two tests</i> of + doctrine and practice: first the "law." But as the spouse of Christ is + unable, in her perplexity, to apply the law to the present case in a + manner satisfactory to herself, she is directed by her Lord, (Song i. + 8,) to "go forth by the footsteps of the flock." That is, search and + ascertain how the disciples applied the law in similar circumstances, + and imitate their approved example. This is a rule recognised and often + inculcated in the New Testament. (Heb. vi. 12.) +</p> +<p> + The inspired penman in Psalm lxxviii. 5, refers to the covenant + transaction at Mount Sinai, where the "law" was exhibited as an appendix + to the covenant of grace—"added to the promise." (Gal. iii. 19.) The + reader will find this whole matter set before him, perhaps to his + surprise and delight in Exod. xx. 1-17. The Lord (Jehovah) is the God + (Elohim) of his people. How shall they know that he is <i>their</i> God? By + the law?—No, for that is a rule to all men. They know by the + <i>testimony</i> as distinct from the law. Testimony consists of <i>facts</i>. + God's people knew that he was their God, because he "brought them out of + the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This was "the doing of + the Lord,"—"the testimony of Jesus Christ." And so it is an important + and precious truth to us at the present day.—"The preface to the Ten + Commandments teacheth us, that God is the Lord (Jehovah) and <i>our + God</i>."—This great historical fact is the controlling motive to + acceptable obedience to the moral law. To this, among other truths of + the gospel, every faithful minister will "bear witness" with the apostle + John. +</p> +<p> + John also bore witness to "all things that he saw," as presented to him + in a succession of visions to the end of this book, in view of some of + which, he "wondered with great admiration." (xvii. 6.) +</p> +<p> + In the third verse there is a "blessing" pronounced on all such as + "hear, read and keep those things which are written in the words of this + prophecy." A mere reading and hearing of the Apocalypse will not secure + the blessing. It is suspended on the <i>keeping</i>. "Blessed is he that + <i>keepeth</i> the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Ch. xxii. 7.) The + divine and compassionate Author of this prophecy, who "knoweth the end + from the beginning," foresaw the violent and ignorant opposition even to + the <i>reading</i> of it, which would be encountered by those for whose + special direction and comfort it was given. While the "man of sin" would + attempt to deprive the church of the light of the Bible in general, the + great "Antichrist" would join him in special hostility to this book. The + judgment of the former is, that the Bible in the hands of the people + will generate <i>heresies</i>; of the latter,—the Apocalypse is so "hard to + be understood" as to be unintelligible. A revelation, and yet + unintelligible! This is very nearly a contradiction. Such sentiments + betray rebellion against the authority, and a reflection upon the wisdom + and beneficence of God. All Christians acknowledge, as Peter says of the + writings of Paul, that in this book are "some things dark and hard to be + understood:" but there have been always and now are, some disciples who + do not subscribe to the teaching of most expositors of this book,—that + their actual fulfilment, alone, will interpret these + predictions.—Doubtless it was in view of such discouragements that our + Lord prefixed and repeated the special blessing. And this promised + blessing of the Master himself is sufficient to countervail all the + discouragements and hostility of the adversaries, thrown in the way of + the reader and expositor. Moses "endured as having respect unto the + recompense of the reward." Let us copy his example. "He is faithful that + promised." Let the pious reader, therefore, disregard the counsel to + "omit the reading, of this book in family worship," as we have sometimes + heard; whether it be tendered by Papist, Prelate or Presbyterian, + because it is directly contrary to the express command of Christ, (John + v. 39,) and because by following such counsel, he would forfeit the + special blessing here promised. +</p> +<p> + 4. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and + peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from + the seven Spirits which are before his throne; +</p> +<p> + 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the + First-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. + Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, +</p> +<p> + 6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to whom + be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—Here we have the customary salutation, addressed to the + churches of Asia Minor. Many other churches had been organized in other + parts of the earth at this date; (A.D. 96:) but the special reason why + John saluted these seven, and addressed an epistle to each, would seem + to be his vicinity to them in the place of his present sojourning, and + probably his personal acquaintance with them in the exercise of his + ministry among them, (v. 11.) His prayer for these churches is + substantially the same as that prefixed to most of Paul's epistles. + Grace and peace are inseparable in the divine arrangement. "There is no + peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isa. lvii. 21.) +</p> +<p> + The solitary pilgrim in his place of banishment, contemplating the + Abrahamic covenant, and realizing that grace and that peace in which he + desires his fellow disciples to share, sets before us the threefold + source whence these divine influences flow. First, "from him which is, + and which was, and which is to come;" a description of God the Father, + whose personal subsistence has priority in the Godhead, and who occupies + the like priority in voluntary relationship and economic standing. From + the Father personally, as the representative of Trinity, we have seen + (in verse 1,) this book emanated; and now from the same we are taught + that "grace and peace" come to fallen man. Second, John's prayer here, + differs from Paul's usual form in the beginning of his epistles; for + Paul omits the Holy Spirit, commonly saying,—"Grace be to you, and + peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ," (as in Gal. + i. 3.) In this last book of Scripture we have the co-equal Three + introduced as co-operating in the work of man's redemption. Thus our + attention is directed to the "seven Spirits which are before the + throne;" by which we are to understand the Holy Ghost, in his essential + equality with God the Father, but in the place of official + subordination. The Holy Spirit is <i>one</i> personally, but <i>seven</i> in his + manifold gifts and graces, with special reference to the "seven + churches." And whereas the divine Spirit, in the order of his personal + subsistence and operation is <i>third,</i> here he occupies the <i>second</i> + place in the order of revelation. Third, The special reason for + reserving the notice of our Saviour to the last place, is doubtless that + the "beloved disciple" may take occasion to leave on record an + expression of his admiration of the Mediator's person, one of whose + names is "Wonderful," (Isa. ix. 6;) and that he might exemplify the + ruling principle of his own heart,—"We love him, because he first loved + us." (1 John iv. 19.) The apostle dwells upon the personal glory of + Immanuel, contemplating him in his threefold office of prophet, priest + and king.—He is "the faithful witness" in his prophetical office. "The + only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared + him." (John i. 18;) "who, before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good + confession." (John xviii. 37.) He is "the first-begotten of the dead." + He "died unto sin once," as an expiatory sacrifice to atone for the + guilt of an elect world. Being a "priest for ever after the order of + Melchizedek," "he ever liveth to make intercession,"—"death hath no + more dominion over him," as it had over Lazarus and many others who + "came out of the graves after his resurrection." (Matt, xxvii. 52, 53.) + <i>Among all</i>, he has the preeminence. (Col. i. 18.) He is "the Prince of + the kings of the earth." There is not in the sacred volume a title of + our Redeemer more full or expressive than this, on his headship or royal + office. A <i>prince</i> is of royal parentage. Such is the understanding of + mankind in all civilized nations. Joseph in Egypt typified, in part, the + kingly office of Christ; and Solomon on the throne of Israel partially + typified him in his dominion: but as Balaam foretold that he should be + "higher than Agag," (Num. xxiv. 7,) so we may say he is higher than + Joseph,—"A greater than Solomon is here." "Pharaoh said unto Joseph, + Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my + people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." When + the Father says to the Son, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever," + (Ps. xlv. 6,) this is consistent with "excepting him that did put all + things under him." (1 Cor. xv. 27.) Although we are not warranted to say + with some, "The Father is the fountain of the Godhead, we may + warrantably and boldly say, the Father is the <i>fountain</i> of <i>authority</i>. + (John vi. 38.) The dominion of the Mediator is universal, reaching "from + the roofless heaven to the bottomless hell." It is comfortable to the + disciples to know this in anticipation of the rise and reign of + Antichrist. He is, by the appointment of the Father "head over all + things," (Eph. i. 22,)—"able to save to the uttermost all that come + unto God by him," to "consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy + with the brightness of his coming, that Wicked, the Man of Sin." (2 + Thess. ii. 8.) +</p> +<p> + In view of the personal dignity and mediatorial dominion of Christ, the + apostle gives expression to his admiration and wonder at the amazing + love and condescension displayed by him on behalf of himself and all + others, on whom that love was fixed from everlasting, and whose guilt + and pollution were taken away by the atoning and cleansing blood of the + Lamb. To these saving benefits is to be added the honour to which the + redeemed are advanced as "kings and priests,—a royal priesthood." The + living Head is "a priest upon his throne," (Zech. vi. 13,) and all the + members are assimilated to him. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.) +</p> +<p> + 7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they + also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because + of him. Even so, Amen. +</p> +<p> + Verse 7.—How animated the language, sublime the conception, and + awe-inspiring the sentiment here! Time is annihilated! The end is seen + from the beginning, and all eyes are directed to the sovereign Judge of + the world, as he comes in majesty to fix the final destiny of all the + children of Adam! These have constituted only two classes sincere world + began. "Every eye shall see him," but the eye will affect the heart very + differently. The hearts of some, with holy Job, will be filled with joy + unspeakable, (Job xix. 26, 27;) but others, with mercenary Balaam, will + be inspired with terror and dismay. (Num. xxiv. 17.) Of "them that + pierced him," who shall be able to abide his indignation? Judas, + Caiaphas, Herod and his men of war; Pontius Pilate, and all who have + consented to the counsel and deed of them, "must appear before his + judgment seat." "All kindreds of the earth," covering all the + combinations of "Antichrist" during the definite period of twelve + hundred and sixty years, "shall wail because of him," (Rev. xiv. 10, + 11.) Assured of the equity of Messiah's judgment, the apostle, in the + exercise of "like precious faith with all them that believe," subjoins + his hearty assent,—"Even so, Amen:" "So let all thine enemies perish, O + Lord." Doubtless the design of the Holy Spirit in this verse is to + furnish ground of encouragement to those who were to be engaged in the + protracted conflict with the powers of darkness foreshadowed in the + prophecy of this book. +</p> +<p> + 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, + which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. +</p> +<p> + Ver. 8.—The same divine person, to whom the apostle directs the + doxology in the 6th verse, is introduced in the 8th: that is, the Lord + Christ. He claims eternity and omnipotence. He describes himself here in + the <i>very words</i> which in the 4th verse are descriptive of the eternal + subsistence of the person of the Father. "Alpha and Omega," the first + and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are explained in the + words,—"the beginning and the ending." This language is not to be + understood as expressing or defining the duration of the Godhead only; + but it points also to the divine purpose and providence. To the same + purpose speaks our Redeemer under the name of Wisdom:—"The Lord (the + Father) possessed me in the beginning (head, purpose) of his way, before + his works of old." (Prov. viii. 22.) In joint counsel with the Father, + ere the wheels of time began to move, and being "almighty" to execute + the purposes of God, he is perfectly qualified to act as the final Judge + of the world. And in the great and last day "every tongue must confess + that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. ii. 11.) "For + to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be + Lord both of the dead and living." (Rom. xiv. 9.)—"God is judge + himself." (Ps. 1. 6.) +</p> +<p> + 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and + in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is + called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus + Christ. +</p> +<p> + Ver. 9.—Again, the inspired writer addresses the Christians in Asia, + acquainting them very briefly and simply with his present local + situation; not so much to move their sympathy with him, as to express + his unabated affection for them:—"I am your brother, and companion in + tribulation." Although the "like afflictions were accomplished in his + brethren," the Devil was permitted to "cast" only "some of them into + prison." But it is remarkable that John utters not a word, much less + manifests any resentment, against the persecutor. He was "in the isle + that is called Patmos:"—but he does not say who sent him there. + Historians tell us that he was banished by Domitian, the Roman emperor; + others say, by Nero; but the former is more probable. This island is + proverbially barren. It is situated among a number of islands in the + Aegean sea, a point of the Mediterranean running northward between + Europe and Asia, and not very remote from most of the churches here + addressed. +</p> +<p> + The ground of controversy between John and his persecutors was "the word + of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Of these he "bare record." + (v, 2.) "This," say most expositors, "was the cause of John's + banishment." This unguarded language confounds the difference between a + <i>cause</i> and an <i>occasion</i>. John had given no cause of banishment to his + enemies. The true cause of their hostility was their hatred of the "word + of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." For these John contended + earnestly, as Jude enjoined; (ver. 3:) just as Paul and others were + "bold in their God to speak the gospel of God with much contention." (1 + Thes. ii. 2.) We have here the standing ground of strife between the + believer and the infidel; between Christ and Belial, between the church + and the world. There is a divine hand interposed all along in this + warfare, and the conflict will terminate only in the extermination of + one of the parties. (Gen. iii. 15; Rev. xx. 10.) +</p> +<p> + 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great + voice, as of a trumpet, +</p> +<p> + Ver. 10.—The beloved disciple had often "tasted the good word of God," + while the bosom-companion of Christ in the time of his ministry on + earth: His "heart burned within him." (Luke xxiv. 32.) Especially had + this been his happy experience on the holy Sabbath. Now that his + condition is solitary, being by violence "driven out from the + inheritance of the Lord," (1 Sam. xxvi. 19,) his gracious Master favours + him with a special visit. Did he not say to his disciples while he was + yet with them,—"I will not leave you comfortless? I will come to you." + (John xiv. 18.) The Comforter was promised to supply the want of the + Saviour's bodily presence, (v. 16,) and now John is "in the Spirit," and + it is "the Lord's day,"—the Christian Sabbath. We may well suppose this + disciple never was happier, no, not when he was "leaning on Jesus' + bosom." He would not now envy the emperor or any of his persecutors in + all their outward peace and prosperity. He was in an ecstasy,—"whether + in the body or out of the body he could not tell:" but his soul was + susceptible of the impressions of Christ's love, and of the intimations + of his sovereign will. "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" + (Gen. xviii. 17.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth + his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos iii. 7.) John does not + boast as Balaam,—"falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:" yet + he heard and saw as distinctly and clearly as if his perceptions had + come through the medium of his bodily ears and eyes. "He heard behind + him a great voice as of a trumpet," not to alarm, but to engage + attention. +</p> +<p> + 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega; the first and the last: and, What thou + seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in + Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto + Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. +</p> +<p> + V. 11.—Christ speaks, asserting his eternity, and consequently his + equality with the Father. This book being written in the Greek language, + our Saviour names and appropriates to himself the first and last letters + of the alphabet in that language, and gives the interpretation,—"the + first and the last," as in v. 8. John is directed to write and send to + the seven churches all that is contained in this last book of the Bible. + The churches are named here, and in the second and third chapters they + are addressed severally in a letter to each. It may be noted that + besides the general commission to preach the gospel to every creature, + apostles had a special call to <i>write</i>; and sometimes a + prohibition,—"write not," (ch. x. 4.) Many of the most learned and + godly divines whom we would consider best qualified, have never left any + writings for the instruction of posterity; whilst others less qualified, + either in respect of literature or piety, or not at all qualified, have + filled the world with books without a special call from Christ. (John + xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.) +</p> +<p> + 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, + I saw seven golden candlesticks; +</p> +<p> + 13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of + man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps + with a golden girdle. +</p> +<p> + 14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and + his eyes were as a flame of fire; +</p> +<p> + 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; + and his voice as the sound of many waters. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went + a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in + his strength. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-16.—His attention being arrested, the apostle "turned to see the + voice,"—that is, the person from whom the voice came. A glorious vision + was presented to his view,—"seven golden candlesticks" or lamp-bearers, + in allusion to the golden candlestick with the seven lamps as placed in + the tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 31-40.) "In the midst of the candlesticks + appeared one like unto the Son of man," the Mediator, clothed in + sacerdotal garments, supplying oil for the light, after the example of + Aaron and his sons. (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21.) The "garment" may signify his + mediatorial righteousness,—the "golden girdle" the preciousness of his + love,—"his head and his hairs white like wool," his purity and + eternity,—"his eyes as a flame of fire," his omniscience, by which he + searches the reins and hearts, and sees the end from the beginning; "his + feet like unto fine brass," the stability of his appointments and the + excellency of his providential dispensations,—"his voice," the + irresistible energy of his word to quicken, terrify or destroy at his + pleasure. (John v. 25, Heb. xii. 26.) "The sharp two-edged sword" will + represent his awful justice against the impenitent who resist his + righteous authority. "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the + wicked." (Is. xi. 4; Luke xix. 27.) "His countenance as the sun shining + in his strength," disclosed to the beloved disciple such splendor as to + overwhelm him. The like display of divine majesty was insupportable to + Saul of Tarsus when on his way to Damascus. (Acts xxvi. 13.) To the + workers of iniquity, "our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.) It + is a certain truth,—"The vengeance of the gospel is weighter than the + vengeance of the law." (Heb. x. 28, 31.) "Let us therefore fear." +</p> +<p> + 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his + right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the + last: +</p> +<p> + 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for + evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. +</p> +<p> + 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and + the things which shall be hereafter; +</p> +<p> + 20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, + and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the + seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the + seven churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-20.—We have the effect of the vision upon the beloved disciple. + He who had leaned on Christ's bosom at supper, and who had seen his + Master transfigured on the holy mount, was now utterly overwhelmed with + the effulgence of his glory. John "fell at his feet as dead." So it was + with Daniel, "a man greatly beloved." (Daniel x. 4-8.) But the + compassionate Saviour dispelled his fears, as in all similar cases; + making known to his astonished servant his supreme deity and real + humanity, as "the first and the last," who died for the sins, and was + raised again for the justification of his people. (Rom. iv. 25.) He is + "alive for evermore,"—become "the first fruits of them that slept." (1 + Cor. xv. 20.) He "dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over him." + (Rom. vi. 9.) And so complete is his victory over the king of terrors, + the last enemy of the believer, that he hath "the keys of hell and of + death." He has the "key of the bottomless pit," (xx. 1;) having + triumphed over principalities and powers, making a show of them openly. + (Col. ii. 15.) Whether Christ used the word, "amen," to ratify the truth + of his immortality; or whether this is an expression by John of his + joyful acquiescence in that truth, is not material: we know on + satisfactory evidence, that our Lord is a prophet and king, as well as a + priest, "after the power of an endless life." (Heb. vii. 16; Rom. xiv. + 9.) +</p> +<p> + John is next commanded to write,—<i>First</i>, "the things which he had + seen;" that is, the description of the foregoing vision:—<i>Second</i>, "the + things which are;" that is, the actual condition of the church, as + delineated in the diverse characters of the seven churches addressed, as + in the next two chapters:—<i>Third</i>, "the things which shall be + hereafter:" that is, the prophetical part of the book, from the + beginning of the fourth chapter to the close, as containing the + prospective history of the church and of the nations, as she was to be + affected by them, or they by her, till the consummation of all things. + This is the division of the book made by the divine Author himself, and + it is a natural and intelligible one. All attempts of learned and pious + men by other divisions to render this mysterious part of the Bible more + clear to the unlearned reader, tend only to display the ingenuity of the + writers,—not to say their temerity, while they "darken counsel by words + without knowledge." Such artificial divisions are as unfounded, in the + apprehension of sober expositors, as the attempts of impious Arians and + others, to turn the historical narrative of the creation and fall of man + into an allegory! +</p> +<p> + The meaning of the "seven stars and seven candlesticks" is then + explained to John. The word, "are," is used in a figurative sense, and + not to be taken literally. It means here, <i>symbolize, represent</i> or + <i>signify</i>. It is to be interpreted in the same sense as in the following + places of sacred Scripture:—"It <i>is</i> the Lord's passover." (Exod. xii. + 11.) "That rock <i>was</i> Christ." (1 Cor. x. 4.) "This <i>is</i> my body." + (Matt. xxvi. 26.) None but a Papist will have any difficulty here, or + perhaps,—a Lutheran! +</p> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II. +</h2> +<p> + Some commentators, among whom may be mentioned the learned Dr. Gill, a + leading Antipedobaptist minister of England, have imagined, that the + seven epistles addressed to the Asiatic churches, contain a mystical + prophecy of the church general, covering the whole period of her history + from the apostolic age till the end of the world. According to this + fancy,—for it is nothing more than a fancy; the church in Smyrna, will + represent the church's condition in the second stage of her history, + when Arianism prevailed! And the Laodicean must represent her last, and + so her worst condition! How will this harmonize with the 20th chapter, + where she appears in triumph over all her antichristian foes? This is + given as a specimen of the unbridled fancy and licentious imagination + with which even good men may be tempted to approach the reading and + interpreting of this important and instructive part of God's word. But + Peter informs us that some persons in his time, "wrested" those parts of + Paul's writings which were "dark and hard to be understood:" and this + was not the worst of their conduct, for they treated "the other + scriptures also" in the same reckless and irreverent manner, which were + neither dark nor hard to be understood. (2 Pet. iii. 16.) These epistles + are no more mystical or prophetical than those of the apostle Paul. They + are simply and properly descriptive, although like all other epistles, + they are applicable to the church general in all ages, and equally + suited to the case of individuals, as is clear in the close of + each:—"If <i>any man</i> have an ear, let <i>him</i> hear." +</p> +<p> + 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he + that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst + of the seven golden candlesticks; +</p> +<p> + 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou + canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say + they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: +</p> +<p> + 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast + laboured, and hast not fainted. +</p> +<p> + 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left + thy first love. +</p> +<p> + 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do + the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove + thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. +</p> +<p> + 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, + which I also hate. +</p> +<p> + 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, + which is in the midst of the paradise of God. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-7.—This first epistle, addressed to the church in Ephesus, + comes from the Lord Jesus, who holds the stars in his right hand; who + gives commission to the ministry, gives them authority as his + ambassadors to negotiate with mankind, communicates to them the light + which they diffuse in the world, sustains them in their respective + spheres, and controls them as they move in their orbits. He walks in the + midst of the candlesticks, as the sun in the system of nature, trimming + and snuffing the lamps that they may burn more clearly. +</p> +<p> + This is the second epistle sent from Christ to the church of Ephesus. + Paul, who is thought to have planted this church, (Acts xviii. 19,) had + written to those Christians some thirty years before, while he was a + prisoner in Rome. (Eph. i. 4; vi. 20.) Paul and John were nothing more + than Christ's amanuenses,—"the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. xlv. 1; 1 + Cor. iii. 7.)—"The angel of the church" is at once a symbolic and + collective name, including also the idea of representation:—not a pope + or any other prelatic personage. No doubt in our Saviour's estimation + the saints take precedence here of the "bishops (overseers.) and + deacons," as they do in Phil. i. 1; Eph. iv. 8-12. All ecclesiastical + officers are Christ's gift to the church; but the object or recipient of + the gift is more valued than the gift. And just here is the point where + prelates "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures." They have + arrogated to themselves the honourary title of "clergy;" and for the + sake of distinction, and to give plausibility to their ambitious + pretensions, call the membership of the church the "laity,"—contrary to + the express decision of the unerring Spirit. Peter cautions the + "elders" that they be not as "lords over God's <i>heritage,"</i>—<i>lot, + clergy;</i> where it is obvious that the body of the people, as + distinguished from their rulers, are denominated the <i>clergy.</i> Moreover, + it is evident to any unbiased reader, that the membership, and not a + bishop only, are addressed by our Lord in these epistles; as when he + says,—"some of you." (v. 10.) Hence it may be inferred that there is no + proof in these epistles on which to erect the antichristian hierarchy of + diocesan prelacy; and consequently that ecclesiastical government is by + divine right, lodged in the hands of a plurality of presbyters. +</p> +<p> + Christ notices what is commendable, before he administers reproof. "I + know thy works."—There seems to be an incompatibility between the + "patience" commended, and not being able to "bear them which were evil." + But patience under persecution or any other providential dispensation, + is perfectly consistent with an enlightened zeal against error and + immorality. Indeed, the two graces,—patience and zeal, are inseparable + in themselves, and as connected with all the other graces of the Holy + Spirit.—There were such in the primitive church, who claimed to be + apostles, and who, upon trial, were discovered to be impostors. Paul, in + the exercise of the miraculous gift of "discerning of spirits," could, + without presbyterial examination of witnesses, personally detect "false + apostles, deceitful workers" in Corinth. (2 Cor. xi. 13.) But John was + not at Ephesus, and therefore the ordinary rulers are approved by Christ + for the faithful exercise of discipline. Persons who falsify the + doctrines and corrupt the order and ordinances of divine appointment, + are the worst of liars, and having been by competent authority "found" + to be such; they may be so called without breach of charity. When + discipline is neglected or relaxed, error and tyranny soon enter, with + "confusion and every evil work." But when false teachers have gained + followers and influence in the church, the friends of truth and order + will be in danger of yielding to the pressure. They are liable to become + "weary and faint in their minds," (Heb. xii. 3;) but zeal for their + Master's honor will animate them to contend for the faith so as to + secure his approbation. It is remarkable that so much labor, patience, + zeal etc., should be found in this church while chargeable with having + "fallen from first love." Habits contracted in the fervor of early + affection to Christ, may continue to influence an individual or a + church, when the fervency of affection is sensibly abated. This state of + feeling the exercised Christian will confess and lament. Nothing but + repentance and reformation in such a case will procure the approbation + and restore the favor of Christ. Continued impenitence is threatened + with removing "the candlestick," the gospel, ministry and ordinances. +</p> +<p> + The Nicolaitans were a sect of corrupt professors of Christianity of + whose doctrines and deeds little or nothing is certainly known. It is + most generally supposed that they were a sort of Antinomians, who turned + the grace of God into lasciviousness; and there is a tradition, not well + sustained, that their heresy was derived from Nicolas, a proselyte of + Antioch, one of the seven deacons of whom we read, Acts vi. 5. The + similarity of name seems to have suggested this fancy; for there is no + historical evidence that one who was "of honest report, full of the Holy + Ghost and wisdom," was permitted thus to fall away. Their deeds, + however, were hateful to Christ, and therefore hateful to his real + disciples: for one of the infallible marks of a state of grace is to + hate what,—yes and whom,—our Lord hates. (Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22.) All who + read or hear these things are interested in them, whether they will + hear, or whether they will forbear. What Christ saith in each of these + epistles, the Spirit saith; and what is said to each church is said to + all the seven; that is, to the whole visible church. "To him that + overcometh" false apostles, the deeds of the Nicolaitans, any doctrines + or practices in opposition to the truth of Christ, or militating against + the honor of Christ; to such he "will give to eat of the tree of life," + from which Adam was excluded upon the breach of the first covenant. + (Genesis iii. 22-24.) What the first Adam lost by the fall, the last + Adam will restore with interest, (1 Cor. ii. 9.) The felicity of the + saints in glory can be represented only by sensible things; and even + then but very imperfectly. (1 Cor. xiii. 12; 1 John iii. 2.) +</p> +<p> + 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith + the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; +</p> +<p> + 9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) + and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, + but are the synagogue of Satan. +</p> +<p> + 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil + shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall + have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give + thee a crown of life. +</p> +<p> + 11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8-11.—Smyrna is the second in order of the seven churches addressed + through the ministry as the official representatives. Our Saviour here + assumes those titles mentioned in ch. i. 17, 18, which bespeak his + divine personal dignity and voluntary humiliation, his eternal Godhead + and true manhood,—"God manifest in the flesh," having by death + triumphed over death, to deliver them who through fear of death were all + their life-time subject to bondage. (Heb. ii. 15.) This church was + subjected to "tribulation,"—persecution in name, substance and person. + The members were either of the poorer sort of the citizens of Smyrna, or + rendered poor by fines,—"the spoiling of their goods."—"But thou art + rich," rich in faith, in good works, in the gifts and graces of the + Spirit, the earnest of the heavenly inheritance.—In this place a colony + of Jews had gained such social influence as to move the populace, and + even the local magistrates, to offer violence to the servants of God. It + does not appear that these Jews were professing Christians of any creed, + but just such as Paul often encountered in Judea and elsewhere. (Acts + xvi. 19-22.) The devil instigated the Jews, and they the Gentiles; and + both, the magistrates, to silence the testimony of Christ's witnesses, + by which all were tormented. The design of the devil, who was a murderer + from the beginning, was to <i>destroy</i> that church; but Christ's design + was to <i>try</i> her members. Only <i>some</i> were to be imprisoned, and the + time of trial would be limited to "ten days,"—a definite for an + indefinite, but short time. Those who resist the truth contradict its + advocates, and blaspheme the holy name of God, though professing to be + either Jews or Christians, area "synagogue of Satan." "A crown of life" + is promised to such as proved "faithful unto death." They shall not be + "hurt of the second death;" that is, eternal death. (Ch. xx. 14, 15.) +</p> +<p> + 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith + he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; +</p> +<p> + 13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat + is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in + those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among + you, where Satan dwelleth. +</p> +<p> + 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them + that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a + stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed + unto idols, and to commit fornication. +</p> +<p> + 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, + which thing I hate. +</p> +<p> + 16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight + against them with the sword of my mouth. +</p> +<p> + 17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, + and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, + which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-17.—To the church in Pergamos reproofs and threatenings are + addressed by him who has the "sharp sword." Satan had his throne in this + place, whence he assailed the true doctrine and disciples of Christ by + heresy and persecution. In such a great fight of afflictions there was + one distinguished, like Stephen, for boldness and fortitude, who + "resisted unto blood, striving against sin." And wherever there is a + "faithful martyr" for Christ, who "holds fast his name, and will not + deny his faith" at the risk of his life, his divine Lord will condescend + to register his name among that noble company who "by faith have + obtained a good report." (Heb. Xv. 2.) The "doctrine of Balaam" and that + of the Nicolaitans led to gross immoralities in apostolic times as of + old in the days of Moses. (Num. xxxi. 16.) And thus it appears, that old + heresies, which have been condemned, are afterwards revived under new + names, and patronized by new leaders. In such a case, we have the + authority of Christ for calling them by the same names of those whose + principles they adopt, and whose example they emulate. It was no breach + of charity, therefore, by our forefathers to designate those who + "delated" them to the cruel persecutors in Scotland by the name of + "Ziphites," or to call the archtraitor Sharp,—"a Judas." The Lord Jesus + "hates the doctrine" as well as "deeds of Nicolaitans," which are + subversive of truth and godliness. Those who oppose the doctrines of + Balaam and the Nicolaitans in any age when these are popular, must + expect persecution. But when "troubles abound for Christ's sake, + consolations much more abound by Christ." This is to "eat of the hidden + manna." Also, the "white stone" or pebble,—the token of + justification,—will be given to the conqueror in the Christian + conflict. The allusion here is to the mode of procedure in courts of + judgment among the ancient Greeks. White stones were cast for acquittal; + black for condemnation. The manna is <i>hidden</i>, and so is the <i>white</i> + stone, both signifying the sustaining and consoling evidence of the + Comforter,—the Holy "Spirit witnessing with the spirit" of the + persecuted believer, that he is a "child of God." It is the same thing + as the "hundred-fold in this life," promised by Christ. (Matt. xix. 29.) +</p> +<p> + It is worthy of notice, in the condition of this church, that while + among a minority may be found an "Antipas,—faithful martyr" for the + cause of Christ, against those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the + Nicolaitans: the majority are called upon to "repent,"—evidently for + conniving at the destructive errors and immoralities of those seducers. + And unless the discipline of the church was employed to "purge out these + rebels;" the Master would take the work into his own hand, and "fight + against them with the sword of his mouth:" and then such as screened or + spared these sinners might expect to partake of their just punishment. + Rulers in the church "must give account for those over whom they watch." +</p> +<p> + 18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things + saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and + his feet are like fine brass; +</p> +<p> + 19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy + patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. +</p> +<p> + 20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou + sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to + teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things + sacrificed unto idols. +</p> +<p> + 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented + not. +</p> +<p> + 22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery + with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. +</p> +<p> + 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall + know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give + unto every one of you according to your works. +</p> +<p> + 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, (as many as have + not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they + speak;) I will put upon you none other burden: +</p> +<p> + 25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. +</p> +<p> + 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him + will I give power over the nations: +</p> +<p> + 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a + potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. +</p> +<p> + 28. And I will give him the morning-star. +</p> +<p> + 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18-29.—The most lengthy epistle is sent to the church in Thyatira. + He who is the "Son of God," a divine person, possessing the essential + attributes of omniscience and immutability, has more to say to this + church than to any of the rest. Commending, as usual, whatever was + commendable,—their "works, charity, service," etc.; "and the last to be + more than the first:" he has, nevertheless, "a few things against + them,"—especially "suffering that woman Jezebel to teach." Is this + "woman Jezebel" to be taken in a literal or figurative sense? Analogy + seems to require a metaphorical sense. If, in the preceding epistle, + "Balaam" is not to be understood literally and personally, but + figuratively and representatively, so Jezebel represents an individual, + or rather as that other woman, (ch. xvii. 4.) a faction or sect, who + propagated destructive heresy. Jezebel was daughter of Ethbaal, King of + the Zidonians, whom Ahab married contrary to the express law of God. (1 + Kings xvi. 31; Deut. vii. 3.) She was a violent persecutor of the Lord's + people, because she was given to idolatry; and she was an instigator of + all the cruelty perpetrated by that wicked king, "whom Jezebel his wife + stirred up." As Ahab suffered his wife to control his policy, "giving + him the vineyard of Naboth," etc., so it appears, the rulers in this + church are blamed for permitting "a woman to teach," contrary to the law + of Christ." (1 Tim. ii. 12.) She "called herself a prophetess,"—why not + then require her to show her credentials? Permitted to usurp the + functions of a public teacher, she "seduced Christ's servants" to join + in the abominable rites of the heathen. Spiritual fornication, + especially when conducted by female agency, has always issued in that + which is literal. This may be verified from the time of Noah and Balaam + till the erection of nunneries under the sanction of the "man of sin." + The distinction here between "committing fornication" and "eating things + sacrificed unto idols," intimates that the "adultery" is to be taken in + a literal sense. Time was allowed for repentance, "and she repented + not." All this time the rulers were culpable: therefore the Lord + himself, as before, will interpose to rectify such gross sin and + scandal. This he would do by visiting these impenitent transgressors + with some incurable disease which would issue in certain death. So he + did in the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) By this example he would + teach "all the churches, that it is he who searcheth the reins and + hearts,"—demonstrating his divine omniscience.—"But unto you I say." + Where now is to be discovered, in this address of the Saviour, that + "presiding minister," or diocesan bishop, whom the anti-christian + prelates affirm our Lord addresses in all these epistles? "And unto the + rest in Thyatira,"—still no prelate addressed; but those laborious and + patient ones previously commended, who "had not known the depths of + Satan." Those deceivers pretended to instruct their deluded followers in + the "deep things of God;" but Christ calls them "depths of Satan." It is + usual with the devil's factors to delude credulous persons with + pretending to teach them deep mysteries,—"curious arts. (Acts xix. 18, + 19.) +</p> +<p> + To such as withstood the adversary and his allies, Christ would give no + additional injunctions to those which they had received. And to animate + them to continued fidelity and fortitude in future conflicts with these + enemies of all righteousness, he holds forth an ample reward. He shall + share in the honor of his Master, conferred on him by his Father. + Whatever may be comprehended in this promise, it can be made good to the + victorious Christian only by Him who is divine. None else has "power + over the nations," but he to whom "all power is given in heaven and in + earth." (Matt, xxviii. 18.) "The morning star" may signify Christ + himself, (ch. xxii, 16,) or the "first fruits of the Spirit," (Rom. + viii. 23,) or the full assurance of grace. (2 Peter i. 19.) +</p> +<p> + As before, what "Christ saith, the Spirit saith;" and the instruction, + warning and threatening sent to the church in Thyatira, was addressed to + all churches and to every human being endowed with an "ear to hear." It + is assumed in the beginning of the Apocalypse, that only some will have + sufficient education to "read the words of the prophecy of this book;" + and such is the condescension of our gracious Master, that those who, by + reason of invincible ignorance, cannot <i>read</i>, yet may share in the + reward promised to such as "hear and keep" the sayings of this book. And + no doubt thousands have received this reward since the begun decline of + Popery, who were privileged to hear and to "know the joyful sound" of + the gospel proclaimed by the heralds of the Reformation. In the times of + Luther, Calvin, Knox, and others, who were their compeers and + successors, many were called from darkness to light, in continental and + insular Europe, who could not read. +</p> +<p> + All are commanded to "search the Scriptures." Now to be able to obey + this reasonable command, either all must be instructed in the knowledge + of Hebrew and Greek,—the two languages in which the Bible was + originally written, or the Bible must be translated into the languages + of all nations. But the former supposition is impracticable, and + therefore the latter is dutiful. And after all that has been done, and + is yet to be accomplished, in translating the sacred writings into the + languages of the nations of the earth, the "angels of the churches" will + be employed by the chief Shepherd in feeding his flock. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith + he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy + works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. +</p> +<p> + 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready + to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. +</p> +<p> + 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, + and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a + thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. +</p> +<p> + 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their + garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. +</p> +<p> + 5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I + will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess + his name before my Father, and before his angels. +</p> +<p> + 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-6.—As hitherto in these epistles we do not discover a "presiding + minister" above an elder, so neither do we in this one find any hint of + a "bishop and pastors." All Christ's bishops are elders, and "all are + brethren." (Acts xx. 17, 28.) Prelacy,—that is, preferring one pastor + before another in office, is expressly prohibited by the church's only + Lawgiver. (Matt. xx. 25, 26.) The attempts to annul this law of Christ + has caused more sin and suffering to his disciples than any one external + agency of the devil. The whole history of the church furnishes the + evidence of this. +</p> +<p> + The church in Sardis is addressed by him who "hath the seven spirits of + God and the seven stars," who has authority by office to give the + quickening influences of the Spirit to the dead, and his reviving + influences to the dormant; for revival presupposes life. Their "works + were not perfect before God," however they might appear to men. The + majority were in a languishing condition, had "given themselves over to + a detestable neutrality" in the Lord's cause. And as the whole body is + justly characterized by the major part; this church is described as + "dead." "Be watchful,—remember,—repent." These duties point out the + prevailing sins, namely, slothfulness, forgetfulness and security. Where + these predominate, "things that remain are ready to die." And there is + no other remedy but that of applying to the "Seven Spirits of God," + which Christ is ready to shed abundantly on all who make believing + application. +</p> +<p> + Christ threatens to "come as a thief" upon those who do not "watch." In + similitudes, we are not to indulge a licentious fancy in our attempts to + interpret them. The objects of the thief's visit and that of Christ are + not the point of resemblance; for "the thief cometh not but for to + steal, and to kill, and to destroy." The point, and the only point of + resemblance, is the suddenness of the visit. Ignorance or neglect of + this rule of interpretation has been a fruitful source of error, + especially in expounding Revelation. +</p> +<p> + In this epistle, the order hitherto observed by the Saviour is reversed. + What was praiseworthy in other churches was first noticed. Here the + commendation follows the reproof. "Thou hast a few names," etc. A + virtuous minority are "undefiled in the way." They have nobly withstood + the prevailing contamination, and therefore Christ will admit them to + fellowship and honor. The victor shall be "clothed in white + raiment,"—grace shall be perfected in glory; and their names, which + were inscribed in the book of life,—the register of the church of the + first-born, shall be confessed by Christ "before his Father and before + his angels," as having "followed the Lamb," when others went back like + Orpah. (Ruth i. 15.) Let those who, having "put their hand to the + plough," are tempted to "look back," consider "what the Spirit saith" to + the church in Sardis. +</p> +<p> + 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things + saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, + he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; +</p> +<p> + 8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no + man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, + and has not denied my name. +</p> +<p> + 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they + are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and + worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. +</p> +<p> + 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep + thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, + to try them that dwell upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + 11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man + take thy crown. +</p> +<p> + 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, + and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my + God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which + cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new + name. +</p> +<p> + 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-13.—This church, like the one in Smyrna, is "without rebuke," in + the midst of similar trials.—Christ's message is prefaced, as usual, by + some description of himself, implying his supreme deity and authority. + "He that is holy, he that is true," is more than a creature. As "there + is none <i>good</i> but one, that is God;" so, "there is none <i>holy</i> as the + Lord," (Jehovah,) (1 Sam. ii. 2.) Here is another, among many plain + proofs, of our Saviour's proper divinity. His divine authority is held + forth in his "having the key of David," etc. A key is the symbol of + authority, (Matt. xvi. 19,) and the reference is to that prophecy, (Isa. + xxii. 20-24,) in which the mediatorial dominion of Christ is set forth, + by calling Eliakim to the place of authority in the room of Shebna. "The + key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." It is in virtue + of this extensive grant of power from the Father, that the Lord Christ + has a right, <i>as Mediator</i>, to send his ambassadors into all nations, to + call sinners (rebels) back to their rightful allegiance; and also to + execute deserved punishment upon all who do harm to his servants. (Ps. + cv, 15.) In the exercise of his rightful authority, he has set before + this church an "open door" of liberty, of opportunity, of activity; that + she may put forth her "little strength" in keeping Christ's word and + confessing his name amidst opposition, reproach and violence; for it is + obvious, that when impostors fail to reach their objects by deceit, they + will resort to forcible measures. Because this church was unable to + purge herself by corrective discipline,—having but "a little strength," + therefore Christ declares his purpose to strip these lying Jews of their + cloak of hypocrisy, and exhibit them in their true character a + "synagogue (church) of Satan." (James ii. 2.) Seeing that in apostolic + times there were apostles, ministers, churches of the devil, is it to be + supposed that we violate the law of charity, if in our own degenerate + age, when heresies abound, when ecclesiastical order is trampled upon, + we venture to apply the language of the Holy Spirit to unholy and + profane amalgamations? No, it is part of the special business of + Christ's witnesses to unmask specious hypocrites and warn of danger from + false teachers, (2 Cor. xi. 13-15; Gal. i. 6, 7,) that "their folly may + be made manifest to all men." (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9; 2 Peter ii. 1, 3.)—The + cruel enemy, who in the day of prosperity boasts of his success, in the + day of adversity becomes the most arrant coward and cringing + suppliant,—whether it be Saul or Shimei. (1 Sam. xv. 30; 2 Sam. xix. + 18.) Haughty persecutors have been changed to humble suitors for an + interest in the prayers of their victims,—"to worship before their + feet." "The word of Christ's patience" may signify any truth or doctrine + of the Bible which is of supernatural revelation. The same idea is + suggested by the phrase, "the present truth,"—any divine truth which + may come to be opposed or denied, especially as it may bear upon the + personal glory of our Redeemer. Love to Christ is often tested by an + enlightened and firm adherence to the "truth as it is in Jesus," when + "false apostles will sell it for a mess of pottage." (Prov. xxiii. 23; 2 + Cor. xiii. 8.) The first promise here is of a temporal kind, of + protection in time of general danger. The "temptation" thus predicted + may refer to some of those "ten persecutions" waged by the Roman + emperors against the Christians, as that of Trajan in particular; but + doubtless, like many other predictions, it was to have more than one + fulfilment. The expression, "all the world" does indeed sometimes mean + the Roman empire, (Luke ii. 1;) but perhaps it would be rash to affirm, + that it is to be always thus limited. Like "the kingdom of heaven,—the + kingdom of God,"—phrases which have unquestionably a two-fold + signification, so it will be safer to consider this expression as of a + similar kind. All other churches would be exposed to trial, from which + this one would be exempted. The trial might consist of persecution, or + the spreading of heretical principles and wicked practices, followed by + apostacies. At such a time of trial, a firm adherence to the "doctrines + which are after godliness," would be imperative duty, and the only way + to secure the victor's crown. The gracious reward of fidelity here + promised is a permanent and honorable place in the heavenly temple,—the + temple of Christ's Father, whose name the citizen of the New Jerusalem + should bear for ever, and should be known and recognised as + "fellow-citizen with the saints." These names may be safely interpreted + as importing, "son, daughter of the Lord Almighty, citizen of Zion, + Christian." As "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch," + so their gracious Master will "confess their names before his Father and + the holy angels." (Acts xi. 26; Rev. iii. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These + things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of + the creation of God; +</p> +<p> + 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou + wert cold or hot. +</p> +<p> + 16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will + spue thee out of my mouth. +</p> +<p> + 17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have + need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, + and poor, and blind, and naked. +</p> +<p> + 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest + be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the + shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with + eye-salve, that thou mayest see. +</p> +<p> + 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and + repent. +</p> +<p> + 20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and + open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with + me. +</p> +<p> + 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, + even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. +</p> +<p> + 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + churches. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-22.—It appears that in Paul's time a Christian church had been + planted in Laodicea. (Col. ii. 1; iv. 16.) This church had the benefit + of his ministry as well as that of Ephesus: and as both these churches + were comparatively near to all the other five, we may suppose that a man + of his zealous, active and persevering character and habits, would + "impart unto them some spiritual gift." (Rom. i. 11.) +</p> +<p> + It is evident that this church had degenerated more than all the others. + In her there is nothing to commend. Her officers and members are + described in their real character by him who is the "Amen, the faithful + and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Each of these + titles speaks the divine dignity of Christ. They are all to be + understood in an absolute, not in a comparative sense. As "there is none + <i>good</i> (absolutely so,) but one; that is, God," Matt. xix. 17; so Christ + only is the "Amen" in such sense that he "cannot lie" as a "witness.'" + He "speaks that which he has seen with his Father." (John viii. 38.) + Jesus is, moreover, the "Beginning;" the author, owner and sovereign + ruler of "the creation of God." This is clearly taught in Col. i. 15-18, + where the same person, who (in v. 18) is called "the beginning," as + here; is (in v. 17,) said to "be before all things;" by whom (v. 16,) + "were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in + earth."—Creation is a work proper to God only. But our Redeemer has + "created all things." Now, according to Heb. iii. 4, "he that built all + things is God;" therefore he of whom these things are spoken is "the + Most High God." And so said the inspired prophet long ago, "For thy + Maker is thine husband." (Isa. liv. 5.) In the language of Jeremiah, (x. + 11,)—thus do we say to Arians, Socinians, and other self-styled + Unitarians,—"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, + even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens:" + and their blinded votaries, "except they repent, shall all likewise + perish."—However far the body of this church had declined, it does not + appear that they had yet, as a community, gone the length of "denying + the Lord that bought them." +</p> +<p> + Spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, seems to have been the prevailing sin + among these degenerate professors. Like the Pharisee, they would boast + of their riches, the spiritual gifts which they possessed, by which they + flattered themselves that "they were not as other men." Possibly they + might excel in knowledge, that "knowledge which puffeth up;" in + utterance,—"great swelling words of vanity," by which they gained both + "filthy lucre" and the admiration of an ignorant and carnal multitude. + Such is too often the actual condition of ministers and people, when + they are all the while under the power of sin, and wholly "blind" to + their spiritual destitution. Self-deception is fatal; and it would be + just in the Lord Jesus to give such persons up to their own hearts' + lusts. So he threatens,—"I will spue thee out of my mouth," as a man's + stomach loathes that which is nauseating. The like figure is used by + Isaiah, (lxv. 5,) personating his Lord when describing similar + characters:—"These are a smoke in my nose,"—intolerably offensive.—To + us the case of this church would appear hopeless. It is not so, however: + on the contrary, he assures them that these sharp rebukes proceed from + love. "As many as I love, I rebuke, and chasten." (Heb. xii. 6-8.) And + from the "counsel" which he gives, as farther evidence of his love, we + learn wherein this church was lacking,—in grace, justifying + righteousness, and the saving self searching illumination of the Holy + Spirit. As this church had not the promise of exemption from the coming + "temptation," (v. 10,) the "gold tried in the fire" of persecution will + be indispensable to preserve any from apostacy, whereby their cloak of + hypocrisy would be removed, and they be exposed to "shame."—Christ + "stands and knocks."—If the church refuses him admittance, yet if but + one will "hear his voice and open the door," he will certainly + communicate such consolations,—the "joy of his salvation," that it may + be said they sup together. (Song v. 1.) +</p> +<p> + This, as before, is the "hundred-fold," promised in this life, as a + foretaste and pledge of heavenly felicity.—There is added, a + participation in his honor and authority; for those who suffer with him + shall also reign with him. (2 Tim. ii. 12.) Whilst "this honour is to + all his saints," it is to be conferred upon them by Christ. This + assertion may seem to contradict what Christ said to the mother of + Zebedee's sons, (Matt. xx. 23,)—"to sit on my right hand, and on my + left, is not mine to give."—No, it is not his to give,—"but, except to + them for whom it is prepared of his Father." Then it is his to + give,—his right. Of the honor and felicity promised to such as "fight + the good fight of faith," none can have an adequate conception without + actual experience. (1 John iii. 2.) +</p> +<center> + GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. +</center> +<p> + Although the fundamental doctrine of the <i>Trinity in Unity</i> be not + expressly taught or asserted in these epistles, it is nevertheless often + and plainly presupposed. Each epistle begins and closes with express + mention of two divine persons as equally the author. What Christ says, + the Spirit says to these churches. But there is a <i>third</i> divine person + often mentioned who is called "God," and "Father." (Ch. ii. 7, 18, 27, + etc.;) and in the first verse of chapter third, one speaks who has the + seven Spirits of God," where the <i>Trinity</i> is included. Thus, while in + these epistles this important doctrine of the adorable Trinity,—a + doctrine which lies at the very foundation of a sinner's hope, is + obscurely revealed, as being clearly discovered in the preceding parts + of the Holy Scriptures; the subsequent part of this book of Revelation + is intended, among other objects, to demonstrate <i>the distinct + subsistence and economical actings</i> of the co-equal and eternal Three, + in the protection and salvation of the church, and in the control and + moral government of the universe. +</p> +<p> + Again, on the groundless and chimerical assumption of those expositors + who view these epistles as prophetical of seven successive periods of + the destiny of the church general, the last estate would be worse than + the first,—Laodicea being the worst of all. But this is obviously + contrary to the description contained in ch. xx. 1-10, where the saints + are represented as in possession and exercise of all their purchased and + social rights. Neither does authentic history prove that the church of + Christ was more prosperous under the "ten persecutions" by the heathen + Roman emperors than in the apostolic age, as the superior condition of + the church in Smyrna to that of Ephesus would require. The very contrary + is true; and hence the groundlessness of such interpretation, however + respectable the names of its authors. The object of our Saviour in all + the instructions, counsels, warnings, rebukes and threatenings addressed + to these several churches is doubtless the real benefit of his people in + after generations;—just as his dealings with the church in Old + Testament times, "were written for our admonition and learning." (Rom. + xv. 4; 1 Cor. x. 11.) Moreover, some persons have inferred from our + Lord's treatment of these churches, a <i>divine warrant</i> for the + existence, and an imperative Christian duty for the charitable + recognition, of all the conflicting and antagonistic organizations of + our time, popularly styled Christian churches. But as the designation, + "Christian churches," is in the apprehension of some too general, the + term "evangelical" is used by them as restrictive of the term + "Christian." Still the question will present itself,—What constitutes a + church "evangelical?" And this question is still without any definite + answer. Perhaps no two persons would include in one category the same + denominations of professing Christians. For example,—Is a community to + be considered a Christian church in which the "doctrine of Balaam" is + taught? Does the law of charity require the recognition of an + organization as a Christian church, in which a "Jezebel would be + suffered to teach, and to seduce the servants of Christ?" Is that a + Christian church which denies the supreme deity of Christ, and rejects + the seals of the covenant of grace,—the only charter of the Christian + church's existence, on earth? Or is that combination to be viewed as a + Christian church which has no regular ministry, but expressly rejects + the "pastors and teachers" of Christ's appointment and the morality of + the sabbath? These, and many other questions of similar or analogous + import, will suggest negative answers to all who fear God, respect his + authority, and are free from the bewildering effects of popular error. +</p> +<p> + It ought to be considered that all these <i>seven</i> churches were <i>one + church</i>, as originally constituted, having the same,—that, is, a + divine, scriptural organization. And although in the divine forbearance, + they were still owned by Christ, notwithstanding the errors, heresies + and immoralities which had crept into them; yet it is manifest that he + threatens some of them with divorce, total extinction in case of + impenitence. He has indeed fulfilled his awful threats in making them a + desolation. Is it reasonable to suppose that he would reorganize these, + or recognise others which incorporate the same or the like corruptions + in doctrine and practice for tolerating which he has "removed their + candlestick," or "spued them out of his mouth?" (<i>Absit blasphemia</i>.) To + say so, or write so, does not manifest the "charity which rejoiceth not + in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Alas! the present condition of + the church general contains frequent evidences, that our Saviour's + affectionate counsels, solemn warnings, and awful threatenings, are + neither duly pondered nor dutifully regarded. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV. +</h2> +<p> + With this chapter the prophetical part of the Apocalypse begins. This is + the place where the third division of the book commences, of which + intimation had been given to John.—"Write ... the things which shall be + hereafter." (Ch. i. 19.) The third is therefore much the largest part of + the whole book, comprising all from the 4th to the 22d ch. It is also to + be noticed that the fourth and fifth chapters are properly of the nature + of an introduction to what follows, presenting to view, as it were, a + grand theatre on which are to be exhibited the dramatic characters and + events which constitute the outline of history in the church and the + world from the apostle's time till the consummation of all things. +</p> +<p> + Expositors commonly frame and lay down some rules by which they suppose + symbolic language in general, and the symbols of this book in + particular, may be interpreted. On examination, however, it will be + discovered that the learned are not agreed either in the nature or + number of such rules, and sometimes an expositor who has exerted his + ingenuity most in devising canons of interpretation, forgets to apply + them. +</p> +<p> + All languages, whether spoken or written, are more or less metaphorical, + interspersed with what are called figures of speech. It is customary to + represent nations and tribes, whose language abounds in symbols, as but + little advanced in civilization; and to view oriental nations as more + disposed to indulge in tropes and figures than those of the west; but + perhaps this relative estimate of the modes of speech in the eastern and + western hemispheres will admit of some modification, when we consider + the gesticulations and similes by which the aborigines of America + attempt to give expression to their ideas. The word <i>hieroglyphics</i>, + signifying sacred sculpture, derived from the ancient mode of writing by + the priests of Egypt, has received conventional currency among the + learned, as descriptive of any writing which is obscure, "hard to be + understood." And all who read this book will find some of it "dark" + indeed. The divine Author intended that it should be so, (ch. xiii. 18;) + yet he calls it emphatically, a "Revelation." +</p> +<p> + We have already noticed, that the symbols in this book are taken from + the ceremonial law in part, and part are taken from the works of + creation. The heavens and the earth present to our senses a variety of + material objects; some more, some less calculated to arrest our + attention. Among these, the sun, moon and stars,—earth and sea, + mountains and rivers, occupy prominent places. To facilitate our + knowledge of these, and prompt reference to any part of them, we + generalize or throw them into groups. Thus we speak familiarly of the + "solar system," the "animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom." Now, just + transfer these systematized objects from the material and physical, to + the moral and spiritual world. Then consider what relation any one + object bears to the system, and what influence it has upon the other + objects of which it is a part, and its import may be generally, + satisfactorily and certainly ascertained. Thus the same canons or rules + which we apply in the interpretation of other writings, will be equally + available in "searching the Scriptures,"—never, never forgetting that + it is the Spirit of Christ that "guides into all truth," or his own + all-comprehensive rule of interpretation, "comparing spiritual things + with spiritual." (1 Cor. ii. 13.) +</p> +<p> + In order to the right observance of the divinely prescribed rule, + "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," we must often refer to the + prophecies of the Old Testament,—to the second and seventh chapters of + Daniel in particular, because that prophet, while the church was captive + under the power of literal Babylon, was favoured with a discovery of the + purpose of God, that a succession of imperial powers should afterwards + arise to "try the patience and the faith of the saints." As in the case + of Pharaoh, so in the whole history of the rise, reign and overthrow of + succeeding persecuting powers, Jehovah's design was precisely the + same,—"to make his power known, and that his name might be declared + throughout all the earth." (Ex. ix. 16; Rom. ix. 17.) In connexion with + this, he would "glorify the riches of his grace on the vessels of mercy, + which he had afore prepared unto glory," by sustaining them in the + furnace of trial. +</p> +<p> + 1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and + the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with + me; which said. Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must + be hereafter. +</p> +<p> + 2. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in + heaven, and one sat on the throne. +</p> +<p> + 3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: + and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an + emerald. +</p> +<p> + Verses 1-3.—"After these things," contained in the three preceding + chapters, the glorious vision of the mediatorial person, and the writing + and sending of the seven epistles; there seems to have intervened a + pause. While John was in expectation of farther discoveries of "things + which were to be thereafter," "behold, a door was opened in heaven," the + place of Jehovah's special residence. But as this "heaven" is sometimes + the theatre of <i>war</i>, (ch. xii. 7,) of course it is not to be taken + literally. As a symbol it generally signifies organized society, over + which the Most High presides. The "door opened" afforded the means to + John of seeing the objects within. The "voice as of a trumpet," which + arrested his attention, was that of Christ,—the "voice of the Lord, + full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4; ch. i. 10, 11.) John was in his own + apprehension, like Paul, "caught up into the third heaven," that he + might behold in glorious succession "things which must be hereafter." + Why <i>must</i> they be? Simply because such was the "purpose of Him who + worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; who is wonderful + in counsel and excellent in working; whose counsel stands, and who doeth + all his pleasure." (Eph. i. 11.) Can a rational creature work without a + plan? And shall mortal man be more rational than his Maker? The objects + which were presented to John are not to be understood as <i>material</i> + objects. It was requisite that he should be "in the Spirit," before he + could see them. The exercise of his bodily senses, the organs of + sensation, must be suspended, that he might have a perception of the + objects presented in vision. As the "spirits of just men made perfect" + in glory, in a disembodied state, are still conscious and active; so are + we warranted to conceive of souls yet in the body as being in a state + analagous,—falling into a trance. (Acts x. 10.) The first object seen + by John was a "throne set in heaven," the emblem of sovereignty. "One + sat on the throne," who cannot be described, only in an obscure manner + by comparison, being "the invisible God, whom no eye hath seen, nor can + see." Yet we know with certainty it is the person of the Father, because + he is in the next chapter plainly distinguished from "the Lamb." Seated + on the throne,—and "in the throne he is greater than the Mediator." A + relation between these divine persons was shadowed forth in Egypt + between Pharaoh and Joseph. (Gen. xli. 40.) Occupying the throne of the + universe, the Father sustains the majesty of the Godhead, and represents + the persons of the adorable Trinity; for the idea is equally + unscriptural and absurd, that either person appears or acts (<i>ad extra</i>) + in absolute or essential character. (Is. xlii. 1; John x. 18; xiv. 31.) + He that "sat, was ... like a jasper and a sardine stone,"—not like any + human form, but in allusion, perhaps, to the Shekinah or visible glory + above the mercy-seat in the most holy place, he appeared in the + essential purity or holiness of his nature and awful justice,—one "who + will by no means clear the guilty." The rainbow is the familiar emblem + or "token of the covenant." Its being "round about the throne" teaches + us, that God "in wrath remembers mercy." As "green" is the color most + pleasing to the natural eye, so is the rainbow of covenant mercy most + grateful to the penitent sinner, contemplated by the eye of faith. God + is "ever mindful of his covenant." (Ps. cxi. 5.) +</p> +<p> + Ever since the revelation of mercy to fallen man, God deals with + mankind, not in essential or absolute character, but by covenant in + economical standing. All along since that epoch in the history of this + world, "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto + the Son." As yet, however, the Son is not brought upon the stage in the + apostle's present view. The Son has his appropriate place in the vision, + where he will appear as Mediator. In the conflict to be carried on for + twelve hundred and sixty years by the combined powers of earth and hell + "against the Lord and his Anointed," we have the agencies exhibited in + these two chapters <i>only on heaven's side</i>. The opposing hosts will + afterwards appear. +</p> +<p> + 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the + seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; + and they had on their heads crowns of gold. +</p> +<p> + 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and + voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, + which are the seven spirits of God. +</p> +<p> + Verses 4, 5.—To John's view, the "throne" seen from one side would + appear to be surrounded by a segment of a circle, within which were + "four and twenty seats," (thrones,) occupied by an equal number of + "elders." In society divinely organized "elders" have always been the + legal representatives of God's covenant society in civil and + ecclesiastical relations. (Exod. iii. 16; Acts xx. 17.) These "four and + twenty elders" represent the collective body of God's people under the + Old and New Testaments,—the "twelve tribes of Israel" and the "twelve + apostles." (ch. vii. 4; xxi. 12-14.) Their "white raiment" and "crowns + of gold" indicate their legal state and moral purity,—their + justification and sanctification, as also their promotion to honour, to + "reign as kings." (ch, i. 6; v. 10.) ["<i>reign on the earth</i>," ch, xx. + 4.] Allusion is had to the terrific scene at Sinai by the "lightnings," + etc., when "Moses did exceedingly fear and quake," importing that God, + "our God, is a consuming fire" to all his impenitent, especially + antichristian, enemies, even under the milder economy of the New + Testament. (Heb. x. 28-31; ch. xx. 10.) The "seven lamps of fire" are + explained to mean "the seven spirits of God," in allusion to the golden + candlestick in the temple, (Exod. xxxvii. 23; Zech. iv. 2,) and + signifying the gifts and graces of those who are "baptized with the Holy + Ghost and "with fire." +</p> +<p> + 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and + in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts + full of eyes before and behind. +</p> +<p> + 7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a + calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was + like a flying eagle. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they + were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, + holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. +</p> +<p> + 9. And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks, to him that + sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, +</p> +<p> + 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the + throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their + crowns before the throne, saying, +</p> +<p> + 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; + for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were + created. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6-11.—The "sea of glass before the throne" is a symbol taken from + the "brazen sea" in the temple, in which priests and victims were to be + washed. (Exod. xxx. 18; 1 Kings vii. 23.) This sea represents the same + thing as the "fountain opened," (Zech. xiii. 1,) which denotes the + atoning and cleansing blood of Christ. (Ch. vii. 14.) All who offer + "spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God," must first be washed; for the + "Lord had respect to Abel" <i>first</i>, and then to his "offering," (Gen. + iv. 4.)—Next, John saw "four beasts." The translation here is faulty, + as noticed by many expositors. Different words in the original + Greek,—not only different, but in some respects opposite in + signification, ought not to be rendered by the same English word; for + this tends to mislead the unlearned leader. He is thus bewildered + instead of being enlightened. There are several beasts besides these, + introduced as instructive symbols in this book. Two are mentioned in ch. + xiii. 1, 11, altogether different from these,—so different as to be + antagonistic. Instead of "beasts," they should have been called + "animals" or "living beings;" for even the phrase "living <i>creatures</i>" + hardly covers or conveys the whole import of the Greek word. The + position of these "four animals" is worthy of special notice:—"in the + midst of the throne, and round about the throne." How can this be? Well, + if the "seats" and the "elders" occupying them are "round about the + throne," in a segment of a circle, as viewed by John, then it will be + readily perceived that the "animals" seen from the same quarter would + appear to him as occupying a space forming a smaller segment of a circle + between the elders and the throne. Thus we have the relative positions, + (<i>a</i>) the throne, (<i>b</i>) the "four animals" next to the throne, and + lastly, (<i>c</i>) the "four and twenty elders." The places occupied by these + several parties are pregnant with scriptural instruction, as may appear + when we come to the latter part of ch. 6. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time, what do these "four animals" represent? Not the + adorable Trinity, as some learned men have imagined; nor holy angels, as + more learned men have supposed and laboured to prove. These "animals" + are worshippers; (v. 8,) therefore they are not the Object of worship. + They are culpably blind who mistake the creature for the Creator. (Rom. + i. 25.) Other expositors have attempted, with greater plausibility, but + no better success, to prove these animals to be symbolical of angels. + For this purpose, reference has been made to Isaiah's vision of the + <i>seraphims</i>, (ch. vi. 2,) and also to the "four living creatures" which + appeared in vision to Ezekiel, (i. 5-10.) The identity of John's + "animals" and Ezekiel's "living creatures" is argued especially from + their number, "four," and their "faces" being the same. To the + thoughtful and unbiased reader it is sufficient to reply,—that John's + "animals" acknowledge themselves to have been <i>redeemed</i> by the blood of + the Lamb, (ch. v. 8, 9,) an expression which is inapplicable to angels. + As the "four and twenty elders" and the "four animals" comprise the + whole company of the <i>redeemed</i>, as distinguished from the higher and + lower orders of God's worshippers, (ch. v. 8-14,) and as the "elders" + represent the whole church, it would seem to be reasonable to suppose, + that these "animals" are the symbols of the gospel ministry. And to this + agree their functions as exercised in the farther developments of this + book, as we shall see. +</p> +<p> + One plausible objection to this interpretation is grounded on the fact + that their "faces" are the same as those of Ezekiel's angels,—"of an + ox, or young calf, of a lion, of a man, and of an eagle." But each of + the "cherubims" had "four faces" whereas these "animals" have but <i>one</i> + face each. Nor ought it to be thought incongruous that faithful + ministers are represented as possessing some of the properties of holy + angels, when we find them called by the same name: (ch. i. 20;) and + also, when we find the Master directing them to imitate and emulate holy + angels in their services. (Matt. vi. 10; Ps. ciii. 20, 21.) These + "animals," emblematical of the gospel ministry, are in number "four," + answerable to the universality of their mission into the four quarters + of the earth,—"all the world." (Matt, xxviii. 19; Mark, xvi. 15.) So + the "four winds," (ch. vii. 1,) mean all winds. As the "lion, which is + the strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any," is + distinguished for courage and magnanimity; so, as a symbol, it + represents a ministry of courageous and heroic spirit. Luther in + continental, and Knox in insular Europe, may be named as displaying this + prominent feature of ministerial character. The "calf" or young ox, + symbolizes "patient continuance in well-doing" amidst trials, such as + "cruel mockings," etc. The "face as a man" indicates sagacity, + "Christian prudence," together with active sympathy. The "flying eagle" + is emblematical of penetration and discrimination,—ability to teach + others," from a spiritual insight into the divine character and + purposes,—an experimental acquaintance with "the God of glory." All + these properties are not to be supposed ordinarily in any one minister, + but as distributed among the ministry at large,—"according to the + measure of the gift of Christ,"—the Holy Spirit "dividing to every man + severally as he will." (Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xii. 11.) It may be remarked, + that in some cases all these properties may be discerned in great + measure in the same individual. In the gifts and grace of the apostle + Paul, may be discovered the <i>boldness</i> of the <i>lion</i>, the <i>patience</i> of + the <i>ox</i>, the <i>compassion</i> of the <i>man</i>, and the <i>soaring flight</i> of the + <i>eagle</i>. Our covenant God endows his servants for the service to which + he calls them, always making good the promise,—"As thy days, so shall + thy strength be." The "six wings," of course, are expressive of the + activity of the ministry,—"in season, out of season," emulating the + heavenly seraphims in serving the same Lord. They were "full of eyes + before, behind, within." They are to "take heed to themselves, and to + the ministry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it." + (Col. iv. 17; 1 Tim. iv. 16.) They are to regard the operation of God's + hand in providence, so as to "have understanding of the times, and know + what Israel ought to do." (1 Chron. xii. 32.) They are to "try the + spirits whether they are of God;" and "after the first and second + admonition, to reject heretics." (Tit. iii. 10.) They are to "oversee + the flock," (Acts xx. 28;) and to "watch for souls, as they that must + give account" to the Master. (Heb. xiii. 17.) And we may say with + Paul,—"Who is sufficient for these things?" Modern prelates, who + arrogate to themselves the exclusive use of the Scriptural official name + "BISHOP," generally manifest that they are <i>only bishops</i>, (<i>two-eyed</i>) + and not the <i>many-eyed</i> servants of Christ, symbolized by the "four + animals" of our text, or the "overseeing <i>elders</i>" charged at Miletus by + the apostle Paul. (Acts xx. 17.) "While these men slept, the enemy sowed + tares."—In direct acts of worship, these "animals,"—the ministers, + take the lead, answerable to another official name,—"guides, in things + pertaining to God." (Heb. xiii. 7; [Greek] v. 1.) They are, as well + expressed by another phrase, the "sworn expounders of God's word," and + authoritative rulers in his house. Destitute of legislative power, which + in ecclesiastical affairs pertains to Christ alone; they are the + authorized administrators of all the laws by which his household is to + be governed. (Heb. xiii. 7, 17.)—The language of adoration here is the + same uttered by the seraphim. (Isa. vi. 3) The "holiness" of God is that + adorable character which is most attractive to holy angels and redeemed + sinners, being the principal feature of the divine image reflected by + themselves. (Matt. xxv. 31; Jude 14; 1 John iii. 2.) The glorious Being + seen by John, as sitting on a throne, is the same who was seen by + Isaiah, (vi. 1;) and precisely in the same attitude; but called by + different names. By Isaiah he is denominated "the Lord of Hosts,"—by + John, "the Lord God Almighty." The context proves,—especially ch. v. 1; + that John in vision contemplated God in the <i>person</i> of the <i>Father</i>; + whereas we are assured, in John xii. 41, that Isaiah saw him in the + <i>person</i> of the <i>Son</i>. Thus we may understand our Lord's words addressed + to Philip, (John xiv. 9.) "He that hath seen me hath seen the father." + (See Heb. i. 8; Col. i. 15.) +</p> +<p> + Led by the "four animals,"—the ministry of reconciliation; the "four + and twenty elders," representing all the redeemed of mankind, "fall down + before him that sat on the throne" in prostrate adoration of that + glorious Being whose "eternal power and Godhead" are demonstrated in the + volume of creation. We are thus taught that motives to acceptable + worship of God are <i>primarily</i> to be found in the <i>perfections</i> of his + <i>nature</i> as our beneficent Creator,—perfections possessed by him in + essential character, independently of all his works of creation and + redemption. His "worthiness" of worship is inherent in himself, but + outwardly manifested to intelligent creatures by the work of creation, + of which he is the first Cause and the last End,—the efficient and + final Cause. This doctrine, understood by the intellect and unbraced in + the heart, would greatly tend to "hide pride from man." (Job xxxiii. + 17.) Aside from the doctrine of the "cross," which is still counted + "foolishness" by our modern self-styled "philosophers, psychologists and + freethinkers;" there is enough here revealed of this eternal One to + humble the "proud looks and haughty hearts" of these "enemies of the + King." Without repentance, "he that made them will not have mercy on + them; and he that formed them will show them no favour;" for + notwithstanding their pride of superior intellect, he whose judgment is + according to truth, has pronounced them a "people of no understanding." + (Isa. xxvii. 11.) It is no disparagement to those in places of highest + earthly dignity, as David; nor to the wisest of all men, as Solomon: to + "cast their crowns before the throne" of this only universal Monarch; + saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; + for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were + created;" "and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." (Ps. + lxxii. 19.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book + written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. +</p> +<p> + Verse 1.—The dividing of the books of Scripture into chapters and + verses is not by inspiration. Fallible men have used their discretion in + this respect, as they still do, by parceling chapters into sections, + paragraphs, &c. And so, although we have passed to another chapter, the + vision is the same. The inspired penman had looked upon the great King + surrounded by part of his retinue. In earnest expectation of farther + discoveries, he beheld "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne + a book written within and on the back side," (or <i>outside,</i> as in some + copies.) The book was "sealed with seven seals." This volume was in the + form of a <i>roll,</i> as the word <i>volume</i> signifies. The form of a book is + determined by the kind of material on which one writes. This has + consisted of great variety in the successive ages of the world. The + first of which we have any notice in history is <i>stone.</i> When Job, in + his affliction, was sustained by faith in the promised Redeemer; and + when he would emphasize and transmit an expression of that faith to + future generations; he thought of the nearest expedient familiar to his + mind:—"Oh that my words were now written.... that they were graven with + an iron pen.... in the rock forever," (Job xix. 23, 24.) On the same + material the law was written at Horeb, (Exod. xxiv. 12.) No doubt this + was the usual method of recording events in Egypt in the time of Joseph, + as the word "hieroglyphics" or <i>sacred sculpture,</i> appears to imply. + Next, it appears that the inside bark of trees was used for this + purpose, as of birch, which has a natural tendency to <i>curl</i> or <i>roll</i> + together when dry. Hence the word <i>library,</i> and volume, or <i>rolled + bark.</i> The royal archives, or "house of the rolls," is thus explained, + (Ezra. vi. 1.) "Vellum," or dressed skins of beasts, appears to have + been next used; then linen and cotton; and as now put through a chemical + process, these are the material in most common use at the present day. + Thus contemplating the symbol in the text, we may trace in our thoughts + the gradual advancement of this department of science and the mechanic + arts. The second stage of progress had been reached in John's time, from + stone to the bark of timber. The "book" appears to have been of + cylindrical form, but whether in one piece or in seven separate pieces, + revolving on a common axis, it is not easy nor perhaps important to + determine. It is of much greater importance to know that the "book" is + emblematical of the decrees of God. This will appear by comparing Psalm + xl. 7, where we find the same symbol employed to represent the record of + covenant agreement or stipulation between the Father and the Son, and to + which our Saviour appeals as evidence in his case. (Heb. x. 7.) While + the symbol may be safely considered as involving all the purposes of + God; it signifies here more especially the following part of the + Apocalypse, containing, as it were, a transcript from the great + original.—"Seals" are for security and secrecy. Both may be included in + the case. And indeed their being "seven" in number—a number of + perfection, would seem to confirm this two-fold meaning. The sealed + book, symbolical of the decrees of God, comprehending all events of all + time, teaches us the doctrine expressed in plain words thus:—"Known + unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world," (Acts xv. + 18.) The complex symbol also teaches more forcibly than in words,—"My + counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," (Is, xlvi. 10.) + Some have suggested a little change in the punctuation. Instead of + placing the comma, after the word "side," place it after the word + "within," the meaning would then be, that the "book was written only on + <i>one</i> side, namely on the side <i>within</i>." We do not accept the + suggestion. The reason is sufficient for its rejection, that the + material in the time of the apostle, was too costly to leave one-half of + it <i>blank</i>; and here our divine Lord "speaks to us of heavenly things" + through the medium of earthly things with which we are familiar. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy + to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? +</p> +<p> + 3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able + to open the book, neither to look thereon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-3.—Proclamation is made by a "strong angel," the Almighty + Monarch's herald to the universe, challenging all creatures to the task + of opening the seals. His "loud voice" reverberates throughout + illimitable space, that all concerned might hear. The challenge is not, + "who is <i>able</i>?" but, "who is <i>worthy</i>?"—Who is "worthy," by personal + dignity, or distinguished and meritorious services, "to open the book + and to loose the seals thereof?" No response comes from any quarter to + break the solemn silence. The whole creation is mute. "Who hath known + the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" "O the depth of + the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are + his judgments and his ways past finding out!" (Rom. xi. 33, 34.)—"And + no man in heaven," &c. The word "man" is in this place, as in many + others, an imperfect and inadequate supplement. In some places it is + calculated to mislead the "unlearned and unstable," as John x. 28, 29, + (in some copies,) Heb. ii. 9. The former text, as supplemented by the + word "man," contradicts the apostle, Rom. viii. 39. The meaning here is + obviously that no <i>creature</i>,—angel or man, was worthy or "able" to + "open the book." To holy angels, devils, and the dead "under the earth," + the purposes of God are as inscrutable as they are to us, until they are + revealed. (Eph. iii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) +</p> +<p> + 4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read + the book, neither to look thereon. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—John understood by the symbol which he saw, that its contents + were of deep significance. A sanctified curiosity and anxiety, more + powerful than that of the Ethiopian eunuch, (Acts viii. 34,) occupied + his soul. But the book is sealed and there is no visible interpreter! + (Is. xxix. 11.) The "beloved disciple" is much affected. He has more + than once or twice "beheld the glory of God," and cannot but earnestly + desire to know more of his mind. "Hope deferred maketh his heart sick." + He "wept much." His covenant God "has seen his tears." He "will heal + him," (2 Kings xx. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of + the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, + and to loose the seven seals thereof. +</p> +<p> + V. 5.—From a quite unexpected quarter comes a hint! How could John + anticipate relief from such a source? "One of the elders" is made the + messenger of joyful tidings. As Aquila and Priscilla took to them the + eloquent Apollos, and "expounded unto him the way of God more + perfectly," (Acts xviii. 26,) so one of the elders—one of the humble + disciples was the instrument of comfortable instruction to the aged + apostle! The prophet Daniel was similarly affected by a partial + exhibition of the same important events; but his anxiety to know the + meaning of the vision, though allayed, was not fully gratified, as that + of John. (Dan. xii. 8, 9,) "Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed + up and sealed." The desire of the best of God's people to know his + purposes may be sometimes excessive, as exemplified by the disciples of + Christ, (Acts i. 7.) "It is not for them to know the times and the + seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." So much, however, + is revealed as may be necessary to their present support and comfort; + and the rest they "shall know hereafter," (John xiii. 7.) But as the + events involved in the secret purpose of God, were concealed from + Daniel; because not to be evolved till near "the time of the end:" so in + John's time, when as in Abraham's case, "the time of the promise drew + nigh"—the time was approaching when the interests of God's people would + be greatly affected by these events; it became needful that the book + should be unsealed and its contents made known. "The time was at hand." + Accordingly, John is exhorted by the elder to dry up his tears, for to + the unspeakable joy of himself and of the whole creation, the + announcement is made,—"Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root + of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals + thereof." Here our attention is called away back to the famous prophecy + of dying Jacob, (Gen. xlix. 9, 10,) and also to the subsequent and + concurrent declaration of the evangelical prophet, (Isa. xi. 1, 10.) + Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in reference to his human + nature; "for it is evident," from the inspired tables of his genealogy, + "that our Lord sprang out of Judah," (Heb. vii. 14;) and it is no less + evident that he is the Root of David, in respect to his divine nature, + (John i. 1, 3; Isa. ix. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 47.) The "one Mediator between God + and men," partaking of the nature of each party, is "worthy"—alone + worthy, by reason of personal dignity, to "open the book." It is also to + be noticed that <i>worthiness</i> is not his only qualification. In view of + the challenge published,—"who is worthy?" the answer is, this champion + "hath <i>prevailed</i>!"—Isaiah saw him in vision, victorious over + enemies—"travelling in the greatness of his strength," (Isa. lxiii. 1.) + To his <i>personal</i> worthiness is to be added the unrivalled merit of his + achievements in conflict with hostile powers, (Gen. iii. 15; Isa. liii. + 12; Col. ii. 15.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four + beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been + slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of + God sent forth into all the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—In this verse we have the Lord Jesus Christ introduced to the + view of John and the intelligent universe in his sacerdotal or priestly + office, "a lamb, as it had been slain." In the order of nature and of + merit, his priestly office precedes his prophetical and kingly offices. + This is evident from the position which he occupies in relation to the + throne and royal retinue. He stands in the attitude of a priest "in the + midst of the throne and of the four animals," etc. As seen here, our + Saviour does not <i>sit on the throne</i>. He appeared in a standing posture. + His position was obviously <i>before</i> the throne. As the priestly function + required, he stood nearest to the object of worship, between the + ministers and the throne,—in the inmost circle. There he exhibited the + scars received in war; the wounds made by the sword of divine justice; + (Zech. xiii. 7;) the holes in his hands and side by the nails and + soldier's spear. (John xix. 34; xx. 23.) This "Lamb slain,"—typified by + all the spotless lambs offered in sacrifice by divine appointment from + the time of Abel, had been marvellously restored to life, as no other + victim had ever been. (John x. 18; ch. i. 18.) The "seven horns and + seven eyes," symbolize the power and wisdom of the Mediator. "It pleased + the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." (Col. i. 19.) He + "giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John iii. 34; Heb. i. 9.) + Christ was privy to all the purposes of his Father, (John v. 20,) and + the extent of his knowledge is limited in him <i>as Mediator</i>, only by the + authority and will of the Father. "Of that day and that hour ... knoweth + no man ... neither the Son." (Mark xiii. 32.) The same interesting and + important truth is taught by the Father's holding the book in his hand, + as also in plain words, (ch. i. 1,)—"the Revelation of Jesus Christ + which God gave unto him." "No man knoweth the Father but the Son." + (Matt. xi. 27.) In office-capacity the Lord Christ is qualified to + unfold and execute the decree of God. (Ps. ii. 7,) as more fully appears + in the following part of the book. +</p> +<p> + 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat + upon the throne. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—The Lord Jesus approaches his Father's throne to receive the + roll. And with the prophet we may ask,—"Who is this that engaged his + heart to approach?" (Jer. xxx. 21.)—With all who are honored to + surround the throne, we may joyfully answer in the words of the + Psalmist,—It is the "Lord, strong and mighty in battle." (Ps. xxiv. 8.) + "He took the book."—This action symbolically signified the + authoritative commission given by the Father and received by the + Mediator to proceed in the execution of the divine decree, and in + discharge of his threefold office as prophet, priest and + king,—especially and more formally his prophetical and kingly offices. +</p> +<p> + 8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty + elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and + golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—No sooner does the "Lamb take the book," than all spectators are + apprized of the act, and instantly give expression to their confidence + and joy. Among all the worshippers before the throne, the "four animals" + take precedence, and lead by their own example as before, (ch. iv. 9.) + They gave "glory" etc., to God creator, as in the person of the Father; + and now in the presence of the Father's manifested glory, they prostrate + themselves before the "Lamb," in obedience to the Father's command, + "That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." + (John v. 23.)—The "four and twenty elders,"—the representatives of all + the children of God, cordially join the ministry in these acts of solemn + worship. Some of the furniture employed in the temple worship, is here + introduced, to harmonize with the rest of the symbolic scenery. "Harps + and golden vials" signify praise and prayer. Our modern advocates for + instrumental music in God's worship, to be consistent, must associate + with the "harps," the "incense-cups" and the "golden altar:" for all + belonged alike to the service of the temple. Even in the time when such + "vessels of the ministry" were in use with divine approbation, the + Psalmist had greater clearness,—more evangelical conceptions of the + temporary use of those "beggarly elements whereunto many desire again to + be in bondage" than they seem to have. (Gal. iv. 9.) He knew, even then, + that "incense and the evening sacrifice" represented spiritual worship. + (Ps. cxli. 2.) Others there are, who question whether Christ as Mediator + be the <i>formal</i> object of worship? While they acknowledge his supreme + deity as God equal with the Father, they are in doubt on his assuming + human nature, whether, "as such, he is the object of worship!" Such + doubts are groundless, as unanswerably shown in this place, and in many + others, such as John xx. 28: xxi. 17; Ps. xlv. 11; xcvii. 7; Heb. i. 6. + All these worshippers appear to know that the nature of the <i>altar</i> at + which they worship determines the kind of oblations to be offered: + namely,—"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 + Pet. ii. 5.) +</p> +<p> + 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, + and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us + to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and + nation; +</p> +<p> + 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign + on the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9, 10.—"They sung a new song." They all agreed in the matter, as + well as in the divine object of worship. "Now will I sing to my well + beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard." (Isa. v. 1.) Agreed + as to the object and matter of the song none is silent in Immanuel's + praise,—no <i>select choir</i>, not one who <i>worships by proxy</i>. Such belong + to a different fellowship. This is the "song of the Lamb," which joined + to the "song of Moses," constitutes the whole of the "high praises of + the Lord," leaving no place for the vapid, empty, bombastic, amorous and + heretical effusions, of uninspired men, whether of sound or "corrupt + minds."—The burden of the song is the same as the "Song of Songs" and + the forty-fifth Psalm,—"Christ crucified,"—Christ glorified, "the + praises of him who hath called them from darkness into his marvellous + light." The key-note among them all is the work of redemption. "Thou + hast redeemed us to God by thy blood,"—<i>us</i>, and not others in the same + condition. Others may talk of a ransom that does not redeem: but these + dwell with emphasis upon the price and power that brought them "out of + every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." This happy and + joyful company never conceived the idea that, in order at once to + vindicate Jehovah's moral government and give the most impressive + demonstration of his opposition to sin, he subjected his beloved Son to + untold sufferings, which should be equally available by all his enemies, + but <i>specially intended for none in particular</i>! They never imagined + that their adorable Creator was under a natural necessity of "seeking + the greatest good of the greatest number," that he might thereby escape + the just imputation of <i>partiality</i>. Such impious conceptions imply + distributive injustice on the part of God, when he "spared not the + angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell." (2 Pet. ii. 4.) Neither + man's chief end nor God's is the happiness of creatures,—no, neither in + creation nor redemption, as is clear to unsophisticated reason, and + plainly determined by the Spirit of God. (See ch. iv. 11; Isa. xliii. 7, + 21; Eph. i. 12.) The manifestation of his own perfections,—his own + glory, is the highest and ultimate end of Jehovah in all his purposes + and works. "The Lord hath made all things for himself." (Prov. xvi. 4; + Rom. xi. 36.) Now, if the Lamb has redeemed the whole human family, as + some affirm; then it will follow that all must be saved, or Christ died + in vain, in reference to them that are lost: and besides, the "Judge of + all the earth" would be chargeable with exercising distributive + injustice, in exacting double payment, first from the Surety, and then + from the sinner! "That be far from God." "He is just and having + salvation,"—"a just God and a Saviour." (Zech. ix. 9; Isa. xlv. 21.) As + there can be no liberty without law, so there can be no mercy without + justice, though there may be "justice without mercy." (James i. 25; ii. + 13.) This worshipping company, the representatives of the universal + church, ascribe their redemption to the blood of Christ. It is their + declared faith that pardon is grounded on atonement, that "without + shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. ix. 22; Lev. xvii. 11; ch. i. + 5.) They believe, moreover, that as the obedience of Christ unto death, + his doing and dying, is an adequate satisfaction to law and justice; so + by compact between the Father and the Son, his penal sufferings avail + the believing sinner for pardon. Thus it is, that "if we confess our + sins, he (God the Father,) is faithful and <i>just</i> to forgive us our + sins." (1 John i. 9.) This doctrine the apostle, as the mouth of the + whole church, had already avowed: (ch. i. 5, 6;) and now again we have + it repeated and incorporated in the song of praise. Thus, while "Christ + crucified is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks + foolishness;" to them who are saved this humbling doctrine is "the power + of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. i. 24, 25.) God's glory and the + saints' honor and felicity equally spring from the slaying of the Lamb. + These good things the blood of Abel's sacrifice spake in type soon after + the fall: and here we have the same things proclaimed as the faith of + all believers. (Heb. xi. 1.) +</p> +<p> + By this blood they are consecrated a "royal priesthood" to offer up + spiritual sacrifices; and there is a period in the world's eventful + history, when they shall "reign on the earth." Of the nature of this + <i>reign</i> there are two views entertained. That of the Millenarians, under + the supposed corporeal presence of Christ, which is <i>too gross,</i> after + the manner of carnal Jews: the other <i>too refined</i> and remote, after the + manner of carnal Christians, who "will not have this man to reign over + them,"—<i>except in the church.</i> Such Christians come very near the views + and sentiment of those who exclaimed,—"Not this man, but Barabbas." + (John xviii. 40.) Of the nature of Christ's royal dominion we will have + occasion to treat in other parts of the Apocalypse; but we take occasion + to remark, that his kingly office is formally and meritoriously founded + on the efficacy of his sacrifice: "Thou art worthy, for thou wast + slain."—That the saints shall "reign in glory" in company with their + Saviour is a precious scripture truth; but it is not the truth taught in + the words,—"we shall reign <i>on the earth."</i> This is not the place to + enter on a full discussion of the doctrine here avowed; yet the + following may be adduced as part of the warrant of this doctrine. (Dan. + vii. 27; Rev. xx. 4.) +</p> +<p> + 11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the + throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten + thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; +</p> +<p> + 12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to + receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and + glory, and blessing. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11, 12.—Here we have the concurrence of holy angels, as seen by + John in vision, with all the redeemed in acts of solemn worship offered + directly to the Lamb.—"Many angels," how many? Some divines have + actually attempted, by arithmetical rules, to compute the number! Such + employment may amuse, but it cannot edify. The definite here mentioned + for indefinite numbers, may be easily computed; (as in Dan. vii. 10; Ps. + lxviii. 17;) but still we would labor in vain "to find out the account;" + for we are expressly told that they are "innumerable." (Heb. xii. 22.) + Like the ransomed children of Adam, they are "a great multitude which no + man can number." (ch. vii. 9.) Why then attempt that which the Holy + Spirit has pronounced impossible? "Vain man would be wise." It is of + much more consequence for us to contemplate their position, relations + and employments. Their <i>position</i> is "round about the throne," beholding + the "Lamb as it had been slain." The law of their creation could not + reveal to them this object of adoration. That they may know their duty + to the Mediatorial Person as their moral Head, it is requisite that they + be directed by a new revelation. Accordingly, we find a "new + commandment" issued from God the Father expressly to them. (Ps. xcvii. + 7; Heb. i. 6.) "Worship him, all ye gods;" that is, "Let all the angels + of God worship him." By the development of the eternal counsels of God + in his dealings with the church, these "principalities and powers in + heavenly places," discover with adoring wonder more and more of the + "manifold wisdom of God." They <i>stoop down</i>, as it were, "to look into + this" mysterious economy, (Eph. iii. 10, 11; 1 Pet. i. 12.) They are + humbly but intensely desirous to discover still more of "the hidden + wisdom which God ordained before the world unto the glory" of their + fellow worshippers. (1 Cor. ii. 7.) Such is their position.—They are + related to the Lamb as his subjects by the Father's grant and command. + "He (Jesus) is gone into heaven ... angels ... being made subject unto + him." (1 Pet. iii. 22.) They are also related to the "elder" and + "animals," the members and ministers of the church. Said one of them to + John,—"I am thy fellow-servant." (ch. xix. 10.) Angels are not ashamed + to call them "fellow-servants," whom the Lord Jesus "is not ashamed to + call his brethren." (Heb. ii. 11.) As the "four animals" are nearer the + throne than the "elders," so are the "elders" nearer the throne than the + angels. These are ranged, in John's view, in the outside segment of the + circle. All the redeemed, ministry and membership, are "nearer of kin" + to the Lamb than angels are. "He took not on him the nature of angels, + but he took on him the seed of Abraham." (Heb. ii. 16.) All believers + are "members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones." (Eph. v. 30.) + He has highly advanced human nature, by taking it into real and + indissoluble union with his divine person. This is the special ground of + nearness and intimacy between Christ and his brethren. And O, how ought + we to emulate holy angels in adoring this precious Redeemer! "He loved + the church and gave himself for it," (Eph. v. 25,) and he loved and gave + himself for every member of the church. (Gal. ii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + The employments of this innumerable company of angels, besides + "ministering for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb. i. 14;) + consist much in admiring contemplations of the glory of the "Lamb slain, + and in ascriptions of praise to him who is "worthy to receive power," + etc. In this they cordially harmonize with the redeemed, whose + delightful exercise is "to show forth the praises of him who hath called + them out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Pet. ii. 9:) and all + the honor, thus ascribed to the Mediator by both classes of worshippers, + is intended to terminate ultimately on the person of God the Father. + (Phil. ii. 9-11.) The Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son, + that all men," yes, and all angels, "should honor the Son, even as they + honor the Father." (John v. 22, 23.) +</p> +<p> + 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under + the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I + saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that + sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, +</p> +<p> + 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell + down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13,14.—In addition to angels and men, we have here enumerated + "every creature" in the whole vast universe, co-operating in the worship + of the two divine Persons as associated in concerting and executing the + plan of redemption. Thus the "host of heaven" and all inferior creatures + according to their several capacities unite in ascribing "blessing, and + honor, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and + unto the Lamb for ever and ever." And we may say with Nehemiah,—They + are both "exalted above all blessing and praise." (Neh. ix. 5.) Fallen + angels and reprobate men are excluded, from the nature of the case, and + by the unalterable laws of the moral government of the Most High, from + any participation in this service. (Ps. cx. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25; Luke + xix. 27.)—Can any one who denies the supreme deity of the Lord Jesus, + or who refuses to worship him, ever join the society of these + worshippers? Or, supposing the possibility of their admission, could + they be otherwise than miserable? O the "blasphemy of them who say they + are Jews!"—This is one of the sublime doxologies framed by the Holy + Spirit, for the use of all creatures on special occasions, but not to be + abused by "vain repetitions" as by Papists and Prelates. The like + specimens of the "high praises of the Lord" we have in Ps. lxix. 34.—As + the three ranks of worshippers here presented in vision to John, + beautifully harmonize in holy exercises, each in its appropriate sphere; + so the "animals and elders,"—the rulers and ruled of the church, take + precedence of all others in acts of solemn worship, and also close the + solemn service, saying,—"Amen." +</p> +<p> + The "sealed book" being delivered by the Father into the possession of + the Mediator, the whole creation awaits with confidence and joy the + development of the counsels of God, as they may affect the destinies of + his redeemed people. The "Lamb has prevailed to open the book," and his + established character is sufficient guarantee for success in + accomplishing the responsible work assigned him by his Father. This + feeling of confidence is expressed by the worshippers, not only by the + matter of their praise, but also by the closing word, "amen;" which word + is expressive of their "desires and assurance to be heard." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it + were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a + bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and + to conquer. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The apostle "saw when the Lamb" proceeded to disclose the + contents of the book by breaking the seals in regular succession. It is + not requisite to suppose that each of the seals covers an exactly equal + part of the roll. These parts may be quite different in quantity or + length. It is obvious, however, that upon the breaking of any one seal, + that part of the roll which the seal was intended to cover, would be + disclosed to a spectator's view,—the whole of such part and no more. We + shall find as we advance that the several parts of this book are in fact + very different in extent. When the seventh and last seal is opened, the + whole contents of the book must of course be disclosed: and it will + appear that the last of the seals contained a much greater part of the + roll than any of the others. To a superficial reader this may be + apparent from the circumstance that within the compass of this short + chapter, six of the seals exhibit their contents. +</p> +<p> + By the most learned and sober divines the first six seals are considered + as disclosing the events which transpired from the time of the apostle + John till the overthrow of pagan idolatry in the Roman empire and the + accession of Constantine. +</p> +<p> + Let us consider the contents of these seals in order: Upon the opening + "of one of the seals," the first of course, "one of the four animals" + with a voice like "thunder, said, Come and see." This was the animal + like a "lion," emblematical of those bold and dauntless servants of + Christ who took their life in their hand and "went every where preaching + the word," (Acts viii. 4.) Many expositors, of secular notions and + affinities, imagine that some one of the Roman emperors is to be + understood as represented by him who rides on the white + horse,—Vespasian, Titus, or Trajan. To name such figments is enough to + confute them in the mind of such as have spiritual discernment. "White" + is not the divinely chosen symbol of bloody warriors or persecutors. It + is most frequently the emblem of purity, legal or moral. (Matt. xvii. 2; + Rev. iii. 4, 5.) "White horse" may represent the gospel, the Covenant of + Grace or the church. In this "chariot," (Song iii. 9,) or upon this + horse, as it were, Christ, "the captain of salvation" in apostolic + times, "went forth conquering, and to conquer." Much opposition from + Jews and Gentiles was raised against his gospel, especially upon his + exaltation to his mediatorial throne: but the opening of this seal + discloses the Father's purpose to bear out his Son in extending his + rightful conquests. (Isa. xlii. 4.) "The Lord gave the word; great was + the company of those that published it." (Ps. lxviii. 11.) The "bow and + the crown" as symbols, combine the military and regal character of + Christ, indicating his victories and succeeding exaltation. He shall + wound the heads over the large earth; therefore shall he lift up the + head. (Ps. cx. 6.) He is the "Prince of peace," and the primary object + of his mission by the Father is, to establish "truth and meekness and + righteousness" in the earth. Yet he is a "Lamb," but a Lamb that makes + war; and "in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (ch. xix. 11.) + In this last cited text we have an irrefragable proof of the correctness + of our interpretation of the symbols under the first seal. The rider's + name is, "The Word of God," (v. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, + Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 4. And there went out another horse that was red; and power was given to + him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should + kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. +</p> +<p> + V. 3,4.—The opening of the "second seal" furnishes occasion for the + "second animal" to cry, "Come and see." It is the customary business of + faithful ministers to invite the disciples of Christ to a contemplation + of his providential procedure. "Come, behold the works of the Lord." + (Ps. xlvi. 8.) This is the call of the ministry represented by the + symbol of a "calf or young ox." "Patient continuance in well doing" is + the special duty of Christ's servants in times of suffering. And such + seems to be the import of the emblem, the "red horse." By the horse, + singly considered, we are to understand a <i>dispensation</i> of + <i>providence</i>. So we are to view it as a symbol in Zech. i. 8; vi. 1-8. + The prophet said, "O, my Lord, what are these?... And the man + answered,—These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro + through the earth." We speak familiarly of a "dispensation of the + gospel,"—the "white horse." Our attention is now called to a "red + horse,"—<i>fiery</i>, as the word imports. The character of the dispensation + is thus indicated as bloody. Wars should prevail so as to "take peace + from the earth." "They should kill one another." The instrument of + slaughter is seen,—"a great sword." <i>Mutual</i> slaughter does not seem to + harmonize with the idea of persecution, by which the saints only "are + killed all the day long." History records that insurrections, battles, + massacres and devastations of an extraordinary kind took place in the + first half of the second century, by which more than half a million of + the Jews perished by the hand of the pagans; and a still greater number + on the opposite side were slain by the Jews. Thus the two parties who + rivalled each other in opposing the gospel and the progress of Christ's + kingdom, were made by him the instruments of their mutual destruction. + For he it is who directs the movements and course of providence, the + "red horse." "Behold what desolations he hath made in the earth!" "In + this text," says an eminent expositor, "earth signifies the Roman + empire." ... "Daniel, ... whose sealed prophecy is explained by the + opening of the Apocalyptical seals, denominates the Roman empire, 'the + fourth kingdom upon earth.'" We humbly suggest, that this does not + render the Roman empire <i>synonymous</i> with <i>earth</i>, any more than the + Chaldean, Persian, or Grecian. And indeed the monarchs of those empires + put forth as extensive claims to universal empire as ever the Cesars + did. The word <i>earth</i> is to be interpreted always by the context. Like + the term <i>world</i>, it may sometimes signify the Roman empire, as Luke ii. + 1. But in other cases even within the compass of the Apocalypse, it is + not to be so understood without manifest confusion, as in ch. xvi. 1, 2. + The contents of <i>all</i> the vials are there said to be poured out upon the + earth; but <i>earth</i> is afterwards the special <i>object</i> of the <i>first + only</i>. It follows that this term cannot be uniformly and safely in this + book interpreted as identical with and limited by the Roman empire. The + importance of accuracy here may become more apparent in our future + progress. +</p> +<p> + 5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, + Come and see. And I beheld, and, lo, a black horse; and he that sat on + him had a pair of balances in his hand. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of + wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see + thou hurt not the oil and the wine. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—The third of the four "animals" calls attention to the + disclosures made by breaking the "third seal." Hie "had a face as a + man," (ch. iv. 7,) indicating, as already said, active sympathy, + affectionate counsel and seasonable exhortation in calamitous times. + Christian ministers need "the tongue of the learned to speak a word in + season to him that is weary," when the judgments of God are abroad in + the earth; for some of these press, most sensibly, on the poor. Such is + the character of the dispensation symbolized by the "black horse." + Scarcity of bread is the judgment represented here by the combined + symbols. "Our skin was black like an oven, because of the terrible + famine." (Lam. v. 10; Zech. vi. 2.)—The rider "had a pair of balances + in his hand." The word translated "balances," literally rendered, + signifies a <i>yoke</i>,—<i>pair</i>,—<i>couple</i>.—In popular use, it came to + signify an instrument for weighing commodities, from the counterpoising + (double) scales. This symbol indicated famine,—that people should "eat + bread by weight and with care;" (Ezek. iv. 16;) and this is confirmed by + the "voice in the midst of the four animals:"—"A measure of wheat for a + penny," etc. The quantity of food, and the price, as here announced, + would seem to the English reader to express plenty and cheapness. But + when it is understood that the "measure of wheat" was the ordinary + allowance for a laboring man, and "a penny" the usual wages for <i>one + day</i>; a little more than a <i>quart</i>, for about <i>fifteen cents</i>: it may be + asked, How could the laboring man procure food and clothing for himself, + his wife and children? It is said that three times the quantity of + "barley" could be had for the same money; but being a coarser and less + nutritious grain, it would reach but little farther in sustaining a + family. Famine usually falls heaviest on the middle and lower classes of + society. Even in such times the "rich fare sumptuously every day." + Accordingly, "the oil and the wine,"—some of the staple productions of + Canaan,—are exempted from the providential blight sent upon the + necessaries of life. (Gen. xliii. 11.) +</p> +<p> + According to history, from the year 138, till near the end of the second + century, a general scarcity of provisions was felt, notwithstanding all + the care and foresight of emperors and their ministers to anticipate the + scourge. The Pharaohs on the throne had no Joseph to lay up in store in + the "years of plenty." But when our New Testament Joseph would thus + fight against the persecutors of his saints by the judgment of famine; + he gave previous intimation here to his disciples of the approaching + calamity, as his manner is to his own. (Luke xxi. 20-22.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the + fourth beast say, Come and see. +</p> +<p> + 8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him + was death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them + over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, + and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7, 8.—"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to + the house of feasting," according to the judgment of the wisest of mere + men; (Eccl. vii. 2,) and so we are invited here by a spiritually-minded + ministry,—"like a flying eagle." A scene of lamentation, mourning and + woe, is disclosed at the opening of the "fourth seal."—All the symbols + betoken augmented severity in the judgments. There is "pestilence" added + to the sword and famine. "The pale horse," or <i>livid green</i>, is the + emblem of pestilence. The Mediator conducts the destroying angel to + fulfil the will of God. "Before Him went the pestilence;" and by a + combination of awful symbols, the king of terrors,—"death," is + represented as slaying his victims, and "hell followed with him," + satiated with his prey. "Sword, hunger, death and beasts of the earth," + were commissioned to lay waste the fourth part of the then known world. +</p> +<p> + If we are to interpret the "beasts of the earth" literally, then we may + easily perceive how the depopulation produced by the other calamities + would make way for their increase and destructive ravages. But if we + understand these "beasts" as symbolizing the persecuting powers; then + adding these to all the other destructive agencies,—especially to the + "pale horse," the chief symbol in the group; we may readily perceive the + force of the combined emblems, a concentrating, as it were, of all + destroying agencies. Historians inform us, that "a pestilence arising + from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and wasted them + for fifteen years." This, added to the sword of war and persecution, + which lasted sixty years, according to some interpreters, or from 211 to + 270, would seem to exhaust the events symbolized by the series of the + seals, except the seventh, so far at least as the sufferings of the + church are concerned. For under the fifth and sixth seals, as will + appear, nothing of a calamitous nature befalls the righteous. +</p> +<p> + 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the + souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony + which they held: +</p> +<p> + 10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and + true, dost them not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the + earth? +</p> +<p> + 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said + unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their + fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they + were, should be fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-11.—At the opening of the fifth seal, none of the "four animals" + calls attention to its contents. This fact may indicate that no new + development of providence is intended, but rather the effects of the + preceding three, produced upon the church and saints of God; as the + sixth discloses the penalty inflicted on his and their enemies. +</p> +<p> + John saw the "souls of them that were slain."—Souls are visible only in + vision, (ch. xx. 4.) These souls were not slain, but they were the souls + of them, the persons, that were slain. (Matt. x. 28.) The enemy could + kill the body only, an essential part of the human person, although the + chief aim was to kill the soul. The ground of their suffering was the + same, as that of John, (ch. i. 9.) And from the first of this honoured + class,—Abel, mentioned in the Bible, to the last,—Antipas; the cause + is the same, and the distinguished name is the same. They are "martyrs + for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." And however + tenaciously a person may hold other principles, even though he should + die for them, he is not a martyr. The aphorism is true,—It is not + suffering for religion, but "the <i>cause</i> that makes the + martyr,"—suffering unto death from love to "the truth as it is in + Jesus." +</p> +<p> + These souls were "under the altar," in allusion still to the outward + means of grace under the Old Testament economy. It is not very material, + perhaps, whether we understand the altar for sacrifice or that for + incense, the comfortable doctrines, often taught in the Scriptures, are + here illustrated. <i>First</i>, That the redemption of the sinner is by the + atoning sacrifice of Christ. <i>Second</i>, That after death,—especially by + martyrdom, the soul is safe "under the altar,"—in fellowship with the + Saviour. <i>Third</i>, That the soul, "made perfect in holiness," retains a + deep conviction, that "vengeance belongs to God," (ch. xviii. 20; xix. + 1-3.) <i>Fourth</i>, That "the spirits of just men made perfect," both desire + and need instruction relative to the future evolution of the divine + purposes. Adoring the infinite perfections of God, acknowledging his + holiness and acquiescing in his faithfulness; they cannot but desire a + farther display of his vindictive and distributive justice, as + indispensable to the manifestation of the divine glory, the vindication + of the claims of the divine government, the asserting of their injured + rights, and the completing of their eternal felicity. Accordingly, we + find their earnest plea admitted. "It was said unto them, that they + should rest."—Their repose can never be disturbed. The "white robes" in + which they are arrayed, are not spun out of their own bowels, like the + spider's web, either by their services or sufferings; but they are the + well known emblems of the imputed righteousness of their Redeemer,—fine + linen clean and white, the only righteousness of saints, (ch. xix. 8). + Persecution did not terminate under the preceding seals. Others, their + "fellow-servants and brethren, should be killed as they were." The + honorable roll of martyrs was not yet completed. The "little season" is + a very indefinite period in our mode of computation. But "with the Lord, + one day is as a thousand years,"—(2 Pet. iii. 8.) This "season" seems + to comprehend the whole period of persecution. Now, as we shall see, the + Roman empire, whether pagan or Christian, is still a ravenous + beast,—"devouring Jacob." +</p> +<p> + The policy of Rome pagan was to dictate the state religion. The idol + gods of the conquered provinces were generally adopted and enrolled + among those of the Pantheon. There was a niche for any and every god but + "Jacob's God." As he would permit no rival, (Exod. xx. 2, 23; Is. xlii. + 8;) so the populace "would have none of Him," (Acts xvi. 19-21.) Such we + will find to be the policy of Rome Christian. There is no "communion + between light and darkness." +</p> +<p> + 12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a + great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the + moon became as blood; +</p> +<p> + 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree + casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind: +</p> +<p> + 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and + every mountain and island were moved out of their places; +</p> +<p> + 15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and + the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every + free-man, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains: +</p> +<p> + 16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from + the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the + Lamb: +</p> +<p> + 17. For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to + stand? +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-17.—The sixth seal is opened, like the rest, by the hand of the + Mediator, and here "his right hand teacheth terrible things." "By + terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our + salvation." (Ps. lxv. 5.) The awful scene disclosed would seem to be a + beginning of answer to the importunate cry of the "souls under the + altar," as in the foregoing vision. +</p> +<p> + Many expositors since the time of Cyprian in the third century, have + understood this seal as disclosing the scene of the last judgment. No + doubt the symbols here employed are suited to that event; but the series + of seals, trumpets and vials, not to speak of events still more remote, + wholly precludes such an interpretation. All the symbols under the sixth + seal betoken revolution. Such is their established and well known import + in other parts of Scripture. +</p> +<p> + The "earthquake" is more than a shaking of the earth. It is a + <i>concussion</i> of the heavens also. As Haggai is interpreted by Paul, we + learn the civil and ecclesiastical change of the Jewish polity by the + "shaking of the heavens and the earth." (Hag. ii. 6; Heb. xii. 26, 27.) + The day of final judgment is so often referred to as certain, that no + special prediction was needed to assure us of that event. Indeed, the + description of the day of judgment is commonly employed by the prophets + to represent revolutions among the nations. So it is in reference to the + overthrow of Babylon, (Is. xiii. 13.)—of Egypt, (Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8,) of + Jerusalem, (Matt. xxiv. 7, 29.) The "sun, moon and stars" are emblems of + civil officers, supreme and subordinate, as well as of military + commanders. Their consternation and despair, now that they are cast down + from their exalted position, as heavenly luminaries darkened and hurled + from their orbits, betray their apprehension of deserved and inevitable + wrath. Indeed we may view the last three verses of this chapter, as + exegetical or explanatory of the preceding three. The whole frame of + imperial power underwent a change which is commonly called a revolution. + And the grandeur of the complex symbols, borrowed from the closing scene + of time, was never more appropriately employed by the Spirit of + prophecy, than in the present instance, to portray the total overthrow + of pagan power, idolatry and tyranny. The most conspicuous instrument in + the Mediator's hand by which this great revolution was effected, is well + known in history as "Constantine the Great." The great lights of the + heathen world, the powers civil and ecclesiastical, were not eclipsed, + but extinguished, heathen priests and augurs were extirpated and + idolatrous temples were closed. Christianity was professed by the + emperor himself, and his authority exerted for its recognition and + diffusion throughout his dominions. Thus did the God of Israel "avenge + his own elect, who cried to him night and day from under the altar;" and + thus did he afford unto them a "season of rest." +</p> +<p> + Constantine, however, was more of a politician than divine. To the + student of history he will appear in many respects a striking prototype + of William Prince of Orange, who on a less extended scale answers as an + antitype in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Neither of them + exemplified in their lives the "power of godliness". Like Charles the + Second, they did not consider primitive apostolic Christianity "a + religion for a gentleman." Constantine combined in his character the + properties of the lion and the fox. He was crafty and ambitious. + Usurping the prerogatives of Zion's King, he assumed a blasphemous + supremacy over the church, and proceeded to model her external polity + after the example of the empire. Among the Christian ministry, he found + mercenary spirits who pandered to his ambition,—"having his person in + admiration because of advantage." Advancing these to positions of + opulence and splendor, he could certainly rely upon them to support him + in his schemes of aggrandizement. Thus the mystery of iniquity, whose + working Paul discovered in his time, was nurtured to its full + development in Heaven's appointed time. (2 Thess. ii. 7, etc.) If on + such occasions mighty kings and valiant generals are stricken with + dismay, what shall be the terror of all the impenitent enemies of the + Lord and his Anointed when the heavens and the earth shall pass away and + leave them without these imaginary hiding places from "the wrath of the + Lamb!" +</p> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VII. +</h2> +<p> + The scenes portrayed by varied symbols in this chapter, are by some + considered as a continuation of the sixth seal. We think they may with + more propriety be viewed as relating to the events under the four which + precede; while they are obviously preparatory to the opening of the last + seal in the next chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners + of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should + not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. +</p> +<p> + V. 1. The "four angels" represent the instruments of providence. The + "four corners of the earth" intend all nations of the world, as then + known in geography. (Ch. xx. 8, 9.) The "holding of the winds" is + emblematical of the tranquillity consequent upon the accession of + Constantine to the imperial throne,—the temporary cessation of + desolating wars and persecutions,—the "rest" for which the martyrs + prayed. "Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee." (Ps. lxxxi. + 7.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of + the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to + whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. +</p> +<p> + 3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we + have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2, 3.—"Another angel ... having the seal of the living God," can be + none other but the Lord Christ. His people are "sealed unto the day of + redemption with that Holy Spirit of promise," or promised Holy Spirit. + (2 Cor. i. 22; Eph. i. 13). He came from the east. There the Son of + righteousness arose upon a dark world, and his beams enlightened the + kingdoms of Europe, in which multitudes were effectually called during + this tranquil period, (ch. xiv. 1). This angel, as having sovereign + authority over "earth and sea," and from whom the "four angels" had + their commission, now commands them not to "hurt the earth and the sea," + till He and the ministers,—the instruments of his grace,—had "sealed + the servants of God." This "sealing," while symbolizing baptism, + signifies especially the saving work of the eternal Spirit, by which its + subjects are to be, and actually are, preserved from apostacy in future + and trying times. We shall meet with them again, (ch. xiv. 1.) +</p> +<p> + The favour shown by Constantine to Christian ministers and converts, + induced multitudes to make a profession of Christianity, and of course + filled the church with hypocrites. The flattery of those in power has + often proved as detrimental to the church's spiritual prosperity as + their frowns. (Dan. xi. 32.) Still, the special design of this sealing + seems to be the preservation of a chosen remnant,—the witnesses, during + the period of the trumpets, when Antichrist should be fully organized. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were + sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the + children of Israel. +</p> +<p> + 5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were + sealed twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + 8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of + Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed + twelve thousand. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-8.—The number sealed was "a hundred forty and four thousand;" of + "each tribe twelve thousand." These numbers are not to be taken + literally, but comparatively, as contradistinguished from another + company, (v. 9.) Neither do we suppose, with many expositors, that Jews + by nation are here exclusively intended. At the time referred to, in the + fifth century, the "middle wall of partition" had been long removed. + (Eph. ii. 14.) Jews and Gentiles were "all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. + iii. 28.) There is no ground to suppose that exactly the same number + would be sealed of every tribe. Besides, all the original tribes are not + named. Dan is not among them, and Judah is first in order in Reuben's + place. The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem are inscribed with the names + of the twelve tribes of Israel, (ch. xxii. 12.) In a word, this sealed + company is composed of Jews and Gentiles, representing the whole number + of true believers, who were enabled by grace to hold fast their + profession in trying times, and who experienced more special protection + in perilous times. (Ezek. ix. 4-6.) +</p> +<p> + 9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could + number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood + before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and + palms in their hands; +</p> +<p> + 10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which + sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the + elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, + and worshipped God, +</p> +<p> + 12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and + honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-12.—The "great multitude, which no man could number," are + evidently distinguished from the number sealed. They are collected from + all the nations known at that time. They "stood before the throne and + before the Lamb," as accepted worshippers; ascribing "salvation," not to + their own merit, but to the free grace of God the Father, and the + oblation and intercession of the Lamb. They are now in a triumphant + state, as indicated by the "palms in their hands," the usual emblems of + victory. "White robes" bespeak their justification. "All the angels" in + heaven, signify their hearty assent to the praises of the redeemed by + saying, "Amen." Then in an attitude of profoundest reverence, they + celebrate the praises of God in strains proper, though not peculiar to + themselves. As in ch. v. 11, the angels in this place are disposed and + arranged in the outer circle of all the intelligent worshippers. + Redeemed sinners stand nearest to the throne, in virtue of their union + to Christ, while holy angels, without envy, contemplate, with rapturous + emotions, the displays of the "manifold wisdom of God" in his dealings + with the church. (Eph. iii. 10.) Thus we may learn to do the will of God + on earth, as it is done by the angels in heaven. +</p> +<p> + 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which + are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? +</p> +<p> + 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are + they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, + and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and + night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among + them. +</p> +<p> + 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall + the sun light on them, nor any heat. +</p> +<p> + 17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, + and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe + away all tears from their eyes. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-17.—"One of the elders" asks John,—not for information, but to + engage his attention,—"What are these, ... and whence came they?" + Ministers may often receive instruction from the members of the church. + This elder answers his own questions as the angel did to the prophet, + (Zech. iv. 5, 6.) These are the "great multitude,"—probably the same + whose "souls" John saw at the opening of the fifth seal, but now + appearing in a new aspect: for it is evident that they had been engaged + in war. This appears by the "palms" of victory. They had been in "great + tribulation" prior to the peaceful reign of Constantine, by Satan's + temptations, the spoiling of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, + and the sacrifice of their lives,—"not loving their lives unto the + death." All these tribulations, however, could not separate them from + the love of God. (Rom. viii. 37-39.) They had "washed their robes,"—not + in penitential tears, their own martyr-blood, their doing or suffering + in the cause of Christ; but their robes were "made white in the blood of + the Lamb," who was "made of God unto them ... justification and + sanctification." (1 Cor. i. 30.) Could the human mind conceive the idea + of rendering linen garments <i>white</i> by washing them in <i>blood</i>? Never, + unless as suggested by the doctrine of Christ crucified, whose "blood + cleanseth from all sin." (1 John i. 7.) "Therefore are they before the + throne of God,—without fault before his throne," (ch. xiv. 5.) + Delivered from the tempestuous storms of war, and the scorching heat of + persecution; they are safe in the haven of eternal rest. +</p> +<p> + Not only are they for ever freed from the sensation of "hunger or + thirst;" but they shall drink of the "living fountains of waters, + proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb," (ch. xxii. 1). "In + thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures + for evermore." (Ps. xvi. 11.) While this company, brought out of great + tribulation, to which they had been subjected in the centuries before + the time of Constantine, are represented as in possession of eternal + blessedness, the other company of the "sealed" ones, are by this mark + furnished with the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, to enter the + lists with the Dragon in a much more trying and prolonged contest. The + latter company, although <i>preceding</i> the other, in the order of symbolic + revelation; do really in the order of time, succeed them in continuation + of the struggle with the powers of darkness. And here we make the + general remark, That nearly throughout the Apocalypse the two parties + whom we may call the powers of darkness and the children of light, often + change their relative positions, and assume different aspects. And in + this, there is nothing new, as appears, 2 Cor. xi. 14, 15; vi. 8, 9. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> +<p> + Hitherto our observations have been brief, because interpreters are very + generally agreed in their views of the first series, the seals, in this + interesting book of prophecy. The first six seals, covering the time of + heathen Rome's opposition to Christianity, and before the Devil + succeeded in enlisting the nominal church of Christ in his interest, do + not therefore furnish occasion for much controversy among expositors. + Besides, the seventh seal covers much more time than all the others. The + first six refer to pagan Rome, and constitute the first period, properly + styled the PERIOD OF THE SEALS. The seventh seal, introducing the + trumpets, is the second period, called the PERIOD OF THE TRUMPETS. In + attempting to unfold their mystical import, greater amplification will + be indispensable. +</p> +<p> + 1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven + about the space of half an hour. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Heaven" is the ordinary symbol of organized society, whether + civil or ecclesiastical or both. "Silence in heaven for half an hour," + indicates public tranquillity, together with anxious and mute + expectation of coming and alarming events. "Half an hour," a definite + for an indefinite duration, as usual, imports that the repose hitherto + enjoyed, shall shortly terminate. The respite which the saints enjoyed + during the period succeeding the revolution indicated by the opening of + the sixth seal, soon came to an end. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were + given seven trumpets. +</p> +<p> + 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden + censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer + it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before + the throne. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the + saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-4.—"Seven angels" appear to John as ministers "standing before + God," ready to execute his commands. To them were given "seven + trumpets." Here, as all along hitherto, there is allusion to the former + dispensation. Under the Old Testament, trumpets were constructed by + divine direction and to be used for diverse purposes. Of the manifold + uses of this instrument, that which is here chiefly intended is, to + "sound an alarm." (Joel ii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 8). Whilst all is suspense, + and before the silence is broken by the sounding of the first trumpet, + the worship of God is exemplified after the usual manner. An angel, by + his official place and work easily distinguished from those having the + trumpets, holds in his hand a "golden censer" that with "much incense" + he might render acceptable "the prayers of all saints." As the angel who + had the "seal of the living God," is distinguished from those that "held + the winds," (ch. vii. 1;) so is he here, from those that had the + trumpets. Here he appears as the Great High Priest over the house of + God; and as "the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at + the time of incense;" (Luke i. 10;) so the service of God is thus + emblematically represented as conducted according to divine appointment. + This Angel therefore is Christ himself. "No man cometh unto the Father + but by him." He is the only Advocate with the Father; and through him + "we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. ii. 18.) +</p> +<p> + May we not inquire, without presumption, a little into the nature or + purport of the "prayers of all saints" at this time of ominous silence? + And what could so likely be the burden of their petitions as that of the + cry of the souls under the altar, namely, the destruction of the Roman + empire? Surely this has been the prayer of God's persecuted servants in + all ages:—"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen," etc. (Jer. x. 25; Ps. + lxxix. 6). However inconsistent with Christian charity superficial + Christians may deem the law of retaliation; we shall find it often urged + on our attention as exemplified in this book. It is absolutely essential + to the divine government. +</p> +<p> + 5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, + and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings and + lightnings and an earthquake. +</p> +<p> + V. 5—The Lord Jesus, in carrying out the designs of the divine mind, + and executing the commission which he received from the Father as + Mediator, appears in various characters. Whilst as a priest he + intercedes for his people, and by the incense from the golden censer + renders their prayers acceptable before God; as a king he answers their + prayers by terrible things in righteousness. (Ps. lxv. 5). This work of + vengeance is vividly signified by scattering coals of fire on the earth. +</p> +<p> + From the very same altar, whence the glorious Angel of the Covenant had + received fire to consume the incense, he next takes coals, the symbol of + his wrath, and scatters them into the earth. These "burning coals of + juniper" produce "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an + earthquake." "O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places." (Ps. + lxviii. 35; lxxvi. 12). "The Lord our God is a jealous God." Our + merciful Saviour once put a strange and startling question to his + disciples:—"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell + you, Nay."—For ends worthy of himself, the only wise God has + unchangeably decreed that "offences must needs come," (Matt, xviii. 7;) + and "there must be also heresies" among professing Christians. (1 Cor. + xi. 19.). However, in the administration of providence, judgment without + mercy awaits every nation to which the gospel is sent in vain. The + voices, thunderings, etc., consequent upon the scattering of the coals, + portended the calamities which would be inflicted upon men for their + opposition to the gospel and cruel treatment of the saints, in answer to + their prayers through the intercession of Christ. +</p> +<p> + 6. And the seven angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared + themselves to sound. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—The "seven angels now prepare themselves to sound." The first + alarm, of course, will put an end to the "silence." It should be noted + that while each seal, when broken, disclosed so much of the roll of the + book as was concealed by it; the seventh leaves no part unrevealed. The + whole contents are laid open. It is otherwise with the trumpets. The + reverberations of one may not have ceased when the next begins to sound. + Thus, several may be partly cotemporary. Again, it may be questioned + whether mankind are to be considered in civil or ecclesiastical + organization as the formal object of the judgments indicated by the + trumpets. Some expositors view the one, and some the other, as the + object, and the contention has been sharp among them. We humbly suggest + that neither is the formal object without the other, simply because the + <i>same individuals</i> constitute the complex <i>moral person</i>. The + correctness of this view is largely illustrated and abundantly confirmed + in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Provinces, nations, empires, + are no farther worthy of notice in prophecy than as they affect the + destiny of the church and illustrate the immutable principles of the + moral government of God. He is known by the judgments which he + executeth, and nations must be taught that "the heavens do rule." (Dan. + iv. 26.) Although the church and the state are, by divine institution, + distinct, not united; they are nevertheless co-ordinate, and always + exert a reciprocal influence for good or for evil. It has been the + policy of Satan to confound this distinction; and alas! with too much + success in the apprehension of many. There are not wanting divines who + boldly assert, that even among the Jews, under the Old Testament,—"the + church was the state, and the state was the church!" We may have + occasion to notice hereafter, that this gross error and antichristian + dogma, is yet entertained in relation to divinely organized society + under the present New Testament economy! +</p> +<p> + The "voices, thunderings and earthquakes" resulting from the scattering + of the coals,—are the harbingers and precursors of coming calamities + upon Christendom at the sounding of the trumpets. And these may be + emblematical of the contentions, strife and divisions which accompanied + the rise and prevalence of the heresy of Arius and the apostacy of the + emperor Julian, during the time of comparative public tranquillity from + Constantine to Theodosius. The church and the state, as one complex + system, we have considered as the object of the judgments to be + inflicted under the trumpets. These had, in fact, become incorporated, + if not identified, under the reign of Constantine and his imperial + successors. But assuming the correctness of the phraseology of secular + historians and Christian expositors, when in a <i>popular sense</i> they + speak of the Roman empire as the object of penal inflictions; we by no + means agree with the latter class of writers, when they <i>limit</i> the + empire to the geographical boundaries as it existed at the time of this + prediction. This mistake, if not detected here, will materially affect + and control our views of the whole subsequent part of the Apocalypse. + Who would not discover the impropriety and absurdity of treating of + events now transpiring within the empire of the United States, as if + falling out within the limits of the original thirteen as they existed + in 1776? But the Roman empire yet exists, and we have sufficient + evidence that it will continue till the time of the sounding of the + seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. 15.) <i>Political bias</i> has prevailed with one + class of expositors to exempt the British empire from the stroke of + God's wrath, symbolized by both the trumpets and vials. Others, from + similar predilections, would exempt the United States and British + Provinces from these plagues. Whilst a third class, giving fall scope to + the hallucinations of mere imagination, aver their conviction that + republican America is the special and doomed object of all these + plagues!—Hence, the necessity of caution, sobriety, reverence for + divine authority, reliance on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, whom the + Saviour has promised to his humble disciples to "guide them into all + truth, and to show them things to come." (John xvi. 13.) That the + student of prophecy,—especially of the Apocalypse, may realize the + fulfilment of this promise, it is indispensably necessary that he be + absolutely untrammeled by all antichristian politics. Such cases are + very rare, (ch. xiii. 3.) +</p> +<p> + During the reign of Constantine, that monarch had transferred the + capital of the empire from the "city of seven hills" to another locality + and founded another metropolis, which as the future seat of imperial + rule, and to immortalize himself, he called after his own name, + Constantinople. This ambitious enterprise itself virtually divided the + empire, preparing the way for its total dismemberment by the trumpets. + And now the "seven angels prepared themselves to sound," for all things + are ready. The interceding Angel at the "golden altar" has prevailed to + obtain a period of tranquillity whilst preparatory steps are in progress + towards the next series of events; but that time shall be no longer, or + respite from impending judgments, is significantly intimated by the + symbolical Angel casting his "golden censer" from his hand, and hurling + it into the earth. Then without farther delay, +</p> +<p> + 7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled + with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of + trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—"The first angel sounded." The object of this judgment is the + <i>earth</i>, the population of the empire in general. The judgment itself + is, "hail and fire mingled with blood,"—desolating wars, like + successive storms of hail mingled with lightning, "hailstones and coals + of fire." (Ps. xviii. 12.) The effect is, a consumption of a third part + of the "trees and grass," people in high and low degrees. Green trees + and grass are the ornaments and products, of a land: and when the earth + is an emblem of nations and dominions, trees and grass may represent + persons of higher and lower rank. +</p> +<p> + The careful student of the Apocalypse will discover a striking analogy + between the effects of the trumpets and vials as the latter are + presented in the sixteenth chapter. This first trumpet therefore + produces an effect upon the social order of Christendom, which will + continue till the pouring out of the first vial. As the Roman empire in + its twofold division is the general object of all the trumpets; so the + first four are directed towards the western, and the next two against + the eastern member. +</p> +<p> + The infidel historian Gibbon has unwittingly recorded the fulfilment of + these predictions, as Josephus has done those of our Lord respecting the + destruction of Jerusalem. Unconscious that he was bearing testimony to + the truth of prophecy, Gibbon used with his classic pen the very + allegorical language of the inspired apostle. Respecting the incursion + of the barbarous Goths, as led by Alaric their chief into the fertile + plains of southern Europe, he describes their alarming descent as a + <i>"dark cloud</i>, which having collected along the coasts of the Baltic, + burst in <i>thunder</i> upon the banks of the upper Danube." He who directed + Balaam and Caiaphas to utter predictions, doubtless could direct + Josephus and Gibbon to attest the truth of prophecy; and this may be one + of the many ways in which "he makes the wrath of man to praise + him."—The Goths, the Scythians and Huns, first under Alaric and + afterwards under Attila, those savage warriors from the northern + regions, invaded the provinces of the Roman empire in both sections, + carrying all before them like an irresistible tornado,—with fire and + sword utterly destroying cities, temples, princes, priests, old and + young, male and female,—thus "burning up trees, and green grass." +</p> +<p> + 8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning + with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became + blood: +</p> +<p> + 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had + life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8, 9.—"The second angel sounded." The object of this judgment, is + the <i>sea</i>. As a great collection of waters, this symbol is explained, + (ch. xvii. 15.) "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," + indicate the population in an agitated and disorganized or revolutionary + condition. The judgment is a "burning mountain," a tremendous + object,—consuming and being itself consumed. The mountain is a symbol + of earthly power civil or military, and sometimes ecclesiastical.—"Who + art thou, O great mountain?" (Zech. iv. 7.) The Almighty says to the + king of Babylon,—"Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain ... + I will roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt + mountain." (Jer. li. 25; Ps. xlviii. 2.) +</p> +<p> + The consequence of this judgment is, the third part of the sea became + blood, the fish perished, and the shipping was destroyed. Similar + language, illustrating these figurative expressions, had been used by + the prophets to represent divine judgments denounced against Egyptian + power. (Ezek. xxix. 3, etc.) In the eighth verse is contained the + explanation of the symbolic language,—"Behold I will bring a sword upon + thee, and cut off man and beast from thee." +</p> +<p> + History verifies this part of the Apocalyptic prediction. Only two years + after the death of that northern "scourge of God," Attila, who boasted + that "the grass never grew where his horse had trod;" Genseric set sail + from the burning shores of Africa; and, like a burning mountain launched + into the sea, accompanied by a vast army of barbarous Vandals, suddenly + landed his fleet at the mouth of the river Tiber. Disregarding the + distinctions of rank, age or sex, these licentious and brutal plunderers + subjected their helpless victims to every species of indignity and + cruelty. Hence the hostility to arts and science, the tokens of refined + civilization,—indiscriminate devastation of life and property + perpetrated by the savage warriors, has given rise to the word + "Vandalism." +</p> +<p> + 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from + heaven, burning as it were a Lamp, and it fell upon the third part of + the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; +</p> +<p> + 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of + the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because + they were made bitter. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10, 11.—The object of the third trumpet is the waters as + before,—the population of the empire, but not in collective form as a + <i>sea</i>; rather in a state of separation or disconnected, as "rivers and + fountains." Some apply this symbol of a "falling star" to Genseric, but + this is incongruous. On the contrary, he was a victorious prince,—a + <i>rising</i> star. It is more consonant to the truth of history and the + chronological series of prophecy, to apply this symbol to the downfall + of Momyllus the last of the Roman emperors, who was deposed by Odoacer + king of the Heruli, called in derision Augustulus,—the diminutive + Augustus. Doubtless the allusion here is to the king of Babylon:—"How + art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (day-star,) son of the morning! + How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" + (Isa. xiv. 12.) A star may indeed signify either a civil or + ecclesiastical officer, but the scope and context determine all these + judgments to the enemies of the church, and those of her illustrious + Head. It is the "vengeance of his temple." We have already found a star + the emblem of a gospel minister, and we shall hereafter find it employed + in that sense; but it does not seem to refer in the present connexion to + any apostate. The name of this star,—"Wormwood," embittering the + waters, is a lively emblem of the miseries experienced by the people, in + the use of the remaining temporal comforts which the preceding + calamities had left. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was + smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the + stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not + for a third part of it, and the night likewise. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—The design of all the trumpets is to point out the utter + destruction of the Roman empire,—Daniel's "kingdom of iron." (Dan. ii. + 40.) For although from the time of Constantine it assumed the Christian + name, it nevertheless continued to be a beast. Of this we shall have + cumulative evidence as we progress. The first trumpet began to demolish + the fabric of antichristian power; and by the fourth the western + division was overthrown. For although the northern barbarians under the + first, the southern Vandals under the second, and the successors of + both, prevailed to bring down the last of the Caesars, yet the ancient + frame of government still subsisted. The political heaven, though + shaken, was not yet wholly removed, while the Senate, Consuls and other + official dignitaries continued to shine as political luminaries in the + firmament of power. But as the last of the Caesars fell from power in + the year 476, so the last vestige of imperial dominion in the west was + removed in 566, when Rome, the queen of the nations, was by the emperor + of the east reduced to the humble condition of a tributary dukedom. Most + of the saints had their residence at this time in the nations of western + Europe and northern Africa, where they were grievously afflicted by the + Arian, Pelagian and other heresies; as also exposed to persecution by + the civil powers, whom those heresiarchs moved to oppress the orthodox: + consequently, the righteous judgments of God fall first upon that member + of the empire. The eastern section, however, is destined to become the + special object of the judgments indicated by the succeeding trumpets. + However interpreters differ in details when explaining the effects + produced by the sounding of the first four trumpets, they very generally + harmonize in the application of them to the western section of the Roman + empire. The luminaries of heaven are darkened, or fall, or are + extinguished, while the earth, the sea and the rivers are + correspondently affected. Now, these are the well known allegorical + representations of divine judicial visitations of guilty communities, as + we find in the prophetic writings. See, for example, the case of + Babylon, "the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" (Isa. xiii. 1, 10;) + also Egypt,—(Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8.) +</p> +<p> + 13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, + saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the + earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, + which are yet to sound! +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—Before the fifth angel sounds, a note of warning is given by the + ministry, of another angel distinct from the seven with the trumpets. He + pronounces a "woe" thrice repeated, upon the inhabitants of the earth, + indicating that heavier judgments and of longer duration are about to be + inflicted. This announcement was intended to excite attention and awful + expectation. This angel's message of "heavy tidings" may be viewed in + quite interesting contract with that of a subsequent angel,—"flying + through the midst of heaven," (ch. xiv. 6.) How different, yet + harmonious, is the ministry of those heavenly messengers! +</p> +<p> + The first four trumpets, as we have seen, demolished the western + division of the Roman empire. About the middle of the sixth century this + work was brought to completion. Here, for greater clearness, we may be + allowed to anticipate by digressing a little. Assuming now, what shall + afterwards appear to be correct, that the Roman empire is Daniel's + fourth universal monarchy, and Paul's "let," or hinderance, to the + revealing of the "Man of Sin;" since the first four trumpets have + dismembered that great power, revealing the "ten toes,—ten horns," or + kingdoms; we would expect now to hear of the destruction of that "Son of + perdition." But it is not so. That is to be effected by the vials, (ch. + xvi.) As the general and grand design of the Apocalypse is to illustrate + the divine government, exhibiting the moral world as affecting, or + affected by the Christian religion, it seemed good to the Divine Author + that the destinies of the eastern section of the Roman empire yet + standing, where many of his saints reside, shall come under review. + Ecclesiastical history treats familiarly of a <i>Greek,</i> as well as a + <i>Latin</i> church and empire. As the trumpets cover the whole time from the + opening of the sixth seal till the final overthrow of the whole fourth + monarchy; (Dan. vii. 26; Rev. xi. 15,) it follows that the eastern + section must be the object of a part of them. Accordingly, the remaining + part of the second period,—the <i>Period of the Trumpets,</i> includes the + first two of the three, emphatically and significantly styled + "woe-trumpets." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto + the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a a smoke out of + the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were + darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. +</p> +<p> + 3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them + was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. +</p> +<p> + 4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the + earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men + which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + 5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that + they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the + torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. +</p> +<p> + 6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and + shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. +</p> +<p> + 7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto + battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their + faces were us the faces of men. +</p> +<p> + 8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the + teeth of lions. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the + sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running + to battle. +</p> +<p> + 10. And they had tails like unto scorpions; and there were stings in + their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. +</p> +<p> + 11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless + pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue + hath his name Apollyon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-11.—The scene of the events announced by the sounding of the + first "woe-trumpet," is the eastern Roman empire. A variety of symbols + is here employed to represent the judgment to be inflicted. The + principal agents and events are,—a "star, locusts, Apollyon their king, + their depredations, the time of their continuance." +</p> +<p> + Neither Boniface III. nor Mahomet answers to the symbol "falling star." + Allowing that a star, as a symbol, may represent a person in either + civil or ecclesiastical office, no successful aspirants to places of + power, as both of these were, can be here understood. Obviously + degradation and not elevation is intended. Either dethronement of a + prince or apostacy of a theological dignitary must be intended. +</p> +<p> + No character in history at the time referred to, so well agrees to the + symbol of a fallen star as the monk Sergius, who is known to have been + the coadjutor of Mahomet. He had been a monk of the Christian sect + called Nestorians from Nestorius their leader. This monk Sergius had + been excommunicated for heresy and immorality. He was glad to serve the + devil as dictator to Mahomet in composing the Koran, which bears + internal evidence of having been written by one who was acquainted with + the Sacred Scriptures. When this degraded man had finished his task, he + was put to death by his master, lest he should betray the imposture. +</p> +<p> + He opened the bottomless pit, from which issued a smoke darkening the + whole face of the heavens. The pit is hell, whence came the smoke,—the + diabolical system of delusion. From the same place comes the character + afterwards to appear under the aspect of a beast, (ch. xi. 7.) Locusts + constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, and they are the emblem of a + destroying army. (Exod. x. 14-19; Joel i. 4-6.) And this is their import + here. They represent the deluded and destructive followers of Mahomet, + who in vast multitudes laid waste the nations of western Asia, southern + Europe, and northern Africa. The Saracens, originating in Arabia, the + national locality of the literal locusts, in great multitudes like + clouds, laid waste the fairest and most populous portions of the earth + for a succession of ages. +</p> +<p> + These symbolic locusts have also the property of scorpions, a poisonous + reptile, resembling in some degree a lizard combined with a lobster, + armed with a sting in the end of its tail. Wicked and impenitent men are + compared to scorpions. (Ezek. ii. 6.) But these locusts are under + restraint. They are permitted to hurt only "those men which have not the + seal of God in their foreheads." The time of their continuance is "five + months," of thirty days each, making 150 years,—"a day for a year." + (Ezek. iv. 6.) In the year 606, Mahomet began his imposture by retiring + to the cave of Hera. In 612 he appeared publicly as the apostle of his + new religion at the head of his deluded followers. Between 612 and 762, + he and the warlike chiefs who succeeded him, overran with terrible + destruction, Syria, Persia, India, Egypt and Spain. Although the + Saracenic empire continued for a longer time, yet from this time it lost + the disorderly <i>Locust</i> character and because a more settled + commonwealth. In the year 762, the city of Bagdad was built by one of + the caliphs, who called it "the city of peace." This put a stop to the + devastations of the locusts, when the empire began to decline. It was + foretold, however, that during the time of successful war by these cruel + invaders, they would inflict such miseries upon their wretched victims, + that they would earnestly but vainly desire death to put an end to their + exquisite torments. It is farther said that these locusts resembled + horses, as indeed they do, especially in their heads. The Arabians + excelled in horsemanship, and their chief force lay in cavalry. The + "crowns upon their heads" may refer to the turbans worn by the Arabians + as part of their national costume; or to the kingdoms which they + subdued. Flowing hair is also characteristic of these people. Their + "teeth" like those of lions indicated their strength and fury to + destroy. "Breast-plates of iron,"—defensive armour, indicates + self-protection by the most effectual public measures. The sound of + their wings may denote the fury of their assaults, and the rapidity of + their conquests. But the deadly stings in their tails were their most + fatal instruments of torture, symbolizing the poison of their abominable + and ruinous religion. +</p> +<p> + Their king is "Abaddon or Apollyon," the destroyer: for so is his name + by interpretation, both in Hebrew and Greek. He is from the "bottomless + pit,"—from hell, the vicegerent of the devil. Mahomet in person, and in + the person of his official successors, will alone answer to this + <i>duplicate</i> symbol. This is, without a rational shadow of ground for + controversy, the <i>Great Eastern Antichrist</i>, sufficiently distinguished + from the <i>Western</i>. The western combination against real Christianity + never attained to power by successful conquest of the nations; but on + the contrary by chicanery, insidious policy, flattery of princes and + priestcraft. This enemy is described with sufficient accuracy and + peculiar precision in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Prophecy + has a determinate meaning; and we are not at liberty to give loose reins + to our imagination: otherwise we shall bewilder, rather than satisfy the + devout and earnest inquirer. +</p> +<p> + 12. One woe is past: and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—Before the time of the sixth trumpet, intimation is given that + some pause shall intervene prior to the judgments which are to + follow:—"One woe is past."—The object of the first woe is the + nominally Christian Roman empire, which still stands in its Eastern + section; and is to be totally demolished by the second woe-trumpet: for + the Western section, recovering from the effects of the first four + trumpets, is the object of the third and last woe. The "man of + Sin,"—the "little horn" of Daniel, is actuating the "ten horns" to + "scatter Judah," etc., during the time of the Mahometan conquests in the + East; by which the whole Roman empire is ripening for the harvest of the + vials of wrath. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns + of the golden altar which is before God, +</p> +<p> + 14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four + angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, + and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand + thousand; and I heard the number of them. +</p> +<p> + 17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, + having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the + heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths + issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone. +</p> +<p> + 18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by + the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. +</p> +<p> + 19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their + tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do + hurt. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-19.—At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, a "voice comes from + the four horns of the golden altar," the immediate presence of the + Almighty. This indicates punishment to be inflicted upon men for + corrupting the gospel, similar to the judgment of fire from the "golden + censer," (ch. viii. 5.) The effects of the first woe may be supposed to + reach from the early part of the seventh century to the latter part of + the thirteenth,—the period of Arabian locusts. During the latter part + of this time, the Turks were held in check by the Crusaders, who strove + to wrest the Holy Land from the infidels. The "four angels" are the four + Turkish Sultanies. The river Euphrates is to be taken in this place + literally, as designating the geographical locality of these combined + powers, which were the instruments employed by the enthroned Mediator, + to demolish the remaining part of the Roman empire,—"the third part of + men." The time occupied in this barbarous work of slaughter is "an hour, + a day, a month and a year," about equal to 391 years; or from the year + 1281 to 1672. The Western empire had been overthrown by the first four + trumpets, the Eastern nearly ruined under the fifth; and under the sixth + it was finally subverted. The numbers which the Turks brought into the + field are here said to be "two hundred thousand thousand,"—a definite + for an indefinite number as usual, a vast army. And historians tell us + that they were, in fact, from four to seven hundred thousand, and a + large proportion of them cavalry. +</p> +<p> + From the year 1672, one of their own historians dates the "Decay of the + Othman empire!" Since that date, the Turkish power is well known to have + been straitened by the Russian empire. +</p> +<p> + These eastern warriors and their horses are described by their military + costume and their arms. Fire is <i>red</i>, jacinth <i>blue</i>, and brimstone + <i>yellow</i>,—the chosen colors of the Ottoman warriors, their military + uniform. The heads of their horses "as the heads of lions," denote + strength, fierceness and cruelty. "Fire, smoke and brimstone issuing out + of their mouths," may be supposed to indicate the employment of + gunpowder, first invented about that time, as an element of destruction. + The commander at the siege of Constantinople is said to have employed + cannon, some of which were of such caliber as to send stones of three + hundred pounds weight! Thus their power was in their "mouth:" but like + the locusts, "they had in their tails power to do hurt,"—the deadly + poison of the Koran. The Turks left behind them wherever they went, as + the Saracens had done before, the poisonous and ruinous religion of + Mahomet, more durable and injurious to men than all their bloody + conquests. By this abominable system of delusion, the remains of the + Greek church in the Eastern division of the Roman empire, were almost + extirpated; Christianity was nearly extinguished in that part of the + world where the gospel had shone brightly, and there Mahometanism + continues till the present day. Such has been the desolating effect of + the sixth,—the second woe trumpet. Thus the Judge of all the earth + punishes impenitent communities. Besides the positive effects of the + second wo, we have intimation of some that are negative in the close of + this chapter. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues, yet + repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship + devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of + wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: +</p> +<p> + 21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor + of their fornication, nor of their thefts. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 20, 21.—The "rest of the men that were not killed by these + plagues," or morally destroyed by becoming Mahometans, by the foregoing + calamities, were not brought to repentance of their evil deeds. The + population of the Western Latin empire and nominal Christian church, + still persisted in their idolatries and immoralities. Both individually + and as associated, they openly violated both tables of the moral law. It + is evident from these two verses, that the sins enumerated in them were + the procuring causes of the divine judgments symbolized by the + trumpets,—the two woe-trumpets, all the trumpets,—yes, including the + seventh and the last. Professing Christians both in the Greek and Latin + churches, after all the plagues inflicted by the angels of the past six + trumpets, continue to this day in the practice of worshipping demons, + angels and saints, for which they can produce no better arguments than + their Pagan predecessors whom the Lord charges with "worshipping devils" + here and elsewhere. (1 Cor. x. 20; Ps. cvi. 37.) In their stupid worship + of senseless images, consecration of places, etc., who cannot perceive + the identity of modern Papists and prelates with those portrayed by the + pen of inspiration in the passage before us? The horrible "murders," + massacres and bloody persecutions of the saints, are verified in + authentic history. Papal bulls, imperial and royal edicts, issued + against <i>heretics</i>, answer to the second part of this awful picture. + Then follow "sorceries," plainly pointing out pretended revelations, + false miracles, etc. To these are to be added "fornications," corporeal + and spiritual, in a mass of superstitions added to, or supplanting + divine ordinances; together with vows of celibacy, monkeries and + nunneries,—followed by public license of brothels. And + finally,—"thefts." By these are to be understood the illegal exactions + and oppressive impositions, by which the nations of Christendom have + been plundered of their revenues to enrich the lordly hierarchy of + apostate Christendom. This state of things still continuing after the + sixth angel sounds his trumpet, and no evidence of repentance; who can + doubt that the same community is yet to be visited with the "third woe?" + Surely the Lord may justly still say,—"For three transgressions, and + for four, (of Antichrist,) I will not turn away the punishment thereof." + The eastern church, in which the first corruptions prevailed, was + punished by the <i>first woe</i> of the Saracens; and this not producing + repentance, her ruin was completed by the <i>second wo</i> of the Ottomans. + So, when God judges, he will overcome; therefore the western church, + still persisting in her abominations, without repentance, shall be + destroyed by the <i>third woe</i>. Let not the pious reader suppose that by + these penal inflictions on churches, the church of Christ is to perish. + No, no. But, on the contrary, their overthrow is subservient to her + preservation. This also will appear with increasing evidence as we + proceed with our meditations on this instructive book. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time it may be well to remark here, at the close of those + <i>woes</i> which developed the rise and progress of Mahometanism, that the + creed of this religious sect is substantially the same as that of those + Christians called Socinians. Both presumptuously and arrogantly claim to + be the worshippers of <i>the one God</i>,—commonly called <i>Unitarians</i>. This + is one of the "depths of Satan." All who worship, as well as believe in, + three co-equal Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, believe in, + and worship <i>one God</i>, and in this sense are Unitarians.—<i>the only + scriptural Unitarians</i>. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not + the Father." (John ii. 23.) And the same is true of such who "have not + so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts xix. 2.) "He is + Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son,"—a deceiver and an + Antichrist. It is doubtless in view of these soul-ruining heresies, that + the beloved disciple tendered the caution,—"Little children, keep + yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 21.) +</p> +<p> + We would expect the tenth chapter to begin with the sounding of the + seventh trumpet; but we find it is not so. Indeed, we shall not find any + direct intimation of the work of the seventh angel till we come to the + fourteenth verse of the eleventh chapter. The sixth trumpet continues to + reverberate throughout Christendom for centuries; and during the + intermediate time, our attention is called to another scene, which the + Lord Jesus deemed necessary as preparatory. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter and the greater part of the next, from the first to the + fourteenth verse inclusive, is of the nature of a parenthesis; for the + fifteenth verse of the 11th chapter evidently connects the narrative or + series of events with the ninth chapter. The ninth chapter closes with + an intimation of impenitence on the part of those who had been punished + by the plagues of the preceding trumpets. Then it follows, as we have + seen, that they are to be still farther visited by the infliction of the + closing judgment symbolized by the seventh trumpet. The immediate + design, therefore, of interrupting the natural order of the narrative is + to place before us the actual condition of society when the seventh + trumpet sounds. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a + cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face as it were the sun, + and his feet as pillars of fire: +</p> +<p> + 2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot + upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, +</p> +<p> + 3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had + cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—The majestic description of this Angel agrees to no creature. + It is proper to God-man only. It is partly the same display of the + Mediator's glory which we had in ch, i. 15. Especially is this the case + as to his <i>face</i>, his <i>feet</i> and his <i>voice</i>. The "rainbow" is still the + sign of the everlasting covenant. "In wrath he remembers mercy." +</p> +<p> + This "book" differs from the <i>sealed</i> book as a part from the whole, or + a codicil from the will to which it is appended. Also, it is + distinguished from the former as being <i>little</i> and <i>open</i>. They do + therefore greatly err here, who would make this little book comprehend + all the remaining part of the Apocalypse, which would make it larger + than the sealed book. The little book is <i>open</i>, because it is part of + the large one, from which the last seal had been removed by the + Mediator. But another reason why the little book is represented as being + open, is the fact that the most of the events to which it refers, had + transpired prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. That trumpet + had been without its appropriate object, as presented in any preceding + part of the prophecy. To present that object is the special design of + the little book. All the events predicted in this book of Revelation are + not successive in the order of time, but some are coincident; and the + inspired writer of the Apocalypse, on several occasions goes back, as we + shall see, in order to explain at greater length, what had been but + briefly and obscurely narrated. +</p> +<p> + The angel set his feet upon the world, as his footstool; by which + position is emblematically signified his sovereign dominion over sea and + earth. And this is agreeable to his own plain teaching in the days of + his public ministry:—"All power is given unto me in heaven and in + earth." (Matt. xxviii. 18.) He trod upon the billows of the ocean + literally in the state of his humiliation, giving thereby evidence of + his power over the mystical waters,—"the tumults of the people." During + the popular commotions signified by the trumpets, he said to the raging + passions of men and their towering ambition, as to the waves of the + sea,—" Hitherto shall ye come, and no further; and here shall your + proud waves be stayed." "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves + thereof are still;" and whether the nations of Christendom are at war or + in peaceful tranquillity, he reigns over them as their rightful + sovereign;—"his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth." In + possession of universal dominion, he speaks with authority, "as when a + lion roareth." Although a lamb slain, the victim for our sins; he is + also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ruling over his own people, + restraining and conquering his own and their enemies. +</p> +<p> + The "seven thunders," etc., give a <i>premonition</i> of tremendous + judgments, the import of which is to be "sealed up" until it be + demonstrated to all the world by the seventh trumpet and vial. +</p> +<p> + 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to + write: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up those + things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. +</p> +<p> + 5. And the angel, which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, + lifted up his hand to heaven, +</p> +<p> + 6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, + and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are + therein, that there should be time no longer. +</p> +<p> + 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall + begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath + declared to his servants the prophets. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-7.—The attitude assumed by the Angel of the covenant is very + impressive, instructive and exemplary:—"his hand lifted up to heaven." + This is the external attitude of solemnity most becoming the jurant when + performing the act of religious worship, the oath. Abraham, in the + presence of the king of Sodom, used the same form, appealing to the + "Lord, the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth." (Gen. xiv. + 22.) "Kissing the book" has no example in all the Bible; hence it is + unquestionably of heathen, and so of idolatrous origin and tendency. No + Christian can thus symbolize with heathens, without so far "having + fellowship with devils" as really as in eating in their temples. (1 Cor. + x. 21.) +</p> +<p> + The matter of the Angel's oath is,—"that there should be time no + longer." Here it is humbly suggested that our excellent translators are + faulty as in ch. iv. 6, already noticed. Neither the original Greek + text, nor the coherence of the symbolic narrative, will sustain or + justify the version. John, like all pious people, when he heard the + lion's voice, followed by the "seven thunders," was filled with solemn + awe, anticipating the coming dissolution of all things. It was not the + only instance of his weakness and misapprehension, (ch. xix. 10;) nor is + this infirmity peculiar to the apostle John; for we find other disciples + mistaking "the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his + own power." (2 Thess. ii. 1-3.) These Thessalonians had misapprehended + the language of Paul in his first epistle to them, when speaking of the + end of the world. (1 Thess. iv. 15-17.) To relieve the anxieties of the + Thessalonians, relative to the apprehended and sudden coming of the + Lord, Paul wrote again to correct their mistake; so it may be supposed + that the Angel interposed this solemn assurance to his servant John, for + the like purpose, of allaying his forebodings. The words in the + original, literally translated, stand thus: "That the time shall not be + yet." That is, the "time of the end," as we read in Daniel xii. 9, shall + not be, till the seventh trumpet begins to sound. The phrase,—"time of + the end," may signify either the final overthrow of antichristian power, + or the end of the world, because of the resemblance between the two + events. The plain and certain meaning, then, of the Angel's oath is, + that the "mystery of God shall be finished" only by the work of the + seventh angel. What this mystery is, we will discover in the following + chapters. Indeed, it had been long before "declared to the prophets," + but still accompanied with comparative obscurity suitable to their time; + for the word "declared," is expressive of glad tidings, being the same + in origin and significance as that which we translate,—<i>gospel</i>, good + news. Accordingly, our Saviour directs his disciples, in view of his + appearing either to overthrow the Roman power, or to judge the world, in + the following words of cheer: "And when these things begin to come to + pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth + nigh." (Luke xxi. 28.) To the prophet Daniel the same event was attested + with like solemnity. (Dan. xii. 7.) This is the period to which the + suffering saints of God have been long looking forward with believing + and joyful hope. As Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day of appearing in + our nature, and by faith saw and it and was glad; so the covenanted seed + of the father of the faithful, in the light of prophecy, and by like + precious faith, are favored with a view of the certain downfall of + mystical Babylon. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and + said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel + which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + 9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little + book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy + belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. +</p> +<p> + 10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; + and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my + belly was bitter. +</p> +<p> + 11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, + and nations, and tongues, and kings. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8-11.—John is next directed by a voice from heaven, or by divine + authority,—to take and eat the open book. There is obvious allusion to + a similar transaction in Ezekiel iii, 1-3. The prophet was a captive by + the river of Chebar in Babylon, under the dominion of the <i>first</i> beast + of Daniel, as John was in Patmos under that of the <i>fourth</i>; and both + were favoured and employed by the glorious Head of the church in an + eminent part of their ministry. "The word is not bound" when ministers + are in confinement. +</p> +<p> + The "eating of the book" represents the intellectual apprehension of the + things which it contained. +</p> +<p> + "Thy words were found and I did eat them,"(Jer. xv. 16.) A speculative + knowledge of the word of God, and especially of those parts that are + prophetical, will afford pleasure to the human intellect, even though + the mind be unsanctified. (Matt. xiii. 20, 21.) But when the prophet + gets a farther insight into the contents as containing "lamentations, + and mourning and woe," like Ezekiel's roll;—the pleasure is converted + into pain. A foresight of the sorrows and sufferings of Christ's + witnesses causes grief to the Christian's sensitive heart. He "weeps + with them that weep," by the spontaneous sympathies of a common and + renewed nature. "Sweet in the mouth as honey, but in the belly bitter as + wormwood and gall." +</p> +<p> + Upon the apostle's digesting the little book, the Angel interprets the + symbolic action by the plain and extensive commission,—"Thou must + prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and + kings." This commission did not terminate with the ministry of the + apostle, although he may be truly said to prophesy by the Apocalypse to + all nations till the end of the world. This is equally true, however, of + all the inspired penmen of the Holy Scriptures. (Psalm xlv. 17.) But + John is to be considered here as the official representative of a living + and faithful ministry, on whom devolves the indispensable obligation to + open and apply these sacred predictions to the commonwealth of nations, + however constituted authorities may be affected by them. And, indeed, + these messages will prove unwelcome to the immoral powers of the earth, + as in the days of old. (1 Kings xviii. 17.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI. +</h2> +<p> + The narrative of prophetic events was broken off at the end of the ninth + chapter. The tenth chapter and the greater part of this, from the + beginning to the thirteenth verse inclusive, present appearances and + actions quite foreign to the events which follow the sounding of the + trumpets. Why is this, the thoughtful student of the Apocalypse will + naturally ask? Why is the regular series of the trumpets suspended? When + the sixth trumpet,—the "second woe,"—has effected its objects, we + naturally expect the seventh trumpet to sound; yet we are held in + suspense till we come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter. Hitherto + we have met with no similar interruption. Let us take a retrospective + view:—The seven epistles to the churches followed each other in regular + succession. The seals, in like manner, followed successively; and this + is true of the vials, (ch. xvi.) +</p> +<p> + We have seen that the object of the trumpets was the Roman empire, the + fourth beast of Daniel's prophecy. The same is the object of the + judgments symbolized by the vials. The final subversion and utter + destruction of that beastly power, was plainly revealed in the + Babylonian monarch's dream. (Dan. ii. 44.) And the same event was + afterwards exhibited in vision to Daniel, (ch. vii. 11, 26.) Now the + first four trumpets had demolished imperial power in the western or + Latin section; and the next two, by the Saracenic locusts and the + Euphratean horsemen had subverted the eastern or Greek section. Rome and + Constantinople were the capitals of the respective sections or members + of the <i>one</i> empire. Under the first four trumpets, by the Northern + barbarians; and under the first two woes, by the Mahometans, both + sections of the empire were overthrown. The question now presses upon + our attention, Where shall we find an object for the tremendous judgment + to be inflicted by the third and last woe? This question requires a + solution. It demands it; and he who succeeds in the application of + history to solve this apparent enigma in the Apocalypse, will be able to + attain to a satisfactory, a certain, understanding of much that is yet + to most readers as if the "sealed book" were to this day in the "right + hand of Him that sitteth on the throne." Let us humbly attempt to solve + this difficulty. +</p> +<p> + Daniel's fourth beast, the Roman empire, is to be contemplated in + <i>diverse aspects</i>, as the varied symbols obviously require. All know + that Nebuchadnezzar's "image" is the same as Daniel's "four beasts;" + therefore the same thing is presented in different forms or aspects. Of + course we are to view that object as presented. We have seen that under + the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12-17,) the Roman empire underwent a + revolution; that is, it was destroyed as to its Pagan form. The empire + became Christian under Constantine. History proves that Christianity + degenerated under the reign of that monarch and his successors. Heresy, + idolatry and persecutions characterize the subsequent history of the + empire. Then follow the judgments of the trumpets to vindicate the + divine government, and alleviate from time to time the sufferings of + true Christians. While the two woe-trumpets are demolishing the fabric + of idolatry and despotism in the east, the "deadly wound is healed" in + the west, which had been inflicted by the first four trumpets. Ten horns + are developed upon the beast's head, and another "little horn," by all + of which the saints suffer, as had been predicted by Daniel, (ch. vii. + 24,) and of which we had intimation after the judgment of the second woe + or sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) All the "plagues," which had been + inflicted upon the people of Christendom under this trumpet left them + still impenitent,—"worshipping devils," etc. Surely we may now see + where the object of the third woe is to be found,—namely in the same + Roman empire, now become antichristian more than ever before. To + describe this antichristian combination and present the unholy + confederacy against the Lord and his Anointed, and so to justify the + ways of God; it was necessary to digress from the narrative of the + trumpets. We now proceed with our observations on the eleventh chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, + saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them + that worship therein. +</p> +<p> + 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it + not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they + tread under foot forty and two months. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—This chapter, (vs. 1-13,) gives the contents of the "little + book" delivered to the apostle; as in the tenth chapter. It contains a + brief description and prospective history of the true church of Christ + for a period of 1260 years. Her conflicts with Daniel's fourth beast are + here epitomized. As the scene is laid in the temple and ministry all + along in the Apocalypse, so there is probably a special allusion here to + Ezekiel's vision, (ch. xl. 5.) At all times the Christian church is to + be organized, and all her ordinances to be administered by divine rule. + Accordingly we have here presented the actual condition of Christendom + during the whole time mentioned above. The command to John from the + Angel, is to be understood as from the Lord Jesus, Zion's only king to + the gospel ministry. Long before the time of the transactions here + predicted, the apostle John had gone the way of all the earth. The work + here enjoined was to be performed by his legitimate successors. +</p> +<p> + The reed is the symbol of the word of God. It is of the same import as + Zechariah's "measuring line." (ch. ii. 1,) and to be used for the same + purpose—"to measure Jerusalem," the temple; for both are emblematical + of the church of God. The "temple, altar and worshippers," are emblems + of the church, her doctrines, worship and membership, tried by the + Scriptures—the "reed." There are Gentiles who worship in the outer + court, treading under foot both it and the city. These are formal, + immoral, idolatrous professors of Christianity. They are rejected by God + as reprobate, and by his command to be "cast out" from the fellowship of + his people,—authoritatively excommunicated by those to whom Jesus + Christ has given the key of discipline. +</p> +<p> + Here then, at the disclosing of the contents of the little open book, it + is manifest that John goes back from the sixth trumpet in the + seventeenth century, when the Eastern section of the Roman empire was + subverted, by the Othmans, and gives us another view of society in + Christendom cotemporaneously with the trumpets. It follows necessarily + that the little book does not rank, as some imagine, under any one + trumpet; much less does it comprehend all the remaining chapters of the + Apocalypse, as others vainly suppose. This matter will receive + increasing confirmation as we advance. +</p> +<p> + Those who worship within the temple and those who worship without, are + evidently distinguished from each other. They differ in character tested + by the word of God, in fellowship, as authoritatively separated + according to the rule of the same word: for whereas the gentile + worshippers are so numerous as to crowd both the outer court and the + city, the measured worshippers are all included within the confines of + the temple, (Song iv. 12.) <i>Measuring</i> is equivalent to the <i>sealing</i> of + the servants of God in the seventh chapter; and imports that they are + secured from the sins and plagues of their time. The period of the + apostacy from God is fixed to "forty and two months." According to + Jewish mode of reckoning, a day for a year, (Num. xiv. 34; Dan. ix. 24,) + the whole period is 1260 years. Each month has thirty days. Multiply + forty-two by thirty, and we have 1260. The <i>same</i> period of time,—not + merely an equal period, is otherwise expressed by the prophet Daniel + thus: "time, times, and a half." (ch. xii. 7.) That is, 360, the number + of days in the Jewish year: times, or 720, the days in two years; and + half a time, or 180, the days in half a year. Now, add these three + numbers, 360, 720, 180; and the sum is 1260. Now see Daniel iv. 25, + where the word "times" means <i>years</i>, and then a child may calculate + these mystical numbers. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy + a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. +</p> +<p> + V. 3.—While the nominal church, "the outer court and the holy city," + would be "trodden under foot," and the most eminent places would be + filled with idolaters, infidels, hypocrites, and mercenary spirits, and + true Christians grievously oppressed, the Lord would preserve a faithful + few from defiling themselves with the prevailing abominations. These he + claims and owns as his "peculiar treasure,"—"my witnesses." These have + found that it was "good for them to draw near to God," when the + multitude treacherously departed from him. The Lord Christ promises to + sustain them in the midst of all their tribulations. The duration of + their special work is the very same as that of the treading of the holy + city, "a thousand two hundred and three score days,"—1260 years. In + attempting to fix the beginning of this period, Daniel and John must be + compared; both treat of the same events and dates, and this gives + definiteness to the interpretation. Daniel fixes these events to the + fourth monarchy <i>after</i> it had been <i>broken in pieces</i>, and the ten + horns had arisen: (ch. vii. 23-25;) so that we have both the geography + and chronology determined by the prophets themselves. Hence it follows + that we must date the beginning of the 1260 years after the first four + trumpets; for by these the western Roman empire was dismembered or + broken, that the ten horns might appear. Then the "little horn" of + Daniel arose after and among them, (ch. vii. 20, 24.) All reliable + expositors agree that the "little horn" is the papacy or the Romish + church. This little horn is the special enemy of the "saints of the Most + High," and they are to be "given into his hand." (Dan. vii. 25.) The + first four trumpets subverted the Roman empire in the west in the latter + part of the sixth century. This event made way for the bishop of Rome, + in process of time, to acquire a great accession of ecclesiastical + power. The civil and ecclesiastical rulers, equally unscrupulous and + aspiring, were at this period on terms of comparative intimacy, and + occasionally disposed to reciprocate good offices. Phocas, having waded + through the blood of the citizens to supreme civil power, in order to + secure his position, declared Boniface III., bishop of Rome, head of the + universal church. This impious public act took place in the year 606. + The pope became also a temporal prince in 756. Now we cannot know <i>with + certainty</i> which of these events, nor indeed whether <i>either</i> of them, + marks the period in time when the 1260 years <i>began</i>. Hence we must + remain at uncertainty as to the exact time when this most interesting + period will end. Of all transactions recorded in history, however, that + between Phocas and Boniface appears most like "giving the saints into + the hand of the little horn." At this juncture in particular, church and + state conspire, as never before, to resist the authority of Jesus Christ + the Mediator. Paul's "man of sin" has been "revealed in his time." (2 + Thess. ii. 6.) Paganism has been abolished by formal edict throughout + the Roman empire, and Christianity established as the recognised + religion of the commonwealth. That which "letted,"—hindered, that is, + the pagan idolatry of the civil state, is "taken out of the way;" and + nominal Christianity takes its place. This combination or alliance + between church and state will be more clearly made known in the + succeeding chapters of this book. Mean while it is the immediate design + of the "little open book," to give an epitome or outline of this unholy + confederacy in the first thirteen verses of this chapter. The treading + under foot of the holy city by the "Gentiles," furnishes occasion for + the witnesses to appear publicly against them. These pretended + Christians, but real hypocrites, as will appear with increasing evidence + as we proceed, have usurped the rights of Messiah's crown, and + grievously oppressed his real disciples. Against these outrages on the + prerogatives of Christ and the rights of man, these witnesses lift their + solemn protest. Their distinctive name, "witnesses," is familiar to + every one who searches the Scriptures. (Isa. xliii. 10; Acts i. 8.) But + witnesses who love not their lives unto the death are distinguished by + the name of <i>martyrs</i>. (Rev. ii. 13; Acts xxii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + God has had his witnesses in all ages since the fall of Adam, in defence + of truth and holiness against error and ungodliness; but the specific + work <i>these</i> witnesses is to oppose the corruption of his two ordinances + of church and state during the specified period of 1260 years. The + existence of this complex system of civil and ecclesiastical tyranny and + heresy, in the holy purpose and sovereign providence of God, calls for + the public and uncompromising opposition of the two witnesses. We shall + discover the two parties in more visible conflict hereafter; and tracing + the struggle to its issue, we shall find, that like the more general and + lasting warfare between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent, + (Gen. iii. 15,) it is a "war of extermination." +</p> +<p> + These witnesses are distinguished as a part from the whole. All + witnesses are not <i>martyrs</i>, but these are such, (v. 7, ch. xx. 4.) And + here we are constrained to dissent from the opinion of some expositors, + for whose sentiments we entertain profound respect. These "two + witnesses" are supposed by these eminent interpreters to "differ as much + from the 144,000 sealed ones, (ch. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the + 7000 in Israel in his time;" whereas, we think the 144,000 and the + <i>two</i>, are the same identical company. (See chapters vii. 4-8: xiv. 1; + xx. 4.) It is evident that they are the same party,—and the <i>whole</i> of + the party, who are honored to "reign with Christ a thousand years," (ch. + xx. 4.) +</p> +<p> + They are <i>two</i> in number, because one witness is not sufficient in law, + to establish any matter in controversy. (Num. xxxv. 30; 2 Cor. xiii. 1.) + They are a small number compared with their opponents, (ch. xiii. 3.) + Again, they are few, but sufficient to confront and confute their two + opponents, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And, finally, they are <i>two</i>, that they + may be assimilated to their predecessors. +</p> +<p> + 4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing + before the God of the earth. +</p> +<p> + 5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, + and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in + this manner be killed. +</p> +<p> + 6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of + their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to + smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4-6.—"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks," + answerable to Joshua and Zerubbabel, the representatives of a gospel + ministry and a scriptural magistracy in their day, as seen by the + prophet Zechariah, (ch. iv. 14.) The official administrators of the + divine ordinances of church and state, require the oil of divine grace + to qualify them for the discharge of their responsible duties to God and + man. (1 Tim. i. 2; Titus i. 4; Ps. lxxii. 1.) Thus were those public + servants of God and of his people qualified who "stood before the God of + the earth," as Moses and Aaron in Egypt, Elijah and Elisha in Israel, to + whom there is obvious allusion in the special work of these witnesses. + (2 Kings i. 10; 1 Kings xvii. 1; Exod. vii. 17.) "Fire proceedeth out of + their mouth," when from the scriptures they denounce just judgments upon + the impenitent enemies of him whom they represent. They "smite the earth + with all plagues," when, in answer to their prayers, vengeance comes + upon antichristian communities. (Luke xviii. 7, 8.) They "turn waters + into blood," when through their effective agency, the votaries of + Antichrist are made the instruments of mutual destruction. And all this + is made more clear in the symbolic "vials," (ch. 16.) These witnesses + "prophesy," not as being inspired, but because they,—and <i>they only</i>, + apply existing predictions to their appropriate objects, so far as they + receive light from Him who is "the light of the world." +</p> +<p> + They are "clothed in sack-cloth," because they sigh and cry for all the + abominations of their time,—subjected to oppression, and excluded from + "kings' palaces,"—places of worldly honor, power and emolument. +</p> +<p> + But the question is of great importance, and, to themselves in + particular, of absorbing interest,—How shall these witnesses be + identified among mankind? For however few, humble, despised and + persecuted, even unto death; strange as it may seem, there are not + wanting many to put forth a claim to be identified with them! Assuming + that these mystic witnesses are individual persons, the Papists say, + they are Enoch and Elijah, hereafter to appear on earth! By Protestants, + John Huss and Jerome.—Luther and Calvin, have been selected. Others + suppose the Old and New Testaments, with many other vague and groundless + conjectures. The witnesses die; but the two prophets named "were + translated that they should not see death:" and the thought is + preposterous that they should be brought again from their glorious state + of immortality and subjected to an ignominious death. John Huss and + Jerome of Prague did not prophesy 1260 years, nor have we the shadow of + a ground to believe that any of the human race shall ever prolong their + days on earth to the age of Methuselah. The two Testaments cannot die, + for "the word of God liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Pet. i. 23.) But + it would be tedious and unprofitable to confute the various chimeras + which on this question have been entertained in the minds equally of the + learned and the illiterate. The like fanciful and diversified opinions + have been, and still are, prevalent in relation to what constitutes "the + Antichrist." (1 John ii. 22.) Now, it is evident, even on a cursory + perusal of the Apocalypse; that the witnesses and their opponents are + the principal parties symbolized in the whole series of the seals, + trumpets and vials. How then can any one attain to a rational + understanding of the manifold details, who remains "willingly ignorant" + of the principal characters in this grandest of all tragico-dramas, + presented to man's view on the stage of Jehovah's moral empire, to be + contemplated for the whole period of 1260 years? The prevailing + ignorance, bewilderment and error, in the minds of most spectators of + these moving scenes, we are warranted to expect. (Dan. xii. 10.) For the + present we define the witnesses and Antichrist concisely thus:—<i>The + Witnesses are a competent number of Christians, who for 1260 years, + insist upon the application of God's word to church and state; and who + testify against all communities who rebel against the Lord Christ.</i> Such + communities, in visible organization, constitute THE ANTICHRIST, as will + more fully appear in the thirteenth and seventeenth chapters, where the + two prominent parties are more formally presented. +</p> +<p> + Let us never lose sight of the fact, that these witnesses cease not to + prophesy,—to apply the scriptures, especially the prophetical parts of + them, during the <i>whole</i> period of 1260 years; that is, <i>while they + live</i>. Authentic history supplies abundant evidence that such has been + their special work all along since the rise of the antichristian enemy. + That enemy is but obscurely mentioned,—<i>not described</i> in the "little + book," the contents of which we have, as already said, in this chapter, + (vs. 1-13.) The character and achievements of the witnesses may be found + in the familiar histories of the Culdees and Lollards of Britain, the + Waldenses of Piedmont, the Bohemian Brethren; together with the more + recent and successful reformers on the continent of Europe and in the + British Isles. Is it unnecessary to mention the names of those men of + renown,—Zwingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Henderson, etc.,—men "mighty in + words and in deeds," whose influence on the great "family of nations," + their very enemies have reluctantly attested? The testimony of an enemy + has ever been deemed weighty. The following is appropriate and decisive + from the polished pen of the historian of the "Decline and Fall of the + Roman Empire:" "The visible assemblies of the Paulicians, or Albigeois, + were extirpated by fire and sword; and the bleeding remnant escaped by + flight, concealment, or catholic conformity. But the invincible spirit + which they had kindled still lived and breathed in the western + world.—In the state, in the church, and even in the cloister, a latent + succession was preserved of the disciples of St. Paul, who protested + against the tyranny of Rome, embraced the Bible as the rule of faith, + and purified their creed from all the visions of the Gnostic theology. + The struggles of Wickliff in England, and of Huss in Bohemia, were + premature and ineffectual: but the names of Zuinglius, Luther and + Calvin, are pronounced with gratitude as the deliverers of nations."<a href="#note-2"><small>2</small></a> +</p> +<p> + Ever since the time of those eminent witnesses, the same testimony has + been maintained. It is not yet finished, the witnesses are yet alive, + and the term of 1260 years is not expired. +</p> +<p> + 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that + ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and + shall overcome them, and kill them. +</p> +<p> + 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, + which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was + crucified. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall + see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their + dead bodies to be put in graves. +</p> +<p> + 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make + merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets + tormented them that dwelt on the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-10.—In these verses we have described the death of the witnesses, + as also the agent mentioned, by whom the fatal stroke is given. As + future occasion will occur for identifying this bloody tyrant, + ascertaining with precision his diabolical origin, here only hinted, his + crimes and his awful doom, it is premature to amplify in this place. +</p> +<p> + If the witnesses cannot be identified, neither can the time of their + death be ascertained. We find indeed among expositors as many vague + notions relative to the <i>time</i> and the <i>nature</i> of their death as in + relation to their identity. These notions are unworthy of notice; for + however they might amuse, they cannot edify. +</p> +<p> + Four questions are suggested by these verses.—By whom; in what manner, + when, and where are the witnesses slain? +</p> +<p> + The first question is explicitly answered in the sacred text. The + "beast," of hellish origin, kills them. But it will afterwards appear + that the beast is instigated to this relentless cruelty by another agent + of the devil. Again, as to the kind of death, we may in good measure + learn this from the kind of life. Now it is obvious that to give + testimony, or "prophesy" during the allotted time, constitutes their + life. They live, that they may prophesy. Hence it is usual to speak of + <i>silencing</i>, as equivalent to <i>slaying</i> these witnesses. But this is not + strictly correct. Why? Because they have been hitherto "killed all the + day long." (Ps. xliv. 22; Rom. viii. 36.) Doubtless defection and + apostacy do always accompany persecution; and thus the testimony of such + is silenced. But the enemy in this case is "drunken with the blood" of + these witnesses; and this phrase must be understood literally. Moreover, + the enemy gets "blood to drink," because of "shedding blood." (ch. xvi. + 6; xvii. 6.) The death of the witnesses is therefore a literal death, of + course it will be also moral,—they will cease to prophesy. +</p> +<p> + Some have supposed the "three years, or days and a half," during which + the witnesses lie dead are the same as the 1260 days or years; because + if these three and a half days be considered as prophetical, and reduced + to literal days, they will amount exactly to 1260. Such an + interpretation, however, is preposterous; simply because according to + this hypothesis, they <i>never lived at all</i>!—The absurdity is evident. +</p> +<p> + Having ascertained the nature of the death to which the witnesses are + appointed by the Lord of life, we now inquire as to the time of this + mournful event. The text informs us that their death is connected with + the "finishing of their testimony." However the original may be + translated,—when they <i>shall have finished</i>,—when they <i>shall be + finishing</i>,—or about to finish, affects not the question as to time. + While they live, their work is to prophesy, and their testimony is not + completed. Like their Master, to whose example they are conformed, their + life and testimony are finished together. These facts, briefly and + obscurely hinted here, will be more satisfactorily presented in the + next, but especially in the twentieth chapter, (vs. 1-4.) But inasmuch + as many, if not most interpreters, have expressed the opinion that the + witnesses are already slain, the following arguments in the negative are + submitted to the reader. +</p> +<p> + The 1260 years are not yet terminated, during which,—the whole of which + time,—the witnesses are to "prophesy," (v. 3.) Their testimony is yet + continued, and sensibly felt by the wicked. They still more or less + "torment them that dwell on the earth," (v. 10.) Beyond the usual + reproach attached to their names and their work, there has been no + general reviling and deriding of them throughout Christendom, to render + their memory infamous, (v. 9.)—No opprobrious epithets such as, "These + deceivers said, while they were yet alive," (Matt, xxvii. 63,) that so + they might be conformed to their Lord in his death. Nor, lastly, have + "they that dwell upon the earth" exulted as yet over these hated + individuals, as no longer "hurtful to kings and provinces,"—although + there have been, often, partial but premature rejoicings by a part of + the enemy. But although from time to time, "some of them, have fallen, + to try them, and to purge, and to make them white" as predicted, (Dan. + xi. 35;) yet the time of "making merry, sending gifts,"—is not yet + come. +</p> +<p> + While we believe, on the grounds adduced,—and much more might have been + cited from the context,—that the death of the witnesses is to be + understood literally, we do not suppose that every individual will be + personally put to death. No, but as in the time of Elijah's banishment, + or of our Saviour's lying in the grave, there will be no public body or + individual standard-bearer, to bear testimony against the enemies of + Jesus Christ, or boldly to assert and press his royal claims upon church + and state. In prospect of this dark time,—darker than the "dark ages," + we may ask with Joshua,—"What wilt thou do unto thy great name?" But + though the witnesses die, the Faithful Witness lives, (ch. i. 18.) +</p> +<p> + The <i>place</i>, where the witnesses lie dead is pointed out by three places + well known in sacred history, Egypt, Sodom and Jerusalem. But these are + to be understood mystically. The place resembles Egypt for idolatry and + cruelty to the people of God; it is like Sodom for literal and spiritual + pollution; and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified afresh and put to + open shame in the persons of his slain witnesses. It follows of + course,—that place is to be utterly destroyed; having committed the + crimes and contracted the guilt of all those unpardonable criminals. + (Ps. lxxiv. 13, 14; Ezek. xxxi. 18; Isa. xiii. 19; Luke xxi. 20.) For + similar reasons, Babylon is afterwards mentioned repeatedly as the place + of this tragic event, this unpardonable crime,—the slaying of the + witnesses, (ch. xviii. 24.) It is to be specially noted here, that in + ascertaining the place of the death of these distinguished servants of + Christ, our attention is directed by the Holy Spirit to a "street" of + the city. At present it is assumed that <i>streets</i> of the city and + <i>horns</i> of the beast substantially harmonize as symbols. Now look over + the streets of the great city: contemplate the horns of the beast: + ascertain which is most guilty of persecution. In estimating the + relative degree of guilt, the degree of heavenly light against which the + criminal has rebelled is to be taken into the account. (John xv. 22; + Matt. xi. 24.) In view of these scriptural principles, and the actual + condition of Christendom as portrayed in authentic history, would the + conjecture seem presumptuous, should we venture to designate—Great + Britain? There, for centuries, the witnesses have been most numerous, + active, and pointed, in testifying against encroachments on the + crown-rights of Messiah. There also, lordly prelates, in close alliance + with a blasphemous horn of the beast, have often vied with the sworn + vassals of the "man of sin," in murdering the saints of God. "Therefore + it is no great thing" if, throwing off the mask of Protestantism, + English prelacy, combining with Romish Jesuitism, should make common + cause with undisguised infidelity, in slaying the witnesses against + their heaven-daring rebellion. The signs of the present time, (1870,) + render our conjecture not improbable. We give it only as a <i>conjecture</i>; + for in reference to events yet future,—as we believe that of the death + of the witnesses to be,—we may not presume to <i>prophesy</i>.—"Three days + and a half" is the limited period of their degradation; and this is + three natural years and a half: for the word "days" must be taken in the + same sense as in v. 3; otherwise we fall into an inextricable labyrinth + of endless confusion. From all which it appears that "the triumphing of + the wicked is short." If "while the wicked is in power, and we wait upon + God." we are called to "join trembling with our mirth;" the pleasing + prospect of the speedy and joyful resurrection of "these slain," may + inspire us with "a lively hope," and warrant us to join mirth with our + trembling. +</p> +<p> + 11. And after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered + into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them + which saw them. +</p> +<p> + 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up + hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies + beheld them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11, 12.—In these two verses, as in the preceding, the thoughtful + reader will discern a beautiful allusion in the history of these + witnesses, to the death and life of our blessed Master. "For if they + have been planted together in the likeness of his death, they shall be + also in the likeness of his resurrection." Yes, they have communion with + him in death and life,—in grace and glory. "Nothing can separate them + from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord." +</p> +<p> + "The Spirit of life from God entered into them." That is, God will + speedily raise up successors, who, maintaining the very same principles, + will be gloriously successful in putting down all rule and authority and + power," that had been in hostility to their Lord. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. + See Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14.) "This is the first resurrection," to be + explained by the inspired penman more fully hereafter, (ch. xx. 5.)—As + Saul feared David, and Herod John Baptist, because they were "just men + and holy;" so were the wicked afraid when these witnesses arose; and, + like Shimei, they justly dread the "due reward of their deeds." At the + time referred to, "the haters of the Lord will feign submission."—The + "great voice from heaven" inviting the witnesses to ascend, and their + actual ascent, is another allusion to Christ's exaltation. As when "he + was taken up, a cloud received him;" so here, "they ascended up to + heaven in a cloud." +</p> +<p> + It has often been the cry of the antichristian multitude,—"The voice of + the people is the voice of God." This cry has been iterated and + reiterated, in centuries past, like that of the Ephesian worshippers of + Diana; that thereby the testimony of the witnesses might be counteracted + and silenced. It has been only too often successful. But where did + flattering demagogues and haughty despots find the sentiment? They found + it engraved on the moral constitution of man by our beneficent Creator. + They found it also transcribed on the pages of objective + revelation,—the Bible. But, like other moral and scriptural principles, + it has been perverted and misapplied by the perverse ingenuity of wicked + men.—This "voice from heaven" is indeed the <i>people's</i> voice: and it is + legitimate, as coming from the people, because it is first the voice of + God. The "heaven" here mentioned is the seat of civil power,—"the + ordinance of man." (1 Pet. ii. 13.) In the times here + contemplated,—millennial times,—the rights of men will be respected, + predicated upon the rights of God, and flowing from them as inseparable. + In settling the point of title to civil sovereignty, or the eligibility + of any candidate for civil office, the principle enunciated by Hushai + the Archite will be found to be alone reliable:—"Whom the Lord and this + people choose." (2 Sam. xvi. 18.) Only let the Lord have the first + choice of candidates for office in both church and state, and society + will be prosperous and happy. (Acts i. 23, 24; vi. 5.) The "great voice" + of the 12th verse, comes from "heaven," as the "great voices" of the + 15th verse, announcing the millennium. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part + of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven + thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of + heaven. +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—"The same hour" that the witnesses mark by their + resurrection,—contemporaneously with that joyful event, is "a great + earthquake,"—a revolution, (ch. vi. 12.) "The tenth part of the city + fell." The city,—"Sodom." "Tenth part of the city,"—a "street," + equivalent to "horn." Some one of the "ten kingdoms" will secede from + the antichristian confederacy, or imperial dominion; "and the + remnant,"—the other nine, dreading the Mediator's vengeance, will + reluctantly but speedily submit. (See ch. vi. 16, 17.)—In the + "earthquake were slain of men (names, titles,) seven thousand." By + "names of men" to be slain,—that is, abolished in reorganized society, + we are to understand those "names of blasphemy" mentioned, (ch. xiii. + 1,) hereafter to be explained. +</p> +<p> + We have now taken a very cursory view of the contents of the "little + open book." Its place is between the termination of the fourth, and the + sounding of the seventh trumpet. In other words, it gives an outline of + the contest between the witnesses and Antichrist during 1260 + years,—events running parallel in time, at least in part, with the + first two woe-trumpets; for it obviously anticipates also, the effects + of the third and last woe. +</p> +<p> + This may be as suitable a place as any other, before proceeding to a + consideration of the seventh trumpet, to direct attention to the method + which Infinite Wisdom has chosen, by which to reveal to mankind the + purposes of God in prophecy. He who alone "knows the end from the + beginning,"—who "from ancient times has declared the things that are + not yet done," has told us plainly,—"I have multiplied visions, and + used similitudes, by the ministry (<i>hand</i>,) of the prophets." (Hosea + xii. 10.) Now since God has <i>multiplied</i> visions, we ought not to think + it strange if the same important events in providence be predicted by + several, or by many of the prophets; or that one and the same important + event be foretold "at sundry times and in diverse manners" by the same + prophet. How often, and by how many prophets was the dispersion of the + Jews foretold!—the downfall of ancient cities, Babylon, Nineveh, + Tyre!—Need we refer to the language of our Lord, addressed to his + disciples on the way to Emmaus?—"And beginning at Moses, and all the + prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things + concerning himself." (Luke xxiv. 27.) We may be sure that the things + concerning Christ and the interests of his kingdom in this world, are + the theme of inspired prophets in the New Testament as well as in the + old. Agreeably to these views, we find Nebuchadnezzar's dream and + Daniel's visions relate to the same objects and events. What was more + obscurely revealed in the monarch's dream, is rendered more intelligible + by various symbols in Daniel's first vision. (Dan. ii. 36-45; vii. + 17-27.) But in the next, the eighth chapter, Daniel is favored with + still clearer information relative to what he had already seen in + vision; and in the eleventh chapter, his attention is called to the most + obscure, but most interesting parts of his former visions; and, after + all, the "vision is sealed," so that he sees not "the end of these + things." (ch. xii. 8, 9.) "I heard, but I understood not," (1 Pet. i. + 10, 11.) +</p> +<p> + In this book, styled Apocalypse, or Revelation, we are told in the first + verse, that the Lord Christ "signified,"—made known <i>by signs</i>, to his + servant John the things that were to come to pass. We have thus far seen + that the customary method has been pursued in using signs, symbols or + emblems. Henceforth we will find "multiplied visions" employed, more + clearly to illustrate events which have already passed under review, but + of which we could see little more than a <i>profile</i>:—"men, as trees + walking." +</p> +<p> + 14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in + heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of + our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14, 15.—"The third wo cometh quickly,"—the time elapsing since the + end of the second, is not to be so long as that intervening between the + first two woes.—The first wo is thought to have begun about the year + 612, and continuing by the Saracenic conquests about 150 years, to have + terminated in 762. The second woe-trumpet, it is alleged, sounded about + 1281, and continuing for 391 years,—the period of the ravages by the + Euphratean horsemen, ended about 1672. The destructive influence, + however, of these two judgments, may be considered as reaching to the + time of the third woe, the one which is to demolish the whole + antichristian fabric. +</p> +<p> + Many eminent expositors,<a href="#note-3"><small>3</small></a> in the early part of the present century, + while the first Napoleon was waging successful war with the other powers + of Europe, expressed their belief with much confidence, that the seventh + angel had begun to sound. They were evidently mistaken. Christendom will + not fail to hear the voice of the third woe. It may be so that an + individual may "not be conscious of having an interest inconsistent with + fidelity to the Scriptures," while political "bias" may in fact so + influence "sentiments, as to render conviction less dependent upon + <i>evidence</i> than upon his <i>wishes</i>." And we doubt not that + misapprehensions and misinterpretation of "the other scriptures," are to + be attributed to this cause, insensibly influencing the minds and hearts + of learned and godly men, as well as in their expositions of the + Apocalypse. Indeed the misapplying of God's word, precept and prophecy, + to political and ecclesiastical organizations, has been the principal + means of combining and continuing the antichristian apostacy. Thus it is + precisely, that the great adversary has been successful, as "an angel of + light." +</p> +<p> + "The little book" has been shown to contain such extensive and important + events as to justify the solemnity accompanying its delivery to the + apostle.—He now resumes the subject which had been interrupted at the + close of the ninth chapter.—The "great voices in heaven" represent the + expressions of joy by the saints on hearing the voice of the last of the + trumpets, as assuring them of the happy change in the moral condition of + the world, which they had been warranted to expect by God's "servants + the prophets" from the days of old, (ch. x. 7.) The great, the universal + change consists in this:—"The kingdoms of this world are become <i>the + kingdoms</i> of our Lord and of his Christ." The English supplement,—"the + kingdoms," is justified and required, equally by the sense and the laws + of syntax: and he is a deceiver, if a scholar, who insists upon any + other, to supply the ellipsis. Indeed, the omission of similar + supplements, has occasioned needless obscurity to the unlearned in other + parts of this book. (See chs. xix. 10; xxii. 9.) The greatest of all + revolutions consists in restoring church and state to their scriptural + foundation,—transferring both from allegiance to "the god of this + world," (Matt. iv. 8; Luke iv. 5, 6;) to their rightful owner,—"the + Lord and his Anointed." (Ps. ii. 2, 8.) When this desirable epoch + arrives, for which the persecuted witnesses have long and fervently + prayed, (ch. vi. 10,) gospel ministers and Christian magistrates will + seek to do the will, and aim at the glory of God.—It is painful and + pitiable to hear learned and pious men often pray,—"That the kingdoms + of this world may soon become the <i>kingdom</i> of our Lord and Saviour + Jesus Christ." This is to "ask amiss,"—to miss the promise; for no such + promise is on record. The groundless conception confounds the revealed + distinctions in the Godhead,—the Father with the Mediator; and it would + subvert Jehovah's moral empire, annihilating the eternal principle of + representative identification! But those good men "mean not so, neither + do their hearts think so." They ought, however, to be more careful and + diligent in "searching the Scriptures."—If the scriptural significance + of this joyful announcement "in heaven" were better understood by gospel + ministers generally, a chief barrier would be removed, which now + obstructs the advent of the millennium. Would they but cease, their + hearers might more readily cease, to "wonder after the beast." But we + may not anticipate. +</p> +<p> + "He, (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." When the seventh trumpet, + the third woe, shall have accomplished its object, in the utter + destruction of immoral power, and the 1260 years shall have come to an + end, no other successful combination shall ever again be permitted to + assail and harass the city of the Lord:—"of his government there shall + be no end." (Dan. vii. 27.) "All dominions shall serve and obey him." + The final enterprise of Gog and Magog shall not succeed, (ch, xx. 7-9.) +</p> +<p> + 16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God, on their + seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, +</p> +<p> + 17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and + wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, + and hast reigned. +</p> +<p> + 18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of + the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward + unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear + thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the + earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 16-18.—These verses give us a glimpse of the times following the + last woe till the end of the world. The "elders," the + representatives,—not of the ministry, as prelates dream, but of the + collective body of God's people, now that they are emancipated from a + longer and more cruel bondage than that of their fathers in the literal + Egypt, "give thanks to God" for the display of his "great power" in + their deliverance. Many times had he made bare his holy arm in past ages + on behalf of his people: but this is in their eyes the most signal + display of his power. "Thou hast taken to thee thy great power."—He now + exercises his power over the nations, which was his before; their + "anger" in the time of their rebellion is now repressed,—Messiah's + "wrath is come," heavier wrath than that which fell upon Rome pagan: + (ch. vi. 16, 17.) Then follows an intimation of the final judgment, and + suitable "rewards." Our curiosity is excited here, but not gratified; + but while left in suspense, we may, with Daniel and the virgin + Mary,—"keep these things in our heart." (Dan. vii. 28; Luke ii. 19.) + Farther light will be given, (ch. xx. 11-13.) +</p> +<p> + 19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in + his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and + voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. +</p> +<p> + V. 19.—The inspired books of the Bible were divided into chapters, + verses and other parts, for the convenience of reference. But those who + performed this useful service were imperfect like ourselves, and + therefore we are at liberty to differ from them in our arrangement. Now + it seems evident that the 18th verse closes this chapter with a concise + account of the ending of the last woe. But the last woe reaches to the + final consummation of all things as we have already seen: it follows + that the nineteenth verse <i>must</i> introduce a new subject. Similar + mistakes may be seen in numerous instances elsewhere in our Bibles. +</p> +<p> + But although a new vision is presented in the twelfth chapter, the two + principal parties delineated in the eleventh, engage the apostle's + attention. And as preparatory to future scenes, "the temple of God was + opened in heaven." "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath + shined." Before the following scene of warfare, John is favored with a + view of the "ark of the testament,"—a symbol of the covenant of grace, + which shall continue to be administered in the worst of times; and the + opposition to which, in its external dispensation, is emblematically set + forth by "lightnings,"—as well as the tokens of Jehovah's presence and + avenging judgments: for these awful symbols, taken from fearful + convulsions in nature, are usually indicative of the tremendous + judgments of God. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the + sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve + stars; +</p> +<p> + 2. And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to + be delivered. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The Apocalypse, besides the <i>three</i> parts into which it is + divided by its divine Author, (noticed in ch. i. 19,) is also + susceptible of division into <i>two</i> parts. With the eleventh chapter + terminates the <i>abridged</i> prospective history of the church and of the + world, emblematically represented under the seals and trumpets. The + seventh seal, when opened, disclosed all the contents of the sealed + book, and also introduced the seven trumpets. But we have followed the + series of the trumpets in order, to the end of the world,—interrupted + only by the isolated history of the "little book; which, treating of + events which were matter of history under the first two woe-trumpets, + <i>could not be sealed</i>. Now at the twelfth chapter, without regard to the + seventh, or any other of the trumpets in particular, we are furnished + with a second and enlarged edition, as it were, of the most important + parts of the first edition. We have observed before, that this is the + manner of the prophets on a large scale, especially in predicting "the + sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So it is with + John and Paul. What the latter only hints at, when writing to Timothy, + (1 Tim. iv. 1-3,) he enlarges upon in addressing the Thessalonians. (2 + Thess. ii. 3-12.) The theme is the same as treated by these two + apostles; and this coincidence will in due time be more manifest. Next + to Christ personal, the prophets have been interested in the destiny of + Christ mystical. +</p> +<p> + Three different views of this twelfth chapter have been taken by the + more sober and learned expositors. One considers it as referring to the + Roman empire in its heathen state, prior to the time of Constantine. + Another understands the first part of this chapter,—(vs. 1-6,)—as + relating to Rome pagan, and the rest of the chapter to antichristian + Rome. A third conceives that the whole of it applies to apostate + imperial Rome <i>only</i>. The last is doubtless the correct view. +</p> +<p> + As the "sealed book" and the "little open book," must be supposed to + contain all the prophetical part of the Apocalypse; and as the whole of + the little book is comprised in the eleventh chapter, (vs. 1—13,) this + twelfth chapter must belong to the sealed book. Being a continuance of + the history under the seventh seal, although it may agree in time with + some of the trumpets, it cannot go back to a period prior to the seventh + seal. But under the sixth seal, paganism was abolished in the Roman + empire; therefore this chapter refers to the antichristian empire. + Moreover, as the little book was introductory to the seventh trumpet, + designating the object of the third woe, so this chapter and the next + two, are wholly occupied in describing the object of the vials, (ch. + 16.) +</p> +<p> + We ought to bear in mind continually, that the seals, trumpets and + vials, are introduced as symbols, to delineate one character, the + impenitent enemy of God and of his saints. But this enemy "beguiles + through his subtlety," changing his aspects and instruments, the more + successfully to assail the city of the Lord. It is therefore the design + of the Holy Spirit in these three chapters to present the foe in his + most prominent features, that the two witnesses may be able to identify + the enemy, be apprized of their danger, and intelligently choose their + commander,—"the Captain of salvation." +</p> +<p> + "There appeared a great wonder in heaven." The word "wonder" in this + verse, and also in verse third, simply means a <i>sign</i> or symbol; and the + whole structure of the book requires that it be so translated.—"Woman" + is here the true church of God. Here most expositors fail to explain the + symbol "heaven." Others say "heaven" symbolizes the church. Then we have + <i>two churches</i>,—a church within a church! This is unquestionably the + only correct view of the matter. During most, if not the whole period of + the 1260 years, the witnesses are so blended with, or overshadowed by + the church catholic or general, that few are able, and fewer still + disposed, to distinguish the one from the other. All through the Bible + the church is spoken of as a female. She is the "daughter of Zion,—the + bride, the Lamb's wife." Any body politic is spoken of in the sacred + writings in the same style. "The daughter of Babylon, of Tyre, or even + of Egypt,"—These are familiar figures. +</p> +<p> + This woman is "clothed with the sun." She has "put on the Lord Jesus + Christ." (Rom. xiii. 14.) He is "the Lord her righteousness." (Jer. + xxiii. 6.) The "moon under her feet," may represent the "beggarly + elements" of the Mosaic ritual, sublunary things, or the ordinances + which derive all their light from the "Sun of righteousness." The + "twelve stars" are the doctrine of the apostles, or rather the apostles' + legitimate successors; their <i>legitimacy</i> tested by their doctrine and + order in opposition to the <i>imaginary historical line</i> of papistical and + prelatic succession. A faithful gospel ministry are ever her stars and + her crown, (ch. i. 20.) The true apostolic church, thus scripturally + constituted, (ch. xi. 1,) becomes the joyful mother of a holy seed. (Ps. + cxiii. 9; Gal. iv. 26, 27.) +</p> +<p> + 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and, behold, a great red + dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his + heads. +</p> +<p> + 4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast + them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready + to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. +</p> +<p> + 5. And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a + rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. +</p> +<p> + 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place + prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred + and threescore days. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 3-6.—The next "sign in heaven," exciting the apostle's admiration, + was "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns,"—The dragon + is fully described, v. 9, leaving no place, or even <i>pretence</i> for + conjecture. He is known from the day that he "beguiled Eve" in the + garden of Eden. "That old serpent" still intrudes among the saints, in + the garden of the Lord. (Job i. 6; John vi. 70; xiii. 27.) As the devil + possessed the serpent to deceive the mother of mankind, so, with the + same malevolent design, he possessed himself of the whole political and + ecclesiastical power of the Roman empire, thereby to deceive and destroy + the "seed of the woman," all true believers. His color is <i>red</i>, + denoting his character as cruel and blood-thirsty. Sir Isaac Newton + considers the dragon as symbolical of the Greek Christian empire of + Constantinople. Scott thinks this symbol represents the pagan Roman + empire; while others suppose the British government to answer the + symbol, because of the scarlet costume of her officers and soldiers! + Thus, inspired symbols may mean any thing suggested to the imaginations + of men, not by the text or context, but by their respective and + conflicting political prejudices. Surely, if the red color signify any + thing besides <i>cruelty</i>, it may be discerned with equal clearness in the + scarlet cloaks of <i>Pope</i> and <i>Cardinals</i>. As "heaven" is to be taken in + an ecclesiastical sense, so are the "stars," (ch. i. 20,—) "the angels + of the churches," ministers of the gospel.—As the Saracenic locusts and + the Euphratean horses had stings and hurtful power in their tails, (ch. + ix. 10, 19;) so it is with this dragon. The destructive influence of + Mahometan delusion and papal idolatry, operated as a fatal poison in the + souls of men. The judgments of the past woes left many still in a state + of impenitence, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) "The leaders of this people caused + them to err," by inculcating submission to existing corrupt civil power. + The "little horn" of Daniel, as first rendered visible in the person of + the brutal Phocas, began to be addressed in language of most fulsome and + degrading flattery, which seems to be copied till the present time. That + we may see how mercenary and aspiring ecclesiastics paid court to civil + despots from the commencement of the famous 1260 years, let the + following instance serve for a sample. Addressing the monster Phocas, + Pope Gregory, as the mouth of the clergy and laity,<a href="#note-4"><small>4</small></a> uses this + language: "We rejoice that the benignity of <i>your piety</i>(!) has reached + the pinnacle of imperial power. Let the heavens he glad and the earth + rejoice."—Now let us hear the character of Phocas from the pen of an + infidel:—"Ignorant of letters, of laws, and even of arms, he indulged + in the supreme rank a more ample privilege of lust and drunkenness.—The + punishment of the victims of his tyranny was imbittered by the + refinements of cruelty: their eyes were pierced, their tongues were torn + from the root, their hands and feet were amputated: some expired under + the lash, others in the flames, others again were transfixed with + arrows: and a simple speedy death was mercy which they could rarely + obtain."<a href="#note-5"><small>5</small></a> Thus the dragon's power was in his mouth, issuing bloody + edicts to "slay the innocent;" while "his tail drew the third part of + the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." They prostituted + their ministry to sustain the policy of the beast. "The ancient and + honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the + tail." (Is. ix. 15.) Thus it is that pastors, fond of show and ambitious + of worldly distinction, attach themselves to the train of earthly + thrones and dignities, and so constitute and perpetuate the + antichristian confederacy against the "woman"—the true church. During + the first six hundred years of the Christian era the woman had been + "travailing" to bring forth a holy progeny. All this time the dragon's + "eyes are privily set against the poor." (Ps. x. 8.) The allusion is + here to the cruel edict of Pharaoh (Exod. i. 16; Acts vii. 19.) The + great city where the witnesses are slain is "spiritually called Egypt." + (ch. xi. 8.) By a like form of speech, Pharaoh is called "the great + dragon," (Ezek. xxix. 3; Is. li. 9.) It should be noted, that the Roman + empire, the beast, in all its heads and horns is actuated by the + devil,—before as well as after its dismemberment, from the time of + Romulus its founder, till its overthrow by the third woe. At the time + referred to in the text, when the empire has "assumed the livery of + heaven,"—professedly in the interest of Christ, then it is that the + devil bestirs himself. Like his prototype, he dreads the growth and + power of the woman's offspring. Under pagan Rome's persecutions, "the + more God's people were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." + Now the adversary shapes his policy accordingly.—"Come on, let us deal + wisely with them, lest they multiply."—His avowed object is, to "devour + the child as soon as it is born,"—by persecution to prevent ministers + from laboring to convert sinners to God; and to destroy all who "as + new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word."—The woman had + still "strength to bring forth."—"She brought forth a man child, who + was to rule all nations with a rod of iron."—With united voice papists + and prelates declare, this child can be no other than Constantine the + first Christian emperor. The very fact that this interpretation comes + from such a source, may well suggest suspicion as to its correctness. + Two considerations demonstrate the error of this prelatic + interpretation, besides the fact that it is <i>prelatic</i>. Constantine had + gone the way of all the earth some hundreds of years before the birth of + this child. And again, the eternal Father never made the promise to + Constantine or any other earthly monarch, to which the apostle John here + refers. (Ps. ii. 8, 9.) This promise is obviously made to the Lord + Christ. But it is objected by those learned expositors,—much like the + Pharisees, (John vii. 52,)—"Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth + no prophet." So reason these men. They haughtily and confidently object + thus:—"Christ is the son of the <i>Jewish</i> church, but this child is the + son of the <i>Christian</i> church." This argument destroys the unity of the + church of God, which is one under all changes of dispensation of his + gracious covenant. (Rom. xi. 16-24; Eph. ii. 20.) The Messiah is here + represented as in the beginning of the war with the same enemy;—the + <i>seed</i> of the <i>woman</i> shall bruise the serpent's head. Still may the + church of God joyfully declare,—"Unto us a <i>Child</i> is born, unto us a + <i>Son</i> is given." (Is. ix. 6.) This <i>masculine</i> son, however, is not to + be understood of Christ <i>personal</i>, but of Christ mystical,—of those + who are with him "called, and chosen, and faithful;" whom "he is not + ashamed to call his brethren." (ch. xvii. 14; Heb. ii. 11.) The "sealed" + company, (ch. vii. 4,) the "two witnesses;" (xi. 3), the "144 thousand," + (xiv. 1,) are the "manchild." As many rulers constitute but one "angel," + (chs. ii. and iii.,) so the two witnesses are one <i>manly Son</i>. The Lord + Jesus was <i>alone</i> in the work of redemption; but he allows his faithful + disciples to share in the honor of his victories, (ch. ii. 26, 27; Ps. + cxlix. 9.) From the devouring jaws of the dragon, as it were, the "child + is caught up unto God, and to his throne." The leaders in church and + state supposed that they had "made sure" of the Saviour, when they had + "sealed the stone and set a watch." So thought the enemies of the + witnesses while their dead bodies lay unburied.—"He that sitteth in the + heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." The Anointed + of the Father, the Head of the church, and Prince of the kings of the + earth, as the representative of his people, in defiance of the serpent, + is caught up to the throne of God, (Eph. ii. 6;) while the church flies + to her appointed place in the wilderness during the 1260 years. At the + beginning of that gloomy period the woman fled. This flight is not + mentioned "by anticipation," as some suppose; for the wilderness + condition of the woman, and the sackcloth of the witnesses, are + emblematical of the same depressed state of the church, and during the + same time. The witnesses prophesy during the whole period of the 1260 + years; and the woman is fed in the wilderness during the <i>same</i> time. + Her flight, sojourn in the wilderness, and feeding there, are allusions + to the history of Elijah as before, (ch. xi. 6.) when he fled for his + life from the wrath of Jezebel. (1 Kings xix. 1-4.) Jezebel has been + already introduced as an enemy to the church, (ch. ii. 20.) There may be + allusion also to the miraculous subsistence of the church in the + wilderness, till the "cup of the Amorites should be full." During the + time of the conflict, to be described in the rest of this chapter, the + woman is in a place of safety. In the worst of times there are places of + safety provided for God's children. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against + the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels. +</p> +<p> + 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven, +</p> +<p> + 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the + Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into + the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. +</p> +<p> + 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, + and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; + for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before + our God day and night. +</p> +<p> + 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of + their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-11.—In this part of the chapter we have three attacks of the + dragon upon the friends of true religion. The first is the war in + heaven, (vs. 7-12.) The second persecution on the earth, (vs. 12-16.) + The third is mentioned in verse 17th: and these three contests cover the + whole period of the 1260 years. +</p> +<p> + The first war is waged in heaven. The allusion is obviously to the + rebellion of angels, for which they were cast down from heaven, (2 Pet. + ii. 4.) The contest is the same in principle as the first war; but it is + conducted in a different form and place. Heaven here, is the church + general, and the serpent acts by the authority of the empire. The woman + having fled into the wilderness, the dragon's power becomes so great in + the symbolical heaven, that he aims at the entire destruction of true + religion in the world. The advocates of the true religion at this time + were the Waldenses, called by their adversaries in derision <i>Leonists</i> + and <i>Cathari</i>,—citizens of Lyons in France; and Puritans, a term of + reproach heaped upon their successors till the present day. These people + were deemed the most dangerous enemies to the church of Rome. Yet the + reasons for their condemnation by the inquisitors, are their full + vindication in the judgment of impartial men. They are three,—"This is + the oldest sect; for some say it hath endured,—from the time of the + apostles. It is more general; for there is no country in which this sect + is not. Because when all other sects beget horror in the hearers, this + of the Leonists hath a great show of piety: they live justly before men, + and believe all things rightly concerning God; only they blaspheme the + church of Rome and the clergy." While the beast by its horns, instigated + by an apostate church, and both by the dragon, was "making havoc of the + church," represented by the Puritans: there were some even in the Romish + cloisters whose hearts God had touched, and who occasionally espoused + the cause of a virtuous minority at the hazard of life. This war <i>in + heaven</i>, conducted with various success by Bernard, Peter Waldo, John + Wickliffe and others on the European continent and in Britain, may be + pronounced by Gibbon "premature and ineffectual;" but the Captain of + salvation and his heroic followers, will give a different verdict. These + noble confessors and martyrs, under the conduct of Michael our prince, + began the struggle with the dragon, although the war did not come to its + height till the early part of the 16th century. Then it was that + "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought + and his angels." Both parties became more visible in the symbolic heaven + before the eyes of all Christendom. Michael, (<i>who is like God</i>?) is the + well known description of Jesus Christ. (Phil. ii. 6; Heb. i. 3.) To + Daniel, while contemplating this same contest, he was made known as the + "great Prince, that standeth for the children of God's people," and long + before Daniel's time, had "contended with the devil." (Jude v. 9.) + "Christ and Belial" are therefore the two opposing leaders of the + armies. In other words, Christ mystical and the devil incarnate are the + belligerents; and we know that "greater is he that is in the saints, + than he that is in the world." (1 John iv. 4.) The result of the war is + not doubtful. The whole power of Rome, civil and + ecclesiastical,—emperors, kings, princes, pope, cardinals and prelates, + were baffled; and this too, whether in the use of the sword of the + Spirit,—polemic <i>theses</i>,—or of the material sword, in literal + warfare. When the Lord Jesus "mustered the hosts to the battle," he + furnished them "with the whole armour of God to stand in the evil way." + When Zuingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, their compeers and successors, were + obliged to wrestle with the hosts of Antichrist,—"against + principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of + this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," (<i>wicked + spirits in heavenly places</i>,) they found it both lawful and + necessary,—"having no sword, to buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.) +</p> +<p> + The dragon and his angels were defeated and routed,—"They prevailed + not,—he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with + him." The thunders of the Vatican thenceforth lost their wonted power to + terrify. Ever since, they are but <i>brutum fulmen,—vox, et praeterea + nihel</i>,—harmless thunder,—unmeaning voice. Papal curses, though + annually launched against all heretics, tend only to amuse the popular + mind, not to reach or disturb the individual conscience. For centuries + the dragon has been unable to rouse any one horn of the beast to deeds + of blood. +</p> +<p> + It is usual for the victors to give outward expression to their joy. + "The voice of them that shout for mastery," has been heard since the + days of Moses. (Exod. xxxii. 18.) Accordingly, these conquerors + congratulate one another on their recent victory, but their joy + terminates on the proper object. The "kingdom of their God and the power + of his Christ" constitute their theme. His right hand and his holy arm + have gotten him the victory. The devil accused Job before God. His + accusations in that instance were prosecuted through Job's friends and + his wife. (Job ii. 4, 5, 9, 11.)—So it was in the experience of the + reformers. They were loaded with infamy by their persecutors; and while + they were depressed, God himself seemed to give sentence against them. + This was the wormwood and the gall in the cup of their affliction, as it + was in holy Job's experience: but in due time God "brought forth their + righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday." Their + "good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The + power of the Lord's Christ was made manifest through the instrumentality + of his servants, by producing conviction in many hearts that the cause + for which they suffered was from God, and thus prevailing with such to + join in their fellowship. The hearts of kings and princes of the earth + were touched from on high; so that they braved the combinations of + imperial and papal power, while extending the shield of their protection + to the followers of the Lamb. Frederick the Wise, and especially John + his brother, electors of Saxony in Luther's time, were notable bulwarks + of defence to the sufferers, against the bloody edicts of Charles fifth, + emperor of Germany. The "good regent" in Scotland and others extended + effectual protection to Knox, his coadjutors and followers in the cause + of reformation. When the seven thunders uttered their voices, John "was + about to write," (ch. x. 4.) He was about to proclaim a final victory! + He was too sanguine. "The time was not yet." Just so in the case of his + legitimate successors in the work of the Lord. Confident in the power + and faithfulness of Michael their Prince, confident in the righteousness + of their cause, fondly hoping that at this time their Master is about to + restore again the kingdom to Israel, they prematurely exclaim,—"Now is + come salvation."—In reaping the first fruits of victory, they + anticipate the harvest of final and absolute conquest, (ch. xiv. 8.) + Indeed, the salvation of God and the power of his Christ, were + experienced by great multitudes during the time of this contest. The + saints experienced times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. + Then followed a work of grace, both on the continent of Europe and in + the British Isles; Christians entering into solemn covenant bonds with + God and with one another, whereby the kingdom of God was rendered more + visible among mankind than in the "dark ages." The weapons, with which + the saints overcame the dragon, were not carnal, but mighty. These, we + are told, were "the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." + They believed and they taught in opposition to the popular doctrine of + good works and penances, that the righteousness which the law of God + requires of a sinner, is provided by a Surety; that the blood of Christ + alone cleanses believers from the guilt of sin, and thus justifies them + in the sight of God. No man ever used stronger language than Luther in + denouncing the supposed efficacy of works, or in asserting the + sovereignty of free grace, in the justification of a sinner. Indeed it + was the deep impression which the doctrine of justification made upon + the hearts of men, and the firm hold which faith took of it, that + enabled and constrained them to forsake the Romish church and to seek + and erect a separate fellowship. This was with them "the word of + Christ's patience." Other doctrines of grace were, of course, connected + with this of justification in the apprehension of the Reformers, but it + was the central one. And thus we may learn, that any doctrine of the + Bible, when generally opposed, may lawfully become a point of testimony; + and when openly opposed and practically denied, it may become a + warrantable and imperative ground of separation. In all such cases,—and + history supplies multitudes of them,—the declining majority are truly + the schismatics and separatists. The malicious, the indolent and + credulous, however, in all ages have joined in the cry of schism as + attaching to the virtuous minority. +</p> +<p> + Many of the combatants fell in the conflict, "resisting unto blood, + striving against sin." "They loved not their lives unto the death." They + could give no stronger evidence of love to Christ and truth. Their + faithful contendings constituted their testimony. This testimony is + called in the 17th verse, "the testimony of Jesus Christ." Does this + mean that it <i>belongs</i> to Christ? or that it <i>treats</i> of him? The + language may probably be taken in either sense, or as embracing both. It + is Christ's testimony, as he is "the faithful and true Witness, who + before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" or it may be + understood as bearing upon Christ in his person, offices and work. In + either sense his faithful disciples enjoy intimate communion with + himself, sharing the honour of his victories, (v. 5.) Therefore let the + heavens rejoice in prospect of <i>final</i> victory, (ch. xviii. 20.) +</p> +<p> + 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the + inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto + you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short + time. +</p> +<p> + 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he + persecuted the woman, which brought forth the manchild. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12, 13.—Here is a note of warning. The dragon, though ejected from + the symbolic heaven, the seat of imperial and ecclesiastic power, is not + yet bound with the great chain, (ch. xx. 1, 2.) His late defeat has only + incensed his rage, "as a bear robbed of her whelps." But the special + reason assigned for his "great wrath" is, "because he knoweth that he + hath but a short time." How does the devil come to this knowledge? Is he + omniscient! No. Was he joint-counsellor with the Most High? No. (Isa. + xl. 13, 14; Rom. xi. 34.) He must have derived this knowledge from + revelation; and from some instances in Scripture, we might infer that + the devil is more skilled in theology, especially in prophecy, than + many, if not most modern interpreters. In the time of our Lord's + humiliation he quoted and applied to him a prophecy in the 91st psalm, + (v. 11, 12.) He also dreaded being tormented,—"before the time." (Matt. + viii. 29:) from which it appears that he reasons of the "times and the + seasons" as revealed in the Bible. But by the phrase, "a short time," + the devil understood,—and we are to understand,—not the time to + transpire till the end of the world; but, the time intervening between + his ejectment out of heaven, and the overthrow of Antichrist, when he is + to be bound. Now, we may learn from the <i>devil's calculation</i>, that all + those learned and famous divines, especially of the prelatic church of + England, "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures;" who say, that the + dragon was cast out of the symbolic heaven <i>in the time of Constantine!</i> + The space of duration <i>from Constantine till the millennium</i>, cannot be + relatively "short," under the New Testament dispensation. The time of + the dragon's being cast out of heaven, and the instruments by which this + was accomplished, are to be found clearly verified in the authentic + histories of the sixteenth century, to which some references have been + already made, as elucidating the events of the 11th chapter: for it is + to be still remembered that the former part of the 11th chapter <i>agrees + in time</i> with the 12th, 13th and 14th chapters. At the end of the second + woe, which we supposed to be in the latter part of the seventeenth + century, about the year 1672, it is declared "the third woe cometh + quickly," (ch. xi. 14.) Now here it is said "the devil,—hath but a + short time." Taking both expressions as relating to the same period, it + follows that we are now living,—not in the time of the third woe, but + in the time of the devil's activity among the "inhabiters of the earth + and of the sea;" that is, the population of Christendom either in a + tranquil or revolutionary state. The enemy makes his <i>second</i> attack + upon the "woman" in a new and unexpected mode of warfare. So long as + permitted, he never ceases to persecute the saints. When defeated in + <i>heaven</i>, he renews the assault upon the <i>earth</i>. If the edicts and + bulls of crowned and mitred heads have lost their power to terrify and + destroy the souls of men, he will try to effect the same object by other + means. +</p> +<p> + 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she + might fly into the wilderness, into her place; where she is nourished + for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. +</p> +<p> + 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth, water as a flood, after the + woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and + swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-16.—To guard against the <i>second</i> attack of the dragon, the + woman flees a <i>second</i> time to the place of safety, which had been + mercifully prepared for her preservation before the war began, (v. 6.) + And she is in no less peril from her deadly enemy than before. +</p> +<p> + The "two wings of a great eagle" have furnished occasion to many fertile + minds for indulging in fanciful conjectures. To such persons nothing + occurs answerable to the symbol but some emblem of imperial power or + national sovereignty. And because the eagle was the visible symbol on + the military banner of Rome, it is conjectured that "the eastern and + western empires afforded protection to the church!" Why, the empire, in + both its wings, was the deadly enemy of the church, as we have already + seen! (ch. xi. 7.) Alas! what absurdities result from political bias! + The unlettered Christian will readily perceive under the emblem in the + text, a plain allusion to the gracious interposition of the church's + Redeemer in the days of old. "Ye have seen what I did unto the + Egyptians, and how I bare you on <i>eagles' wings</i>, and brought you unto + myself." (Exod. xix. 4.) Thus the Lord delivered his people and brought + them into a literal wilderness on their way to the promised land of + liberty. And now in a time of equal danger, he will "set his hand again + the second time" to deliver his people. He who delivered them from so + great a death as Pharaoh threatened, doth still deliver: in whom his + saints have ground to trust that he will still deliver them, (2 Cor. i. + 10) The great and beneficial change accomplished among the nations by + the reformation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, whereby the + dragon was hurled from seats of ecclesiastical and civil power, did not + materially change the position of the "two witnesses." The time had not + yet come when they were to be called up into the symbolic heaven. They + must continue to prophesy till the close of the appointed period of 1260 + years. Till the expiration of that definite period the true church of + Christ is not to be permanently established in any nation of the earth. + The actual condition of the church and of the nations among whom she + dwells, is delineated in these verses during the time subsequent to the + Protestant Reformation,—consequently in our own time. The "time, times + and half a time" of the 14th verse, are an obvious reference to Daniel + vii. 25: xii. 7; and are the same period as 42 months, or 1260 days, "a + day for a year." During this whole time the woman is nourished in the + wilderness "from the face of the serpent." Safety is secured for her + only "in her place." +</p> +<p> + "Water," as a symbol or metaphor, is of frequent occurrence and varied + import in Scripture. Among its diversified significations, perhaps that + of a destructive element is most common. (Ps. xviii. 4; xxxii. 6.) It is + indeed often used to denote gospel blessings, (as Is. lv. 1; John vii. + 38; Rev. xxii. 17.) As here used, the "water as a flood," represents + something intended by the dragon for the destruction of the woman. If he + cannot destroy her by fire, he aims to overwhelm her with water. This + water comes out of the dragon's "mouth." So of the "unclean spirits," + (ch. xvi. 13.) Soul-destroying errors,—heresies,—are undoubtedly + intended. If he cannot devour as a roaring lion, he will endeavour to + deceive and seduce as a cunning serpent. We are therefore instructed + hereby to look for "damnable heresies" to prevail, accompanied and + followed by popular commotions and licentiousness. The age in which we + live is remarkably characterized by false systems and impious theories. + Speculative atheism caused the French revolution, and led to the + erection of the United States government; which, having openly declared + independence of England, soon after virtually declared independence of + God. France, Germany, England and the United States, have all been + pervaded with infidel and atheistical sentiments; and these, whether + propagated under the name of <i>solid science</i> or <i>polite literature</i>, + have corrupted the public mind for generations. In the name of science, + treating of the material or moral world, the agents of the dragon have + been exceedingly successful. Metaphysicians and geologists have + constructed systems which would exclude the Almighty from the heavens + and the earth. But however active and zealous these laborers in the + service of the dragon, they do not reach the popular ear but in part. + Those sons of Belial who devise false systems of religion under the name + of Christianity, have been still more pernicious to the nations, and + dangerous to the church. If the church of Rome cannot prevail with kings + as before, to execute her cruel sentences of death upon heretics, she is + not less active in disseminating her idolatrous and superstitious dogmas + among the nations. By freemasonry, odd-fellowship, temperance + associations, and a countless number of affiliated societies,—the + offshoots of popery and infidelity, the dragon still assails the woman. + Reason, toleration, humanity, charity and liberality are terms which + have been selected and abused by the servants of the devil "to deceive + the hearts of the simple." These are alike the watchwords of the + spiritual seducer and the political agitator. What dogma or heresy so + absurd,—what conduct so immoral, as not to find patronage in the + journals of the day? or not to find tolerance or protection under the + fostering wings of church or state? What is impiously called "free + love," as well as avowed infidelity and polygamy, are patronized by + constituted authorities in Christendom. When taking a survey of the + errors and systems of error, hostile to the honor of Messiah and the + free grace of his gospel, how few can be found in the different nations + of the earth, who "overcame by the blood of the Lamb!" The religions + established by the nations of the world are all more or less tainted + with the errors, and disfigured by the ceremonies of the church of Rome. + Surely we have before our eyes a constant fulfilment of the prophecy + under consideration. To all outward appearance the woman is in the + wilderness. She is in fact so obscure that some of her sons begin to + question her visibility. They are ready to cry in despondency,—"The + witnesses are slain."—They are mistaken. This is their infirmity. The + 1260 years are not yet expired, nor the testimony finished. "When the + enemy shall come in <i>like a flood</i>, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up + a standard against him." (Isa. lix. 19.) The mystic woman is yet in the + wilderness, and there she is nourished with the hidden manna "a time, + times and half a time," "forty and two months, or twelve hundred and + sixty days,"—that is, years; for, as formerly noticed, all these + expressions mean the same period of time; the period during which the + witnesses prophesy, on the one side, and the gentiles tread the outer + court, on the other. The profanation of the holy city,—the church + nominal, and the testimony of the witnesses against that conduct, is the + same contest which in this chapter is represented under other symbols. + The waters of the symbolic flood have spread over all the nations of + Christendom, corrupting the very fountains of natural and moral science, + literature, politics and religion; so that hardly any principle is + accepted by the human mind as settled, but all is thrown into debate. + Man's intellect, craving substantial nourishment, and thirsting for + refreshment which nothing but the water of life can supply, vibrates + between ritualism and skepticism in our day. The flood from the dragon's + mouth, consisting of truth and error, a combination of Christianity, + refined idolatry and speculative atheism, fails to satisfy the necessary + cravings of the immortal soul. "There be many that say, Who will show us + any good?" (Ps. iv. 6.) +</p> +<p> + In this state of the popular mind, there is a general sentiment which + discountenances penalties inflicted for mere opinion. The cry of + toleration,—"freedom of speech and of the press," resounds in the + public ear among most communities since the dragon was cast down from + the mystic heaven. This popular sentiment is not an expression of the + law of charity, actuating hearts influenced by divine grace; but rather + originates from indifference alike to the claims of Messiah and the + destinies of mankind. Thus "the earth helps the woman." Indeed, the + nations of Christendom, contrary to their former policy, are now much + more tolerant of ecclesiastical than of <i>political</i> heresies. With few + exceptions, the policy of the nations at the present time is to + discriminate, not among <i>churches</i>, but among <i>religions</i>. The popular + voice is obviously in favor of dissevering that alliance between church + and state, from which mankind have suffered in past generations. While + every earthly potentate, usurping the place and prerogatives of the + Mediator, assumed to dictate the faith and worship of his subjects, all + dissenters and recusants must necessarily be subjected to penalties. + Such was the policy of the dragon for centuries, while in the heavens of + ecclesiastical and civil power. The nominal church established by the + state, <i>defined heresy</i>; and the heresy found by the church became + rebellion against the civil authority. Of course the saints were then + executed as <i>traitors</i>. Even a superficial view of the signs of the + times will result in the conviction, that a great change has taken place + in the policy of nations and churches. The dragon has now prevailed with + most politicians and statesmen, as well as with most professing + Christians, to demand a total "separation of church and state;" by which + demand they do not mean a divorce of the unscriptural and + <i>antichristian</i> alliance only or chiefly, but a simple and absolute + rejection of religion, and especially the <i>Christian</i> religion, from any + connexion with or influence upon <i>civil</i> affairs. This is undeniably the + avowed aim and declared desire of the great body of the population of + Christendom at the present time, (1870.) And what is this but an open + denial of the authority of the Mediator as he is the "Prince of the + kings of the earth?" Thus has the dragon, since his ejection from heaven + become a terrible "woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" + And thus has the "earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood;" so + that the woman remains comparatively safe "from the face of the serpent" + in the very obscurity of her position. Some of her sons, from time to + time, venturing abroad from their secluded place in the wilderness, + becoming weary of sackcloth and aspiring to worldly distinction, have + been borne along by the waters of the flood, and <i>drowned in the general + deluge</i>. Against the force of this strong current of popular errors, + nothing will avail the seed of the woman but the "living water" which + Jesus imparted to the woman of Samaria. To him who partakes of this + water, those of the dragon will be distasteful; for "it shall be in him + a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John iv. 14.) + Since the middle of the seventeenth century, when by the reformation in + Europe and the British Isles, the dragon was cast down from the symbolic + heaven, he has been assailing in "great wrath" all ranks and degrees of + men, not, as before, with fire and sword, with scaffolds, gibbets, + thumb-screws,—torturing and destroying their mortal bodies, that he + might reach their immortal souls: but by bringing them together in + <i>voluntary associations</i> on principles of the covenant of works, + subversive of the covenant of grace, and consequently aiming at the + drowning of the mystic woman. This the enemy of all righteousness has + been attempting, and with too much success, by public and professed + ecclesiastical and Christian associations; such as Jesuits, Socinians + and other self-styled Unitarians, Latter-day Saints, Mormons,—or by + combinations in secret and sworn confederacies; such as Odd Fellows, + Freemasons, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, with other affiliated + fellowships innumerable. The special subtlety of the serpent consists in + blending these two kinds of communions, so that under the name of + reform, moral and spiritual, those who fear God may be unconsciously + drawn into the snare. And alas! how many simple ones have been thus + carried away by the waters of the flood! And many strong men have been + thus cast down from their excellency. We are not to be surprised if we + find the witnesses few in our time,—the seed of the woman diminished + when the dragon makes his final attack. +</p> +<p> + 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with + the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have + the testimony of Jesus Christ. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—In this verse we have the last effort of the enemy, to destroy + the woman's offspring. It is the <i>third</i> attempt, and, as we suppose, is + yet future. We cannot therefore, of course, be so exact or certain as to + the nature of this contest. Some things, however, are plain enough. The + dragon, disappointed in his efforts hitherto against the woman, so far + from ceasing the warfare, is only thereby the more exasperated. "The + dragon was wroth with the woman." Malice overcomes reason. He knows that + he cannot finally prevail,—that "no weapon formed against her shall + prosper;" yet he continues to vent his rage. The mode of attack is to be + different from what it was in the second struggle. He is said to "make + war,"—to resort to open violence, to employ the agency of the civil + power, the beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 7;) for this third and + last war, waged by the dragon agrees in time with the <i>slaying of the + witnesses</i>. This third onset agrees also with the "third woe-trumpet," + the "vintage" and the last "vial;" and immediately precedes the + introduction of the millennium. "The remnant of the woman's seed" are so + called with reference to those of her offspring who had suffered death + under pagan and papal Rome, (ch. vi. 9.) Perhaps also we may suppose the + number to be comparatively few at the time of the last war with the + dragon; as during the whole period of the 1260 years, it was the aim of + the dragon, through his instruments, to wear out the saints of the Most + High. (Dan. vii. 25.) The character which the Holy Spirit gives of these + sufferers proves them to be the woman's seed. They "keep the + commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This is + the special ground of the devil's hostility towards them. A more + comprehensive and definite description of true believers is not to be + found in the whole Bible. In matters of religion they adhere strictly to + the commandments of God. They will not introduce, nor permit to be + introduced, any corruptions into the doctrines of grace or into the + matter of God's worship. The temple, altar and worshippers must stand + the measurement of God's word in their fellowship. No human traditions + or innovations are to be tolerated. But besides their conscientious care + to have all the laws of the house of God duly observed, these remaining + witnesses sustain and propagate the testimony of their predecessors, + with such additional facts as they may have collected in their own time, + for the personal glory, the offices and work of Jesus Christ. This + testimony will necessarily bring them into collision with the children + of those who killed their fathers in the same quarrel. Like their + fathers, "they have the sentence of death in themselves, that they + should not trust in themselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,—not + accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." (2 + Cor. i. 9; Heb. xi. 35.) For as already hinted, this remnant is to + "overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," + as others did; and in death to gain the final victory over death by + vital union to their living Lord, "being made conformable to his death." + (Heb. ii. 14, 15.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of + the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten + crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. +</p> +<p> + 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were + as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the + dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his + deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. +</p> +<p> + 4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and + they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is + able to make war with him? +</p> +<p> + 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and + blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two + months. +</p> +<p> + 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his + name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. +</p> +<p> + 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to + overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, + and nations. +</p> +<p> + 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are + not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of + the world. +</p> +<p> + 9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. +</p> +<p> + 10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that + killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword. Here is the + patience and the faith of the saints. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-10.—This chapter may be considered as an explication or + commentary upon the seventh chapter of Daniel's prophecy, and a farther + elucidation of what is revealed under different symbols in the two + preceding chapters; and no one can have an intelligent understanding of + its contents without a competent knowledge of the symbols employed in + those chapters. Here the Holy Spirit has given a most graphic, + intelligible and comprehensive exhibition of the complex power which the + dragon employs, to persecute and slay the witnessing servants of Christ. + Hitherto the devil has conducted the war against the saints through the + agency of the beast of the pit, (ch. xi. 7,) and those allies called + "his angels:" (ch. xii. 7:) but there has been a vail of obscurity + hanging over these agencies. Who the beast and other allies of the + dragon are, it is the very <i>design</i> of this chapter to disclose, with + greater precision and clearness than heretofore. In a word, we have here + the <i>full portrait</i> of THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. The distinct features and + component parts of this complex and diabolical system of hostility to + the Lord and his Anointed, are presented in detail for our inspection. + And it is a fact, that by a competent knowledge of this hostile + combination, the suffering saints of God have been hitherto enabled to + direct their testimony with intelligence and efficacy against their + appropriate objects. And although the developments of providence in past + centuries, and those transpiring in our own generation, are calculated + to shed light upon this and collateral prophecies; yet the gross + conceptions of the illiterate in the contemplation of prophetic symbols + on the one hand, and the reckless disregard of scripture rules and usage + by the learned on the other, have greatly contributed to the present + lamentable ignorance and culpable indifference of most Christians. For + people cannot feel an interest in that of which they are ignorant. But + to be "willingly ignorant" of that which may and ought to be known, is + one of the characteristic sins of a generation of impenitent and profane + "scoffers." (2 Pet. iii. 3, 5.) On the other hand, all who humbly and + earnestly desire to know the mind of God for their direction in faith + and holiness, shall assuredly obtain the necessary instruction. (Dan. + vii. 16: viii. 15; John xvi. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 38.) +</p> +<p> + In these first ten verses are contained the characteristics of that + beast whose origin is given, ch. xi. 7. There we had no particular + description of this personage; only he was the agent by whom the + witnesses were opposed in open warfare, and by whom they were finally + killed. Now we have a more full account of his origin, character, + achievements and duration. This personage is denominated a "beast." So + are designated other characters, who are very different from this, (ch. + iv. 6.) In that place we intimated that the authorized version is + imperfect; and that either "living creatures" or simply "animals," which + latter we prefer, is that which the reader is to understand from the + original word. Not only are the "four animals" different in origin, + nature and agency from the "beast;" but in all these respects they are + morally opposite. This is a ravenous beast; a beast of prey. Elsewhere + the word is translated a "wild beast," a "venomous beast," a "viper." + (Acts x. 12; xxviii. 4.) This beast is the same which appeared in vision + to the prophet Daniel, (ch. vii. 3.) Of the four great beasts which that + prophet saw, this is the last. All the preceding are described by their + resemblance to some known animals, but each is ferocious,—"a lion, + bear, leopard." The fourth is a <i>nondescript</i>; there is no species in + the animal kingdom that can represent it; only it was "diverse from all + the beasts that were before it," (v. 7.) These four beasts represent + "four kings," (v. 17,) that is, "kingdoms," (v. 23,) or <i>dynasties</i>. Now + all interpreters agree that these four dynasties are the same as those + symbolized in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, (ch. ii. 31-43.) The different + parts of the "image" answer to the four beasts; and these again are the + symbols of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. Thus + far, all sober expositors are agreed. Also, there is a like agreement + that John's <i>first</i> beast identifies with Daniel's <i>fourth</i>,—the Roman + empire. This is obvious from the general description by both + prophets,—"having seven heads and ten horns." (Dan. vii. 7; Rev. xiii. + 1.) +</p> +<p> + The origin of this beast is threefold,—"out of the sea," (v. 1,) "out + of the bottomless pit," (ch. xi. 7; xvii. 8,) and "out of the earth." + (Dan. vii. 17.) Out of the sea of the commotions arising from the + incursions of the northern barbarians, by whom the Roman empire was + dismembered. "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall + arise." (Dan. vii. 24.) This is the result of revolution,—"the sea." + The Roman empire, especially as nominally Christian, is thus + characterized as being "earthly, sensual, devilish," a suitable agent of + the dragon. +</p> +<p> + The fact of the ten horns of the beast, <i>now wearing crowns</i>, proves + that the time to which the prophecy refers, is that which followed the + division of the empire into ten kingdoms. The seven heads of the beast + have a double significance,—seven different forms of government, and + seven mountains, afterwards to be more fully explained, (ch. xvii. 9, + 10.) The "name of blasphemy" may indicate "eternal city, mistress of the + world."—Of this characteristic of the beast, other examples will be + discovered hereafter. +</p> +<p> + Daniel was solicitous to "know the truth (interpretation) of the fourth + beast, which was diverse from all the others," (ch. vii. 19.) Although + "diverse from all the others" in geographical extent and destructive + power, this fourth beast combined in one all the ravenous propensities + of the three predecessors, but in <i>reverse order</i>. The "leopard, bear + and lion of Daniel," by which Grecian, Persian and Chaldean dynasties + were symbolized, are all comprised in John's beast of the sea,—the + antichristian Roman empire. Since this beast of the sea embodies all the + voracious properties of the three persecuting powers which went before + it; this may be a suitable place briefly to review the sufferings + inflicted by them upon the saints, that we may know what the witnesses + were taught to expect at the hands of this monstrous enemy.—"Israel is + a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away: first, the king of + Assyria hath devoured him, and last, this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon + hath broken his bones.—The violence done to me and to my flesh, be upon + Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and, My blood upon the + inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say." (Jer. 1. 17; li. + 35.)—"Haman, the son Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews' enemy,—thought + scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone."—"If it please the king, let it + be written that they (the whole people) may be destroyed; and I will pay + ten thousand talents of silver,—to bring it into the king's + treasuries."—"Behold also the gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman + had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the + house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon." (Esth. iii. 1, 9; + vii. 9.) Such were the crimes and such the punishments of the enemies of + God's people in Babylon and Persia, as already matter of inspired + history: and had we equally full and authentic records of the + punishments as we have of the cruelties of Antiochus and other + successors of Alexander the Great, the king of Greece, we would see, as + in the other cases, "the just reward of the wicked." Of all these + idolatrous, tyrannical and persecuting powers, which the Divine Spirit + represented by beasts of prey, it was foretold that they were to be + removed in succession and with violence. This fourth beast, "dreadful + and terrible and strong exceedingly, was to devour and break in pieces, + and stamp the residue with the feet of it." (Dan. vii. 7.) Moreover, + while it is predicted of them that "they had their dominion taken away," + it is also added,—"yet their lives were prolonged for a season and + time," (v. 12.) That is, though their distinct and successive + <i>dominions</i> were severally swept from the earth, yet their <i>lives</i>,—the + diabolical principles by which they had been actuated survived; and + these passed, by a kind of transmigration, into the body of the fourth + beast. This transition of animating principles or imperial policy of + inveterate hostility to the kingdom of God, we think, is plainly + indicated by the three features of this beast of the sea, the "leopard, + bear and lion." If these three "slew their thousands," this monster has + "slain his ten thousands" of the saints; and the remnant of the woman's + seed are yet to be "slain as they were," (ch. vi. 11.) +</p> +<p> + "The dragon gave him his power,"—physical force, "his seat" or + <i>throne</i>,—his right to reign, "and great authority"—dominion—by the + voice of the people. Thus, it is obvious that the seven-headed, + ten-horned beast is the first, and the oldest, among the combined + enemies of the Christian church; all of whose origin is from the dragon, + the abyss or bottomless pit. The writers of the church of Rome, while + forced to acknowledge that this beast is emblematical of the Roman + empire, still insist that <i>pagan</i> Rome is intended. It is sufficient in + opposition to this false interpretation to observe, that the beast + appears to John with crowns, not upon his <i>heads</i>, but upon his <i>horns</i>, + denoting the actual division of the empire into ten kingdoms: an event + which did not transpire till after the empire had become nominally + Christian under the reign of Constantine the Great. The reign of this + emperor and his successors, by their largesses fostered the luxurious + propensities of the Christian ministry, and so contributed to prepare + the way for the rise of the next enemy in this antichristian confederacy + against the witnesses.—The "head wounded unto death is the <i>sixth</i>. + John says expressly, elsewhere, "five are fallen, and one is, and the + other is not yet come," (ch. xvii. 10.) The "five fallen" were, kings, + consuls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes. All these forms of + civil government had passed before the time of the apostle. The one + existing in his time, was the sixth head,—the emperors; by one of whom + the apostle was now subjected to banishment in the desert isle of + Patmos. This wound is supposed by some to be the change from paganism to + Christianity in the empire. No; this view is many ways erroneous: but it + is enough to remark that the Roman empire, according to both prophets, + Daniel and John, is to continue <i>bestial</i> under all changes, during the + whole period of 1260 years. The deadly wound was inflicted by the + northern invaders who overturned the empire, and, for the time, + extinguished the very name of emperor in the person of Augustulus. After + the division of the western member of the empire had been subdivided + among the victorious leaders of the invaders from the north, and the + people of that section supposed the beast slain, the throne of + Constantinople continued to be occupied by the representative of the + empire. In the popular apprehension the imperial head of the beast + seemed to be utterly cut off by the sword of Odoacer,—"wounded by a + sword:" but the several kingdoms into which the empire was divided, in + process of time became united in the bonds of an apostate faith. The + imperial name and dignity were revived in the person of the emperor of + Germany, Charlemagne, in 800; and by the wars among the horns of the + beast, the title of emperor has been claimed alternately by Germany, + Austria and France, down to our own time. These dissensions and + rivalries among the sovereigns of Europe,—the mystic horns of the + beast, were foreshadowed in the Babylonish monarch's dream:—"the + kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken,—they shall not cleave + one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay," (Dan. ii. 42, 43.) + And doubtless these internal commotions among the common enemies of the + saints of God, have tended, in divine mercy, to divert their attention + occasionally from the witnesses. While they have been made the + instruments of mutual punishment, the Lord's people have been "hid in + the day of his fierce anger." (Zeph. ii. 3.) +</p> +<p> + At what time the sixth head of the beast disappeared and the seventh + became developed, is not clearly marked in the Apocalypse, and it is of + comparatively little importance, since the latter is to "continue a + short space" (ch. xvii. 10.) The <i>central fact</i> is the continuance of + the beast a definite time under <i>all the heads</i>,—1260 years. Under all + the forms of government through which the empire passed, it continued + bestial and was the object of popular admiration. "All the world + wondered after the beast." The populace made court to, fawned upon, + followed in the train, or formed the retinue of the beast. We are to + limit the phrase,—"all the world," for not all the inhabitants are to + be understood, but such only as professed allegiance to the existing + imperial dominion; and among those within the beast's territorial + jurisdiction, the witnesses still stood to their protest against his + impious claims.—But from admiration and loyalty, the servile multitude + break forth into adoration, addressing the dragon and the beast in such + language as is proper to God only. (Ps. lxxxix. 6.) The shouts of the + rabble on Herod's birth-day may illustrate the conduct of these votaries + of the beast and dragon. (Acts xii. 22.) The poor ignorant and deluded + subject, in rendering homage to the beast, did homage to the devil, from + whom the power was derived. Such is the degradation to which man is + reduced by blind obedience to despotic power, whether civil or + ecclesiastical. He glories in the chains which bind him!—And this is + the actual and voluntary condition of the great majority of the + population of Christendom at the present hour. There has been, indeed, + within the current century, an effort by the masses of the people to + assert their natural and civil rights, to regain the exercise of the + elective franchise; but in selecting candidates to bear rule over them, + they generally prefer such as are, like the majority of + themselves,—"aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from + the covenants of promise." Hence, "vile men are exalted, the wicked bear + rule, and the people mourn." (Ps. xii. 8; Prov. xxix. 2.)—The + "blasphemies" uttered by this beast are all those <i>royal prerogatives</i> + claimed by the several crowned horns or civil sovereigns who have + established idolatry and superstition within their respective dominions. + The "blasphemous headship" over the church of Christ, as viewed and + designated by his persecuted disciples in the British empire, may tend + to illustrate this part of the beast's history. King Henry VIII. of + England, upon renouncing the civil and ecclesiastical headship of the + Pope, proceeded to usurp an ecclesiastical headship within his own + dominions; and all his royal successors till the present day have + asserted a similar dominion over the faith of the Lord's people. As an + "inherent right of the crown," the sovereign of Britain, male or female, + is declared to be "supreme judge in all causes, as well ecclesiastical + as civil!" The rest of the horns are no less blasphemous in their + haughty pretensions. History attests that the martyrs of Jesus denounced + these encroachments on the prerogatives of Christ, and the intrinsic + power of his church, as "Erastian supremacies,—blasphemous + supremacies." Most expositors tell us that the blasphemies are + chargeable to the Pope or to the Romish church. But this interpretation + confounds this beast of the sea with the apostate church of Rome; and + indeed this confounding of symbols and consequent mistaking of objects + in actual history, are the primary errors of expositors in nearly all + their attempts at expounding the Apocalypse. This first beast of John, + and fourth of Daniel, however, is <i>wholly secular or civil</i>; and clearly + distinguished by both inspired prophets, from the other agents of the + dragon, as we shall find in the subsequent part of this chapter. This + beast "blasphemes the name of God" by compelling men to worship idols + and images, enacting penal statutes and issuing bloody edicts to force + their consciences. He "blasphemes his tabernacle," when stigmatizing the + assemblies of God's worshipping people as "traitorous conspiracies, + rendevouses of rebellion"—"and them that dwell in heaven," he + blasphemes by calling them "incendiaries, fanatics, enthusiasts, rebels + and traitors;" for all these terms of reproach are well authenticated in + history, as heaped upon the faithful and heroic servants of Christ. + Those who suppose that the phrase "them that dwell in heaven," means + saints departed and angels as worshipped by papists in obedience to the + Romish church, make two mistakes,—the one, that <i>ecclesiastical</i> power + is here intended, whereas we have already shown that the power is + <i>civil</i>; the other, that the word "heaven" is to be taken in a literal + sense, contrary to the symbolic structure of the whole context. All + history, so far as authentic, teaches that the civil powers throughout + Christendom, attempt to coerce by penal inflictions the consciences of + all who refuse obedience to their commands, no less than the church of + Rome. Even <i>constitutional guarantees of liberty</i> of <i>conscience</i> have + never secured the witnesses from the savage rage of the beast or any of + his infuriated horns. Witness the history of the bloody house of the + Stuarts of Britain. In vain did the victims of papal and prelatic + cruelty plead, in their just defence in the seventeenth century, the + constitution and laws of their native land! Those who have done violence + to the law of God, will always disregard human enactments which stand in + the way of their ambitious schemes. Their own laws will be treated as + ropes of sand, as Samson's withs, and the blood of saints as water. Such + is persecution.—The seventh verse, expressing the beast's victory over + the saints and the extent of his power, is explanatory of ch. xi. 7, 9; + and the time of his continuance, (v. 5,) is the same as the treading + under foot of the city; (ch. xi. 2:) so that we are assured of the + agreement in time between the events here and those of the first part of + the eleventh chapter. Also, the parties here presented are the same as + in the two preceding chapters, only they are exhibited in different + aspects by appropriate symbols.—The worshippers of the beast include + all under his dominion except those "whose names were written in the + book of life."—This book is different both from the sealed book, (ch. + 5;) and also from the open book, (ch. 10.) It is the register, as it + were, of the names of all whom the Father gave to the Son, to be by him + brought to glory. (John xvii. 2; Heb. ii. 10; Rev. xx. 12, 15.) During + the whole reign of the beast, these are preserved, having been "sealed + unto the day of redemption." In the seventh chapter we had the angels + employed in holding the four winds of the earth, till these servants of + God were sealed in their foreheads, before the first alarm should be + given by the trumpets. The book of life contained their names from the + foundation,—before the foundation of the world. (Eph. i. 4.) They were + in time "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," so that it was + impossible to deceive them, either by lying wonders or the serpent's + sophistry. (Eph. i. 13; Matt. xxiv. 24.)—The Lamb may be said to be + "slain from the foundation of the world" in the purpose of God, (2 Tim. + i. 9;) in sacrifice, (Gen. iv. 4;) in the ceremonial law and prophecy. + (Matt. xi. 13;) and in the efficacy of his satisfaction rendered to + divine justice, for which the Father gave him credit from the fall of + man. (Rom. iii. 25.)—So many erroneous views have been taken, and false + interpretations given of this chapter in particular, as of the + Apocalypse in general, that the Divine Spirit calls special attention + here to the rise, reign and ruin of the beast of the sea. The prophetic + description of this beast in an especial manner is of such importance to + instruct, and thereby sustain and comfort, the suffering disciples of + Christ, that he causes his servant John to pause, as it were, and allow + the reader to reflect. Indeed, wherever a note of attention is thus + given, we may be sure that something "hid from the wise and prudent" is + intended. Accordingly, it were endless to follow the vagaries of even + learned men dealing out their "private interpretations" of this chapter. + Yet the understanding of its general outlines was at the bottom of the + Reformation by Luther, his colleagues and successors. Elsewhere, + however, we may take occasion to notice how vague, and inadequate, and + bold, were some of their conceptions; all going to show the + seasonableness of the solemn admonition,—"If any man have an ear, let + him hear."—The beast is to be treated as he dealt with the victims of + his cruelty. He is justly doomed to captivity and death. "The beast was + taken and—cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," (ch. + xix. 20.) "Tophet is ordained of old." It was used by the prophets as a + figure of hell. (Is. xxx. 33.) To this place, whence there is no + redemption, this monstrous beast was to be consigned, as predicted by + the prophet Daniel, (vii. 11,)—"The beast was slain, and his body + destroyed, and given to the burning flame."—In the protracted contest + of 1260 years with this imperial power, "the patience and the faith of + the saints" were exemplified. Faith and patience would be more severely + tried in this case than in any other; as the period of persecution was + to be of much longer continuance than any that had preceded since the + beginning of the world. (Heb. vi. 12.) +</p> +<p> + 11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had + two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. +</p> +<p> + V. 11.—John "beheld another beast,"—therefore not the <i>same</i>, as many + expositors strangely suppose. No one can have an intelligent + understanding of this chapter unless he views the beast of the sea and + the beast of the earth as <i>perfectly distinct</i>. As the former arose out + of a revolutionary state of society, and was consequently more clearly + marked in history, so the latter grew "up out of the earth" more quietly + and gradually, like a spear of grass,—we "know not how." As this second + beast of the Apocalypse is to act a prominent part in the scenery + afterwards presented in vision to the apostle, and a correspondent part + in actual history, and as it is called by different names and appears + under different aspects, it is necessary that its character be closely + inspected, so that its identity may be clearly ascertained. The + description here given is very minute. One thing is very obvious,—that + this beast of the earth is the confederate, the ally, and the accomplice + of the beast of the sea. They act in concert. They had been thus + represented in vision to Daniel. In the seventh chapter of that prophecy + we have the beast of the sea, as here, with his "ten horns," (v. 7.) + While the prophet narrowly "considered the horns, behold, there came up + among them another little horn," (v. 8.) It has been already shown that + these horns represent the kingdoms into which the Roman empire was + divided, (v. 24.) Among these horns, kings, (v. 24,) or kingdoms, + "another shall rise after them,"—"among them," yet in the order of + time,—"after them." Thus it appears that Daniel's fourth beast had + <i>eleven</i> horns; but the eleventh is called "another which came up," to + distinguish it from the ten, (v. 20.) "He shall be diverse from the + first," (v. 24.) It is thus evident that the last horn,—the eleventh, + is as really a horn of the beast, as the other ten; and of course this + horn,—"little" at its rise, but in time becoming "more stout than his + fellows," is the willing accomplice in crime of that beast whose horn it + is. "The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against + them," (v. 21.)—"He had two horns like a lamb." He professed to be + gentle and innocent as a lamb,—to be the vicegerent of the "Lamb of + God." He claimed only a <i>spiritual</i> jurisdiction. As it is natural that + a lamb should have only two horns, so the symbol is agreeable to nature. + But this lamb "spake as a dragon;" and that was contrary to nature. No + two animals in creation are in their respective natures more diverse or + opposite than a lamb and a beast of prey. These two antagonistic natures + combined, indicate the crafty and cruel policy of this beast of the + earth. Daniel mentions the "little horn" of the civil beast; but says + nothing of the "two-horned beast." On the other hand, John speaks + plainly of this beast of the earth, but omits any mention of the "little + horn." But the "beast of the earth" and the "little horn" sustain the + same relation to the first beast, the "beast of the sea"—the Roman + empire; therefore the "two-horned beast of the earth" and the "little + horn" are identical; and this identity is confirmed by the additional + name "false prophet," given to the beast of the earth in ch. xix, 20. + His alliance and co-operation with the civil beast is precisely the same + as in this chapter. He "wrought miracles before him," that is,—in his + interest. Some interpreters have mistaken this "false prophet" as a + symbol of Mahometanism. The facts of history demonstrate the fallacy of + this interpretation; for the delusions of Mahomet never had, and they + have not now, any affinity with the idolatries of the Latin Roman + empire. But these two beasts of the sea and of the earth are obviously + in the closest sympathy, having a common interest. +</p> +<p> + 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and + causeth the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first + beast, whose deadly wound was healed. +</p> +<p> + V. 12.—The second beast "exerciseth all the power of the first beast + before him,"—in his presence, under his sanction and powerful + protection. Thus the state, or empire, lays the church under obligation, + and of course expects a reciprocity of kind offices. This is effected by + the beast of the earth "causing the earth—to worship the first beast." + By force and craft this is accomplished. By his "two horns" of power, + the <i>regular</i> and <i>secular</i> orders of the hierarchy, as from the mouth + of a "dragon," he enjoins "submission to the (civil) powers that be." + But besides the horns of power, that is, ecclesiastical authority, this + beast of the earth, in order more effectually to enforce his commands to + worship the first or civil beast, resorts to "great wonders,—miracles," + (vs. 13,14,)—"lying wonders;" (2 Thess. ii. 9:) for Paul and John agree + in their description of the same diabolical agency. "As Jannes and + Jambres withstood Moses,—magicians doing so with their + <i>enchantments</i>,"—"beguiling unstable souls," so this second beast + "maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of + (credulous) men." (2 Tim. iii. 8; Exod. vii. 22; Acts viii. 9-11.) The + venal ministry of the heathenized church, (ch. xi. 2,) inculcate passive + obedience to the beast of the sea, as to the "ordinance of God;"—to + "resist" which, subjects the recusant to "damnation." (Rom. xiii. 2.) + Here, then, we behold the <i>counterfeits</i> of the two great ordinances of + church and state, against which it is the special duty and arduous work + of the two witnesses to contend for 1260 years. This "false prophet," + who "spake as a dragon, and made fire to come down from heaven," to + authenticate his divine mission, may represent the bulls, anathemas, + interdicts, encyclical letters, which emanate from Rome, together with + the less terrifying mandates of her coadjutors,—"daughters." +</p> +<p> + 13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from + heaven on the earth, in the sight of men, +</p> +<p> + 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those + miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saving to + them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the + beast which had the wound by a sword, and did live. +</p> +<p> + 15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the + image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would + not worship the image of the beast should be killed. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and + bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: +</p> +<p> + 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the + name of the beast, or the number of his name. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 13-17.—This lamb-like beast of the earth devises another agency, by + which to subserve his own diabolical interest, as well as that of the + "first beast." He causes to be made "an image" <i>to</i> or <i>of</i> the beast of + the sea. Of images in general, as objects of idolatrous worship, we are + warranted to say,—they are <i>dead</i> and <i>dumb</i> idols; (ch. ix. 20; Jer. + x. 14:) but this one is altogether different. And it is surprising to + find learned expositors fixing upon the superstitious use of the cross + by the papists, as exemplifying this symbol. The Holy Spirit, as if to + guard all readers against such misapprehension, declares explicitly, + that this image has "life, speaks," and <i>acts</i>. The only point in which + this image resembles others is, that it is to be <i>worshipped</i>: but of + all others we are assured that they "cannot do evil," (Jer. x. 5.) This + image has such "life," (breath,) and power as to cause the death of such + as refuse to worship <i>itself</i>. Three agents are to be noticed and + clearly distinguished here,—the ten-horned beast of the <i>sea</i>, the + two-horned <i>beast</i> of the <i>earth</i>, and the <i>image</i> of the beast. At the + instance of the second beast, an image is made; not <i>to</i> or of himself, + but <i>to</i>, and also <i>of</i>, the first beast. Now, as the beasts put forth + their power by their horns, so this ecclesiastical beast of the earth + makes the image by his horns. In short, history explains the symbols. + The Roman clergy,—the horns, the cardinals, create the Pope; and, in + their own ceremonial and language,—<i>quem creant, adorant</i>, "whom they + create, they adore;" like all other idolaters. Thus, the Pope becomes + the "man of sin, sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he + is God," (2 Thess. ii. 4.) The Pope is the most perfect image of the + Roman emperor; claiming the same universal dominion, the same titles and + prerogatives, in the same city: but the Pope and the emperor never + identify. They are always distinct. Two authoritative measures are to be + specially noticed in this connexion; one by the beast of the earth, the + other by the image of the beast of the sea. The image demands worship + under pain of death. All <i>heretics</i> are judged worthy of death. All are + required by the second beast to receive the mark of the first or civil + beast. The penalty in this case is privation of civil and political + privileges,—to "buy or sell." It is to be noticed here that the "mark" + is imposed by the authority of the <i>ecclesiastical</i> power, the + two-horned beast. As there is liability to mistake as to which of the + two beasts the "mark" refers, and as this mistake is in fact generally + made by expositors, the apostle John has been directed, as in the case + of the image, to be peculiarly explicit, that all may know it to be the + mark of the <i>first</i> beast. (See chs. xv. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4.) But it will + be asked,—What are we to understand by the "mark?" This question is + easily answered from history. The heathen idolater gloried in his + devotion to his imaginary god; as the ivy leaf was the token of the + worshippers of Bacchus: soldiers bore the initials of the names of their + commanders; and slaves, of their masters. These <i>characters</i> were + impressed on the foreheads or other part of the persons of individuals. + The general idea suggested by the "mark" was subjection or <i>property</i>. + In short, the mark of the beast signifies open and avowed allegiance to + antichristian or immoral <i>civil</i> power, when in the "forehead;" and + active co-operation with the same, when in the "hand." It is at once a + pitiable and culpable error, to suppose, as many preposterously do, that + this "mark of the beast" is <i>popery</i>! And as the "mark" is the + recognised badge of loyalty to civil rule, of course the prohibition to + "buy or sell," must signify civil disabilities,—<i>disfranchisement</i>. Men + who suffer, necessarily feel. Christ's witnesses, as they only have the + <i>scriptural</i> conception of the rights of man, have long been familiar + with the deprivation of their rights, both civil and ecclesiastical. The + moral evils incorporated in the constitutions of church and state, + throughout all the streets of mystic Babylon, have effectually excluded + the two witnesses, and left them in the "wilderness." Here is their + destined "place," and here they are to be "nourished from the face of + the serpent" for 1260 years. Christ's promise,—"I will not leave you + comfortless," (orphans,) is all along verified in their soul-satisfying + experience.—This will appear in the next chapter. +</p> +<p> + 18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of + the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred + threescore and six. +</p> +<p> + V. 18.—"The name of the beast," since the time of Ireneus, the disciple + of Polycarp, who was cotemporary with the apostle John, is understood to + be <i>Lateinos</i>, or <i>Lateinus</i>; for it is well known to scholars, that + classical usage justifies the orthography of this word. However learned + men may indulge their fancy, and sport with this mystic and sacred name + and number, no other word fills up all the conditions required by the + inspired writer. <i>Latinus</i> is the proper name of the "first beast," the + <i>Latin</i> empire: it is the name common to the whole population of the + empire, the <i>Latins</i>: it is the name of the <i>founder</i> of the empire, + <i>Latinus</i>; and it contains the <i>number</i>, 666. The probability that this + word contains the requisite name and number, amounts almost to a + certainty. The unlearned reader may be easily taught to understand how + to "count the number of the beast." Of course, the apostle John + accommodated his expressions to the custom of his own age. Well, even + children soon learn to number or count by the use of Roman letters of + the alphabet. They know that the letter I, stands for <i>one</i>; V. for + <i>five</i>, etc. Now, in the apostolic age, the Jews, Greeks and Romans, + were accustomed to express numbers by the use of the letters of their + respective alphabets. This we suppose to be the only rational and + probable method of solving the mystery. +</p> +<p> + In this chapter we have the fullest exhibition of the great + antichristian confederacy, spoken of by prophets and apostles, including + the "man of sin, to be revealed in his time." The component parts of + that complex moral person called "Antichrist," are here graphically + portrayed. The three most prominent features are the <i>two beasts</i> of the + sea and of the earth, with the <i>image</i> of the first; or, a tyrannical + <i>empire</i>, an apostate <i>church</i>, and the <i>Pope</i>. To suppose that the + Antichrist is a power or moral person <i>distinct from these</i>,—a "wilful, + infidel or atheistical king," is a mere <i>chimera</i> framed in a learned + brain, disordered by <i>antichristian</i> politics. The chief, if not the + only ostensible ground of such hypothesis is the language of our + apostle, (1 John ii. 22.) "He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and + the Son." The <i>sound</i> of the words of Scripture is too often mistaken + for the <i>sense</i>. This is a notable example. From the words of our Divine + Redeemer,—"My Father is greater than I, Socinians infer the <i>essential</i> + inferiority of the Son to the Father. So in the preceding instance. The + inference is, that the Antichrist is to be known by a <i>doctrinal</i> denial + of deity. But the very name of this enemy of all righteousness, + <i>Antichrist</i>, demonstrates his recognition of the existence and office + of our Saviour. For why should he oppose a <i>nonentity</i>? All scholars are + aware that the primary meaning of <i>anti</i>, is substitution. (Matt. xx. + 28.) Antichrist usurps Christ's place in church and state, that he may + more successfully oppose his interest. There is no mystery to the + intelligent Christian in the declaration, that men too often "profess + that they know God, but in works deny him." This explains the fact of + Antichrist's denying the Father and the Son. Usurping the prerogatives + of the Mediator is a practical denial of him,—of his authority, and by + consequence, of the Father who sent him. "He that acknowledged the Son," + in this sense, "hath the Father also; while it is equally true, in the + same sense,—"whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father." + (1 John ii. 23.) Hence it <i>is not true</i> that the <i>Pope</i> is the + <i>Antichrist</i> of prophecy, nor the church of Rome, nor both combined; but + Daniel's ten-horned beast,—John's seven-headed, ten-horned beast, which + are the same: Daniel's little horn and John's beast of the earth, which + are the same; together with the image of the first beast: the Saracenic + locusts and Euphratean horsemen;—all these go to the composition of the + Antichrist, the "eastern and western Antichrist," so identified and + <i>familiarly</i> designated by the <i>martyrs</i> and <i>witnesses</i> of Jesus for + hundreds of years. The great family of nations, called "the nations of + this world," (chap. xi. 15;) in unholy alliance with a <i>gentile</i> church; + (ch. xi. 2;) <i>these combined, constitute the Antichrist</i>. They "will not + have this man to reign over them." Against this combination it is the + appointed business,—the life of the two witnesses, to prophesy for a + definite period of 42 months, 1260 days, time, times and a half; all + indicating the same duration, 1260 natural years. All this time the + witnesses are alive and active, but in an obscure and depressed + condition, wearing sackcloth in the wilderness, "not reckoned, (not + <i>reckoning themselves</i>,) among the nations." (Num. xxiii. 9; Dan. vii. + 22, 27; Rev. xx. 4.) Such is the condition of the saints, and such the + powerful combination against them, as symbolically represented in the + 11th, 12th and 13th chapters of the Apocalypse. And in this prolonged + and eventful conflict we may with Moses, "turn aside and see this great + sight, why the bush is not burnt." (Exod. iii. 3.) The Lord was in the + bush, and "greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world." + (1 John iv. 4.) This will appear in the following chapter. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> +<p> + As the 13th chapter contains the most full and graphic description of + the great apostacy, so in this chapter we have the other party described + which protested against that apostacy. It is a concise history of the + two witnesses in holy and happy fellowship with Christ, when he had + rejected the heathenized church, because of her unholy league with the + beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 2, 7.) The contrast between the + "sealed" ones here, and those who bore the "mark of the beast," is very + noticeable. This fact suggests that the parties are <i>cotemporary</i>. + Besides, it is evident that this company of 144,000 are the legitimate + successors of those sealed in ch. vii. 4-8; or rather, from the + perpetual identity of the covenant society as a moral person, we may + view this company as the same with the sealed ones of the seventh + chapter, the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter, and as in the + wilderness in the 12th chapter. Political bias caused a learned + expositor to interpret the third angel of this chapter as a symbol of + the prelatic church of England! and a similar bias, or <i>modern</i> charity, + induced another to distinguish between the "two witnesses" and the + 144,000. To the unbiased and enlightened mind it is obvious that instead + of the 144,000 symbolizing the "pious people,—in the different branches + of the Christian church"—all true Christians; they are in fact + distinguished from <i>true Christians</i>, as 144,000 from "a great multitude + ... who had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the + Lamb," (ch. vii. 9, 14.) +</p> +<p> + As the Antichrist, after his first development in the world, appeared in + diverse forms of organization, thereby more effectually to deceive them + that dwell on the earth, yet still preserved his moral identity, so the + faithful servants of Christ are presented in corresponding attitudes and + aspects, to oppose and counteract his diabolical policy and tyranny; yet + always preserving their proper identity during the whole period of 1260 + years. +</p> +<p> + The process of "sealing the servants of God in their foreheads," (ch. + vii. 4-8,) took place under the <i>sixth</i> seal before the opening of the + seventh, (ch. viii. 1,) which introduced the trumpets,—the harbingers + of the visible organization of Antichrist. For this purpose the "four + winds,"—all winds, emblematical of popular commotions, were by four + angels restrained from blowing upon the earth etc., during the peaceful + reign of Constantine and his successors. Under the patronage of those + nominally Christian emperors, as history informs us, multitudes flocked + into the church; "the number of immoral and unworthy Christians began so + to increase, that the examples of real piety and virtue became extremely + rare.... The virtuous few were oppressed and overwhelmed with the + superior numbers of the wicked and licentious."<a href="#note-6"><small>6</small></a> Thus the way was + prepared for the visible appearing of the "man of sin,"—the papacy. So + soon as the confederate hosts of the dragon are completely organized, + the two witnesses take their position with the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a + hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in + their foreheads. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—While "all the world wonders after the beast," (xiii. 3,) and the + gross senses of the multitude are preoccupied with that object; here is + another presented more worthy of our contemplation. Often has the Lord + Jesus appeared in vision to John while viewing the grand panorama + passing before him in Patmos. Here he appears as the "captain of the + Lord's host" at the head of his army; not indeed in active military + enterprise, but rather as leader in acts of solemn worship during a + temporary recess from sanguinary warfare. He and his associates are on + the "Mount Zion." "In Zion is his seat." ... "The Lord hath founded + Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (Is. xiv. 32.) This + select company maintain fellowship with Christ, being "really and + inseparably united to him as their Head," by the bond of the Spirit, on + his part, and faith on theirs. Christ's "Father's name in their + foreheads" indicates that they are the <i>property</i> and voluntary servants + of God in Christ. Of this covenant relation baptism is the visible sign; + but while Simon Magus may bear the sign, none but those who are "sealed + unto the day of redemption," are honored to "stand with the Lamb on + Mount Zion." To him their number is as accurately known, as one hundred + and forty-four thousand is to us; and "truly their fellowship is with + the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." The votaries of the beast may + either glory in bearing his mark in their foreheads, or conceal the mark + in their right hand; but the followers of the Lamb will "confess him and + his word before men," at the hazard of all that is dear to men,—even + life itself. (Mark viii. 38.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as + the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping + with their harps: +</p> +<p> + 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the + four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the + hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2, 3.—"Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.... Let the + high praises of God be in their mouth."—(Ps. cxlix. 2, 6.) Unterrified + by the roaring of the beasts of prey, these followers of the Lamb lift + their voices in unison; and whether on mountains or in valleys, in dens + or in caves of the earth, their songs of praise ascend to the ears of + the Lord of Sabaoth. The symphony is heightened by the "voice of + harpers, harping with their harps." And if any person be so ignorant as + to ground an argument on these words, for the use of instruments in the + worship of God, consistency will require him to take his position on the + literal Mount Zion with a literal lamb! +</p> +<p> + The song was <i>new</i>. It was not peculiar to the Mosaic economy; that, + like it, was to "wax <i>old</i> and vanish away."—(Heb. viii. 13.) No, it + was indited by the Holy Spirit, "to whom all hearts are known, and all + events foreknown." It was a song exactly framed to answer the twofold + end of all inspired songs—to display the glories of the Godhead, and + delineate the workings of grace and corruption with infallible + precision, neither of which can be even successfully imitated by the + best of uninspired men; much less by the licentious debauchees—the + slaves of Antichrist. Moreover, the <i>order</i> of worship, as here + exemplified, merits special attention, The 144,000 perform this solemn + service "before the four beasts, and the elders." The office-bearers, + appointed by the Lamb—the Lord Christ—direct the whole solemnity. + Among this joyful and holy company, there is no hint that any part of + public worship is left to "a vote of the congregation." This "new song" + was unintelligible by the votaries of the beast; nor could they learn it + while in that servile vassalage. They only who were "redeemed from the + earth," as well as "from among men," were capable of learning it. As + this song related to the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and those + who "dwelt on the earth" had transferred their allegiance to Antichrist, + they became thereby incapacitated for learning that song. Alas! how many + complain of the <i>cloudiness</i>, the <i>Jewish peculiarities</i>, the + <i>unforgiving, revengeful spirit</i> of the inspired Psalms! In their + apprehension, they are "contrary to the spirit of the gospel"—that is, + <i>the Holy Spirit is contrary to Himself!</i> O, the blasphemy! Can such + learn the "new song?" No, indeed, unless they repent and "pray God if + perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them." +</p> +<p> + 4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are + virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. + These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and + to the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault + before the throne of God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 4, 5.—These 144,000 worshippers are farther distinguished by their + chastity. Betrothed to the Lord Christ from eternity, they were married + to him in time. (Hosea ii. 19, 20; Rom. vii. 4; Cor. xi. 2.) Indeed the + marriage covenant is employed throughout the Bible, to shadow forth the + union between Christ and believers. (See Is. liv. 5; Jer. xxxi. 32; Hos. + ii. 2; Rev. xxi. 2) This analogy pervades the 45th Psalm and the Song of + Solomon. Idolatry is therefore adultery; and superstition, will-worship + and human inventions, as means of grace or of communion with God, are + fornication. (Ezek. xxiii. 27.) Accordingly, the "kings of the earth" + are charged with this crime, (ch. xviii. 3.) Hence, it is plain that + this company with the Lamb are such as do not receive or "teach for + doctrines the commandments of men," nor submit to a "voluntary humility + and worshipping of angels, (Col. ii. 18,) "for they are virgins." (Ps. + xlv. 14.) They are distinguished for "sound doctrine and the power of + godliness." "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second + admonition," they "reject." (Titus iii. 10.) They cannot be indifferent + to truth and error; and they may be known by their love for practical, + but <i>especially doctrinal</i>, preaching. They frequent the ministry of + those who "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 + Tim. iv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + "These follow the Lamb." (John x. 4, 27.) Next after self-denial, taking + up the cross, becomes the test of discipleship. (Matt. xvi. 24, 25.) + Suffering is the most trying and most difficult part of a Christian's + obedience. But mere suffering for one's religion is no evidence that his + religion is scriptural. Nor is punishment endured for religion + <i>persecution</i>; but suffering "for righteousness' sake, or for Christ's + sake," is persecution. And this is what is implied in "following the + Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Not suffering, but the <i>cause</i> for which + he suffers, makes a Christian martyr. All these 144,000 are martyrs in + principle and intention. +</p> +<p> + Besides, "these were redeemed (bought) from among men." Purchase + supposes contract,—a price fixed and paid. This ransom is both from + debt and crime,—from bondage, sin and penalty. The Lamb is their + surety. With his blood he "redeemed them to God," (ch. v. 9; 1 Pet. i. + 19.) An atonement which <i>does not reconcile</i>, a redemption which <i>does + not save</i>, must be an atonement and a redemption <i>without a compact</i>. + Hence the covenant of grace, and Christ's engagement as surety in that + covenant, determine the <i>extent</i> of the atonement; for <i>without compact + no sinner could be saved!</i> But such is the liberal doctrine of the + boasted Roman Catholic Church, and such the sandy foundation of that + "general and doubtsome faith" which the witnesses renounce. However + numerous these followers of the Lamb may seem to be, they are no more + than "the first fruits." But the first fruits are part of the coming + harvest, and an assured pledge of a larger ingathering. Their numbers + were to be greatly augmented by the Reformation, and still further in + the millennial era. +</p> +<p> + "Godly sincerity" is the last quality of these upright ones. They are + "Israelites without guile." Integrity, probity, candor, distinguish them + from the "flocks of the companions" by whom they are surrounded. "As + they think in their heart, so do they express the truth." (Ps. xv. 2; + xii. 2; John i. 47.) They know nothing of the "pious frauds" any more + than the "indulgences" and "supererogations" by which the "man of sin" + sustains his interest. Their being "without fault before the throne of + God," is the highest commendation possible; yet it does not imply + sinless perfection. It speaks their justification by the righteousness + of Christ, and their Christian sincerity, such as God testifies of Job, + (ch. i. 8.) Who would not prefer the society and employments of those + who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion, to dwelling in the tents of + wickedness? Let our delights be with these excellent ones of the earth. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the + everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to + every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, +</p> +<p> + 7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the + hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and + earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6, 7.—The apostles, Paul and John agree, as already noticed, in + delineating a great defection from the purity and power of Christianity + in "the last days." Paul calls this event "the Apostacy," (2 Thess. ii. + 3.) while John designates it "the Antichrist." (1 John ii, 22.) Both + these inspired writers use the Greek article, as may be supposed, to + <i>emphasize</i> that wicked confederacy of Church and State,—a confederacy + of greater extent and longer continuance than any other conspiracy + "against the Lord and his Anointed." Against these the saints of God, + with Messiah at their head, contend for the allotted period of 1260 + years, as we have seen in the three preceding chapters. On their part + the warfare is mostly defensive, and their weapons ordinarily spiritual. + (2 Cor. vi. 6, 7.) +</p> +<p> + From the 6th verse to the close of this chapter are presented, under + customary and well-defined symbols, three successive stages of + successful reformation, showing how the "two witnesses" manage their + scriptural and effective testimony against antichristian error and + disorder in organized society. Three mystic "angels" successively + appear, divinely commissioned to execute their respective and appointed + work. These angels have been correctly designated, by judicious + expositors, "angels of revival and reform." To the intelligent Christian + it will be obvious, that without <i>reform</i> there can be no <i>revival</i>. The + popular idea of our time connected with the term <i>revival</i>, is without + foundation in the Holy Scriptures. It does not mean the regeneration of + a sinner, nor the first work of the Spirit in conviction. It presupposes + the existence of the vital principle, and the bringing of that living + principle into visible activity, (Rom. vii. 9;) and this is equally + true, whether of an individual or moral person. (Ps. lxxxv. 6; Ezek. + xxxvii.) Divine truth and external order are characteristics of a + genuine revival: for nothing but "sound doctrine" can produce "the power + of godliness." The popular commotions and social disorders which + accompany modern revivals, render them highly suspicious, if they do not + demonstrate them to be spurious. It is true, indeed, that passionate + declamation, vociferous assertion of heresy, intensified by theatrical + and violent gesticulation, may commove to a higher degree the active + powers,—the passions of the sinner; but such appliances can generate + only a temporary faith. Such converts, "having no root in themselves, + wither away." (Mark iv. 6.) "God is not the author of confusion, but of + peace, as in all the churches of the saints." So these angels of reform + declare by their ministry. +</p> +<p> + The first of these angels is the recognized symbol of a gospel ministry, + (ch. i. 20; ii. 1, 8, 12, etc.) "Heaven" is the visible church general. + "Flying" indicates celerity of motion. This "angel" does not represent + any individual, as Luther; but the <i>collective body</i> of those who carry + the joyful message of "the everlasting gospel." This gospel is + <i>everlasting</i> as distinguished from "another gospel, which is not + another" (Gal. i. 6, 7, 8, 9,)—a spurious, counterfeit, and therefore + ephemeral gospel, invented and propagated by the "man of sin," from the + flood which issued from the mouth of the dragon, (ch. xii. 15) The + gospel preached by this angel is everlasting in its origin and duration. + (Tit. i. 2; John iv. 14; Gal. vi. 8.) This angel's commission is as + extensive as that of the apostles,—"every nation;" his "loud voice" is + expressive of his zeal, energy and authority; the subject matter of his + brief sermon indicates very plainly that the object of his teaching is + to counteract the heresies of the Romish apostacy. "Fear God and give + glory to him,"—not to the Virgin Mary, canonized saints and angels, + images of wood and stone, (ch. ix. 20.) All are solemnly warned to + "abstain from pollutions of idols," and their attention earnestly + directed to their Creator,—to him "who made heaven, and earth, the seas + and fountains of waters." This argument of the angel is very + short,—that He only is to be worshipped who created the universe; but + it is sufficient to "leave all men without excuse who do not glorify him + as God." (Rom. i. 20, 21.) And how much more aggravated is the guilt of + professing Christians! But the "angel" employs another powerful argument + to enforce his teaching,—"The hour of his judgment is come." The final + judgment of the last day is often set before us in the Bible, and it is + so even in this book; but the last judgment cannot be intended here, for + subsequent judgments are to be inflicted according to the messages of + the following angels. +</p> +<p> + That Charlemagne should be mistaken for this flying angel betrays an + almost incredible hallucination of the human mind!<a href="#note-7"><small>7</small></a> No individual, as + already noticed, much less a successful civil or military tyrant, can be + intended by the Spirit as the herald of the "everlasting gospel!" +</p> +<p> + In fact, this "angel" is identical with the "two witnesses," whose + special work is to oppose the great apostacy; and this they do in a + pre-eminent manner by proclaiming the everlasting gospel. For 500 years + those who are known in history by the name of Waldenses, kept the + doctrines and order of the apostles, in a state of separation from the + Church of Rome. In the latter part of the twelfth century their numbers + and influence attracted the notice and brought upon them the wrath of + the "man of sin." In the following ages multitudes of them were + subjected to all the penalties of confiscation, banishment and death. + Like the seed of Abraham in Egypt, however, "the more they were + afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." They revived true + religion in the kingdoms of southern Europe, and it is most probable + that the good seed sown by them reached even to the island of Britain. + John Huss and Jerome, who, by decree of the council of Constance, were + committed to the flames for heresy; and Wishart, in England, whose end + was similar, together with such as co-operated with them and succeeded + them in the same holy warfare, are to be viewed as answering to the + mystic angel. These faithful and dauntless men denounced divine + judgments against all who worshipped graven images, however enjoined by + civil and ecclesiastical authority. For their fidelity to Christ and the + souls of men, they were subjected to the heaviest censures of the + heathenized church, and the severest penalties of a tyrannical + state,—the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea always in unholy + alliance and acting in concert. The ministry of this angel is a + testimony against papal corruptions, such as the worshipping images of + the Creator and creatures, but especially the Pope,—the image of the + Roman emperor. It is a mere fancy to suppose this angel symbolizes + modern missions. The series of the prophecy forbids such an + interpretation. Besides, the idolatry of Rome Christian, is not less + real or gross than the idolatry of pagans, and calls for a more earnest + testimony; and God has never left himself without witnesses against + defection and apostacy. This angel prepares the way for his successor, + who prosecutes the same work with increasing clearness and confidence. +</p> +<p> + 8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is + fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine + of the wrath of her fornication. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—"There followed another angel." Some expositors<a href="#note-8"><small>8</small></a> interpret this + angel of Luther, some of Calvin; but no <i>individual</i> is sufficiently + prominent in history to justify the application to him of so striking a + symbol in so concise a prophecy. Such restriction of a symbol to an + individual results from <i>prelatic</i> habits of thought. In the mind of a + prelate the idea of a gospel ministry includes that of a <i>metropolitan</i>. + This angel is, in fact, as usual, simply the emblem of the ministry, not + excluding the social body of which they are the official guides. +</p> +<p> + This second angel carries forward the reformation effected by his + predecessor, reviving that cause when it began to languish under the + violence of Antichrist. "While the Roman pontiff," says Mosheim, + "slumbered in security at the head of the church, and saw nothing + throughout the vast extent of his domain but tranquillity and + submission, and while the worthy and pious professors of genuine + Christianity almost despaired of seeing that Reformation on which their + most ardent desires and expectations were bent, an obscure and + inconsiderable person arose on a sudden, in the year 1517, and laid the + foundation of the long expected change, by opposing with undaunted + resolution his single force to the torrent of papal ambition and + despotism." That individual was the heroic Luther, whose praise is in + all the churches till the present day. No individual is so famous in the + history of that eventful period as Martin Luther, for recovering the + doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, to the + exclusion of all creature merit. This fundamental principle in the + economy of man's salvation he justly denominated <i>articulus stantis vel + cadentis ecclesiae</i>—"the hinge of a standing or falling church." By the + defence and propagation of this doctrine especially, the priestly office + of Christ was vindicated against the dogmas of penance, indulgence and + supererogation, inculcated by the "Man of Sin;" and by consequence, one + of the bulwarks of mystical Babylon effectually demolished. At the + famous Diet of Worms, which, like the Council of Constance, combined the + imperial power of Rome, civil and ecclesiastic, that indomitable servant + of Christ gave a visible demonstration that "the Spirit of the Father" + animated and "spake in him," (Matt. x. 20.) Not less explicit was Luther + on the fundamental doctrine of the divine decrees; which, with other + Arminian dogmas of creature-merit, had been almost universally + propagated and stamped with the pretended infallible authority of Rome. + By the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the + people, the idolatries, impositions and profligacy of the priesthood + were extensively discovered. And after years of deference to + ecclesiastical authority, conditional proposals of submission to the + Pope upon conviction of error in his <i>theses</i>, or conscientious belief, + Luther in time arrived at the conclusion that the church of Rome was + irreclaimable, giving publicity to his deep convictions in a treatise + <i>De Captivitate Babylonica</i>,—"The Captivity of Babylon." In the 18th + chapter of this book, he discovered that Babylon is doomed to + destruction. He considered the church of Rome as answering to the + prophetic symbol, and of course not to be reformed. It was an obvious + inference—he ought to obey Christ rather than the Pope,—"Come out of + her, my people."—This call was indeed a sufficient warrant to separate + from the Church of Rome; and, acting on it, protestant churches have + ever since been organized: but the type or symbol, Babylon, was + unwarrantably restricted in import, as representing only the Church of + Rome. And it is to be deplored that most protestant expositors continue + to limit the inspired symbol in the same way till the present time. The + literal Babylon, a name common to the ancient city and empire by the + river Euphrates, was in no sense a church; and it would be anomalous and + incongruous to select either city or empire as an <i>emblem of a church</i>! + There is, however, in the Apocalypse a combining or blending of symbols + in order clearly and fully to represent a complex moral person. This has + been already exemplified in ch. xiii. 2, where the prominent features of + Daniel's first <i>three</i> beasts, (ch. vii. 4-6,) are combined in John's + <i>first</i> beast of the sea. Just so in this instance. The idolatrous and + tyrannical Roman empire, in alliance with an apostate church, + constitutes mystical Babylon. History demonstrates the fact of their + coalition. The great red dragon, the devil, operates through both during + the allotted period of 1260 years against the witnesses of Christ. + Sometimes, indeed, the nominal church is the more active and visible + instrument, and at other times the state, in opposing Mediatory + authority; and thus Babylon, or one of her streets, which is the + equivalent of a horn of the beast, becomes prominent. This second angel + confidently proclaims,—"Babylon is fallen, is fallen." So said Isaiah + of literal Babylon long before the event; (ch. xxi. 9,) and so said + Jeremiah, (ch. li. 8,) to whose predictions John obviously alludes. All + these three prophets speak in present time of a future event, simply + because of the settled and unalterable purpose of God, acting not + formally as a sovereign, but as a judge. The multiplied and aggravated + crimes of Babylon, literal or mystical Babylon, are the just grounds of + her deserved and awful doom. From ancient times God has declared by his + prophets the things that are not yet done. (Isa. xlvi. 10.) His counsel + stands and he doeth all his pleasure. +</p> +<p> + That the mystical Babylon emblematically represented the complex systems + of civil and ecclesiastical corruption and despotism organized in + Christendom, was in some degree understood by the reformers in Europe; + but the work of this second angel was carried on successively by men of + piety and learning, who were eminently qualified for systematically + arranging the doctrines of grace as deduced from the word of God. Their + pious labors we still have in the forms of Bodies of Divinity and + Confessions of Faith, in both which the unscriptural and antiscriptural + dogmas and heresies of Rome are condemned and solidly confuted by the + Scriptures. There is a wonderful "harmony of confessions" framed by + those who separated from the fellowship of the Romish church; which + harmony can be accounted for only by the fact that those who framed them + drew their materials from the Bible. But it was by their public + <i>covenants especially</i>, that the reformers lifted a testimony against + the heresies, immoralities and tyrannies of the church of Rome. And + among all the churches of the Reformation, that of Scotland is justly + entitled to the pre-eminence. In no nation or state in Christendom did + the witnesses of Christ,—the second angel, attain so nearly to a + scriptural model of organized society in church and state as in that + land, whose mountains and valleys were "flowered with martyrs" for a + "Covenanted Work of Reformation." As Zuingle the Swiss-reformer excelled + Luther, Calvin and others in Europe in the application of the divine + moral law, as revealed in Scriptures, to civil society, so John Knox in + Scotland was equally clear, that royal personages are amenable to the + body politic, and both to the Mediator. +</p> +<p> + <i>We are now</i> under the ministry of this <i>second</i> "angel." The revival + effected by the first angel had greatly declined before the second made + his appearance; and all persons of intelligence and spiritual + discernment in our day, lament the visible decline in practical + godliness, arising from indifference to divine truth. Most professing + Christians, including the descendants of the martyrs, are "willingly + ignorant" of the attainments and sufferings of their illustrious + predecessors. The work of reformation to be accomplished by the second + angel, we suppose to have been completed about the middle of the + seventeenth century. Since that period his work appears from history to + consist in testifying against defection from the reformation which had + been reached. The "great city" is to fall "because she made all nations + drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She is "spiritually + called Sodom and Egypt," neither of which was a church any more than + Babylon. These were all heathen communities, never <i>married</i> to the + Lord; therefore Babylon is not here charged as an adulteress, but with + <i>fornication</i>. The nations are her paramours. Her wine is intoxicating. + It deranges the intellect and stupifies the conscience. Will any + reasoning prevail with a drunken man? An active politician is + proverbially unscrupulous, and proof against the law of God. There is, + however, "wrath" in this cup. Those who refuse to "kiss the Son" must + feel the weight of his iron rod. (Ps. ii. 9, 12; lxxv. 8.) +</p> +<p> + The "little book" introduced at the 10th chapter, is included in the + first 13 verses of the 11th chapter, which comprehends a concise history + of the 1260 years, as we have seen. At the 15th verse, the seventh and + last trumpet is sounded which introduces the millennium and gives a + brief outline of events till the end of the world. Then the three + following chapters give in detail the events prior to the millennium, a + commentary, as it were, on the "little book," but resuming a narrative + of the sealed book's contents, which had been suspended at the end of + the 9th chapter. There, as we have seen, the first and second + woe-trumpets left the population of the Roman church and empire still in + rebellion:—"They repented not."—Hence it is apparent that the work of + these symbolic angels consists in opposing the antichristian systems of + organized society during the period of the fifth and sixth trumpets. + This they do partly by declaring the truth as it is in Jesus, and partly + by denouncing divine judgments on the impenitent. The first angel, by + proclaiming the "everlasting gospel," called upon men to "fear God and + give glory to him," and not to idols,—threatening "coming judgment." + The great majority of those addressed, however, disregarding alike his + loving instructions and faithful warnings, must hear from the second + angel that the judgment threatened by his predecessor, is now + imminent:—"Babylon is fallen," etc. Notwithstanding the faithful and + earnest contendings of the Waldenses, Bohemians and others on the + continent of Europe, seconded by the Lollards in England, so far were + the votaries of Antichrist from repenting of their idolatry and + profligacy, that they became more and more exasperated against those + witnesses who tormented them, and attempted to silence their testimony + by committing their leaders to the flames. Hence the second angel's + ministry consists more in denouncing judgment than in offering mercy to + the penitent; and the history of the struggles in Europe and the British + Isles between Christ's witnesses and the Roman Antichrist in the 16th + and 17th centuries, demonstrates the awful fact that they, with great + and wonderful unanimity, judged the church of Rome at least, utterly + irreclaimable. Of this united judgment the Confessions of those + reformers are at this day a standing evidence. But chief among the + churches and nations of Christendom stands Scotland, as well before as + after her appearance, by her famous Commissioners, in the Westminster + Assembly of Divines. In her full and free Assembly, and by her national + representatives, sustained by all their pious constituency, she uttered + those memorable words,—"We abhor and detest ... chiefly all kind of + Papistry in general and particular heads, even as they are damned + (<i>condemned</i>) and <i>confuted</i> by the word of God and Kirk of Scotland." + Perhaps this is the only instance hitherto within the 1260 years, where + a <i>whole church</i> and <i>nation</i>, under the awful sanction of a <i>solemn + oath</i>, has pronounced a judicial sentence of condemnation upon the + church of Rome. Thus with confidence did those noble witnesses pronounce + the anticipated doom of the mystic Babylon. But alas! may we not adopt + and apply now (1870,) the language of the weeping prophet?—"How is she + become a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among + the provinces!" +</p> +<p> + As declension among those who had protested against the corruptions of + Antichrist, under the ministry of the first angel of reform, together + with the continued impenitence of the multitude who still wondered after + the beast, called for the appearance of the second angel of revival, so + the moral condition of the world called for the work of his successor. + In the mean time, living as we now are, within the period allotted in + prophecy and in history to the ministry of the second angel of revival + and reform, it is but too evident that there is a great and increasing + decline among the best reformed churches. Many of the Protestant + ministry, especially of the prelatic order, are posting back to Rome; + and the growing ritualism, with its gaudy and splendid "attire of a + harlot," which characterizes others, plainly indicates their tendency in + the same direction. And even those other denominations, which are not + yet prepared to adopt that "blasphemous hierarchy," are visibly + departing from the soundness in doctrine and purity of gospel worship + which constituted the chief glory of the Second Reformation. These are + the baleful effects of the dragon's influence "on the earth," (ch. xii. + 13, 15.) Besides, nearly all ecclesiastical bodies are yet in cordial + alliance with the beast of the sea; and this alliance is the Antichrist. + The Pope is now nearly divested of his former civil supremacy, and in + this respect become less the express image of the imperial beast of the + sea, (ch. xiii. 14;) yet the leaven of the Romish religion pervades all + the Christian community, so far as allegiance to the beast or his horns + is either enjoined or tolerated. This usurpation of the royal + prerogatives of Christ over the churches and nations in the eastern + hemisphere by the kings of the earth, and a similar usurpation in the + western hemisphere, whether by individual despots or by the body + politic, is the <i>great crime</i> which fills the measure of the cup of + wrath, to be poured out of the "seven vials." While such is the moral + condition of society in all lands favored with a revelation of the will + of God,—visited with judgments, continuing impenitent and guilt + augmenting, what is to be expected but heavier judgments to follow? +</p> +<p> + 9. And the third angel followed them, saying, with a loud voice, If any + man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his + forehead, or in his hand, +</p> +<p> + 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is + poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall + be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, + and in the presence of the Lamb: +</p> +<p> + 11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and + they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, + and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-11.—"And the third angel followed." The two preceding angels + addressed <i>communities</i>, calling them to repentance and reformation. + Indeed, the language of the second implies little or no hope of their + recovery. This third angel, "following" up the scriptural testimony of + those who went before, and assuming that church and state,—the + essential elements of the antichristian system,—continue irreclaimable, + addresses his message to <i>individuals</i>. This angel is the last that the + Lord Jesus will employ to awaken sinners that "are at ease in Zion." His + ministry is yet future, and he will never be succeeded by an angel of + mercy until mystical Babylon is overthrown. The special, arduous and + perilous work of this angel is, to threaten eternal death against every + individual who persists in the hitherto popular idolatry. "If any man + worship the beast."—Up to the time of this angel's appearance the beast + lives and devours his prey: consequently, his work comes within the + period of the 1260 years. During this limited time, there will be found + in the Apocalypse <i>three objects</i> of popular devotion,—the dragon, (ch. + xiii. 4,) the <i>beast</i>, and his <i>image</i>, (v. 15.) In this place the + dragon is omitted, as also in ch. xv. 2; xx. 4. We may ask, why the + omission?—Simply because "the things which the <i>Gentiles</i> sacrifice, + they sacrifice to devils, and not to God," (1 Cor. x. 20;) consequently, + these worshippers being <i>Gentiles</i>, (ch. xi. 2,) there is no necessity + that the dragon (the devil) should be particularized. From the first + rise of the beast, he was in alliance with the dragon, (ch. xiii. 2, 3;) + therefore both are doomed to perdition, (ch. xx. 10.) Most expositors + consider this angel as emblematical of events already past; the + reformation effected by Luther, his coadjutors and successors, or the + church of England!<a href="#note-9"><small>9</small></a> Their error consists in viewing the beast as the + symbol of the church of Rome. And it is remarkable, that through the + power of local and political bias, those commentators who themselves + perceive that the beast of the sea in chapter xiii. 1, symbolizes the + Roman <i>empire</i>, lose sight of their <i>own exposition</i> when they arrive at + the place before us! And of this bias and inconsistency they seem to be + wholly unconscious! No, there has never yet appeared in the symbolic + heaven a minister or ecclesiastical organization, which has + authoritatively denounced everlasting punishment against all who + "receive the mark of the beast." It is to be noticed here that the sins + charged are <i>cumulative</i>, not <i>distributive</i>. Guilt is contracted as + here charged, by "worshipping the beast and his image, and receiving his + mark." If the beast signify immoral civil power, and his image signify + the Papacy, as we have seen they do, then it follows that worshipping + both, and receiving the mark of the former, constitute the special guilt + here charged by the angel: that is, eulogizing, praising, and actively + co-operating with civil and ecclesiastical society, at war with the + Bible—in organized hostility to the Lord and his Anointed. (Ps. ii. 9.) + "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth + mischief by a law?" (Ps. xciv. 20.) But during the 1260 years, the + secular imperial beast consists of "kingdoms of this world" in alliance + with the beast of the earth, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And as both are for + their crimes consigned to utter destruction, so in the time of the + "third angel," every individual is threatened with everlasting + punishment, who identifies with them. "No <i>temporal</i> judgments on + <i>collective</i> bodies can be the fulfilment of this awful denunciation, + which evidently relates to <i>individuals</i>, and to each individual who is + guilty; and if words can convey the idea of eternal punishment, it is + here denounced."<a href="#note-10"><small>10</small></a> The words in the original, translated "for ever and + ever," (v. 11,) are the strongest in the Greek language to signify + eternity, and are not susceptible of any other meaning. +</p> +<p> + As already intimated, the special mission and awful message of this + angel is yet future; but the testimony of his predecessor will have made + the tyranny, idolatry, immorality and profligacy of civil despots and + mercenary ministers so palpable and glaring, that the vengeance of the + Lord proclaimed by the last messenger will appear to be just. In this + way the "two witnesses smite the earth with all plagues," (ch. xi. 6;) + for they are identical with the "third angel," and have an active agency + in the work of judgment to be executed upon the antichristian enemies, + (ch. xv. 7.) And "who knows the power of that wrath which is poured out + without mixture into the cup of Jehovah's indignation?" In temporal + judgments there may be a mixture of mercy; but there is no such element + in the cup of the impenitent votaries of mystic Babylon. "Holy angels" + look on without sympathy for her agonies, while the Lamb inflicts the + tremendous penalty of her complicated and long-continued crimes. "<i>He</i> + shall be tormented—<i>their</i> torment:"—individuals found guilty of + complicity with Babylon, will be bound up into bundles as fuel for that + fire and brimstone, whose "smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever." "They + have no rest day nor night who worship the beast,"—no mitigation of + their sufferings. They are doomed to dwell "with everlasting burnings." + (Is. xxxiii. 14.) Such are the denunciations which the "third angel" is + commissioned to proclaim in the ears of men, either to bring them to + repentance, or to justify the Lamb in punishing their impenitent + disobedience. Now "every one who is acquainted with the writings of the + reformers and their successors, knows that they generally declared, + without hesitation, that popery is a damnable religion."<a href="#note-11"><small>11</small></a> Popery, + however, is the religion which has corrupted states and churches + throughout the world; and therefore future reformers will not hesitate + to join civil states with her in their testimony and prayers, + saying,—"The wicked shall be turned into hell, <i>and all the nations</i> + that forget God. Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that have not known + thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name; for they + have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place." (Psa. ix. 17; + lxxix. 6, 7.) +</p> +<p> + 12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the + commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. +</p> +<p> + 13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are + the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, + that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12, 13.—The faithful and pointed testimony of the "third angel" of + reform against the organized enemies of God in church and state, instead + of producing repentance, tends only to provoke them to greater rage + against those who thus awaken their consciences and disturb their sinful + repose. The fires of persecution are again kindled, and the witnesses + are subjected to the anathemas of the church and the sword of the civil + magistrate,—the cruelty of the two beasts. It is therefore + added,—"Here is the patience of the saints." The events predicted here + agree in time with ch. xiii. 10; and the subjects of persecution are the + same moral person in their legitimate successors who appeared in ch. + xii. 17. They "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," + while the multitude "obey unrighteousness, receiving for doctrines the + commandments of men." +</p> +<p> + To animate these sufferers who are in "jeopardy every hour" and who have + the sentence of death as outlaws, pronounced against them by Antichrist, + John "heard a voice from heaven," directing him to write,—"Blessed are + the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth."—To "die in the + Lord,"—means, in the faith and hope of the gospel, relieved by the + "witness of the Spirit" from the overwhelming fears of the pains of + <i>purgatory</i>. Both negatively and positively, this angel testifies + against the antichristian dogma of purgatory. He declares that the + torments of the wicked continue "for ever and ever," while the righteous + who die in the Lord, "cease from their labours."—No stronger testimony + can be conceived against the more gross papal heresy, or the more modern + and so called philosophical delusions of Universalists, Socinians and + others,—all of whom are the offspring of the "mother of harlots." But + besides the voice from heaven, and the concurrent witness of the Spirit, + against the papal dogma of purgatory, the "rest" here proclaimed for the + comfort of martyred saints, may be also understood as a termination to + their sharp conflicts with Antichrist. "<i>Henceforth</i> they rest from + their labours,"—they shall never again be called to "resist unto blood, + striving against sin," as heretofore, by the combined opposition of the + "beast and false prophet," organized tyranny and idolatry. The ministry + of the "third angel," cotemporary with the "seventh trumpet,"—the third + and last "woe," prepares society throughout Christendom for entering + into the millennial rest. +</p> +<p> + 14. And I looked, and, behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat + like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his + hand a sharp sickle. +</p> +<p> + 15. And another came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him + that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is + come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and + the earth was reaped. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 14-16.—The gathering in of the harvest is sometimes emblematical of + mercy,—as when the believer is gathered to his fathers by death. His + sanctification being completed, he is taken home "as a shock of corn + ripe in his season." Reaping and threshing, however, are most frequently + symbolical of divine judgments, (Jer. li. 33;) and the apostle refers + here to the same event which the Lord foretold by the mouth of other + prophets. (Joel iii. 13-17; Micah iv. 12, 13.) This harvest is + emblematical of divine judgment on the nations of apostate Christendom. + He who executes the judgment is one like the Son of man, the Lord + Christ. Enthroned on a "white cloud" as his chariot, and having on his + royal "head a golden crown," the symbol of sovereignty, at the + solicitation, the loud cry of the symbolic angel,—a gospel ministry, he + "thrusts in his "sharp sickle," the emblem of avenging justice, and with + infinite ease, "the earth is reaped." This work of punishing guilty + <i>nations</i> is not so proper to the ministry, the functions of whose + office are of a spiritual nature; yet are they active in a way competent + to them, calling upon the "Lord of the harvest" to reap. They judge of + the signs of the times. Such is part of their appropriate work. Thus + they say,—"The time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the + earth is ripe." The Lord Jesus appeared in royal majesty to John, as he + had appeared to Ezekiel, (ch. i. 26;) and to Daniel, (ch. vii. 13.) The + cloud on which he sat had a bright side towards his saints, but to his + enemies a dark side, as at the Red Sea. (Ex. xiv. 19, 20.) +</p> +<p> + The two judgments of the <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, are obviously an + allusion to a natural order in the climate of Judea. Not only did the + barley and wheat-harvest precede the time of gathering grapes, but some + space elapsed between these labors of the husbandman. The usual order is + observed here. +</p> +<p> + 17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also + having a sharp sickle. +</p> +<p> + 18. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over + fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, + saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine + of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. +</p> +<p> + 19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the + vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of + God. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out + of the wine-press even unto the horse-bridles, by the space of a + thousand and six hundred furlongs. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-20.—As the ministry of the "third angel," (v. 9,) was final, as + to pronouncing the deserved doom of all the adherents of the + antichristian system, so in the symbols of the <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, + we have the execution of that sentence exhibited. The nations of + Christendom, having drunk the wine of the mother of harlots, and of her + daughters too, and having exhausted the patience of the Lord Jesus, + refusing to repent, while he warned them by his servants the three + angels of reform,—"rising early and sending them," were at length + "ripe" for his sharp sickle. Long had he expostulated with them, saying + to them, while addressing his church,—"The nation and kingdom that will + not serve thee (O Zion,) shall perish; yea, those nations shall be + utterly wasted." (Isa. lx. 12.)—The desolating judgments of the + reigning Mediator, having brought those nations to "hate the whore," + they become the willing and zealous agents of her destruction, as + appears, (ch. xvii. 16.) +</p> +<p> + The "gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth,"—is a concise + emblematical representation of that tremendous work of punishing the + apostate church, to be exhibited in greater detail in the following + chapters. +</p> +<p> + The "angel coming out of the temple,"—represents the gospel ministry as + usual. His "having a sharp sickle" may import his more immediate agency + in this than in the preceding work of the harvest." Christ himself + judged the nations,—had the "sharp sickle;" but in reckoning with + impenitent ecclesiastical communities, he will honor his faithful + servants. As in "measuring the temple,"—the Mediator held the + instrument in his own hand under the Old Testament, (Zech. ii. 1,) but + under the New Testament gave it into the hand of John, the + representative of a gospel ministry, (ch. xi. 1,) so that transaction + may illustrate the symbols here. +</p> +<p> + The other angel "coming from the altar, who had power over fire," is + also symbolical of the ministry. The sickle in the hand of the former + angel, is for gathering the grapes; while the connexion of the latter + angel with the "altar," imports that a sacrifice is about to be offered, + as customary, to appease divine justice.—The "vine of the earth" is + plainly contrasted with the true vine. (Ps. lxxx. 1; Jer. ii. 21.) This + is a vine of Sodom with clusters of Gomorrah, (ch. xi. 8; Deut. xxxii. + 32, 33.) It is the symbol of an apostate church, the chief heresy of + which is a practical rejection of the atonement of Christ; for it is + certain that vindictive justice is an attribute of God, and that he will + demand satisfaction from those impenitent sinners who despise his mercy + in the gospel offer, and "tread under foot the blood of the covenant + wherewith Christ was sanctified." (Heb. x. 29.) A heavier doom awaits + all such than to "die without mercy," which was the penalty for those + who "despised Moses' law." No sacrifice is appointed for the man or the + church that sins presumptuously. (Num. xv. 30, 31.) To all such, "<i>our</i> + God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.)—The one angel calls upon the + other,—encourages his companion, to execute the judgment of God. + "Thrust in thy sharp sickle."—Under the superintendence of the + Mediator, his servants by their prayers and their sermons have an active + part in this work of judgment. From the mouth of the witnesses proceeded + fire to devour their enemies, (ch. xi. 5.) This is the last work of + judgment in which they will be honoured. Joining their victorious + predecessors who overcame the antichristian combinations "by the blood + of the Lamb and the word of their testimony," (chs. vi. 9, 10; xii. 11,) + these undaunted servants of the Lord are honored by him as instrumental + in the infliction of the final judgments symbolized by the seventh + trumpet and the seventh vial,—the third and <i>last woe</i>.—The + "wine-press" is the symbol of the "wrath of God," and its location + "without the city," denotes that the churches of the apostacy are + excommunicated,—"reprobate silver, because the Lord hath rejected + them." +</p> +<p> + We are not told here by whom the grapes are trodden; but this is the + work of the Lord Jesus himself, who in the days of his flesh on earth + forewarned his impenitent foes that he would thus deal with them in his + wrath. "Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over + them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke xix. 27; Isa. lxiii. + 3; Rev. xix. 15.)—The blood in depth is to the "horse-bridles," and in + extent "a thousand and six hundred furlongs,"—200 miles! Although this + language is hyperbolical, it is intended to signify "a time of trouble, + such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and + at that same time God's people shall be delivered, every one that shall + be found written in the book." (Dan. xii. 1; Rev. xiii. 8.)—Thus it + appears that church and state, having combined in the antichristian + apostacy, are severally visited with the unmingled wine of the wrath of + God. All the saints shall have obeyed the call,—"Come out of her, my + people;" and mystic Babylon shall then be utterly destroyed. Whether + Palestine, the Pope's patrimony, or some other territory be understood + by the "1600 furlongs," is matter of vague conjecture by all expositors, + and is to be verified only by the fulfilment of the prediction. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter introduces the third and last series of symbols under which + the prospective history of the church militant is given, to strengthen + the faith and animate the hopes of her suffering and heroic children. + The warfare of the witnesses for the crown rights of Immanuel, which + have been usurped by his enemies, has been symbolized under the seals, + (chs. vi.-ix.,) and under the trumpets, (chs. xi. xii.;) and the + symbolic narrative is yet under the vials to be greatly amplified, + especially their last and greatest conflict, briefly represented in the + latter part of the preceding chapter, (vs. 9-18.) Whether or not the + vials, to which this fifteenth chapter is introductory, be all + comprehended under the <i>seventh trumpet</i>, as the trumpets are all + comprehended under the <i>seventh seal</i>, is a question upon which + respectable expositors differ. It is indeed obvious that the breaking of + the last seal, lays open the whole of the book, consequently the angels + holding the vials would come into view. John, however, is obliged to + "write" <i>consecutively</i> some visions which he saw as it were at <i>one + view</i>. Thus he was "about to write what the seven thunders uttered," + (ch. x. 4,) but was prohibited. That was not the proper time or place; + but it is there intimated, (v. 7,) that "in the days of the voice of the + seventh angel," the import of the "seven thunders" would be disclosed. + Then would the "mystery of God be finished, as he had declared to his + servants the prophets." (Joel iii. 2, 12, 13; Micah iv. 3; Zech. xii. + 2-4; 2 Thess. ii. 8.) Some of the most learned and sober divines, who + wrote on the Apocalypse during the peninsular war waged by the first + Napolean, contemplating the anarchical and bloody scenes of the French + Revolution, and the subsequent tyranny and blood connected with the + successful wars of the Gallic usurper, thought they heard in the + commotions of European nations the sound of the seventh trumpet, and saw + the plagues inflicted as symbolized by the vials. And thus it is that + local events, which excite the political feelings, the prejudices and + partialities of even good men, are hastily interpreted as a fulfilment + of prophecy. It does not appear, however, that those events were either + of sufficient magnitude or geographical extent to answer the tremendous + symbols of either <i>harvest</i> or <i>vintage</i>. Did the French revolution, the + American revolution, or the wars of Napolean First, influence the + civilized world or affect the church of God, as Popery and Mahometanism + have done? No, the comparison is preposterous. Hence it is most probable + that Christendom has not yet heard the alarming sound of the seventh + trumpet. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels + having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of + God. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Another sign in heaven."—All the visions were seen by the + apostle in the same place, (ch. i. 1; xii. 1.) The word translated + "sign" here is the same as "wonder" in the twelfth chapter, which for + greater clearness to the English reader ought to have been rendered by + the same word.—The symbol or sign consists of "seven angels having the + seven last plagues,"—the <i>last</i> to be inflicted on the Antichrist, but + not absolutely the last penal inflictions on the enemies of God; for + "Gog and Magog" are in like manner to be destroyed, and there is + <i>eternal</i> wrath. +</p> +<p> + Upon the "Lamb's taking the book," and before he had opened the first + seal, songs of joy burst forth from saints and angels, (ch. v. 8, 9.) So + it is here. Before the angels proceed to execute their commission, the + redeemed of the Lord, anticipating the effects of these judgments, give + expression to their joy. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that + had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his + mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having + the harps of God. +</p> +<p> + 3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of + the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, + just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! +</p> +<p> + 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only + art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy + judgments are made manifest. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-4.—The "sea of glass," or transparent sea, (as in ch. iv. 6,) + refers us to the brazen sea before the throne of God in the temple. In + this sea the priests were to wash themselves, (Exod. xxx. 18, 19,) and + in water drawn from it the sacrifices were to be washed also. (Lev. i. + 9, 13.) +</p> +<p> + As the brazen sea typified the blood of Christ, that "fountain opened + for sin and for uncleanness," (Zech. xiii. 1,) so this "sea of glass" is + the symbol of the same thing; for the Lord washes away the filth of the + daughters of Zion, and purges the blood of Jerusalem from the midst + thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isa. + iv. 4.) This happy company were victorious by the blood of the Lamb, + "over the beast, his image, his name and number;" having clean escaped + from them who live in error, both in civil and ecclesiastical relations. + Holding the eucharistic "harps of God," they are the same company as + those on Mount Zion with the Lamb, (ch. xiv. 1, 2.) There, their song + was called <i>new</i>; here it is more fully described. There it was said, + "no man could learn that song" but themselves, here we have the matter + of the song epitomised. It is constructed of two parts, "the song of + Moses and the song of the Lamb." As the children of Israel at the Red + Sea celebrated the praises of God's justice in the overthrow of their + enemies the Egyptians, so do these with united voice express their + admiration and praise in anticipation of the final and awful end of + these cruel, idolatrous and persecuting mystical Egyptians, (ch. xi. 8,) + "saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and + true are thy ways, thou King of saints." They do also declare their + faith in the universal dominion of their King; that "all nations shall + come and worship before him." And to this day none but the witnesses are + prepared either with intelligence or affection to "learn" or use this + song. We have the subject matter of both parts of this triumphant song, + framed by the Holy Spirit and incorporated in the Book of Psalms, (as + Ps. ii. 8; xviii. 37-45; xlv. 3-6; cx. 1, etc.) The fortunes of God's + covenant people till the ingathering of the Jews, with the fulness of + the Gentiles, may be found in Moses' song, (Deut. xxxii. 1-43,) and the + "song of the Lamb" is found in chapter v. 9-13. +</p> +<p> + 5. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of + the testimony in heaven was opened: +</p> +<p> + 6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven + plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts + girded with golden girdles. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5, 6.—John looked again, and saw the "temple opened," that the + seven angels might have egress to enter upon their heavenly mission. + Their clothing resembled the garments of the priests under the law, + "white linen and golden girdles," representing the holiness or moral + purity of their work. They shed the blood of the victim, so to speak, + without soiling their garments; but the Lord Jesus, whose work of + judgment this is, "stains all his raiment," (Isa. lxiii. 3,) "for the + day of vengeance is in his heart," (v. 4.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden + vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + V. 7.—"One of the four beasts,"—<i>animals</i>, the symbol of the gospel + ministry, as we found, (ch. iv. 6.) Not all the ministry were employed + in this action, but <i>one</i> only. That is, some few, a fractional part, + possessing more insight into the "sure word of prophecy," and endowed + with larger measure of heroic spirit by the Lord Jesus, co-operated with + holy angels in this work of judgment. "He gave the vials into the hand + of the angels." By their preaching, their prayers and their example, + faithful ministers, unseduced by the blandishments of corrupt power, and + undismayed by the bloody edicts of the beast,—"in nothing terrified by + their adversaries," denounce the judgments represented by these vials, + upon the impenitent enemies of the Lord and his Anointed. For an + illustration of this symbolic action of giving the vials of divine wrath + to the appointed agents, reference may be had to Jer. xxv. 15-26; li. 7. +</p> +<p> + 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from + his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven + plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8.—"The temple filled with smoke," represents the darkness of these + dispensations, the horror and dismay which seizes upon the votaries of + Antichrist. But during the time of executing these judgments, the + progress of the gospel will be retarded,—"no man being able to enter + into the temple." It is intimated, moreover, that these judgments will, + as it were, clear away the "smoke," and render the temple once more + luminous. So we may conclude by comparing the 4th and 8th verses. In the + 4th verse the witnesses declare their faith thus,—"All nations shall + come and worship before thee." But this is a description of the + millennial state of the world. (Ps. lxxii. 11.) +</p> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> +<p> + All preliminaries being now arranged, the seven angels receive their + commission by a "great voice out of the temple." It is the "voice of the + Lord, full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4.)—As the <i>seals</i> and <i>trumpets</i> + were not coincident, but successive, so it is doubtless with the + <i>vials</i>. No two begin to be poured out at the same time. One follows + another in orderly succession. +</p> +<p> + Several questions of difficult solution, arise in the minds of devout + and humble students of the Apocalypse, respecting the series of the + vials. Are the vials cotemporary with the trumpets? Seeing that the + seventh seal included all the trumpets, does analogy require that all + the vials be comprehended under the seventh or last trumpet? Or, do the + seven vials come under the last three trumpets, distinguished as they + are by the character of woe-trumpets? (ch. viii. 13.) Other questions + may here be propounded; but these seem to be the most obvious and + important, in fixing the time of the events predicted. +</p> +<p> + The breaking of the seventh seal unquestionably laid open the whole of + the book, including all the trumpets and vials,—all future events till + the end of the world; but it does not follow, for instance, that the + awful scene of the final judgment is to be cotemporary with any of the + trumpets, (ch. xx. 11, 12.) The seventh seal, therefore, discloses + important events, which are to come to pass subsequently to both + trumpets and vials. The fact that both trumpets and vials are disclosed + by the opening of the last seal, admits of their being cotemporaneous. +</p> +<p> + From the striking resemblance between the effects of the trumpets and + those of the vials, (ch. viii. 7-12; xvi. 2-12,) they might seem to be + cotemporary. This, however, is not the case, for the objects of the + judgments are different, that of the trumpets being more formally the + civil empire, while that of the vials is the ecclesiastical empire; + each, however, greatly affecting the other, because of their unholy + union against the cause of Christ. Perhaps it may be most consonant to + the mind of the Spirit to view the vials as agreeing in time with the + three woe-trumpets. Keeping in view the definite period of Antichrist's + domination in church and state, 1260 years, and the probability of its + drawing to a close, the remaining part would seem too short for the + period of the vials. As the series of the vials, like those which in + vision preceded them, is successive, the application of them all to the + French Revolution is simply preposterous.<a href="#note-12"><small>12</small></a> That event answered not to + the symbol either in extent or duration. Nor indeed is there + satisfactory evidence in the actual condition of the Christian world, + notwithstanding the fond imagination of learned and good men, that the + voice of the seventh angel has yet been heard by Christendom. +</p> +<p> + 1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven + angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon + the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 1.—"Earth" has here the usual meaning,—the whole territory and + population of the Roman empire, those only and always exempted, who are + true to the cause of Immanuel. The angels of destruction cannot hurt + those who are under the protection of his blood. (Exod. xii. 23.) They + may not "come near any man upon whom is the mark." (Ezek. ix. 6; Rev. + xiv. 1.) +</p> +<p> + 2. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there + fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the + beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. +</p> +<p> + 3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became + as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains + of waters; and they became blood. +</p> +<p> + 5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, + which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus: +</p> +<p> + 6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast + given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. +</p> +<p> + 7. And I heard another out of altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, + true and righteous are thy judgments. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 2-7.—"And the first went."—However disagreeable the service, as we + are ready to suppose, this holy agent at once obeys the divine command. + The best of men hesitate and remonstrate when called to difficult and + disagreeable work. So it was with Moses, and with Jeremiah. (Exod. iv. + 10; Jer. i. 6.) But all these heavenly messengers in succession, execute + their respective tasks without gainsaying. It is the will of our common + Lord that his disciples should emulate their example, that they should + "know, obey and submit to his will in all things as the angels do in + heaven." (Ps. ciii. 20, 21.)—The judgments upon the antichristian + enemies which have been briefly represented in the close of the 14th + chapter by a <i>harvest</i> and <i>vintage</i>, are in this chapter more + extensively exhibited by the seven vials. A resemblance to the first + four trumpets may be observed in the effects of the first four vials, + and besides, these plagues resemble those inflicted on Egypt. If by her + crimes, especially by idolatry and cruelty to the people of God papal + Rome has copied the manners of Egypt and Babylon, it is but just that + she should be visited with like punishment.—The first vial selects as + victims those who "had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image;" + and this is true of the succeeding plagues, although the fact be not + repeated. The object of this vial is the "earth" in a more restricted + sense than in the first verse. The "earth" in the first verse comprises + all the parts of a system, "earth, sea, fountains, sun and air," + mentioned in the following verses.—The "noisome and grievous sore," + refers to one of the plagues of Egypt. (Exod. ix. 9-11.) The <i>earth</i> was + the object affected also by the first trumpet; (ch. viii. 7;) but as + Antichrist had not then arisen, this plague cannot agree in time with + the first trumpet, though it might with the fifth or sixth trumpet; for + while these trumpets were demolishing the eastern member of the Roman + empire, making way for the development of Mahomet's imposture, the + "little horn" of Daniel, and Paul's "man of sin," was revealed in the + west. But the "two witnesses" were coincident in origin with Antichrist, + and were empowered by the Lord Christ "to smite the earth with all + plagues as often as they would," (ch. xi. 6.) The "grievous sore" is to + be understood metaphorically, not literally; for so the construction of + the Apocalypse requires. It may import the festering of unmortified + corruption among the votaries of Antichrist, intensified by the faithful + application of the divine law by the witnesses.—The object of the + second vial is the "sea," the same as that of the second trumpet, (ch. + viii. 8, 9.) The allusion is to Exod. vii. 20, 21. Intestine commotions, + with war, blood and death, seem to be symbolized. The horns of the beast + were often turned against one another; for the bestial kingdom was + "partly broken." The toes in Nebuchadnezzar's image did not "cleave one + to another." (Dan. ii. 42, 43.)—The object of the third vial is the + "rivers and fountains of waters," (ch. viii. 10; Exodus vii. 19.) These + symbols may signify the several kingdoms of the empire, tributary by + their wealth and traffic to the great city. And as the witnesses + continued to prophesy, giving increased point and publicity to their + testimony, and as the Turks were making encroachments upon the + territories of nominal Christian princes in the west, extensive wars and + great slaughter were the results. These awful judgments are followed by + the plaudits of two angels. The eternal Jehovah is recognized as the + Author of these judgments. The Mediator may here be understood, (ch. i. + 8;) (John v. 22, 27.) The "angel of the waters" may be the same who + poured out the vial. He gives to the Lord the glory of his + justice:—"Thou art righteous." He also approves the "law of + retaliation:"—"For they are worthy." The other angel "out of the altar" + speaks on behalf of the martyrs, (ch. vi. 9, 10,) recognizing the + faithfulness of God:—"True and righteous are thy judgments." +</p> +<p> + 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was + given unto him to scorch men with fire. +</p> +<p> + 9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of + God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repented not to give + him glory. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8,9.—The object of the fourth vial is the "sun," (ch. viii. 12.) + "Power was given him,"—the angel. The two witnesses are represented as + armed with "fire, which proceedeth out of their mouth, devouring their + enemies," (ch. xi. 5.) As the formal object of all the vials is the + ecclesiastical, rather than the civil empire, and the sun is the symbol + of the chief dignitary, perhaps this vial strikes more directly upon the + "man of sin." The expression in the introduction to the vials, (ch. xv. + 4,)—"thou only art holy," seems to be a testimony against the + antichristian "name of blasphemy,"—"His Holiness." By the Reformation, + symbolized by successive angels of the fourteenth chapter, those valiant + men tormented the Pope and his vassals, so that they raged and + blasphemed more and more, but "repented not to give God the glory." So + it was at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) +</p> +<p> + 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; + and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for + pain, +</p> +<p> + 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their + sores, and repented not of their deeds. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10, 11.—"The seat of the beast" is the object of the fifth vial. + The "beast" is all along from chapter xi. 7, the Roman empire. The + "image of the beast," we have found to be the papacy, (ch. xiii. 14, + 15.) Now the "seat (throne) of the beast," would seem to point to the + metropolis, where the Pope, as a kind of imperial, + politico-ecclesiastical head, keeps his court, and whence decrees are + issued. This plague is like the ninth inflicted upon Egypt, (Exod. x. + 21.) It was the last but one, and left Pharaoh still impenitent. Just so + here; although this vial is the last but one to be poured out on the + western limb of the great antichristian conspiracy: the population of + the spiritual empire repress their complaints before men,—"they gnawed + their tongues for pain;" while they in their hearts "curse their king + and their God, and look upward." (Is. viii. 21.) This may be understood + to be the actual condition of the Pope and his retainers at the present + time, and especially since the year 1848, when he was forced to flee + from Rome. <i>Darkness</i> is the emblem of distress, of mental despair, (Ps. + xxxv. 8; Is. viii. 22;) and the actual relation of European powers to + the see of Rome,—Austria, France, Spain, and the Italian states, is not + calculated to mitigate, but rather to augment and irritate the "pains + and the sores" inflicted by this and former vials. +</p> +<p> + We can, however, offer only conjectures here, and dare not be too + confident; for learned and pious expositors are of the opinion that all + the vials are comprehended under the seventh trumpet; that the seventh + trumpet has not yet begun to sound; and consequently, that the vials are + all future. On the other hand, equally learned and godly interpreters of + these Apocalyptic hieroglyphics, are very confident that the <i>sixth</i> + vial is in process of pouring out in our present time; and that in fact + its effects are obviously traceable in providence. Already we have + indicated our humble opinion, that all the vials are not necessarily + comprehended under the seventh trumpet; inasmuch as the opening of the + last seal disclosed equally trumpets and vials: yet doubtless it is + requisite that the series of the trumpets should precede that of the + vials, while nothing hinders that of both series should cotemporate. We + may conceive that as the first four trumpets demolished the western + member of the Roman empire, and the next two the eastern limb, so the + vials may be distributed in a manner somewhat similar. The second woe, + or sixth trumpet, has not yet finished its appropriate work in the final + subversion of the Turkish empire, which still exists; and during the + time of its last echoes, the vials may be supposed to be accomplishing + their appropriate work upon the western empire, as being "wholly given + to idolatry." While the first five vials are consuming the Antichrist in + the west, the sixth is operating in the east. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river + Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings + of the east might be prepared. +</p> +<p> + 13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of + the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of + the false prophet. +</p> +<p> + 14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth + unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to + the battle of that great day of God Almighty. +</p> +<p> + 15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth + his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew + tongue Armageddon. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-16.—"The great river Euphrates" is the object of the sixth vial. + By the very general consent of expositors the Turkish empire is intended + by this symbol; and they seem to be equally agreed that the sixth vial + in now in process of pouring out. The object of the sixth trumpet is the + same, (ch. ix. 14.) There is, besides, an obvious allusion to the + ancient literal Babylon; and to the manner of its overthrow by Cyrus the + king of Persia. (Jer. l. 38; li. 36; Dan. v. 26-28; Is. xliv. 27, + 28.)—This monarch, as historians relate, changed the current of the + Euphrates, and by this means took possession of the city, while + Belshazzar and his nobles were engaged in a drunken festival. (Dan. v. + 1-30.)—The waters of this river are to be taken as representing the + population of the Ottoman empire, (ch. xvii. 15.) By the "kings of the + east" may be understood the Jews, agreeably to the symbolical nature of + this book; (Is. xli. 2, 3;) yet as the Turkish empire and Mahometan + imposture constitute barriers to the extension of Christ's kingdom among + the populous nations of the east, as Popish despotism and idolatry, + obstruct the gospel in the west, we may give this symbol of the "kings + of the east" a more extensive interpretation. Probably a larger + proportion of the natural seed of Abraham are to be found on the west + than even on the east of the Turkish empire. The dynasty of the Turk is + in process of visible exhaustion, and nothing but what is termed among + antichristian nations "the balance of power," prolongs its existence or + hinders its extinction. "Drying up," evaporation, is a gradual process, + and with singular precision describes the waning light of the once proud + Crescent,—the expiring breath of what has been termed by a bold figure, + "the sick man."<a href="#note-13"><small>13</small></a>—Under this vial, however, and likewise as the + termination of the second woe, a general, final and desperate alliance + is to be found to resist the aggressive forces of the "Lord of + Hosts."—This confederacy is headed by the dragon, and is identical with + the war, (ch. xii. 17,) against the "remnant of the woman's + seed."—These "unclean spirits like frogs" are called "spirits of + devils." They "come out of the mouth" of all the agents, the dragon, + (ch. xii. 3, 9,) the beast, (ch. xiii. 1,) and the false prophet,—the + same as the two-horned beast, (v. 11,) and (ch. xix. 20.) These "unclean + spirits" succeed in gathering the kings of the earth, by "working + miracles," "lying wonders." (2 Thess. ii. 9; 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2.) They are + the agents of antichristian Rome, spiritual wickedness in high places," + (Eph. vi. 12;)—"like frogs," living in moral filth; garrulous and + impudent, stealthily gaining access into the bedchambers of the kings, + "after the manner of Egypt." (Exod. viii. 3.)—Surely the policy of Rome + is here portrayed, her cardinals, archbishops, Jesuits, etc., gaining + entrance into the councils and cabinets of princes, inciting them to + debauchery, tyranny and blood. Hellish hosts are thus "gathered to the + battle of that great day of God Almighty,"—the day of the seventh vial, + of the "vintage," (ch. xiv. 18-20,) and of the seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. + 15;) for all these agree in point of time.—This will be an "hour of + temptation," as intimated in the 15th verse, which is a parenthesis, + interrupting a little the narrative of the effects of the vial. There is + danger of apostacy, of "falling away to these Chaldeans," of temporizing + with the enemy in order to escape suffering. Thus Christian soldiers of + the cross, losing "the armour of righteousness," would be exposed to + "shame." But "blessed is he that watcheth," that looks to the Captain of + Salvation, to his cause, as elucidated by his providence,—the signs of + the times; for so shall he "keep his garments," when others are "found + naked."—"And he gathered them" or rather "<i>they</i> gathered," (for the + singular verb agrees with its nominative plural neuter as usual,)—the + "unclean spirits gathered the kings of the earth" to the destined place. + This hinders not but that these antichristian enemies of the church are + brought together by the Almighty. Just so he sent the king of Assyria + against "a hypocritical nation." (Is. x. 5-7.) And doubtless the prophet + Joel prophesied of this great and decisive battle, (ch. iii. 11-14.) + "Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Compare vs. 1, 2. + The place is called "Armageddon," the <i>mountain of destruction</i>, + suggesting the issue of the battle in the final overthrow of Antichrist; + for it is not necessary to suppose that any <i>place</i> is literally pointed + out; but as this is a compound word in the "Hebrew tongue," allusion may + be made to the slaughter of Sisera's army, (Judges v. 19;) or to the + mournful death of Josiah, (2 Chron. xxxv. 22.) +</p> +<p> + 17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there + came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, + It is done. +</p> +<p> + 18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a + great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so + mighty an earthquake, and so great. +</p> +<p> + 19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of + the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to + give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. +</p> +<p> + 20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. +</p> +<p> + 21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone + about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God, because of the + plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-21.—"The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air."—The + devil is emphatically styled "the prince of the power of the air." (Eph. + ii. 2.) All the preceding vials fell upon their respective and + successive objects, the several parts of the symbolic system; but this + "vial of consummation" affects the whole of that system at once. The + dragon, the beast, and his image, together with the false prophet,—all + the "kingdoms of this world and the glory of them," which the god of + this world claimed as his own, and offered to our Lord Jesus Christ in + the days of his humiliation, (Luke iv. 6, 7;)—all will be destroyed for + ever. He who gave commission by a "great voice," (v. 1,) to these + angels, now that they have fulfilled his pleasure, solemnly declares his + approbation,—"It is done." The Lord Christ had solemnly sworn that "in + the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he should begin to + sound, the mystery of God should be <i>finished</i>," (ch. x. 6, 7.) He is + faithful to his oath,—<i>It is done.</i> Hence, it is undeniably evident + that the seventh trumpet agrees in time with the seventh vial; and it is + equally evident that the events which they represent are yet future. + What was obscurely intimated as following the sounding of the seventh + trumpet,—"the nations were angry,—and thy wrath is come," (ch. xi. + 18,) is here amplified; for the "voices, thunders and lightnings," are + the visible and sensible tokens of the wrath of God. (Exod. xix. 16; + Heb. xii. 21.) Next follows an "earthquake," the usual symbol of + revolution; but this one is without parallel. An earthquake followed the + opening of the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12;) when paganism was overthrown in + the Roman empire by Constantine, and another earthquake marked the close + of the second woe, (ch. xi. 13,) when "the tenth part of the city fell:" + but this <i>concussion</i> is "so mighty and so great" as to "divide the + great city into three parts," or rival factions: next, "the cities of + the nations fell,"—revolted from their wonted allegiance, and "great + Babylon came in remembrance before God," who seemed to have forgotten + both her and his saints whom she had so long and so cruelly persecuted. + At the fall of Rome <i>pagan</i>, mountains and islands were only "moved out + of their places," (ch. vi. 14;) but at the fall of Rome <i>papal</i>, "every + island fled away, and the mountains were not found;"—the former + indicating <i>transition</i>, the latter utter <i>destruction</i>.—The "fall of + hail" is to be viewed as accompanying, not following, the fall of + cities, flight of islands and mountains. As hail-stones are symbolical + of divine judgments, and as there may be allusion here to another of the + plagues of Egypt, (Exod. ix. 18;) so more especially may the facts of + history supply the figurative language with which the judgments of the + vials terminate. If any escaped the destroying sword in the battle of + Armageddon, they are overtaken by these ponderous hail-stones out of + heaven; even as "the Lord cast down great stones from heaven" upon the + five kings of the Amorites; so that "more died with hailstones than they + whom the children of Israel slew with the sword." (Jos. x. 11.)—The + result is as before; the survivors remain impenitent. As history + supplies no instance of literal hail-stones of a talent weight, (sixty + pounds, or as others, a hundred,) so the symbol represents this as the + most tremendous of all the judgments of God, (ch. xiv. 20.) +</p> +<p> + Thus, we have seen that the last trumpet and the last vial combine, in + the final perdition of Babylon the great. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> +<p> + This chapter may be considered introductory to the eighteenth, or as a + digression in the narrative, to explain more fully the integral parts of + that complex, mystical moral person so often called "great Babylon," + whose destruction was so awfully presented in the foregoing chapter. +</p> +<p> + 1. And there came one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials, + and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee + the judgment of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters; +</p> +<p> + 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the + inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her + fornication. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1, 2.—The angel that "talked with the apostle" was probably the + seventh. "The great whore" is the symbol of the idolatrous church of + Rome, which broke her marriage covenant with Christ. Idolatry is + spiritual whoredom. (Hosea vi. 10.) Her "sitting upon many waters" is + explained, verse 15. "The kings of the earth" are her paramours, and + their subjects are partakers in the crime,—"made drunk." +</p> +<p> + 3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a + woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, + having seven heads, and ten horns. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour, and decked + with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her + hand, full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication. +</p> +<p> + 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, + THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 3-5.—The "scarlet-coloured beast" is the Roman empire professing + the Christian religion, modelled by the Romish church; for the "woman + sits upon the beast," guiding and controlling all its motions. (James + iii. 3.) The raiment of both is at once <i>imperial and bloody</i>,—"purple + and scarlet."—The raiment of this "woman" is decked with precious + metal, stones and pearls, after the usual "attire of a harlot." (Ezek. + xvi. 17.) The "cup" alludes to the practice of harlots giving + love-potions to their paramours, very expressive of the indulgences, + absolutions, preferments, etc., by which the church of Rome attracts + disciples to her idolatry. "The nations have drunken of her wine; + therefore the nations are mad." (Jer. li. 7.)—The inscription "upon her + forehead" is after the manner of shameless prostitutes, avowing Rome's + whoredoms of idolatry, monasticism, indulgences to sin, as essential to + religion, a "mystery of iniquity," by which the "man of sin thinks to + change times and laws." (Dan. vii. 24, 25; xi. 36, 37.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with + the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with + great admiration. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—This "woman,"—<i>Christian church</i>,—was "drunken with the blood + of saints and martyrs." Of course, such a sight would give rise to the + apostle's astonishment. The attempt of popish writers to apply this to + <i>pagan</i> Rome's persecutions is demonstrably false; for John could not + "wonder" at the persecution of the church when he was himself an actual + victim in Patmos, (ch. i. 9.) +</p> +<p> + 7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell + thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which + hath the seven heads and ten horns. +</p> +<p> + 8. The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not; and shall ascend out of + the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the + earth shall wonder (whose names were not written in the book of life + from the foundation of the world,) when they behold the beast that was, + and is not, and yet is. +</p> +<p> + 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven + mountains, on which the woman sitteth. +</p> +<p> + 10. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the + other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short + space. +</p> +<p> + 11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of + the seven, and goeth into perdition. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-11.—The angel explains the "mystery of the woman and of the beast + that carrieth her." The beast, the civil power, carrieth, sustains the + woman, the church; as the church controls the state, (v. 3; ch. xiii. 1, + 11, 16.) The "beast that was, and is not, and yet is," is a mysterious + personage as well as the woman; therefore all who "dwell upon the + earth,"—not in "heaven, wonder," (ch. xiii. 3-6;)—that is, all the + vassals of Antichrist, distinguished from those whose "names are in the + book of life,"—the two witnesses.—"The seven heads" of the beast + signify seven mountains, on which Rome literally stands, namely, + Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Coelian, Viminal and + Quirinal. Here the woman and Rome are manifestly identical,—the + spiritual empire. But the heads of the beast have a double meaning; for + they also signify "seven kings" or successive forms of civil government. + At the time when John wrote, "five had fallen;" they had passed into + actual history. One was then existing, namely, the emperor, in the + person of Domitian, as is supposed. This is the imperial head, whose + "deadly wound was healed," (ch. xiii. 3.)—The "seventh head was not + come" in the apostles' time, but on his appearance, he was to "continue + a short space." The papacy is not the seventh head. <i>He</i> is a horn. + (Dan. vii. 8, 20.) But a <i>horn</i> of the beast cannot identify with the + <i>beast himself</i>. It is otherwise with a head, which is the form of + government over the <i>whole empire</i>. The <i>patriciate</i> succeeded the + imperial, being the seventh head, and only of <i>short</i> duration, about + fifty years. Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans in the year + eight hundred; and so the patriciate terminated. This is the <i>eighth</i>, + which "is of the seven;" and goeth into perdition. This septimo-octave + head is so variable, sometimes acknowledged as residing in Austria, then + in France, etc., that for hundreds of years, the great republic of the + nations,—all <i>bestial</i>,—are at a loss to identify the visible head in + whom resides the precedency: hence the "balance of power" is so + perplexing and difficult to adjust. Were there an acknowledged imperial + and despotic head, this obvious difficulty could not exist. But the + beast is not. Nevertheless the arbitrary power of the horns of the beast + is sensibly felt in every part of the Roman empire.—The beast is, and + will continue till "the time of the end;" (Dan. xii. 9;) for the Roman + empire must be equal in duration with the life and actings of the two + witnesses, 1260 years. +</p> +<p> + 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have + received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the + beast. +</p> +<p> + 13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto + the beast. +</p> +<p> + 14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome + them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with + him are called, and chosen, and faithful. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 12-14.—"The ten horns" signify "ten kings" or regal or civil + sovereignties, into which the empire was to be partitioned after John's + time, and which we have seen was effected by the first four trumpets, + (ch. viii. 7-12.)—These "received power <i>one hour</i> with the + beast,"—rather, at <i>one time</i>, or cotemporaneously with the beast; for + they are his horns, and are of "one mind, giving their power and + strength," all their resources, to him. These shall make war with the + Lamb," the Mediator, headed by the dragon, and instigated by the beast + and his image, (ch. xii. 7; xiii. 7.) +</p> +<p> + 15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore + sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. +</p> +<p> + V. 15.—"The waters," controlled by "the whore," are the multitudes whom + the apostate church of Rome commands to volunteer in the wars of the + kings against the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate + the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her + flesh, and burn her with fire. +</p> +<p> + V. 16.—What a surprising change! yet how natural! (2 Sam. xiii. 15.) + The punishment is that which was adjudged in the case of a priest's + daughter. (Lev. xxi. 9.)—The "ten horns," here, are to be understood + generally, not universally, (ch. xviii. 9; xix. 19.) Some of those + princes that have contributed most to the aggrandizement of the Romish + church, and been most devoted to her religion, as the ruler of France, + "the eldest son of the church," their "catholic majesties" of Austria, + Spain, Portugal,—may be among the first in executing divine judgments + on Babylon.—"Make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh;" that is, + withdraw the lands, endowments, etc., which enriched her monasteries and + fattened her bishops, priests, etc. +</p> +<p> + 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, + and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be + fulfilled. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—Here we are led into the secret cause of the wonderful change in + the policy of the horns: "God hath put into their hearts." They just do + to the "great whore, whatsoever God's hand and counsel determined before + to be done." (Acts iv. 28. See also Exod. vii. 3; Gen. xiv. 8; l. 20; + Ps. cv. 25.) +</p> +<p> + 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth + over the kings of the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 18.—This "woman is the great city;" not literally the city of Rome; + but the imperial ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to whose authority + intoxicated kings and their subjects bowed in slavish submission; and + whose bloody decrees they had executed for 1260 years upon many of their + best subjects and fellow-creatures. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, + having great power; and the earth was lightened, with his glory. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great + is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the + hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. +</p> +<p> + 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her + fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with + her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance + of her delicacies. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—After the apostle had described Babylon in the preceding + chapter, he "saw another angel." This seems to be the Lord Christ, the + same as in ch. x. 1. He "confirmeth the word of his servants," (ch. xiv. + 8;) that "Babylon the great has fallen," and is adequately punished for + her crimes, which are enumerated, v. 3. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my + people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of + her plagues. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—The phrase, "my people" indicates that the speaker is not a + created angel whose warning is here given with a "voice from heaven." + This call of the Lord Jesus has been addressed to his elect, ever since + the revelation of the "man of sin." It has been obeyed but partially + hitherto: but upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, his Holy Spirit + will give the call unusual efficacy. +</p> +<p> + 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her + iniquities. +</p> +<p> + 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, + according to her works: in the cup which he hath filled, fill to her + double. +</p> +<p> + 7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much + torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart. I sit a queen; + and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. +</p> +<p> + 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and + famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord + God who judgeth her. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5-8.—"Her sins have reached unto heaven," and now she is to be + visited with condign punishment; although it seemed both to her and + God's own people long delayed. "God hath remembered her iniquities." + There is reference to ancient Babylon's punishment, and the law of + retaliation. (Jer. l. 15; Ps. cxxxvii. 8; Is. xlvii. 1-8.) Her + punishment is destruction from the Almighty": "strong is the Lord God + who judgeth her." +</p> +<p> + 9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived + deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they + shall see the smoke of her burning. +</p> +<p> + 10. Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, + that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy + judgment come. +</p> +<p> + 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no + man buyeth their merchandise any more. +</p> +<p> + 12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of + pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet and all thyine + wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most + precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. +</p> +<p> + 13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, + and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, + and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, + and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and + thou shalt find them no more at all. +</p> +<p> + 15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall + stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, +</p> +<p> + 16. And saying, Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine + linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious + stones, and pearls! +</p> +<p> + 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every ship + master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade + by sea, stood afar off, +</p> +<p> + 18. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city + is like unto this great city? +</p> +<p> + 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, + saying, Alas, alas! that great city, wherein were made rich all that had + ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she + made desolate. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-19.—At the fall of Babylon some of the kings who had been her + supporters, will lament for her while utterly unable to protect her, and + afraid of partaking of her plagues. It may be proper to remark, that the + word translated "alas," and repeated in this chapter, is the same in the + Greek text as that which is rendered, "woe" in ch. viii. 13; from which + fact we are to infer that the fall of mystical Babylon described in this + chapter comes under the last three, or probably the seventh trumpet. + That the Turkish empire is to be overthrown by the sixth trumpet or + second woe, and gradually exhausted by the sixth vial, hardly admits of + a doubt: but it does not necessarily follow, that said trumpet and vial + are to terminate when that judgment ends. Each trumpet and vial may + continue its effects for some time after the following one + commences.—Kings, merchants and shipmasters are mentioned as chief + mourners, while they are helpless spectators of this judgment. In all + this narrative there is plain allusion to the language of Old Testament + prophets who predicted the destruction of the enemies of God's people; + as Babylon, Tyre, Egypt. All these powerful kingdoms have been made + desolate for their idolatry and cruelty; and thus history comes in aid + of prophecy to confirm the faith of the saints. The moral government of + the Most High is uniform, and he will execute vengeance upon his and + Zion's impenitent enemies. The merchandise and lamentations are borrowed + from Ezek. xxvii. In ver. 13 there is mention made of "the persons of + men" as part of the wares in the markets of Tyre, and we find "slaves + (<i>bodies</i>) and souls of men," among the commodities for sale in modern + Babylon. How can we, in view of historic facts, exempt the United States + of North America from complicity in the crimes of mystic Babylon as one + of her dependencies? While earthly politicians, sustained by eminent + divines, proclaimed to the world in gushing oratory that "America was an + asylum for the oppressed of all nations,"—"the land of the free, and + the home of the brave;" perhaps there never was a more effectual + refutation of this popular sentiment, accompanied with a more biting + sarcasm, than that which was uttered in derisive song by the sable, + coffled chain-gang in the streets of the national capital,—"Hail! + Columbia, happy land!"—All who are acquainted with the internal and + political history of the United States, know that the adherents of the + "Man of Sin" always gave their suffrages for the support and continuance + of that cursed traffic. +</p> +<p> + The great variety of the articles of merchandise here enumerated, is + calculated to impress the reader with the idea of the wealth, luxury, + splendor, and self-indulgence of the metropolis of the idolatrous Roman + empire, the "mother and mistress of all churches."—The prophetic + declaration, however,—"with feigned words shall they make merchandise + of you," (2 Pet. ii. 3,) is not confined to the Romish communion. This + traffic, in <i>souls</i>, pervades all the streets of symbolic Babylon.—The + overthrow is sudden and unexpected,—"in one hour." This is thrice + repeated, (vs. 10, 17, 19.) In v. 18 this "spiritual Sodom" is compared + to her prototype in her fearful end. "They saw the smoke of her + burning." (Gen. xix. 28.) +</p> +<p> + 20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; + for God hath avenged you on her. +</p> +<p> + V. 20.—Judgments on the impenitent enemies of God and of the saints, + are mercies to the church. (Ps. cxxxvi. 15-20;) and consequently, while + the former are lamenting for the fall of the great city, the latter are + exhorted to rejoice in her ruin,—all the members of the church in + general, and "holy apostles and prophets" in particular. The apostles + are daily worshipped at Rome in their supposed likenesses, the work of + the "cunning artificer; but here they are mentioned as rejoicing in the + destruction of the idolatrous sinners who so greatly <i>dishonoured</i> them, + and detracted from the glory of God.—As "there is joy in heaven over + one sinner that repenteth," so is there over the destruction of the + impenitent. (Jer. li. 48.) "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord." + (Judges v. 31.) +</p> +<p> + 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast + it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city + Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. +</p> +<p> + 22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and + trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of + whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound + of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; +</p> +<p> + 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and + the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at + all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by + thy sorceries were all nations deceived. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 21-23.—The emblem of "a great millstone cast into the sea," is a + very striking indication of the sudden and irretrievable ruin of mystic + Babylon, and contains an allusion to Jer. li. 63, 64.—The removal of + "musicians, craftsmen, candles, etc.," from this devoted city, as they + plainly point to the statuary, music and paintings which have attracted + multitudes to the idolatry, superstition and harlotry of antichristian + Rome, emphatically proclaims the utter and perpetual desolation of papal + Rome. The language is borrowed from Isa. xxiv. 8; Jer. xxv. 10; Ezek. + xxvi. 13.—Her merchants being the "great men of the earth," and the + "sorceries" by "which the nations were deceived, very plainly indicate + the successful traffic of the "mother of harlots,"—the church of Rome. +</p> +<p> + 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all + that were slain upon the earth. +</p> +<p> + V. 24.—When the Lord "maketh inquisition for blood," the "blood of all + that were slain upon the earth,"—<i>for Christ's sake</i>, will be found in + the skirts of this Jezebel. Papal Rome has shed more innocent blood than + pagan Rome; than Babylon, Tyre and Egypt; and by her relentless cruelty + to "prophets and saints," ministers and members of the witnessing + church, she has endorsed all the murderous persecutions from Abel down + to the present day. (Luke xi. 50, 51; Acts vii. 52.)—Now when we + contemplate in the light of prophecy, confirmed by authentic history, + the numberless, aggravated and long-continued crimes of Babylon the + great, her pride, (v. 7,) her cruelty, (v. 3,) her luxury, her tyranny, + her idolatry, her fornication, her impenitence in all,—can we hesitate + to acquiesce in the righteousness of her final doom, or to join in the + plaudits of the saints in the next chapter? +</p> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And after these things, I heard a great voice of much people in + heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, + unto the Lord our God: +</p> +<p> + 2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the + great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath + avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. +</p> +<p> + 3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and + ever. +</p> +<p> + 4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and + worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-4.—The frequent repetition of the Hebrew word "Alleluia" in this + chapter, may perhaps be an intimation of something which specially + relates to the Jews. The perpetuity of the covenant made with Abraham, + renewed to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob, (Ps. cv. 9, 10,) is clearly + taught in the Scriptures. (Gen. xvii. 7; Acts ii. 39; Rom. iv. 13; Gal. + iii. 14, 29.) +</p> +<p> + It has been already intimated, (ch. xi. 15,) that at the sounding of the + seventh trumpet, "there were great voices in heaven, saying, The + kingdoms of this world are become <i>the kingdoms</i> of our Lord and of his + Christ; and he (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." Beholding the + overthrow of Babylon, all the people of God were invited, (ch. xviii. + 20,) to "rejoice over her," for her downfall was effected under the last + trumpet and vial. With that invitation the saints here joyfully comply. + "<i>Much people</i> in heaven," implies a great augmentation of their number, + and as "heaven" signifies the church on earth, we are warranted to + expect a rapid increase of her membership as the consequence of the + sounding of the seventh trumpet.—At the pouring out of the third vial, + (ch. xvi. 7,) the angel of the altar said, "True and righteous are thy + judgments." The very same sentiment is repeated here by the "much + people,"—all the saints. Thus they recognise the faithfulness and + justice of God, as he heard and answered the cry of the "souls under the + altar;" (ch. vi. 9, 10,) for he had now "avenged their blood" and that + of their "brethren that had been killed as they were," upon them that + dwell on the earth,—the population of mystic Babylon. (Ps. cxxxvii. 8, + 9.) "And again they said, Alleluia; and her smoke rose up for ever and + ever," like that of Sodom. In all this, the ministry and members of the + whole church cordially join, adding their hearty and solemn "Amen!" +</p> +<p> + For this protracted joy and exulting praise, two causes seem to be in + operation, God's judgment on Babylon, and his mercy on Zion. Both are + matter of praise. (Ps. ci. 1.) +</p> +<p> + 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye + his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. +</p> +<p> + 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the + voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, + Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. +</p> +<p> + 7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage + of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. +</p> +<p> + 8. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, + clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. +</p> +<p> + 9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto + the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the + true sayings of God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 5-9.—This happy company are called upon to renew their song. The + call seems to come from some one who is authorized to speak with + authority, "out of the throne." All the servants of God are invited, and + all appear to respond, "a great multitude." This is the most animated of + all the examples of praise recorded in this book. It is compared to the + rushing of waters down a cataract, as the roaring of the sea, or the + rolling of thunder in the heavens. It is indeed the "voice of them that + shout for mastery,"—and "all the people shout with a great shout, for + the Lord hath given them the city,"—"Alleluia, <i>praise ye the Lord</i>, + for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "Thou wilt perform the truth to + Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers + from the days of old."—These joyful victors encourage each other to + prolong their acclamations:—"Let us be glad and rejoice," ... "for the + marriage of the Lamb is come:" and what can that be, but the recalling + of the Jews? This is the day of our New Testament Solomon's espousals, + and the day of the gladness of his heart. (Song iii. 11.)—Not only the + Jews, but the great majority of professing Christians during the 1260 + years of Antichrist's usurpations, have refused to "submit themselves to + the righteousness of God." (Rom. x. 3.) The kings of the earth also have + fostered the pride and profligacy of the great whore, instead of the + bride of the Lamb. The lewd woman, and the woman in the wilderness + hitherto, are now to be distinguished. As their character and conduct + are different, so is their raiment. The gaudy and splendid attire of the + former, is in striking contrast with that of the latter; which is that + of a "woman professing godliness," (ch. xvii. 4; 1 Tim. ii. 10.)—"To + her was granted,"—Precious words; for the "Lamb's wife of herself was + utterly destitute," (ch. iii. 17.) The Jews, in the day of their + Messiah's power, (Psa. cx. 3,) convinced of the law as transgressors, + will be brought to adopt the language of their own prophet, (Is. lxi. + 10;) "he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered + me with the robe of righteousness." The righteousness of Christ imputed + for justification, and the Spirit of Christ imparted for sanctification, + together with good works, the visible evidence of both, will constitute + the "fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints." + This is, after all, a more <i>costly</i>, as well as more comely attire, than + that of the mother of harlots. (Ps. xlv. 13, 14.)—"And he saith."—That + is, say some, the angel, (ch. xvii. 1, 7; or ch. xviii. 1;) but we are + rather to view him as the same who brings all these messages from Christ + to the apostle, (ch. i. 1.) The angel pronounces those "blessed who are + called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."—In the beginning of the New + Testament dispensation, the invitation was to a <i>dinner</i>. (Matt. xxii. + 4.) The day will have been far spent at the sounding of the seventh + trumpet, when Jews and Gentiles are called to this supper. It will be + the last <i>great feast</i> of the church militant. But who shall live to + partake of the banquet? The angel gives his solemn attestation to "these + sayings." +</p> +<p> + 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See + <i>thou do it</i> not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have + the testimony of Jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the + spirit of prophecy. +</p> +<p> + V. 10.—This is a surprising incident,—an aged, experienced and holy + man, an apostle, "falling down to worship the angel!" And we are told + that he relapsed into the same sin, (ch. xxii. 8, 9.) Like Peter on the + mount, who "wist not what to say;" or Paul in the "third heaven ... + whether in the body or out of the body, he could not tell." (Mark ix. 6; + 2 Cor. xii. 3.) John had become overpowered by the visions and + transported by the high praises which he saw and heard. The like effects + were experienced by Daniel, (viii. 18; x. 8, 17.)—This sin of idolatry + by the apostle was doubtless permitted by the Lord, in order to furnish + occasion for a testimony from the angel, against the "voluntary humility + and worshipping of angels," (Col. ii. 18;) practised by the Papists, and + to leave them without excuse.—The abrupt language of the angel in this + and a subsequent case, is strongly expressive of + resentment:—"See—not." Such is the <i>curt, sententious</i> utterance in + the Greek text. He assigns the best reason and strongest argument + against idolatry:—"I am thy fellow-servant," a creature as well as + yourself: we are servants of one Lord, who alone is the object of our + devotion, "Worship God." This is the best counsel, enforced by the most + cogent reasoning,—"For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of + prophecy." This sentence may be read,—"The Spirit of prophecy is the + testimony of Jesus;" and it will be equally true. "To him give all the + prophets witness," (Acts x. 43;) for "the Spirit of Christ was in them;" + (1 Pet. i. 11;) and this fact is well known to holy angels. (Eph. iii. + 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) So this angel plainly declares. +</p> +<p> + 11. And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse: and he that sat + upon him was called Faithful and True: and in righteousness he doth + judge and make war. +</p> +<p> + 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns: + and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. +</p> +<p> + 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is + called The Word of God. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, + clothed in fine linen, white and clean. +</p> +<p> + 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should + smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he + treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. +</p> +<p> + 16. And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF + KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11-16.—"Heaven opened" once more, allows the apostle to look upon + Messiah the Prince going forth to fresh conquests. As he began, (ch. vi. + 2,) so he continues, "in righteousness to judge and make war;" not as + the ambitious tyrants who "destroy the earth," (ch. xi. 18.) He has here + three names,—"Faithful and True, The Word of God, king of kings and + Lord of lords; yet he has a "name written which no man knoweth but he + himself."—His infinite essence and eternal generation are + incomprehensible by angels and men.—He is, however, known by his + mediatorial titles,—"faithful and true" to all covenant engagements; as + the prophet of the church, he "declares the Father," making known the + "word of God;" and his lordship is at once a warning to his enemies and + security to his friends.—"On his head were many crowns," emblematical + of his numerous victories over the princes of the earth, especially the + "ten kings," (ch. xvii. 14.)—"His eyes as a flame of fire," going + though the whole earth "in every place," (Prov. xv. 3;) render it + impossible for his enemies to elude discovery. (Jer. xxiii. 24.)—His + "vesture dipped in blood," refers to his victories over all his + malicious and impenitent foes. (Is. lxiii. 1-3; Rev. xiv. 20.)—His + "armies on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean," are + uniformed like their leader, (ch. xii. 7;) for "they that are with him + are called, and chosen, and faithful," (ch. xvii. 14.)—The weapon with + which he "smites the nations" that oppose him, is the "sharp sword," an + emblem of his ruinous and avenging justice; for he "tradeth the + wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."—"On his + thigh," where he wears his sword, there is a legible inscription, + indicating his universal and rightful authority. +</p> +<p> + 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud + voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and + gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; +</p> +<p> + 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and + the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on + them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and + great. +</p> +<p> + 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, + gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and + against his army. +</p> +<p> + 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought + miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the + mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were + cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. +</p> +<p> + 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the + horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were + filled with their flesh. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 17-21.—The position of the "angel standing in the sun," and "crying + with a loud voice;" represents, that Messiah's judgments would be + visible to all the world; and the extent of the invitation to the + "fowls," indicates the vast slaughter of his enemies. Babylon being + "utterly burned with fire," (ch. xvii. 16, xviii. 8,) as a suitable + punishment of an apostate church; the "flesh of kings, of captains, of + mighty men," etc., as a sacrifice to divine justice, is given as a feast + to the fowls of heaven. The allusion here is to the destruction of "Gog + and Magog." (Ezek. xxxix. 17-20.) These enemies of the saints are to + appear and be overthrown before the millennium; and although John + borrows the names of these enemies, (ch. xx. 8,) they are not the same + as those of Ezekiel; the one appearing <i>before</i>, the other <i>after</i> the + thousand years. We have often found the enemies of the church called in + the Apocalypse by the names of persecutors under the Old + Testament;—Babylon, Egypt, etc.—We may consider the "fowls," the birds + of prey, as symbolizing the kings who retaliate upon Babylon; (as in ch. + xvii. 16;) or rather, as the Lord's people reclaiming their own, of + which they had been unjustly and long deprived,—"spoiling the + Egyptians." (Exod. xii. 36.) +</p> +<p> + Some suppose that the confederacy of the "kings of the earth" with the + beast, (v. 19,) is a distinct attack from that mentioned in chapter + seventeenth; (v. 14;) but perhaps it is safer to consider it as the + same, only more distinctly and fully exhibited here. Indeed it seems, + from the agency of the "false prophet," to be the same event as that + under the sixth vial, (ch. xvi. 14;) preparing to the battle of + Armageddon. The Lord Jesus as "captain of the Lord's hosts," and the + army of heaven following him, all of them on white horses, appear to be + on the one side; and the beast with the kings of the earth, instigated + by the false prophet, on the other. The rank and file like their leaders + are described as having "received the mark of the beast and worshiped + his image." But the beast of the earth, (ch. iii. 11,) causes all ranks + to receive the mark, and worship the image of the beast, (vs. 15, 16) + The beast of the earth, the woman, and the false prophet, all mean the + same thing; and that is, an apostate church in alliance with tyrannical + civil powers, (ch. xvii. 3.) Now, if the great city Babylon, a symbol + which comprises the whole antichristian confederacy, has been utterly + destroyed, as appears in the eighteenth chapter, whence come these + enemies bearing the same characters? The only solution of this apparent + difficulty is by supposing as we have done, that this is a re-exhibition + of what has been more obscurely symbolized, (ch. xiv. 20; xvi. 17; xvii. + 16; xviii. 2, 8, 20,) in order more distinctly to point out the end of + two principal leaders,—the "beast and the false prophet," the empire + and church of Rome. "These both were cast alive into a lake of fire + burning with brimstone."—"The remnant were slain." When the leaders + were discomfited, the ranks were soon broken, and the whole army melted + away. They were slain with Messiah's sword, the emblem of his justice, + (ch. i. 16.) +</p> +<p> + Thus "Babylon is fallen, to rise no more at all:" all the visible + enemies of the Lord and his Anointed are cut off from the face of the + earth: and it remains only that he who originated the rebellious + conspiracy be put under necessary restraint. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the + bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. +</p> +<p> + 2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, + and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. +</p> +<p> + 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal + upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand + years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little + season. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-3.—"And I saw an angel." This angel is the Lord Christ, (ch. x. + 1.) The key is the symbol of authority. (Is. xxii. 22; chs. i. 18; iii. + 7.) The dragon had been previously cast down from heaven, (ch. xii. 9;) + by the Reformation, and during the "short time" of his liberty, he + persecuted the woman and the remnant of her seed, on the earth. Now, + however, his career is arrested. "Seizing, binding, casting into the + abyss, shutting up, and setting a seal upon that old serpent," (ch. xii. + 9,) are strong figurative expressions, by which his secure confinement + is signified. Thus is the devil to be restrained from deceiving the + nations for a "thousand years." That this period is to be taken in a + proper, and not in a mystical sense, appears thus. If we multiply one + thousand by three hundred and sixty, as some fancifully do, the + resulting number of years, three hundred and sixty thousand, would be + out of all proportion to the past duration of the world, as well as the + well-defined period of 1260 years. Add to this, that when by Daniel and + John definite duration is symbolically mentioned, it is by "months, + days; time, times and a half a time," or "the dividing of time,"—never + by "years." +</p> +<p> + At the expiration of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed a "little + season,"—<i>little</i>, as compared with the thousand years; so little, as + not to be deemed worth estimating. +</p> +<p> + 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given + unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the + witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped + the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their + foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a + thousand years. +</p> +<p> + V. 4.—"And I saw thrones." Here there is no mention of <i>heaven being + opened</i>. Nothing henceforth obstructs John's vision. "The darkness is + past, and the true light now shineth."—"At evening time it shall be + light." (Zech. xiv. 7.)—"And they sat on them." Who?—There is here + what may be termed a remarkable chasm in the language of the text. There + is no visible or proximate antecedent. Who are they who "sit on + thrones?" Did Millenarians only put this question, and patiently search + for the solution in the context, agreeably to the <i>allegorical texture</i> + of this whole book, all their hallucinations might be easily and happily + obviated. The inspired writer assumes, of course, that the reader will + readily identify these persons, who are thus promoted to honour, now + that Antichrist is no more, and society is to be reorganized.—Daniel + furnishes a satisfactory answer to our question. "I beheld till the + thrones were cast down." (Dan. vii. 9.) The Roman imperial thrones of + <i>civil despotism</i> were subverted. Again,—"But the judgment shall sit, + and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto + the end." (v. 26.) The Roman imperial <i>throne</i> of ecclesiastical + domination shall be destroyed. Then when Messiah "shall have put down + all rule, and all authority and power," of both sorts of tyranny, "the + kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole + heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, + whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions, (<i>rulers</i>) + shall serve and obey him," (v. 27.) The "saints of the Most High," + according to Daniel, are to be exalted to civil rule, and these are the + same whom John saw "sitting on thrones." Now, the effect of the seventh + trumpet becomes a fact in history.—"The kingdoms of this world," which + had been controlled by the beast, and bewitched by the sorceries of the + lewd woman, "are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his + Christ."—For in the millennial state of the world, there will be a + <i>plurality</i> of <i>kingdoms</i>.—Hence a very common petition of pious but + ignorant people,—"That the kingdoms of this world may soon become the + kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," neither will, nor ever + can be answered.—Under the righteous and benign administration of the + saints, "kings shall be nursing-fathers, and their queens + nursing-mothers to the church:" for "the nations and kingdoms that would + not <i>serve her</i>, have perished; yea, those nations have been utterly + wasted." (Is. xlix. 23; lx. 12.)—The souls which the apostle saw under + the altar, whose cry for vengeance he heard, and who were directed to + rest for a little season, till the roll of their martyred brethren + should be completed, are here presented in quite a new position, + "sitting on thrones," (ch. vi. 9.) Although they are not the same + identical persons <i>physically</i>, they are the same <i>morally</i>; for the + life of the two witnesses is commensurate with the reign of + Antichrist,—twelve hundred and sixty years. These "lived and reigned + with Christ a thousand years; that is, in their successive generations: + for otherwise they would over-live the age of Methuselah!—Souls are + here evidently persons, and not souls as distinct from bodies, as some + needlessly argue against Millenarians: for "foreheads" and "hands" are + attributed to them: but foreheads cannot be literally ascribed to those + who had been "beheaded." Their living is to be understood of their + succeeding to the same scriptural position occupied by their + predecessors, as well as succeeding them in the order of natural + generation. The Holy Spirit says, "Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid + tithes in Abraham." (Heb. vii. 9, 10.) Elijah reappeared in the person + of John the Baptist. (Matt. xi. 14.) Jezebel and Balaam were recognised + in their wicked successors, (ch. ii. 14, 20.) But this is the very + structure of the Apocalypse, being composed of hieroglyphics, that the + free agency of the wicked might be left untrammelled, and the diligence + of God's people might be tested in "searching the Scriptures." +</p> +<p> + 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years + were finished. This is the first resurrection. +</p> +<p> + V. 5.—"The rest of the dead" supposes two classes of the dead. These + are the witnesses, who died a violent and cruel death, and the wicked, + who died a natural death,—there "were no bands in their death." As + there are <i>two kinds</i> of death, so are there two kinds of + resurrection,—a <i>first</i> and <i>second</i> of each. Those who had been + "beheaded for the witness of Jesus," etc., lived in their + successors,—sat on thrones, reigned with Christ a thousand years. Of + course those who were slain by Christ and his army at the battle of + Armageddon, and whose flesh was given to the fowls of heaven, "lived not + again" in their successors, "until the thousand years were finished." + Consequently, "this is the first resurrection," with which the true + disciples of Christ shall be honoured. They must, however, die as all + others, and await the <i>second</i> resurrection: but "on them the second + death shall have no power." +</p> +<p> + 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on + such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God + and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. +</p> +<p> + V. 6.—"Blessed and holy,"—and blessed, because <i>holy</i>; for sin is the + procuring cause of misery. This is a summary description of the + millennial period. The dragon being bound by the almighty power of + Christ, and not permitted to deceive the nations, wars shall cease unto + the ends of all the earth: the population of the globe must be rapidly + and greatly multiplied beyond all precedent. (Ps. xlvi. 9; lxxii. 16,) + the life of man will be prolonged; (Isa. lxv. 20-25,) holiness, + righteousness and praise shall spring forth before all the nations, + (lxi. 11.) +</p> +<p> + That condition of our globe, which divines call the <i>millennium</i>,—a + state of holiness and happiness, second only to the enjoyment of + heavenly felicity, is as clearly and frequently promised to God's + people, as the promise of the Messiah was under the former economy. But + as many were "in expectation that the kingdom of God should immediately + appear," who then entertained unwarrantable and carnal conceptions of + the Messiah's person and reign, just such groundless and gross + expectations and aspirations are cherished now. A literal resurrection + of <i>all</i> the righteous, who shall have died before the millennium is + supposed to take place at the personal appearance of Christ; and this, + too, before the general judgment. By <i>personal</i>, they mean <i>corporeal</i>: + for the Lord Christ promised his gracious <i>personal</i> presence with his + people <i>all days</i>, when he was about to disappear from their bodily + vision. (Matt. xxviii. 20.) "To them that look for him shall he appear + the <i>second</i> time, (not a <i>third</i>,) without sin unto salvation." (Heb. + ix. 28; Rev. i. 7.) Besides, is it for a moment supposable that saints + who have passed into glory, are to be brought upon earth to conflict + once more with enemies, when Gog and Magog shall surround the "camp of + the saints?" Such is a specimen of questions suggested by the + <i>Millenarian system</i>, which have failed of either scriptural or rational + solution by all the learning and ingenuity of its fanciful advocates. +</p> +<p> + The whole series of the Apocalypse proves that the <i>two witnesses</i> live + and prophesy throughout the 1260 years of Antichrist's reign. Their + lives and their testimony end together, (ch. xi. 7.) But the beast that + slays them is himself with his ally, the false prophet, at the close of + the contest, cast alive into the lake of fire, (ch. xix. 20.) +</p> +<p> + After three and a half prophetical days, the witnesses are raised, and + ascend up to heaven, (ch. xi. 12;) and this is the identical fact which + is more fully presented here in the 20th chapter. The resurrection of + the witnesses in the 11th chapter is a spiritual and mystical + resurrection in the persons of their successors; the heaven to which + they were exalted is a mystical heaven: and just so of those beheaded + and advanced, after their resurrection, to positions of civil and + ecclesiastic power as in this 20th chapter. Thus exalted, and ruling in + the fear of God, they become a terror to evil doers, and a praise to + them that do well. (Rom. xiii. 3.) Then shall be realized the glorious + predictions of Isaiah and the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. (Isa. xi. 1-9; + Ps. lxxii. 1) +</p> +<p> + 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall + be loosed out of his prison. +</p> +<p> + 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four + quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: + the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. +</p> +<p> + 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp + of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God + out of heaven, and devoured them. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 7-9.—"Satan shall be loosed out of his prison."—The Lord Christ + will remove the restraint which had repressed the chief enemy during the + thousand years, that the Faithful and True Witness may give a final + testimony to the moral universe, that neither the philosophy of proud + man, nor the law of Moses,—no, nor the ordinances of the gospel, will + ever change the nature of a sinner:—That neither judgments nor mercies + have any efficacy to subdue the stubborn will, or renew the desperately + wicked heart of man; and that it is a righteous thing with God to render + tribulation to them that trouble his saints and insult his Majesty. +</p> +<p> + Thus released "for a little season," the prime enemy goes out as before + to "deceive the nations." He is successful. "The rest of the dead," who + lived not again during the 1000 years, at once re-appear in the persons + of their genuine successors. They are the children of them that killed + the witnesses;—the seed of the serpent aiming a last fatal stroke at + the seed of the woman.—They are called "Gog and Magog;" and because of + the identity of names, many have supposed them to be the same as those + enemies of the people of God described by Ezekiel, (chs. xxxviii., + xxxix.) This view is, however, without sanction in the Scriptures. The + characters are mystical according to the uniform structure of the + Apocalypse. Ezekiel's Gog and Magog come from the "north quarters;" + those of John from the "four quarters or corners of the earth." It is + also probable, if not absolutely certain, that the enemies predicted by + Ezekiel are to appear before, while those of John are to arise after the + millennium. The overthrow of Gog and Magog, foretold by Ezekiel, is + evidently connected with the conversion of the Jews, (ch. xxxix. 22, + 29;) but that event must precede the millennial period. (Rom. xi. + 26.)—Magog is reckoned with Meshech and Tubal among the sons of + Japheth, (Gen. x. 2;) and those nations called in history Scythians and + Tartars, in the "north quarters" of Europe and Asia, as well as the + "isles of the Gentiles," are supposed to be their descendants. By the + "three unclean spirits," (ch. xvi. 13,) a confederacy was effected under + the sixth vial to the battle of Armageddon; and the same is again + presented in ch. xix. 20, as the final attempt against the saints + previously to the millennium, when two of the prime instigators, the + beast and the false prophet, are cast into the lake of fire. Thus we may + suppose <i>eastern</i> and <i>western</i> Antichrist finally destroyed. +</p> +<p> + Ezekiel's Gog and Magog being slain in the battle of Armageddon, how or + where shall we find those of John? They are to be found precisely on the + same principle on which we find the witnesses of Christ in this chapter. + Satan is loosed "a little season,"—<i>little</i> as compared with the + thousand years of Messiah's reign; or rather, as compared with the 1260 + years of the dragon's successful enterprises against the saints through + the beast and false prophet as agents. These being now cast into the + lake of fire, Satan is for ever deprived of their agency. During the + millennial period people will be born in sin as at other times; and at + the close of that happy period, Almighty God will display his + sovereignty by withholding his grace, that a last demonstration may be + given to all the world of the necessity and efficacy of that grace in + changing the heart of a sinner. Without the intervention of the beast or + the false prophet, Satan will prevail by more direct temptations to + gather together to battle a multitude of the <i>same spirit</i> as Ezekiel's + Gog and Magog displayed against the saints before the millennium. These + are the "rest of the dead that lived not again till the one thousand + years were finished." As the "deadly wound" of the civil beast "was + healed," and he received a new life, to the astonishment of spectators, + (ch. xiii. 3,) as the witnesses received "the Spirit of life from God," + to the dismay of their enemies; (chs. xi. 11; xx. 4,) so Gog and Magog + re-appear in the persons and bloody cruelties of their genuine + successors. And in language similar to that in the context we may + warrantably say,—this is the <i>second resurrection</i>; for when it is + declared that the "rest of the dead lived not again," it is manifest + that two classes of dead are intended. All are said to be dead; the + witnesses, slain by the beast; their enemies, slain by the Lord. The + witnesses rise, and "this is the first resurrection." A <i>first</i> implies + a <i>second of the same kind</i>. Well, "the rest lived not again till the + thousand years were finished." What then? Why, simply this,—that the + other remaining class of the dead <i>lived again</i>; and this appears to be + the obvious scope and meaning of these terms, so vexing to many critics. +</p> +<p> + By deception Satan prevails to assemble the nations in vast multitudes, + "as the sand of the sea,"—a proverbial form of expression applied to + Abraham's seed. (Gen. xxii. 17.) "They went up on the breadth of the + earth." Coming from the "four quarters of the earth," they "compassed + the camp of the saints." The allusion here is twofold: to Israel in the + wilderness, in the time of Moses; and to the holy city Jerusalem, in the + days of David; (Ps. cxviii. 10-12,) for often did the enemy with "joint + heart" attempt to "cut off the name of Israel." (Ps. lxxxiii. 4-8.) + Never was Pharaoh or Sennacherib more confident of a sure and easy + victory over the saints. (Exod. xv. 9; Isa. xxxvi. 20.) As in the days + of Noah, most of the generation of the righteous had been taken home to + glory before the ungodly were destroyed by the deluge, so we may suppose + the "camp of the saints" to be but a "little flock," when assailed for + the last time, while they are in a militant state.—The issue in this + case, however, will be more decisive and glorious than any other battle + with the powers of darkness. We may adopt and apply the words of the + prophet to God's people in the time of Jehoshaphat:—"Thus saith the + Lord,—Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for + the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this + battle." (2 Chron. xx. 15, 17.)—"Fire came down from God out of heaven, + and devoured" this great multitude. This most dreadful of all elements + in the material universe, is that which is commonly employed to + represent the wrath of God. By it Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, + Corah and his rebellious company, the captains and their fifties; fire + proceeded out of the mouth of the two witnesses and devoured their + enemies; Gog and Magog are consumed by this element; the heavens and the + earth which are now, are reserved unto fire; the Lord Jesus shall be + revealed from heaven ... in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that + know not God, and that obey not the gospel,—most probably <i>these very + enemies</i>; and all such are to be consigned to "the fire that never shall + be quenched." Awful thought! Tremendous destiny! Who would not fear + thee, O Lord; who art a consuming fire to all thy impenitent enemies? +</p> +<p> + 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and + brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be + tormented day and night for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + V. 10.—The <i>first</i> rebel against the righteous authority of the Lord + and his Anointed, and the ceaseless instigator of all rebellions of + individual and social man, is the <i>last</i> to be consigned to adequate + punishment. When the Lord first called sinners to account, the same + order is noticeable: First, Adam, then Eve, and last the serpent. The + beast and the false prophet are already in the lake of fire; (ch. xix. + 20;) and now, Satan, who is here called the devil, is dismissed after + them, that they may all be tormented "for ever and ever,"—words, as + already noticed, which are the strongest in the Greek language, to + convey to the human mind the idea of <i>endless duration</i>. +</p> +<p> + 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose + face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place + for them. +</p> +<p> + 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books + were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and + the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books + according to their works. +</p> +<p> + 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell + delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man + according to their works. +</p> +<p> + 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the + second death. +</p> +<p> + 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast + into the lake of fire. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 11-15.—Nothing now remains to bring to a close the moral + administration of Messiah, but the raising of the dead and pronouncing + final sentence on all the subjects of his government. There is no + intimation that any events shall intervene between the casting of the + devil into the burning lake, and the appearing of the Judge. +</p> +<p> + The "great white throne" is suitable to the majesty and holiness of the + Judge. He is not at first called by any name, for "every eye shall see," + and seeing, recognise his divine dignity. In the next verse he is styled + God, not to identify him, but as a matter of course in the + narrative.—No sooner did the Judge take his seat, than "the earth and + the heaven fled away." The simplicity and sublimity of this language are + inimitable by human genius; and rarely if at all equalled, even by those + who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The first inspired + writer uses language very similar. (Gen. i. 3.) We are frequently and + sufficiently taught that the Lord Christ in person is to be the judge of + quick and dead. (Acts xvii. 31.) "All must appear before the judgment + seat of Christ." (2 Cor. v. 10.) No person is competent to this work of + judgment but one who is omniscient and omnipotent, not to speak of other + divine perfections. The "Judge of all the earth" is a divine person, + possessed of all the attributes of deity; and as there is not <i>now</i> + among apostate angels, so there will not <i>then</i> be a child of Adam, to + <i>deny the supreme deity of Jesus Christ</i>. (Matt. viii. 29.) Of this he + gave intimation at the beginning of the Apocalypse:—"Every eye shall + see him, and they also which pierced him," (ch. i. 7;) yes, they pierced + him for <i>blasphemy</i>, "because that he, being a man, made himself God." + (John x. 33.) Here the Judge on the throne demonstrates to an assembled + universe, the scriptural warrant for the language of the Reformers when + they say he is "very God, and very man." "God is judge himself," (Ps. l. + 6,) in the person of the Father; but "he hath appointed a day in the + which <i>he</i> will judge the world in righteousness, by that <i>man</i> whom he + hath ordained."—(Acts xvii. 31.) +</p> +<p> + Before the righteous Judge "shall be gathered all nations," (Matt. xxv. + 32,) all that have ever lived upon the earth, from the creation till the + end of time, all ranks and degrees, however diversified by sex, age, or + social position; righteous and wicked, Jews and Gentiles, Herod and + Pontius Pilate, Cain and Abel, Judas, etc. +</p> +<p> + In order to this general assize, "the dead shall hear the voice of the + Son of God," (John v. 25, 28, 29;) "and many of them that sleep in the + dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to + shame and everlasting contempt." (Dan. xii. 2.) The "sea, death and + hell," or the grave, (or rather, the place of souls as separated by + death from their bodies,) which are thus awfully, but beautifully + personified, shall surrender their respective tenants, that they may + stand before the Son of man in judgment.—Only such as have died are + mentioned here: but some will not die, but "remain alive unto the coming + of the Lord," the judge; and these, it is probable, will be the "camp of + the saints" which have been miraculously delivered from the rage of Gog + and Magog, (vs. 8, 9.) There is a beautiful order in the final + resurrection. "The dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thess. iv. 16; 1 + Cor. xv. 23.) Next will be raised the wicked; for "like sheep they are + laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have + dominion over them in the morning." (Ps. xlix. 14.) The dead, being all + raised, those who shall be alive will undergo a change equivalent to + death,—"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;" for these "shall not + prevent (anticipate) them which were asleep;" that is, they will not be + <i>changed</i> until their companions are called from the grave, etc. All + being now "before the judgment seat of Christ,"—the "books are opened!" + Oh, what emotions will swell and heave the bosoms of the + righteous!—"joy unspeakable and full of glory:" for before the sentence + of acquittal is publicly pronounced, their position on the Judge's right + hand indicates the sentence. And next what terror insupportable will now + seize the wicked! What "fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery + indignation," when in breathless suspense, they await the just + sentence,—"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared + for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. xxv. 41; Heb. x. 27.) The + righteousness of this sentence will be attested by the "opened + books,"—of the divine omniscience, the human conscience, and in the + case of gospel-rejecters, the Bible. (2 Thess. i. 7, 8.) And the like + condemnation would pass upon the righteous, but that "another book is + opened," in which are inscribed the names of all the objects of God's + electing love: and this will be the key-note in their songs of praise to + all eternity. (Jer. xxxi. 3; Rev. i. 5.) All are "judged according to + their works," as these are witnessed by the books,—for "their works do + follow them," (ch. xiv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + "Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Death, or the grave; + hell, or the separate state, will never again be needed, as prisons to + keep their inmates for trial. "The lake of fire" is the place of + ceaseless and endless torment for all who are not "found written in the + book of life;" and this place seems to be distinct from the "bottomless + pit," Satan's "prison," out of which he had been loosed, (v. 7.)—Of the + beast it was said, he "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," but not + that he was remanded thither again: he is said to "go into perdition," + which must be "the lake of fire." (Compare ch. xvii. 8, with xix. 20; + and xx. 1-3 with v. 10.)—The plain and obvious meaning of these closing + verses of the 20th chapter, as delineated in its general import by + appropriate and familiar symbols and intelligible words, for ever + excludes, and emphatically condemns the conscience-stupifying heresies + and blasphemies of Unitarians and Universalists. The God-man Mediator, + seated upon the "throne of his glory," before whose face the "earth and + the heaven fled away," is thus evidenced to be the Son of God, Jehovah's + Fellow. And we may here adopt the assertion and caution of the "beloved + disciple,"—"This is the true God and eternal life.—Little children, + keep yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 20, 21.)—Moreover, these verses + reveal a place or state, more to be dreaded than the "killing of the + body,"—"the lake of fire, which is the second death," "where their worm + dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Matt. x. 28; 2 Thess. i. + 8-10; Heb. x. 26-31.) +</p> +<p> + With the 20th chapter of the Apocalypse terminate the events of time, in + which the divine Author demonstrates, that "known unto him are all his + works, from the beginning of the world." (Acts xv. 18.) Many, indeed, of + the learned and pious have supposed the remaining chapters of the + Apocalypse, to be a description of the church on earth during the + millennial period. But besides the series, coherence and dependence of + the several parts of the book, precluding such <i>retrogression</i>, this + interpretation overthrows the scriptural distinction between the + militant and triumphant state of the church. And it is not to be thought + out of place, that the inspired prophet should describe, by suitable + emblems, the outline of the heavenly state; for this he has done briefly + already in a number of instances. (See chs. ii. and iii., also ch. vii. + 15, 17.)—Those who consider the last two chapters as a delineation of + the church on earth, have first formed in their minds ideas of a + corporeal or bodily presence of Christ, and of a literal and visible + reign on the earth. Such views we have already shown to be without + scripture warrant, yea against plain declarations of the Holy Spirit, + (as Acts iii. 21; Matt. xvii. 11, 12; Heb. ix. 28.) Hence we shall + contemplate the symbols of the following chapters,—except as incidents + or allusions may render this incompatible,—as shadowing forth the + glories of the church's heavenly state. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the + first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. +</p> +<p> + 2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out + of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. +</p> +<p> + 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the + tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they + shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their + God. +</p> +<p> + 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be + no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any + more pain: for the former things are passed away. +</p> +<p> + 5. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new. + And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. +</p> +<p> + 6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning + and the end: I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of + the water of life freely. +</p> +<p> + 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, + and he shall be my son. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-7.—It is unquestionable that the phrase "new heavens and a new + earth" is to be understood sometimes as descriptive of moral renovation + in the world. As the moral change affected by grace in the character of + an individual sinner is called a new creation, and is in truth no less, + so in respect to a community. The analogy in this case is the same as + between a revolution and an earthquake. Thus, we must understand Is. + lxv. 17, lxvi. 22, of that great moral change which will characterize + the millennium. But the "new heaven and the new earth" are here + contrasted with the "first heaven and the first earth which were passed + away," (ch. xx. 11.) The apostle Peter describes the very same grand and + glorious change. Mingling the important facts of authentic history with + the future facts of prophecy, he tells us that the "heavens and the + earth which are now, ... are reserved unto fire."—He speaks obviously + of the visible heavens and earth. These "heavens shall pass away ... and + "the earth also, ... shall be burnt up." He adds,—"We look for new + heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet. iii. + 7, 13.)—"There was no more sea," no more disorderly passions, + animosities, arising from human depravity, to interrupt the delightful + harmony and fellowship of saints in glory. It is estimated that about + two thirds of this world are occupied by water. In that happy place + occupied by the people of God, there is no sea; consequently, "yet there + is room," many mansions, room enough for all the redeemed. "The holy + city," compared to a "bride," two very incongruous emblems, shows the + poverty of symbols, their inadequacy to represent the church triumphant: + how then shall created objects furnish suitable emblems of the glorious + and glorified Bridegroom? In vision the city seemed to the apostle as if + suspended in the air on the same plane with himself; for now he stood + neither on "the sand of the sea," (ch. xiii. 1,) for "there was no more + sea," nor upon the earth, for it was "passed away." No intervening + object could obstruct his view.—He heard a voice from heaven, saying, + "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with + them," as his reconciled and beloved people. As a tender Father, he will + "wipe away all tears from their eyes." "There shall be no more death," + either of themselves or their beloved friends, to open the fountain of + tears any more for ever. But death is the last enemy to be destroyed; (1 + Cor. xv. 26;) how then can these words apply to any state short of + immortality in heaven? "Neither sorrow nor crying,"—for sin or + suffering; "neither shall there be any more pain," causing tears or + cries: and what is this but heaven? Yes, "the former things are passed + away." Now "he that hath the bride is the bridegroom," and she shall + never be false to her marriage covenant any more.—"He that sat on the + throne," denotes the Father most frequently in this book, as he is + distinguished from the Son; but the Son "is set down with his Father in + his throne," (ch. iii. 21;) and the Son is to be viewed as the person on + the throne here, as the following words, compared with the twentieth + chapter, verse eleventh, make evident.—He it is who "makes all things + new." He left his disciples as to his bodily presence, and went to + "prepare a place for them," (John xiv. 2;) and now he has come again and + received them to himself, in fulfilment of his promise. Having sent the + Holy Spirit to create them anew and to carry on to completion their + sanctification, he now sees of the travail of his soul, the Father has + given him his heart's desire, and hath not withholden the request of his + lips. Now, all his ransomed ones are with him, in answer to his prayer, + and also their own prayers, that they may behold his glory which the + Father gave him. (Ps. xxi. 2; John xvii. 24; Phil. i. 23.)—The Lord + Christ said to John,—"Write; for these words are true and faithful." + And what has sustained the spirits, animated the hopes, and filled with + exulting joy, the confessors, witnesses and martyrs of Jesus, but + faith's realizing views of the King in his beauty, and the glories of + Immanuel's land? For this peculiarity the disciples of Christ have been + as speckled birds, men wondered at, in all generations.—"It is done," + so he said at the pouring out of the seventh vial, (ch. xvi. 17;) when + the final stroke was given to the antichristian enemies: but now these + words import the completion of the whole counsel of the will of God, as + carried into effect by the Captain of salvation, in bringing the beloved + and adopted sons and daughters of the Father home to glory. (Heb. ii. + 10.) He who is the "Alpha and Omega," is the "author and finisher of + their faith."—Although the Lord Jesus has made of sinners "new + creatures," prepared them as "vessels of mercy unto glory," and + introduced them into heaven, they are <i>creatures</i> still, and necessarily + dependent. They thirst for refreshment suited to their holy nature; and + accordingly he gives of the "<i>fountain</i> of the water of life freely," + for the <i>streams</i> of which they thirsted, "as the heart panteth for the + water brooks," while they sojourned in a dry and parched land, far from + their Father's house. Man's sin consisted in forsaking this "Fountain of + living waters," and his recovery and felicity must arise from his + returning from his own "broken cisterns" to the original spring.—The + water of life was purchased at infinite cost by Christ; but he offers it + to the thirsty without price, (Is. lxv. 1, 2.)—Those who are refreshed + by the streams of the water of life, have many enemies to encounter in + their militant state, but all who overcome are encouraged in their + warfare by the animating promise, that they shall "inherit all things." + (1 Cor. iii. 21.)—"He shall be my son," and "if a son, then an heir of + God, and joint heir with Christ." +</p> +<p> + 8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, + and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall + have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which + is the second death. +</p> +<p> + V. 8.—"But the fearful," who dread suffering or reproach for the cause + of Christ,—not the self-diffident who loves his Captain, but the coward + or deserter, who "turns back in the day of battle," who fears the enemy + more than his Captain:—"and unbelieving," not the misbelieving, as + Thomas; nor the <i>weak</i> in faith, but such as have <i>no</i> + faith,—<i>infidels</i>;—"the abominable," defiling the flesh as + Sodomites:—"murderers," suicides, duelists, assassins, burglars, etc., + "whoremongers," adulterers, fornicators:—"sorcerers," necromancers, + spiritualists, who are the devil's prophets, pretending to new + revelations, "and all liars," perjured persons, deceivers, hypocrites, + false teachers, who handle the word of the Lord deceitfully, for filthy + lucre's sake,—all such shall have their part in the lake, with the + devil, the beast, and the false prophet. (1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Gal. v. + 19-21; Eph. v. 5, 6; 2 Cor. xi. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven + vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come + hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. +</p> +<p> + 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, + and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of + heaven from God, +</p> +<p> + 11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most + precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal; +</p> +<p> + 12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the + gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of + the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. +</p> +<p> + 13. On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, + three gates; and on the west, three gates. +</p> +<p> + 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the + names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 9-14.—This "angel" is probably the same who had shown John the + mystic Babylon and her destruction, (ch. xvii. 1;) and who now proposes + to show him the "bride of the Lamb" by way of contrast.—Under the + influence of the Spirit, who has access to the soul without the use of + the bodily organs, (2 Cor. xii. 2,)—John was "carried to a great and + high mountain," where the prospect might be sufficiently enlarged. When + the angel proposed to show him the "scarlet whore," he "carried him into + the wilderness," intimating that such is the <i>only position</i> in which + the "mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her," can be + clearly seen or perfectly understood. (2 Pet. i. 9.) Great indeed is the + contrast. Both objects are complex, and the combination of symbols, + wholly incongruous in nature, admonishes the sober interpreter to beware + of indulging his vain fancy by attempting to trace analogies in detail, + where none are intended by the Holy Spirit. The true church of Christ is + compared to a virtuous and fruitful woman, (ch. xii. 5;) and the + apostate church is symbolized by a fruitful but profligate woman, (ch. + xvii. 5.) Then both are also represented by two cities, which are + equally contrasted. As the women differ in their outward adornment, + (chs. xix. 8, xvii. 4,) so do the cities in the quality of population, + commerce and employment, (ch. xviii. 4; xxii. 14.)—The nuptials being + consummated between the Lamb and his bride, and she being now "made + perfect in holiness;" under the emblem of a city, she is illuminated + with "the glory of God," made "comely through his comeliness put upon + her," rendered beautiful and illustrious beyond conception or + expression: for the happiness of heaven results from conformity to the + God-man, communion with him and communications from him. (1 John iii. + 2.)—"Her light" resembled the "jasper, clear as crystal." The knowledge + of saints in heaven will be intuitive: they will no longer "see through + a glass darkly," by word and sacraments; nor shall the glorious + Bridegroom show himself as formerly "through the lattice;" (Song ii. 9;) + but they "shall see him as he is." (1 John iii. 2.)—"A wall great and + high" denotes the security of this city, which can never be scaled by an + enemy. The "twelve gates" are to admit the twelve tribes of God's + spiritual Israel,—the sealed ones, (ch. vii. 5-8;) who "shall come from + the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and + shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke xiii. 29.)—At the gates + were "twelve angels," as guards and porters. The "foundations" of the + wall, named after the "twelve apostles," denote that all who enter the + city, gained admission by "belief of the truth" as taught by the + apostles,—had "continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and + fellowship," in the face of reproach, persecution and apostacy. They + were "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,"—Old and + New Testament believers saved by the blood of the Lamb: for the twelve + tribes, multiplied by the twelve apostles, make a hundred and + forty-four; and these again, multiplied by a thousand, make the whole + number who appeared with the Lamb on Mount Zion, (ch. xiv. 1;) <i>the + public witnesses</i> of Christ, in the <i>church militant</i> during the great + apostacy. +</p> +<p> + 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, + and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. +</p> +<p> + 16. And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the + breadth. Ami he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand + furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. +</p> +<p> + 17. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four + cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 15-17.—The apostle borrows the symbols and language of preceding + prophets, especially those of Ezek. (xl. 3,) and Zech. (ii. 1.) The + "furlongs" measured by the "reed," indicate a city of vast dimensions; + and being "four square," each side would be about fifteen hundred miles! + And as the "length and breadth and height of it are equal," we are + hereby taught that no gross conceptions are to be formed in our + imaginations, since a city fifteen hundred miles high, is utterly + inconceivable. The instruction intended to be conveyed to us by the vast + dimensions, and precious materials of this city may be, the + incomprehensible nature and transcendent glory of heaven. (1 Cor. ii. + 9.) A cubit, as the word signifies, "is the measure of a man" from his + elbow to the end of his middle finger. The measure of the wall, in + height or breadth, was a hundred and forty-four cubits, or the twelve + tribes, as before, multiplied by the twelve apostles; for the idea of a + cube, as the most perfect symbol of symmetrical form, seems to be + intended. +</p> +<p> + 18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was + pure gold, like unto clear glass: +</p> +<p> + 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all + manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, + sapphire; the third chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; +</p> +<p> + 20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; + the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the + eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. +</p> +<p> + 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of + one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were + transparent glass. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18-21.—The "jasper, gold and glass," are here all combined; though + their natural properties and chemical elements are so different. Glass + is clear, transparent, but brittle; gold is solid and shining, but + opaque. In heaven, the saints shall <i>know</i> more than we can now + <i>imagine</i>. The glass will be all gold. As the eye sees an object through + glass at a glance, so the saints in heaven will perceive truth without + the tedious process of comparison and reasoning. The gold will be all + glass. All these symbols are intended to show to the devout reader, that + the antichristian harlot is incomparably eclipsed by the glory of the + Lamb's bride,—having "no glory, by reason of the glory that + excelleth."—The twelve "precious stones" which "garnished the + foundations of the wall of the city," are an allusion to those of + Aaron's breastplate of judgment. (Exod. xxviii. 17-20;) indicating that + the <i>Urim</i> and <i>Thummim</i>, the <i>light</i> and <i>perfection</i> of glory, shall + be there, superseding the oracle and Shekinah: for one thing is peculiar + to this city by which it is distinguished from the old Jerusalem,—no + temple. +</p> +<p> + 22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the + Lamb, are the temple of it. +</p> +<p> + 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine + in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light + thereof. +</p> +<p> + 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of + it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. +</p> +<p> + 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall + be no night there. +</p> +<p> + 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. +</p> +<p> + 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, + neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which + are written in the Lamb's book of life. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 22-27.—There was "no temple therein." As there <i>was a temple</i> in + the city which Ezekiel saw in vision, (ch. xli. 1,) and this fact + determines the point, that his prophecy relates to the church + <i>militant</i>; so, the absence of even the semblance of such a structure + here, proves that this is a description of the church <i>triumphant</i>. In + heaven there is no need of external, material, visible symbols of God's + presence. As the ceremonial "law had a shadow of good things to come," + but "vanished away" when Christ appeared, (Heb. x. 1,) so will it be in + heaven; no ordinances will be used to act upon either sense or faith, + these having issued in vision. +</p> +<p> + The glorious presence of "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb," having + superseded the necessity of a temple; the light of the sun and moon + shall be no longer needed. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at + all," (1 John i. 5;) and "as long as Christ was in the world, he was the + light of the world." (John ix. 5.) We have seen that other suns and + moons which were <i>symbolical,</i> have been darkened or blotted out of + existence by the omnipotent Mediator; but now these natural luminaries + are totally and for ever obscured by the ineffable effulgence of + uncreated light,—the manifested and immediate presence of the Father + and the Son.—All the redeemed shall "walk in the light of the Lord;" + and all the glory of "the kings of the earth," concentrated in one + place, would bear no comparison with the splendor of this "holy city." + The gates are not to be shut during the "day" of <i>eternity</i>; and since + the "excellent ones of the earth" shall all enter the twelve open gates + from every part of the world, it may be truly said "they bring the glory + and honor of the nations into it." What a delightful scene of a holy, + happy, safe and harmonious fellowship!—It is observable that the + apostle altogether drops <i>personalities</i> here. He seizes only upon + properties or qualities,—"any thing,"—so holy is the place, and so + holy the inhabitants; yea, so safe and secure, that no creature,—no + "beast of the field which the Lord God has made," shall ever gain an + entrance into this heavenly Paradise: but only those whose names are + "written in the Lamb's book of life;" who, despite of the Serpent, + brings all his spiritual seed safe to glory. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> +<p> + 1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, + proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. +</p> +<p> + 2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, + was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and + yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the + healing of the nations. +</p> +<p> + 3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the + Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. +</p> +<p> + 4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their + foreheads. +</p> +<p> + 5. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither + light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall + reign for ever and ever. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 1-5.—These verses, being a continuance of the description of the + "holy city," naturally belong to the preceding chapter.—The angel + proceeds to show John the source and current from which emanate all + heavenly blessings. The allusion is to Ezekiel, xlvii. 1-12; but both he + and John call our attention to man's primeval state, when our first + parents dwelt in Eden. This abode of the blessed is beautified and + enriched with all the products, delights and attractions which are + adapted to the refined senses of holy creatures,—"pleasant to the eyes, + and good for food." It is Paradise restored, by the "doing and dying" of + the second Adam. It is also Paradise <i>improved</i>, having not only the + "tree of life," as the first had, but also, in addition, the "water of + life." The "tree of life" was to sinless Adam a symbol and pledge of + immortality to himself and all his posterity whom he represented in the + Covenant of Works. Now that heaven is procured for all believers by the + second Adam, it is emblematically represented to our weak apprehension + by directing our attention to the primitive and earthly Paradise. This + is repeatedly done in Scripture. The Lord Jesus, before he expired upon + the cross, said to the penitent thief,—"To day shall thou be with me in + Paradise. (Luke xxiii. 43.) Paul was "caught up" thither, (2 Cor. xii. + 4;) and he calls the place "heaven," (v. 2;) and in this book, (ch. ii. + 7,) the Lord promises,—"I will give to him that overcometh to eat of + the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The + "tree" is an emblem of Christ, (Song ii. 3;) the "river of the water of + life" symbolizes the Holy Spirit, (John vii. 38, 39;) for as the Son and + the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father, the former by generation, the + latter by emanation from eternity,—so "that eternal life which was with + the Father" in the person of the Son, and purchased by the Son, is + communicated by the Holy Ghost to all the redeemed by regeneration. (2 + Cor. iii. 6; Rom. viii. 2.)—Thus, the eternal duration of life in glory + "proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb." On each side of the + river "the tree of life" is accessible by the inhabitants; and the + fruits of the tree, ripe in all months of the year, and adapted to every + taste, each one may "put forth his hand" as he passes, "and take ... and + eat, and live for ever." (Gen. iii. 22.) Or, "the people that are + therein" may "sit down under its shadow, and its fruit will be sweet to + their taste."—"The leaves of the tree" are for medicine, being + preventive of all disease, so that "the inhabitant shall not say, I am + sick: the people that dwell therein are forgiven their iniquities." (Is. + xxxiii. 24.) "There shall be no more curse." Satan gained entrance into + the garden of Eden, and succeeded in entailing the "curse" upon man, and + upon beast, and upon the fruits of the ground; but he shall never be + loosed again, or emerge from "the lake of fire," to disturb the repose + of that blessed society in heaven, (ch. xxi. 27.)—As the "throne of God + and the Lamb" is <i>one,</i> (ch. iii. 21;) so it is remarkable that the + distinction of persons is omitted, as though the Father and the Son were + but one person. True, Christ said, "I and my Father are one," (John x. + 30;) but he referred to <i>unity</i> of <i>nature</i> and purpose, not of + <i>personality;</i> for, in consistency with this, he said also,—"My Father + is greater than I;" an assertion which must consist with the former, and + which plainly involves personal distinction, (ch. xiv. 28.)—"His name + shall be in their foreheads."—Which of them? We have found Christ's + Father's name "written in the foreheads" of a hundred and forty-four + thousand saints <i>militant</i>, (ch. xiv. 1.) While in conflict, "the world + knew them not," and the adherents of Antichrist "cast out their names as + evil," branding them as <i>heretics</i>; but now they are known to the whole + universe, as the <i>covenant property</i> of both the Father and the Son, + (ch. iii. 12.)—"Behold, I and the children which God hath given me;" + (Heb. ii. 13.) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou + gavest me cut of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; + and they have kept thy word. ... All mine are thine, and thine are mine; + and I am glorified in them." (John xvii. 6,10.)—There will be no + intermission or interruption of service, "no night there,"—no hidings + of God's countenance, no desertions; for "they shall see his face" in + the "express image of the Father's person," be assured of his + love;—"need no candle," nor any earthly accommodation; "for the Lord + God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever," in + fulness of joy and unalloyed pleasures for evermore. (Ps. xvi. 11.) How + different is this heaven from the Mahometan paradise, which, if real, + could gratify only carnal and sensual sinners! yet the imaginations of + many, and their aspirations too, with the Bible in their hands, are + little better than those of Mahometans or pagans. All speculations of + heathen philosophers about the "chief good," or the enjoyments of their + imaginary gods, are so gross and brutish as to demonstrate the + all-important truth, that "except a man be born again, <i>he cannot</i> see + the kingdom of God." (John iii. 3.) And it is too evident that some + modern philosophers are as little acquainted as Nicodemus with the + humbling doctrines of the gospel. The society of learned men, making + perpetual advance in natural science, especially in astronomy,—would + seem to be the highest conception of happiness which too many modern + philosophers can reach. They know not some of the elementary teachings + of the Holy Scriptures; such as,—"Without holiness no man shall see the + Lord;" and that this indispensable preparation for heavenly felicity + consists in "the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy + Ghost." +</p> +<p> + The hundreds of diverse and conflicting opinions of learned writers on + the <i>summum bonum</i>, or chief good, proves to demonstration, that without + supernatural revelation and regeneration, man cannot conceive in what + happiness consists. Thus far is the description of the heavenly state; + and how little can we know, or even conceive of the glory and felicity + of the upper sanctuary! We must still say with the prophet Isaiah and + the apostle Paul,—"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have + entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for + them that love him." (Isa. lxiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.) +</p> +<p> + 6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the + Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants + the things which must shortly be done. +</p> +<p> + 7. Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the + prophecy of this book. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 6, 7.—The angel assures the apostle and all who read, that "these + sayings are faithful and true," however sublime and incomprehensible; + however, incredible to infidels; however contradicted and misinterpreted + by antichristian apostates and enthusiasts. They are all from "the Lord + God of the holy prophets,"—from Jesus Christ and God the Father, (ch. + i. 1.)—All prophets who wrote <i>any part</i> of the Bible, were "holy men + of God." (2 Pet. i. 21.)—Of "these things" some were "shortly to be + done;" and all in regular series would be accomplished in due + time.—"Behold I come quickly." Christ is the speaker here, and declares + that each one is "blessed who keepeth the sayings ... of this book." + This benediction was pronounced on such at the beginning of this + Revelation, (ch. i. 3,) and it is repeated by its immediate divine + Author, to encourage all to study it. This blessing is not to be + expected by any who merely <i>read</i> or <i>hear</i>, but by those only who + <i>keep</i> the "sayings of this prophecy." Its Author foreknew its enemies + and corrupters. +</p> +<p> + 8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and + seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed + me these things. +</p> +<p> + 9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy + fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep + the sayings of this book: worship God. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 8, 9.—A <i>second</i> time, John attempts an act of idolatry! While we + may wonder at this, let us not fail to admire the wonderful wisdom of + God in permitting his servant to fall, as he did in the case of our + first father Adam, that he might take occasion more fully to display his + glory in "bringing good out of evil." The Apocalypse is directed chiefly + against that primary feature of the great Antichrist, <i>idolatry</i>. This + was part of "the mystery of inquity "which did already work" in the time + of the apostles, (Col. ii. 18,) and was to be fully developed + afterwards. (2 Thess. ii. 4.) This second rebuke of an apostle, by one + of the most exalted of creatures, for ever answers all arguments of + Papists or others, who plead for, or palliate the "worshipping of + angels" or souls of men. Idolaters worship angels and souls <i>when + absent</i>, as though they were omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent; + thus giving the glory to creatures of these divine perfections: whereas + this heavenly messenger, <i>when present</i>, keenly resents this indignity + to his and the apostle's adorable Creator and Lord. Once more the angel + directs John and all men to join him and all the heavenly host in + observing "the first and great commandment,"—"Worship God," (ch. v. + 11-14.) This angelic rebuke, leaves Papists for ever without excuse; and + consequently all others who deny the <i>supreme deity</i> of our Lord and + Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet worship him. +</p> +<p> + 10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this + book; for the time is at hand. +</p> +<p> + 11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, + let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous + still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. +</p> +<p> + 12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every + man according as his work shall be. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 10-12.—Christ himself addresses John in person. He had done so at + the beginning of these glorious scenes of the future, (ch. i. 8.) Now he + appears again in glory, though not described as before, that he may thus + authenticate and close the vision.—"Seal not the sayings of the + prophecy of this book." Why is this? The reason is assigned, because + "the time is at hand" when they shall begin to be verified in actual + history. The case was different in Daniel's time, who was inspired by + the same omniscient Spirit to predict the same events. "O Daniel, shut + up the words, and seal the vision, even to the time of the end." (Dan. + xii. 4.) If the vision of the empires of Persia and Greece was to be + "for many days," (ch. viii. 26,) then the rise, reign and overthrow of + the Roman empire, were still more remote. No wonder that Daniel, with + becoming humility but intense interest inquired, "O, my Lord, what shall + be the end of these things?" Such was the subdued anxiety of other + prophets. (1 Pet. i. 10.) And here we may once for all notice the <i>three + distinct</i> periods mentioned by Daniel, as measuring the duration of the + Roman empire, the Romish apostacy, and as they bear upon the promised + and desirable millennium. The two prophets, Daniel and John, agree in + fixing and limiting the domination of the Antichrist to 1260 years. This + agreement has been already pointed out. The Lord, however, to allay the + laudable anxiety of his "greatly beloved" servant Daniel, makes mention + of two other periods of time, 1290 and 1335 days or years, (ch. xii. 11, + 12.) Now, when we have manifold assurances that the great apostacy shall + terminate with the close of the 1260 years, we may venture humbly to + suppose, that the next thirty years may be occupied in the conversion of + the Jews, and the remaining forty-five in the effectual calling of the + residue of the gentile nations; so as to bring the kingdoms of the earth + and the church of Christ to perfect organization and visible harmony, + and the whole population of the globe into voluntary and avowed + subjection to the Lord and his Anointed,—to perfect millennial + splendor, the nearest approximation to heaven. (Rom. xi. 25, 26; Ps. + cii. 15, 16.) But "who shall live when God doeth this?" (Num. xxiv. + 23.)—The divine Author of this book, having given to mankind a complete + and sufficient revelation of his will, containing invitations and + warnings, at this juncture gives intimation that obstinate sinners shall + at length be left to the consequences of their own free and perverse + choice, "unjust and filthy still;" no further means to be employed for + their conviction; but those who have embraced the offer of the gospel, + shall be confirmed for ever in holiness and happiness,—"righteous and + holy still."—He also repeats the assurances of his sudden appearance to + reward "every man according as his work shall be." The recompense which + he brings will be of debt or justice to the impenitent unbeliever; but + wholly of free grace to the believer; for the works of each class shall + follow them, as decisive evidence of their respective characters, (ch. + xiv. 13.) +</p> +<p> + 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the + last. +</p> +<p> + V. 13.—The Lord Christ here declares and asserts the eternity of his + personal subsistence and official standing, as an all-sufficient + guarantee of his ability and authority to deal with the righteous and + the wicked, as also to bring to pass all events by his providence which + are here predicted. The same guarantee he had given at the beginning of + the Apocalypse, (ch. i. 8.) +</p> +<p> + 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right + to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. +</p> +<p> + V. 14.—Those who "do his commandments," are believers, (John xiv. 15,) + and no others can obtain a "right to the tree of life"—all the + blessings of Christ's purchase: for "without faith it is impossible to + please God," (Heb. xi. 6;) and "this is the love of God, that we keep + his commandments." (1 John v. 3.) "By the deeds of the law,"—keeping + the commandments, whether moral or ceremonial, "shall no flesh be + justified in the sight of God," or <i>merit</i> a "right to the tree of + life," or to "enter in through the gates into the city." This right, + power, or privilege, is confined to those, and to those only, who + "receive and believe on the name of Christ." (John i. 12.) They who + serve the Lord Christ, are entitled to the reward of the inheritance, + (Col. iii. 24;) and in keeping of his commandments, there is great + reward. (Ps. xix. 11.) This reward is of <i>grace</i>, not of <i>debt</i> to any + of the children of Adam: "not of works, lest any man should boast." + (Rom. xi. 6; Eph. ii. 9.) And when the last elected sinner, pertaining + to the whole company of the redeemed, shall have been called, justified + and sanctified, then "with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: + they shall enter into the King's palace." (Ps. xlv. 15.) +</p> +<p> + 15. For without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, + and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. +</p> +<p> + V. 15.—"Without are dogs."—These characters have been excluded by the + righteous and unalterable sentence of the judge of quick and dead, + having their part in the "lake of fire:" for there is no intimation here + or elsewhere, of any <i>purgatory</i> or intermediate place, with the + delusive hope of which, those who "love and make lies," flatter + themselves and their blind votaries. Oh, that such "sinners in Zion," + and out of Zion, "might be afraid!"—that timely "fearfulness might + surprise these hypocrites!" that they might ponder those awful + questions!—"Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among + us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa. xxxiii. 14.) +</p> +<p> + 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the + churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and + morning star. +</p> +<p> + V. 16.—This is the "angel" whose ministry the Lord Christ was pleased + to employ in making known to the church through his servant John, most + of the discoveries of this book, (ch. i. 1, 11.) Many other angels have + indeed been employed by the Mediator as the ministers of his providence; + but this one seems to have been the principal all along. None of these + heavenly messengers, however, was found competent to reveal the purposes + of God, (ch. v. 3.) To this work the eternal Son of God alone was found + adequate by nature and office,—the "Lamb that had been slain." Christ + has a personal property in the angels, as he is their Creator and Lord; + and as they are his creatures and willing servants,—"<i>mine</i> + angel."—This is perfectly reasonable; for he is the "Root of David" in + his divine nature; and the "Offspring of David," in his human nature, + (Rom. i. 3.)—God-Man, Mediator. And here let it be remarked, that in + speaking or writing of our Redeemer there appears to be no scriptural + warrant for the popular phrases,—"the <i>union</i> of the two + natures,"—"Christ as man;" or, "as God." These expressions militate + against the <i>unity</i> of his <i>divine nature</i> and <i>personality;</i> and are + calculated,—we do not say <i>intended</i>, to mislead or confuse the mind of + his disciples. "In <i>him personally</i>, not in the Father or the Holy + Ghost, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. ii. + 9.)—By John the descent of Christ's human nature is traced through + David here, because of the Covenant of Royalty; by Paul, he is + represented as being of the "seed of Abraham," by reason of the more + extended relation involved in the Covenant of Grace. (Heb. ii. 16.)—He + is also "the bright, even the morning star." This may be in reference to + the less luminous "stars in his right hand," (ch. i. 16, 20,) and by way + of contrast with them: but he takes this name chiefly to intimate that + he is the Author of all supernatural illumination, whether in the + kingdom of grace or of glory:—"The Lamb is the light thereof," (ch. + xxi. 23.) +</p> +<p> + 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, + say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let + him take the water of life freely. +</p> +<p> + V. 17.—Here is the unrestricted universal call of the gospel, to "come" + to Christ for eternal life.—"We do testify that the Father sent the Son + to be the Saviour of the world," (1 John iv. 14.)—The invitation is + manifold and pressing. "The Spirit" by the word and conscience says, + "Come." "The Bride," the church militant and triumphant, says, "Come." + Every one "that heareth" the invitation, is warranted to say to others, + "Come." Let every one that "thirsts" for true and lasting felicity, + "Come." If any one be in doubt, whether his desire be spiritual or not, + it is added for his encouragement, as well as sufficient warrant,—"Let + whosoever will, take of the water of life freely." Any sinner of Adam's + race may "wash and be clean," in that "fountain open for sin and for + uncleanness;" may with confidence and pleasure, "draw water from the + wells of salvation." (Zech. xiii. 1: Isa. xii. 3.) Who can resist these + calls, invitations and persuasions, and be guiltless? or who can devise + easier terms of reconciliation to an offended God, than are here + addressed to the chief of sinners? +</p> +<p> + 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy + of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto + him the plagues that are written in this book: +</p> +<p> + 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this + prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out + of holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. +</p> +<p> + Vs. 18, 19.—"For I testify."—He who is "the faithful and true Witness" + closes this book of prophecy, with a solemn and awful sanction. These + tremendous threatenings by the "Lord God of the holy prophets," may well + cause all who read or hear to tremble: for who can abide his + indignation?—While the "prophecy of this book" is primarily intended, + all other parts of the Bible are included in this solemn conclusion: for + doubtless our Lord intended the Apocalypse to be a close to the whole + canon. The threatening is twofold, corresponding to the criminality. + Learned, bold and irreverent biblical critics; enthusiasts and + pretenders to new revelations, are in danger of these judgments. "The + plagues that are written in this book," are such as will utterly destroy + the presumptuous sinner who "adds to these things." And he that + impiously "takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy," + exposes himself to the like awful punishment. "God shall take away his + part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the + things which are written in this book."—Tremendous doom! All that which + he seemed to have shall be taken away. (Luke viii. 18.) Great will be + the sudden and unexpected loss!—These awful denunciations, however, + have special reference, like the rest of the threatened judgments in + this book, to the great, continued and defiant impieties of the apostate + church of Rome. She has "added" her <i>traditions</i> to the Scriptures, as + part and principal part, of the "Rule of Faith!" She has "taken away" + the Scriptures from the body of her people; or shut them up in an + "unknown tongue," so that "every man may" <i>not</i> "hear in his own tongue + wherein he was born, the wonderful works of God." (Acts ii. 8, 11.) This + is one of the articles in Rome's indictment here; and whatever modern + infidelity or spurious charity may suggest, this theft of God's word, + and robbery of his people, is not to be expiated with burnt offering or + sacrifice. And he who scans all time, foresaw this attempt of the dragon + and his allies to deprive the church and the world of the "lively + oracles;" therefore, as he promised a blessing on the reader of this + book, as it were on the title-page, here in the close he appends a + malediction, that all who read or hear, may be deterred from such + sacrilege. +</p> +<p> + 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. + Even so, come, Lord Jesus. +</p> +<p> + V. 20.—"He which testifieth these things" is the Lord Jesus. Again he + reminds all to whom these presents come, of his certain and speedy + appearance. These frequent assurances are not "vain repetitions." They + are intended to strengthen the faith and counteract the despondency of + the saints, and to alarm the consciences of his enemies. (2 Pet. iii. 3, + 4, 8, 10; Jude 14, 15.) To this "promise of his coming," John responds + in the name of the whole church,—"Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus," to + fulfil these predictions, in their promises and threatenings; "to be + glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe." "So + shall they ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. iv. 17.) +</p> +<p> + 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. +</p> +<p> + V. 21.—These are also the words of John. He had just been addressing + the "Lord Jesus," and his next words are addressed to the "seven + churches," (ch. i. 4, 11,) or to all who read or hear the words of this + book: but especially the church general. This is a concise form of the + "apostolic benediction," (2 Thess. iii. 18,) which is sometimes + amplified, by naming the Father and the Son; or, at other times, the + three divine persons. (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) However, "the grace of the Lord + Jesus Christ" is originally from God the Father, procured for us by + Jesus Christ, and communicated to us by the Holy Spirit. And unto the + Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, let equal, undivided, and + everlasting glory be ascribed, by all the subjects of his regenerating + and sanctifying grace, "throughout all ages, world without end." Amen. +</p> +<a name="2H_FOOT"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + FOOTNOTES: +</h2> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>1</u> [ Life of Martin Luther. Pp. 173, 174. London. 1855. Luther + afterwards became convinced of his error.] +</p> +<a name="note-2"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>2</u> [ Gibbon has unconsciously written a commentary on + prophecy!—an involuntary witness, like Josephus!] +</p> +<a name="note-3"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>3</u> [ "It has been our lot to hear the voice of the third woe," + Faber.—"In this I entirely agree with that expositor." M'Leod. The + blinding influence of earth's politics upon the minds of pious men, has + often occasioned the hearts of their brethren to "sigh for their + inconsistency."] +</p> +<a name="note-4"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>4</u> [ The terms "clergy and laity" are of papal origin, and the + unlearned Christian should know that they are contrary to the mind of + the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. v. 3. The body of the people are "God's + heritage,"—<i>clergy</i>.] +</p> +<a name="note-5"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>5</u> [ Gibbon.] +</p> +<a name="note-6"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>6</u> [ Mosheim.] +</p> +<a name="note-7"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>7</u> [ Such is the interpretation of Bishop Newton!] +</p> +<a name="note-8"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>8</u> [ Faber.] +</p> +<a name="note-9"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>9</u> [ This is the opinion of Mr. Faber.] +</p> +<a name="note-10"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>10</u> [ Scott.] +</p> +<a name="note-11"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>11</u> [ Scott] +</p> +<a name="note-12"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>12</u> [ So Mr. Faber imagined.] +</p> +<a name="note-13"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<u>13</u> [ So designated by Nicholas, late emperor of Russia.] +</p> +<a name="2H_APPE"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + APPENDIX. +</h2> +<center> + THE NEW JERUSALEM. +</center> +<p> + Interpreters are much divided in opinion as to the import of this + symbol. Some think it represents the church on earth during the period + of the millennium; while others, no less learned and pious, consider it + as an emblematical representation of the heavenly state. Of those who + acquiesce in the former view, some consider the arguments "quite + conclusive." It may be conceded that much may be advanced, and with + great plausibility, in support of this position. +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the most specious arguments to this purpose are such as the + following:—"That the New Jerusalem is distinguished from the Old, + because of the superior light and grace of the present dispensation of + the Covenant. Moreover, the glowing descriptions of the church militant + given by the prophets, especially Isaiah, are thought to be as boldly + rhetorical as those of John; yet those lofty flights are confessedly + descriptive of the church on earth. Besides, who can conceive how "the + kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into" the heavenly + state? or how are "the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the + nations," when there <i>are no nations to be healed?</i> etc. +</p> +<p> + To these arguments the following answers may be given. +</p> +<p> + The church is one under all changes of dispensation, and by what names + soever she is called: but it does not appear that we are warranted by + Scripture usage to view the New Jerusalem as a designation of the church + in her militant state. She is indeed sometimes called in the New + Testament by Old Testament names: as when Paul calls her by the name + Zion, (Heb. xii. 22.) But he does not say, <i>new</i> Zion. Again, when our + Lord promises, (as in Rev. iii. 12,) to reward "him that overcometh," it + must be supposed from the connexion, that, as in all similar cases of + spiritual conflict, this reward is to be conferred in a future + state,—heaven. But part of the reward he describes in these words:—"I + will write upon him the name of the city of my God, which is New + Jerusalem." Surely it may be supposed without presumption, that in this + place New Jerusalem means heaven. Nor is the assumption true,—that the + descriptive language of the Old Testament prophets is always to be + understood of the church on earth. For instance, can the following + language (Is. xxxiii. 24,) be predicated of the saints while in the + body:—"The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick?" "The glory and honour + of the nations" are the "saints of God, the excellent;" who while here, + are "the light of the world, the salt of the earth;" and doubtless + nations as well as families and individuals "have learned by experience + that the Lord hath blessed them for their sakes:" (Gen. xxx. 27; xxxix. + 5;)—and that he has also "reproved kings" and destroyed nations for + their sakes, (Ps. cv. 14; Is. xliii. 3, 4.) And when all the saints who + are to rule the nations, (Rev. xx. 4, 6,) for a thousand years, shall + have been brought home to glory, then emphatically will the glory and + honour of the nations be brought into the New Jerusalem. +</p> +<p> + As to the "leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations," it may be + remarked, that their sanative virtue will have been experienced by + national societies on earth: and there is not, there never was, nor will + there ever be, any other healing medicine for them, (Ezek. xlvii. 12) In + addition to what has been said, it is worthy of notice that the tree of + life, in allusion to the delights of the garden of Eden, which was an + emblem of heaven, is mentioned in the Apocalypse, near the beginning and + near the end of the book, (chs. ii. 7; xxii. 2.) Now, we are told + expressly that this tree is "in the midst of Paradise." But we learn + both from our Lord and the apostle Paul that Paradise signifies + heaven:—"To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," said Christ to the + penitent thief. "I was caught up into Paradise;" that is, "the third + heaven," said Paul. Did Christ and Paul mean the visible, or the + invisible church militant by the name Paradise? But the tree of life + flourishes there, and all the redeemed eat of its fruit. They are where + the tree is, the tree is in Paradise, and Paradise is heaven itself: + therefore we are warranted to conclude with certainty that New Jerusalem + is a symbol of the church triumphant; and, consequently, that those + parts of chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, which are of symbolic + structure, are descriptive of the heavenly state. +</p> +<center> + THE ANTICHRIST. +</center> +<p> + This word does not occur in the Apocalypse, nor in any other book of the + New Testament except the first and second epistles, by the apostle John. + There it is found in the singular and plural form. (1 John ii. 18, 22; + iv. 3; ii. 7.) The apostles in their ministry had spoken frequently and + familiarly to the disciples of this personage, as an enemy of God and + man. "Ye <i>have heard</i> that Antichrist shall come." "Remember ye not," + asks Paul, "that, when I was yet with you, I <i>told you</i> these things?" + (2 Thess. ii. 5.) Paul blames his countrymen, the Hebrews, that they had + need that one should teach them again which be the first principles of + the oracles of God, (Heb. v. 12.) And it is just so now, in the case of + most professing Christians, learned and illiterate; they yet need to be + taught again what is meant by Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + All who are acquainted with the sentiments of the reformers of the + sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are aware that their conceptions of + this enemy were vague and confused. Persecuted as heretics and apostates + from the only true church, the church of Rome, the reformers very + naturally concluded that the Pope, or the church of which he is the + visible head, was the Antichrist. And this opinion is very generally + held at the present day. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber, however, dissents from this popular notion, and with much + confidence and plausibility broaches a new theory of his own. His style + is always forcible, and so perspicuous that he cannot be misunderstood. + In his "Dissertation on the Prophecies," he lays down the following + canon or rule for expositors:—"Before a commentator can reasonably + expect his own system to be adopted by others, he must show likewise + that the expositions of his predecessors are erroneous in those points + wherein he differs from them." To enforce this rule he adds,—"It will + be found to be the only way, in which there is even a probability of + attaining to the truth." I can neither admit the justness of his rule, + nor the conclusiveness of his reason; for by its adoption, "of making + many books there would be no end; and the world itself could not contain + the books that should be written." To deduce the truth from any portion + of God's word, it is by no means necessary that the expositor shall + undertake the Herculean task of refuting all the heresies and vagaries + which "men of corrupt minds" have pretended or attempted to wring out of + it. But as Mr. Faber is not to be reckoned in this category, I shall pay + him so much deserved respect as to apply to himself <i>his own rule</i> in + some following particulars:— +</p> +<p> + By a formal syllogism Mr. Faber proposes to overthrow the generally + received interpretation of the term <i>Antichrist</i>, that it means, the + <i>Papacy</i>, or, the <i>Church of Rome</i>. Thus he reasons:—"He is Antichrist + that denieth the Father and the Son: but <i>the Church of Rome</i> never + denied either the Father or the Son: therefore <i>the church of Rome</i> + cannot be the <i>Antichrist</i> intended by St. John." Now, in this argument, + which seems to be so clear and conclusive, there is a latent sophism, an + assumption contrary to the Scriptures. The false assumption is, that the + word <i>denieth is univocal</i>; that is, that it has in the Bible, and on + this doctrinal point in particular, only <i>one sense</i>; whereas this is + not the case. The Church of Rome does indeed "profess to know" the + Father and the Son, but "in works denies" both, (1 Tim. v. 8; Tit. i. + 16.) Therefore Mr. Faber's conclusion is not sustained by his premises, + and the Church of Rome might be the Antichrist for any thing that his + syllogism says to the contrary. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber imagined that "Republican France,—infidel and atheistical + France,"—was the Antichrist; and he labored with much ingenuity to + sustain his position by applying to revolutionary France the latter part + of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, together with the prophecies of Paul, + Peter and Jude. I presume that most divines and intelligent Christians + are long since convinced, by the developments of Providence, that he was + mistaken. The commotions of the French Revolution and the military + achievements of the first Napoleon, however important to peninsular + Europe, were on much too limited a scale to correspond with the + magnitude and duration of the great Antichrist's achievements. They + were, however, owing to their proximity to Britain and their threatening + aspect, of sufficient importance to excite the alarm and rouse the + political antipathies of the Vicar of Stockton upon Tees! Mr. Faber's + Antichrist is an "infidel king, wilful king, an atheistical king, a + professed atheist," of short duration, and his influence of limited + geographical extent. He is not in most of these features the Antichrist + of prophecy, whose baleful influence is co-extensive with Christendom, + and whose duration is to be 1260 years. Mr. Faber's erudition is to be + respected, his imagination admired, but his political feelings to be + lamented. Indeed, his very ecclesiastical title of office,—"Vicar," is + itself partly indicative and symbolical of the prophetic Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + I do not believe that infidel France, whether republican or monarchical, + nor the Papacy, nor the Church of Rome, is the Antichrist of the apostle + John; yet I do believe that all these are essential elements in his + composition. The following are the principal component parts of that + complex moral person, as defined by the Holy Spirit, by which any + disciple of Christ without much learning may identify John's Antichrist. + His elemental parts are three, <i>and only three</i>, and all presented in + the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The "beast of the sea," (vs. 1, + 2,) the "beast of the earth," (v. 11,) and the "image of, or to the + first beast," (v. 14,) that is, the Roman empire, the Roman church and + the Pope: all these in combination, <i>professing Christianity</i>; these, + with their adjuncts as subordinate agencies constitute the Apocalyptic + Antichrist. Besides this personage, well defined by the inspired + prophets, Daniel, Paul, John and others, there is no other Antichrist. + An "infidel king, a professed atheist," as distinct from this one and + symbolized in prophetic revelation, I find not. I conclude that such a + personage is wholly chimerical, framed as a creature of a lively + imagination. +</p> +<center> + THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST. +</center> +<p> + Mr. Faber is unsuccessful in his interpretation of the "image of the + beast." His reasoning is ingenious, specious and intelligible as usual. + He labours to prove that the worshipping of images by the Papists is the + meaning of the symbol. Material images, however, whether of papal origin + or otherwise, are harmless vanities: "for they cannot do evil, neither + also <i>is it</i> in them to do good," (Jer. x. 5.) The case is quite + otherwise with this image. It has "life, speaks, and has power to + <i>kill</i>," (Rev. xiii. 15.) These properties of John's "image" are so + opposite to those of the Papal images, that they effectually confute Mr. + Faber's fanciful, not to say whimsical theory. It has been already shown + that the "image" symbolizes the Papacy, the <i>fac-simile</i> of the Roman + emperor. +</p> +<p> + THE BEAST'S "<i>deadly wound</i>." +</p> +<p> + The Erastian heresy, the usual concomitant of prelacy, will readily + account for Mr. Faber's explanation of the "deadly wound," which the + first beast received in his sixth head. Constantine, he thinks, + inflicted that wound by abolishing paganism. He writes as though the + beast had been <i>actually killed</i>, and had lain literally dead for a + period of nearly three centuries! (viz., from 313 till 606.) Yet the + apostle assures us that the "deadly wound was healed." The <i>beast did + not die</i>. Daniel gives no hint of the death of his fourth beast, which + is the same as John's beast of the sea, until his final destruction at + the close of the 1260 years. It was in fact under the reigns of + Constantine and his successors, that ambitious pastors were nurtured + into antichristian prelates, and passed by a natural transition into + Popery. The empire never ceased to be a beast during the whole period of + its continuance. The sixth <i>head</i> was wounded, but the beast still + survived. The sixth or imperial form of government was changed, but that + change brought no advantage to the Christian church either in her + doctrine or order. As a distinct horn of this beast the British nation + with her hierarchy is easily traceable to mystic Babylon in point of + maternity. Since, as well as before the time of Henry the Eighth, + spiritual fornication has ever been the crime of the "British + Establishment." This historical fact requires no proof. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber seems to me to give too little prominence in his exposition to + Daniel and John's beast of the sea, as an enemy to Christ. Indeed, he + appears to overlook the leading idea involved in the name Antichrist, as + a <i>substitutionary</i>, false, and therefore inimical or hostile christ. + Instead of keeping before his mind the glorious person of the Mediator + as the special object of Antichrist's enmity, as prophecy requires, he + places before him the church or the gospel instead of Christ. Hence he + writes thus:—"We find in the predictions of St. John,—(why not <i>St</i> + Daniel?) two <i>great enemies</i> of the <i>gospel</i>, Popery and Mohammedism." + Then he adds,—"a third power is introduced," (Preface, p. 7.) This + "third power" he calls "a wilful infidel king," and, as already noticed, + interprets it of "atheistical France." Now, it will be evident to the + intelligent reader that among his "three powers" considered by him as + "enemies to the gospel," he has entirely lost sight of the <i>seven headed + ten horned beast</i>, and <i>his hostility to Christ</i>! He has, in fact, + manifestly substituted his imaginary "wilful king",—infidel France, for + the Roman empire, the beast of Daniel and John, the agent that slays the + witnesses, (Rev. xi. 7.) To almost every expositor, and in his lucid + moments, even to Mr. Faber himself, it is apparent, that the Roman + empire is the primary element in the complex personage that wars against + the Lamb. Even kings are but <i>horns of the beast</i>, and Popery but a + <i>horn</i>. (Dan. vii. 20; Rev. xvii. 12, 13.) +</p> +<p> + It is therefore a great mistake on the part of this learned author, to + feign an Antichrist distinct from the three confederated enemies of + Christ and his witnesses,—enemies so clearly pointed out in prophecy by + appropriate and intelligible symbols:—the beast with ten, and the beast + with two horns, and the image of the first. These three, all professing + the Christian religion, and practically denying it, without the shadow + of a doubt, constitute the Antichrist of John, (1 John ii. 19-21.) This + is the identical enemy described by Daniel, and according to the + inspired predictions of both prophets, doomed to eternal destruction, + (Dan. vii. 11; Rev. xix. 20.) Hence it is obvious that Mr. Faber's + "wilful king" is wholly a creature of his own fancy, constituting no + feature of the prophetic Antichrist. +</p> +<center> + THE LITTLE BOOK. +</center> +<p> + This symbol is in the tenth chapter evidently distinguished from the one + in the fifth chapter. It is considered by several interpreters as + containing all that follows to the end of the book. According to this + view, it would be larger than the sealed book, (ch. v. 1.) Such a view + is altogether untenable, involving, as it does, almost a palpable + contradiction. The little book is indeed comprehended in the sealed + book, as a part of the whole; or it may be viewed as an appendix or + codicil, or perhaps still more correctly as a <i>parenthesis</i>, + interrupting the series of the trumpets, that the object of the seventh + or last woe-trumpet maybe thus described and rendered intelligible when + sounded. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Faber is correct in saying, "the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and + fourteenth chapters, in point of chronology run parallel to each other;" + but he is mistaken when he says the "little book comprehends these four + chapters." It comprehends only so much as intervenes between the close + of the ninth chapter and the fifteenth verse of the eleventh chapter; + or, in other words, between the sounding of the sixth and seventh + trumpet. To be more correct and explicit,—the tenth chapter introduces + the little book, and the eleventh chapter, from the first to the + fourteenth verse inclusive, exhibits an abstract of its contents,—a + condensed narrative or mere outline of the contest during the 1260 + years. +</p> +<center> + THE DEATH OF THE WITNESSES. +</center> +<p> + Many divines have considered the death of the two witnesses, as + consisting in a moral slaying, equivalent to apostacy. Mr. Faber views + their life and death as altogether political. He censures Mr. Galloway + for "want of strict adherence to <i>unity of symbolical</i> interpretation," + but he inadvertently falls into the same error. Assuming, as he does, + that the two witnesses are the Old and New Testament <i>Churches</i>, where + is the "unity of symbolical interpretation" when he tells us that the + witnesses were politically slain in the "disastrous battle of Mulburgh + in the year 1547, by the total route of the protestants under the lead + of the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse?" The <i>political</i> + death of two churches in the battle of Mulburgh!—Such language + exemplifies neither the accuracy of historic narrative, nor the "unity + of symbolical interpretation:" nor does it accord with another rule of + the writer, one of his three cardinal rules, namely,—That "no + interpretation of a prophecy is valid, except the prophecy agree <i>in + every particular</i> with the event to which it is supposed to relate." + Mistaking the character of the witnesses, as one of the primary symbols + in the Apocalypse, he is unable to ascertain in history either their + identity or work, their life or their death. Having imagined their + political death in 1547, he supposes their resurrection to political + life in 1550,—"by the accession of Edward the Sixth to the throne of + England!" and "the defeat of the Duke of Mecklenburgh in the October of + that year!!" Of course, these witnesses, according to Mr. Faber's + interpretation, resumed their function of prophesying so soon as they + were restored to political life: but we look in vain for the prophesying + of the mystic witnesses after their ascension to the symbolic heaven, + (Rev. xi. 12.) As we have shown to the readers of these Notes, their + lives and their testimony, or prophesying, terminate together, (ch. xi. + 7; xii. 11.) +</p> +<center> + THE MARK OF THE BEAST. +</center> +<p> + "With regard to the mark of the beast," Mr. Faber "thinks, with Sir + Isaac Newton, that it is <i>the cross</i>," (p. 176.) This <i>thought</i> has + indeed been almost universal in the minds of protestants. So deep-seated + is this conviction in the popular belief, that one is deemed chargeable + with temerity, if not something worse, who would call its grounds in + question. Popular opinion, or belief in matters of this spiritual and + mystical nature, is, however, of very little weight in the estimation of + such as are accustomed to "try the spirits." Although the mark was to be + received at the instance and by the authority of the two horned beast of + the earth, it was not enjoined as a mark of devotion to <i>himself</i>. It + was manifestly commanded by him as a <i>tessera</i> of loyalty to the + ten-horned beast of the sea, the obvious symbol of corrupt and + tyrannical civil power. Instead therefore of the cross as a sign of + devotion to Popery,—of membership in the church of Rome, as identifying + with the beast's mark, this mark is evidently and demonstrably the + tessera of loyalty to the Roman empire,—immoral civil power; and this, + too, in any of the dependencies of that iron empire, (Dan. ii. 40; vii. + 7.) +</p> +<p> + From the errors and vagaries of this learned and acute expositor, some + of which have been pointed out, it is apparent that no amount of + intellectual culture, no natural powers of discrimination, no logical or + metaphysical acumen, will compensate for the want of early and accurate + training in the knowledge of supernatural revelation. On the prophetical + and priestly offices of our Redeemer, some of the English prelates have + written with a force, perspicuity and zeal against the heresies of the + Romish apostacy, not excelled by the writings of those who have + dissented from the semi-papal hierarchy of the Anglican Church. But on + the <i>royal</i> office of Immanuel, their prelatic training and associations + seem to have blinded their minds. "No bishop, no king," is a maxim which + seems to lie at the foundation of all their political disquisitions and + speculations, and which gives a tincture to all their expositions of + prophecy. Nevertheless, even in this field of labor, the diligent + student may consult with much advantage the learned works of such + writers as the two Newtons, Kett, Galloway, Whitaker, Zouch, with their + predecessors, Lowman, Mede and others. +</p> +<p> + After all, the best works to be obtained as helps to understand the + prophetic parts of Scripture, will be found in the labors of those who, + from age to age, have obeyed the gracious call of Christ,—who have + "come out from mystic Babylon," from the Romish communion,—from the + mother and her harlot daughters, and who have associated more or less + intimately with the <i>witnesses</i>. Among these may be consulted with + profit the works of Durham, Mason and M'Leod. But while searching after + the mind of God revealed in this part of his word, let us never exercise + implicit faith in the teachings of any fallible expositor. Let us always + regard the injunction of our apostle:—"Beloved, believe not every + spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." Of course, the + only infallible standard by which we can try the spirits is the whole + word of God,—"comparing spiritual things with spiritual." +</p> +<center> + THE FIRST RESURRECTION. +</center> +<p> + Bishop Newton, among those divines distinguished in ecclesiastical + history as Millenarians, may be regarded as one of the most learned, + judicious and cautious. The amount of the deductions which this class of + writers draw from the scripture phrase "first resurrection," and its + context, confirmed as they suppose by many other parts of Scripture, + appears to be the following:—All the righteous shall be raised from + their graves to meet our Saviour coming from heaven at the beginning of + the Millennium: he and these saints, clothed in real human bodies, are + to dwell and reign together upon a renovated earth during that happy + period. Indeed, writers on this interesting subject differ so much in + details, that no well-defined theory or system can be discovered among + them. The <i>literal resurrection</i> of the bodies of the saints, and the + <i>corporeal presence</i> of Christ among them, seem to be the cardinal + points of agreement with this class of expositors; and from this literal + interpretation of the resurrection of the righteous and bodily + appearance of the Saviour, they either took or received the name + <i>Millenarians</i>. Other Christians, however, who differ from them in the + interpretation of symbols, are no less believers in a millennium than + they,—a thousand years of righteousness and peace <i>on the earth</i>. +</p> +<p> + Bishop Newton understands "this 'first resurrection' of a particular + resurrection preceding the general one at least a thousand years." "It + is to this first resurrection," says he, "that St. Paul alludes, (1 + Thess. iv. 16,) when he affirms that the 'dead in Christ shall rise + first,' and (1 Cor. xv. 23;) that every man shall be made alive in his + own order, Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at + his coming." It is surprising that a person of the Bishop's learning + should so readily mistake the <i>sound</i> for the <i>sense</i> of the words which + he quotes. While the apostle is, for the "comfort" of the saints, + treating of <i>their</i> resurrection, he is evidently speaking of the + general resurrection at the <i>end of time</i>. In the morning of the + resurrection Christ's members will be raised after the manner and in + virtue of his resurrection,—"the first fruits" securing the following + harvest, in obvious allusion to the ceremonial law. In the other case, + when Paul says, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," does he + mean,—before "the rest of the dead?" No, but before those of their + <i>redeemed brethren</i> who shall then be "alive and remain;" for these + "shall not prevent (<i>anticipate</i>) them which are asleep," (<i>in the + grave</i>.) That is, the bodies of the saints who have died shall be raised + in glory, <i>before</i> those then alive shall undergo a change equivalent to + that of the resurrection. Such is manifestly the meaning of the + apostle's plain language which has no reference whatever to the + millennium, not even the remotest allusion. Nothing but a groundless + preconception of the nature of the millennium will account for the sound + of words taking the place of their sense in the reader's mind, and no + degree of mere scholarship can obviate this propensity of the human mind + in "the things of the Spirit of God." +</p> +<p> + Not only does the learned prelate misapprehend and misapply the texts + above quoted to support his theory, but he makes a gratuitous + concession, which is at once fatal to his scheme and inconsistent with + himself. He says,—"Indeed, the <i>death</i> and <i>resurrection</i> of the + witnesses before mentioned, (Rev. xi. 7, 11,) appears from the + concurrent circumstances of the vision to be <i>figurative</i>." The Bishop + evidently viewed the witnesses of the eleventh chapter as a company + altogether different from those of whom John speaks in the twentieth + chapter, (vs. 4, 5.) This is another of his surprising mistakes; for + that the <i>identical party</i> as a moral person appears in both parts of + the symbolic and allegorical representation will readily appear to any + unbiassed mind by an induction of the following particulars. +</p> +<p> + These witnesses are to continue "prophesying 1260 days (<i>years</i>,) (Rev. + xi. 3.) Then they are killed, (v. 7.) But we learn that <i>in death</i> they + are <i>victorious</i>, (ch. xii. 11) They triumph "with the Lamb on Mount + Zion," (ch. xiv. 1) In a similar attitude of triumph they again appear + "standing on the sea of glass, (ch. xv. 2.) They are with their + victorious King, (ch. xvii. 14.) They are exhorted to retaliate upon + mystic Babylon, (xviii. 6.) They are also engaged in the last campaign + with the Captain of their salvation, (ch. xix. 14, 19, 20.) And at + length they are advanced to thrones of civil power to "rule the + nations," (ch. xx. 4,) in fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy and their + Saviour's promise, (Dan. vii. 27; Rev. ii. 26, 27.) The death and + resurrection of the witnesses is compendiously stated in the former part + of the eleventh chapter, (vs. 7-14;) but these events, epitomised again + in the "little book," are amplified in the subsequent chapters, where we + are made acquainted more fully with their enemies, their conflicts, + death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation; and in all these respects + is exhibited their conformity to the example of their Captain and + Leader. If, therefore, according to the Bishop's conception, "the death + and resurrection" of the witnesses in the eleventh chapter be + <i>figurative</i>, and if the witnesses of the twentieth be the same as those + of the eleventh chapter, which identity I have proved, it follows + incontrovertibly, that the "first resurrection" is to be understood in a + figurative sense. This interpretation may be abundantly confirmed in the + following manner:—The witnesses prophesy 1260 years. But since no + individual persons live so long, a succession <i>must</i> be supposed. They + are, in fact, mystic characters, having their real counterpart in actual + history on this earth. The scarlet colored beast and woman, (ch. xvii. + 3,) are of equal duration with the witnesses, and of similar mystic + character, and have their real counterpart in history. The witnesses are + slain by the beast at the instigation of the woman; but their death is + only temporary, (ch. xi. 7, 11;) their enemies "have no more that they + can do:" while, on the other hand, the death of the beast is + "perdition,"—eternal death, (ch. xvii. 8,) and in this death the + woman,—"the false prophet" participates, (ch. xix. 20.) All this + symbolical language respects Christ's enemies as corporate or organized + bodies. +</p> +<p> + Here it is proper to notice an objection of Bishop Newton. He + asks,—"With what propriety can it be said, that some of the dead who + were beheaded "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years; but the + rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were + finished;" unless <i>the dying</i> and <i>living again</i> be the same in both + places?" Very true, the dying and living are doubtless "the same in both + places." The Bishop's mistake consists in taking these expressions in a + literal sense, "a proper death and resurrection." He evidently assumes + that "the rest of the dead," here mentioned, are to be literally raised + at the last day. This is undoubtedly true, for there shall be a + resurrection ... of the unjust." (Acts xxiv. 15,) but it is not the + truth contained in the words in question. From the assumption of the + <i>literal</i> raising of "the rest of the dead," he infers the <i>literal</i> + raising of those that were beheaded. The converse of this is obviously + the correct way of reasoning. We have found that the witnesses are + spoken of, (xi. 14,) as <i>figuratively</i> raised by the Bishop's own + acknowledgment, therefore it is most natural and logical to infer that + "the rest of the dead" were to be raised in the same manner, namely, + <i>figuratively</i>. As at the beginning of the millennium,—the martyrs, not + some of them only, as the Bishop hints, will be raised in the persons of + their legitimate successors in faith and practice; and their faith and + practice will constitute the happy state of the world for a thousand + years, so, when that period shall have expired, Satan, being "loosed out + of his prison," (ch. xx. 8,) will deceive the nations as before, and + during the "little season" of liberty, will succeed in raising from the + dead as it were, a multitude of the same character as those who killed + the witnesses,—"Gog and Magog." This maybe called the <i>second</i> + resurrection, and there will never be a <i>third of that kind</i>, for the + Lord will destroy them for ever, (ch. xx. 9.) The character of the + witnesses and their unparalleled conflicts with Antichrist sufficiently + identify them in the Apocalypse throughout the 1260 years, as also + during the thousand years of their reign; and the character of their + enemies identifies them in the time of conflict for 1260 years; but + during the succeeding period of righteousness and peace for a thousand + years, they will not be permitted to lift up the head. And so soon as + they are organized under the conduct of Satan, and like Pharaoh, most + confident of victory, (Exod. xv. 9,) then "sudden destruction cometh + upon them, and they shall not escape." +</p> +<center> + THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES. +</center> +<p> + The late Rev. Alexander M'Leod, D. D., who had the works of learned + predecessors before him, has successfully corrected many of their + misinterpretations in his valuable publication, entitled "Lectures upon + the Principal Prophecies of the Revelation." At the time when he wrote + that work, he possessed several advantages in aid of his own + expositions. He had access to the most valuable works which had been + issued before that date, (1814.). He was then in the vigor of youthful + manhood; and he was also comparatively free from the trammels which in + attempts to expound the Apocalypse, have cramped the energies of many a + well-disciplined mind, <i>political partialities</i>. At the time of these + profound studies, he occupied a position "in the wilderness," from which + as a stand point, like John in Patmos, he could most advantageously + survey the passing scenes of providence with the ardor of youthful + emotion, and with unsullied affection for the divine Master. With all + these advantages, however, the dispassionate and impartial reviewer may + discover, in the rapid current of his thoughts, that the active powers + of the expositor some times took precedence of the intellectual. Two + special causes may be assigned for this, hereditary love of liberty, and + the actual condition of society at the time. Born in Scotland, the + cradle of civil and religious liberty from the days of John Knox, Dr. + M'Leod's traditions and mental associations were necessarily imbued with + the atmosphere of such surroundings. To such causes may be attributed + occasional declamation, extravagant verbosity and unconscious + inconsistencies, not well comporting with the solidity and self + possession so desirable on the part of an expositor. Yet even in such + outbursts of impassioned eloquence we may sometimes discover noble + conceptions commanding our admiration, if not altogether such as to + secure our approbation. It ought to be considered, moreover, that the + "Lectures" came from their author in a turbulent, if not in a + revolutionary condition of society. Peninsular Europe was convulsed by + the successful military career of that brilliant general, Napoleon. + England and the United States were also at war. The independence and + even the existence of the young Republic were apparently in peril. The + lecturer very naturally sympathized with the land of his adoption, in + which resided his domestic treasures and many of the "excellent ones of + the earth," to whom he was bound by conjugal, paternal and covenant + ties. In a condition of actual warfare, he could not but feel most + keenly the constriction of these manifold and endearing bonds, + especially when thought to be jeopardized. +</p> +<p> + With these preliminaries, and expressing my obligation to the Doctor's + labors, to whose system of interpretation as well as to most of his + details, I cheerfully give my approbation in preference to all other + expositors whose works it has been in my power to consult; it is + proposed briefly to review some of his expositions and sentiments, from + which I crave liberty to dissent. "It is not the interest of any man to + be in error." +</p> +<p> + In his interpretation of the seals and trumpets of the Apocalypse, Dr. + M'Leod has unquestionably corrected many misapprehensions of his learned + predecessors, especially Bishop Newton and Mr. Faber: and it is perhaps + to be regretted that he did not favor the public with his view of the + vials also, a work which he seems to have had in contemplation when the + "Lectures" were published. The three last named interpreters did + certainly improve upon the expositions of all who went before them in + this field of investigation; and in most cases of disagreement the + Doctor excelled in accuracy the other two, as will readily appear on + careful examination. +</p> +<p> + In attempting to ascertain the import of the mystic "witnesses," as of + the Antichrist, expositors widely differ. Bishop Newton says + positively,—"The witnesses cannot be ... any two churches." Mr. Faber + is equally peremptory, that they "must be two churches," and he attempts + to sustain his position by many citations of Scripture, and by much + plausible argumentation. The Bishop is substantially correct in saying, + "They are a succession of men, and a succession of churches." Mr. Faber + is also correct in the main when he says,—"The two witnesses signify + the spiritual members of the catholic church:" but his notion of <i>two + churches</i>, the "Old and New Testament churches," betrays his imperfect + conception of the <i>essential unity</i> of the church of God. Both he and + the Bishop overlook too often the important fact that civil magistracy + is a divine ordinance, which, as corrupted, constitutes the first beast + of the Apocalypse, and the most prominent feature of the great + Antichrist. +</p> +<p> + Doctor M'Leod's definition or description of the witnesses is as + follows:—"They are a small company of true Christians, defending the + interests of true religion against all opposition, and frequently + sealing with their blood the testimony which they hold," (p. 314.) This + description is more definite than either of the two preceding, and is + therefore worthy of preference; yet the reader will still wish for + something more precise and tangible. Since the prophets of the Old and + New Testaments reveal the hostility of the Devil to Christ and his + people, and since both Daniel and John represent this hostility by + appropriate and intelligible symbols, as carried out by corrupting the + two great ordinances of <i>church</i> and <i>state</i>, would it not follow that + the witnesses are those Christians who, for 1260 years, apply the word + of God to these two ordinances, contending for a <i>scriptural magistracy</i> + and a <i>gospel ministry</i>,—the "Two Sons of Oil;" and testifying against + their <i>Counterfeits</i>? Such appears to be the import of those mystical + characters of whom we read, Zech. iv. 14; Rev. xi. 4. +</p> +<p> + In tracing the witnesses through their eventful history for 1260 years + as portrayed in the Apocalypse, and in fixing with precision their + <i>continuous identity</i>, I am constrained reluctantly to dissent from the + Doctor and agree with Faber. Adopting the language of "Frazer's Key," + Dr. M'Leod says, "These witnesses differ as much from their + cotemporaries, the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed ones, + (Rev. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the seven thousand in Israel in + his time." The attempt is made to prove this assertion by the following + plausible argument:—"God is never for a moment without a people upon + earth." This is true,—"And the visible church is an indestructible + society." Is this assertion true? It is partly true, and partly + untrue:—"true of her <i>existence</i> and moral identity, but not of her + <i>visibility</i> as an organized body." For example, where was the visible + church while Elijah "dwelt by the brook Cherith?" (1 Kings xvii. 3, xix. + 10;) or while the "woman was in the wilderness?" (Rev. xii. 6.) Is it + consistent with propriety to contemplate the woman as <i>literally + visible</i>, when she is symbolically "in the wilderness?" This seems to be + impossible. I am therefore prepared to give my decided preference to the + sentiment of Mr. Faber contained in the following words of his + "Dissertation:" "The one hundred and forty-four thousand here mentioned, + (Rev. xiv. 1,) are the immediate successors of the one hundred and forty + four thousand sealed servants of God; (ch. vii. 4.) They are the same in + short, as <i>the two witnesses</i>.... They constitute the <i>persecuted church + in the wilderness</i>."—I cannot but think the evidence of identity here + irresistible; and in the pithy language of the Doctor on another point, + I say,—"A man must shut his eyes not to see" the correctness of Mr. + Faber's interpretation of this identity. The Doctor's censure of English + expositors in one of his notes will too often justly apply to other + divines in expounding prophecy:—"They have greatly diminished the value + of their publications, by permitting themselves to indulge so much of + the spirit of political partiality." Doctor M'Leod and Mr. Faber I + consider among the best expositors of the prophecies on which they + severally wrote; and therefore their valuable works have been + principally contemplated in these animadversions. On material points + they have shed much light where those who preceded them left the reader + in darkness, or involved him in perplexing labyrinths. Faber preceded + M'Leod, and the latter availed himself of all the aid furnished by the + former; yet till the "mystery of God shall be finished," his people will + be receiving accessions of light from the "sure word of prophecy." +</p> +<center> + SOUNDING OP THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. +</center> +<p> + At the time when those learned divines wrote, the political agitations + in Europe and America, as already noticed, gave a peculiar tincture to + their opinions and expositions of the Apocalyptic symbols. This state of + feeling on the part of these distinguished men, and on opposite sides of + the Atlantic, is very strikingly illustrated in their conflicting + interpretations of the "third woe,"—the seventh trumpet. Amidst the + conflict of arms and the booming of cannon, in both hemispheres, those + writers thought the first blast of the seventh trumpet and third woe + could be distinctly heard. They differed widely, however, in their + interpretations of its import and effects. To Mr. Faber, Napoleon, who + was the most conspicuous figure in the passing drama, appeared as a + terrific Vandal at the head of his legions, threatening to uproot and + lay waste the fair fabric of European civilization. To the Doctor, on + the other hand, Napoleon seemed the possible minister of Providence, + destined to prepare the way of the Lord, and to introduce a better, a + scriptural civilization. As time has sufficiently demonstrated the + fallacy of their respective expositions of the seventh trumpet, it is + needless to quote or review their speculations. +</p> +<p> + The principal defect pervading the "Lectures," and one which most + readers will be disposed to view in an opposite light, appears to be, a + charity <i>too broad</i>, a catholicity <i>too expansive</i>, to be easily + reconciled with a consistent position among the mystic witnesses. Their + author, however, deriving much information from the learned labours of + English prelates on prophecy, could not "find in his heart" to exclude + them from a place in the <i>honourable roll of the witnesses</i>. I am unable + to recognize any of those who are in organic fellowship with the "eldest + daughter of Popery," as entitled to rank among those who are symbolized + as "clothed in sackcloth." The two positions and fellowships appear to + be obviously incompatible and palpably irreconcilable. It is true that + there have been and still are in the English establishment divines who + are strictly evangelical; but the reigning Mediator views and treats + individuals, as he views and treats the moral person with which + individuals freely choose to associate; and we ought to "have the mind + of Christ." (1 Cor. ii. 16.) +</p> +<p> + Assuming that the third woe trumpet was sounding in his ears, the + Doctor, transported with the imaginary but delightful prospect, that the + kingdoms of this world were speedily to become the kingdoms of our Lord + and of his Christ, speaks of France as follows:—"She had given + assistance to the sons of freedom on the plains and along the shores of + Columbia, until the republican eagle snatched the oppressed provinces + from the paw of the royal lion of England."—We may admire the metaphors + of the <i>orator</i>, while we deplore the political feeling of the <i>divine</i>. + It is true, as the orator in calmer moments reflects,—"The political + conduct of professing Christians is generally lamentable;" and alas! + this "lamentable conduct" is usually tolerated and too often exemplified + by their spiritual guides. It has been generally so since the days of + Jeroboam who "made priests of the lowest of the people," and thereby + rendered the ministry the stipendiaries of the state. And as it was + then, even so it is now, whether in the kingdoms, empires or republics + of the earth. "Let us," with the Doctor, "lament the political conduct + of Christians in the present age of the world." +</p> +<p> + Allusion has been already made to seeming inconsistencies in the + Doctor's sentiments. There is truth in the adage,—"<i>tempora mutantur et + nos mutamur cum illis</i>,"—"times change, and we change with them." And + indeed changes are allowable in matters of a circumstantial nature which + do not affect moral principle. Moral principle, however, is in its + nature immutable. In the early period of the Doctor's public life he had + nobly proved "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable." But this accursed system was + from the first interwoven with the very framework of that "Republican + America," which in his "Lectures" he takes occasion thus to eulogize! + "We never formed a street of the mystical Babylon.... Let this be the + asylum of the oppressed.... She (Republican America) has not, either by + sea or land, encouraged oppression (?) or despoiled of his goods him + that was at peace with us?"—I confess my inability to credit these + statements, or to reconcile them with "the great moral principles" which + the author justly tells his readers it was the object of the Author of + the Apocalypse to illustrate before the world. +</p> +<p> + I have thus noticed some of the most important particulars in which I + dissent from the interpretations of the Doctor and others, that the + reader may be guided by all accessible way-marks in searching after the + mind of God in this mysterious but highly instructive part of his + precious word. I can again cordially recommend to his attention the + Lectures of Doctor M'Leod, as the best exposition of those parts of the + Apocalypse of which he treats, that has come under my notice. In the + Notes will be found minor points of dissent from the Doctor's views, and + from multiplied aberrations of many others. I have studied great + plainness of speech, abstaining from the introduction of many verbal + criticisms on the original text, and from the use of terms and phrases + not familiar to the unlearned reader. Let no sincere Christian be + deterred by seeming difficulties from reading the Apocalypse, or be + dissuaded from searching it, by the discrepancies of interpreters; for + this is equally true of "the other Scriptures." (2 Pet. iii, 16.) +</p> +<center> + THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK. +</center> +<p> + In our authorized version of the Bible, this last book is correctly + translated "Revelation." It is otherwise designated "The Apocalypse," by + simply Anglicising the Greek title,—<i>Apokalupsis</i>. A distinguished + modern divine, Doctor Seiss, has furnished the public with a novel + interpretation of the title. But it is remarkable that he does not + propose an <i>interpretation</i> at all; he merely gives what he conceives to + be a <i>correct translation</i>. It is this:—"The Book of the <i>Unvailing</i> of + Jesus Christ!" In this singular translation two things are + transparent,—affectation of scholarship, and the (<i>proton pseudos</i>) the + cardinal error of Millenarianism. Learned men, however, are not devoid + of fancy. Of this fact those who are historically designated + Millenarians have given many illustrations from the primitive ages down + to our own time. The Doctor's rendering of the name of this book + discloses the predominant idea conceived in his imagination and + cherished there, that Christ is to appear upon earth in glorified + humanity at the beginning of the millennium, and that the Apocalypse is + intended chiefly to apprize the church and the world of this momentous + event. +</p> +<p> + "The unvailing of Jesus Christ," indeed! Why, the Lord Jesus Christ was + revealed,—"unvailed" to the faith of our first parents in the promise + of the "woman's seed" as every intelligent Christian knows, (Gen. iii. + 15.) We are assured that "to him give all the prophets witness," (Acts + x. 43.) Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, (John viii. 56.) His + advent in the flesh was so well known that Old Testament believers spoke + of him familiarly as of "Him that was to come," (Matt. xi. 3.) Surely he + was "unvailed" to his disciples all the time that he went in and out + among them before his death. And after his resurrection he appeared unto + them the third time,—"was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after + that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once," (1 Cor. xv. 5, + 6.) After his ascension Stephen "saw Jesus standing on the right hand of + God," (Acts vii. 56) How preposterous then, since the whole Bible + "unvails" the Saviour, to insinuate that the <i>specific object</i> of the + Apocalypse is to <i>unvail Jesus Christ</i>! +</p> +<p> + That Doctor Seiss and those who endorse his <i>mistranslation</i>, or, as it + ought to be called, his <i>false exposition</i> of the title to this book, do + totally misapprehend and misinterpret the mind of the Holy Spirit, is + further evident from the obvious import of the plain words in the first + verse;—this "Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave unto him."—Christ. + Did God the Father "unvail" Christ to Christ himself? How gross the + absurdity! We do not transgress the law of charity in pronouncing as + impious, such manifest "wresting of the Scriptures." Moreover, the + declared object of this book is to "show unto God's servants + <i>things</i>,—(not to show Christ,) which must shortly come to pass:" + namely, events of providence which were then future,—the evolution of + the purposes of God. It is indeed true that in the sublime scenery + presented in vision to John, the Lord Jesus often appears as a very + conspicuous object; but he is only one among a multiplicity of other + objects, and generally as the principal agent in executing the divine + decrees. In this attitude he appears immediately on the opening of the + seals of that book, which all sober expositors consider as the symbol of + God's purposes, especially of those "unvailed" in this prophetic book. + When in the sixth chapter, the "four animals" say in succession, "Come + and see," is Jesus Christ the only object to be seen?—the exclusive + object unvailed? or even always the <i>primary</i> object? By no means. +</p> +<p> + Thus it is evident that at the very beginning of his career as an + expositor of this sacred book, Doctor Seiss gives loose reins to his + fancy; and then it is not difficult to foresee through what mazes of + error the credulous reader will be conducted, who in his simplicity, + follows such a reckless guide. The hallucinations of Millenarians of old + and of late have greatly discouraged the disciples of Christ, and + seriously hindered them in obeying his command,—"Search the + Scriptures," especially this precious book. Their unscriptural error, + which some might call an <i>antiscriptural heresy</i>, of the pre-millennial + corporeal appearance of our Saviour, with its carnal concomitants, has + been a temptation to not a few to look upon this part of the Bible as + wholly unintelligible, <i>contrary to its very name</i>,—REVELATION, The + hereditary and inveterate misconception by Millenarians of the nature of + the thousand years' reign of the saints, bears a striking analogy to + that of the Jews concerning the kingdom of their Messiah, and suggests a + remark by that prince of divines among English Dissenters, Doctor Owen, + in his "Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews." He says + truly,—"There are precious, useful, significant truths in the + Scripture, so disposed of, so laid up, as that if we accomplish not a + diligent search, we shall never set eye on them. The common course of + reading the Scriptures, nor the common help of expositors, who for the + most part, go in the same track, and scarce venture one step beyond + those that are gone before them, will not suffice, if we intend a + discovery of these hid treasures." And again he says, "How hard it is to + dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" +dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes On The Apocalypse, by David Steele + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE *** + +***** This file should be named 14485-h.htm or 14485-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/4/8/14485/ + +Produced by Virginia and Jordan Dohms, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes On The Apocalypse + +Author: David Steele + +Release Date: December 27, 2004 [EBook #14485] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE *** + + + + +Produced by Virginia and Jordan Dohms, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +NOTES + +ON + +THE APOCALYPSE; + +WITH + +An Appendix + +CONTAINING DISSERTATIONS ON SOME OF THE APOCALYPTIC SYMBOLS, + +TOGETHER WITH + +ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE INTERPRETATIONS OF SEVERAL AMONG THE MOST LEARNED +AND APPROVED EXPOSITORS OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA. + +BY DAVID STEELE, Sr., + +Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, Philadelphia. + + +PHILADELPHIA: YOUNG & FERGUSON, No. 14 SOUTH SEVENTH ST. 1870. + + + +TO THE + +REV. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, LL.D., + +_Missionary from the Reformed Presbyterian Church to the Jews in London, +England._ + + +REV. AND VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER:-- + +Although we are "separated upon the wall, one far from the other," we +are not altogether precluded from mutual salutation. Placed by our +Master on two hemispheres, between which the electric current bears +frequent tidings, our respective positions are advantageous for noting +the events of providence. These constitute the signs of the times, and +are the counterpart of prophecy. Prophecy and providence reflect light +upon each other, and both are helpful to the interpretation of each; but +He alone who is the "Wonderful Counsellor," can cause us to understand +either. + +In submitting the following work to the public, I venture to do so under +your auspices, if not under the sanction of your name. And I embrace the +present occasion, Rev. Sir, to bear willing testimony to your +acknowledged scholarship,--your profound erudition, especially in +Natural Science and Philology. I do also cheerfully and joyfully +recognise you as a public witness; and at the present time of general +defection, as an official and _consistent_ witness in the British Isles +for the integrity of our Covenanted Reformation,--that reformation which +in its fuller development is destined to secure the rights of God and +man in reorganized society. Such, I believe to be one of the cheering +lessons which may be learned by Christ's witnesses from searching the +Apocalypse. + +That you, Dear Sir, may be long preserved, sustained and comforted by +the providence and grace of the Most High, amid all your self-sacrifice, +privation and reproach which you endure for the truth's Bake, is the +prayer of + +Your brother in covenant bonds, + +DAVID STEELE. + +PHILADELPHIA, _February 1st, 1870_. + + + + +PREFACE + + +The Apocalypse is one of the most sublime and wonderful dramatic +exhibitions presented for human contemplation. Internal evidence concurs +with authentic history, in demonstrating to the devout and intelligent +reader, its divine origin. God, angels and men, are the principal +actors. Men's natural curiosity may find entertainment in this book; and +from no higher principle, many have doubtless been prompted to attempt a +discovery of its mysterious contents. What is true, however, of +supernatural revelation in general, is equally true of this book:--"The +natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can +he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." + +To the right understanding of the Apocalypse, so far as the prophetical +parts of it are contemplated, the following prerequisites would seem to +be indispensable:-- + +1. A competent knowledge of what may be termed the fundamental doctrines +of the gospel: such as the unity of the Divine Nature; the distinction +of persons in the Godhead; the atonement and intercession of Christ; the +total depravity and renovation of human nature; the resurrection and +final retribution, etc. + +2. Acquaintance with symbolical language, as the only language common to +all men since the confusion of tongues. + +3. Familiarity with the typical dispensation, from which most of the +symbols are taken. 4. Freedom from all political bias. + +No expositor of the Apocalypse appears to have possessed all these +qualifications, however few and simple. The most learned and judicious +interpreters of this book have been divines of Britain and of the United +States. + +After so many laborers employed in this harvest, the reader may +ask,--What remains to be gleaned? To this inquiry, it may be sufficient +to remind the devout Christian, that as the Apocalypse is the end of the +Bible, so "the harvest is the end of the world;" and during the +intermediate time "the Lord of the harvest is sending forth laborers." +Prophecy has engaged the attention and occupied the thoughts of the +writer, more or less, for the last thirty years. He has consulted the +views of most of the distinguished and approved interpreters of the book +of Revelation; among whom the following are named, viz.: _Mede, Sir +Isaac_ and _Bishop Newton, Durham, Fleming, Gill, Whitaker, Kett, +Galloway, Faber, Scott, Mason, McLeod_; and many others: from all whose +labors, he has derived much instruction; and from all of whom he has +been obliged in important points to dissent. + +The immediate occasion of this undertaking, was the urgent request of +the people of his charge, that the substance of a course of lectures +delivered in ordinary Sabbath ministrations, might be put into a more +permanent form, for their future edification. + +In the early centuries of the Christian era, so wild, enthusiastic and +corrupt were the sentiments of some Millenarians, that this book ceased +in great measure to be read or studied; and even its divine authority +came to be questioned by many learned and pious men. As the "Dark Ages" +of Popery resulted from neglect of the sacred Scriptures in general, so +even among the first reformers the Apocalypse was viewed with suspicion +as to its claim to inspiration. It is probable that many of the +unlearned will hear with wonder, and doubt the assertion, that even the +great reformer Luther rejected the Apocalypse, as being no part of the +sacred canon! The same judgment he formed of the epistle by James! With +characteristic boldness, he wrote as follows:--"The epistle of James +hath nothing evangelical in it. I do not consider it the writing of an +apostle at all.... It ascribes justification to works, in direct +contradiction to Paul and all the other sacred writers.... With respect +to the Revelation of John, I state what I feel. For more than one +reason, I cannot deem this book either apostolic or prophetical, ... and +it is sufficient reason for me not to esteem it highly, that Christ is +neither taught nor known in it."[1] Such was the estimation in which +that distinguished reformer held _two_ inspired books of the New +Testament at the dawn of the Reformation. How great the increase of +scriptural light since his day! + +The grand design of this book, as declared by its divine Author, is, "to +show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass," ... "to +testify these things in the churches:"--to make known beforehand, to +those styled his "witnesses," the certainty of a great apostacy,--the +rise, reign and overthrow of the Antichrist, that "when it came to pass, +they might believe," and exemplify before the world "the patience and +the faith of the saints." During that protracted period, the witnesses +could neither know their duty nor sustain their allotted trials without +these necessary instructions. + +From the position of the witnessing church--"in the wilderness" during +the whole time of Antichrist's reign, which is also the position of the +apostle John when viewing in vision the "woman upon the beast;" (ch. +xvii. 3,) _that_ appears to be the _only advantageous position_ from +which to view the actors in this wonderful scene. And since few have +voluntarily "gone forth to Christ without the camp, bearing his +reproach," or submitted to wear the mourning garments of "sackcloth," it +is not at all surprising that the Apocalypse--emphatically a +_Revelation_--should continue to be, to many, a "sealed book." But on +the other hand, "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the +words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written +therein." + +As this work is intended for the instruction and edification of the +unlearned, rather than for the entertainment of the learned, words of +foreign extract are used as seldom as possible. Practical remarks and +reflections are rarely introduced; the principal aim being simply to +ascertain and present to the reader the mind of the Holy Spirit. How far +this object has been accomplished, is of course left to the judgment of +the honest inquirer. The reader, however, in forming his judgment of the +value of these Notes, may be reminded of that inspired rule in searching +the Scriptures,--"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual." To assist +him in the application of this divine rule, many chapters and verses are +quoted from other parts of the Bible, but especially within the +Apocalypse itself; that by concentrating the various rays upon +particular texts or symbols, their intrinsic light may be rendered more +luminous. Thus the interpretation given, if correct, may be confirmed +and illustrated. + + + + +NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. + + +The heavens and the earth did not make themselves. The material universe +furnishes to the intelligent creature a visible demonstration of the +"eternal power and godhead of its Author." Besides, a _sense of Deity_ +is essential to humanity; and a supernatural revelation is not necessary +to convince rational beings that there is a God. Man is a dependent +being in common with all other creatures, and all creatures depend upon +a first cause. That cause is God. Dependent as a creature, man may know +something of the natural perfections of his Maker; and possessing a +conscience, which implies accountability to a superior, he may know,--he +_must_ know, something of the moral attributes of God. + +In view of these positions, we may account for the fact, too often +overlooked by the reader of the Bible, that the Holy Spirit directed the +first of all historians to begin his narrative _so abruptly_. Assuming +that the reader is already assured of _God's being,_ Moses proceeds at +once to account for the origination of the material universe. In simple +narrative he writes,--"In the beginning God created the heaven and the +earth." Thus God's being, and the eternity of his being are assumed as +known by the first inspired penman; a fact or principle not to be +disputed. True, the being of God has been questioned, but only by +"fools"--"brutish people;" who, by their atheistical suggestions have +proclaimed to their fellows their "brutish folly." (Ps. xiv. 6, xciv. 8, +9.) + +As the Bible takes for granted that mankind have had a previous +revelation in their own physical and moral constitution,--in the visible +heavens and earth; the same is true of the last book of the Bible, the +Apocalypse. It assumes that the reader has some competent knowledge of +the preceding books of the sacred Scriptures. The reader is supposed to +be acquainted with the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations of the +Covenant of Grace. Moreover, the moral law, as inculcated in the Old +Testament; the Levitical priesthood and ministry, as being "shadows of +good things to come;" the "doctrine according to godliness," taught in +the gospels and epistles of the New Testament,--are all taken for +granted and supposed to be received with a divine faith by all who would +profit by this last book of the sacred canon. + +It is further assumed in the Apocalypse, that the humble inquirer into +the mind of the Holy Spirit has a knowledge of ancient history, of the +character and destiny of Egypt, Babylon, etc. And finally, it is +requisite that the successful inquirer into the mind of God be +acquainted with the language of symbols; and, above all, that he be +resolved, with the inspired writer John, to take a position with the +mystic woman _in the wilderness_. + +With these few preliminaries, we proceed: + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto +his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and +signified it by his angel unto his servant John: + +2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus +Christ, and of all things that he saw. + +3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this +prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time +is at hand. + +Verses 1-3.--Here, our divine Mediator appears in the continued exercise +of his prophetical office "in his estate of exaltation." While present +with his disciples on earth, he told them he had many things to say to +them, but they could not hear them then. (John xvi. 12) Upon his +ascension he fulfilled his own and his Father's promise in sending the +Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth--bring all things to their +remembrance, and show them _things to come_. (v. 13.) The fulfilment of +this promise we have in the whole of the New Testament,--doctrines, +facts and predictions. + +Jesus said,--"Of mine own-self I can do nothing." (v. 30.) The same is +true of his teachings as of his works:--"The words that I speak unto +you, I speak not of myself, (xiv. 10.) In all that "Jesus began both to +do and to teach," (Acts i. 1,) he was instructed by his Father. These +things are all plainly implied in the first verse. Indeed, the official +actings of the three Persons in the Godhead had been frequently taught +by Christ during the time of his personal ministry; and they are more +fully and frequently recorded by the beloved disciple than by any other +evangelist, in that gospel which still bears this apostle's name. Thus, +it appears that although this book is called a "Revelation of Jesus +Christ," he is not the ultimate author. It is a revelation "which God +gave unto him." By God here, we are to understand the person of the +Father. The reader is thus conducted to the divine origin of all +supernatural revelation,--the eternal purpose of God. (Heb. i. 1, 2.) +The object of the whole Bible, in the evolvement of the divine economy +of man's redemption, appears to be the unfolding of the ineffable +mystery of the Trinity, and displaying the perfections of the Godhead, +to his own glory as the highest and last end. + +The channel through which the divine will comes to the church, is +exhibited in the beginning of this book. Originating with God the +Father, passing to the Mediator, communicated to a holy angel; by his +ministry it is made known to John, who reveals it to the church! How +beautiful the order here! How wonderful and condescending on the part of +God! + +Although we commonly and justly designate the whole Bible by the name +"Revelation;" yet we are to consider that this book is so called by way +of eminence. Doubtless it is so styled by its divine Author because it +reveals events which were then future, and which could not be discovered +by human sagacity. But this holds equally true of other parts of the +Scriptures, especially those parts which are prophetical. It may be that +this book is called "Apocalypse" because of the opposition which it was +to encounter from Antichrist, as also because of its singular and +intended use to a peculiar portion of professing Christians. As on the +one hand the Romish church, and too many who protest against her +encroachments, prohibit or discourage the disciples of Christ from +reading this book; so, on the other hand, it has been of singular use to +others in strengthening their faith and ministering to their comfort. + +John "bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus +Christ and of all things that he saw." A question arises here,--What is +the difference, if any, between the "word of God" and the "testimony of +Jesus Christ?" Or is there any distinction intended by the Holy Spirit? +Most readers as well as expositors view these expressions as identical. +We shall meet with them, or their equivalent, frequently hereafter; and +it may be proper at the outset to inquire a little into this familiar +phraseology. (See chapters i. 9; vi. 9; xii. 11, 17; xx. 4, etc.) + +Recognising the inspired rule of interpretation,--"comparing spiritual +things with spiritual," we refer to Psalm lxxviii. 5, where "testimony +and law" are obviously distinguished. The same distinction will be found +in Isa. viii. 16, 20. The prophet refers the reader to _two tests_ of +doctrine and practice: first the "law." But as the spouse of Christ is +unable, in her perplexity, to apply the law to the present case in a +manner satisfactory to herself, she is directed by her Lord, (Song i. +8,) to "go forth by the footsteps of the flock." That is, search and +ascertain how the disciples applied the law in similar circumstances, +and imitate their approved example. This is a rule recognised and often +inculcated in the New Testament. (Heb. vi. 12.) + +The inspired penman in Psalm lxxviii. 5, refers to the covenant +transaction at Mount Sinai, where the "law" was exhibited as an appendix +to the covenant of grace--"added to the promise." (Gal. iii. 19.) The +reader will find this whole matter set before him, perhaps to his +surprise and delight in Exod. xx. 1-17. The Lord (Jehovah) is the God +(Elohim) of his people. How shall they know that he is _their_ God? By +the law?--No, for that is a rule to all men. They know by the +_testimony_ as distinct from the law. Testimony consists of _facts_. +God's people knew that he was their God, because he "brought them out of +the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This was "the doing of +the Lord,"--"the testimony of Jesus Christ." And so it is an important +and precious truth to us at the present day.--"The preface to the Ten +Commandments teacheth us, that God is the Lord (Jehovah) and _our +God_."--This great historical fact is the controlling motive to +acceptable obedience to the moral law. To this, among other truths of +the gospel, every faithful minister will "bear witness" with the apostle +John. + +John also bore witness to "all things that he saw," as presented to him +in a succession of visions to the end of this book, in view of some of +which, he "wondered with great admiration." (xvii. 6.) + +In the third verse there is a "blessing" pronounced on all such as +"hear, read and keep those things which are written in the words of this +prophecy." A mere reading and hearing of the Apocalypse will not secure +the blessing. It is suspended on the _keeping_. "Blessed is he that +_keepeth_ the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Ch. xxii. 7.) The +divine and compassionate Author of this prophecy, who "knoweth the end +from the beginning," foresaw the violent and ignorant opposition even to +the _reading_ of it, which would be encountered by those for whose +special direction and comfort it was given. While the "man of sin" would +attempt to deprive the church of the light of the Bible in general, the +great "Antichrist" would join him in special hostility to this book. The +judgment of the former is, that the Bible in the hands of the people +will generate _heresies_; of the latter,--the Apocalypse is so "hard to +be understood" as to be unintelligible. A revelation, and yet +unintelligible! This is very nearly a contradiction. Such sentiments +betray rebellion against the authority, and a reflection upon the wisdom +and beneficence of God. All Christians acknowledge, as Peter says of the +writings of Paul, that in this book are "some things dark and hard to be +understood:" but there have been always and now are, some disciples who +do not subscribe to the teaching of most expositors of this book,--that +their actual fulfilment, alone, will interpret these +predictions.--Doubtless it was in view of such discouragements that our +Lord prefixed and repeated the special blessing. And this promised +blessing of the Master himself is sufficient to countervail all the +discouragements and hostility of the adversaries, thrown in the way of +the reader and expositor. Moses "endured as having respect unto the +recompense of the reward." Let us copy his example. "He is faithful that +promised." Let the pious reader, therefore, disregard the counsel to +"omit the reading, of this book in family worship," as we have sometimes +heard; whether it be tendered by Papist, Prelate or Presbyterian, +because it is directly contrary to the express command of Christ, (John +v. 39,) and because by following such counsel, he would forfeit the +special blessing here promised. + + +4. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and +peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from +the seven Spirits which are before his throne; + +5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the +First-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. +Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, + +6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to whom +be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. + +Vs. 4-6.--Here we have the customary salutation, addressed to the +churches of Asia Minor. Many other churches had been organized in other +parts of the earth at this date; (A.D. 96:) but the special reason why +John saluted these seven, and addressed an epistle to each, would seem +to be his vicinity to them in the place of his present sojourning, and +probably his personal acquaintance with them in the exercise of his +ministry among them, (v. 11.) His prayer for these churches is +substantially the same as that prefixed to most of Paul's epistles. +Grace and peace are inseparable in the divine arrangement. "There is no +peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isa. lvii. 21.) + +The solitary pilgrim in his place of banishment, contemplating the +Abrahamic covenant, and realizing that grace and that peace in which he +desires his fellow disciples to share, sets before us the threefold +source whence these divine influences flow. First, "from him which is, +and which was, and which is to come;" a description of God the Father, +whose personal subsistence has priority in the Godhead, and who occupies +the like priority in voluntary relationship and economic standing. From +the Father personally, as the representative of Trinity, we have seen +(in verse 1,) this book emanated; and now from the same we are taught +that "grace and peace" come to fallen man. Second, John's prayer here, +differs from Paul's usual form in the beginning of his epistles; for +Paul omits the Holy Spirit, commonly saying,--"Grace be to you, and +peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ," (as in Gal. +i. 3.) In this last book of Scripture we have the co-equal Three +introduced as co-operating in the work of man's redemption. Thus our +attention is directed to the "seven Spirits which are before the +throne;" by which we are to understand the Holy Ghost, in his essential +equality with God the Father, but in the place of official +subordination. The Holy Spirit is _one_ personally, but _seven_ in his +manifold gifts and graces, with special reference to the "seven +churches." And whereas the divine Spirit, in the order of his personal +subsistence and operation is _third,_ here he occupies the _second_ +place in the order of revelation. Third, The special reason for +reserving the notice of our Saviour to the last place, is doubtless that +the "beloved disciple" may take occasion to leave on record an +expression of his admiration of the Mediator's person, one of whose +names is "Wonderful," (Isa. ix. 6;) and that he might exemplify the +ruling principle of his own heart,--"We love him, because he first loved +us." (1 John iv. 19.) The apostle dwells upon the personal glory of +Immanuel, contemplating him in his threefold office of prophet, priest +and king.--He is "the faithful witness" in his prophetical office. "The +only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared +him." (John i. 18;) "who, before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good +confession." (John xviii. 37.) He is "the first-begotten of the dead." +He "died unto sin once," as an expiatory sacrifice to atone for the +guilt of an elect world. Being a "priest for ever after the order of +Melchizedek," "he ever liveth to make intercession,"--"death hath no +more dominion over him," as it had over Lazarus and many others who +"came out of the graves after his resurrection." (Matt, xxvii. 52, 53.) +_Among all_, he has the preeminence. (Col. i. 18.) He is "the Prince of +the kings of the earth." There is not in the sacred volume a title of +our Redeemer more full or expressive than this, on his headship or royal +office. A _prince_ is of royal parentage. Such is the understanding of +mankind in all civilized nations. Joseph in Egypt typified, in part, the +kingly office of Christ; and Solomon on the throne of Israel partially +typified him in his dominion: but as Balaam foretold that he should be +"higher than Agag," (Num. xxiv. 7,) so we may say he is higher than +Joseph,--"A greater than Solomon is here." "Pharaoh said unto Joseph, +Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my +people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." When +the Father says to the Son, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever," +(Ps. xlv. 6,) this is consistent with "excepting him that did put all +things under him." (1 Cor. xv. 27.) Although we are not warranted to say +with some, "The Father is the fountain of the Godhead, we may +warrantably and boldly say, the Father is the _fountain_ of _authority_. +(John vi. 38.) The dominion of the Mediator is universal, reaching "from +the roofless heaven to the bottomless hell." It is comfortable to the +disciples to know this in anticipation of the rise and reign of +Antichrist. He is, by the appointment of the Father "head over all +things," (Eph. i. 22,)--"able to save to the uttermost all that come +unto God by him," to "consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy +with the brightness of his coming, that Wicked, the Man of Sin." (2 +Thess. ii. 8.) + +In view of the personal dignity and mediatorial dominion of Christ, the +apostle gives expression to his admiration and wonder at the amazing +love and condescension displayed by him on behalf of himself and all +others, on whom that love was fixed from everlasting, and whose guilt +and pollution were taken away by the atoning and cleansing blood of the +Lamb. To these saving benefits is to be added the honour to which the +redeemed are advanced as "kings and priests,--a royal priesthood." The +living Head is "a priest upon his throne," (Zech. vi. 13,) and all the +members are assimilated to him. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.) + + +7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they +also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because +of him. Even so, Amen. + +Verse 7.--How animated the language, sublime the conception, and +awe-inspiring the sentiment here! Time is annihilated! The end is seen +from the beginning, and all eyes are directed to the sovereign Judge of +the world, as he comes in majesty to fix the final destiny of all the +children of Adam! These have constituted only two classes sincere world +began. "Every eye shall see him," but the eye will affect the heart very +differently. The hearts of some, with holy Job, will be filled with joy +unspeakable, (Job xix. 26, 27;) but others, with mercenary Balaam, will +be inspired with terror and dismay. (Num. xxiv. 17.) Of "them that +pierced him," who shall be able to abide his indignation? Judas, +Caiaphas, Herod and his men of war; Pontius Pilate, and all who have +consented to the counsel and deed of them, "must appear before his +judgment seat." "All kindreds of the earth," covering all the +combinations of "Antichrist" during the definite period of twelve +hundred and sixty years, "shall wail because of him," (Rev. xiv. 10, +11.) Assured of the equity of Messiah's judgment, the apostle, in the +exercise of "like precious faith with all them that believe," subjoins +his hearty assent,--"Even so, Amen:" "So let all thine enemies perish, O +Lord." Doubtless the design of the Holy Spirit in this verse is to +furnish ground of encouragement to those who were to be engaged in the +protracted conflict with the powers of darkness foreshadowed in the +prophecy of this book. + + +8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, +which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. + +Ver. 8.--The same divine person, to whom the apostle directs the +doxology in the 6th verse, is introduced in the 8th: that is, the Lord +Christ. He claims eternity and omnipotence. He describes himself here in +the _very words_ which in the 4th verse are descriptive of the eternal +subsistence of the person of the Father. "Alpha and Omega," the first +and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are explained in the +words,--"the beginning and the ending." This language is not to be +understood as expressing or defining the duration of the Godhead only; +but it points also to the divine purpose and providence. To the same +purpose speaks our Redeemer under the name of Wisdom:--"The Lord (the +Father) possessed me in the beginning (head, purpose) of his way, before +his works of old." (Prov. viii. 22.) In joint counsel with the Father, +ere the wheels of time began to move, and being "almighty" to execute +the purposes of God, he is perfectly qualified to act as the final Judge +of the world. And in the great and last day "every tongue must confess +that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. ii. 11.) "For +to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be +Lord both of the dead and living." (Rom. xiv. 9.)--"God is judge +himself." (Ps. 1. 6.) + + +9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and +in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is +called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus +Christ. + +Ver. 9.--Again, the inspired writer addresses the Christians in Asia, +acquainting them very briefly and simply with his present local +situation; not so much to move their sympathy with him, as to express +his unabated affection for them:--"I am your brother, and companion in +tribulation." Although the "like afflictions were accomplished in his +brethren," the Devil was permitted to "cast" only "some of them into +prison." But it is remarkable that John utters not a word, much less +manifests any resentment, against the persecutor. He was "in the isle +that is called Patmos:"--but he does not say who sent him there. +Historians tell us that he was banished by Domitian, the Roman emperor; +others say, by Nero; but the former is more probable. This island is +proverbially barren. It is situated among a number of islands in the +Aegean sea, a point of the Mediterranean running northward between +Europe and Asia, and not very remote from most of the churches here +addressed. + +The ground of controversy between John and his persecutors was "the word +of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Of these he "bare record." +(v, 2.) "This," say most expositors, "was the cause of John's +banishment." This unguarded language confounds the difference between a +_cause_ and an _occasion_. John had given no cause of banishment to his +enemies. The true cause of their hostility was their hatred of the "word +of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." For these John contended +earnestly, as Jude enjoined; (ver. 3:) just as Paul and others were +"bold in their God to speak the gospel of God with much contention." (1 +Thes. ii. 2.) We have here the standing ground of strife between the +believer and the infidel; between Christ and Belial, between the church +and the world. There is a divine hand interposed all along in this +warfare, and the conflict will terminate only in the extermination of +one of the parties. (Gen. iii. 15; Rev. xx. 10.) + + +10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great +voice, as of a trumpet, + +Ver. 10.--The beloved disciple had often "tasted the good word of God," +while the bosom-companion of Christ in the time of his ministry on +earth: His "heart burned within him." (Luke xxiv. 32.) Especially had +this been his happy experience on the holy Sabbath. Now that his +condition is solitary, being by violence "driven out from the +inheritance of the Lord," (1 Sam. xxvi. 19,) his gracious Master favours +him with a special visit. Did he not say to his disciples while he was +yet with them,--"I will not leave you comfortless? I will come to you." +(John xiv. 18.) The Comforter was promised to supply the want of the +Saviour's bodily presence, (v. 16,) and now John is "in the Spirit," and +it is "the Lord's day,"--the Christian Sabbath. We may well suppose this +disciple never was happier, no, not when he was "leaning on Jesus' +bosom." He would not now envy the emperor or any of his persecutors in +all their outward peace and prosperity. He was in an ecstasy,--"whether +in the body or out of the body he could not tell:" but his soul was +susceptible of the impressions of Christ's love, and of the intimations +of his sovereign will. "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" +(Gen. xviii. 17.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth +his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos iii. 7.) John does not +boast as Balaam,--"falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:" yet +he heard and saw as distinctly and clearly as if his perceptions had +come through the medium of his bodily ears and eyes. "He heard behind +him a great voice as of a trumpet," not to alarm, but to engage +attention. + + +11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega; the first and the last: and, What thou +seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in +Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto +Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. + +V. 11.--Christ speaks, asserting his eternity, and consequently his +equality with the Father. This book being written in the Greek language, +our Saviour names and appropriates to himself the first and last letters +of the alphabet in that language, and gives the interpretation,--"the +first and the last," as in v. 8. John is directed to write and send to +the seven churches all that is contained in this last book of the Bible. +The churches are named here, and in the second and third chapters they +are addressed severally in a letter to each. It may be noted that +besides the general commission to preach the gospel to every creature, +apostles had a special call to _write_; and sometimes a +prohibition,--"write not," (ch. x. 4.) Many of the most learned and +godly divines whom we would consider best qualified, have never left any +writings for the instruction of posterity; whilst others less qualified, +either in respect of literature or piety, or not at all qualified, have +filled the world with books without a special call from Christ. (John +xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.) + + +12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, +I saw seven golden candlesticks; + +13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of +man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps +with a golden girdle. + +14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and +his eyes were as a flame of fire; + +15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; +and his voice as the sound of many waters. + +16. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went +a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in +his strength. + +Vs. 12-16.--His attention being arrested, the apostle "turned to see the +voice,"--that is, the person from whom the voice came. A glorious vision +was presented to his view,--"seven golden candlesticks" or lamp-bearers, +in allusion to the golden candlestick with the seven lamps as placed in +the tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 31-40.) "In the midst of the candlesticks +appeared one like unto the Son of man," the Mediator, clothed in +sacerdotal garments, supplying oil for the light, after the example of +Aaron and his sons. (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21.) The "garment" may signify his +mediatorial righteousness,--the "golden girdle" the preciousness of his +love,--"his head and his hairs white like wool," his purity and +eternity,--"his eyes as a flame of fire," his omniscience, by which he +searches the reins and hearts, and sees the end from the beginning; "his +feet like unto fine brass," the stability of his appointments and the +excellency of his providential dispensations,--"his voice," the +irresistible energy of his word to quicken, terrify or destroy at his +pleasure. (John v. 25, Heb. xii. 26.) "The sharp two-edged sword" will +represent his awful justice against the impenitent who resist his +righteous authority. "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the +wicked." (Is. xi. 4; Luke xix. 27.) "His countenance as the sun shining +in his strength," disclosed to the beloved disciple such splendor as to +overwhelm him. The like display of divine majesty was insupportable to +Saul of Tarsus when on his way to Damascus. (Acts xxvi. 13.) To the +workers of iniquity, "our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.) It +is a certain truth,--"The vengeance of the gospel is weighter than the +vengeance of the law." (Heb. x. 28, 31.) "Let us therefore fear." + + +17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his +right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the +last: + +18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for +evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. + +19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and +the things which shall be hereafter; + +20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, +and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the +seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the +seven churches. + +Vs. 17-20.--We have the effect of the vision upon the beloved disciple. +He who had leaned on Christ's bosom at supper, and who had seen his +Master transfigured on the holy mount, was now utterly overwhelmed with +the effulgence of his glory. John "fell at his feet as dead." So it was +with Daniel, "a man greatly beloved." (Daniel x. 4-8.) But the +compassionate Saviour dispelled his fears, as in all similar cases; +making known to his astonished servant his supreme deity and real +humanity, as "the first and the last," who died for the sins, and was +raised again for the justification of his people. (Rom. iv. 25.) He is +"alive for evermore,"--become "the first fruits of them that slept." (1 +Cor. xv. 20.) He "dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over him." +(Rom. vi. 9.) And so complete is his victory over the king of terrors, +the last enemy of the believer, that he hath "the keys of hell and of +death." He has the "key of the bottomless pit," (xx. 1;) having +triumphed over principalities and powers, making a show of them openly. +(Col. ii. 15.) Whether Christ used the word, "amen," to ratify the truth +of his immortality; or whether this is an expression by John of his +joyful acquiescence in that truth, is not material: we know on +satisfactory evidence, that our Lord is a prophet and king, as well as a +priest, "after the power of an endless life." (Heb. vii. 16; Rom. xiv. +9.) + +John is next commanded to write,--_First_, "the things which he had +seen;" that is, the description of the foregoing vision:--_Second_, "the +things which are;" that is, the actual condition of the church, as +delineated in the diverse characters of the seven churches addressed, as +in the next two chapters:--_Third_, "the things which shall be +hereafter:" that is, the prophetical part of the book, from the +beginning of the fourth chapter to the close, as containing the +prospective history of the church and of the nations, as she was to be +affected by them, or they by her, till the consummation of all things. +This is the division of the book made by the divine Author himself, and +it is a natural and intelligible one. All attempts of learned and pious +men by other divisions to render this mysterious part of the Bible more +clear to the unlearned reader, tend only to display the ingenuity of the +writers,--not to say their temerity, while they "darken counsel by words +without knowledge." Such artificial divisions are as unfounded, in the +apprehension of sober expositors, as the attempts of impious Arians and +others, to turn the historical narrative of the creation and fall of man +into an allegory! + +The meaning of the "seven stars and seven candlesticks" is then +explained to John. The word, "are," is used in a figurative sense, and +not to be taken literally. It means here, _symbolize, represent_ or +_signify_. It is to be interpreted in the same sense as in the following +places of sacred Scripture:--"It _is_ the Lord's passover." (Exod. xii. +11.) "That rock _was_ Christ." (1 Cor. x. 4.) "This _is_ my body." +(Matt. xxvi. 26.) None but a Papist will have any difficulty here, or +perhaps,--a Lutheran! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Some commentators, among whom may be mentioned the learned Dr. Gill, a +leading Antipedobaptist minister of England, have imagined, that the +seven epistles addressed to the Asiatic churches, contain a mystical +prophecy of the church general, covering the whole period of her history +from the apostolic age till the end of the world. According to this +fancy,--for it is nothing more than a fancy; the church in Smyrna, will +represent the church's condition in the second stage of her history, +when Arianism prevailed! And the Laodicean must represent her last, and +so her worst condition! How will this harmonize with the 20th chapter, +where she appears in triumph over all her antichristian foes? This is +given as a specimen of the unbridled fancy and licentious imagination +with which even good men may be tempted to approach the reading and +interpreting of this important and instructive part of God's word. But +Peter informs us that some persons in his time, "wrested" those parts of +Paul's writings which were "dark and hard to be understood:" and this +was not the worst of their conduct, for they treated "the other +scriptures also" in the same reckless and irreverent manner, which were +neither dark nor hard to be understood. (2 Pet. iii. 16.) These epistles +are no more mystical or prophetical than those of the apostle Paul. They +are simply and properly descriptive, although like all other epistles, +they are applicable to the church general in all ages, and equally +suited to the case of individuals, as is clear in the close of +each:--"If _any man_ have an ear, let _him_ hear." + + +1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he +that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst +of the seven golden candlesticks; + +2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou +canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say +they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: + +3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast +laboured, and hast not fainted. + +4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left +thy first love. + +5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do +the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove +thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. + +6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, +which I also hate. + +7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, +which is in the midst of the paradise of God. + +Verses 1-7.--This first epistle, addressed to the church in Ephesus, +comes from the Lord Jesus, who holds the stars in his right hand; who +gives commission to the ministry, gives them authority as his +ambassadors to negotiate with mankind, communicates to them the light +which they diffuse in the world, sustains them in their respective +spheres, and controls them as they move in their orbits. He walks in the +midst of the candlesticks, as the sun in the system of nature, trimming +and snuffing the lamps that they may burn more clearly. + +This is the second epistle sent from Christ to the church of Ephesus. +Paul, who is thought to have planted this church, (Acts xviii. 19,) had +written to those Christians some thirty years before, while he was a +prisoner in Rome. (Eph. i. 4; vi. 20.) Paul and John were nothing more +than Christ's amanuenses,--"the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. xlv. 1; 1 +Cor. iii. 7.)--"The angel of the church" is at once a symbolic and +collective name, including also the idea of representation:--not a pope +or any other prelatic personage. No doubt in our Saviour's estimation +the saints take precedence here of the "bishops (overseers.) and +deacons," as they do in Phil. i. 1; Eph. iv. 8-12. All ecclesiastical +officers are Christ's gift to the church; but the object or recipient of +the gift is more valued than the gift. And just here is the point where +prelates "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures." They have +arrogated to themselves the honourary title of "clergy;" and for the +sake of distinction, and to give plausibility to their ambitious +pretensions, call the membership of the church the "laity,"--contrary to +the express decision of the unerring Spirit. Peter cautions the +"elders" that they be not as "lords over God's _heritage,"_--_lot, +clergy;_ where it is obvious that the body of the people, as +distinguished from their rulers, are denominated the _clergy._ Moreover, +it is evident to any unbiased reader, that the membership, and not a +bishop only, are addressed by our Lord in these epistles; as when he +says,--"some of you." (v. 10.) Hence it may be inferred that there is no +proof in these epistles on which to erect the antichristian hierarchy of +diocesan prelacy; and consequently that ecclesiastical government is by +divine right, lodged in the hands of a plurality of presbyters. + +Christ notices what is commendable, before he administers reproof. "I +know thy works."--There seems to be an incompatibility between the +"patience" commended, and not being able to "bear them which were evil." +But patience under persecution or any other providential dispensation, +is perfectly consistent with an enlightened zeal against error and +immorality. Indeed, the two graces,--patience and zeal, are inseparable +in themselves, and as connected with all the other graces of the Holy +Spirit.--There were such in the primitive church, who claimed to be +apostles, and who, upon trial, were discovered to be impostors. Paul, in +the exercise of the miraculous gift of "discerning of spirits," could, +without presbyterial examination of witnesses, personally detect "false +apostles, deceitful workers" in Corinth. (2 Cor. xi. 13.) But John was +not at Ephesus, and therefore the ordinary rulers are approved by Christ +for the faithful exercise of discipline. Persons who falsify the +doctrines and corrupt the order and ordinances of divine appointment, +are the worst of liars, and having been by competent authority "found" +to be such; they may be so called without breach of charity. When +discipline is neglected or relaxed, error and tyranny soon enter, with +"confusion and every evil work." But when false teachers have gained +followers and influence in the church, the friends of truth and order +will be in danger of yielding to the pressure. They are liable to become +"weary and faint in their minds," (Heb. xii. 3;) but zeal for their +Master's honor will animate them to contend for the faith so as to +secure his approbation. It is remarkable that so much labor, patience, +zeal etc., should be found in this church while chargeable with having +"fallen from first love." Habits contracted in the fervor of early +affection to Christ, may continue to influence an individual or a +church, when the fervency of affection is sensibly abated. This state of +feeling the exercised Christian will confess and lament. Nothing but +repentance and reformation in such a case will procure the approbation +and restore the favor of Christ. Continued impenitence is threatened +with removing "the candlestick," the gospel, ministry and ordinances. + +The Nicolaitans were a sect of corrupt professors of Christianity of +whose doctrines and deeds little or nothing is certainly known. It is +most generally supposed that they were a sort of Antinomians, who turned +the grace of God into lasciviousness; and there is a tradition, not well +sustained, that their heresy was derived from Nicolas, a proselyte of +Antioch, one of the seven deacons of whom we read, Acts vi. 5. The +similarity of name seems to have suggested this fancy; for there is no +historical evidence that one who was "of honest report, full of the Holy +Ghost and wisdom," was permitted thus to fall away. Their deeds, +however, were hateful to Christ, and therefore hateful to his real +disciples: for one of the infallible marks of a state of grace is to +hate what,--yes and whom,--our Lord hates. (Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22.) All who +read or hear these things are interested in them, whether they will +hear, or whether they will forbear. What Christ saith in each of these +epistles, the Spirit saith; and what is said to each church is said to +all the seven; that is, to the whole visible church. "To him that +overcometh" false apostles, the deeds of the Nicolaitans, any doctrines +or practices in opposition to the truth of Christ, or militating against +the honor of Christ; to such he "will give to eat of the tree of life," +from which Adam was excluded upon the breach of the first covenant. +(Genesis iii. 22-24.) What the first Adam lost by the fall, the last +Adam will restore with interest, (1 Cor. ii. 9.) The felicity of the +saints in glory can be represented only by sensible things; and even +then but very imperfectly. (1 Cor. xiii. 12; 1 John iii. 2.) + + +8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith +the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; + +9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) +and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, +but are the synagogue of Satan. + +10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil +shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall +have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give +thee a crown of life. + +11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. + +Vs. 8-11.--Smyrna is the second in order of the seven churches addressed +through the ministry as the official representatives. Our Saviour here +assumes those titles mentioned in ch. i. 17, 18, which bespeak his +divine personal dignity and voluntary humiliation, his eternal Godhead +and true manhood,--"God manifest in the flesh," having by death +triumphed over death, to deliver them who through fear of death were all +their life-time subject to bondage. (Heb. ii. 15.) This church was +subjected to "tribulation,"--persecution in name, substance and person. +The members were either of the poorer sort of the citizens of Smyrna, or +rendered poor by fines,--"the spoiling of their goods."--"But thou art +rich," rich in faith, in good works, in the gifts and graces of the +Spirit, the earnest of the heavenly inheritance.--In this place a colony +of Jews had gained such social influence as to move the populace, and +even the local magistrates, to offer violence to the servants of God. It +does not appear that these Jews were professing Christians of any creed, +but just such as Paul often encountered in Judea and elsewhere. (Acts +xvi. 19-22.) The devil instigated the Jews, and they the Gentiles; and +both, the magistrates, to silence the testimony of Christ's witnesses, +by which all were tormented. The design of the devil, who was a murderer +from the beginning, was to _destroy_ that church; but Christ's design +was to _try_ her members. Only _some_ were to be imprisoned, and the +time of trial would be limited to "ten days,"--a definite for an +indefinite, but short time. Those who resist the truth contradict its +advocates, and blaspheme the holy name of God, though professing to be +either Jews or Christians, area "synagogue of Satan." "A crown of life" +is promised to such as proved "faithful unto death." They shall not be +"hurt of the second death;" that is, eternal death. (Ch. xx. 14, 15.) + + +12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith +he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; + +13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat +is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in +those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among +you, where Satan dwelleth. + +14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them +that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a +stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed +unto idols, and to commit fornication. + +15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, +which thing I hate. + +16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight +against them with the sword of my mouth. + +17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, +and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, +which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. + +Vs. 12-17.--To the church in Pergamos reproofs and threatenings are +addressed by him who has the "sharp sword." Satan had his throne in this +place, whence he assailed the true doctrine and disciples of Christ by +heresy and persecution. In such a great fight of afflictions there was +one distinguished, like Stephen, for boldness and fortitude, who +"resisted unto blood, striving against sin." And wherever there is a +"faithful martyr" for Christ, who "holds fast his name, and will not +deny his faith" at the risk of his life, his divine Lord will condescend +to register his name among that noble company who "by faith have +obtained a good report." (Heb. Xv. 2.) The "doctrine of Balaam" and that +of the Nicolaitans led to gross immoralities in apostolic times as of +old in the days of Moses. (Num. xxxi. 16.) And thus it appears, that old +heresies, which have been condemned, are afterwards revived under new +names, and patronized by new leaders. In such a case, we have the +authority of Christ for calling them by the same names of those whose +principles they adopt, and whose example they emulate. It was no breach +of charity, therefore, by our forefathers to designate those who +"delated" them to the cruel persecutors in Scotland by the name of +"Ziphites," or to call the archtraitor Sharp,--"a Judas." The Lord Jesus +"hates the doctrine" as well as "deeds of Nicolaitans," which are +subversive of truth and godliness. Those who oppose the doctrines of +Balaam and the Nicolaitans in any age when these are popular, must +expect persecution. But when "troubles abound for Christ's sake, +consolations much more abound by Christ." This is to "eat of the hidden +manna." Also, the "white stone" or pebble,--the token of +justification,--will be given to the conqueror in the Christian +conflict. The allusion here is to the mode of procedure in courts of +judgment among the ancient Greeks. White stones were cast for acquittal; +black for condemnation. The manna is _hidden_, and so is the _white_ +stone, both signifying the sustaining and consoling evidence of the +Comforter,--the Holy "Spirit witnessing with the spirit" of the +persecuted believer, that he is a "child of God." It is the same thing +as the "hundred-fold in this life," promised by Christ. (Matt. xix. 29.) + +It is worthy of notice, in the condition of this church, that while +among a minority may be found an "Antipas,--faithful martyr" for the +cause of Christ, against those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the +Nicolaitans: the majority are called upon to "repent,"--evidently for +conniving at the destructive errors and immoralities of those seducers. +And unless the discipline of the church was employed to "purge out these +rebels;" the Master would take the work into his own hand, and "fight +against them with the sword of his mouth:" and then such as screened or +spared these sinners might expect to partake of their just punishment. +Rulers in the church "must give account for those over whom they watch." + + +18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things +saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and +his feet are like fine brass; + +19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy +patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. + +20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou +sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to +teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things +sacrificed unto idols. + +21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented +not. + +22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery +with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. + +23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall +know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give +unto every one of you according to your works. + +24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, (as many as have +not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they +speak;) I will put upon you none other burden: + +25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. + +26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him +will I give power over the nations: + +27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a +potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. + +28. And I will give him the morning-star. + +29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 18-29.--The most lengthy epistle is sent to the church in Thyatira. +He who is the "Son of God," a divine person, possessing the essential +attributes of omniscience and immutability, has more to say to this +church than to any of the rest. Commending, as usual, whatever was +commendable,--their "works, charity, service," etc.; "and the last to be +more than the first:" he has, nevertheless, "a few things against +them,"--especially "suffering that woman Jezebel to teach." Is this +"woman Jezebel" to be taken in a literal or figurative sense? Analogy +seems to require a metaphorical sense. If, in the preceding epistle, +"Balaam" is not to be understood literally and personally, but +figuratively and representatively, so Jezebel represents an individual, +or rather as that other woman, (ch. xvii. 4.) a faction or sect, who +propagated destructive heresy. Jezebel was daughter of Ethbaal, King of +the Zidonians, whom Ahab married contrary to the express law of God. (1 +Kings xvi. 31; Deut. vii. 3.) She was a violent persecutor of the Lord's +people, because she was given to idolatry; and she was an instigator of +all the cruelty perpetrated by that wicked king, "whom Jezebel his wife +stirred up." As Ahab suffered his wife to control his policy, "giving +him the vineyard of Naboth," etc., so it appears, the rulers in this +church are blamed for permitting "a woman to teach," contrary to the law +of Christ." (1 Tim. ii. 12.) She "called herself a prophetess,"--why not +then require her to show her credentials? Permitted to usurp the +functions of a public teacher, she "seduced Christ's servants" to join +in the abominable rites of the heathen. Spiritual fornication, +especially when conducted by female agency, has always issued in that +which is literal. This may be verified from the time of Noah and Balaam +till the erection of nunneries under the sanction of the "man of sin." +The distinction here between "committing fornication" and "eating things +sacrificed unto idols," intimates that the "adultery" is to be taken in +a literal sense. Time was allowed for repentance, "and she repented +not." All this time the rulers were culpable: therefore the Lord +himself, as before, will interpose to rectify such gross sin and +scandal. This he would do by visiting these impenitent transgressors +with some incurable disease which would issue in certain death. So he +did in the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) By this example he would +teach "all the churches, that it is he who searcheth the reins and +hearts,"--demonstrating his divine omniscience.--"But unto you I say." +Where now is to be discovered, in this address of the Saviour, that +"presiding minister," or diocesan bishop, whom the anti-christian +prelates affirm our Lord addresses in all these epistles? "And unto the +rest in Thyatira,"--still no prelate addressed; but those laborious and +patient ones previously commended, who "had not known the depths of +Satan." Those deceivers pretended to instruct their deluded followers in +the "deep things of God;" but Christ calls them "depths of Satan." It is +usual with the devil's factors to delude credulous persons with +pretending to teach them deep mysteries,--"curious arts. (Acts xix. 18, +19.) + +To such as withstood the adversary and his allies, Christ would give no +additional injunctions to those which they had received. And to animate +them to continued fidelity and fortitude in future conflicts with these +enemies of all righteousness, he holds forth an ample reward. He shall +share in the honor of his Master, conferred on him by his Father. +Whatever may be comprehended in this promise, it can be made good to the +victorious Christian only by Him who is divine. None else has "power +over the nations," but he to whom "all power is given in heaven and in +earth." (Matt, xxviii. 18.) "The morning star" may signify Christ +himself, (ch. xxii, 16,) or the "first fruits of the Spirit," (Rom. +viii. 23,) or the full assurance of grace. (2 Peter i. 19.) + +As before, what "Christ saith, the Spirit saith;" and the instruction, +warning and threatening sent to the church in Thyatira, was addressed to +all churches and to every human being endowed with an "ear to hear." It +is assumed in the beginning of the Apocalypse, that only some will have +sufficient education to "read the words of the prophecy of this book;" +and such is the condescension of our gracious Master, that those who, by +reason of invincible ignorance, cannot _read_, yet may share in the +reward promised to such as "hear and keep" the sayings of this book. And +no doubt thousands have received this reward since the begun decline of +Popery, who were privileged to hear and to "know the joyful sound" of +the gospel proclaimed by the heralds of the Reformation. In the times of +Luther, Calvin, Knox, and others, who were their compeers and +successors, many were called from darkness to light, in continental and +insular Europe, who could not read. + +All are commanded to "search the Scriptures." Now to be able to obey +this reasonable command, either all must be instructed in the knowledge +of Hebrew and Greek,--the two languages in which the Bible was +originally written, or the Bible must be translated into the languages +of all nations. But the former supposition is impracticable, and +therefore the latter is dutiful. And after all that has been done, and +is yet to be accomplished, in translating the sacred writings into the +languages of the nations of the earth, the "angels of the churches" will +be employed by the chief Shepherd in feeding his flock. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith +he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy +works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. + +2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready +to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. + +3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, +and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a +thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. + +4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their +garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. + +5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I +will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess +his name before my Father, and before his angels. + +6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 1-6.--As hitherto in these epistles we do not discover a "presiding +minister" above an elder, so neither do we in this one find any hint of +a "bishop and pastors." All Christ's bishops are elders, and "all are +brethren." (Acts xx. 17, 28.) Prelacy,--that is, preferring one pastor +before another in office, is expressly prohibited by the church's only +Lawgiver. (Matt. xx. 25, 26.) The attempts to annul this law of Christ +has caused more sin and suffering to his disciples than any one external +agency of the devil. The whole history of the church furnishes the +evidence of this. + +The church in Sardis is addressed by him who "hath the seven spirits of +God and the seven stars," who has authority by office to give the +quickening influences of the Spirit to the dead, and his reviving +influences to the dormant; for revival presupposes life. Their "works +were not perfect before God," however they might appear to men. The +majority were in a languishing condition, had "given themselves over to +a detestable neutrality" in the Lord's cause. And as the whole body is +justly characterized by the major part; this church is described as +"dead." "Be watchful,--remember,--repent." These duties point out the +prevailing sins, namely, slothfulness, forgetfulness and security. Where +these predominate, "things that remain are ready to die." And there is +no other remedy but that of applying to the "Seven Spirits of God," +which Christ is ready to shed abundantly on all who make believing +application. + +Christ threatens to "come as a thief" upon those who do not "watch." In +similitudes, we are not to indulge a licentious fancy in our attempts to +interpret them. The objects of the thief's visit and that of Christ are +not the point of resemblance; for "the thief cometh not but for to +steal, and to kill, and to destroy." The point, and the only point of +resemblance, is the suddenness of the visit. Ignorance or neglect of +this rule of interpretation has been a fruitful source of error, +especially in expounding Revelation. + +In this epistle, the order hitherto observed by the Saviour is reversed. +What was praiseworthy in other churches was first noticed. Here the +commendation follows the reproof. "Thou hast a few names," etc. A +virtuous minority are "undefiled in the way." They have nobly withstood +the prevailing contamination, and therefore Christ will admit them to +fellowship and honor. The victor shall be "clothed in white +raiment,"--grace shall be perfected in glory; and their names, which +were inscribed in the book of life,--the register of the church of the +first-born, shall be confessed by Christ "before his Father and before +his angels," as having "followed the Lamb," when others went back like +Orpah. (Ruth i. 15.) Let those who, having "put their hand to the +plough," are tempted to "look back," consider "what the Spirit saith" to +the church in Sardis. + + +7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things +saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, +he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; + +8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no +man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, +and has not denied my name. + +9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they +are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and +worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. + +10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep +thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, +to try them that dwell upon the earth. + +11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man +take thy crown. + +12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, +and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my +God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which +cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new +name. + +13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 7-13.--This church, like the one in Smyrna, is "without rebuke," in +the midst of similar trials.--Christ's message is prefaced, as usual, by +some description of himself, implying his supreme deity and authority. +"He that is holy, he that is true," is more than a creature. As "there +is none _good_ but one, that is God;" so, "there is none _holy_ as the +Lord," (Jehovah,) (1 Sam. ii. 2.) Here is another, among many plain +proofs, of our Saviour's proper divinity. His divine authority is held +forth in his "having the key of David," etc. A key is the symbol of +authority, (Matt. xvi. 19,) and the reference is to that prophecy, (Isa. +xxii. 20-24,) in which the mediatorial dominion of Christ is set forth, +by calling Eliakim to the place of authority in the room of Shebna. "The +key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." It is in virtue +of this extensive grant of power from the Father, that the Lord Christ +has a right, _as Mediator_, to send his ambassadors into all nations, to +call sinners (rebels) back to their rightful allegiance; and also to +execute deserved punishment upon all who do harm to his servants. (Ps. +cv, 15.) In the exercise of his rightful authority, he has set before +this church an "open door" of liberty, of opportunity, of activity; that +she may put forth her "little strength" in keeping Christ's word and +confessing his name amidst opposition, reproach and violence; for it is +obvious, that when impostors fail to reach their objects by deceit, they +will resort to forcible measures. Because this church was unable to +purge herself by corrective discipline,--having but "a little strength," +therefore Christ declares his purpose to strip these lying Jews of their +cloak of hypocrisy, and exhibit them in their true character a +"synagogue (church) of Satan." (James ii. 2.) Seeing that in apostolic +times there were apostles, ministers, churches of the devil, is it to be +supposed that we violate the law of charity, if in our own degenerate +age, when heresies abound, when ecclesiastical order is trampled upon, +we venture to apply the language of the Holy Spirit to unholy and +profane amalgamations? No, it is part of the special business of +Christ's witnesses to unmask specious hypocrites and warn of danger from +false teachers, (2 Cor. xi. 13-15; Gal. i. 6, 7,) that "their folly may +be made manifest to all men." (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9; 2 Peter ii. 1, 3.)--The +cruel enemy, who in the day of prosperity boasts of his success, in the +day of adversity becomes the most arrant coward and cringing +suppliant,--whether it be Saul or Shimei. (1 Sam. xv. 30; 2 Sam. xix. +18.) Haughty persecutors have been changed to humble suitors for an +interest in the prayers of their victims,--"to worship before their +feet." "The word of Christ's patience" may signify any truth or doctrine +of the Bible which is of supernatural revelation. The same idea is +suggested by the phrase, "the present truth,"--any divine truth which +may come to be opposed or denied, especially as it may bear upon the +personal glory of our Redeemer. Love to Christ is often tested by an +enlightened and firm adherence to the "truth as it is in Jesus," when +"false apostles will sell it for a mess of pottage." (Prov. xxiii. 23; 2 +Cor. xiii. 8.) The first promise here is of a temporal kind, of +protection in time of general danger. The "temptation" thus predicted +may refer to some of those "ten persecutions" waged by the Roman +emperors against the Christians, as that of Trajan in particular; but +doubtless, like many other predictions, it was to have more than one +fulfilment. The expression, "all the world" does indeed sometimes mean +the Roman empire, (Luke ii. 1;) but perhaps it would be rash to affirm, +that it is to be always thus limited. Like "the kingdom of heaven,--the +kingdom of God,"--phrases which have unquestionably a two-fold +signification, so it will be safer to consider this expression as of a +similar kind. All other churches would be exposed to trial, from which +this one would be exempted. The trial might consist of persecution, or +the spreading of heretical principles and wicked practices, followed by +apostacies. At such a time of trial, a firm adherence to the "doctrines +which are after godliness," would be imperative duty, and the only way +to secure the victor's crown. The gracious reward of fidelity here +promised is a permanent and honorable place in the heavenly temple,--the +temple of Christ's Father, whose name the citizen of the New Jerusalem +should bear for ever, and should be known and recognised as +"fellow-citizen with the saints." These names may be safely interpreted +as importing, "son, daughter of the Lord Almighty, citizen of Zion, +Christian." As "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch," +so their gracious Master will "confess their names before his Father and +the holy angels." (Acts xi. 26; Rev. iii. 5.) + + +14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These +things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of +the creation of God; + +15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou +wert cold or hot. + +16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will +spue thee out of my mouth. + +17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have +need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, +and poor, and blind, and naked. + +18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest +be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the +shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with +eye-salve, that thou mayest see. + +19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and +repent. + +20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and +open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with +me. + +21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, +even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. + +22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the +churches. + +Vs. 14-22.--It appears that in Paul's time a Christian church had been +planted in Laodicea. (Col. ii. 1; iv. 16.) This church had the benefit +of his ministry as well as that of Ephesus: and as both these churches +were comparatively near to all the other five, we may suppose that a man +of his zealous, active and persevering character and habits, would +"impart unto them some spiritual gift." (Rom. i. 11.) + +It is evident that this church had degenerated more than all the others. +In her there is nothing to commend. Her officers and members are +described in their real character by him who is the "Amen, the faithful +and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Each of these +titles speaks the divine dignity of Christ. They are all to be +understood in an absolute, not in a comparative sense. As "there is none +_good_ (absolutely so,) but one; that is, God," Matt. xix. 17; so Christ +only is the "Amen" in such sense that he "cannot lie" as a "witness.'" +He "speaks that which he has seen with his Father." (John viii. 38.) +Jesus is, moreover, the "Beginning;" the author, owner and sovereign +ruler of "the creation of God." This is clearly taught in Col. i. 15-18, +where the same person, who (in v. 18) is called "the beginning," as +here; is (in v. 17,) said to "be before all things;" by whom (v. 16,) +"were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in +earth."--Creation is a work proper to God only. But our Redeemer has +"created all things." Now, according to Heb. iii. 4, "he that built all +things is God;" therefore he of whom these things are spoken is "the +Most High God." And so said the inspired prophet long ago, "For thy +Maker is thine husband." (Isa. liv. 5.) In the language of Jeremiah, (x. +11,)--thus do we say to Arians, Socinians, and other self-styled +Unitarians,--"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, +even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens:" +and their blinded votaries, "except they repent, shall all likewise +perish."--However far the body of this church had declined, it does not +appear that they had yet, as a community, gone the length of "denying +the Lord that bought them." + +Spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, seems to have been the prevailing sin +among these degenerate professors. Like the Pharisee, they would boast +of their riches, the spiritual gifts which they possessed, by which they +flattered themselves that "they were not as other men." Possibly they +might excel in knowledge, that "knowledge which puffeth up;" in +utterance,--"great swelling words of vanity," by which they gained both +"filthy lucre" and the admiration of an ignorant and carnal multitude. +Such is too often the actual condition of ministers and people, when +they are all the while under the power of sin, and wholly "blind" to +their spiritual destitution. Self-deception is fatal; and it would be +just in the Lord Jesus to give such persons up to their own hearts' +lusts. So he threatens,--"I will spue thee out of my mouth," as a man's +stomach loathes that which is nauseating. The like figure is used by +Isaiah, (lxv. 5,) personating his Lord when describing similar +characters:--"These are a smoke in my nose,"--intolerably offensive.--To +us the case of this church would appear hopeless. It is not so, however: +on the contrary, he assures them that these sharp rebukes proceed from +love. "As many as I love, I rebuke, and chasten." (Heb. xii. 6-8.) And +from the "counsel" which he gives, as farther evidence of his love, we +learn wherein this church was lacking,--in grace, justifying +righteousness, and the saving self searching illumination of the Holy +Spirit. As this church had not the promise of exemption from the coming +"temptation," (v. 10,) the "gold tried in the fire" of persecution will +be indispensable to preserve any from apostacy, whereby their cloak of +hypocrisy would be removed, and they be exposed to "shame."--Christ +"stands and knocks."--If the church refuses him admittance, yet if but +one will "hear his voice and open the door," he will certainly +communicate such consolations,--the "joy of his salvation," that it may +be said they sup together. (Song v. 1.) + +This, as before, is the "hundred-fold," promised in this life, as a +foretaste and pledge of heavenly felicity.--There is added, a +participation in his honor and authority; for those who suffer with him +shall also reign with him. (2 Tim. ii. 12.) Whilst "this honour is to +all his saints," it is to be conferred upon them by Christ. This +assertion may seem to contradict what Christ said to the mother of +Zebedee's sons, (Matt. xx. 23,)--"to sit on my right hand, and on my +left, is not mine to give."--No, it is not his to give,--"but, except to +them for whom it is prepared of his Father." Then it is his to +give,--his right. Of the honor and felicity promised to such as "fight +the good fight of faith," none can have an adequate conception without +actual experience. (1 John iii. 2.) + + +GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. + +Although the fundamental doctrine of the _Trinity in Unity_ be not +expressly taught or asserted in these epistles, it is nevertheless often +and plainly presupposed. Each epistle begins and closes with express +mention of two divine persons as equally the author. What Christ says, +the Spirit says to these churches. But there is a _third_ divine person +often mentioned who is called "God," and "Father." (Ch. ii. 7, 18, 27, +etc.;) and in the first verse of chapter third, one speaks who has the +seven Spirits of God," where the _Trinity_ is included. Thus, while in +these epistles this important doctrine of the adorable Trinity,--a +doctrine which lies at the very foundation of a sinner's hope, is +obscurely revealed, as being clearly discovered in the preceding parts +of the Holy Scriptures; the subsequent part of this book of Revelation +is intended, among other objects, to demonstrate _the distinct +subsistence and economical actings_ of the co-equal and eternal Three, +in the protection and salvation of the church, and in the control and +moral government of the universe. + +Again, on the groundless and chimerical assumption of those expositors +who view these epistles as prophetical of seven successive periods of +the destiny of the church general, the last estate would be worse than +the first,--Laodicea being the worst of all. But this is obviously +contrary to the description contained in ch. xx. 1-10, where the saints +are represented as in possession and exercise of all their purchased and +social rights. Neither does authentic history prove that the church of +Christ was more prosperous under the "ten persecutions" by the heathen +Roman emperors than in the apostolic age, as the superior condition of +the church in Smyrna to that of Ephesus would require. The very contrary +is true; and hence the groundlessness of such interpretation, however +respectable the names of its authors. The object of our Saviour in all +the instructions, counsels, warnings, rebukes and threatenings addressed +to these several churches is doubtless the real benefit of his people in +after generations;--just as his dealings with the church in Old +Testament times, "were written for our admonition and learning." (Rom. +xv. 4; 1 Cor. x. 11.) Moreover, some persons have inferred from our +Lord's treatment of these churches, a _divine warrant_ for the +existence, and an imperative Christian duty for the charitable +recognition, of all the conflicting and antagonistic organizations of +our time, popularly styled Christian churches. But as the designation, +"Christian churches," is in the apprehension of some too general, the +term "evangelical" is used by them as restrictive of the term +"Christian." Still the question will present itself,--What constitutes a +church "evangelical?" And this question is still without any definite +answer. Perhaps no two persons would include in one category the same +denominations of professing Christians. For example,--Is a community to +be considered a Christian church in which the "doctrine of Balaam" is +taught? Does the law of charity require the recognition of an +organization as a Christian church, in which a "Jezebel would be +suffered to teach, and to seduce the servants of Christ?" Is that a +Christian church which denies the supreme deity of Christ, and rejects +the seals of the covenant of grace,--the only charter of the Christian +church's existence, on earth? Or is that combination to be viewed as a +Christian church which has no regular ministry, but expressly rejects +the "pastors and teachers" of Christ's appointment and the morality of +the sabbath? These, and many other questions of similar or analogous +import, will suggest negative answers to all who fear God, respect his +authority, and are free from the bewildering effects of popular error. + +It ought to be considered that all these _seven_ churches were _one +church_, as originally constituted, having the same,--that, is, a +divine, scriptural organization. And although in the divine forbearance, +they were still owned by Christ, notwithstanding the errors, heresies +and immoralities which had crept into them; yet it is manifest that he +threatens some of them with divorce, total extinction in case of +impenitence. He has indeed fulfilled his awful threats in making them a +desolation. Is it reasonable to suppose that he would reorganize these, +or recognise others which incorporate the same or the like corruptions +in doctrine and practice for tolerating which he has "removed their +candlestick," or "spued them out of his mouth?" (_Absit blasphemia_.) To +say so, or write so, does not manifest the "charity which rejoiceth not +in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Alas! the present condition of +the church general contains frequent evidences, that our Saviour's +affectionate counsels, solemn warnings, and awful threatenings, are +neither duly pondered nor dutifully regarded. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +With this chapter the prophetical part of the Apocalypse begins. This is +the place where the third division of the book commences, of which +intimation had been given to John.--"Write ... the things which shall be +hereafter." (Ch. i. 19.) The third is therefore much the largest part of +the whole book, comprising all from the 4th to the 22d ch. It is also to +be noticed that the fourth and fifth chapters are properly of the nature +of an introduction to what follows, presenting to view, as it were, a +grand theatre on which are to be exhibited the dramatic characters and +events which constitute the outline of history in the church and the +world from the apostle's time till the consummation of all things. + +Expositors commonly frame and lay down some rules by which they suppose +symbolic language in general, and the symbols of this book in +particular, may be interpreted. On examination, however, it will be +discovered that the learned are not agreed either in the nature or +number of such rules, and sometimes an expositor who has exerted his +ingenuity most in devising canons of interpretation, forgets to apply +them. + +All languages, whether spoken or written, are more or less metaphorical, +interspersed with what are called figures of speech. It is customary to +represent nations and tribes, whose language abounds in symbols, as but +little advanced in civilization; and to view oriental nations as more +disposed to indulge in tropes and figures than those of the west; but +perhaps this relative estimate of the modes of speech in the eastern and +western hemispheres will admit of some modification, when we consider +the gesticulations and similes by which the aborigines of America +attempt to give expression to their ideas. The word _hieroglyphics_, +signifying sacred sculpture, derived from the ancient mode of writing by +the priests of Egypt, has received conventional currency among the +learned, as descriptive of any writing which is obscure, "hard to be +understood." And all who read this book will find some of it "dark" +indeed. The divine Author intended that it should be so, (ch. xiii. 18;) +yet he calls it emphatically, a "Revelation." + +We have already noticed, that the symbols in this book are taken from +the ceremonial law in part, and part are taken from the works of +creation. The heavens and the earth present to our senses a variety of +material objects; some more, some less calculated to arrest our +attention. Among these, the sun, moon and stars,--earth and sea, +mountains and rivers, occupy prominent places. To facilitate our +knowledge of these, and prompt reference to any part of them, we +generalize or throw them into groups. Thus we speak familiarly of the +"solar system," the "animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom." Now, just +transfer these systematized objects from the material and physical, to +the moral and spiritual world. Then consider what relation any one +object bears to the system, and what influence it has upon the other +objects of which it is a part, and its import may be generally, +satisfactorily and certainly ascertained. Thus the same canons or rules +which we apply in the interpretation of other writings, will be equally +available in "searching the Scriptures,"--never, never forgetting that +it is the Spirit of Christ that "guides into all truth," or his own +all-comprehensive rule of interpretation, "comparing spiritual things +with spiritual." (1 Cor. ii. 13.) + +In order to the right observance of the divinely prescribed rule, +"comparing spiritual things with spiritual," we must often refer to the +prophecies of the Old Testament,--to the second and seventh chapters of +Daniel in particular, because that prophet, while the church was captive +under the power of literal Babylon, was favoured with a discovery of the +purpose of God, that a succession of imperial powers should afterwards +arise to "try the patience and the faith of the saints." As in the case +of Pharaoh, so in the whole history of the rise, reign and overthrow of +succeeding persecuting powers, Jehovah's design was precisely the +same,--"to make his power known, and that his name might be declared +throughout all the earth." (Ex. ix. 16; Rom. ix. 17.) In connexion with +this, he would "glorify the riches of his grace on the vessels of mercy, +which he had afore prepared unto glory," by sustaining them in the +furnace of trial. + + +1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and +the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with +me; which said. Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must +be hereafter. + +2. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in +heaven, and one sat on the throne. + +3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: +and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an +emerald. + +Verses 1-3.--"After these things," contained in the three preceding +chapters, the glorious vision of the mediatorial person, and the writing +and sending of the seven epistles; there seems to have intervened a +pause. While John was in expectation of farther discoveries of "things +which were to be thereafter," "behold, a door was opened in heaven," the +place of Jehovah's special residence. But as this "heaven" is sometimes +the theatre of _war_, (ch. xii. 7,) of course it is not to be taken +literally. As a symbol it generally signifies organized society, over +which the Most High presides. The "door opened" afforded the means to +John of seeing the objects within. The "voice as of a trumpet," which +arrested his attention, was that of Christ,--the "voice of the Lord, +full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4; ch. i. 10, 11.) John was in his own +apprehension, like Paul, "caught up into the third heaven," that he +might behold in glorious succession "things which must be hereafter." +Why _must_ they be? Simply because such was the "purpose of Him who +worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; who is wonderful +in counsel and excellent in working; whose counsel stands, and who doeth +all his pleasure." (Eph. i. 11.) Can a rational creature work without a +plan? And shall mortal man be more rational than his Maker? The objects +which were presented to John are not to be understood as _material_ +objects. It was requisite that he should be "in the Spirit," before he +could see them. The exercise of his bodily senses, the organs of +sensation, must be suspended, that he might have a perception of the +objects presented in vision. As the "spirits of just men made perfect" +in glory, in a disembodied state, are still conscious and active; so are +we warranted to conceive of souls yet in the body as being in a state +analagous,--falling into a trance. (Acts x. 10.) The first object seen +by John was a "throne set in heaven," the emblem of sovereignty. "One +sat on the throne," who cannot be described, only in an obscure manner +by comparison, being "the invisible God, whom no eye hath seen, nor can +see." Yet we know with certainty it is the person of the Father, because +he is in the next chapter plainly distinguished from "the Lamb." Seated +on the throne,--and "in the throne he is greater than the Mediator." A +relation between these divine persons was shadowed forth in Egypt +between Pharaoh and Joseph. (Gen. xli. 40.) Occupying the throne of the +universe, the Father sustains the majesty of the Godhead, and represents +the persons of the adorable Trinity; for the idea is equally +unscriptural and absurd, that either person appears or acts (_ad extra_) +in absolute or essential character. (Is. xlii. 1; John x. 18; xiv. 31.) +He that "sat, was ... like a jasper and a sardine stone,"--not like any +human form, but in allusion, perhaps, to the Shekinah or visible glory +above the mercy-seat in the most holy place, he appeared in the +essential purity or holiness of his nature and awful justice,--one "who +will by no means clear the guilty." The rainbow is the familiar emblem +or "token of the covenant." Its being "round about the throne" teaches +us, that God "in wrath remembers mercy." As "green" is the color most +pleasing to the natural eye, so is the rainbow of covenant mercy most +grateful to the penitent sinner, contemplated by the eye of faith. God +is "ever mindful of his covenant." (Ps. cxi. 5.) + +Ever since the revelation of mercy to fallen man, God deals with +mankind, not in essential or absolute character, but by covenant in +economical standing. All along since that epoch in the history of this +world, "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto +the Son." As yet, however, the Son is not brought upon the stage in the +apostle's present view. The Son has his appropriate place in the vision, +where he will appear as Mediator. In the conflict to be carried on for +twelve hundred and sixty years by the combined powers of earth and hell +"against the Lord and his Anointed," we have the agencies exhibited in +these two chapters _only on heaven's side_. The opposing hosts will +afterwards appear. + + +4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the +seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; +and they had on their heads crowns of gold. + +5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and +voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, +which are the seven spirits of God. + +Verses 4, 5.--To John's view, the "throne" seen from one side would +appear to be surrounded by a segment of a circle, within which were +"four and twenty seats," (thrones,) occupied by an equal number of +"elders." In society divinely organized "elders" have always been the +legal representatives of God's covenant society in civil and +ecclesiastical relations. (Exod. iii. 16; Acts xx. 17.) These "four and +twenty elders" represent the collective body of God's people under the +Old and New Testaments,--the "twelve tribes of Israel" and the "twelve +apostles." (ch. vii. 4; xxi. 12-14.) Their "white raiment" and "crowns +of gold" indicate their legal state and moral purity,--their +justification and sanctification, as also their promotion to honour, to +"reign as kings." (ch, i. 6; v. 10.) ["_reign on the earth_," ch, xx. +4.] Allusion is had to the terrific scene at Sinai by the "lightnings," +etc., when "Moses did exceedingly fear and quake," importing that God, +"our God, is a consuming fire" to all his impenitent, especially +antichristian, enemies, even under the milder economy of the New +Testament. (Heb. x. 28-31; ch. xx. 10.) The "seven lamps of fire" are +explained to mean "the seven spirits of God," in allusion to the golden +candlestick in the temple, (Exod. xxxvii. 23; Zech. iv. 2,) and +signifying the gifts and graces of those who are "baptized with the Holy +Ghost and "with fire." + + +6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and +in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts +full of eyes before and behind. + +7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a +calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was +like a flying eagle. + +8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they +were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, +holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. + +9. And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks, to him that +sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, + +10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the +throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their +crowns before the throne, saying, + +11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; +for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were +created. + +Vs. 6-11.--The "sea of glass before the throne" is a symbol taken from +the "brazen sea" in the temple, in which priests and victims were to be +washed. (Exod. xxx. 18; 1 Kings vii. 23.) This sea represents the same +thing as the "fountain opened," (Zech. xiii. 1,) which denotes the +atoning and cleansing blood of Christ. (Ch. vii. 14.) All who offer +"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God," must first be washed; for the +"Lord had respect to Abel" _first_, and then to his "offering," (Gen. +iv. 4.)--Next, John saw "four beasts." The translation here is faulty, +as noticed by many expositors. Different words in the original +Greek,--not only different, but in some respects opposite in +signification, ought not to be rendered by the same English word; for +this tends to mislead the unlearned leader. He is thus bewildered +instead of being enlightened. There are several beasts besides these, +introduced as instructive symbols in this book. Two are mentioned in ch. +xiii. 1, 11, altogether different from these,--so different as to be +antagonistic. Instead of "beasts," they should have been called +"animals" or "living beings;" for even the phrase "living _creatures_" +hardly covers or conveys the whole import of the Greek word. The +position of these "four animals" is worthy of special notice:--"in the +midst of the throne, and round about the throne." How can this be? Well, +if the "seats" and the "elders" occupying them are "round about the +throne," in a segment of a circle, as viewed by John, then it will be +readily perceived that the "animals" seen from the same quarter would +appear to him as occupying a space forming a smaller segment of a circle +between the elders and the throne. Thus we have the relative positions, +(_a_) the throne, (_b_) the "four animals" next to the throne, and +lastly, (_c_) the "four and twenty elders." The places occupied by these +several parties are pregnant with scriptural instruction, as may appear +when we come to the latter part of ch. 6. + +In the mean time, what do these "four animals" represent? Not the +adorable Trinity, as some learned men have imagined; nor holy angels, as +more learned men have supposed and laboured to prove. These "animals" +are worshippers; (v. 8,) therefore they are not the Object of worship. +They are culpably blind who mistake the creature for the Creator. (Rom. +i. 25.) Other expositors have attempted, with greater plausibility, but +no better success, to prove these animals to be symbolical of angels. +For this purpose, reference has been made to Isaiah's vision of the +_seraphims_, (ch. vi. 2,) and also to the "four living creatures" which +appeared in vision to Ezekiel, (i. 5-10.) The identity of John's +"animals" and Ezekiel's "living creatures" is argued especially from +their number, "four," and their "faces" being the same. To the +thoughtful and unbiased reader it is sufficient to reply,--that John's +"animals" acknowledge themselves to have been _redeemed_ by the blood of +the Lamb, (ch. v. 8, 9,) an expression which is inapplicable to angels. +As the "four and twenty elders" and the "four animals" comprise the +whole company of the _redeemed_, as distinguished from the higher and +lower orders of God's worshippers, (ch. v. 8-14,) and as the "elders" +represent the whole church, it would seem to be reasonable to suppose, +that these "animals" are the symbols of the gospel ministry. And to this +agree their functions as exercised in the farther developments of this +book, as we shall see. + +One plausible objection to this interpretation is grounded on the fact +that their "faces" are the same as those of Ezekiel's angels,--"of an +ox, or young calf, of a lion, of a man, and of an eagle." But each of +the "cherubims" had "four faces" whereas these "animals" have but _one_ +face each. Nor ought it to be thought incongruous that faithful +ministers are represented as possessing some of the properties of holy +angels, when we find them called by the same name: (ch. i. 20;) and +also, when we find the Master directing them to imitate and emulate holy +angels in their services. (Matt. vi. 10; Ps. ciii. 20, 21.) These +"animals," emblematical of the gospel ministry, are in number "four," +answerable to the universality of their mission into the four quarters +of the earth,--"all the world." (Matt, xxviii. 19; Mark, xvi. 15.) So +the "four winds," (ch. vii. 1,) mean all winds. As the "lion, which is +the strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any," is +distinguished for courage and magnanimity; so, as a symbol, it +represents a ministry of courageous and heroic spirit. Luther in +continental, and Knox in insular Europe, may be named as displaying this +prominent feature of ministerial character. The "calf" or young ox, +symbolizes "patient continuance in well-doing" amidst trials, such as +"cruel mockings," etc. The "face as a man" indicates sagacity, +"Christian prudence," together with active sympathy. The "flying eagle" +is emblematical of penetration and discrimination,--ability to teach +others," from a spiritual insight into the divine character and +purposes,--an experimental acquaintance with "the God of glory." All +these properties are not to be supposed ordinarily in any one minister, +but as distributed among the ministry at large,--"according to the +measure of the gift of Christ,"--the Holy Spirit "dividing to every man +severally as he will." (Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xii. 11.) It may be remarked, +that in some cases all these properties may be discerned in great +measure in the same individual. In the gifts and grace of the apostle +Paul, may be discovered the _boldness_ of the _lion_, the _patience_ of +the _ox_, the _compassion_ of the _man_, and the _soaring flight_ of the +_eagle_. Our covenant God endows his servants for the service to which +he calls them, always making good the promise,--"As thy days, so shall +thy strength be." The "six wings," of course, are expressive of the +activity of the ministry,--"in season, out of season," emulating the +heavenly seraphims in serving the same Lord. They were "full of eyes +before, behind, within." They are to "take heed to themselves, and to +the ministry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it." +(Col. iv. 17; 1 Tim. iv. 16.) They are to regard the operation of God's +hand in providence, so as to "have understanding of the times, and know +what Israel ought to do." (1 Chron. xii. 32.) They are to "try the +spirits whether they are of God;" and "after the first and second +admonition, to reject heretics." (Tit. iii. 10.) They are to "oversee +the flock," (Acts xx. 28;) and to "watch for souls, as they that must +give account" to the Master. (Heb. xiii. 17.) And we may say with +Paul,--"Who is sufficient for these things?" Modern prelates, who +arrogate to themselves the exclusive use of the Scriptural official name +"BISHOP," generally manifest that they are _only bishops_, (_two-eyed_) +and not the _many-eyed_ servants of Christ, symbolized by the "four +animals" of our text, or the "overseeing _elders_" charged at Miletus by +the apostle Paul. (Acts xx. 17.) "While these men slept, the enemy sowed +tares."--In direct acts of worship, these "animals,"--the ministers, +take the lead, answerable to another official name,--"guides, in things +pertaining to God." (Heb. xiii. 7; [Greek] v. 1.) They are, as well +expressed by another phrase, the "sworn expounders of God's word," and +authoritative rulers in his house. Destitute of legislative power, which +in ecclesiastical affairs pertains to Christ alone; they are the +authorized administrators of all the laws by which his household is to +be governed. (Heb. xiii. 7, 17.)--The language of adoration here is the +same uttered by the seraphim. (Isa. vi. 3) The "holiness" of God is that +adorable character which is most attractive to holy angels and redeemed +sinners, being the principal feature of the divine image reflected by +themselves. (Matt. xxv. 31; Jude 14; 1 John iii. 2.) The glorious Being +seen by John, as sitting on a throne, is the same who was seen by +Isaiah, (vi. 1;) and precisely in the same attitude; but called by +different names. By Isaiah he is denominated "the Lord of Hosts,"--by +John, "the Lord God Almighty." The context proves,--especially ch. v. 1; +that John in vision contemplated God in the _person_ of the _Father_; +whereas we are assured, in John xii. 41, that Isaiah saw him in the +_person_ of the _Son_. Thus we may understand our Lord's words addressed +to Philip, (John xiv. 9.) "He that hath seen me hath seen the father." +(See Heb. i. 8; Col. i. 15.) + +Led by the "four animals,"--the ministry of reconciliation; the "four +and twenty elders," representing all the redeemed of mankind, "fall down +before him that sat on the throne" in prostrate adoration of that +glorious Being whose "eternal power and Godhead" are demonstrated in the +volume of creation. We are thus taught that motives to acceptable +worship of God are _primarily_ to be found in the _perfections_ of his +_nature_ as our beneficent Creator,--perfections possessed by him in +essential character, independently of all his works of creation and +redemption. His "worthiness" of worship is inherent in himself, but +outwardly manifested to intelligent creatures by the work of creation, +of which he is the first Cause and the last End,--the efficient and +final Cause. This doctrine, understood by the intellect and unbraced in +the heart, would greatly tend to "hide pride from man." (Job xxxiii. +17.) Aside from the doctrine of the "cross," which is still counted +"foolishness" by our modern self-styled "philosophers, psychologists and +freethinkers;" there is enough here revealed of this eternal One to +humble the "proud looks and haughty hearts" of these "enemies of the +King." Without repentance, "he that made them will not have mercy on +them; and he that formed them will show them no favour;" for +notwithstanding their pride of superior intellect, he whose judgment is +according to truth, has pronounced them a "people of no understanding." +(Isa. xxvii. 11.) It is no disparagement to those in places of highest +earthly dignity, as David; nor to the wisest of all men, as Solomon: to +"cast their crowns before the throne" of this only universal Monarch; +saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; +for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were +created;" "and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." (Ps. +lxxii. 19.) + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book +written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. + +Verse 1.--The dividing of the books of Scripture into chapters and +verses is not by inspiration. Fallible men have used their discretion in +this respect, as they still do, by parceling chapters into sections, +paragraphs, &c. And so, although we have passed to another chapter, the +vision is the same. The inspired penman had looked upon the great King +surrounded by part of his retinue. In earnest expectation of farther +discoveries, he beheld "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne +a book written within and on the back side," (or _outside,_ as in some +copies.) The book was "sealed with seven seals." This volume was in the +form of a _roll,_ as the word _volume_ signifies. The form of a book is +determined by the kind of material on which one writes. This has +consisted of great variety in the successive ages of the world. The +first of which we have any notice in history is _stone._ When Job, in +his affliction, was sustained by faith in the promised Redeemer; and +when he would emphasize and transmit an expression of that faith to +future generations; he thought of the nearest expedient familiar to his +mind:--"Oh that my words were now written.... that they were graven with +an iron pen.... in the rock forever," (Job xix. 23, 24.) On the same +material the law was written at Horeb, (Exod. xxiv. 12.) No doubt this +was the usual method of recording events in Egypt in the time of Joseph, +as the word "hieroglyphics" or _sacred sculpture,_ appears to imply. +Next, it appears that the inside bark of trees was used for this +purpose, as of birch, which has a natural tendency to _curl_ or _roll_ +together when dry. Hence the word _library,_ and volume, or _rolled +bark._ The royal archives, or "house of the rolls," is thus explained, +(Ezra. vi. 1.) "Vellum," or dressed skins of beasts, appears to have +been next used; then linen and cotton; and as now put through a chemical +process, these are the material in most common use at the present day. +Thus contemplating the symbol in the text, we may trace in our thoughts +the gradual advancement of this department of science and the mechanic +arts. The second stage of progress had been reached in John's time, from +stone to the bark of timber. The "book" appears to have been of +cylindrical form, but whether in one piece or in seven separate pieces, +revolving on a common axis, it is not easy nor perhaps important to +determine. It is of much greater importance to know that the "book" is +emblematical of the decrees of God. This will appear by comparing Psalm +xl. 7, where we find the same symbol employed to represent the record of +covenant agreement or stipulation between the Father and the Son, and to +which our Saviour appeals as evidence in his case. (Heb. x. 7.) While +the symbol may be safely considered as involving all the purposes of +God; it signifies here more especially the following part of the +Apocalypse, containing, as it were, a transcript from the great +original.--"Seals" are for security and secrecy. Both may be included in +the case. And indeed their being "seven" in number--a number of +perfection, would seem to confirm this two-fold meaning. The sealed +book, symbolical of the decrees of God, comprehending all events of all +time, teaches us the doctrine expressed in plain words thus:--"Known +unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world," (Acts xv. +18.) The complex symbol also teaches more forcibly than in words,--"My +counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," (Is, xlvi. 10.) +Some have suggested a little change in the punctuation. Instead of +placing the comma, after the word "side," place it after the word +"within," the meaning would then be, that the "book was written only on +_one_ side, namely on the side _within_." We do not accept the +suggestion. The reason is sufficient for its rejection, that the +material in the time of the apostle, was too costly to leave one-half of +it _blank_; and here our divine Lord "speaks to us of heavenly things" +through the medium of earthly things with which we are familiar. + + +2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy +to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? + +3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able +to open the book, neither to look thereon. + +Vs. 2-3.--Proclamation is made by a "strong angel," the Almighty +Monarch's herald to the universe, challenging all creatures to the task +of opening the seals. His "loud voice" reverberates throughout +illimitable space, that all concerned might hear. The challenge is not, +"who is _able_?" but, "who is _worthy_?"--Who is "worthy," by personal +dignity, or distinguished and meritorious services, "to open the book +and to loose the seals thereof?" No response comes from any quarter to +break the solemn silence. The whole creation is mute. "Who hath known +the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" "O the depth of +the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are +his judgments and his ways past finding out!" (Rom. xi. 33, 34.)--"And +no man in heaven," &c. The word "man" is in this place, as in many +others, an imperfect and inadequate supplement. In some places it is +calculated to mislead the "unlearned and unstable," as John x. 28, 29, +(in some copies,) Heb. ii. 9. The former text, as supplemented by the +word "man," contradicts the apostle, Rom. viii. 39. The meaning here is +obviously that no _creature_,--angel or man, was worthy or "able" to +"open the book." To holy angels, devils, and the dead "under the earth," +the purposes of God are as inscrutable as they are to us, until they are +revealed. (Eph. iii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) + + +4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read +the book, neither to look thereon. + +V. 4.--John understood by the symbol which he saw, that its contents +were of deep significance. A sanctified curiosity and anxiety, more +powerful than that of the Ethiopian eunuch, (Acts viii. 34,) occupied +his soul. But the book is sealed and there is no visible interpreter! +(Is. xxix. 11.) The "beloved disciple" is much affected. He has more +than once or twice "beheld the glory of God," and cannot but earnestly +desire to know more of his mind. "Hope deferred maketh his heart sick." +He "wept much." His covenant God "has seen his tears." He "will heal +him," (2 Kings xx. 5.) + + +5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of +the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, +and to loose the seven seals thereof. + +V. 5.--From a quite unexpected quarter comes a hint! How could John +anticipate relief from such a source? "One of the elders" is made the +messenger of joyful tidings. As Aquila and Priscilla took to them the +eloquent Apollos, and "expounded unto him the way of God more +perfectly," (Acts xviii. 26,) so one of the elders--one of the humble +disciples was the instrument of comfortable instruction to the aged +apostle! The prophet Daniel was similarly affected by a partial +exhibition of the same important events; but his anxiety to know the +meaning of the vision, though allayed, was not fully gratified, as that +of John. (Dan. xii. 8, 9,) "Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed +up and sealed." The desire of the best of God's people to know his +purposes may be sometimes excessive, as exemplified by the disciples of +Christ, (Acts i. 7.) "It is not for them to know the times and the +seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." So much, however, +is revealed as may be necessary to their present support and comfort; +and the rest they "shall know hereafter," (John xiii. 7.) But as the +events involved in the secret purpose of God, were concealed from +Daniel; because not to be evolved till near "the time of the end:" so in +John's time, when as in Abraham's case, "the time of the promise drew +nigh"--the time was approaching when the interests of God's people would +be greatly affected by these events; it became needful that the book +should be unsealed and its contents made known. "The time was at hand." +Accordingly, John is exhorted by the elder to dry up his tears, for to +the unspeakable joy of himself and of the whole creation, the +announcement is made,--"Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root +of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals +thereof." Here our attention is called away back to the famous prophecy +of dying Jacob, (Gen. xlix. 9, 10,) and also to the subsequent and +concurrent declaration of the evangelical prophet, (Isa. xi. 1, 10.) +Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in reference to his human +nature; "for it is evident," from the inspired tables of his genealogy, +"that our Lord sprang out of Judah," (Heb. vii. 14;) and it is no less +evident that he is the Root of David, in respect to his divine nature, +(John i. 1, 3; Isa. ix. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 47.) The "one Mediator between God +and men," partaking of the nature of each party, is "worthy"--alone +worthy, by reason of personal dignity, to "open the book." It is also to +be noticed that _worthiness_ is not his only qualification. In view of +the challenge published,--"who is worthy?" the answer is, this champion +"hath _prevailed_!"--Isaiah saw him in vision, victorious over +enemies--"travelling in the greatness of his strength," (Isa. lxiii. 1.) +To his _personal_ worthiness is to be added the unrivalled merit of his +achievements in conflict with hostile powers, (Gen. iii. 15; Isa. liii. +12; Col. ii. 15.) + + +6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four +beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been +slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of +God sent forth into all the earth. + +V. 6.--In this verse we have the Lord Jesus Christ introduced to the +view of John and the intelligent universe in his sacerdotal or priestly +office, "a lamb, as it had been slain." In the order of nature and of +merit, his priestly office precedes his prophetical and kingly offices. +This is evident from the position which he occupies in relation to the +throne and royal retinue. He stands in the attitude of a priest "in the +midst of the throne and of the four animals," etc. As seen here, our +Saviour does not _sit on the throne_. He appeared in a standing posture. +His position was obviously _before_ the throne. As the priestly function +required, he stood nearest to the object of worship, between the +ministers and the throne,--in the inmost circle. There he exhibited the +scars received in war; the wounds made by the sword of divine justice; +(Zech. xiii. 7;) the holes in his hands and side by the nails and +soldier's spear. (John xix. 34; xx. 23.) This "Lamb slain,"--typified by +all the spotless lambs offered in sacrifice by divine appointment from +the time of Abel, had been marvellously restored to life, as no other +victim had ever been. (John x. 18; ch. i. 18.) The "seven horns and +seven eyes," symbolize the power and wisdom of the Mediator. "It pleased +the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." (Col. i. 19.) He +"giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John iii. 34; Heb. i. 9.) +Christ was privy to all the purposes of his Father, (John v. 20,) and +the extent of his knowledge is limited in him _as Mediator_, only by the +authority and will of the Father. "Of that day and that hour ... knoweth +no man ... neither the Son." (Mark xiii. 32.) The same interesting and +important truth is taught by the Father's holding the book in his hand, +as also in plain words, (ch. i. 1,)--"the Revelation of Jesus Christ +which God gave unto him." "No man knoweth the Father but the Son." +(Matt. xi. 27.) In office-capacity the Lord Christ is qualified to +unfold and execute the decree of God. (Ps. ii. 7,) as more fully appears +in the following part of the book. + + +7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat +upon the throne. + +V. 7.--The Lord Jesus approaches his Father's throne to receive the +roll. And with the prophet we may ask,--"Who is this that engaged his +heart to approach?" (Jer. xxx. 21.)--With all who are honored to +surround the throne, we may joyfully answer in the words of the +Psalmist,--It is the "Lord, strong and mighty in battle." (Ps. xxiv. 8.) +"He took the book."--This action symbolically signified the +authoritative commission given by the Father and received by the +Mediator to proceed in the execution of the divine decree, and in +discharge of his threefold office as prophet, priest and +king,--especially and more formally his prophetical and kingly offices. + + +8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty +elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and +golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. + +V. 8.--No sooner does the "Lamb take the book," than all spectators are +apprized of the act, and instantly give expression to their confidence +and joy. Among all the worshippers before the throne, the "four animals" +take precedence, and lead by their own example as before, (ch. iv. 9.) +They gave "glory" etc., to God creator, as in the person of the Father; +and now in the presence of the Father's manifested glory, they prostrate +themselves before the "Lamb," in obedience to the Father's command, +"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." +(John v. 23.)--The "four and twenty elders,"--the representatives of all +the children of God, cordially join the ministry in these acts of solemn +worship. Some of the furniture employed in the temple worship, is here +introduced, to harmonize with the rest of the symbolic scenery. "Harps +and golden vials" signify praise and prayer. Our modern advocates for +instrumental music in God's worship, to be consistent, must associate +with the "harps," the "incense-cups" and the "golden altar:" for all +belonged alike to the service of the temple. Even in the time when such +"vessels of the ministry" were in use with divine approbation, the +Psalmist had greater clearness,--more evangelical conceptions of the +temporary use of those "beggarly elements whereunto many desire again to +be in bondage" than they seem to have. (Gal. iv. 9.) He knew, even then, +that "incense and the evening sacrifice" represented spiritual worship. +(Ps. cxli. 2.) Others there are, who question whether Christ as Mediator +be the _formal_ object of worship? While they acknowledge his supreme +deity as God equal with the Father, they are in doubt on his assuming +human nature, whether, "as such, he is the object of worship!" Such +doubts are groundless, as unanswerably shown in this place, and in many +others, such as John xx. 28: xxi. 17; Ps. xlv. 11; xcvii. 7; Heb. i. 6. +All these worshippers appear to know that the nature of the _altar_ at +which they worship determines the kind of oblations to be offered: +namely,--"spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 +Pet. ii. 5.) + + +9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, +and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us +to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and +nation; + +10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign +on the earth. + +Vs. 9, 10.--"They sung a new song." They all agreed in the matter, as +well as in the divine object of worship. "Now will I sing to my well +beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard." (Isa. v. 1.) Agreed +as to the object and matter of the song none is silent in Immanuel's +praise,--no _select choir_, not one who _worships by proxy_. Such belong +to a different fellowship. This is the "song of the Lamb," which joined +to the "song of Moses," constitutes the whole of the "high praises of +the Lord," leaving no place for the vapid, empty, bombastic, amorous and +heretical effusions, of uninspired men, whether of sound or "corrupt +minds."--The burden of the song is the same as the "Song of Songs" and +the forty-fifth Psalm,--"Christ crucified,"--Christ glorified, "the +praises of him who hath called them from darkness into his marvellous +light." The key-note among them all is the work of redemption. "Thou +hast redeemed us to God by thy blood,"--_us_, and not others in the same +condition. Others may talk of a ransom that does not redeem: but these +dwell with emphasis upon the price and power that brought them "out of +every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." This happy and +joyful company never conceived the idea that, in order at once to +vindicate Jehovah's moral government and give the most impressive +demonstration of his opposition to sin, he subjected his beloved Son to +untold sufferings, which should be equally available by all his enemies, +but _specially intended for none in particular_! They never imagined +that their adorable Creator was under a natural necessity of "seeking +the greatest good of the greatest number," that he might thereby escape +the just imputation of _partiality_. Such impious conceptions imply +distributive injustice on the part of God, when he "spared not the +angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell." (2 Pet. ii. 4.) Neither +man's chief end nor God's is the happiness of creatures,--no, neither in +creation nor redemption, as is clear to unsophisticated reason, and +plainly determined by the Spirit of God. (See ch. iv. 11; Isa. xliii. 7, +21; Eph. i. 12.) The manifestation of his own perfections,--his own +glory, is the highest and ultimate end of Jehovah in all his purposes +and works. "The Lord hath made all things for himself." (Prov. xvi. 4; +Rom. xi. 36.) Now, if the Lamb has redeemed the whole human family, as +some affirm; then it will follow that all must be saved, or Christ died +in vain, in reference to them that are lost: and besides, the "Judge of +all the earth" would be chargeable with exercising distributive +injustice, in exacting double payment, first from the Surety, and then +from the sinner! "That be far from God." "He is just and having +salvation,"--"a just God and a Saviour." (Zech. ix. 9; Isa. xlv. 21.) As +there can be no liberty without law, so there can be no mercy without +justice, though there may be "justice without mercy." (James i. 25; ii. +13.) This worshipping company, the representatives of the universal +church, ascribe their redemption to the blood of Christ. It is their +declared faith that pardon is grounded on atonement, that "without +shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. ix. 22; Lev. xvii. 11; ch. i. +5.) They believe, moreover, that as the obedience of Christ unto death, +his doing and dying, is an adequate satisfaction to law and justice; so +by compact between the Father and the Son, his penal sufferings avail +the believing sinner for pardon. Thus it is, that "if we confess our +sins, he (God the Father,) is faithful and _just_ to forgive us our +sins." (1 John i. 9.) This doctrine the apostle, as the mouth of the +whole church, had already avowed: (ch. i. 5, 6;) and now again we have +it repeated and incorporated in the song of praise. Thus, while "Christ +crucified is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks +foolishness;" to them who are saved this humbling doctrine is "the power +of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. i. 24, 25.) God's glory and the +saints' honor and felicity equally spring from the slaying of the Lamb. +These good things the blood of Abel's sacrifice spake in type soon after +the fall: and here we have the same things proclaimed as the faith of +all believers. (Heb. xi. 1.) + +By this blood they are consecrated a "royal priesthood" to offer up +spiritual sacrifices; and there is a period in the world's eventful +history, when they shall "reign on the earth." Of the nature of this +_reign_ there are two views entertained. That of the Millenarians, under +the supposed corporeal presence of Christ, which is _too gross,_ after +the manner of carnal Jews: the other _too refined_ and remote, after the +manner of carnal Christians, who "will not have this man to reign over +them,"--_except in the church._ Such Christians come very near the views +and sentiment of those who exclaimed,--"Not this man, but Barabbas." +(John xviii. 40.) Of the nature of Christ's royal dominion we will have +occasion to treat in other parts of the Apocalypse; but we take occasion +to remark, that his kingly office is formally and meritoriously founded +on the efficacy of his sacrifice: "Thou art worthy, for thou wast +slain."--That the saints shall "reign in glory" in company with their +Saviour is a precious scripture truth; but it is not the truth taught in +the words,--"we shall reign _on the earth."_ This is not the place to +enter on a full discussion of the doctrine here avowed; yet the +following may be adduced as part of the warrant of this doctrine. (Dan. +vii. 27; Rev. xx. 4.) + + +11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the +throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten +thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; + +12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to +receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and +glory, and blessing. + +Vs. 11, 12.--Here we have the concurrence of holy angels, as seen by +John in vision, with all the redeemed in acts of solemn worship offered +directly to the Lamb.--"Many angels," how many? Some divines have +actually attempted, by arithmetical rules, to compute the number! Such +employment may amuse, but it cannot edify. The definite here mentioned +for indefinite numbers, may be easily computed; (as in Dan. vii. 10; Ps. +lxviii. 17;) but still we would labor in vain "to find out the account;" +for we are expressly told that they are "innumerable." (Heb. xii. 22.) +Like the ransomed children of Adam, they are "a great multitude which no +man can number." (ch. vii. 9.) Why then attempt that which the Holy +Spirit has pronounced impossible? "Vain man would be wise." It is of +much more consequence for us to contemplate their position, relations +and employments. Their _position_ is "round about the throne," beholding +the "Lamb as it had been slain." The law of their creation could not +reveal to them this object of adoration. That they may know their duty +to the Mediatorial Person as their moral Head, it is requisite that they +be directed by a new revelation. Accordingly, we find a "new +commandment" issued from God the Father expressly to them. (Ps. xcvii. +7; Heb. i. 6.) "Worship him, all ye gods;" that is, "Let all the angels +of God worship him." By the development of the eternal counsels of God +in his dealings with the church, these "principalities and powers in +heavenly places," discover with adoring wonder more and more of the +"manifold wisdom of God." They _stoop down_, as it were, "to look into +this" mysterious economy, (Eph. iii. 10, 11; 1 Pet. i. 12.) They are +humbly but intensely desirous to discover still more of "the hidden +wisdom which God ordained before the world unto the glory" of their +fellow worshippers. (1 Cor. ii. 7.) Such is their position.--They are +related to the Lamb as his subjects by the Father's grant and command. +"He (Jesus) is gone into heaven ... angels ... being made subject unto +him." (1 Pet. iii. 22.) They are also related to the "elder" and +"animals," the members and ministers of the church. Said one of them to +John,--"I am thy fellow-servant." (ch. xix. 10.) Angels are not ashamed +to call them "fellow-servants," whom the Lord Jesus "is not ashamed to +call his brethren." (Heb. ii. 11.) As the "four animals" are nearer the +throne than the "elders," so are the "elders" nearer the throne than the +angels. These are ranged, in John's view, in the outside segment of the +circle. All the redeemed, ministry and membership, are "nearer of kin" +to the Lamb than angels are. "He took not on him the nature of angels, +but he took on him the seed of Abraham." (Heb. ii. 16.) All believers +are "members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones." (Eph. v. 30.) +He has highly advanced human nature, by taking it into real and +indissoluble union with his divine person. This is the special ground of +nearness and intimacy between Christ and his brethren. And O, how ought +we to emulate holy angels in adoring this precious Redeemer! "He loved +the church and gave himself for it," (Eph. v. 25,) and he loved and gave +himself for every member of the church. (Gal. ii. 20.) + +The employments of this innumerable company of angels, besides +"ministering for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb. i. 14;) +consist much in admiring contemplations of the glory of the "Lamb slain, +and in ascriptions of praise to him who is "worthy to receive power," +etc. In this they cordially harmonize with the redeemed, whose +delightful exercise is "to show forth the praises of him who hath called +them out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Pet. ii. 9:) and all +the honor, thus ascribed to the Mediator by both classes of worshippers, +is intended to terminate ultimately on the person of God the Father. +(Phil. ii. 9-11.) The Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son, +that all men," yes, and all angels, "should honor the Son, even as they +honor the Father." (John v. 22, 23.) + + +13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under +the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I +saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, + +14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell +down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. + +Vs. 13,14.--In addition to angels and men, we have here enumerated +"every creature" in the whole vast universe, co-operating in the worship +of the two divine Persons as associated in concerting and executing the +plan of redemption. Thus the "host of heaven" and all inferior creatures +according to their several capacities unite in ascribing "blessing, and +honor, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and +unto the Lamb for ever and ever." And we may say with Nehemiah,--They +are both "exalted above all blessing and praise." (Neh. ix. 5.) Fallen +angels and reprobate men are excluded, from the nature of the case, and +by the unalterable laws of the moral government of the Most High, from +any participation in this service. (Ps. cx. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25; Luke +xix. 27.)--Can any one who denies the supreme deity of the Lord Jesus, +or who refuses to worship him, ever join the society of these +worshippers? Or, supposing the possibility of their admission, could +they be otherwise than miserable? O the "blasphemy of them who say they +are Jews!"--This is one of the sublime doxologies framed by the Holy +Spirit, for the use of all creatures on special occasions, but not to be +abused by "vain repetitions" as by Papists and Prelates. The like +specimens of the "high praises of the Lord" we have in Ps. lxix. 34.--As +the three ranks of worshippers here presented in vision to John, +beautifully harmonize in holy exercises, each in its appropriate sphere; +so the "animals and elders,"--the rulers and ruled of the church, take +precedence of all others in acts of solemn worship, and also close the +solemn service, saying,--"Amen." + +The "sealed book" being delivered by the Father into the possession of +the Mediator, the whole creation awaits with confidence and joy the +development of the counsels of God, as they may affect the destinies of +his redeemed people. The "Lamb has prevailed to open the book," and his +established character is sufficient guarantee for success in +accomplishing the responsible work assigned him by his Father. This +feeling of confidence is expressed by the worshippers, not only by the +matter of their praise, but also by the closing word, "amen;" which word +is expressive of their "desires and assurance to be heard." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it +were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. + +2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a +bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and +to conquer. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The apostle "saw when the Lamb" proceeded to disclose the +contents of the book by breaking the seals in regular succession. It is +not requisite to suppose that each of the seals covers an exactly equal +part of the roll. These parts may be quite different in quantity or +length. It is obvious, however, that upon the breaking of any one seal, +that part of the roll which the seal was intended to cover, would be +disclosed to a spectator's view,--the whole of such part and no more. We +shall find as we advance that the several parts of this book are in fact +very different in extent. When the seventh and last seal is opened, the +whole contents of the book must of course be disclosed: and it will +appear that the last of the seals contained a much greater part of the +roll than any of the others. To a superficial reader this may be +apparent from the circumstance that within the compass of this short +chapter, six of the seals exhibit their contents. + +By the most learned and sober divines the first six seals are considered +as disclosing the events which transpired from the time of the apostle +John till the overthrow of pagan idolatry in the Roman empire and the +accession of Constantine. + +Let us consider the contents of these seals in order: Upon the opening +"of one of the seals," the first of course, "one of the four animals" +with a voice like "thunder, said, Come and see." This was the animal +like a "lion," emblematical of those bold and dauntless servants of +Christ who took their life in their hand and "went every where preaching +the word," (Acts viii. 4.) Many expositors, of secular notions and +affinities, imagine that some one of the Roman emperors is to be +understood as represented by him who rides on the white +horse,--Vespasian, Titus, or Trajan. To name such figments is enough to +confute them in the mind of such as have spiritual discernment. "White" +is not the divinely chosen symbol of bloody warriors or persecutors. It +is most frequently the emblem of purity, legal or moral. (Matt. xvii. 2; +Rev. iii. 4, 5.) "White horse" may represent the gospel, the Covenant of +Grace or the church. In this "chariot," (Song iii. 9,) or upon this +horse, as it were, Christ, "the captain of salvation" in apostolic +times, "went forth conquering, and to conquer." Much opposition from +Jews and Gentiles was raised against his gospel, especially upon his +exaltation to his mediatorial throne: but the opening of this seal +discloses the Father's purpose to bear out his Son in extending his +rightful conquests. (Isa. xlii. 4.) "The Lord gave the word; great was +the company of those that published it." (Ps. lxviii. 11.) The "bow and +the crown" as symbols, combine the military and regal character of +Christ, indicating his victories and succeeding exaltation. He shall +wound the heads over the large earth; therefore shall he lift up the +head. (Ps. cx. 6.) He is the "Prince of peace," and the primary object +of his mission by the Father is, to establish "truth and meekness and +righteousness" in the earth. Yet he is a "Lamb," but a Lamb that makes +war; and "in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (ch. xix. 11.) +In this last cited text we have an irrefragable proof of the correctness +of our interpretation of the symbols under the first seal. The rider's +name is, "The Word of God," (v. 13.) + + +3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, +Come and see. + +4. And there went out another horse that was red; and power was given to +him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should +kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. + +V. 3,4.--The opening of the "second seal" furnishes occasion for the +"second animal" to cry, "Come and see." It is the customary business of +faithful ministers to invite the disciples of Christ to a contemplation +of his providential procedure. "Come, behold the works of the Lord." +(Ps. xlvi. 8.) This is the call of the ministry represented by the +symbol of a "calf or young ox." "Patient continuance in well doing" is +the special duty of Christ's servants in times of suffering. And such +seems to be the import of the emblem, the "red horse." By the horse, +singly considered, we are to understand a _dispensation_ of +_providence_. So we are to view it as a symbol in Zech. i. 8; vi. 1-8. +The prophet said, "O, my Lord, what are these?... And the man +answered,--These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro +through the earth." We speak familiarly of a "dispensation of the +gospel,"--the "white horse." Our attention is now called to a "red +horse,"--_fiery_, as the word imports. The character of the dispensation +is thus indicated as bloody. Wars should prevail so as to "take peace +from the earth." "They should kill one another." The instrument of +slaughter is seen,--"a great sword." _Mutual_ slaughter does not seem to +harmonize with the idea of persecution, by which the saints only "are +killed all the day long." History records that insurrections, battles, +massacres and devastations of an extraordinary kind took place in the +first half of the second century, by which more than half a million of +the Jews perished by the hand of the pagans; and a still greater number +on the opposite side were slain by the Jews. Thus the two parties who +rivalled each other in opposing the gospel and the progress of Christ's +kingdom, were made by him the instruments of their mutual destruction. +For he it is who directs the movements and course of providence, the +"red horse." "Behold what desolations he hath made in the earth!" "In +this text," says an eminent expositor, "earth signifies the Roman +empire." ... "Daniel, ... whose sealed prophecy is explained by the +opening of the Apocalyptical seals, denominates the Roman empire, 'the +fourth kingdom upon earth.'" We humbly suggest, that this does not +render the Roman empire _synonymous_ with _earth_, any more than the +Chaldean, Persian, or Grecian. And indeed the monarchs of those empires +put forth as extensive claims to universal empire as ever the Cesars +did. The word _earth_ is to be interpreted always by the context. Like +the term _world_, it may sometimes signify the Roman empire, as Luke ii. +1. But in other cases even within the compass of the Apocalypse, it is +not to be so understood without manifest confusion, as in ch. xvi. 1, 2. +The contents of _all_ the vials are there said to be poured out upon the +earth; but _earth_ is afterwards the special _object_ of the _first +only_. It follows that this term cannot be uniformly and safely in this +book interpreted as identical with and limited by the Roman empire. The +importance of accuracy here may become more apparent in our future +progress. + + +5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, +Come and see. And I beheld, and, lo, a black horse; and he that sat on +him had a pair of balances in his hand. + +6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of +wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see +thou hurt not the oil and the wine. + +Vs. 4-6.--The third of the four "animals" calls attention to the +disclosures made by breaking the "third seal." Hie "had a face as a +man," (ch. iv. 7,) indicating, as already said, active sympathy, +affectionate counsel and seasonable exhortation in calamitous times. +Christian ministers need "the tongue of the learned to speak a word in +season to him that is weary," when the judgments of God are abroad in +the earth; for some of these press, most sensibly, on the poor. Such is +the character of the dispensation symbolized by the "black horse." +Scarcity of bread is the judgment represented here by the combined +symbols. "Our skin was black like an oven, because of the terrible +famine." (Lam. v. 10; Zech. vi. 2.)--The rider "had a pair of balances +in his hand." The word translated "balances," literally rendered, +signifies a _yoke_,--_pair_,--_couple_.--In popular use, it came to +signify an instrument for weighing commodities, from the counterpoising +(double) scales. This symbol indicated famine,--that people should "eat +bread by weight and with care;" (Ezek. iv. 16;) and this is confirmed by +the "voice in the midst of the four animals:"--"A measure of wheat for a +penny," etc. The quantity of food, and the price, as here announced, +would seem to the English reader to express plenty and cheapness. But +when it is understood that the "measure of wheat" was the ordinary +allowance for a laboring man, and "a penny" the usual wages for _one +day_; a little more than a _quart_, for about _fifteen cents_: it may be +asked, How could the laboring man procure food and clothing for himself, +his wife and children? It is said that three times the quantity of +"barley" could be had for the same money; but being a coarser and less +nutritious grain, it would reach but little farther in sustaining a +family. Famine usually falls heaviest on the middle and lower classes of +society. Even in such times the "rich fare sumptuously every day." +Accordingly, "the oil and the wine,"--some of the staple productions of +Canaan,--are exempted from the providential blight sent upon the +necessaries of life. (Gen. xliii. 11.) + +According to history, from the year 138, till near the end of the second +century, a general scarcity of provisions was felt, notwithstanding all +the care and foresight of emperors and their ministers to anticipate the +scourge. The Pharaohs on the throne had no Joseph to lay up in store in +the "years of plenty." But when our New Testament Joseph would thus +fight against the persecutors of his saints by the judgment of famine; +he gave previous intimation here to his disciples of the approaching +calamity, as his manner is to his own. (Luke xxi. 20-22.) + + +7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the +fourth beast say, Come and see. + +8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him +was death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them +over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, +and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. + +Vs. 7, 8.--"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to +the house of feasting," according to the judgment of the wisest of mere +men; (Eccl. vii. 2,) and so we are invited here by a spiritually-minded +ministry,--"like a flying eagle." A scene of lamentation, mourning and +woe, is disclosed at the opening of the "fourth seal."--All the symbols +betoken augmented severity in the judgments. There is "pestilence" added +to the sword and famine. "The pale horse," or _livid green_, is the +emblem of pestilence. The Mediator conducts the destroying angel to +fulfil the will of God. "Before Him went the pestilence;" and by a +combination of awful symbols, the king of terrors,--"death," is +represented as slaying his victims, and "hell followed with him," +satiated with his prey. "Sword, hunger, death and beasts of the earth," +were commissioned to lay waste the fourth part of the then known world. + +If we are to interpret the "beasts of the earth" literally, then we may +easily perceive how the depopulation produced by the other calamities +would make way for their increase and destructive ravages. But if we +understand these "beasts" as symbolizing the persecuting powers; then +adding these to all the other destructive agencies,--especially to the +"pale horse," the chief symbol in the group; we may readily perceive the +force of the combined emblems, a concentrating, as it were, of all +destroying agencies. Historians inform us, that "a pestilence arising +from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and wasted them +for fifteen years." This, added to the sword of war and persecution, +which lasted sixty years, according to some interpreters, or from 211 to +270, would seem to exhaust the events symbolized by the series of the +seals, except the seventh, so far at least as the sufferings of the +church are concerned. For under the fifth and sixth seals, as will +appear, nothing of a calamitous nature befalls the righteous. + + +9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the +souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony +which they held: + +10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and +true, dost them not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the +earth? + +11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said +unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their +fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they +were, should be fulfilled. + +Vs. 9-11.--At the opening of the fifth seal, none of the "four animals" +calls attention to its contents. This fact may indicate that no new +development of providence is intended, but rather the effects of the +preceding three, produced upon the church and saints of God; as the +sixth discloses the penalty inflicted on his and their enemies. + +John saw the "souls of them that were slain."--Souls are visible only in +vision, (ch. xx. 4.) These souls were not slain, but they were the souls +of them, the persons, that were slain. (Matt. x. 28.) The enemy could +kill the body only, an essential part of the human person, although the +chief aim was to kill the soul. The ground of their suffering was the +same, as that of John, (ch. i. 9.) And from the first of this honoured +class,--Abel, mentioned in the Bible, to the last,--Antipas; the cause +is the same, and the distinguished name is the same. They are "martyrs +for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." And however +tenaciously a person may hold other principles, even though he should +die for them, he is not a martyr. The aphorism is true,--It is not +suffering for religion, but "the _cause_ that makes the +martyr,"--suffering unto death from love to "the truth as it is in +Jesus." + +These souls were "under the altar," in allusion still to the outward +means of grace under the Old Testament economy. It is not very material, +perhaps, whether we understand the altar for sacrifice or that for +incense, the comfortable doctrines, often taught in the Scriptures, are +here illustrated. _First_, That the redemption of the sinner is by the +atoning sacrifice of Christ. _Second_, That after death,--especially by +martyrdom, the soul is safe "under the altar,"--in fellowship with the +Saviour. _Third_, That the soul, "made perfect in holiness," retains a +deep conviction, that "vengeance belongs to God," (ch. xviii. 20; xix. +1-3.) _Fourth_, That "the spirits of just men made perfect," both desire +and need instruction relative to the future evolution of the divine +purposes. Adoring the infinite perfections of God, acknowledging his +holiness and acquiescing in his faithfulness; they cannot but desire a +farther display of his vindictive and distributive justice, as +indispensable to the manifestation of the divine glory, the vindication +of the claims of the divine government, the asserting of their injured +rights, and the completing of their eternal felicity. Accordingly, we +find their earnest plea admitted. "It was said unto them, that they +should rest."--Their repose can never be disturbed. The "white robes" in +which they are arrayed, are not spun out of their own bowels, like the +spider's web, either by their services or sufferings; but they are the +well known emblems of the imputed righteousness of their Redeemer,--fine +linen clean and white, the only righteousness of saints, (ch. xix. 8). +Persecution did not terminate under the preceding seals. Others, their +"fellow-servants and brethren, should be killed as they were." The +honorable roll of martyrs was not yet completed. The "little season" is +a very indefinite period in our mode of computation. But "with the Lord, +one day is as a thousand years,"--(2 Pet. iii. 8.) This "season" seems +to comprehend the whole period of persecution. Now, as we shall see, the +Roman empire, whether pagan or Christian, is still a ravenous +beast,--"devouring Jacob." + +The policy of Rome pagan was to dictate the state religion. The idol +gods of the conquered provinces were generally adopted and enrolled +among those of the Pantheon. There was a niche for any and every god but +"Jacob's God." As he would permit no rival, (Exod. xx. 2, 23; Is. xlii. +8;) so the populace "would have none of Him," (Acts xvi. 19-21.) Such we +will find to be the policy of Rome Christian. There is no "communion +between light and darkness." + + +12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a +great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the +moon became as blood; + +13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree +casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind: + +14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and +every mountain and island were moved out of their places; + +15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and +the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every +free-man, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains: + +16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from +the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the +Lamb: + +17. For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to +stand? + +Vs. 12-17.--The sixth seal is opened, like the rest, by the hand of the +Mediator, and here "his right hand teacheth terrible things." "By +terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our +salvation." (Ps. lxv. 5.) The awful scene disclosed would seem to be a +beginning of answer to the importunate cry of the "souls under the +altar," as in the foregoing vision. + +Many expositors since the time of Cyprian in the third century, have +understood this seal as disclosing the scene of the last judgment. No +doubt the symbols here employed are suited to that event; but the series +of seals, trumpets and vials, not to speak of events still more remote, +wholly precludes such an interpretation. All the symbols under the sixth +seal betoken revolution. Such is their established and well known import +in other parts of Scripture. + +The "earthquake" is more than a shaking of the earth. It is a +_concussion_ of the heavens also. As Haggai is interpreted by Paul, we +learn the civil and ecclesiastical change of the Jewish polity by the +"shaking of the heavens and the earth." (Hag. ii. 6; Heb. xii. 26, 27.) +The day of final judgment is so often referred to as certain, that no +special prediction was needed to assure us of that event. Indeed, the +description of the day of judgment is commonly employed by the prophets +to represent revolutions among the nations. So it is in reference to the +overthrow of Babylon, (Is. xiii. 13.)--of Egypt, (Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8,) of +Jerusalem, (Matt. xxiv. 7, 29.) The "sun, moon and stars" are emblems of +civil officers, supreme and subordinate, as well as of military +commanders. Their consternation and despair, now that they are cast down +from their exalted position, as heavenly luminaries darkened and hurled +from their orbits, betray their apprehension of deserved and inevitable +wrath. Indeed we may view the last three verses of this chapter, as +exegetical or explanatory of the preceding three. The whole frame of +imperial power underwent a change which is commonly called a revolution. +And the grandeur of the complex symbols, borrowed from the closing scene +of time, was never more appropriately employed by the Spirit of +prophecy, than in the present instance, to portray the total overthrow +of pagan power, idolatry and tyranny. The most conspicuous instrument in +the Mediator's hand by which this great revolution was effected, is well +known in history as "Constantine the Great." The great lights of the +heathen world, the powers civil and ecclesiastical, were not eclipsed, +but extinguished, heathen priests and augurs were extirpated and +idolatrous temples were closed. Christianity was professed by the +emperor himself, and his authority exerted for its recognition and +diffusion throughout his dominions. Thus did the God of Israel "avenge +his own elect, who cried to him night and day from under the altar;" and +thus did he afford unto them a "season of rest." + +Constantine, however, was more of a politician than divine. To the +student of history he will appear in many respects a striking prototype +of William Prince of Orange, who on a less extended scale answers as an +antitype in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Neither of them +exemplified in their lives the "power of godliness". Like Charles the +Second, they did not consider primitive apostolic Christianity "a +religion for a gentleman." Constantine combined in his character the +properties of the lion and the fox. He was crafty and ambitious. +Usurping the prerogatives of Zion's King, he assumed a blasphemous +supremacy over the church, and proceeded to model her external polity +after the example of the empire. Among the Christian ministry, he found +mercenary spirits who pandered to his ambition,--"having his person in +admiration because of advantage." Advancing these to positions of +opulence and splendor, he could certainly rely upon them to support him +in his schemes of aggrandizement. Thus the mystery of iniquity, whose +working Paul discovered in his time, was nurtured to its full +development in Heaven's appointed time. (2 Thess. ii. 7, etc.) If on +such occasions mighty kings and valiant generals are stricken with +dismay, what shall be the terror of all the impenitent enemies of the +Lord and his Anointed when the heavens and the earth shall pass away and +leave them without these imaginary hiding places from "the wrath of the +Lamb!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +The scenes portrayed by varied symbols in this chapter, are by some +considered as a continuation of the sixth seal. We think they may with +more propriety be viewed as relating to the events under the four which +precede; while they are obviously preparatory to the opening of the last +seal in the next chapter. + + +1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners +of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should +not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. + +V. 1. The "four angels" represent the instruments of providence. The +"four corners of the earth" intend all nations of the world, as then +known in geography. (Ch. xx. 8, 9.) The "holding of the winds" is +emblematical of the tranquillity consequent upon the accession of +Constantine to the imperial throne,--the temporary cessation of +desolating wars and persecutions,--the "rest" for which the martyrs +prayed. "Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee." (Ps. lxxxi. +7.) + + +2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of +the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to +whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. + +3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we +have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. + +Vs. 2, 3.--"Another angel ... having the seal of the living God," can be +none other but the Lord Christ. His people are "sealed unto the day of +redemption with that Holy Spirit of promise," or promised Holy Spirit. +(2 Cor. i. 22; Eph. i. 13). He came from the east. There the Son of +righteousness arose upon a dark world, and his beams enlightened the +kingdoms of Europe, in which multitudes were effectually called during +this tranquil period, (ch. xiv. 1). This angel, as having sovereign +authority over "earth and sea," and from whom the "four angels" had +their commission, now commands them not to "hurt the earth and the sea," +till He and the ministers,--the instruments of his grace,--had "sealed +the servants of God." This "sealing," while symbolizing baptism, +signifies especially the saving work of the eternal Spirit, by which its +subjects are to be, and actually are, preserved from apostacy in future +and trying times. We shall meet with them again, (ch. xiv. 1.) + +The favour shown by Constantine to Christian ministers and converts, +induced multitudes to make a profession of Christianity, and of course +filled the church with hypocrites. The flattery of those in power has +often proved as detrimental to the church's spiritual prosperity as +their frowns. (Dan. xi. 32.) Still, the special design of this sealing +seems to be the preservation of a chosen remnant,--the witnesses, during +the period of the trumpets, when Antichrist should be fully organized. + + +4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were +sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the +children of Israel. + +5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed +twelve thousand. + +6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were +sealed twelve thousand. + +7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed +twelve thousand. + +8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of +Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed +twelve thousand. + +Vs. 4-8.--The number sealed was "a hundred forty and four thousand;" of +"each tribe twelve thousand." These numbers are not to be taken +literally, but comparatively, as contradistinguished from another +company, (v. 9.) Neither do we suppose, with many expositors, that Jews +by nation are here exclusively intended. At the time referred to, in the +fifth century, the "middle wall of partition" had been long removed. +(Eph. ii. 14.) Jews and Gentiles were "all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. +iii. 28.) There is no ground to suppose that exactly the same number +would be sealed of every tribe. Besides, all the original tribes are not +named. Dan is not among them, and Judah is first in order in Reuben's +place. The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem are inscribed with the names +of the twelve tribes of Israel, (ch. xxii. 12.) In a word, this sealed +company is composed of Jews and Gentiles, representing the whole number +of true believers, who were enabled by grace to hold fast their +profession in trying times, and who experienced more special protection +in perilous times. (Ezek. ix. 4-6.) + + +9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could +number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood +before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and +palms in their hands; + +10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. + +11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the +elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, +and worshipped God, + +12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and +honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. + +Vs. 9-12.--The "great multitude, which no man could number," are +evidently distinguished from the number sealed. They are collected from +all the nations known at that time. They "stood before the throne and +before the Lamb," as accepted worshippers; ascribing "salvation," not to +their own merit, but to the free grace of God the Father, and the +oblation and intercession of the Lamb. They are now in a triumphant +state, as indicated by the "palms in their hands," the usual emblems of +victory. "White robes" bespeak their justification. "All the angels" in +heaven, signify their hearty assent to the praises of the redeemed by +saying, "Amen." Then in an attitude of profoundest reverence, they +celebrate the praises of God in strains proper, though not peculiar to +themselves. As in ch. v. 11, the angels in this place are disposed and +arranged in the outer circle of all the intelligent worshippers. +Redeemed sinners stand nearest to the throne, in virtue of their union +to Christ, while holy angels, without envy, contemplate, with rapturous +emotions, the displays of the "manifold wisdom of God" in his dealings +with the church. (Eph. iii. 10.) Thus we may learn to do the will of God +on earth, as it is done by the angels in heaven. + + +13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which +are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? + +14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are +they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, +and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. + +15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and +night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among +them. + +16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall +the sun light on them, nor any heat. + +17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, +and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe +away all tears from their eyes. + +Vs. 13-17.--"One of the elders" asks John,--not for information, but to +engage his attention,--"What are these, ... and whence came they?" +Ministers may often receive instruction from the members of the church. +This elder answers his own questions as the angel did to the prophet, +(Zech. iv. 5, 6.) These are the "great multitude,"--probably the same +whose "souls" John saw at the opening of the fifth seal, but now +appearing in a new aspect: for it is evident that they had been engaged +in war. This appears by the "palms" of victory. They had been in "great +tribulation" prior to the peaceful reign of Constantine, by Satan's +temptations, the spoiling of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, +and the sacrifice of their lives,--"not loving their lives unto the +death." All these tribulations, however, could not separate them from +the love of God. (Rom. viii. 37-39.) They had "washed their robes,"--not +in penitential tears, their own martyr-blood, their doing or suffering +in the cause of Christ; but their robes were "made white in the blood of +the Lamb," who was "made of God unto them ... justification and +sanctification." (1 Cor. i. 30.) Could the human mind conceive the idea +of rendering linen garments _white_ by washing them in _blood_? Never, +unless as suggested by the doctrine of Christ crucified, whose "blood +cleanseth from all sin." (1 John i. 7.) "Therefore are they before the +throne of God,--without fault before his throne," (ch. xiv. 5.) +Delivered from the tempestuous storms of war, and the scorching heat of +persecution; they are safe in the haven of eternal rest. + +Not only are they for ever freed from the sensation of "hunger or +thirst;" but they shall drink of the "living fountains of waters, +proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb," (ch. xxii. 1). "In +thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures +for evermore." (Ps. xvi. 11.) While this company, brought out of great +tribulation, to which they had been subjected in the centuries before +the time of Constantine, are represented as in possession of eternal +blessedness, the other company of the "sealed" ones, are by this mark +furnished with the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, to enter the +lists with the Dragon in a much more trying and prolonged contest. The +latter company, although _preceding_ the other, in the order of symbolic +revelation; do really in the order of time, succeed them in continuation +of the struggle with the powers of darkness. And here we make the +general remark, That nearly throughout the Apocalypse the two parties +whom we may call the powers of darkness and the children of light, often +change their relative positions, and assume different aspects. And in +this, there is nothing new, as appears, 2 Cor. xi. 14, 15; vi. 8, 9. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +Hitherto our observations have been brief, because interpreters are very +generally agreed in their views of the first series, the seals, in this +interesting book of prophecy. The first six seals, covering the time of +heathen Rome's opposition to Christianity, and before the Devil +succeeded in enlisting the nominal church of Christ in his interest, do +not therefore furnish occasion for much controversy among expositors. +Besides, the seventh seal covers much more time than all the others. The +first six refer to pagan Rome, and constitute the first period, properly +styled the PERIOD OF THE SEALS. The seventh seal, introducing the +trumpets, is the second period, called the PERIOD OF THE TRUMPETS. In +attempting to unfold their mystical import, greater amplification will +be indispensable. + + +1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven +about the space of half an hour. + +V. 1.--"Heaven" is the ordinary symbol of organized society, whether +civil or ecclesiastical or both. "Silence in heaven for half an hour," +indicates public tranquillity, together with anxious and mute +expectation of coming and alarming events. "Half an hour," a definite +for an indefinite duration, as usual, imports that the repose hitherto +enjoyed, shall shortly terminate. The respite which the saints enjoyed +during the period succeeding the revolution indicated by the opening of +the sixth seal, soon came to an end. + + +2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were +given seven trumpets. + +3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden +censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer +it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before +the throne. + +4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the +saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. + +Vs. 2-4.--"Seven angels" appear to John as ministers "standing before +God," ready to execute his commands. To them were given "seven +trumpets." Here, as all along hitherto, there is allusion to the former +dispensation. Under the Old Testament, trumpets were constructed by +divine direction and to be used for diverse purposes. Of the manifold +uses of this instrument, that which is here chiefly intended is, to +"sound an alarm." (Joel ii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 8). Whilst all is suspense, +and before the silence is broken by the sounding of the first trumpet, +the worship of God is exemplified after the usual manner. An angel, by +his official place and work easily distinguished from those having the +trumpets, holds in his hand a "golden censer" that with "much incense" +he might render acceptable "the prayers of all saints." As the angel who +had the "seal of the living God," is distinguished from those that "held +the winds," (ch. vii. 1;) so is he here, from those that had the +trumpets. Here he appears as the Great High Priest over the house of +God; and as "the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at +the time of incense;" (Luke i. 10;) so the service of God is thus +emblematically represented as conducted according to divine appointment. +This Angel therefore is Christ himself. "No man cometh unto the Father +but by him." He is the only Advocate with the Father; and through him +"we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. ii. 18.) + +May we not inquire, without presumption, a little into the nature or +purport of the "prayers of all saints" at this time of ominous silence? +And what could so likely be the burden of their petitions as that of the +cry of the souls under the altar, namely, the destruction of the Roman +empire? Surely this has been the prayer of God's persecuted servants in +all ages:--"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen," etc. (Jer. x. 25; Ps. +lxxix. 6). However inconsistent with Christian charity superficial +Christians may deem the law of retaliation; we shall find it often urged +on our attention as exemplified in this book. It is absolutely essential +to the divine government. + + +5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, +and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings and +lightnings and an earthquake. + +V. 5--The Lord Jesus, in carrying out the designs of the divine mind, +and executing the commission which he received from the Father as +Mediator, appears in various characters. Whilst as a priest he +intercedes for his people, and by the incense from the golden censer +renders their prayers acceptable before God; as a king he answers their +prayers by terrible things in righteousness. (Ps. lxv. 5). This work of +vengeance is vividly signified by scattering coals of fire on the earth. + +From the very same altar, whence the glorious Angel of the Covenant had +received fire to consume the incense, he next takes coals, the symbol of +his wrath, and scatters them into the earth. These "burning coals of +juniper" produce "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an +earthquake." "O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places." (Ps. +lxviii. 35; lxxvi. 12). "The Lord our God is a jealous God." Our +merciful Saviour once put a strange and startling question to his +disciples:--"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell +you, Nay."--For ends worthy of himself, the only wise God has +unchangeably decreed that "offences must needs come," (Matt, xviii. 7;) +and "there must be also heresies" among professing Christians. (1 Cor. +xi. 19.). However, in the administration of providence, judgment without +mercy awaits every nation to which the gospel is sent in vain. The +voices, thunderings, etc., consequent upon the scattering of the coals, +portended the calamities which would be inflicted upon men for their +opposition to the gospel and cruel treatment of the saints, in answer to +their prayers through the intercession of Christ. + + +6. And the seven angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared +themselves to sound. + +V. 6.--The "seven angels now prepare themselves to sound." The first +alarm, of course, will put an end to the "silence." It should be noted +that while each seal, when broken, disclosed so much of the roll of the +book as was concealed by it; the seventh leaves no part unrevealed. The +whole contents are laid open. It is otherwise with the trumpets. The +reverberations of one may not have ceased when the next begins to sound. +Thus, several may be partly cotemporary. Again, it may be questioned +whether mankind are to be considered in civil or ecclesiastical +organization as the formal object of the judgments indicated by the +trumpets. Some expositors view the one, and some the other, as the +object, and the contention has been sharp among them. We humbly suggest +that neither is the formal object without the other, simply because the +_same individuals_ constitute the complex _moral person_. The +correctness of this view is largely illustrated and abundantly confirmed +in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Provinces, nations, empires, +are no farther worthy of notice in prophecy than as they affect the +destiny of the church and illustrate the immutable principles of the +moral government of God. He is known by the judgments which he +executeth, and nations must be taught that "the heavens do rule." (Dan. +iv. 26.) Although the church and the state are, by divine institution, +distinct, not united; they are nevertheless co-ordinate, and always +exert a reciprocal influence for good or for evil. It has been the +policy of Satan to confound this distinction; and alas! with too much +success in the apprehension of many. There are not wanting divines who +boldly assert, that even among the Jews, under the Old Testament,--"the +church was the state, and the state was the church!" We may have +occasion to notice hereafter, that this gross error and antichristian +dogma, is yet entertained in relation to divinely organized society +under the present New Testament economy! + +The "voices, thunderings and earthquakes" resulting from the scattering +of the coals,--are the harbingers and precursors of coming calamities +upon Christendom at the sounding of the trumpets. And these may be +emblematical of the contentions, strife and divisions which accompanied +the rise and prevalence of the heresy of Arius and the apostacy of the +emperor Julian, during the time of comparative public tranquillity from +Constantine to Theodosius. The church and the state, as one complex +system, we have considered as the object of the judgments to be +inflicted under the trumpets. These had, in fact, become incorporated, +if not identified, under the reign of Constantine and his imperial +successors. But assuming the correctness of the phraseology of secular +historians and Christian expositors, when in a _popular sense_ they +speak of the Roman empire as the object of penal inflictions; we by no +means agree with the latter class of writers, when they _limit_ the +empire to the geographical boundaries as it existed at the time of this +prediction. This mistake, if not detected here, will materially affect +and control our views of the whole subsequent part of the Apocalypse. +Who would not discover the impropriety and absurdity of treating of +events now transpiring within the empire of the United States, as if +falling out within the limits of the original thirteen as they existed +in 1776? But the Roman empire yet exists, and we have sufficient +evidence that it will continue till the time of the sounding of the +seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. 15.) _Political bias_ has prevailed with one +class of expositors to exempt the British empire from the stroke of +God's wrath, symbolized by both the trumpets and vials. Others, from +similar predilections, would exempt the United States and British +Provinces from these plagues. Whilst a third class, giving fall scope to +the hallucinations of mere imagination, aver their conviction that +republican America is the special and doomed object of all these +plagues!--Hence, the necessity of caution, sobriety, reverence for +divine authority, reliance on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, whom the +Saviour has promised to his humble disciples to "guide them into all +truth, and to show them things to come." (John xvi. 13.) That the +student of prophecy,--especially of the Apocalypse, may realize the +fulfilment of this promise, it is indispensably necessary that he be +absolutely untrammeled by all antichristian politics. Such cases are +very rare, (ch. xiii. 3.) + +During the reign of Constantine, that monarch had transferred the +capital of the empire from the "city of seven hills" to another locality +and founded another metropolis, which as the future seat of imperial +rule, and to immortalize himself, he called after his own name, +Constantinople. This ambitious enterprise itself virtually divided the +empire, preparing the way for its total dismemberment by the trumpets. +And now the "seven angels prepared themselves to sound," for all things +are ready. The interceding Angel at the "golden altar" has prevailed to +obtain a period of tranquillity whilst preparatory steps are in progress +towards the next series of events; but that time shall be no longer, or +respite from impending judgments, is significantly intimated by the +symbolical Angel casting his "golden censer" from his hand, and hurling +it into the earth. Then without farther delay, + + +7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled +with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of +trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. + +V. 7.--"The first angel sounded." The object of this judgment is the +_earth_, the population of the empire in general. The judgment itself +is, "hail and fire mingled with blood,"--desolating wars, like +successive storms of hail mingled with lightning, "hailstones and coals +of fire." (Ps. xviii. 12.) The effect is, a consumption of a third part +of the "trees and grass," people in high and low degrees. Green trees +and grass are the ornaments and products, of a land: and when the earth +is an emblem of nations and dominions, trees and grass may represent +persons of higher and lower rank. + +The careful student of the Apocalypse will discover a striking analogy +between the effects of the trumpets and vials as the latter are +presented in the sixteenth chapter. This first trumpet therefore +produces an effect upon the social order of Christendom, which will +continue till the pouring out of the first vial. As the Roman empire in +its twofold division is the general object of all the trumpets; so the +first four are directed towards the western, and the next two against +the eastern member. + +The infidel historian Gibbon has unwittingly recorded the fulfilment of +these predictions, as Josephus has done those of our Lord respecting the +destruction of Jerusalem. Unconscious that he was bearing testimony to +the truth of prophecy, Gibbon used with his classic pen the very +allegorical language of the inspired apostle. Respecting the incursion +of the barbarous Goths, as led by Alaric their chief into the fertile +plains of southern Europe, he describes their alarming descent as a +_"dark cloud_, which having collected along the coasts of the Baltic, +burst in _thunder_ upon the banks of the upper Danube." He who directed +Balaam and Caiaphas to utter predictions, doubtless could direct +Josephus and Gibbon to attest the truth of prophecy; and this may be one +of the many ways in which "he makes the wrath of man to praise +him."--The Goths, the Scythians and Huns, first under Alaric and +afterwards under Attila, those savage warriors from the northern +regions, invaded the provinces of the Roman empire in both sections, +carrying all before them like an irresistible tornado,--with fire and +sword utterly destroying cities, temples, princes, priests, old and +young, male and female,--thus "burning up trees, and green grass." + + +8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning +with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became +blood: + +9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had +life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. + +Vs. 8, 9.--"The second angel sounded." The object of this judgment, is +the _sea_. As a great collection of waters, this symbol is explained, +(ch. xvii. 15.) "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," +indicate the population in an agitated and disorganized or revolutionary +condition. The judgment is a "burning mountain," a tremendous +object,--consuming and being itself consumed. The mountain is a symbol +of earthly power civil or military, and sometimes ecclesiastical.--"Who +art thou, O great mountain?" (Zech. iv. 7.) The Almighty says to the +king of Babylon,--"Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain ... +I will roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt +mountain." (Jer. li. 25; Ps. xlviii. 2.) + +The consequence of this judgment is, the third part of the sea became +blood, the fish perished, and the shipping was destroyed. Similar +language, illustrating these figurative expressions, had been used by +the prophets to represent divine judgments denounced against Egyptian +power. (Ezek. xxix. 3, etc.) In the eighth verse is contained the +explanation of the symbolic language,--"Behold I will bring a sword upon +thee, and cut off man and beast from thee." + +History verifies this part of the Apocalyptic prediction. Only two years +after the death of that northern "scourge of God," Attila, who boasted +that "the grass never grew where his horse had trod;" Genseric set sail +from the burning shores of Africa; and, like a burning mountain launched +into the sea, accompanied by a vast army of barbarous Vandals, suddenly +landed his fleet at the mouth of the river Tiber. Disregarding the +distinctions of rank, age or sex, these licentious and brutal plunderers +subjected their helpless victims to every species of indignity and +cruelty. Hence the hostility to arts and science, the tokens of refined +civilization,--indiscriminate devastation of life and property +perpetrated by the savage warriors, has given rise to the word +"Vandalism." + + +10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from +heaven, burning as it were a Lamp, and it fell upon the third part of +the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; + +11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of +the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because +they were made bitter. + +Vs. 10, 11.--The object of the third trumpet is the waters as +before,--the population of the empire, but not in collective form as a +_sea_; rather in a state of separation or disconnected, as "rivers and +fountains." Some apply this symbol of a "falling star" to Genseric, but +this is incongruous. On the contrary, he was a victorious prince,--a +_rising_ star. It is more consonant to the truth of history and the +chronological series of prophecy, to apply this symbol to the downfall +of Momyllus the last of the Roman emperors, who was deposed by Odoacer +king of the Heruli, called in derision Augustulus,--the diminutive +Augustus. Doubtless the allusion here is to the king of Babylon:--"How +art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (day-star,) son of the morning! +How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" +(Isa. xiv. 12.) A star may indeed signify either a civil or +ecclesiastical officer, but the scope and context determine all these +judgments to the enemies of the church, and those of her illustrious +Head. It is the "vengeance of his temple." We have already found a star +the emblem of a gospel minister, and we shall hereafter find it employed +in that sense; but it does not seem to refer in the present connexion to +any apostate. The name of this star,--"Wormwood," embittering the +waters, is a lively emblem of the miseries experienced by the people, in +the use of the remaining temporal comforts which the preceding +calamities had left. + + +12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was +smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the +stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not +for a third part of it, and the night likewise. + +V. 12.--The design of all the trumpets is to point out the utter +destruction of the Roman empire,--Daniel's "kingdom of iron." (Dan. ii. +40.) For although from the time of Constantine it assumed the Christian +name, it nevertheless continued to be a beast. Of this we shall have +cumulative evidence as we progress. The first trumpet began to demolish +the fabric of antichristian power; and by the fourth the western +division was overthrown. For although the northern barbarians under the +first, the southern Vandals under the second, and the successors of +both, prevailed to bring down the last of the Caesars, yet the ancient +frame of government still subsisted. The political heaven, though +shaken, was not yet wholly removed, while the Senate, Consuls and other +official dignitaries continued to shine as political luminaries in the +firmament of power. But as the last of the Caesars fell from power in +the year 476, so the last vestige of imperial dominion in the west was +removed in 566, when Rome, the queen of the nations, was by the emperor +of the east reduced to the humble condition of a tributary dukedom. Most +of the saints had their residence at this time in the nations of western +Europe and northern Africa, where they were grievously afflicted by the +Arian, Pelagian and other heresies; as also exposed to persecution by +the civil powers, whom those heresiarchs moved to oppress the orthodox: +consequently, the righteous judgments of God fall first upon that member +of the empire. The eastern section, however, is destined to become the +special object of the judgments indicated by the succeeding trumpets. +However interpreters differ in details when explaining the effects +produced by the sounding of the first four trumpets, they very generally +harmonize in the application of them to the western section of the Roman +empire. The luminaries of heaven are darkened, or fall, or are +extinguished, while the earth, the sea and the rivers are +correspondently affected. Now, these are the well known allegorical +representations of divine judicial visitations of guilty communities, as +we find in the prophetic writings. See, for example, the case of +Babylon, "the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" (Isa. xiii. 1, 10;) +also Egypt,--(Ezek. xxxii. 7, 8.) + + +13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, +saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the +earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, +which are yet to sound! + +V. 13.--Before the fifth angel sounds, a note of warning is given by the +ministry, of another angel distinct from the seven with the trumpets. He +pronounces a "woe" thrice repeated, upon the inhabitants of the earth, +indicating that heavier judgments and of longer duration are about to be +inflicted. This announcement was intended to excite attention and awful +expectation. This angel's message of "heavy tidings" may be viewed in +quite interesting contract with that of a subsequent angel,--"flying +through the midst of heaven," (ch. xiv. 6.) How different, yet +harmonious, is the ministry of those heavenly messengers! + +The first four trumpets, as we have seen, demolished the western +division of the Roman empire. About the middle of the sixth century this +work was brought to completion. Here, for greater clearness, we may be +allowed to anticipate by digressing a little. Assuming now, what shall +afterwards appear to be correct, that the Roman empire is Daniel's +fourth universal monarchy, and Paul's "let," or hinderance, to the +revealing of the "Man of Sin;" since the first four trumpets have +dismembered that great power, revealing the "ten toes,--ten horns," or +kingdoms; we would expect now to hear of the destruction of that "Son of +perdition." But it is not so. That is to be effected by the vials, (ch. +xvi.) As the general and grand design of the Apocalypse is to illustrate +the divine government, exhibiting the moral world as affecting, or +affected by the Christian religion, it seemed good to the Divine Author +that the destinies of the eastern section of the Roman empire yet +standing, where many of his saints reside, shall come under review. +Ecclesiastical history treats familiarly of a _Greek,_ as well as a +_Latin_ church and empire. As the trumpets cover the whole time from the +opening of the sixth seal till the final overthrow of the whole fourth +monarchy; (Dan. vii. 26; Rev. xi. 15,) it follows that the eastern +section must be the object of a part of them. Accordingly, the remaining +part of the second period,--the _Period of the Trumpets,_ includes the +first two of the three, emphatically and significantly styled +"woe-trumpets." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto +the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. + +2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a a smoke out of +the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were +darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. + +3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them +was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. + +4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the +earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men +which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. + +5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that +they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the +torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. + +6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and +shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. + +7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto +battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their +faces were us the faces of men. + +8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the +teeth of lions. + +9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the +sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running +to battle. + +10. And they had tails like unto scorpions; and there were stings in +their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. + +11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless +pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue +hath his name Apollyon. + +Vs. 1-11.--The scene of the events announced by the sounding of the +first "woe-trumpet," is the eastern Roman empire. A variety of symbols +is here employed to represent the judgment to be inflicted. The +principal agents and events are,--a "star, locusts, Apollyon their king, +their depredations, the time of their continuance." + +Neither Boniface III. nor Mahomet answers to the symbol "falling star." +Allowing that a star, as a symbol, may represent a person in either +civil or ecclesiastical office, no successful aspirants to places of +power, as both of these were, can be here understood. Obviously +degradation and not elevation is intended. Either dethronement of a +prince or apostacy of a theological dignitary must be intended. + +No character in history at the time referred to, so well agrees to the +symbol of a fallen star as the monk Sergius, who is known to have been +the coadjutor of Mahomet. He had been a monk of the Christian sect +called Nestorians from Nestorius their leader. This monk Sergius had +been excommunicated for heresy and immorality. He was glad to serve the +devil as dictator to Mahomet in composing the Koran, which bears +internal evidence of having been written by one who was acquainted with +the Sacred Scriptures. When this degraded man had finished his task, he +was put to death by his master, lest he should betray the imposture. + +He opened the bottomless pit, from which issued a smoke darkening the +whole face of the heavens. The pit is hell, whence came the smoke,--the +diabolical system of delusion. From the same place comes the character +afterwards to appear under the aspect of a beast, (ch. xi. 7.) Locusts +constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, and they are the emblem of a +destroying army. (Exod. x. 14-19; Joel i. 4-6.) And this is their import +here. They represent the deluded and destructive followers of Mahomet, +who in vast multitudes laid waste the nations of western Asia, southern +Europe, and northern Africa. The Saracens, originating in Arabia, the +national locality of the literal locusts, in great multitudes like +clouds, laid waste the fairest and most populous portions of the earth +for a succession of ages. + +These symbolic locusts have also the property of scorpions, a poisonous +reptile, resembling in some degree a lizard combined with a lobster, +armed with a sting in the end of its tail. Wicked and impenitent men are +compared to scorpions. (Ezek. ii. 6.) But these locusts are under +restraint. They are permitted to hurt only "those men which have not the +seal of God in their foreheads." The time of their continuance is "five +months," of thirty days each, making 150 years,--"a day for a year." +(Ezek. iv. 6.) In the year 606, Mahomet began his imposture by retiring +to the cave of Hera. In 612 he appeared publicly as the apostle of his +new religion at the head of his deluded followers. Between 612 and 762, +he and the warlike chiefs who succeeded him, overran with terrible +destruction, Syria, Persia, India, Egypt and Spain. Although the +Saracenic empire continued for a longer time, yet from this time it lost +the disorderly _Locust_ character and because a more settled +commonwealth. In the year 762, the city of Bagdad was built by one of +the caliphs, who called it "the city of peace." This put a stop to the +devastations of the locusts, when the empire began to decline. It was +foretold, however, that during the time of successful war by these cruel +invaders, they would inflict such miseries upon their wretched victims, +that they would earnestly but vainly desire death to put an end to their +exquisite torments. It is farther said that these locusts resembled +horses, as indeed they do, especially in their heads. The Arabians +excelled in horsemanship, and their chief force lay in cavalry. The +"crowns upon their heads" may refer to the turbans worn by the Arabians +as part of their national costume; or to the kingdoms which they +subdued. Flowing hair is also characteristic of these people. Their +"teeth" like those of lions indicated their strength and fury to +destroy. "Breast-plates of iron,"--defensive armour, indicates +self-protection by the most effectual public measures. The sound of +their wings may denote the fury of their assaults, and the rapidity of +their conquests. But the deadly stings in their tails were their most +fatal instruments of torture, symbolizing the poison of their abominable +and ruinous religion. + +Their king is "Abaddon or Apollyon," the destroyer: for so is his name +by interpretation, both in Hebrew and Greek. He is from the "bottomless +pit,"--from hell, the vicegerent of the devil. Mahomet in person, and in +the person of his official successors, will alone answer to this +_duplicate_ symbol. This is, without a rational shadow of ground for +controversy, the _Great Eastern Antichrist_, sufficiently distinguished +from the _Western_. The western combination against real Christianity +never attained to power by successful conquest of the nations; but on +the contrary by chicanery, insidious policy, flattery of princes and +priestcraft. This enemy is described with sufficient accuracy and +peculiar precision in the subsequent part of the Apocalypse. Prophecy +has a determinate meaning; and we are not at liberty to give loose reins +to our imagination: otherwise we shall bewilder, rather than satisfy the +devout and earnest inquirer. + + +12. One woe is past: and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. + +V. 12.--Before the time of the sixth trumpet, intimation is given that +some pause shall intervene prior to the judgments which are to +follow:--"One woe is past."--The object of the first woe is the +nominally Christian Roman empire, which still stands in its Eastern +section; and is to be totally demolished by the second woe-trumpet: for +the Western section, recovering from the effects of the first four +trumpets, is the object of the third and last woe. The "man of +Sin,"--the "little horn" of Daniel, is actuating the "ten horns" to +"scatter Judah," etc., during the time of the Mahometan conquests in the +East; by which the whole Roman empire is ripening for the harvest of the +vials of wrath. + + +13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns +of the golden altar which is before God, + +14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four +angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. + +15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, +and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. + +16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand +thousand; and I heard the number of them. + +17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, +having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the +heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths +issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone. + +18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by +the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. + +19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their +tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do +hurt. + +Vs. 13-19.--At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, a "voice comes from +the four horns of the golden altar," the immediate presence of the +Almighty. This indicates punishment to be inflicted upon men for +corrupting the gospel, similar to the judgment of fire from the "golden +censer," (ch. viii. 5.) The effects of the first woe may be supposed to +reach from the early part of the seventh century to the latter part of +the thirteenth,--the period of Arabian locusts. During the latter part +of this time, the Turks were held in check by the Crusaders, who strove +to wrest the Holy Land from the infidels. The "four angels" are the four +Turkish Sultanies. The river Euphrates is to be taken in this place +literally, as designating the geographical locality of these combined +powers, which were the instruments employed by the enthroned Mediator, +to demolish the remaining part of the Roman empire,--"the third part of +men." The time occupied in this barbarous work of slaughter is "an hour, +a day, a month and a year," about equal to 391 years; or from the year +1281 to 1672. The Western empire had been overthrown by the first four +trumpets, the Eastern nearly ruined under the fifth; and under the sixth +it was finally subverted. The numbers which the Turks brought into the +field are here said to be "two hundred thousand thousand,"--a definite +for an indefinite number as usual, a vast army. And historians tell us +that they were, in fact, from four to seven hundred thousand, and a +large proportion of them cavalry. + +From the year 1672, one of their own historians dates the "Decay of the +Othman empire!" Since that date, the Turkish power is well known to have +been straitened by the Russian empire. + +These eastern warriors and their horses are described by their military +costume and their arms. Fire is _red_, jacinth _blue_, and brimstone +_yellow_,--the chosen colors of the Ottoman warriors, their military +uniform. The heads of their horses "as the heads of lions," denote +strength, fierceness and cruelty. "Fire, smoke and brimstone issuing out +of their mouths," may be supposed to indicate the employment of +gunpowder, first invented about that time, as an element of destruction. +The commander at the siege of Constantinople is said to have employed +cannon, some of which were of such caliber as to send stones of three +hundred pounds weight! Thus their power was in their "mouth:" but like +the locusts, "they had in their tails power to do hurt,"--the deadly +poison of the Koran. The Turks left behind them wherever they went, as +the Saracens had done before, the poisonous and ruinous religion of +Mahomet, more durable and injurious to men than all their bloody +conquests. By this abominable system of delusion, the remains of the +Greek church in the Eastern division of the Roman empire, were almost +extirpated; Christianity was nearly extinguished in that part of the +world where the gospel had shone brightly, and there Mahometanism +continues till the present day. Such has been the desolating effect of +the sixth,--the second woe trumpet. Thus the Judge of all the earth +punishes impenitent communities. Besides the positive effects of the +second wo, we have intimation of some that are negative in the close of +this chapter. + + +20. And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues, yet +repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship +devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of +wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: + +21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor +of their fornication, nor of their thefts. + +Vs. 20, 21.--The "rest of the men that were not killed by these +plagues," or morally destroyed by becoming Mahometans, by the foregoing +calamities, were not brought to repentance of their evil deeds. The +population of the Western Latin empire and nominal Christian church, +still persisted in their idolatries and immoralities. Both individually +and as associated, they openly violated both tables of the moral law. It +is evident from these two verses, that the sins enumerated in them were +the procuring causes of the divine judgments symbolized by the +trumpets,--the two woe-trumpets, all the trumpets,--yes, including the +seventh and the last. Professing Christians both in the Greek and Latin +churches, after all the plagues inflicted by the angels of the past six +trumpets, continue to this day in the practice of worshipping demons, +angels and saints, for which they can produce no better arguments than +their Pagan predecessors whom the Lord charges with "worshipping devils" +here and elsewhere. (1 Cor. x. 20; Ps. cvi. 37.) In their stupid worship +of senseless images, consecration of places, etc., who cannot perceive +the identity of modern Papists and prelates with those portrayed by the +pen of inspiration in the passage before us? The horrible "murders," +massacres and bloody persecutions of the saints, are verified in +authentic history. Papal bulls, imperial and royal edicts, issued +against _heretics_, answer to the second part of this awful picture. +Then follow "sorceries," plainly pointing out pretended revelations, +false miracles, etc. To these are to be added "fornications," corporeal +and spiritual, in a mass of superstitions added to, or supplanting +divine ordinances; together with vows of celibacy, monkeries and +nunneries,--followed by public license of brothels. And +finally,--"thefts." By these are to be understood the illegal exactions +and oppressive impositions, by which the nations of Christendom have +been plundered of their revenues to enrich the lordly hierarchy of +apostate Christendom. This state of things still continuing after the +sixth angel sounds his trumpet, and no evidence of repentance; who can +doubt that the same community is yet to be visited with the "third woe?" +Surely the Lord may justly still say,--"For three transgressions, and +for four, (of Antichrist,) I will not turn away the punishment thereof." +The eastern church, in which the first corruptions prevailed, was +punished by the _first woe_ of the Saracens; and this not producing +repentance, her ruin was completed by the _second wo_ of the Ottomans. +So, when God judges, he will overcome; therefore the western church, +still persisting in her abominations, without repentance, shall be +destroyed by the _third woe_. Let not the pious reader suppose that by +these penal inflictions on churches, the church of Christ is to perish. +No, no. But, on the contrary, their overthrow is subservient to her +preservation. This also will appear with increasing evidence as we +proceed with our meditations on this instructive book. + +In the mean time it may be well to remark here, at the close of those +_woes_ which developed the rise and progress of Mahometanism, that the +creed of this religious sect is substantially the same as that of those +Christians called Socinians. Both presumptuously and arrogantly claim to +be the worshippers of _the one God_,--commonly called _Unitarians_. This +is one of the "depths of Satan." All who worship, as well as believe in, +three co-equal Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, believe in, +and worship _one God_, and in this sense are Unitarians.--_the only +scriptural Unitarians_. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not +the Father." (John ii. 23.) And the same is true of such who "have not +so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts xix. 2.) "He is +Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son,"--a deceiver and an +Antichrist. It is doubtless in view of these soul-ruining heresies, that +the beloved disciple tendered the caution,--"Little children, keep +yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 21.) + +We would expect the tenth chapter to begin with the sounding of the +seventh trumpet; but we find it is not so. Indeed, we shall not find any +direct intimation of the work of the seventh angel till we come to the +fourteenth verse of the eleventh chapter. The sixth trumpet continues to +reverberate throughout Christendom for centuries; and during the +intermediate time, our attention is called to another scene, which the +Lord Jesus deemed necessary as preparatory. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +This chapter and the greater part of the next, from the first to the +fourteenth verse inclusive, is of the nature of a parenthesis; for the +fifteenth verse of the 11th chapter evidently connects the narrative or +series of events with the ninth chapter. The ninth chapter closes with +an intimation of impenitence on the part of those who had been punished +by the plagues of the preceding trumpets. Then it follows, as we have +seen, that they are to be still farther visited by the infliction of the +closing judgment symbolized by the seventh trumpet. The immediate +design, therefore, of interrupting the natural order of the narrative is +to place before us the actual condition of society when the seventh +trumpet sounds. + + +1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a +cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face as it were the sun, +and his feet as pillars of fire: + +2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot +upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, + +3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had +cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. + +Vs. 1-3.--The majestic description of this Angel agrees to no creature. +It is proper to God-man only. It is partly the same display of the +Mediator's glory which we had in ch, i. 15. Especially is this the case +as to his _face_, his _feet_ and his _voice_. The "rainbow" is still the +sign of the everlasting covenant. "In wrath he remembers mercy." + +This "book" differs from the _sealed_ book as a part from the whole, or +a codicil from the will to which it is appended. Also, it is +distinguished from the former as being _little_ and _open_. They do +therefore greatly err here, who would make this little book comprehend +all the remaining part of the Apocalypse, which would make it larger +than the sealed book. The little book is _open_, because it is part of +the large one, from which the last seal had been removed by the +Mediator. But another reason why the little book is represented as being +open, is the fact that the most of the events to which it refers, had +transpired prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. That trumpet +had been without its appropriate object, as presented in any preceding +part of the prophecy. To present that object is the special design of +the little book. All the events predicted in this book of Revelation are +not successive in the order of time, but some are coincident; and the +inspired writer of the Apocalypse, on several occasions goes back, as we +shall see, in order to explain at greater length, what had been but +briefly and obscurely narrated. + +The angel set his feet upon the world, as his footstool; by which +position is emblematically signified his sovereign dominion over sea and +earth. And this is agreeable to his own plain teaching in the days of +his public ministry:--"All power is given unto me in heaven and in +earth." (Matt. xxviii. 18.) He trod upon the billows of the ocean +literally in the state of his humiliation, giving thereby evidence of +his power over the mystical waters,--"the tumults of the people." During +the popular commotions signified by the trumpets, he said to the raging +passions of men and their towering ambition, as to the waves of the +sea,--" Hitherto shall ye come, and no further; and here shall your +proud waves be stayed." "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves +thereof are still;" and whether the nations of Christendom are at war or +in peaceful tranquillity, he reigns over them as their rightful +sovereign;--"his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth." In +possession of universal dominion, he speaks with authority, "as when a +lion roareth." Although a lamb slain, the victim for our sins; he is +also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ruling over his own people, +restraining and conquering his own and their enemies. + +The "seven thunders," etc., give a _premonition_ of tremendous +judgments, the import of which is to be "sealed up" until it be +demonstrated to all the world by the seventh trumpet and vial. + + +4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to +write: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up those +things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. + +5. And the angel, which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, +lifted up his hand to heaven, + +6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, +and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are +therein, that there should be time no longer. + +7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall +begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath +declared to his servants the prophets. + +Vs. 4-7.--The attitude assumed by the Angel of the covenant is very +impressive, instructive and exemplary:--"his hand lifted up to heaven." +This is the external attitude of solemnity most becoming the jurant when +performing the act of religious worship, the oath. Abraham, in the +presence of the king of Sodom, used the same form, appealing to the +"Lord, the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth." (Gen. xiv. +22.) "Kissing the book" has no example in all the Bible; hence it is +unquestionably of heathen, and so of idolatrous origin and tendency. No +Christian can thus symbolize with heathens, without so far "having +fellowship with devils" as really as in eating in their temples. (1 Cor. +x. 21.) + +The matter of the Angel's oath is,--"that there should be time no +longer." Here it is humbly suggested that our excellent translators are +faulty as in ch. iv. 6, already noticed. Neither the original Greek +text, nor the coherence of the symbolic narrative, will sustain or +justify the version. John, like all pious people, when he heard the +lion's voice, followed by the "seven thunders," was filled with solemn +awe, anticipating the coming dissolution of all things. It was not the +only instance of his weakness and misapprehension, (ch. xix. 10;) nor is +this infirmity peculiar to the apostle John; for we find other disciples +mistaking "the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his +own power." (2 Thess. ii. 1-3.) These Thessalonians had misapprehended +the language of Paul in his first epistle to them, when speaking of the +end of the world. (1 Thess. iv. 15-17.) To relieve the anxieties of the +Thessalonians, relative to the apprehended and sudden coming of the +Lord, Paul wrote again to correct their mistake; so it may be supposed +that the Angel interposed this solemn assurance to his servant John, for +the like purpose, of allaying his forebodings. The words in the +original, literally translated, stand thus: "That the time shall not be +yet." That is, the "time of the end," as we read in Daniel xii. 9, shall +not be, till the seventh trumpet begins to sound. The phrase,--"time of +the end," may signify either the final overthrow of antichristian power, +or the end of the world, because of the resemblance between the two +events. The plain and certain meaning, then, of the Angel's oath is, +that the "mystery of God shall be finished" only by the work of the +seventh angel. What this mystery is, we will discover in the following +chapters. Indeed, it had been long before "declared to the prophets," +but still accompanied with comparative obscurity suitable to their time; +for the word "declared," is expressive of glad tidings, being the same +in origin and significance as that which we translate,--_gospel_, good +news. Accordingly, our Saviour directs his disciples, in view of his +appearing either to overthrow the Roman power, or to judge the world, in +the following words of cheer: "And when these things begin to come to +pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth +nigh." (Luke xxi. 28.) To the prophet Daniel the same event was attested +with like solemnity. (Dan. xii. 7.) This is the period to which the +suffering saints of God have been long looking forward with believing +and joyful hope. As Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day of appearing in +our nature, and by faith saw and it and was glad; so the covenanted seed +of the father of the faithful, in the light of prophecy, and by like +precious faith, are favored with a view of the certain downfall of +mystical Babylon. + + +8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and +said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel +which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. + +9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little +book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy +belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. + +10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; +and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my +belly was bitter. + +11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, +and nations, and tongues, and kings. + +Vs. 8-11.--John is next directed by a voice from heaven, or by divine +authority,--to take and eat the open book. There is obvious allusion to +a similar transaction in Ezekiel iii, 1-3. The prophet was a captive by +the river of Chebar in Babylon, under the dominion of the _first_ beast +of Daniel, as John was in Patmos under that of the _fourth_; and both +were favoured and employed by the glorious Head of the church in an +eminent part of their ministry. "The word is not bound" when ministers +are in confinement. + +The "eating of the book" represents the intellectual apprehension of the +things which it contained. + +"Thy words were found and I did eat them,"(Jer. xv. 16.) A speculative +knowledge of the word of God, and especially of those parts that are +prophetical, will afford pleasure to the human intellect, even though +the mind be unsanctified. (Matt. xiii. 20, 21.) But when the prophet +gets a farther insight into the contents as containing "lamentations, +and mourning and woe," like Ezekiel's roll;--the pleasure is converted +into pain. A foresight of the sorrows and sufferings of Christ's +witnesses causes grief to the Christian's sensitive heart. He "weeps +with them that weep," by the spontaneous sympathies of a common and +renewed nature. "Sweet in the mouth as honey, but in the belly bitter as +wormwood and gall." + +Upon the apostle's digesting the little book, the Angel interprets the +symbolic action by the plain and extensive commission,--"Thou must +prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and +kings." This commission did not terminate with the ministry of the +apostle, although he may be truly said to prophesy by the Apocalypse to +all nations till the end of the world. This is equally true, however, of +all the inspired penmen of the Holy Scriptures. (Psalm xlv. 17.) But +John is to be considered here as the official representative of a living +and faithful ministry, on whom devolves the indispensable obligation to +open and apply these sacred predictions to the commonwealth of nations, +however constituted authorities may be affected by them. And, indeed, +these messages will prove unwelcome to the immoral powers of the earth, +as in the days of old. (1 Kings xviii. 17.) + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The narrative of prophetic events was broken off at the end of the ninth +chapter. The tenth chapter and the greater part of this, from the +beginning to the thirteenth verse inclusive, present appearances and +actions quite foreign to the events which follow the sounding of the +trumpets. Why is this, the thoughtful student of the Apocalypse will +naturally ask? Why is the regular series of the trumpets suspended? When +the sixth trumpet,--the "second woe,"--has effected its objects, we +naturally expect the seventh trumpet to sound; yet we are held in +suspense till we come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter. Hitherto +we have met with no similar interruption. Let us take a retrospective +view:--The seven epistles to the churches followed each other in regular +succession. The seals, in like manner, followed successively; and this +is true of the vials, (ch. xvi.) + +We have seen that the object of the trumpets was the Roman empire, the +fourth beast of Daniel's prophecy. The same is the object of the +judgments symbolized by the vials. The final subversion and utter +destruction of that beastly power, was plainly revealed in the +Babylonian monarch's dream. (Dan. ii. 44.) And the same event was +afterwards exhibited in vision to Daniel, (ch. vii. 11, 26.) Now the +first four trumpets had demolished imperial power in the western or +Latin section; and the next two, by the Saracenic locusts and the +Euphratean horsemen had subverted the eastern or Greek section. Rome and +Constantinople were the capitals of the respective sections or members +of the _one_ empire. Under the first four trumpets, by the Northern +barbarians; and under the first two woes, by the Mahometans, both +sections of the empire were overthrown. The question now presses upon +our attention, Where shall we find an object for the tremendous judgment +to be inflicted by the third and last woe? This question requires a +solution. It demands it; and he who succeeds in the application of +history to solve this apparent enigma in the Apocalypse, will be able to +attain to a satisfactory, a certain, understanding of much that is yet +to most readers as if the "sealed book" were to this day in the "right +hand of Him that sitteth on the throne." Let us humbly attempt to solve +this difficulty. + +Daniel's fourth beast, the Roman empire, is to be contemplated in +_diverse aspects_, as the varied symbols obviously require. All know +that Nebuchadnezzar's "image" is the same as Daniel's "four beasts;" +therefore the same thing is presented in different forms or aspects. Of +course we are to view that object as presented. We have seen that under +the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12-17,) the Roman empire underwent a +revolution; that is, it was destroyed as to its Pagan form. The empire +became Christian under Constantine. History proves that Christianity +degenerated under the reign of that monarch and his successors. Heresy, +idolatry and persecutions characterize the subsequent history of the +empire. Then follow the judgments of the trumpets to vindicate the +divine government, and alleviate from time to time the sufferings of +true Christians. While the two woe-trumpets are demolishing the fabric +of idolatry and despotism in the east, the "deadly wound is healed" in +the west, which had been inflicted by the first four trumpets. Ten horns +are developed upon the beast's head, and another "little horn," by all +of which the saints suffer, as had been predicted by Daniel, (ch. vii. +24,) and of which we had intimation after the judgment of the second woe +or sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) All the "plagues," which had been +inflicted upon the people of Christendom under this trumpet left them +still impenitent,--"worshipping devils," etc. Surely we may now see +where the object of the third woe is to be found,--namely in the same +Roman empire, now become antichristian more than ever before. To +describe this antichristian combination and present the unholy +confederacy against the Lord and his Anointed, and so to justify the +ways of God; it was necessary to digress from the narrative of the +trumpets. We now proceed with our observations on the eleventh chapter. + + +1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, +saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them +that worship therein. + +2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it +not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they +tread under foot forty and two months. + +Vs. 1, 2.--This chapter, (vs. 1-13,) gives the contents of the "little +book" delivered to the apostle; as in the tenth chapter. It contains a +brief description and prospective history of the true church of Christ +for a period of 1260 years. Her conflicts with Daniel's fourth beast are +here epitomized. As the scene is laid in the temple and ministry all +along in the Apocalypse, so there is probably a special allusion here to +Ezekiel's vision, (ch. xl. 5.) At all times the Christian church is to +be organized, and all her ordinances to be administered by divine rule. +Accordingly we have here presented the actual condition of Christendom +during the whole time mentioned above. The command to John from the +Angel, is to be understood as from the Lord Jesus, Zion's only king to +the gospel ministry. Long before the time of the transactions here +predicted, the apostle John had gone the way of all the earth. The work +here enjoined was to be performed by his legitimate successors. + +The reed is the symbol of the word of God. It is of the same import as +Zechariah's "measuring line." (ch. ii. 1,) and to be used for the same +purpose--"to measure Jerusalem," the temple; for both are emblematical +of the church of God. The "temple, altar and worshippers," are emblems +of the church, her doctrines, worship and membership, tried by the +Scriptures--the "reed." There are Gentiles who worship in the outer +court, treading under foot both it and the city. These are formal, +immoral, idolatrous professors of Christianity. They are rejected by God +as reprobate, and by his command to be "cast out" from the fellowship of +his people,--authoritatively excommunicated by those to whom Jesus +Christ has given the key of discipline. + +Here then, at the disclosing of the contents of the little open book, it +is manifest that John goes back from the sixth trumpet in the +seventeenth century, when the Eastern section of the Roman empire was +subverted, by the Othmans, and gives us another view of society in +Christendom cotemporaneously with the trumpets. It follows necessarily +that the little book does not rank, as some imagine, under any one +trumpet; much less does it comprehend all the remaining chapters of the +Apocalypse, as others vainly suppose. This matter will receive +increasing confirmation as we advance. + +Those who worship within the temple and those who worship without, are +evidently distinguished from each other. They differ in character tested +by the word of God, in fellowship, as authoritatively separated +according to the rule of the same word: for whereas the gentile +worshippers are so numerous as to crowd both the outer court and the +city, the measured worshippers are all included within the confines of +the temple, (Song iv. 12.) _Measuring_ is equivalent to the _sealing_ of +the servants of God in the seventh chapter; and imports that they are +secured from the sins and plagues of their time. The period of the +apostacy from God is fixed to "forty and two months." According to +Jewish mode of reckoning, a day for a year, (Num. xiv. 34; Dan. ix. 24,) +the whole period is 1260 years. Each month has thirty days. Multiply +forty-two by thirty, and we have 1260. The _same_ period of time,--not +merely an equal period, is otherwise expressed by the prophet Daniel +thus: "time, times, and a half." (ch. xii. 7.) That is, 360, the number +of days in the Jewish year: times, or 720, the days in two years; and +half a time, or 180, the days in half a year. Now, add these three +numbers, 360, 720, 180; and the sum is 1260. Now see Daniel iv. 25, +where the word "times" means _years_, and then a child may calculate +these mystical numbers. + + +3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy +a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. + +V. 3.--While the nominal church, "the outer court and the holy city," +would be "trodden under foot," and the most eminent places would be +filled with idolaters, infidels, hypocrites, and mercenary spirits, and +true Christians grievously oppressed, the Lord would preserve a faithful +few from defiling themselves with the prevailing abominations. These he +claims and owns as his "peculiar treasure,"--"my witnesses." These have +found that it was "good for them to draw near to God," when the +multitude treacherously departed from him. The Lord Christ promises to +sustain them in the midst of all their tribulations. The duration of +their special work is the very same as that of the treading of the holy +city, "a thousand two hundred and three score days,"--1260 years. In +attempting to fix the beginning of this period, Daniel and John must be +compared; both treat of the same events and dates, and this gives +definiteness to the interpretation. Daniel fixes these events to the +fourth monarchy _after_ it had been _broken in pieces_, and the ten +horns had arisen: (ch. vii. 23-25;) so that we have both the geography +and chronology determined by the prophets themselves. Hence it follows +that we must date the beginning of the 1260 years after the first four +trumpets; for by these the western Roman empire was dismembered or +broken, that the ten horns might appear. Then the "little horn" of +Daniel arose after and among them, (ch. vii. 20, 24.) All reliable +expositors agree that the "little horn" is the papacy or the Romish +church. This little horn is the special enemy of the "saints of the Most +High," and they are to be "given into his hand." (Dan. vii. 25.) The +first four trumpets subverted the Roman empire in the west in the latter +part of the sixth century. This event made way for the bishop of Rome, +in process of time, to acquire a great accession of ecclesiastical +power. The civil and ecclesiastical rulers, equally unscrupulous and +aspiring, were at this period on terms of comparative intimacy, and +occasionally disposed to reciprocate good offices. Phocas, having waded +through the blood of the citizens to supreme civil power, in order to +secure his position, declared Boniface III., bishop of Rome, head of the +universal church. This impious public act took place in the year 606. +The pope became also a temporal prince in 756. Now we cannot know _with +certainty_ which of these events, nor indeed whether _either_ of them, +marks the period in time when the 1260 years _began_. Hence we must +remain at uncertainty as to the exact time when this most interesting +period will end. Of all transactions recorded in history, however, that +between Phocas and Boniface appears most like "giving the saints into +the hand of the little horn." At this juncture in particular, church and +state conspire, as never before, to resist the authority of Jesus Christ +the Mediator. Paul's "man of sin" has been "revealed in his time." (2 +Thess. ii. 6.) Paganism has been abolished by formal edict throughout +the Roman empire, and Christianity established as the recognised +religion of the commonwealth. That which "letted,"--hindered, that is, +the pagan idolatry of the civil state, is "taken out of the way;" and +nominal Christianity takes its place. This combination or alliance +between church and state will be more clearly made known in the +succeeding chapters of this book. Mean while it is the immediate design +of the "little open book," to give an epitome or outline of this unholy +confederacy in the first thirteen verses of this chapter. The treading +under foot of the holy city by the "Gentiles," furnishes occasion for +the witnesses to appear publicly against them. These pretended +Christians, but real hypocrites, as will appear with increasing evidence +as we proceed, have usurped the rights of Messiah's crown, and +grievously oppressed his real disciples. Against these outrages on the +prerogatives of Christ and the rights of man, these witnesses lift their +solemn protest. Their distinctive name, "witnesses," is familiar to +every one who searches the Scriptures. (Isa. xliii. 10; Acts i. 8.) But +witnesses who love not their lives unto the death are distinguished by +the name of _martyrs_. (Rev. ii. 13; Acts xxii. 20.) + +God has had his witnesses in all ages since the fall of Adam, in defence +of truth and holiness against error and ungodliness; but the specific +work _these_ witnesses is to oppose the corruption of his two ordinances +of church and state during the specified period of 1260 years. The +existence of this complex system of civil and ecclesiastical tyranny and +heresy, in the holy purpose and sovereign providence of God, calls for +the public and uncompromising opposition of the two witnesses. We shall +discover the two parties in more visible conflict hereafter; and tracing +the struggle to its issue, we shall find, that like the more general and +lasting warfare between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent, +(Gen. iii. 15,) it is a "war of extermination." + +These witnesses are distinguished as a part from the whole. All +witnesses are not _martyrs_, but these are such, (v. 7, ch. xx. 4.) And +here we are constrained to dissent from the opinion of some expositors, +for whose sentiments we entertain profound respect. These "two +witnesses" are supposed by these eminent interpreters to "differ as much +from the 144,000 sealed ones, (ch. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the +7000 in Israel in his time;" whereas, we think the 144,000 and the +_two_, are the same identical company. (See chapters vii. 4-8: xiv. 1; +xx. 4.) It is evident that they are the same party,--and the _whole_ of +the party, who are honored to "reign with Christ a thousand years," (ch. +xx. 4.) + +They are _two_ in number, because one witness is not sufficient in law, +to establish any matter in controversy. (Num. xxxv. 30; 2 Cor. xiii. 1.) +They are a small number compared with their opponents, (ch. xiii. 3.) +Again, they are few, but sufficient to confront and confute their two +opponents, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And, finally, they are _two_, that they +may be assimilated to their predecessors. + + +4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing +before the God of the earth. + +5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, +and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in +this manner be killed. + +6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of +their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to +smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. + +Vs. 4-6.--"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks," +answerable to Joshua and Zerubbabel, the representatives of a gospel +ministry and a scriptural magistracy in their day, as seen by the +prophet Zechariah, (ch. iv. 14.) The official administrators of the +divine ordinances of church and state, require the oil of divine grace +to qualify them for the discharge of their responsible duties to God and +man. (1 Tim. i. 2; Titus i. 4; Ps. lxxii. 1.) Thus were those public +servants of God and of his people qualified who "stood before the God of +the earth," as Moses and Aaron in Egypt, Elijah and Elisha in Israel, to +whom there is obvious allusion in the special work of these witnesses. +(2 Kings i. 10; 1 Kings xvii. 1; Exod. vii. 17.) "Fire proceedeth out of +their mouth," when from the scriptures they denounce just judgments upon +the impenitent enemies of him whom they represent. They "smite the earth +with all plagues," when, in answer to their prayers, vengeance comes +upon antichristian communities. (Luke xviii. 7, 8.) They "turn waters +into blood," when through their effective agency, the votaries of +Antichrist are made the instruments of mutual destruction. And all this +is made more clear in the symbolic "vials," (ch. 16.) These witnesses +"prophesy," not as being inspired, but because they,--and _they only_, +apply existing predictions to their appropriate objects, so far as they +receive light from Him who is "the light of the world." + +They are "clothed in sack-cloth," because they sigh and cry for all the +abominations of their time,--subjected to oppression, and excluded from +"kings' palaces,"--places of worldly honor, power and emolument. + +But the question is of great importance, and, to themselves in +particular, of absorbing interest,--How shall these witnesses be +identified among mankind? For however few, humble, despised and +persecuted, even unto death; strange as it may seem, there are not +wanting many to put forth a claim to be identified with them! Assuming +that these mystic witnesses are individual persons, the Papists say, +they are Enoch and Elijah, hereafter to appear on earth! By Protestants, +John Huss and Jerome.--Luther and Calvin, have been selected. Others +suppose the Old and New Testaments, with many other vague and groundless +conjectures. The witnesses die; but the two prophets named "were +translated that they should not see death:" and the thought is +preposterous that they should be brought again from their glorious state +of immortality and subjected to an ignominious death. John Huss and +Jerome of Prague did not prophesy 1260 years, nor have we the shadow of +a ground to believe that any of the human race shall ever prolong their +days on earth to the age of Methuselah. The two Testaments cannot die, +for "the word of God liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Pet. i. 23.) But +it would be tedious and unprofitable to confute the various chimeras +which on this question have been entertained in the minds equally of the +learned and the illiterate. The like fanciful and diversified opinions +have been, and still are, prevalent in relation to what constitutes "the +Antichrist." (1 John ii. 22.) Now, it is evident, even on a cursory +perusal of the Apocalypse; that the witnesses and their opponents are +the principal parties symbolized in the whole series of the seals, +trumpets and vials. How then can any one attain to a rational +understanding of the manifold details, who remains "willingly ignorant" +of the principal characters in this grandest of all tragico-dramas, +presented to man's view on the stage of Jehovah's moral empire, to be +contemplated for the whole period of 1260 years? The prevailing +ignorance, bewilderment and error, in the minds of most spectators of +these moving scenes, we are warranted to expect. (Dan. xii. 10.) For the +present we define the witnesses and Antichrist concisely thus:--_The +Witnesses are a competent number of Christians, who for 1260 years, +insist upon the application of God's word to church and state; and who +testify against all communities who rebel against the Lord Christ._ Such +communities, in visible organization, constitute THE ANTICHRIST, as will +more fully appear in the thirteenth and seventeenth chapters, where the +two prominent parties are more formally presented. + +Let us never lose sight of the fact, that these witnesses cease not to +prophesy,--to apply the scriptures, especially the prophetical parts of +them, during the _whole_ period of 1260 years; that is, _while they +live_. Authentic history supplies abundant evidence that such has been +their special work all along since the rise of the antichristian enemy. +That enemy is but obscurely mentioned,--_not described_ in the "little +book," the contents of which we have, as already said, in this chapter, +(vs. 1-13.) The character and achievements of the witnesses may be found +in the familiar histories of the Culdees and Lollards of Britain, the +Waldenses of Piedmont, the Bohemian Brethren; together with the more +recent and successful reformers on the continent of Europe and in the +British Isles. Is it unnecessary to mention the names of those men of +renown,--Zwingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Henderson, etc.,--men "mighty in +words and in deeds," whose influence on the great "family of nations," +their very enemies have reluctantly attested? The testimony of an enemy +has ever been deemed weighty. The following is appropriate and decisive +from the polished pen of the historian of the "Decline and Fall of the +Roman Empire:" "The visible assemblies of the Paulicians, or Albigeois, +were extirpated by fire and sword; and the bleeding remnant escaped by +flight, concealment, or catholic conformity. But the invincible spirit +which they had kindled still lived and breathed in the western +world.--In the state, in the church, and even in the cloister, a latent +succession was preserved of the disciples of St. Paul, who protested +against the tyranny of Rome, embraced the Bible as the rule of faith, +and purified their creed from all the visions of the Gnostic theology. +The struggles of Wickliff in England, and of Huss in Bohemia, were +premature and ineffectual: but the names of Zuinglius, Luther and +Calvin, are pronounced with gratitude as the deliverers of nations."[2] + +Ever since the time of those eminent witnesses, the same testimony has +been maintained. It is not yet finished, the witnesses are yet alive, +and the term of 1260 years is not expired. + + +7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that +ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and +shall overcome them, and kill them. + +8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, +which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was +crucified. + +9. And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall +see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their +dead bodies to be put in graves. + +10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make +merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets +tormented them that dwelt on the earth. + +Vs. 7-10.--In these verses we have described the death of the witnesses, +as also the agent mentioned, by whom the fatal stroke is given. As +future occasion will occur for identifying this bloody tyrant, +ascertaining with precision his diabolical origin, here only hinted, his +crimes and his awful doom, it is premature to amplify in this place. + +If the witnesses cannot be identified, neither can the time of their +death be ascertained. We find indeed among expositors as many vague +notions relative to the _time_ and the _nature_ of their death as in +relation to their identity. These notions are unworthy of notice; for +however they might amuse, they cannot edify. + +Four questions are suggested by these verses.--By whom; in what manner, +when, and where are the witnesses slain? + +The first question is explicitly answered in the sacred text. The +"beast," of hellish origin, kills them. But it will afterwards appear +that the beast is instigated to this relentless cruelty by another agent +of the devil. Again, as to the kind of death, we may in good measure +learn this from the kind of life. Now it is obvious that to give +testimony, or "prophesy" during the allotted time, constitutes their +life. They live, that they may prophesy. Hence it is usual to speak of +_silencing_, as equivalent to _slaying_ these witnesses. But this is not +strictly correct. Why? Because they have been hitherto "killed all the +day long." (Ps. xliv. 22; Rom. viii. 36.) Doubtless defection and +apostacy do always accompany persecution; and thus the testimony of such +is silenced. But the enemy in this case is "drunken with the blood" of +these witnesses; and this phrase must be understood literally. Moreover, +the enemy gets "blood to drink," because of "shedding blood." (ch. xvi. +6; xvii. 6.) The death of the witnesses is therefore a literal death, of +course it will be also moral,--they will cease to prophesy. + +Some have supposed the "three years, or days and a half," during which +the witnesses lie dead are the same as the 1260 days or years; because +if these three and a half days be considered as prophetical, and reduced +to literal days, they will amount exactly to 1260. Such an +interpretation, however, is preposterous; simply because according to +this hypothesis, they _never lived at all_!--The absurdity is evident. + +Having ascertained the nature of the death to which the witnesses are +appointed by the Lord of life, we now inquire as to the time of this +mournful event. The text informs us that their death is connected with +the "finishing of their testimony." However the original may be +translated,--when they _shall have finished_,--when they _shall be +finishing_,--or about to finish, affects not the question as to time. +While they live, their work is to prophesy, and their testimony is not +completed. Like their Master, to whose example they are conformed, their +life and testimony are finished together. These facts, briefly and +obscurely hinted here, will be more satisfactorily presented in the +next, but especially in the twentieth chapter, (vs. 1-4.) But inasmuch +as many, if not most interpreters, have expressed the opinion that the +witnesses are already slain, the following arguments in the negative are +submitted to the reader. + +The 1260 years are not yet terminated, during which,--the whole of which +time,--the witnesses are to "prophesy," (v. 3.) Their testimony is yet +continued, and sensibly felt by the wicked. They still more or less +"torment them that dwell on the earth," (v. 10.) Beyond the usual +reproach attached to their names and their work, there has been no +general reviling and deriding of them throughout Christendom, to render +their memory infamous, (v. 9.)--No opprobrious epithets such as, "These +deceivers said, while they were yet alive," (Matt, xxvii. 63,) that so +they might be conformed to their Lord in his death. Nor, lastly, have +"they that dwell upon the earth" exulted as yet over these hated +individuals, as no longer "hurtful to kings and provinces,"--although +there have been, often, partial but premature rejoicings by a part of +the enemy. But although from time to time, "some of them, have fallen, +to try them, and to purge, and to make them white" as predicted, (Dan. +xi. 35;) yet the time of "making merry, sending gifts,"--is not yet +come. + +While we believe, on the grounds adduced,--and much more might have been +cited from the context,--that the death of the witnesses is to be +understood literally, we do not suppose that every individual will be +personally put to death. No, but as in the time of Elijah's banishment, +or of our Saviour's lying in the grave, there will be no public body or +individual standard-bearer, to bear testimony against the enemies of +Jesus Christ, or boldly to assert and press his royal claims upon church +and state. In prospect of this dark time,--darker than the "dark ages," +we may ask with Joshua,--"What wilt thou do unto thy great name?" But +though the witnesses die, the Faithful Witness lives, (ch. i. 18.) + +The _place_, where the witnesses lie dead is pointed out by three places +well known in sacred history, Egypt, Sodom and Jerusalem. But these are +to be understood mystically. The place resembles Egypt for idolatry and +cruelty to the people of God; it is like Sodom for literal and spiritual +pollution; and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified afresh and put to +open shame in the persons of his slain witnesses. It follows of +course,--that place is to be utterly destroyed; having committed the +crimes and contracted the guilt of all those unpardonable criminals. +(Ps. lxxiv. 13, 14; Ezek. xxxi. 18; Isa. xiii. 19; Luke xxi. 20.) For +similar reasons, Babylon is afterwards mentioned repeatedly as the place +of this tragic event, this unpardonable crime,--the slaying of the +witnesses, (ch. xviii. 24.) It is to be specially noted here, that in +ascertaining the place of the death of these distinguished servants of +Christ, our attention is directed by the Holy Spirit to a "street" of +the city. At present it is assumed that _streets_ of the city and +_horns_ of the beast substantially harmonize as symbols. Now look over +the streets of the great city: contemplate the horns of the beast: +ascertain which is most guilty of persecution. In estimating the +relative degree of guilt, the degree of heavenly light against which the +criminal has rebelled is to be taken into the account. (John xv. 22; +Matt. xi. 24.) In view of these scriptural principles, and the actual +condition of Christendom as portrayed in authentic history, would the +conjecture seem presumptuous, should we venture to designate--Great +Britain? There, for centuries, the witnesses have been most numerous, +active, and pointed, in testifying against encroachments on the +crown-rights of Messiah. There also, lordly prelates, in close alliance +with a blasphemous horn of the beast, have often vied with the sworn +vassals of the "man of sin," in murdering the saints of God. "Therefore +it is no great thing" if, throwing off the mask of Protestantism, +English prelacy, combining with Romish Jesuitism, should make common +cause with undisguised infidelity, in slaying the witnesses against +their heaven-daring rebellion. The signs of the present time, (1870,) +render our conjecture not improbable. We give it only as a _conjecture_; +for in reference to events yet future,--as we believe that of the death +of the witnesses to be,--we may not presume to _prophesy_.--"Three days +and a half" is the limited period of their degradation; and this is +three natural years and a half: for the word "days" must be taken in the +same sense as in v. 3; otherwise we fall into an inextricable labyrinth +of endless confusion. From all which it appears that "the triumphing of +the wicked is short." If "while the wicked is in power, and we wait upon +God." we are called to "join trembling with our mirth;" the pleasing +prospect of the speedy and joyful resurrection of "these slain," may +inspire us with "a lively hope," and warrant us to join mirth with our +trembling. + + +11. And after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered +into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them +which saw them. + +12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up +hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies +beheld them. + +Vs. 11, 12.--In these two verses, as in the preceding, the thoughtful +reader will discern a beautiful allusion in the history of these +witnesses, to the death and life of our blessed Master. "For if they +have been planted together in the likeness of his death, they shall be +also in the likeness of his resurrection." Yes, they have communion with +him in death and life,--in grace and glory. "Nothing can separate them +from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord." + +"The Spirit of life from God entered into them." That is, God will +speedily raise up successors, who, maintaining the very same principles, +will be gloriously successful in putting down all rule and authority and +power," that had been in hostility to their Lord. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. +See Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14.) "This is the first resurrection," to be +explained by the inspired penman more fully hereafter, (ch. xx. 5.)--As +Saul feared David, and Herod John Baptist, because they were "just men +and holy;" so were the wicked afraid when these witnesses arose; and, +like Shimei, they justly dread the "due reward of their deeds." At the +time referred to, "the haters of the Lord will feign submission."--The +"great voice from heaven" inviting the witnesses to ascend, and their +actual ascent, is another allusion to Christ's exaltation. As when "he +was taken up, a cloud received him;" so here, "they ascended up to +heaven in a cloud." + +It has often been the cry of the antichristian multitude,--"The voice of +the people is the voice of God." This cry has been iterated and +reiterated, in centuries past, like that of the Ephesian worshippers of +Diana; that thereby the testimony of the witnesses might be counteracted +and silenced. It has been only too often successful. But where did +flattering demagogues and haughty despots find the sentiment? They found +it engraved on the moral constitution of man by our beneficent Creator. +They found it also transcribed on the pages of objective +revelation,--the Bible. But, like other moral and scriptural principles, +it has been perverted and misapplied by the perverse ingenuity of wicked +men.--This "voice from heaven" is indeed the _people's_ voice: and it is +legitimate, as coming from the people, because it is first the voice of +God. The "heaven" here mentioned is the seat of civil power,--"the +ordinance of man." (1 Pet. ii. 13.) In the times here +contemplated,--millennial times,--the rights of men will be respected, +predicated upon the rights of God, and flowing from them as inseparable. +In settling the point of title to civil sovereignty, or the eligibility +of any candidate for civil office, the principle enunciated by Hushai +the Archite will be found to be alone reliable:--"Whom the Lord and this +people choose." (2 Sam. xvi. 18.) Only let the Lord have the first +choice of candidates for office in both church and state, and society +will be prosperous and happy. (Acts i. 23, 24; vi. 5.) The "great voice" +of the 12th verse, comes from "heaven," as the "great voices" of the +15th verse, announcing the millennium. + + +13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part +of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven +thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of +heaven. + +V. 13.--"The same hour" that the witnesses mark by their +resurrection,--contemporaneously with that joyful event, is "a great +earthquake,"--a revolution, (ch. vi. 12.) "The tenth part of the city +fell." The city,--"Sodom." "Tenth part of the city,"--a "street," +equivalent to "horn." Some one of the "ten kingdoms" will secede from +the antichristian confederacy, or imperial dominion; "and the +remnant,"--the other nine, dreading the Mediator's vengeance, will +reluctantly but speedily submit. (See ch. vi. 16, 17.)--In the +"earthquake were slain of men (names, titles,) seven thousand." By +"names of men" to be slain,--that is, abolished in reorganized society, +we are to understand those "names of blasphemy" mentioned, (ch. xiii. +1,) hereafter to be explained. + +We have now taken a very cursory view of the contents of the "little +open book." Its place is between the termination of the fourth, and the +sounding of the seventh trumpet. In other words, it gives an outline of +the contest between the witnesses and Antichrist during 1260 +years,--events running parallel in time, at least in part, with the +first two woe-trumpets; for it obviously anticipates also, the effects +of the third and last woe. + +This may be as suitable a place as any other, before proceeding to a +consideration of the seventh trumpet, to direct attention to the method +which Infinite Wisdom has chosen, by which to reveal to mankind the +purposes of God in prophecy. He who alone "knows the end from the +beginning,"--who "from ancient times has declared the things that are +not yet done," has told us plainly,--"I have multiplied visions, and +used similitudes, by the ministry (_hand_,) of the prophets." (Hosea +xii. 10.) Now since God has _multiplied_ visions, we ought not to think +it strange if the same important events in providence be predicted by +several, or by many of the prophets; or that one and the same important +event be foretold "at sundry times and in diverse manners" by the same +prophet. How often, and by how many prophets was the dispersion of the +Jews foretold!--the downfall of ancient cities, Babylon, Nineveh, +Tyre!--Need we refer to the language of our Lord, addressed to his +disciples on the way to Emmaus?--"And beginning at Moses, and all the +prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things +concerning himself." (Luke xxiv. 27.) We may be sure that the things +concerning Christ and the interests of his kingdom in this world, are +the theme of inspired prophets in the New Testament as well as in the +old. Agreeably to these views, we find Nebuchadnezzar's dream and +Daniel's visions relate to the same objects and events. What was more +obscurely revealed in the monarch's dream, is rendered more intelligible +by various symbols in Daniel's first vision. (Dan. ii. 36-45; vii. +17-27.) But in the next, the eighth chapter, Daniel is favored with +still clearer information relative to what he had already seen in +vision; and in the eleventh chapter, his attention is called to the most +obscure, but most interesting parts of his former visions; and, after +all, the "vision is sealed," so that he sees not "the end of these +things." (ch. xii. 8, 9.) "I heard, but I understood not," (1 Pet. i. +10, 11.) + +In this book, styled Apocalypse, or Revelation, we are told in the first +verse, that the Lord Christ "signified,"--made known _by signs_, to his +servant John the things that were to come to pass. We have thus far seen +that the customary method has been pursued in using signs, symbols or +emblems. Henceforth we will find "multiplied visions" employed, more +clearly to illustrate events which have already passed under review, but +of which we could see little more than a _profile_:--"men, as trees +walking." + + +14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. + +15. And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in +heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of +our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. + +Vs. 14, 15.--"The third wo cometh quickly,"--the time elapsing since the +end of the second, is not to be so long as that intervening between the +first two woes.--The first wo is thought to have begun about the year +612, and continuing by the Saracenic conquests about 150 years, to have +terminated in 762. The second woe-trumpet, it is alleged, sounded about +1281, and continuing for 391 years,--the period of the ravages by the +Euphratean horsemen, ended about 1672. The destructive influence, +however, of these two judgments, may be considered as reaching to the +time of the third woe, the one which is to demolish the whole +antichristian fabric. + +Many eminent expositors,[3] in the early part of the present century, +while the first Napoleon was waging successful war with the other powers +of Europe, expressed their belief with much confidence, that the seventh +angel had begun to sound. They were evidently mistaken. Christendom will +not fail to hear the voice of the third woe. It may be so that an +individual may "not be conscious of having an interest inconsistent with +fidelity to the Scriptures," while political "bias" may in fact so +influence "sentiments, as to render conviction less dependent upon +_evidence_ than upon his _wishes_." And we doubt not that +misapprehensions and misinterpretation of "the other scriptures," are to +be attributed to this cause, insensibly influencing the minds and hearts +of learned and godly men, as well as in their expositions of the +Apocalypse. Indeed the misapplying of God's word, precept and prophecy, +to political and ecclesiastical organizations, has been the principal +means of combining and continuing the antichristian apostacy. Thus it is +precisely, that the great adversary has been successful, as "an angel of +light." + +"The little book" has been shown to contain such extensive and important +events as to justify the solemnity accompanying its delivery to the +apostle.--He now resumes the subject which had been interrupted at the +close of the ninth chapter.--The "great voices in heaven" represent the +expressions of joy by the saints on hearing the voice of the last of the +trumpets, as assuring them of the happy change in the moral condition of +the world, which they had been warranted to expect by God's "servants +the prophets" from the days of old, (ch. x. 7.) The great, the universal +change consists in this:--"The kingdoms of this world are become _the +kingdoms_ of our Lord and of his Christ." The English supplement,--"the +kingdoms," is justified and required, equally by the sense and the laws +of syntax: and he is a deceiver, if a scholar, who insists upon any +other, to supply the ellipsis. Indeed, the omission of similar +supplements, has occasioned needless obscurity to the unlearned in other +parts of this book. (See chs. xix. 10; xxii. 9.) The greatest of all +revolutions consists in restoring church and state to their scriptural +foundation,--transferring both from allegiance to "the god of this +world," (Matt. iv. 8; Luke iv. 5, 6;) to their rightful owner,--"the +Lord and his Anointed." (Ps. ii. 2, 8.) When this desirable epoch +arrives, for which the persecuted witnesses have long and fervently +prayed, (ch. vi. 10,) gospel ministers and Christian magistrates will +seek to do the will, and aim at the glory of God.--It is painful and +pitiable to hear learned and pious men often pray,--"That the kingdoms +of this world may soon become the _kingdom_ of our Lord and Saviour +Jesus Christ." This is to "ask amiss,"--to miss the promise; for no such +promise is on record. The groundless conception confounds the revealed +distinctions in the Godhead,--the Father with the Mediator; and it would +subvert Jehovah's moral empire, annihilating the eternal principle of +representative identification! But those good men "mean not so, neither +do their hearts think so." They ought, however, to be more careful and +diligent in "searching the Scriptures."--If the scriptural significance +of this joyful announcement "in heaven" were better understood by gospel +ministers generally, a chief barrier would be removed, which now +obstructs the advent of the millennium. Would they but cease, their +hearers might more readily cease, to "wonder after the beast." But we +may not anticipate. + +"He, (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." When the seventh trumpet, +the third woe, shall have accomplished its object, in the utter +destruction of immoral power, and the 1260 years shall have come to an +end, no other successful combination shall ever again be permitted to +assail and harass the city of the Lord:--"of his government there shall +be no end." (Dan. vii. 27.) "All dominions shall serve and obey him." +The final enterprise of Gog and Magog shall not succeed, (ch, xx. 7-9.) + + +16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God, on their +seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, + +17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and +wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, +and hast reigned. + +18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of +the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward +unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear +thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the +earth. + +Vs. 16-18.--These verses give us a glimpse of the times following the +last woe till the end of the world. The "elders," the +representatives,--not of the ministry, as prelates dream, but of the +collective body of God's people, now that they are emancipated from a +longer and more cruel bondage than that of their fathers in the literal +Egypt, "give thanks to God" for the display of his "great power" in +their deliverance. Many times had he made bare his holy arm in past ages +on behalf of his people: but this is in their eyes the most signal +display of his power. "Thou hast taken to thee thy great power."--He now +exercises his power over the nations, which was his before; their +"anger" in the time of their rebellion is now repressed,--Messiah's +"wrath is come," heavier wrath than that which fell upon Rome pagan: +(ch. vi. 16, 17.) Then follows an intimation of the final judgment, and +suitable "rewards." Our curiosity is excited here, but not gratified; +but while left in suspense, we may, with Daniel and the virgin +Mary,--"keep these things in our heart." (Dan. vii. 28; Luke ii. 19.) +Farther light will be given, (ch. xx. 11-13.) + +19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in +his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and +voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. + +V. 19.--The inspired books of the Bible were divided into chapters, +verses and other parts, for the convenience of reference. But those who +performed this useful service were imperfect like ourselves, and +therefore we are at liberty to differ from them in our arrangement. Now +it seems evident that the 18th verse closes this chapter with a concise +account of the ending of the last woe. But the last woe reaches to the +final consummation of all things as we have already seen: it follows +that the nineteenth verse _must_ introduce a new subject. Similar +mistakes may be seen in numerous instances elsewhere in our Bibles. + +But although a new vision is presented in the twelfth chapter, the two +principal parties delineated in the eleventh, engage the apostle's +attention. And as preparatory to future scenes, "the temple of God was +opened in heaven." "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath +shined." Before the following scene of warfare, John is favored with a +view of the "ark of the testament,"--a symbol of the covenant of grace, +which shall continue to be administered in the worst of times; and the +opposition to which, in its external dispensation, is emblematically set +forth by "lightnings,"--as well as the tokens of Jehovah's presence and +avenging judgments: for these awful symbols, taken from fearful +convulsions in nature, are usually indicative of the tremendous +judgments of God. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the +sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve +stars; + +2. And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to +be delivered. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The Apocalypse, besides the _three_ parts into which it is +divided by its divine Author, (noticed in ch. i. 19,) is also +susceptible of division into _two_ parts. With the eleventh chapter +terminates the _abridged_ prospective history of the church and of the +world, emblematically represented under the seals and trumpets. The +seventh seal, when opened, disclosed all the contents of the sealed +book, and also introduced the seven trumpets. But we have followed the +series of the trumpets in order, to the end of the world,--interrupted +only by the isolated history of the "little book; which, treating of +events which were matter of history under the first two woe-trumpets, +_could not be sealed_. Now at the twelfth chapter, without regard to the +seventh, or any other of the trumpets in particular, we are furnished +with a second and enlarged edition, as it were, of the most important +parts of the first edition. We have observed before, that this is the +manner of the prophets on a large scale, especially in predicting "the +sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So it is with +John and Paul. What the latter only hints at, when writing to Timothy, +(1 Tim. iv. 1-3,) he enlarges upon in addressing the Thessalonians. (2 +Thess. ii. 3-12.) The theme is the same as treated by these two +apostles; and this coincidence will in due time be more manifest. Next +to Christ personal, the prophets have been interested in the destiny of +Christ mystical. + +Three different views of this twelfth chapter have been taken by the +more sober and learned expositors. One considers it as referring to the +Roman empire in its heathen state, prior to the time of Constantine. +Another understands the first part of this chapter,--(vs. 1-6,)--as +relating to Rome pagan, and the rest of the chapter to antichristian +Rome. A third conceives that the whole of it applies to apostate +imperial Rome _only_. The last is doubtless the correct view. + +As the "sealed book" and the "little open book," must be supposed to +contain all the prophetical part of the Apocalypse; and as the whole of +the little book is comprised in the eleventh chapter, (vs. 1--13,) this +twelfth chapter must belong to the sealed book. Being a continuance of +the history under the seventh seal, although it may agree in time with +some of the trumpets, it cannot go back to a period prior to the seventh +seal. But under the sixth seal, paganism was abolished in the Roman +empire; therefore this chapter refers to the antichristian empire. +Moreover, as the little book was introductory to the seventh trumpet, +designating the object of the third woe, so this chapter and the next +two, are wholly occupied in describing the object of the vials, (ch. +16.) + +We ought to bear in mind continually, that the seals, trumpets and +vials, are introduced as symbols, to delineate one character, the +impenitent enemy of God and of his saints. But this enemy "beguiles +through his subtlety," changing his aspects and instruments, the more +successfully to assail the city of the Lord. It is therefore the design +of the Holy Spirit in these three chapters to present the foe in his +most prominent features, that the two witnesses may be able to identify +the enemy, be apprized of their danger, and intelligently choose their +commander,--"the Captain of salvation." + +"There appeared a great wonder in heaven." The word "wonder" in this +verse, and also in verse third, simply means a _sign_ or symbol; and the +whole structure of the book requires that it be so translated.--"Woman" +is here the true church of God. Here most expositors fail to explain the +symbol "heaven." Others say "heaven" symbolizes the church. Then we have +_two churches_,--a church within a church! This is unquestionably the +only correct view of the matter. During most, if not the whole period of +the 1260 years, the witnesses are so blended with, or overshadowed by +the church catholic or general, that few are able, and fewer still +disposed, to distinguish the one from the other. All through the Bible +the church is spoken of as a female. She is the "daughter of Zion,--the +bride, the Lamb's wife." Any body politic is spoken of in the sacred +writings in the same style. "The daughter of Babylon, of Tyre, or even +of Egypt,"--These are familiar figures. + +This woman is "clothed with the sun." She has "put on the Lord Jesus +Christ." (Rom. xiii. 14.) He is "the Lord her righteousness." (Jer. +xxiii. 6.) The "moon under her feet," may represent the "beggarly +elements" of the Mosaic ritual, sublunary things, or the ordinances +which derive all their light from the "Sun of righteousness." The +"twelve stars" are the doctrine of the apostles, or rather the apostles' +legitimate successors; their _legitimacy_ tested by their doctrine and +order in opposition to the _imaginary historical line_ of papistical and +prelatic succession. A faithful gospel ministry are ever her stars and +her crown, (ch. i. 20.) The true apostolic church, thus scripturally +constituted, (ch. xi. 1,) becomes the joyful mother of a holy seed. (Ps. +cxiii. 9; Gal. iv. 26, 27.) + + +3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and, behold, a great red +dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his +heads. + +4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast +them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready +to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. + +5. And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a +rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. + +6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place +prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred +and threescore days. + +Vs. 3-6.--The next "sign in heaven," exciting the apostle's admiration, +was "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns,"--The dragon +is fully described, v. 9, leaving no place, or even _pretence_ for +conjecture. He is known from the day that he "beguiled Eve" in the +garden of Eden. "That old serpent" still intrudes among the saints, in +the garden of the Lord. (Job i. 6; John vi. 70; xiii. 27.) As the devil +possessed the serpent to deceive the mother of mankind, so, with the +same malevolent design, he possessed himself of the whole political and +ecclesiastical power of the Roman empire, thereby to deceive and destroy +the "seed of the woman," all true believers. His color is _red_, +denoting his character as cruel and blood-thirsty. Sir Isaac Newton +considers the dragon as symbolical of the Greek Christian empire of +Constantinople. Scott thinks this symbol represents the pagan Roman +empire; while others suppose the British government to answer the +symbol, because of the scarlet costume of her officers and soldiers! +Thus, inspired symbols may mean any thing suggested to the imaginations +of men, not by the text or context, but by their respective and +conflicting political prejudices. Surely, if the red color signify any +thing besides _cruelty_, it may be discerned with equal clearness in the +scarlet cloaks of _Pope_ and _Cardinals_. As "heaven" is to be taken in +an ecclesiastical sense, so are the "stars," (ch. i. 20,--) "the angels +of the churches," ministers of the gospel.--As the Saracenic locusts and +the Euphratean horses had stings and hurtful power in their tails, (ch. +ix. 10, 19;) so it is with this dragon. The destructive influence of +Mahometan delusion and papal idolatry, operated as a fatal poison in the +souls of men. The judgments of the past woes left many still in a state +of impenitence, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) "The leaders of this people caused +them to err," by inculcating submission to existing corrupt civil power. +The "little horn" of Daniel, as first rendered visible in the person of +the brutal Phocas, began to be addressed in language of most fulsome and +degrading flattery, which seems to be copied till the present time. That +we may see how mercenary and aspiring ecclesiastics paid court to civil +despots from the commencement of the famous 1260 years, let the +following instance serve for a sample. Addressing the monster Phocas, +Pope Gregory, as the mouth of the clergy and laity,[4] uses this +language: "We rejoice that the benignity of _your piety_(!) has reached +the pinnacle of imperial power. Let the heavens he glad and the earth +rejoice."--Now let us hear the character of Phocas from the pen of an +infidel:--"Ignorant of letters, of laws, and even of arms, he indulged +in the supreme rank a more ample privilege of lust and drunkenness.--The +punishment of the victims of his tyranny was imbittered by the +refinements of cruelty: their eyes were pierced, their tongues were torn +from the root, their hands and feet were amputated: some expired under +the lash, others in the flames, others again were transfixed with +arrows: and a simple speedy death was mercy which they could rarely +obtain."[5] Thus the dragon's power was in his mouth, issuing bloody +edicts to "slay the innocent;" while "his tail drew the third part of +the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." They prostituted +their ministry to sustain the policy of the beast. "The ancient and +honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the +tail." (Is. ix. 15.) Thus it is that pastors, fond of show and ambitious +of worldly distinction, attach themselves to the train of earthly +thrones and dignities, and so constitute and perpetuate the +antichristian confederacy against the "woman"--the true church. During +the first six hundred years of the Christian era the woman had been +"travailing" to bring forth a holy progeny. All this time the dragon's +"eyes are privily set against the poor." (Ps. x. 8.) The allusion is +here to the cruel edict of Pharaoh (Exod. i. 16; Acts vii. 19.) The +great city where the witnesses are slain is "spiritually called Egypt." +(ch. xi. 8.) By a like form of speech, Pharaoh is called "the great +dragon," (Ezek. xxix. 3; Is. li. 9.) It should be noted, that the Roman +empire, the beast, in all its heads and horns is actuated by the +devil,--before as well as after its dismemberment, from the time of +Romulus its founder, till its overthrow by the third woe. At the time +referred to in the text, when the empire has "assumed the livery of +heaven,"--professedly in the interest of Christ, then it is that the +devil bestirs himself. Like his prototype, he dreads the growth and +power of the woman's offspring. Under pagan Rome's persecutions, "the +more God's people were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." +Now the adversary shapes his policy accordingly.--"Come on, let us deal +wisely with them, lest they multiply."--His avowed object is, to "devour +the child as soon as it is born,"--by persecution to prevent ministers +from laboring to convert sinners to God; and to destroy all who "as +new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word."--The woman had +still "strength to bring forth."--"She brought forth a man child, who +was to rule all nations with a rod of iron."--With united voice papists +and prelates declare, this child can be no other than Constantine the +first Christian emperor. The very fact that this interpretation comes +from such a source, may well suggest suspicion as to its correctness. +Two considerations demonstrate the error of this prelatic +interpretation, besides the fact that it is _prelatic_. Constantine had +gone the way of all the earth some hundreds of years before the birth of +this child. And again, the eternal Father never made the promise to +Constantine or any other earthly monarch, to which the apostle John here +refers. (Ps. ii. 8, 9.) This promise is obviously made to the Lord +Christ. But it is objected by those learned expositors,--much like the +Pharisees, (John vii. 52,)--"Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth +no prophet." So reason these men. They haughtily and confidently object +thus:--"Christ is the son of the _Jewish_ church, but this child is the +son of the _Christian_ church." This argument destroys the unity of the +church of God, which is one under all changes of dispensation of his +gracious covenant. (Rom. xi. 16-24; Eph. ii. 20.) The Messiah is here +represented as in the beginning of the war with the same enemy;--the +_seed_ of the _woman_ shall bruise the serpent's head. Still may the +church of God joyfully declare,--"Unto us a _Child_ is born, unto us a +_Son_ is given." (Is. ix. 6.) This _masculine_ son, however, is not to +be understood of Christ _personal_, but of Christ mystical,--of those +who are with him "called, and chosen, and faithful;" whom "he is not +ashamed to call his brethren." (ch. xvii. 14; Heb. ii. 11.) The "sealed" +company, (ch. vii. 4,) the "two witnesses;" (xi. 3), the "144 thousand," +(xiv. 1,) are the "manchild." As many rulers constitute but one "angel," +(chs. ii. and iii.,) so the two witnesses are one _manly Son_. The Lord +Jesus was _alone_ in the work of redemption; but he allows his faithful +disciples to share in the honor of his victories, (ch. ii. 26, 27; Ps. +cxlix. 9.) From the devouring jaws of the dragon, as it were, the "child +is caught up unto God, and to his throne." The leaders in church and +state supposed that they had "made sure" of the Saviour, when they had +"sealed the stone and set a watch." So thought the enemies of the +witnesses while their dead bodies lay unburied.--"He that sitteth in the +heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." The Anointed +of the Father, the Head of the church, and Prince of the kings of the +earth, as the representative of his people, in defiance of the serpent, +is caught up to the throne of God, (Eph. ii. 6;) while the church flies +to her appointed place in the wilderness during the 1260 years. At the +beginning of that gloomy period the woman fled. This flight is not +mentioned "by anticipation," as some suppose; for the wilderness +condition of the woman, and the sackcloth of the witnesses, are +emblematical of the same depressed state of the church, and during the +same time. The witnesses prophesy during the whole period of the 1260 +years; and the woman is fed in the wilderness during the _same_ time. +Her flight, sojourn in the wilderness, and feeding there, are allusions +to the history of Elijah as before, (ch. xi. 6.) when he fled for his +life from the wrath of Jezebel. (1 Kings xix. 1-4.) Jezebel has been +already introduced as an enemy to the church, (ch. ii. 20.) There may be +allusion also to the miraculous subsistence of the church in the +wilderness, till the "cup of the Amorites should be full." During the +time of the conflict, to be described in the rest of this chapter, the +woman is in a place of safety. In the worst of times there are places of +safety provided for God's children. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) + + +7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against +the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels. + +8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven, + +9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the +Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into +the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. + +10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, +and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; +for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before +our God day and night. + +11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of +their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. + +Vs. 7-11.--In this part of the chapter we have three attacks of the +dragon upon the friends of true religion. The first is the war in +heaven, (vs. 7-12.) The second persecution on the earth, (vs. 12-16.) +The third is mentioned in verse 17th: and these three contests cover the +whole period of the 1260 years. + +The first war is waged in heaven. The allusion is obviously to the +rebellion of angels, for which they were cast down from heaven, (2 Pet. +ii. 4.) The contest is the same in principle as the first war; but it is +conducted in a different form and place. Heaven here, is the church +general, and the serpent acts by the authority of the empire. The woman +having fled into the wilderness, the dragon's power becomes so great in +the symbolical heaven, that he aims at the entire destruction of true +religion in the world. The advocates of the true religion at this time +were the Waldenses, called by their adversaries in derision _Leonists_ +and _Cathari_,--citizens of Lyons in France; and Puritans, a term of +reproach heaped upon their successors till the present day. These people +were deemed the most dangerous enemies to the church of Rome. Yet the +reasons for their condemnation by the inquisitors, are their full +vindication in the judgment of impartial men. They are three,--"This is +the oldest sect; for some say it hath endured,--from the time of the +apostles. It is more general; for there is no country in which this sect +is not. Because when all other sects beget horror in the hearers, this +of the Leonists hath a great show of piety: they live justly before men, +and believe all things rightly concerning God; only they blaspheme the +church of Rome and the clergy." While the beast by its horns, instigated +by an apostate church, and both by the dragon, was "making havoc of the +church," represented by the Puritans: there were some even in the Romish +cloisters whose hearts God had touched, and who occasionally espoused +the cause of a virtuous minority at the hazard of life. This war _in +heaven_, conducted with various success by Bernard, Peter Waldo, John +Wickliffe and others on the European continent and in Britain, may be +pronounced by Gibbon "premature and ineffectual;" but the Captain of +salvation and his heroic followers, will give a different verdict. These +noble confessors and martyrs, under the conduct of Michael our prince, +began the struggle with the dragon, although the war did not come to its +height till the early part of the 16th century. Then it was that +"Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought +and his angels." Both parties became more visible in the symbolic heaven +before the eyes of all Christendom. Michael, (_who is like God_?) is the +well known description of Jesus Christ. (Phil. ii. 6; Heb. i. 3.) To +Daniel, while contemplating this same contest, he was made known as the +"great Prince, that standeth for the children of God's people," and long +before Daniel's time, had "contended with the devil." (Jude v. 9.) +"Christ and Belial" are therefore the two opposing leaders of the +armies. In other words, Christ mystical and the devil incarnate are the +belligerents; and we know that "greater is he that is in the saints, +than he that is in the world." (1 John iv. 4.) The result of the war is +not doubtful. The whole power of Rome, civil and +ecclesiastical,--emperors, kings, princes, pope, cardinals and prelates, +were baffled; and this too, whether in the use of the sword of the +Spirit,--polemic _theses_,--or of the material sword, in literal +warfare. When the Lord Jesus "mustered the hosts to the battle," he +furnished them "with the whole armour of God to stand in the evil way." +When Zuingle, Luther, Calvin, Knox, their compeers and successors, were +obliged to wrestle with the hosts of Antichrist,--"against +principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of +this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," (_wicked +spirits in heavenly places_,) they found it both lawful and +necessary,--"having no sword, to buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.) + +The dragon and his angels were defeated and routed,--"They prevailed +not,--he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with +him." The thunders of the Vatican thenceforth lost their wonted power to +terrify. Ever since, they are but _brutum fulmen,--vox, et praeterea +nihel_,--harmless thunder,--unmeaning voice. Papal curses, though +annually launched against all heretics, tend only to amuse the popular +mind, not to reach or disturb the individual conscience. For centuries +the dragon has been unable to rouse any one horn of the beast to deeds +of blood. + +It is usual for the victors to give outward expression to their joy. +"The voice of them that shout for mastery," has been heard since the +days of Moses. (Exod. xxxii. 18.) Accordingly, these conquerors +congratulate one another on their recent victory, but their joy +terminates on the proper object. The "kingdom of their God and the power +of his Christ" constitute their theme. His right hand and his holy arm +have gotten him the victory. The devil accused Job before God. His +accusations in that instance were prosecuted through Job's friends and +his wife. (Job ii. 4, 5, 9, 11.)--So it was in the experience of the +reformers. They were loaded with infamy by their persecutors; and while +they were depressed, God himself seemed to give sentence against them. +This was the wormwood and the gall in the cup of their affliction, as it +was in holy Job's experience: but in due time God "brought forth their +righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday." Their +"good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The +power of the Lord's Christ was made manifest through the instrumentality +of his servants, by producing conviction in many hearts that the cause +for which they suffered was from God, and thus prevailing with such to +join in their fellowship. The hearts of kings and princes of the earth +were touched from on high; so that they braved the combinations of +imperial and papal power, while extending the shield of their protection +to the followers of the Lamb. Frederick the Wise, and especially John +his brother, electors of Saxony in Luther's time, were notable bulwarks +of defence to the sufferers, against the bloody edicts of Charles fifth, +emperor of Germany. The "good regent" in Scotland and others extended +effectual protection to Knox, his coadjutors and followers in the cause +of reformation. When the seven thunders uttered their voices, John "was +about to write," (ch. x. 4.) He was about to proclaim a final victory! +He was too sanguine. "The time was not yet." Just so in the case of his +legitimate successors in the work of the Lord. Confident in the power +and faithfulness of Michael their Prince, confident in the righteousness +of their cause, fondly hoping that at this time their Master is about to +restore again the kingdom to Israel, they prematurely exclaim,--"Now is +come salvation."--In reaping the first fruits of victory, they +anticipate the harvest of final and absolute conquest, (ch. xiv. 8.) +Indeed, the salvation of God and the power of his Christ, were +experienced by great multitudes during the time of this contest. The +saints experienced times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. +Then followed a work of grace, both on the continent of Europe and in +the British Isles; Christians entering into solemn covenant bonds with +God and with one another, whereby the kingdom of God was rendered more +visible among mankind than in the "dark ages." The weapons, with which +the saints overcame the dragon, were not carnal, but mighty. These, we +are told, were "the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." +They believed and they taught in opposition to the popular doctrine of +good works and penances, that the righteousness which the law of God +requires of a sinner, is provided by a Surety; that the blood of Christ +alone cleanses believers from the guilt of sin, and thus justifies them +in the sight of God. No man ever used stronger language than Luther in +denouncing the supposed efficacy of works, or in asserting the +sovereignty of free grace, in the justification of a sinner. Indeed it +was the deep impression which the doctrine of justification made upon +the hearts of men, and the firm hold which faith took of it, that +enabled and constrained them to forsake the Romish church and to seek +and erect a separate fellowship. This was with them "the word of +Christ's patience." Other doctrines of grace were, of course, connected +with this of justification in the apprehension of the Reformers, but it +was the central one. And thus we may learn, that any doctrine of the +Bible, when generally opposed, may lawfully become a point of testimony; +and when openly opposed and practically denied, it may become a +warrantable and imperative ground of separation. In all such cases,--and +history supplies multitudes of them,--the declining majority are truly +the schismatics and separatists. The malicious, the indolent and +credulous, however, in all ages have joined in the cry of schism as +attaching to the virtuous minority. + +Many of the combatants fell in the conflict, "resisting unto blood, +striving against sin." "They loved not their lives unto the death." They +could give no stronger evidence of love to Christ and truth. Their +faithful contendings constituted their testimony. This testimony is +called in the 17th verse, "the testimony of Jesus Christ." Does this +mean that it _belongs_ to Christ? or that it _treats_ of him? The +language may probably be taken in either sense, or as embracing both. It +is Christ's testimony, as he is "the faithful and true Witness, who +before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" or it may be +understood as bearing upon Christ in his person, offices and work. In +either sense his faithful disciples enjoy intimate communion with +himself, sharing the honour of his victories, (v. 5.) Therefore let the +heavens rejoice in prospect of _final_ victory, (ch. xviii. 20.) + + +12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the +inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto +you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short +time. + +13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he +persecuted the woman, which brought forth the manchild. + +Vs. 12, 13.--Here is a note of warning. The dragon, though ejected from +the symbolic heaven, the seat of imperial and ecclesiastic power, is not +yet bound with the great chain, (ch. xx. 1, 2.) His late defeat has only +incensed his rage, "as a bear robbed of her whelps." But the special +reason assigned for his "great wrath" is, "because he knoweth that he +hath but a short time." How does the devil come to this knowledge? Is he +omniscient! No. Was he joint-counsellor with the Most High? No. (Isa. +xl. 13, 14; Rom. xi. 34.) He must have derived this knowledge from +revelation; and from some instances in Scripture, we might infer that +the devil is more skilled in theology, especially in prophecy, than +many, if not most modern interpreters. In the time of our Lord's +humiliation he quoted and applied to him a prophecy in the 91st psalm, +(v. 11, 12.) He also dreaded being tormented,--"before the time." (Matt. +viii. 29:) from which it appears that he reasons of the "times and the +seasons" as revealed in the Bible. But by the phrase, "a short time," +the devil understood,--and we are to understand,--not the time to +transpire till the end of the world; but, the time intervening between +his ejectment out of heaven, and the overthrow of Antichrist, when he is +to be bound. Now, we may learn from the _devil's calculation_, that all +those learned and famous divines, especially of the prelatic church of +England, "do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures;" who say, that the +dragon was cast out of the symbolic heaven _in the time of Constantine!_ +The space of duration _from Constantine till the millennium_, cannot be +relatively "short," under the New Testament dispensation. The time of +the dragon's being cast out of heaven, and the instruments by which this +was accomplished, are to be found clearly verified in the authentic +histories of the sixteenth century, to which some references have been +already made, as elucidating the events of the 11th chapter: for it is +to be still remembered that the former part of the 11th chapter _agrees +in time_ with the 12th, 13th and 14th chapters. At the end of the second +woe, which we supposed to be in the latter part of the seventeenth +century, about the year 1672, it is declared "the third woe cometh +quickly," (ch. xi. 14.) Now here it is said "the devil,--hath but a +short time." Taking both expressions as relating to the same period, it +follows that we are now living,--not in the time of the third woe, but +in the time of the devil's activity among the "inhabiters of the earth +and of the sea;" that is, the population of Christendom either in a +tranquil or revolutionary state. The enemy makes his _second_ attack +upon the "woman" in a new and unexpected mode of warfare. So long as +permitted, he never ceases to persecute the saints. When defeated in +_heaven_, he renews the assault upon the _earth_. If the edicts and +bulls of crowned and mitred heads have lost their power to terrify and +destroy the souls of men, he will try to effect the same object by other +means. + + +14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she +might fly into the wilderness, into her place; where she is nourished +for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. + +15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth, water as a flood, after the +woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. + +16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and +swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. + +Vs. 14-16.--To guard against the _second_ attack of the dragon, the +woman flees a _second_ time to the place of safety, which had been +mercifully prepared for her preservation before the war began, (v. 6.) +And she is in no less peril from her deadly enemy than before. + +The "two wings of a great eagle" have furnished occasion to many fertile +minds for indulging in fanciful conjectures. To such persons nothing +occurs answerable to the symbol but some emblem of imperial power or +national sovereignty. And because the eagle was the visible symbol on +the military banner of Rome, it is conjectured that "the eastern and +western empires afforded protection to the church!" Why, the empire, in +both its wings, was the deadly enemy of the church, as we have already +seen! (ch. xi. 7.) Alas! what absurdities result from political bias! +The unlettered Christian will readily perceive under the emblem in the +text, a plain allusion to the gracious interposition of the church's +Redeemer in the days of old. "Ye have seen what I did unto the +Egyptians, and how I bare you on _eagles' wings_, and brought you unto +myself." (Exod. xix. 4.) Thus the Lord delivered his people and brought +them into a literal wilderness on their way to the promised land of +liberty. And now in a time of equal danger, he will "set his hand again +the second time" to deliver his people. He who delivered them from so +great a death as Pharaoh threatened, doth still deliver: in whom his +saints have ground to trust that he will still deliver them, (2 Cor. i. +10) The great and beneficial change accomplished among the nations by +the reformation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, whereby the +dragon was hurled from seats of ecclesiastical and civil power, did not +materially change the position of the "two witnesses." The time had not +yet come when they were to be called up into the symbolic heaven. They +must continue to prophesy till the close of the appointed period of 1260 +years. Till the expiration of that definite period the true church of +Christ is not to be permanently established in any nation of the earth. +The actual condition of the church and of the nations among whom she +dwells, is delineated in these verses during the time subsequent to the +Protestant Reformation,--consequently in our own time. The "time, times +and half a time" of the 14th verse, are an obvious reference to Daniel +vii. 25: xii. 7; and are the same period as 42 months, or 1260 days, "a +day for a year." During this whole time the woman is nourished in the +wilderness "from the face of the serpent." Safety is secured for her +only "in her place." + +"Water," as a symbol or metaphor, is of frequent occurrence and varied +import in Scripture. Among its diversified significations, perhaps that +of a destructive element is most common. (Ps. xviii. 4; xxxii. 6.) It is +indeed often used to denote gospel blessings, (as Is. lv. 1; John vii. +38; Rev. xxii. 17.) As here used, the "water as a flood," represents +something intended by the dragon for the destruction of the woman. If he +cannot destroy her by fire, he aims to overwhelm her with water. This +water comes out of the dragon's "mouth." So of the "unclean spirits," +(ch. xvi. 13.) Soul-destroying errors,--heresies,--are undoubtedly +intended. If he cannot devour as a roaring lion, he will endeavour to +deceive and seduce as a cunning serpent. We are therefore instructed +hereby to look for "damnable heresies" to prevail, accompanied and +followed by popular commotions and licentiousness. The age in which we +live is remarkably characterized by false systems and impious theories. +Speculative atheism caused the French revolution, and led to the +erection of the United States government; which, having openly declared +independence of England, soon after virtually declared independence of +God. France, Germany, England and the United States, have all been +pervaded with infidel and atheistical sentiments; and these, whether +propagated under the name of _solid science_ or _polite literature_, +have corrupted the public mind for generations. In the name of science, +treating of the material or moral world, the agents of the dragon have +been exceedingly successful. Metaphysicians and geologists have +constructed systems which would exclude the Almighty from the heavens +and the earth. But however active and zealous these laborers in the +service of the dragon, they do not reach the popular ear but in part. +Those sons of Belial who devise false systems of religion under the name +of Christianity, have been still more pernicious to the nations, and +dangerous to the church. If the church of Rome cannot prevail with kings +as before, to execute her cruel sentences of death upon heretics, she is +not less active in disseminating her idolatrous and superstitious dogmas +among the nations. By freemasonry, odd-fellowship, temperance +associations, and a countless number of affiliated societies,--the +offshoots of popery and infidelity, the dragon still assails the woman. +Reason, toleration, humanity, charity and liberality are terms which +have been selected and abused by the servants of the devil "to deceive +the hearts of the simple." These are alike the watchwords of the +spiritual seducer and the political agitator. What dogma or heresy so +absurd,--what conduct so immoral, as not to find patronage in the +journals of the day? or not to find tolerance or protection under the +fostering wings of church or state? What is impiously called "free +love," as well as avowed infidelity and polygamy, are patronized by +constituted authorities in Christendom. When taking a survey of the +errors and systems of error, hostile to the honor of Messiah and the +free grace of his gospel, how few can be found in the different nations +of the earth, who "overcame by the blood of the Lamb!" The religions +established by the nations of the world are all more or less tainted +with the errors, and disfigured by the ceremonies of the church of Rome. +Surely we have before our eyes a constant fulfilment of the prophecy +under consideration. To all outward appearance the woman is in the +wilderness. She is in fact so obscure that some of her sons begin to +question her visibility. They are ready to cry in despondency,--"The +witnesses are slain."--They are mistaken. This is their infirmity. The +1260 years are not yet expired, nor the testimony finished. "When the +enemy shall come in _like a flood_, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up +a standard against him." (Isa. lix. 19.) The mystic woman is yet in the +wilderness, and there she is nourished with the hidden manna "a time, +times and half a time," "forty and two months, or twelve hundred and +sixty days,"--that is, years; for, as formerly noticed, all these +expressions mean the same period of time; the period during which the +witnesses prophesy, on the one side, and the gentiles tread the outer +court, on the other. The profanation of the holy city,--the church +nominal, and the testimony of the witnesses against that conduct, is the +same contest which in this chapter is represented under other symbols. +The waters of the symbolic flood have spread over all the nations of +Christendom, corrupting the very fountains of natural and moral science, +literature, politics and religion; so that hardly any principle is +accepted by the human mind as settled, but all is thrown into debate. +Man's intellect, craving substantial nourishment, and thirsting for +refreshment which nothing but the water of life can supply, vibrates +between ritualism and skepticism in our day. The flood from the dragon's +mouth, consisting of truth and error, a combination of Christianity, +refined idolatry and speculative atheism, fails to satisfy the necessary +cravings of the immortal soul. "There be many that say, Who will show us +any good?" (Ps. iv. 6.) + +In this state of the popular mind, there is a general sentiment which +discountenances penalties inflicted for mere opinion. The cry of +toleration,--"freedom of speech and of the press," resounds in the +public ear among most communities since the dragon was cast down from +the mystic heaven. This popular sentiment is not an expression of the +law of charity, actuating hearts influenced by divine grace; but rather +originates from indifference alike to the claims of Messiah and the +destinies of mankind. Thus "the earth helps the woman." Indeed, the +nations of Christendom, contrary to their former policy, are now much +more tolerant of ecclesiastical than of _political_ heresies. With few +exceptions, the policy of the nations at the present time is to +discriminate, not among _churches_, but among _religions_. The popular +voice is obviously in favor of dissevering that alliance between church +and state, from which mankind have suffered in past generations. While +every earthly potentate, usurping the place and prerogatives of the +Mediator, assumed to dictate the faith and worship of his subjects, all +dissenters and recusants must necessarily be subjected to penalties. +Such was the policy of the dragon for centuries, while in the heavens of +ecclesiastical and civil power. The nominal church established by the +state, _defined heresy_; and the heresy found by the church became +rebellion against the civil authority. Of course the saints were then +executed as _traitors_. Even a superficial view of the signs of the +times will result in the conviction, that a great change has taken place +in the policy of nations and churches. The dragon has now prevailed with +most politicians and statesmen, as well as with most professing +Christians, to demand a total "separation of church and state;" by which +demand they do not mean a divorce of the unscriptural and +_antichristian_ alliance only or chiefly, but a simple and absolute +rejection of religion, and especially the _Christian_ religion, from any +connexion with or influence upon _civil_ affairs. This is undeniably the +avowed aim and declared desire of the great body of the population of +Christendom at the present time, (1870.) And what is this but an open +denial of the authority of the Mediator as he is the "Prince of the +kings of the earth?" Thus has the dragon, since his ejection from heaven +become a terrible "woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" +And thus has the "earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood;" so +that the woman remains comparatively safe "from the face of the serpent" +in the very obscurity of her position. Some of her sons, from time to +time, venturing abroad from their secluded place in the wilderness, +becoming weary of sackcloth and aspiring to worldly distinction, have +been borne along by the waters of the flood, and _drowned in the general +deluge_. Against the force of this strong current of popular errors, +nothing will avail the seed of the woman but the "living water" which +Jesus imparted to the woman of Samaria. To him who partakes of this +water, those of the dragon will be distasteful; for "it shall be in him +a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John iv. 14.) +Since the middle of the seventeenth century, when by the reformation in +Europe and the British Isles, the dragon was cast down from the symbolic +heaven, he has been assailing in "great wrath" all ranks and degrees of +men, not, as before, with fire and sword, with scaffolds, gibbets, +thumb-screws,--torturing and destroying their mortal bodies, that he +might reach their immortal souls: but by bringing them together in +_voluntary associations_ on principles of the covenant of works, +subversive of the covenant of grace, and consequently aiming at the +drowning of the mystic woman. This the enemy of all righteousness has +been attempting, and with too much success, by public and professed +ecclesiastical and Christian associations; such as Jesuits, Socinians +and other self-styled Unitarians, Latter-day Saints, Mormons,--or by +combinations in secret and sworn confederacies; such as Odd Fellows, +Freemasons, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, with other affiliated +fellowships innumerable. The special subtlety of the serpent consists in +blending these two kinds of communions, so that under the name of +reform, moral and spiritual, those who fear God may be unconsciously +drawn into the snare. And alas! how many simple ones have been thus +carried away by the waters of the flood! And many strong men have been +thus cast down from their excellency. We are not to be surprised if we +find the witnesses few in our time,--the seed of the woman diminished +when the dragon makes his final attack. + + +17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with +the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have +the testimony of Jesus Christ. + +V. 17.--In this verse we have the last effort of the enemy, to destroy +the woman's offspring. It is the _third_ attempt, and, as we suppose, is +yet future. We cannot therefore, of course, be so exact or certain as to +the nature of this contest. Some things, however, are plain enough. The +dragon, disappointed in his efforts hitherto against the woman, so far +from ceasing the warfare, is only thereby the more exasperated. "The +dragon was wroth with the woman." Malice overcomes reason. He knows that +he cannot finally prevail,--that "no weapon formed against her shall +prosper;" yet he continues to vent his rage. The mode of attack is to be +different from what it was in the second struggle. He is said to "make +war,"--to resort to open violence, to employ the agency of the civil +power, the beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 7;) for this third and +last war, waged by the dragon agrees in time with the _slaying of the +witnesses_. This third onset agrees also with the "third woe-trumpet," +the "vintage" and the last "vial;" and immediately precedes the +introduction of the millennium. "The remnant of the woman's seed" are so +called with reference to those of her offspring who had suffered death +under pagan and papal Rome, (ch. vi. 9.) Perhaps also we may suppose the +number to be comparatively few at the time of the last war with the +dragon; as during the whole period of the 1260 years, it was the aim of +the dragon, through his instruments, to wear out the saints of the Most +High. (Dan. vii. 25.) The character which the Holy Spirit gives of these +sufferers proves them to be the woman's seed. They "keep the +commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This is +the special ground of the devil's hostility towards them. A more +comprehensive and definite description of true believers is not to be +found in the whole Bible. In matters of religion they adhere strictly to +the commandments of God. They will not introduce, nor permit to be +introduced, any corruptions into the doctrines of grace or into the +matter of God's worship. The temple, altar and worshippers must stand +the measurement of God's word in their fellowship. No human traditions +or innovations are to be tolerated. But besides their conscientious care +to have all the laws of the house of God duly observed, these remaining +witnesses sustain and propagate the testimony of their predecessors, +with such additional facts as they may have collected in their own time, +for the personal glory, the offices and work of Jesus Christ. This +testimony will necessarily bring them into collision with the children +of those who killed their fathers in the same quarrel. Like their +fathers, "they have the sentence of death in themselves, that they +should not trust in themselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,--not +accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." (2 +Cor. i. 9; Heb. xi. 35.) For as already hinted, this remnant is to +"overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," +as others did; and in death to gain the final victory over death by +vital union to their living Lord, "being made conformable to his death." +(Heb. ii. 14, 15.) + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of +the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten +crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. + +2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were +as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the +dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. + +3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his +deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. + +4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and +they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is +able to make war with him? + +5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and +blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two +months. + +6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his +name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. + +7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to +overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, +and nations. + +8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are +not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of +the world. + +9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. + +10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that +killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword. Here is the +patience and the faith of the saints. + +Vs. 1-10.--This chapter may be considered as an explication or +commentary upon the seventh chapter of Daniel's prophecy, and a farther +elucidation of what is revealed under different symbols in the two +preceding chapters; and no one can have an intelligent understanding of +its contents without a competent knowledge of the symbols employed in +those chapters. Here the Holy Spirit has given a most graphic, +intelligible and comprehensive exhibition of the complex power which the +dragon employs, to persecute and slay the witnessing servants of Christ. +Hitherto the devil has conducted the war against the saints through the +agency of the beast of the pit, (ch. xi. 7,) and those allies called +"his angels:" (ch. xii. 7:) but there has been a vail of obscurity +hanging over these agencies. Who the beast and other allies of the +dragon are, it is the very _design_ of this chapter to disclose, with +greater precision and clearness than heretofore. In a word, we have here +the _full portrait_ of THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. The distinct features and +component parts of this complex and diabolical system of hostility to +the Lord and his Anointed, are presented in detail for our inspection. +And it is a fact, that by a competent knowledge of this hostile +combination, the suffering saints of God have been hitherto enabled to +direct their testimony with intelligence and efficacy against their +appropriate objects. And although the developments of providence in past +centuries, and those transpiring in our own generation, are calculated +to shed light upon this and collateral prophecies; yet the gross +conceptions of the illiterate in the contemplation of prophetic symbols +on the one hand, and the reckless disregard of scripture rules and usage +by the learned on the other, have greatly contributed to the present +lamentable ignorance and culpable indifference of most Christians. For +people cannot feel an interest in that of which they are ignorant. But +to be "willingly ignorant" of that which may and ought to be known, is +one of the characteristic sins of a generation of impenitent and profane +"scoffers." (2 Pet. iii. 3, 5.) On the other hand, all who humbly and +earnestly desire to know the mind of God for their direction in faith +and holiness, shall assuredly obtain the necessary instruction. (Dan. +vii. 16: viii. 15; John xvi. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 38.) + +In these first ten verses are contained the characteristics of that +beast whose origin is given, ch. xi. 7. There we had no particular +description of this personage; only he was the agent by whom the +witnesses were opposed in open warfare, and by whom they were finally +killed. Now we have a more full account of his origin, character, +achievements and duration. This personage is denominated a "beast." So +are designated other characters, who are very different from this, (ch. +iv. 6.) In that place we intimated that the authorized version is +imperfect; and that either "living creatures" or simply "animals," which +latter we prefer, is that which the reader is to understand from the +original word. Not only are the "four animals" different in origin, +nature and agency from the "beast;" but in all these respects they are +morally opposite. This is a ravenous beast; a beast of prey. Elsewhere +the word is translated a "wild beast," a "venomous beast," a "viper." +(Acts x. 12; xxviii. 4.) This beast is the same which appeared in vision +to the prophet Daniel, (ch. vii. 3.) Of the four great beasts which that +prophet saw, this is the last. All the preceding are described by their +resemblance to some known animals, but each is ferocious,--"a lion, +bear, leopard." The fourth is a _nondescript_; there is no species in +the animal kingdom that can represent it; only it was "diverse from all +the beasts that were before it," (v. 7.) These four beasts represent +"four kings," (v. 17,) that is, "kingdoms," (v. 23,) or _dynasties_. Now +all interpreters agree that these four dynasties are the same as those +symbolized in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, (ch. ii. 31-43.) The different +parts of the "image" answer to the four beasts; and these again are the +symbols of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. Thus +far, all sober expositors are agreed. Also, there is a like agreement +that John's _first_ beast identifies with Daniel's _fourth_,--the Roman +empire. This is obvious from the general description by both +prophets,--"having seven heads and ten horns." (Dan. vii. 7; Rev. xiii. +1.) + +The origin of this beast is threefold,--"out of the sea," (v. 1,) "out +of the bottomless pit," (ch. xi. 7; xvii. 8,) and "out of the earth." +(Dan. vii. 17.) Out of the sea of the commotions arising from the +incursions of the northern barbarians, by whom the Roman empire was +dismembered. "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall +arise." (Dan. vii. 24.) This is the result of revolution,--"the sea." +The Roman empire, especially as nominally Christian, is thus +characterized as being "earthly, sensual, devilish," a suitable agent of +the dragon. + +The fact of the ten horns of the beast, _now wearing crowns_, proves +that the time to which the prophecy refers, is that which followed the +division of the empire into ten kingdoms. The seven heads of the beast +have a double significance,--seven different forms of government, and +seven mountains, afterwards to be more fully explained, (ch. xvii. 9, +10.) The "name of blasphemy" may indicate "eternal city, mistress of the +world."--Of this characteristic of the beast, other examples will be +discovered hereafter. + +Daniel was solicitous to "know the truth (interpretation) of the fourth +beast, which was diverse from all the others," (ch. vii. 19.) Although +"diverse from all the others" in geographical extent and destructive +power, this fourth beast combined in one all the ravenous propensities +of the three predecessors, but in _reverse order_. The "leopard, bear +and lion of Daniel," by which Grecian, Persian and Chaldean dynasties +were symbolized, are all comprised in John's beast of the sea,--the +antichristian Roman empire. Since this beast of the sea embodies all the +voracious properties of the three persecuting powers which went before +it; this may be a suitable place briefly to review the sufferings +inflicted by them upon the saints, that we may know what the witnesses +were taught to expect at the hands of this monstrous enemy.--"Israel is +a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away: first, the king of +Assyria hath devoured him, and last, this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon +hath broken his bones.--The violence done to me and to my flesh, be upon +Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and, My blood upon the +inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say." (Jer. 1. 17; li. +35.)--"Haman, the son Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews' enemy,--thought +scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone."--"If it please the king, let it +be written that they (the whole people) may be destroyed; and I will pay +ten thousand talents of silver,--to bring it into the king's +treasuries."--"Behold also the gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman +had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the +house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon." (Esth. iii. 1, 9; +vii. 9.) Such were the crimes and such the punishments of the enemies of +God's people in Babylon and Persia, as already matter of inspired +history: and had we equally full and authentic records of the +punishments as we have of the cruelties of Antiochus and other +successors of Alexander the Great, the king of Greece, we would see, as +in the other cases, "the just reward of the wicked." Of all these +idolatrous, tyrannical and persecuting powers, which the Divine Spirit +represented by beasts of prey, it was foretold that they were to be +removed in succession and with violence. This fourth beast, "dreadful +and terrible and strong exceedingly, was to devour and break in pieces, +and stamp the residue with the feet of it." (Dan. vii. 7.) Moreover, +while it is predicted of them that "they had their dominion taken away," +it is also added,--"yet their lives were prolonged for a season and +time," (v. 12.) That is, though their distinct and successive +_dominions_ were severally swept from the earth, yet their _lives_,--the +diabolical principles by which they had been actuated survived; and +these passed, by a kind of transmigration, into the body of the fourth +beast. This transition of animating principles or imperial policy of +inveterate hostility to the kingdom of God, we think, is plainly +indicated by the three features of this beast of the sea, the "leopard, +bear and lion." If these three "slew their thousands," this monster has +"slain his ten thousands" of the saints; and the remnant of the woman's +seed are yet to be "slain as they were," (ch. vi. 11.) + +"The dragon gave him his power,"--physical force, "his seat" or +_throne_,--his right to reign, "and great authority"--dominion--by the +voice of the people. Thus, it is obvious that the seven-headed, +ten-horned beast is the first, and the oldest, among the combined +enemies of the Christian church; all of whose origin is from the dragon, +the abyss or bottomless pit. The writers of the church of Rome, while +forced to acknowledge that this beast is emblematical of the Roman +empire, still insist that _pagan_ Rome is intended. It is sufficient in +opposition to this false interpretation to observe, that the beast +appears to John with crowns, not upon his _heads_, but upon his _horns_, +denoting the actual division of the empire into ten kingdoms: an event +which did not transpire till after the empire had become nominally +Christian under the reign of Constantine the Great. The reign of this +emperor and his successors, by their largesses fostered the luxurious +propensities of the Christian ministry, and so contributed to prepare +the way for the rise of the next enemy in this antichristian confederacy +against the witnesses.--The "head wounded unto death is the _sixth_. +John says expressly, elsewhere, "five are fallen, and one is, and the +other is not yet come," (ch. xvii. 10.) The "five fallen" were, kings, +consuls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes. All these forms of +civil government had passed before the time of the apostle. The one +existing in his time, was the sixth head,--the emperors; by one of whom +the apostle was now subjected to banishment in the desert isle of +Patmos. This wound is supposed by some to be the change from paganism to +Christianity in the empire. No; this view is many ways erroneous: but it +is enough to remark that the Roman empire, according to both prophets, +Daniel and John, is to continue _bestial_ under all changes, during the +whole period of 1260 years. The deadly wound was inflicted by the +northern invaders who overturned the empire, and, for the time, +extinguished the very name of emperor in the person of Augustulus. After +the division of the western member of the empire had been subdivided +among the victorious leaders of the invaders from the north, and the +people of that section supposed the beast slain, the throne of +Constantinople continued to be occupied by the representative of the +empire. In the popular apprehension the imperial head of the beast +seemed to be utterly cut off by the sword of Odoacer,--"wounded by a +sword:" but the several kingdoms into which the empire was divided, in +process of time became united in the bonds of an apostate faith. The +imperial name and dignity were revived in the person of the emperor of +Germany, Charlemagne, in 800; and by the wars among the horns of the +beast, the title of emperor has been claimed alternately by Germany, +Austria and France, down to our own time. These dissensions and +rivalries among the sovereigns of Europe,--the mystic horns of the +beast, were foreshadowed in the Babylonish monarch's dream:--"the +kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken,--they shall not cleave +one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay," (Dan. ii. 42, 43.) +And doubtless these internal commotions among the common enemies of the +saints of God, have tended, in divine mercy, to divert their attention +occasionally from the witnesses. While they have been made the +instruments of mutual punishment, the Lord's people have been "hid in +the day of his fierce anger." (Zeph. ii. 3.) + +At what time the sixth head of the beast disappeared and the seventh +became developed, is not clearly marked in the Apocalypse, and it is of +comparatively little importance, since the latter is to "continue a +short space" (ch. xvii. 10.) The _central fact_ is the continuance of +the beast a definite time under _all the heads_,--1260 years. Under all +the forms of government through which the empire passed, it continued +bestial and was the object of popular admiration. "All the world +wondered after the beast." The populace made court to, fawned upon, +followed in the train, or formed the retinue of the beast. We are to +limit the phrase,--"all the world," for not all the inhabitants are to +be understood, but such only as professed allegiance to the existing +imperial dominion; and among those within the beast's territorial +jurisdiction, the witnesses still stood to their protest against his +impious claims.--But from admiration and loyalty, the servile multitude +break forth into adoration, addressing the dragon and the beast in such +language as is proper to God only. (Ps. lxxxix. 6.) The shouts of the +rabble on Herod's birth-day may illustrate the conduct of these votaries +of the beast and dragon. (Acts xii. 22.) The poor ignorant and deluded +subject, in rendering homage to the beast, did homage to the devil, from +whom the power was derived. Such is the degradation to which man is +reduced by blind obedience to despotic power, whether civil or +ecclesiastical. He glories in the chains which bind him!--And this is +the actual and voluntary condition of the great majority of the +population of Christendom at the present hour. There has been, indeed, +within the current century, an effort by the masses of the people to +assert their natural and civil rights, to regain the exercise of the +elective franchise; but in selecting candidates to bear rule over them, +they generally prefer such as are, like the majority of +themselves,--"aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from +the covenants of promise." Hence, "vile men are exalted, the wicked bear +rule, and the people mourn." (Ps. xii. 8; Prov. xxix. 2.)--The +"blasphemies" uttered by this beast are all those _royal prerogatives_ +claimed by the several crowned horns or civil sovereigns who have +established idolatry and superstition within their respective dominions. +The "blasphemous headship" over the church of Christ, as viewed and +designated by his persecuted disciples in the British empire, may tend +to illustrate this part of the beast's history. King Henry VIII. of +England, upon renouncing the civil and ecclesiastical headship of the +Pope, proceeded to usurp an ecclesiastical headship within his own +dominions; and all his royal successors till the present day have +asserted a similar dominion over the faith of the Lord's people. As an +"inherent right of the crown," the sovereign of Britain, male or female, +is declared to be "supreme judge in all causes, as well ecclesiastical +as civil!" The rest of the horns are no less blasphemous in their +haughty pretensions. History attests that the martyrs of Jesus denounced +these encroachments on the prerogatives of Christ, and the intrinsic +power of his church, as "Erastian supremacies,--blasphemous +supremacies." Most expositors tell us that the blasphemies are +chargeable to the Pope or to the Romish church. But this interpretation +confounds this beast of the sea with the apostate church of Rome; and +indeed this confounding of symbols and consequent mistaking of objects +in actual history, are the primary errors of expositors in nearly all +their attempts at expounding the Apocalypse. This first beast of John, +and fourth of Daniel, however, is _wholly secular or civil_; and clearly +distinguished by both inspired prophets, from the other agents of the +dragon, as we shall find in the subsequent part of this chapter. This +beast "blasphemes the name of God" by compelling men to worship idols +and images, enacting penal statutes and issuing bloody edicts to force +their consciences. He "blasphemes his tabernacle," when stigmatizing the +assemblies of God's worshipping people as "traitorous conspiracies, +rendevouses of rebellion"--"and them that dwell in heaven," he +blasphemes by calling them "incendiaries, fanatics, enthusiasts, rebels +and traitors;" for all these terms of reproach are well authenticated in +history, as heaped upon the faithful and heroic servants of Christ. +Those who suppose that the phrase "them that dwell in heaven," means +saints departed and angels as worshipped by papists in obedience to the +Romish church, make two mistakes,--the one, that _ecclesiastical_ power +is here intended, whereas we have already shown that the power is +_civil_; the other, that the word "heaven" is to be taken in a literal +sense, contrary to the symbolic structure of the whole context. All +history, so far as authentic, teaches that the civil powers throughout +Christendom, attempt to coerce by penal inflictions the consciences of +all who refuse obedience to their commands, no less than the church of +Rome. Even _constitutional guarantees of liberty_ of _conscience_ have +never secured the witnesses from the savage rage of the beast or any of +his infuriated horns. Witness the history of the bloody house of the +Stuarts of Britain. In vain did the victims of papal and prelatic +cruelty plead, in their just defence in the seventeenth century, the +constitution and laws of their native land! Those who have done violence +to the law of God, will always disregard human enactments which stand in +the way of their ambitious schemes. Their own laws will be treated as +ropes of sand, as Samson's withs, and the blood of saints as water. Such +is persecution.--The seventh verse, expressing the beast's victory over +the saints and the extent of his power, is explanatory of ch. xi. 7, 9; +and the time of his continuance, (v. 5,) is the same as the treading +under foot of the city; (ch. xi. 2:) so that we are assured of the +agreement in time between the events here and those of the first part of +the eleventh chapter. Also, the parties here presented are the same as +in the two preceding chapters, only they are exhibited in different +aspects by appropriate symbols.--The worshippers of the beast include +all under his dominion except those "whose names were written in the +book of life."--This book is different both from the sealed book, (ch. +5;) and also from the open book, (ch. 10.) It is the register, as it +were, of the names of all whom the Father gave to the Son, to be by him +brought to glory. (John xvii. 2; Heb. ii. 10; Rev. xx. 12, 15.) During +the whole reign of the beast, these are preserved, having been "sealed +unto the day of redemption." In the seventh chapter we had the angels +employed in holding the four winds of the earth, till these servants of +God were sealed in their foreheads, before the first alarm should be +given by the trumpets. The book of life contained their names from the +foundation,--before the foundation of the world. (Eph. i. 4.) They were +in time "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," so that it was +impossible to deceive them, either by lying wonders or the serpent's +sophistry. (Eph. i. 13; Matt. xxiv. 24.)--The Lamb may be said to be +"slain from the foundation of the world" in the purpose of God, (2 Tim. +i. 9;) in sacrifice, (Gen. iv. 4;) in the ceremonial law and prophecy. +(Matt. xi. 13;) and in the efficacy of his satisfaction rendered to +divine justice, for which the Father gave him credit from the fall of +man. (Rom. iii. 25.)--So many erroneous views have been taken, and false +interpretations given of this chapter in particular, as of the +Apocalypse in general, that the Divine Spirit calls special attention +here to the rise, reign and ruin of the beast of the sea. The prophetic +description of this beast in an especial manner is of such importance to +instruct, and thereby sustain and comfort, the suffering disciples of +Christ, that he causes his servant John to pause, as it were, and allow +the reader to reflect. Indeed, wherever a note of attention is thus +given, we may be sure that something "hid from the wise and prudent" is +intended. Accordingly, it were endless to follow the vagaries of even +learned men dealing out their "private interpretations" of this chapter. +Yet the understanding of its general outlines was at the bottom of the +Reformation by Luther, his colleagues and successors. Elsewhere, +however, we may take occasion to notice how vague, and inadequate, and +bold, were some of their conceptions; all going to show the +seasonableness of the solemn admonition,--"If any man have an ear, let +him hear."--The beast is to be treated as he dealt with the victims of +his cruelty. He is justly doomed to captivity and death. "The beast was +taken and--cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," (ch. +xix. 20.) "Tophet is ordained of old." It was used by the prophets as a +figure of hell. (Is. xxx. 33.) To this place, whence there is no +redemption, this monstrous beast was to be consigned, as predicted by +the prophet Daniel, (vii. 11,)--"The beast was slain, and his body +destroyed, and given to the burning flame."--In the protracted contest +of 1260 years with this imperial power, "the patience and the faith of +the saints" were exemplified. Faith and patience would be more severely +tried in this case than in any other; as the period of persecution was +to be of much longer continuance than any that had preceded since the +beginning of the world. (Heb. vi. 12.) + + +11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had +two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. + +V. 11.--John "beheld another beast,"--therefore not the _same_, as many +expositors strangely suppose. No one can have an intelligent +understanding of this chapter unless he views the beast of the sea and +the beast of the earth as _perfectly distinct_. As the former arose out +of a revolutionary state of society, and was consequently more clearly +marked in history, so the latter grew "up out of the earth" more quietly +and gradually, like a spear of grass,--we "know not how." As this second +beast of the Apocalypse is to act a prominent part in the scenery +afterwards presented in vision to the apostle, and a correspondent part +in actual history, and as it is called by different names and appears +under different aspects, it is necessary that its character be closely +inspected, so that its identity may be clearly ascertained. The +description here given is very minute. One thing is very obvious,--that +this beast of the earth is the confederate, the ally, and the accomplice +of the beast of the sea. They act in concert. They had been thus +represented in vision to Daniel. In the seventh chapter of that prophecy +we have the beast of the sea, as here, with his "ten horns," (v. 7.) +While the prophet narrowly "considered the horns, behold, there came up +among them another little horn," (v. 8.) It has been already shown that +these horns represent the kingdoms into which the Roman empire was +divided, (v. 24.) Among these horns, kings, (v. 24,) or kingdoms, +"another shall rise after them,"--"among them," yet in the order of +time,--"after them." Thus it appears that Daniel's fourth beast had +_eleven_ horns; but the eleventh is called "another which came up," to +distinguish it from the ten, (v. 20.) "He shall be diverse from the +first," (v. 24.) It is thus evident that the last horn,--the eleventh, +is as really a horn of the beast, as the other ten; and of course this +horn,--"little" at its rise, but in time becoming "more stout than his +fellows," is the willing accomplice in crime of that beast whose horn it +is. "The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against +them," (v. 21.)--"He had two horns like a lamb." He professed to be +gentle and innocent as a lamb,--to be the vicegerent of the "Lamb of +God." He claimed only a _spiritual_ jurisdiction. As it is natural that +a lamb should have only two horns, so the symbol is agreeable to nature. +But this lamb "spake as a dragon;" and that was contrary to nature. No +two animals in creation are in their respective natures more diverse or +opposite than a lamb and a beast of prey. These two antagonistic natures +combined, indicate the crafty and cruel policy of this beast of the +earth. Daniel mentions the "little horn" of the civil beast; but says +nothing of the "two-horned beast." On the other hand, John speaks +plainly of this beast of the earth, but omits any mention of the "little +horn." But the "beast of the earth" and the "little horn" sustain the +same relation to the first beast, the "beast of the sea"--the Roman +empire; therefore the "two-horned beast of the earth" and the "little +horn" are identical; and this identity is confirmed by the additional +name "false prophet," given to the beast of the earth in ch. xix, 20. +His alliance and co-operation with the civil beast is precisely the same +as in this chapter. He "wrought miracles before him," that is,--in his +interest. Some interpreters have mistaken this "false prophet" as a +symbol of Mahometanism. The facts of history demonstrate the fallacy of +this interpretation; for the delusions of Mahomet never had, and they +have not now, any affinity with the idolatries of the Latin Roman +empire. But these two beasts of the sea and of the earth are obviously +in the closest sympathy, having a common interest. + + +12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and +causeth the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first +beast, whose deadly wound was healed. + +V. 12.--The second beast "exerciseth all the power of the first beast +before him,"--in his presence, under his sanction and powerful +protection. Thus the state, or empire, lays the church under obligation, +and of course expects a reciprocity of kind offices. This is effected by +the beast of the earth "causing the earth--to worship the first beast." +By force and craft this is accomplished. By his "two horns" of power, +the _regular_ and _secular_ orders of the hierarchy, as from the mouth +of a "dragon," he enjoins "submission to the (civil) powers that be." +But besides the horns of power, that is, ecclesiastical authority, this +beast of the earth, in order more effectually to enforce his commands to +worship the first or civil beast, resorts to "great wonders,--miracles," +(vs. 13,14,)--"lying wonders;" (2 Thess. ii. 9:) for Paul and John agree +in their description of the same diabolical agency. "As Jannes and +Jambres withstood Moses,--magicians doing so with their +_enchantments_,"--"beguiling unstable souls," so this second beast +"maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of +(credulous) men." (2 Tim. iii. 8; Exod. vii. 22; Acts viii. 9-11.) The +venal ministry of the heathenized church, (ch. xi. 2,) inculcate passive +obedience to the beast of the sea, as to the "ordinance of God;"--to +"resist" which, subjects the recusant to "damnation." (Rom. xiii. 2.) +Here, then, we behold the _counterfeits_ of the two great ordinances of +church and state, against which it is the special duty and arduous work +of the two witnesses to contend for 1260 years. This "false prophet," +who "spake as a dragon, and made fire to come down from heaven," to +authenticate his divine mission, may represent the bulls, anathemas, +interdicts, encyclical letters, which emanate from Rome, together with +the less terrifying mandates of her coadjutors,--"daughters." + + +13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from +heaven on the earth, in the sight of men, + +14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those +miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saving to +them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the +beast which had the wound by a sword, and did live. + +15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the +image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would +not worship the image of the beast should be killed. + +16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and +bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: + +17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the +name of the beast, or the number of his name. + +Vs. 13-17.--This lamb-like beast of the earth devises another agency, by +which to subserve his own diabolical interest, as well as that of the +"first beast." He causes to be made "an image" _to_ or _of_ the beast of +the sea. Of images in general, as objects of idolatrous worship, we are +warranted to say,--they are _dead_ and _dumb_ idols; (ch. ix. 20; Jer. +x. 14:) but this one is altogether different. And it is surprising to +find learned expositors fixing upon the superstitious use of the cross +by the papists, as exemplifying this symbol. The Holy Spirit, as if to +guard all readers against such misapprehension, declares explicitly, +that this image has "life, speaks," and _acts_. The only point in which +this image resembles others is, that it is to be _worshipped_: but of +all others we are assured that they "cannot do evil," (Jer. x. 5.) This +image has such "life," (breath,) and power as to cause the death of such +as refuse to worship _itself_. Three agents are to be noticed and +clearly distinguished here,--the ten-horned beast of the _sea_, the +two-horned _beast_ of the _earth_, and the _image_ of the beast. At the +instance of the second beast, an image is made; not _to_ or of himself, +but _to_, and also _of_, the first beast. Now, as the beasts put forth +their power by their horns, so this ecclesiastical beast of the earth +makes the image by his horns. In short, history explains the symbols. +The Roman clergy,--the horns, the cardinals, create the Pope; and, in +their own ceremonial and language,--_quem creant, adorant_, "whom they +create, they adore;" like all other idolaters. Thus, the Pope becomes +the "man of sin, sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he +is God," (2 Thess. ii. 4.) The Pope is the most perfect image of the +Roman emperor; claiming the same universal dominion, the same titles and +prerogatives, in the same city: but the Pope and the emperor never +identify. They are always distinct. Two authoritative measures are to be +specially noticed in this connexion; one by the beast of the earth, the +other by the image of the beast of the sea. The image demands worship +under pain of death. All _heretics_ are judged worthy of death. All are +required by the second beast to receive the mark of the first or civil +beast. The penalty in this case is privation of civil and political +privileges,--to "buy or sell." It is to be noticed here that the "mark" +is imposed by the authority of the _ecclesiastical_ power, the +two-horned beast. As there is liability to mistake as to which of the +two beasts the "mark" refers, and as this mistake is in fact generally +made by expositors, the apostle John has been directed, as in the case +of the image, to be peculiarly explicit, that all may know it to be the +mark of the _first_ beast. (See chs. xv. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4.) But it will +be asked,--What are we to understand by the "mark?" This question is +easily answered from history. The heathen idolater gloried in his +devotion to his imaginary god; as the ivy leaf was the token of the +worshippers of Bacchus: soldiers bore the initials of the names of their +commanders; and slaves, of their masters. These _characters_ were +impressed on the foreheads or other part of the persons of individuals. +The general idea suggested by the "mark" was subjection or _property_. +In short, the mark of the beast signifies open and avowed allegiance to +antichristian or immoral _civil_ power, when in the "forehead;" and +active co-operation with the same, when in the "hand." It is at once a +pitiable and culpable error, to suppose, as many preposterously do, that +this "mark of the beast" is _popery_! And as the "mark" is the +recognised badge of loyalty to civil rule, of course the prohibition to +"buy or sell," must signify civil disabilities,--_disfranchisement_. Men +who suffer, necessarily feel. Christ's witnesses, as they only have the +_scriptural_ conception of the rights of man, have long been familiar +with the deprivation of their rights, both civil and ecclesiastical. The +moral evils incorporated in the constitutions of church and state, +throughout all the streets of mystic Babylon, have effectually excluded +the two witnesses, and left them in the "wilderness." Here is their +destined "place," and here they are to be "nourished from the face of +the serpent" for 1260 years. Christ's promise,--"I will not leave you +comfortless," (orphans,) is all along verified in their soul-satisfying +experience.--This will appear in the next chapter. + + +18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of +the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred +threescore and six. + +V. 18.--"The name of the beast," since the time of Ireneus, the disciple +of Polycarp, who was cotemporary with the apostle John, is understood to +be _Lateinos_, or _Lateinus_; for it is well known to scholars, that +classical usage justifies the orthography of this word. However learned +men may indulge their fancy, and sport with this mystic and sacred name +and number, no other word fills up all the conditions required by the +inspired writer. _Latinus_ is the proper name of the "first beast," the +_Latin_ empire: it is the name common to the whole population of the +empire, the _Latins_: it is the name of the _founder_ of the empire, +_Latinus_; and it contains the _number_, 666. The probability that this +word contains the requisite name and number, amounts almost to a +certainty. The unlearned reader may be easily taught to understand how +to "count the number of the beast." Of course, the apostle John +accommodated his expressions to the custom of his own age. Well, even +children soon learn to number or count by the use of Roman letters of +the alphabet. They know that the letter I, stands for _one_; V. for +_five_, etc. Now, in the apostolic age, the Jews, Greeks and Romans, +were accustomed to express numbers by the use of the letters of their +respective alphabets. This we suppose to be the only rational and +probable method of solving the mystery. + +In this chapter we have the fullest exhibition of the great +antichristian confederacy, spoken of by prophets and apostles, including +the "man of sin, to be revealed in his time." The component parts of +that complex moral person called "Antichrist," are here graphically +portrayed. The three most prominent features are the _two beasts_ of the +sea and of the earth, with the _image_ of the first; or, a tyrannical +_empire_, an apostate _church_, and the _Pope_. To suppose that the +Antichrist is a power or moral person _distinct from these_,--a "wilful, +infidel or atheistical king," is a mere _chimera_ framed in a learned +brain, disordered by _antichristian_ politics. The chief, if not the +only ostensible ground of such hypothesis is the language of our +apostle, (1 John ii. 22.) "He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and +the Son." The _sound_ of the words of Scripture is too often mistaken +for the _sense_. This is a notable example. From the words of our Divine +Redeemer,--"My Father is greater than I, Socinians infer the _essential_ +inferiority of the Son to the Father. So in the preceding instance. The +inference is, that the Antichrist is to be known by a _doctrinal_ denial +of deity. But the very name of this enemy of all righteousness, +_Antichrist_, demonstrates his recognition of the existence and office +of our Saviour. For why should he oppose a _nonentity_? All scholars are +aware that the primary meaning of _anti_, is substitution. (Matt. xx. +28.) Antichrist usurps Christ's place in church and state, that he may +more successfully oppose his interest. There is no mystery to the +intelligent Christian in the declaration, that men too often "profess +that they know God, but in works deny him." This explains the fact of +Antichrist's denying the Father and the Son. Usurping the prerogatives +of the Mediator is a practical denial of him,--of his authority, and by +consequence, of the Father who sent him. "He that acknowledged the Son," +in this sense, "hath the Father also; while it is equally true, in the +same sense,--"whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father." +(1 John ii. 23.) Hence it _is not true_ that the _Pope_ is the +_Antichrist_ of prophecy, nor the church of Rome, nor both combined; but +Daniel's ten-horned beast,--John's seven-headed, ten-horned beast, which +are the same: Daniel's little horn and John's beast of the earth, which +are the same; together with the image of the first beast: the Saracenic +locusts and Euphratean horsemen;--all these go to the composition of the +Antichrist, the "eastern and western Antichrist," so identified and +_familiarly_ designated by the _martyrs_ and _witnesses_ of Jesus for +hundreds of years. The great family of nations, called "the nations of +this world," (chap. xi. 15;) in unholy alliance with a _gentile_ church; +(ch. xi. 2;) _these combined, constitute the Antichrist_. They "will not +have this man to reign over them." Against this combination it is the +appointed business,--the life of the two witnesses, to prophesy for a +definite period of 42 months, 1260 days, time, times and a half; all +indicating the same duration, 1260 natural years. All this time the +witnesses are alive and active, but in an obscure and depressed +condition, wearing sackcloth in the wilderness, "not reckoned, (not +_reckoning themselves_,) among the nations." (Num. xxiii. 9; Dan. vii. +22, 27; Rev. xx. 4.) Such is the condition of the saints, and such the +powerful combination against them, as symbolically represented in the +11th, 12th and 13th chapters of the Apocalypse. And in this prolonged +and eventful conflict we may with Moses, "turn aside and see this great +sight, why the bush is not burnt." (Exod. iii. 3.) The Lord was in the +bush, and "greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world." +(1 John iv. 4.) This will appear in the following chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +As the 13th chapter contains the most full and graphic description of +the great apostacy, so in this chapter we have the other party described +which protested against that apostacy. It is a concise history of the +two witnesses in holy and happy fellowship with Christ, when he had +rejected the heathenized church, because of her unholy league with the +beast of the bottomless pit, (ch. xi. 2, 7.) The contrast between the +"sealed" ones here, and those who bore the "mark of the beast," is very +noticeable. This fact suggests that the parties are _cotemporary_. +Besides, it is evident that this company of 144,000 are the legitimate +successors of those sealed in ch. vii. 4-8; or rather, from the +perpetual identity of the covenant society as a moral person, we may +view this company as the same with the sealed ones of the seventh +chapter, the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter, and as in the +wilderness in the 12th chapter. Political bias caused a learned +expositor to interpret the third angel of this chapter as a symbol of +the prelatic church of England! and a similar bias, or _modern_ charity, +induced another to distinguish between the "two witnesses" and the +144,000. To the unbiased and enlightened mind it is obvious that instead +of the 144,000 symbolizing the "pious people,--in the different branches +of the Christian church"--all true Christians; they are in fact +distinguished from _true Christians_, as 144,000 from "a great multitude +... who had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the +Lamb," (ch. vii. 9, 14.) + +As the Antichrist, after his first development in the world, appeared in +diverse forms of organization, thereby more effectually to deceive them +that dwell on the earth, yet still preserved his moral identity, so the +faithful servants of Christ are presented in corresponding attitudes and +aspects, to oppose and counteract his diabolical policy and tyranny; yet +always preserving their proper identity during the whole period of 1260 +years. + +The process of "sealing the servants of God in their foreheads," (ch. +vii. 4-8,) took place under the _sixth_ seal before the opening of the +seventh, (ch. viii. 1,) which introduced the trumpets,--the harbingers +of the visible organization of Antichrist. For this purpose the "four +winds,"--all winds, emblematical of popular commotions, were by four +angels restrained from blowing upon the earth etc., during the peaceful +reign of Constantine and his successors. Under the patronage of those +nominally Christian emperors, as history informs us, multitudes flocked +into the church; "the number of immoral and unworthy Christians began so +to increase, that the examples of real piety and virtue became extremely +rare.... The virtuous few were oppressed and overwhelmed with the +superior numbers of the wicked and licentious."[6] Thus the way was +prepared for the visible appearing of the "man of sin,"--the papacy. So +soon as the confederate hosts of the dragon are completely organized, +the two witnesses take their position with the Lamb. + + +1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a +hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in +their foreheads. + +V. 1.--While "all the world wonders after the beast," (xiii. 3,) and the +gross senses of the multitude are preoccupied with that object; here is +another presented more worthy of our contemplation. Often has the Lord +Jesus appeared in vision to John while viewing the grand panorama +passing before him in Patmos. Here he appears as the "captain of the +Lord's host" at the head of his army; not indeed in active military +enterprise, but rather as leader in acts of solemn worship during a +temporary recess from sanguinary warfare. He and his associates are on +the "Mount Zion." "In Zion is his seat." ... "The Lord hath founded +Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (Is. xiv. 32.) This +select company maintain fellowship with Christ, being "really and +inseparably united to him as their Head," by the bond of the Spirit, on +his part, and faith on theirs. Christ's "Father's name in their +foreheads" indicates that they are the _property_ and voluntary servants +of God in Christ. Of this covenant relation baptism is the visible sign; +but while Simon Magus may bear the sign, none but those who are "sealed +unto the day of redemption," are honored to "stand with the Lamb on +Mount Zion." To him their number is as accurately known, as one hundred +and forty-four thousand is to us; and "truly their fellowship is with +the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." The votaries of the beast may +either glory in bearing his mark in their foreheads, or conceal the mark +in their right hand; but the followers of the Lamb will "confess him and +his word before men," at the hazard of all that is dear to men,--even +life itself. (Mark viii. 38.) + + +2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as +the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping +with their harps: + +3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the +four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the +hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. + +Vs. 2, 3.--"Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.... Let the +high praises of God be in their mouth."--(Ps. cxlix. 2, 6.) Unterrified +by the roaring of the beasts of prey, these followers of the Lamb lift +their voices in unison; and whether on mountains or in valleys, in dens +or in caves of the earth, their songs of praise ascend to the ears of +the Lord of Sabaoth. The symphony is heightened by the "voice of +harpers, harping with their harps." And if any person be so ignorant as +to ground an argument on these words, for the use of instruments in the +worship of God, consistency will require him to take his position on the +literal Mount Zion with a literal lamb! + +The song was _new_. It was not peculiar to the Mosaic economy; that, +like it, was to "wax _old_ and vanish away."--(Heb. viii. 13.) No, it +was indited by the Holy Spirit, "to whom all hearts are known, and all +events foreknown." It was a song exactly framed to answer the twofold +end of all inspired songs--to display the glories of the Godhead, and +delineate the workings of grace and corruption with infallible +precision, neither of which can be even successfully imitated by the +best of uninspired men; much less by the licentious debauchees--the +slaves of Antichrist. Moreover, the _order_ of worship, as here +exemplified, merits special attention, The 144,000 perform this solemn +service "before the four beasts, and the elders." The office-bearers, +appointed by the Lamb--the Lord Christ--direct the whole solemnity. +Among this joyful and holy company, there is no hint that any part of +public worship is left to "a vote of the congregation." This "new song" +was unintelligible by the votaries of the beast; nor could they learn it +while in that servile vassalage. They only who were "redeemed from the +earth," as well as "from among men," were capable of learning it. As +this song related to the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and those +who "dwelt on the earth" had transferred their allegiance to Antichrist, +they became thereby incapacitated for learning that song. Alas! how many +complain of the _cloudiness_, the _Jewish peculiarities_, the +_unforgiving, revengeful spirit_ of the inspired Psalms! In their +apprehension, they are "contrary to the spirit of the gospel"--that is, +_the Holy Spirit is contrary to Himself!_ O, the blasphemy! Can such +learn the "new song?" No, indeed, unless they repent and "pray God if +perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them." + + +4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are +virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. +These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and +to the Lamb. + +5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault +before the throne of God. + +Vs. 4, 5.--These 144,000 worshippers are farther distinguished by their +chastity. Betrothed to the Lord Christ from eternity, they were married +to him in time. (Hosea ii. 19, 20; Rom. vii. 4; Cor. xi. 2.) Indeed the +marriage covenant is employed throughout the Bible, to shadow forth the +union between Christ and believers. (See Is. liv. 5; Jer. xxxi. 32; Hos. +ii. 2; Rev. xxi. 2) This analogy pervades the 45th Psalm and the Song of +Solomon. Idolatry is therefore adultery; and superstition, will-worship +and human inventions, as means of grace or of communion with God, are +fornication. (Ezek. xxiii. 27.) Accordingly, the "kings of the earth" +are charged with this crime, (ch. xviii. 3.) Hence, it is plain that +this company with the Lamb are such as do not receive or "teach for +doctrines the commandments of men," nor submit to a "voluntary humility +and worshipping of angels, (Col. ii. 18,) "for they are virgins." (Ps. +xlv. 14.) They are distinguished for "sound doctrine and the power of +godliness." "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second +admonition," they "reject." (Titus iii. 10.) They cannot be indifferent +to truth and error; and they may be known by their love for practical, +but _especially doctrinal_, preaching. They frequent the ministry of +those who "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 +Tim. iv. 13.) + +"These follow the Lamb." (John x. 4, 27.) Next after self-denial, taking +up the cross, becomes the test of discipleship. (Matt. xvi. 24, 25.) +Suffering is the most trying and most difficult part of a Christian's +obedience. But mere suffering for one's religion is no evidence that his +religion is scriptural. Nor is punishment endured for religion +_persecution_; but suffering "for righteousness' sake, or for Christ's +sake," is persecution. And this is what is implied in "following the +Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Not suffering, but the _cause_ for which +he suffers, makes a Christian martyr. All these 144,000 are martyrs in +principle and intention. + +Besides, "these were redeemed (bought) from among men." Purchase +supposes contract,--a price fixed and paid. This ransom is both from +debt and crime,--from bondage, sin and penalty. The Lamb is their +surety. With his blood he "redeemed them to God," (ch. v. 9; 1 Pet. i. +19.) An atonement which _does not reconcile_, a redemption which _does +not save_, must be an atonement and a redemption _without a compact_. +Hence the covenant of grace, and Christ's engagement as surety in that +covenant, determine the _extent_ of the atonement; for _without compact +no sinner could be saved!_ But such is the liberal doctrine of the +boasted Roman Catholic Church, and such the sandy foundation of that +"general and doubtsome faith" which the witnesses renounce. However +numerous these followers of the Lamb may seem to be, they are no more +than "the first fruits." But the first fruits are part of the coming +harvest, and an assured pledge of a larger ingathering. Their numbers +were to be greatly augmented by the Reformation, and still further in +the millennial era. + +"Godly sincerity" is the last quality of these upright ones. They are +"Israelites without guile." Integrity, probity, candor, distinguish them +from the "flocks of the companions" by whom they are surrounded. "As +they think in their heart, so do they express the truth." (Ps. xv. 2; +xii. 2; John i. 47.) They know nothing of the "pious frauds" any more +than the "indulgences" and "supererogations" by which the "man of sin" +sustains his interest. Their being "without fault before the throne of +God," is the highest commendation possible; yet it does not imply +sinless perfection. It speaks their justification by the righteousness +of Christ, and their Christian sincerity, such as God testifies of Job, +(ch. i. 8.) Who would not prefer the society and employments of those +who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion, to dwelling in the tents of +wickedness? Let our delights be with these excellent ones of the earth. + + +6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the +everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to +every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, + +7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the +hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and +earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. + +Vs. 6, 7.--The apostles, Paul and John agree, as already noticed, in +delineating a great defection from the purity and power of Christianity +in "the last days." Paul calls this event "the Apostacy," (2 Thess. ii. +3.) while John designates it "the Antichrist." (1 John ii, 22.) Both +these inspired writers use the Greek article, as may be supposed, to +_emphasize_ that wicked confederacy of Church and State,--a confederacy +of greater extent and longer continuance than any other conspiracy +"against the Lord and his Anointed." Against these the saints of God, +with Messiah at their head, contend for the allotted period of 1260 +years, as we have seen in the three preceding chapters. On their part +the warfare is mostly defensive, and their weapons ordinarily spiritual. +(2 Cor. vi. 6, 7.) + +From the 6th verse to the close of this chapter are presented, under +customary and well-defined symbols, three successive stages of +successful reformation, showing how the "two witnesses" manage their +scriptural and effective testimony against antichristian error and +disorder in organized society. Three mystic "angels" successively +appear, divinely commissioned to execute their respective and appointed +work. These angels have been correctly designated, by judicious +expositors, "angels of revival and reform." To the intelligent Christian +it will be obvious, that without _reform_ there can be no _revival_. The +popular idea of our time connected with the term _revival_, is without +foundation in the Holy Scriptures. It does not mean the regeneration of +a sinner, nor the first work of the Spirit in conviction. It presupposes +the existence of the vital principle, and the bringing of that living +principle into visible activity, (Rom. vii. 9;) and this is equally +true, whether of an individual or moral person. (Ps. lxxxv. 6; Ezek. +xxxvii.) Divine truth and external order are characteristics of a +genuine revival: for nothing but "sound doctrine" can produce "the power +of godliness." The popular commotions and social disorders which +accompany modern revivals, render them highly suspicious, if they do not +demonstrate them to be spurious. It is true, indeed, that passionate +declamation, vociferous assertion of heresy, intensified by theatrical +and violent gesticulation, may commove to a higher degree the active +powers,--the passions of the sinner; but such appliances can generate +only a temporary faith. Such converts, "having no root in themselves, +wither away." (Mark iv. 6.) "God is not the author of confusion, but of +peace, as in all the churches of the saints." So these angels of reform +declare by their ministry. + +The first of these angels is the recognized symbol of a gospel ministry, +(ch. i. 20; ii. 1, 8, 12, etc.) "Heaven" is the visible church general. +"Flying" indicates celerity of motion. This "angel" does not represent +any individual, as Luther; but the _collective body_ of those who carry +the joyful message of "the everlasting gospel." This gospel is +_everlasting_ as distinguished from "another gospel, which is not +another" (Gal. i. 6, 7, 8, 9,)--a spurious, counterfeit, and therefore +ephemeral gospel, invented and propagated by the "man of sin," from the +flood which issued from the mouth of the dragon, (ch. xii. 15) The +gospel preached by this angel is everlasting in its origin and duration. +(Tit. i. 2; John iv. 14; Gal. vi. 8.) This angel's commission is as +extensive as that of the apostles,--"every nation;" his "loud voice" is +expressive of his zeal, energy and authority; the subject matter of his +brief sermon indicates very plainly that the object of his teaching is +to counteract the heresies of the Romish apostacy. "Fear God and give +glory to him,"--not to the Virgin Mary, canonized saints and angels, +images of wood and stone, (ch. ix. 20.) All are solemnly warned to +"abstain from pollutions of idols," and their attention earnestly +directed to their Creator,--to him "who made heaven, and earth, the seas +and fountains of waters." This argument of the angel is very +short,--that He only is to be worshipped who created the universe; but +it is sufficient to "leave all men without excuse who do not glorify him +as God." (Rom. i. 20, 21.) And how much more aggravated is the guilt of +professing Christians! But the "angel" employs another powerful argument +to enforce his teaching,--"The hour of his judgment is come." The final +judgment of the last day is often set before us in the Bible, and it is +so even in this book; but the last judgment cannot be intended here, for +subsequent judgments are to be inflicted according to the messages of +the following angels. + +That Charlemagne should be mistaken for this flying angel betrays an +almost incredible hallucination of the human mind![7] No individual, as +already noticed, much less a successful civil or military tyrant, can be +intended by the Spirit as the herald of the "everlasting gospel!" + +In fact, this "angel" is identical with the "two witnesses," whose +special work is to oppose the great apostacy; and this they do in a +pre-eminent manner by proclaiming the everlasting gospel. For 500 years +those who are known in history by the name of Waldenses, kept the +doctrines and order of the apostles, in a state of separation from the +Church of Rome. In the latter part of the twelfth century their numbers +and influence attracted the notice and brought upon them the wrath of +the "man of sin." In the following ages multitudes of them were +subjected to all the penalties of confiscation, banishment and death. +Like the seed of Abraham in Egypt, however, "the more they were +afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." They revived true +religion in the kingdoms of southern Europe, and it is most probable +that the good seed sown by them reached even to the island of Britain. +John Huss and Jerome, who, by decree of the council of Constance, were +committed to the flames for heresy; and Wishart, in England, whose end +was similar, together with such as co-operated with them and succeeded +them in the same holy warfare, are to be viewed as answering to the +mystic angel. These faithful and dauntless men denounced divine +judgments against all who worshipped graven images, however enjoined by +civil and ecclesiastical authority. For their fidelity to Christ and the +souls of men, they were subjected to the heaviest censures of the +heathenized church, and the severest penalties of a tyrannical +state,--the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea always in unholy +alliance and acting in concert. The ministry of this angel is a +testimony against papal corruptions, such as the worshipping images of +the Creator and creatures, but especially the Pope,--the image of the +Roman emperor. It is a mere fancy to suppose this angel symbolizes +modern missions. The series of the prophecy forbids such an +interpretation. Besides, the idolatry of Rome Christian, is not less +real or gross than the idolatry of pagans, and calls for a more earnest +testimony; and God has never left himself without witnesses against +defection and apostacy. This angel prepares the way for his successor, +who prosecutes the same work with increasing clearness and confidence. + + +8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is +fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine +of the wrath of her fornication. + +V. 8.--"There followed another angel." Some expositors[8] interpret this +angel of Luther, some of Calvin; but no _individual_ is sufficiently +prominent in history to justify the application to him of so striking a +symbol in so concise a prophecy. Such restriction of a symbol to an +individual results from _prelatic_ habits of thought. In the mind of a +prelate the idea of a gospel ministry includes that of a _metropolitan_. +This angel is, in fact, as usual, simply the emblem of the ministry, not +excluding the social body of which they are the official guides. + +This second angel carries forward the reformation effected by his +predecessor, reviving that cause when it began to languish under the +violence of Antichrist. "While the Roman pontiff," says Mosheim, +"slumbered in security at the head of the church, and saw nothing +throughout the vast extent of his domain but tranquillity and +submission, and while the worthy and pious professors of genuine +Christianity almost despaired of seeing that Reformation on which their +most ardent desires and expectations were bent, an obscure and +inconsiderable person arose on a sudden, in the year 1517, and laid the +foundation of the long expected change, by opposing with undaunted +resolution his single force to the torrent of papal ambition and +despotism." That individual was the heroic Luther, whose praise is in +all the churches till the present day. No individual is so famous in the +history of that eventful period as Martin Luther, for recovering the +doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, to the +exclusion of all creature merit. This fundamental principle in the +economy of man's salvation he justly denominated _articulus stantis vel +cadentis ecclesiae_--"the hinge of a standing or falling church." By the +defence and propagation of this doctrine especially, the priestly office +of Christ was vindicated against the dogmas of penance, indulgence and +supererogation, inculcated by the "Man of Sin;" and by consequence, one +of the bulwarks of mystical Babylon effectually demolished. At the +famous Diet of Worms, which, like the Council of Constance, combined the +imperial power of Rome, civil and ecclesiastic, that indomitable servant +of Christ gave a visible demonstration that "the Spirit of the Father" +animated and "spake in him," (Matt. x. 20.) Not less explicit was Luther +on the fundamental doctrine of the divine decrees; which, with other +Arminian dogmas of creature-merit, had been almost universally +propagated and stamped with the pretended infallible authority of Rome. +By the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the +people, the idolatries, impositions and profligacy of the priesthood +were extensively discovered. And after years of deference to +ecclesiastical authority, conditional proposals of submission to the +Pope upon conviction of error in his _theses_, or conscientious belief, +Luther in time arrived at the conclusion that the church of Rome was +irreclaimable, giving publicity to his deep convictions in a treatise +_De Captivitate Babylonica_,--"The Captivity of Babylon." In the 18th +chapter of this book, he discovered that Babylon is doomed to +destruction. He considered the church of Rome as answering to the +prophetic symbol, and of course not to be reformed. It was an obvious +inference--he ought to obey Christ rather than the Pope,--"Come out of +her, my people."--This call was indeed a sufficient warrant to separate +from the Church of Rome; and, acting on it, protestant churches have +ever since been organized: but the type or symbol, Babylon, was +unwarrantably restricted in import, as representing only the Church of +Rome. And it is to be deplored that most protestant expositors continue +to limit the inspired symbol in the same way till the present time. The +literal Babylon, a name common to the ancient city and empire by the +river Euphrates, was in no sense a church; and it would be anomalous and +incongruous to select either city or empire as an _emblem of a church_! +There is, however, in the Apocalypse a combining or blending of symbols +in order clearly and fully to represent a complex moral person. This has +been already exemplified in ch. xiii. 2, where the prominent features of +Daniel's first _three_ beasts, (ch. vii. 4-6,) are combined in John's +_first_ beast of the sea. Just so in this instance. The idolatrous and +tyrannical Roman empire, in alliance with an apostate church, +constitutes mystical Babylon. History demonstrates the fact of their +coalition. The great red dragon, the devil, operates through both during +the allotted period of 1260 years against the witnesses of Christ. +Sometimes, indeed, the nominal church is the more active and visible +instrument, and at other times the state, in opposing Mediatory +authority; and thus Babylon, or one of her streets, which is the +equivalent of a horn of the beast, becomes prominent. This second angel +confidently proclaims,--"Babylon is fallen, is fallen." So said Isaiah +of literal Babylon long before the event; (ch. xxi. 9,) and so said +Jeremiah, (ch. li. 8,) to whose predictions John obviously alludes. All +these three prophets speak in present time of a future event, simply +because of the settled and unalterable purpose of God, acting not +formally as a sovereign, but as a judge. The multiplied and aggravated +crimes of Babylon, literal or mystical Babylon, are the just grounds of +her deserved and awful doom. From ancient times God has declared by his +prophets the things that are not yet done. (Isa. xlvi. 10.) His counsel +stands and he doeth all his pleasure. + +That the mystical Babylon emblematically represented the complex systems +of civil and ecclesiastical corruption and despotism organized in +Christendom, was in some degree understood by the reformers in Europe; +but the work of this second angel was carried on successively by men of +piety and learning, who were eminently qualified for systematically +arranging the doctrines of grace as deduced from the word of God. Their +pious labors we still have in the forms of Bodies of Divinity and +Confessions of Faith, in both which the unscriptural and antiscriptural +dogmas and heresies of Rome are condemned and solidly confuted by the +Scriptures. There is a wonderful "harmony of confessions" framed by +those who separated from the fellowship of the Romish church; which +harmony can be accounted for only by the fact that those who framed them +drew their materials from the Bible. But it was by their public +_covenants especially_, that the reformers lifted a testimony against +the heresies, immoralities and tyrannies of the church of Rome. And +among all the churches of the Reformation, that of Scotland is justly +entitled to the pre-eminence. In no nation or state in Christendom did +the witnesses of Christ,--the second angel, attain so nearly to a +scriptural model of organized society in church and state as in that +land, whose mountains and valleys were "flowered with martyrs" for a +"Covenanted Work of Reformation." As Zuingle the Swiss-reformer excelled +Luther, Calvin and others in Europe in the application of the divine +moral law, as revealed in Scriptures, to civil society, so John Knox in +Scotland was equally clear, that royal personages are amenable to the +body politic, and both to the Mediator. + +_We are now_ under the ministry of this _second_ "angel." The revival +effected by the first angel had greatly declined before the second made +his appearance; and all persons of intelligence and spiritual +discernment in our day, lament the visible decline in practical +godliness, arising from indifference to divine truth. Most professing +Christians, including the descendants of the martyrs, are "willingly +ignorant" of the attainments and sufferings of their illustrious +predecessors. The work of reformation to be accomplished by the second +angel, we suppose to have been completed about the middle of the +seventeenth century. Since that period his work appears from history to +consist in testifying against defection from the reformation which had +been reached. The "great city" is to fall "because she made all nations +drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She is "spiritually +called Sodom and Egypt," neither of which was a church any more than +Babylon. These were all heathen communities, never _married_ to the +Lord; therefore Babylon is not here charged as an adulteress, but with +_fornication_. The nations are her paramours. Her wine is intoxicating. +It deranges the intellect and stupifies the conscience. Will any +reasoning prevail with a drunken man? An active politician is +proverbially unscrupulous, and proof against the law of God. There is, +however, "wrath" in this cup. Those who refuse to "kiss the Son" must +feel the weight of his iron rod. (Ps. ii. 9, 12; lxxv. 8.) + +The "little book" introduced at the 10th chapter, is included in the +first 13 verses of the 11th chapter, which comprehends a concise history +of the 1260 years, as we have seen. At the 15th verse, the seventh and +last trumpet is sounded which introduces the millennium and gives a +brief outline of events till the end of the world. Then the three +following chapters give in detail the events prior to the millennium, a +commentary, as it were, on the "little book," but resuming a narrative +of the sealed book's contents, which had been suspended at the end of +the 9th chapter. There, as we have seen, the first and second +woe-trumpets left the population of the Roman church and empire still in +rebellion:--"They repented not."--Hence it is apparent that the work of +these symbolic angels consists in opposing the antichristian systems of +organized society during the period of the fifth and sixth trumpets. +This they do partly by declaring the truth as it is in Jesus, and partly +by denouncing divine judgments on the impenitent. The first angel, by +proclaiming the "everlasting gospel," called upon men to "fear God and +give glory to him," and not to idols,--threatening "coming judgment." +The great majority of those addressed, however, disregarding alike his +loving instructions and faithful warnings, must hear from the second +angel that the judgment threatened by his predecessor, is now +imminent:--"Babylon is fallen," etc. Notwithstanding the faithful and +earnest contendings of the Waldenses, Bohemians and others on the +continent of Europe, seconded by the Lollards in England, so far were +the votaries of Antichrist from repenting of their idolatry and +profligacy, that they became more and more exasperated against those +witnesses who tormented them, and attempted to silence their testimony +by committing their leaders to the flames. Hence the second angel's +ministry consists more in denouncing judgment than in offering mercy to +the penitent; and the history of the struggles in Europe and the British +Isles between Christ's witnesses and the Roman Antichrist in the 16th +and 17th centuries, demonstrates the awful fact that they, with great +and wonderful unanimity, judged the church of Rome at least, utterly +irreclaimable. Of this united judgment the Confessions of those +reformers are at this day a standing evidence. But chief among the +churches and nations of Christendom stands Scotland, as well before as +after her appearance, by her famous Commissioners, in the Westminster +Assembly of Divines. In her full and free Assembly, and by her national +representatives, sustained by all their pious constituency, she uttered +those memorable words,--"We abhor and detest ... chiefly all kind of +Papistry in general and particular heads, even as they are damned +(_condemned_) and _confuted_ by the word of God and Kirk of Scotland." +Perhaps this is the only instance hitherto within the 1260 years, where +a _whole church_ and _nation_, under the awful sanction of a _solemn +oath_, has pronounced a judicial sentence of condemnation upon the +church of Rome. Thus with confidence did those noble witnesses pronounce +the anticipated doom of the mystic Babylon. But alas! may we not adopt +and apply now (1870,) the language of the weeping prophet?--"How is she +become a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among +the provinces!" + +As declension among those who had protested against the corruptions of +Antichrist, under the ministry of the first angel of reform, together +with the continued impenitence of the multitude who still wondered after +the beast, called for the appearance of the second angel of revival, so +the moral condition of the world called for the work of his successor. +In the mean time, living as we now are, within the period allotted in +prophecy and in history to the ministry of the second angel of revival +and reform, it is but too evident that there is a great and increasing +decline among the best reformed churches. Many of the Protestant +ministry, especially of the prelatic order, are posting back to Rome; +and the growing ritualism, with its gaudy and splendid "attire of a +harlot," which characterizes others, plainly indicates their tendency in +the same direction. And even those other denominations, which are not +yet prepared to adopt that "blasphemous hierarchy," are visibly +departing from the soundness in doctrine and purity of gospel worship +which constituted the chief glory of the Second Reformation. These are +the baleful effects of the dragon's influence "on the earth," (ch. xii. +13, 15.) Besides, nearly all ecclesiastical bodies are yet in cordial +alliance with the beast of the sea; and this alliance is the Antichrist. +The Pope is now nearly divested of his former civil supremacy, and in +this respect become less the express image of the imperial beast of the +sea, (ch. xiii. 14;) yet the leaven of the Romish religion pervades all +the Christian community, so far as allegiance to the beast or his horns +is either enjoined or tolerated. This usurpation of the royal +prerogatives of Christ over the churches and nations in the eastern +hemisphere by the kings of the earth, and a similar usurpation in the +western hemisphere, whether by individual despots or by the body +politic, is the _great crime_ which fills the measure of the cup of +wrath, to be poured out of the "seven vials." While such is the moral +condition of society in all lands favored with a revelation of the will +of God,--visited with judgments, continuing impenitent and guilt +augmenting, what is to be expected but heavier judgments to follow? + + +9. And the third angel followed them, saying, with a loud voice, If any +man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his +forehead, or in his hand, + +10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is +poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall +be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, +and in the presence of the Lamb: + +11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and +they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, +and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. + +Vs. 9-11.--"And the third angel followed." The two preceding angels +addressed _communities_, calling them to repentance and reformation. +Indeed, the language of the second implies little or no hope of their +recovery. This third angel, "following" up the scriptural testimony of +those who went before, and assuming that church and state,--the +essential elements of the antichristian system,--continue irreclaimable, +addresses his message to _individuals_. This angel is the last that the +Lord Jesus will employ to awaken sinners that "are at ease in Zion." His +ministry is yet future, and he will never be succeeded by an angel of +mercy until mystical Babylon is overthrown. The special, arduous and +perilous work of this angel is, to threaten eternal death against every +individual who persists in the hitherto popular idolatry. "If any man +worship the beast."--Up to the time of this angel's appearance the beast +lives and devours his prey: consequently, his work comes within the +period of the 1260 years. During this limited time, there will be found +in the Apocalypse _three objects_ of popular devotion,--the dragon, (ch. +xiii. 4,) the _beast_, and his _image_, (v. 15.) In this place the +dragon is omitted, as also in ch. xv. 2; xx. 4. We may ask, why the +omission?--Simply because "the things which the _Gentiles_ sacrifice, +they sacrifice to devils, and not to God," (1 Cor. x. 20;) consequently, +these worshippers being _Gentiles_, (ch. xi. 2,) there is no necessity +that the dragon (the devil) should be particularized. From the first +rise of the beast, he was in alliance with the dragon, (ch. xiii. 2, 3;) +therefore both are doomed to perdition, (ch. xx. 10.) Most expositors +consider this angel as emblematical of events already past; the +reformation effected by Luther, his coadjutors and successors, or the +church of England![9] Their error consists in viewing the beast as the +symbol of the church of Rome. And it is remarkable, that through the +power of local and political bias, those commentators who themselves +perceive that the beast of the sea in chapter xiii. 1, symbolizes the +Roman _empire_, lose sight of their _own exposition_ when they arrive at +the place before us! And of this bias and inconsistency they seem to be +wholly unconscious! No, there has never yet appeared in the symbolic +heaven a minister or ecclesiastical organization, which has +authoritatively denounced everlasting punishment against all who +"receive the mark of the beast." It is to be noticed here that the sins +charged are _cumulative_, not _distributive_. Guilt is contracted as +here charged, by "worshipping the beast and his image, and receiving his +mark." If the beast signify immoral civil power, and his image signify +the Papacy, as we have seen they do, then it follows that worshipping +both, and receiving the mark of the former, constitute the special guilt +here charged by the angel: that is, eulogizing, praising, and actively +co-operating with civil and ecclesiastical society, at war with the +Bible--in organized hostility to the Lord and his Anointed. (Ps. ii. 9.) +"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth +mischief by a law?" (Ps. xciv. 20.) But during the 1260 years, the +secular imperial beast consists of "kingdoms of this world" in alliance +with the beast of the earth, (ch. xiii. 1, 11.) And as both are for +their crimes consigned to utter destruction, so in the time of the +"third angel," every individual is threatened with everlasting +punishment, who identifies with them. "No _temporal_ judgments on +_collective_ bodies can be the fulfilment of this awful denunciation, +which evidently relates to _individuals_, and to each individual who is +guilty; and if words can convey the idea of eternal punishment, it is +here denounced."[10] The words in the original, translated "for ever and +ever," (v. 11,) are the strongest in the Greek language to signify +eternity, and are not susceptible of any other meaning. + +As already intimated, the special mission and awful message of this +angel is yet future; but the testimony of his predecessor will have made +the tyranny, idolatry, immorality and profligacy of civil despots and +mercenary ministers so palpable and glaring, that the vengeance of the +Lord proclaimed by the last messenger will appear to be just. In this +way the "two witnesses smite the earth with all plagues," (ch. xi. 6;) +for they are identical with the "third angel," and have an active agency +in the work of judgment to be executed upon the antichristian enemies, +(ch. xv. 7.) And "who knows the power of that wrath which is poured out +without mixture into the cup of Jehovah's indignation?" In temporal +judgments there may be a mixture of mercy; but there is no such element +in the cup of the impenitent votaries of mystic Babylon. "Holy angels" +look on without sympathy for her agonies, while the Lamb inflicts the +tremendous penalty of her complicated and long-continued crimes. "_He_ +shall be tormented--_their_ torment:"--individuals found guilty of +complicity with Babylon, will be bound up into bundles as fuel for that +fire and brimstone, whose "smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever." "They +have no rest day nor night who worship the beast,"--no mitigation of +their sufferings. They are doomed to dwell "with everlasting burnings." +(Is. xxxiii. 14.) Such are the denunciations which the "third angel" is +commissioned to proclaim in the ears of men, either to bring them to +repentance, or to justify the Lamb in punishing their impenitent +disobedience. Now "every one who is acquainted with the writings of the +reformers and their successors, knows that they generally declared, +without hesitation, that popery is a damnable religion."[11] Popery, +however, is the religion which has corrupted states and churches +throughout the world; and therefore future reformers will not hesitate +to join civil states with her in their testimony and prayers, +saying,--"The wicked shall be turned into hell, _and all the nations_ +that forget God. Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that have not known +thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name; for they +have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place." (Psa. ix. 17; +lxxix. 6, 7.) + + +12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. + +13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are +the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, +that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. + +Vs. 12, 13.--The faithful and pointed testimony of the "third angel" of +reform against the organized enemies of God in church and state, instead +of producing repentance, tends only to provoke them to greater rage +against those who thus awaken their consciences and disturb their sinful +repose. The fires of persecution are again kindled, and the witnesses +are subjected to the anathemas of the church and the sword of the civil +magistrate,--the cruelty of the two beasts. It is therefore +added,--"Here is the patience of the saints." The events predicted here +agree in time with ch. xiii. 10; and the subjects of persecution are the +same moral person in their legitimate successors who appeared in ch. +xii. 17. They "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," +while the multitude "obey unrighteousness, receiving for doctrines the +commandments of men." + +To animate these sufferers who are in "jeopardy every hour" and who have +the sentence of death as outlaws, pronounced against them by Antichrist, +John "heard a voice from heaven," directing him to write,--"Blessed are +the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth."--To "die in the +Lord,"--means, in the faith and hope of the gospel, relieved by the +"witness of the Spirit" from the overwhelming fears of the pains of +_purgatory_. Both negatively and positively, this angel testifies +against the antichristian dogma of purgatory. He declares that the +torments of the wicked continue "for ever and ever," while the righteous +who die in the Lord, "cease from their labours."--No stronger testimony +can be conceived against the more gross papal heresy, or the more modern +and so called philosophical delusions of Universalists, Socinians and +others,--all of whom are the offspring of the "mother of harlots." But +besides the voice from heaven, and the concurrent witness of the Spirit, +against the papal dogma of purgatory, the "rest" here proclaimed for the +comfort of martyred saints, may be also understood as a termination to +their sharp conflicts with Antichrist. "_Henceforth_ they rest from +their labours,"--they shall never again be called to "resist unto blood, +striving against sin," as heretofore, by the combined opposition of the +"beast and false prophet," organized tyranny and idolatry. The ministry +of the "third angel," cotemporary with the "seventh trumpet,"--the third +and last "woe," prepares society throughout Christendom for entering +into the millennial rest. + + +14. And I looked, and, behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat +like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his +hand a sharp sickle. + +15. And another came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him +that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is +come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe. + +16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and +the earth was reaped. + +Vs. 14-16.--The gathering in of the harvest is sometimes emblematical of +mercy,--as when the believer is gathered to his fathers by death. His +sanctification being completed, he is taken home "as a shock of corn +ripe in his season." Reaping and threshing, however, are most frequently +symbolical of divine judgments, (Jer. li. 33;) and the apostle refers +here to the same event which the Lord foretold by the mouth of other +prophets. (Joel iii. 13-17; Micah iv. 12, 13.) This harvest is +emblematical of divine judgment on the nations of apostate Christendom. +He who executes the judgment is one like the Son of man, the Lord +Christ. Enthroned on a "white cloud" as his chariot, and having on his +royal "head a golden crown," the symbol of sovereignty, at the +solicitation, the loud cry of the symbolic angel,--a gospel ministry, he +"thrusts in his "sharp sickle," the emblem of avenging justice, and with +infinite ease, "the earth is reaped." This work of punishing guilty +_nations_ is not so proper to the ministry, the functions of whose +office are of a spiritual nature; yet are they active in a way competent +to them, calling upon the "Lord of the harvest" to reap. They judge of +the signs of the times. Such is part of their appropriate work. Thus +they say,--"The time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the +earth is ripe." The Lord Jesus appeared in royal majesty to John, as he +had appeared to Ezekiel, (ch. i. 26;) and to Daniel, (ch. vii. 13.) The +cloud on which he sat had a bright side towards his saints, but to his +enemies a dark side, as at the Red Sea. (Ex. xiv. 19, 20.) + +The two judgments of the _harvest_ and _vintage_, are obviously an +allusion to a natural order in the climate of Judea. Not only did the +barley and wheat-harvest precede the time of gathering grapes, but some +space elapsed between these labors of the husbandman. The usual order is +observed here. + + +17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also +having a sharp sickle. + +18. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over +fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, +saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine +of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. + +19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the +vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of +God. + +20. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out +of the wine-press even unto the horse-bridles, by the space of a +thousand and six hundred furlongs. + +Vs. 17-20.--As the ministry of the "third angel," (v. 9,) was final, as +to pronouncing the deserved doom of all the adherents of the +antichristian system, so in the symbols of the _harvest_ and _vintage_, +we have the execution of that sentence exhibited. The nations of +Christendom, having drunk the wine of the mother of harlots, and of her +daughters too, and having exhausted the patience of the Lord Jesus, +refusing to repent, while he warned them by his servants the three +angels of reform,--"rising early and sending them," were at length +"ripe" for his sharp sickle. Long had he expostulated with them, saying +to them, while addressing his church,--"The nation and kingdom that will +not serve thee (O Zion,) shall perish; yea, those nations shall be +utterly wasted." (Isa. lx. 12.)--The desolating judgments of the +reigning Mediator, having brought those nations to "hate the whore," +they become the willing and zealous agents of her destruction, as +appears, (ch. xvii. 16.) + +The "gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth,"--is a concise +emblematical representation of that tremendous work of punishing the +apostate church, to be exhibited in greater detail in the following +chapters. + +The "angel coming out of the temple,"--represents the gospel ministry as +usual. His "having a sharp sickle" may import his more immediate agency +in this than in the preceding work of the harvest." Christ himself +judged the nations,--had the "sharp sickle;" but in reckoning with +impenitent ecclesiastical communities, he will honor his faithful +servants. As in "measuring the temple,"--the Mediator held the +instrument in his own hand under the Old Testament, (Zech. ii. 1,) but +under the New Testament gave it into the hand of John, the +representative of a gospel ministry, (ch. xi. 1,) so that transaction +may illustrate the symbols here. + +The other angel "coming from the altar, who had power over fire," is +also symbolical of the ministry. The sickle in the hand of the former +angel, is for gathering the grapes; while the connexion of the latter +angel with the "altar," imports that a sacrifice is about to be offered, +as customary, to appease divine justice.--The "vine of the earth" is +plainly contrasted with the true vine. (Ps. lxxx. 1; Jer. ii. 21.) This +is a vine of Sodom with clusters of Gomorrah, (ch. xi. 8; Deut. xxxii. +32, 33.) It is the symbol of an apostate church, the chief heresy of +which is a practical rejection of the atonement of Christ; for it is +certain that vindictive justice is an attribute of God, and that he will +demand satisfaction from those impenitent sinners who despise his mercy +in the gospel offer, and "tread under foot the blood of the covenant +wherewith Christ was sanctified." (Heb. x. 29.) A heavier doom awaits +all such than to "die without mercy," which was the penalty for those +who "despised Moses' law." No sacrifice is appointed for the man or the +church that sins presumptuously. (Num. xv. 30, 31.) To all such, "_our_ +God is a consuming fire." (Heb. xii. 29.)--The one angel calls upon the +other,--encourages his companion, to execute the judgment of God. +"Thrust in thy sharp sickle."--Under the superintendence of the +Mediator, his servants by their prayers and their sermons have an active +part in this work of judgment. From the mouth of the witnesses proceeded +fire to devour their enemies, (ch. xi. 5.) This is the last work of +judgment in which they will be honoured. Joining their victorious +predecessors who overcame the antichristian combinations "by the blood +of the Lamb and the word of their testimony," (chs. vi. 9, 10; xii. 11,) +these undaunted servants of the Lord are honored by him as instrumental +in the infliction of the final judgments symbolized by the seventh +trumpet and the seventh vial,--the third and _last woe_.--The +"wine-press" is the symbol of the "wrath of God," and its location +"without the city," denotes that the churches of the apostacy are +excommunicated,--"reprobate silver, because the Lord hath rejected +them." + +We are not told here by whom the grapes are trodden; but this is the +work of the Lord Jesus himself, who in the days of his flesh on earth +forewarned his impenitent foes that he would thus deal with them in his +wrath. "Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over +them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke xix. 27; Isa. lxiii. +3; Rev. xix. 15.)--The blood in depth is to the "horse-bridles," and in +extent "a thousand and six hundred furlongs,"--200 miles! Although this +language is hyperbolical, it is intended to signify "a time of trouble, +such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and +at that same time God's people shall be delivered, every one that shall +be found written in the book." (Dan. xii. 1; Rev. xiii. 8.)--Thus it +appears that church and state, having combined in the antichristian +apostacy, are severally visited with the unmingled wine of the wrath of +God. All the saints shall have obeyed the call,--"Come out of her, my +people;" and mystic Babylon shall then be utterly destroyed. Whether +Palestine, the Pope's patrimony, or some other territory be understood +by the "1600 furlongs," is matter of vague conjecture by all expositors, +and is to be verified only by the fulfilment of the prediction. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +This chapter introduces the third and last series of symbols under which +the prospective history of the church militant is given, to strengthen +the faith and animate the hopes of her suffering and heroic children. +The warfare of the witnesses for the crown rights of Immanuel, which +have been usurped by his enemies, has been symbolized under the seals, +(chs. vi.-ix.,) and under the trumpets, (chs. xi. xii.;) and the +symbolic narrative is yet under the vials to be greatly amplified, +especially their last and greatest conflict, briefly represented in the +latter part of the preceding chapter, (vs. 9-18.) Whether or not the +vials, to which this fifteenth chapter is introductory, be all +comprehended under the _seventh trumpet_, as the trumpets are all +comprehended under the _seventh seal_, is a question upon which +respectable expositors differ. It is indeed obvious that the breaking of +the last seal, lays open the whole of the book, consequently the angels +holding the vials would come into view. John, however, is obliged to +"write" _consecutively_ some visions which he saw as it were at _one +view_. Thus he was "about to write what the seven thunders uttered," +(ch. x. 4,) but was prohibited. That was not the proper time or place; +but it is there intimated, (v. 7,) that "in the days of the voice of the +seventh angel," the import of the "seven thunders" would be disclosed. +Then would the "mystery of God be finished, as he had declared to his +servants the prophets." (Joel iii. 2, 12, 13; Micah iv. 3; Zech. xii. +2-4; 2 Thess. ii. 8.) Some of the most learned and sober divines, who +wrote on the Apocalypse during the peninsular war waged by the first +Napolean, contemplating the anarchical and bloody scenes of the French +Revolution, and the subsequent tyranny and blood connected with the +successful wars of the Gallic usurper, thought they heard in the +commotions of European nations the sound of the seventh trumpet, and saw +the plagues inflicted as symbolized by the vials. And thus it is that +local events, which excite the political feelings, the prejudices and +partialities of even good men, are hastily interpreted as a fulfilment +of prophecy. It does not appear, however, that those events were either +of sufficient magnitude or geographical extent to answer the tremendous +symbols of either _harvest_ or _vintage_. Did the French revolution, the +American revolution, or the wars of Napolean First, influence the +civilized world or affect the church of God, as Popery and Mahometanism +have done? No, the comparison is preposterous. Hence it is most probable +that Christendom has not yet heard the alarming sound of the seventh +trumpet. + + +1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels +having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of +God. + +V. 1.--"Another sign in heaven."--All the visions were seen by the +apostle in the same place, (ch. i. 1; xii. 1.) The word translated +"sign" here is the same as "wonder" in the twelfth chapter, which for +greater clearness to the English reader ought to have been rendered by +the same word.--The symbol or sign consists of "seven angels having the +seven last plagues,"--the _last_ to be inflicted on the Antichrist, but +not absolutely the last penal inflictions on the enemies of God; for +"Gog and Magog" are in like manner to be destroyed, and there is +_eternal_ wrath. + +Upon the "Lamb's taking the book," and before he had opened the first +seal, songs of joy burst forth from saints and angels, (ch. v. 8, 9.) So +it is here. Before the angels proceed to execute their commission, the +redeemed of the Lord, anticipating the effects of these judgments, give +expression to their joy. + + +2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that +had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his +mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having +the harps of God. + +3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of +the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, +just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! + +4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only +art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy +judgments are made manifest. + +Vs. 2-4.--The "sea of glass," or transparent sea, (as in ch. iv. 6,) +refers us to the brazen sea before the throne of God in the temple. In +this sea the priests were to wash themselves, (Exod. xxx. 18, 19,) and +in water drawn from it the sacrifices were to be washed also. (Lev. i. +9, 13.) + +As the brazen sea typified the blood of Christ, that "fountain opened +for sin and for uncleanness," (Zech. xiii. 1,) so this "sea of glass" is +the symbol of the same thing; for the Lord washes away the filth of the +daughters of Zion, and purges the blood of Jerusalem from the midst +thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isa. +iv. 4.) This happy company were victorious by the blood of the Lamb, +"over the beast, his image, his name and number;" having clean escaped +from them who live in error, both in civil and ecclesiastical relations. +Holding the eucharistic "harps of God," they are the same company as +those on Mount Zion with the Lamb, (ch. xiv. 1, 2.) There, their song +was called _new_; here it is more fully described. There it was said, +"no man could learn that song" but themselves, here we have the matter +of the song epitomised. It is constructed of two parts, "the song of +Moses and the song of the Lamb." As the children of Israel at the Red +Sea celebrated the praises of God's justice in the overthrow of their +enemies the Egyptians, so do these with united voice express their +admiration and praise in anticipation of the final and awful end of +these cruel, idolatrous and persecuting mystical Egyptians, (ch. xi. 8,) +"saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and +true are thy ways, thou King of saints." They do also declare their +faith in the universal dominion of their King; that "all nations shall +come and worship before him." And to this day none but the witnesses are +prepared either with intelligence or affection to "learn" or use this +song. We have the subject matter of both parts of this triumphant song, +framed by the Holy Spirit and incorporated in the Book of Psalms, (as +Ps. ii. 8; xviii. 37-45; xlv. 3-6; cx. 1, etc.) The fortunes of God's +covenant people till the ingathering of the Jews, with the fulness of +the Gentiles, may be found in Moses' song, (Deut. xxxii. 1-43,) and the +"song of the Lamb" is found in chapter v. 9-13. + + +5. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of +the testimony in heaven was opened: + +6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven +plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts +girded with golden girdles. + +Vs. 5, 6.--John looked again, and saw the "temple opened," that the +seven angels might have egress to enter upon their heavenly mission. +Their clothing resembled the garments of the priests under the law, +"white linen and golden girdles," representing the holiness or moral +purity of their work. They shed the blood of the victim, so to speak, +without soiling their garments; but the Lord Jesus, whose work of +judgment this is, "stains all his raiment," (Isa. lxiii. 3,) "for the +day of vengeance is in his heart," (v. 4.) + + +7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden +vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. + +V. 7.--"One of the four beasts,"--_animals_, the symbol of the gospel +ministry, as we found, (ch. iv. 6.) Not all the ministry were employed +in this action, but _one_ only. That is, some few, a fractional part, +possessing more insight into the "sure word of prophecy," and endowed +with larger measure of heroic spirit by the Lord Jesus, co-operated with +holy angels in this work of judgment. "He gave the vials into the hand +of the angels." By their preaching, their prayers and their example, +faithful ministers, unseduced by the blandishments of corrupt power, and +undismayed by the bloody edicts of the beast,--"in nothing terrified by +their adversaries," denounce the judgments represented by these vials, +upon the impenitent enemies of the Lord and his Anointed. For an +illustration of this symbolic action of giving the vials of divine wrath +to the appointed agents, reference may be had to Jer. xxv. 15-26; li. 7. + + +8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from +his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven +plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. + +Vs. 8.--"The temple filled with smoke," represents the darkness of these +dispensations, the horror and dismay which seizes upon the votaries of +Antichrist. But during the time of executing these judgments, the +progress of the gospel will be retarded,--"no man being able to enter +into the temple." It is intimated, moreover, that these judgments will, +as it were, clear away the "smoke," and render the temple once more +luminous. So we may conclude by comparing the 4th and 8th verses. In the +4th verse the witnesses declare their faith thus,--"All nations shall +come and worship before thee." But this is a description of the +millennial state of the world. (Ps. lxxii. 11.) + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +All preliminaries being now arranged, the seven angels receive their +commission by a "great voice out of the temple." It is the "voice of the +Lord, full of majesty." (Ps. xxix. 4.)--As the _seals_ and _trumpets_ +were not coincident, but successive, so it is doubtless with the +_vials_. No two begin to be poured out at the same time. One follows +another in orderly succession. + +Several questions of difficult solution, arise in the minds of devout +and humble students of the Apocalypse, respecting the series of the +vials. Are the vials cotemporary with the trumpets? Seeing that the +seventh seal included all the trumpets, does analogy require that all +the vials be comprehended under the seventh or last trumpet? Or, do the +seven vials come under the last three trumpets, distinguished as they +are by the character of woe-trumpets? (ch. viii. 13.) Other questions +may here be propounded; but these seem to be the most obvious and +important, in fixing the time of the events predicted. + +The breaking of the seventh seal unquestionably laid open the whole of +the book, including all the trumpets and vials,--all future events till +the end of the world; but it does not follow, for instance, that the +awful scene of the final judgment is to be cotemporary with any of the +trumpets, (ch. xx. 11, 12.) The seventh seal, therefore, discloses +important events, which are to come to pass subsequently to both +trumpets and vials. The fact that both trumpets and vials are disclosed +by the opening of the last seal, admits of their being cotemporaneous. + +From the striking resemblance between the effects of the trumpets and +those of the vials, (ch. viii. 7-12; xvi. 2-12,) they might seem to be +cotemporary. This, however, is not the case, for the objects of the +judgments are different, that of the trumpets being more formally the +civil empire, while that of the vials is the ecclesiastical empire; +each, however, greatly affecting the other, because of their unholy +union against the cause of Christ. Perhaps it may be most consonant to +the mind of the Spirit to view the vials as agreeing in time with the +three woe-trumpets. Keeping in view the definite period of Antichrist's +domination in church and state, 1260 years, and the probability of its +drawing to a close, the remaining part would seem too short for the +period of the vials. As the series of the vials, like those which in +vision preceded them, is successive, the application of them all to the +French Revolution is simply preposterous.[12] That event answered not to +the symbol either in extent or duration. Nor indeed is there +satisfactory evidence in the actual condition of the Christian world, +notwithstanding the fond imagination of learned and good men, that the +voice of the seventh angel has yet been heard by Christendom. + + +1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven +angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon +the earth. + +V. 1.--"Earth" has here the usual meaning,--the whole territory and +population of the Roman empire, those only and always exempted, who are +true to the cause of Immanuel. The angels of destruction cannot hurt +those who are under the protection of his blood. (Exod. xii. 23.) They +may not "come near any man upon whom is the mark." (Ezek. ix. 6; Rev. +xiv. 1.) + + +2. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there +fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the +beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. + +3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became +as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. + +4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains +of waters; and they became blood. + +5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, +which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus: + +6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast +given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. + +7. And I heard another out of altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, +true and righteous are thy judgments. + +Vs. 2-7.--"And the first went."--However disagreeable the service, as we +are ready to suppose, this holy agent at once obeys the divine command. +The best of men hesitate and remonstrate when called to difficult and +disagreeable work. So it was with Moses, and with Jeremiah. (Exod. iv. +10; Jer. i. 6.) But all these heavenly messengers in succession, execute +their respective tasks without gainsaying. It is the will of our common +Lord that his disciples should emulate their example, that they should +"know, obey and submit to his will in all things as the angels do in +heaven." (Ps. ciii. 20, 21.)--The judgments upon the antichristian +enemies which have been briefly represented in the close of the 14th +chapter by a _harvest_ and _vintage_, are in this chapter more +extensively exhibited by the seven vials. A resemblance to the first +four trumpets may be observed in the effects of the first four vials, +and besides, these plagues resemble those inflicted on Egypt. If by her +crimes, especially by idolatry and cruelty to the people of God papal +Rome has copied the manners of Egypt and Babylon, it is but just that +she should be visited with like punishment.--The first vial selects as +victims those who "had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image;" +and this is true of the succeeding plagues, although the fact be not +repeated. The object of this vial is the "earth" in a more restricted +sense than in the first verse. The "earth" in the first verse comprises +all the parts of a system, "earth, sea, fountains, sun and air," +mentioned in the following verses.--The "noisome and grievous sore," +refers to one of the plagues of Egypt. (Exod. ix. 9-11.) The _earth_ was +the object affected also by the first trumpet; (ch. viii. 7;) but as +Antichrist had not then arisen, this plague cannot agree in time with +the first trumpet, though it might with the fifth or sixth trumpet; for +while these trumpets were demolishing the eastern member of the Roman +empire, making way for the development of Mahomet's imposture, the +"little horn" of Daniel, and Paul's "man of sin," was revealed in the +west. But the "two witnesses" were coincident in origin with Antichrist, +and were empowered by the Lord Christ "to smite the earth with all +plagues as often as they would," (ch. xi. 6.) The "grievous sore" is to +be understood metaphorically, not literally; for so the construction of +the Apocalypse requires. It may import the festering of unmortified +corruption among the votaries of Antichrist, intensified by the faithful +application of the divine law by the witnesses.--The object of the +second vial is the "sea," the same as that of the second trumpet, (ch. +viii. 8, 9.) The allusion is to Exod. vii. 20, 21. Intestine commotions, +with war, blood and death, seem to be symbolized. The horns of the beast +were often turned against one another; for the bestial kingdom was +"partly broken." The toes in Nebuchadnezzar's image did not "cleave one +to another." (Dan. ii. 42, 43.)--The object of the third vial is the +"rivers and fountains of waters," (ch. viii. 10; Exodus vii. 19.) These +symbols may signify the several kingdoms of the empire, tributary by +their wealth and traffic to the great city. And as the witnesses +continued to prophesy, giving increased point and publicity to their +testimony, and as the Turks were making encroachments upon the +territories of nominal Christian princes in the west, extensive wars and +great slaughter were the results. These awful judgments are followed by +the plaudits of two angels. The eternal Jehovah is recognized as the +Author of these judgments. The Mediator may here be understood, (ch. i. +8;) (John v. 22, 27.) The "angel of the waters" may be the same who +poured out the vial. He gives to the Lord the glory of his +justice:--"Thou art righteous." He also approves the "law of +retaliation:"--"For they are worthy." The other angel "out of the altar" +speaks on behalf of the martyrs, (ch. vi. 9, 10,) recognizing the +faithfulness of God:--"True and righteous are thy judgments." + + +8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was +given unto him to scorch men with fire. + +9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of +God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repented not to give +him glory. + +Vs. 8,9.--The object of the fourth vial is the "sun," (ch. viii. 12.) +"Power was given him,"--the angel. The two witnesses are represented as +armed with "fire, which proceedeth out of their mouth, devouring their +enemies," (ch. xi. 5.) As the formal object of all the vials is the +ecclesiastical, rather than the civil empire, and the sun is the symbol +of the chief dignitary, perhaps this vial strikes more directly upon the +"man of sin." The expression in the introduction to the vials, (ch. xv. +4,)--"thou only art holy," seems to be a testimony against the +antichristian "name of blasphemy,"--"His Holiness." By the Reformation, +symbolized by successive angels of the fourteenth chapter, those valiant +men tormented the Pope and his vassals, so that they raged and +blasphemed more and more, but "repented not to give God the glory." So +it was at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, (ch. ix. 20, 21.) + + +10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; +and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for +pain, + +11. And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their +sores, and repented not of their deeds. + +Vs. 10, 11.--"The seat of the beast" is the object of the fifth vial. +The "beast" is all along from chapter xi. 7, the Roman empire. The +"image of the beast," we have found to be the papacy, (ch. xiii. 14, +15.) Now the "seat (throne) of the beast," would seem to point to the +metropolis, where the Pope, as a kind of imperial, +politico-ecclesiastical head, keeps his court, and whence decrees are +issued. This plague is like the ninth inflicted upon Egypt, (Exod. x. +21.) It was the last but one, and left Pharaoh still impenitent. Just so +here; although this vial is the last but one to be poured out on the +western limb of the great antichristian conspiracy: the population of +the spiritual empire repress their complaints before men,--"they gnawed +their tongues for pain;" while they in their hearts "curse their king +and their God, and look upward." (Is. viii. 21.) This may be understood +to be the actual condition of the Pope and his retainers at the present +time, and especially since the year 1848, when he was forced to flee +from Rome. _Darkness_ is the emblem of distress, of mental despair, (Ps. +xxxv. 8; Is. viii. 22;) and the actual relation of European powers to +the see of Rome,--Austria, France, Spain, and the Italian states, is not +calculated to mitigate, but rather to augment and irritate the "pains +and the sores" inflicted by this and former vials. + +We can, however, offer only conjectures here, and dare not be too +confident; for learned and pious expositors are of the opinion that all +the vials are comprehended under the seventh trumpet; that the seventh +trumpet has not yet begun to sound; and consequently, that the vials are +all future. On the other hand, equally learned and godly interpreters of +these Apocalyptic hieroglyphics, are very confident that the _sixth_ +vial is in process of pouring out in our present time; and that in fact +its effects are obviously traceable in providence. Already we have +indicated our humble opinion, that all the vials are not necessarily +comprehended under the seventh trumpet; inasmuch as the opening of the +last seal disclosed equally trumpets and vials: yet doubtless it is +requisite that the series of the trumpets should precede that of the +vials, while nothing hinders that of both series should cotemporate. We +may conceive that as the first four trumpets demolished the western +member of the Roman empire, and the next two the eastern limb, so the +vials may be distributed in a manner somewhat similar. The second woe, +or sixth trumpet, has not yet finished its appropriate work in the final +subversion of the Turkish empire, which still exists; and during the +time of its last echoes, the vials may be supposed to be accomplishing +their appropriate work upon the western empire, as being "wholly given +to idolatry." While the first five vials are consuming the Antichrist in +the west, the sixth is operating in the east. + + +12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river +Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings +of the east might be prepared. + +13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of +the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of +the false prophet. + +14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth +unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to +the battle of that great day of God Almighty. + +15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth +his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. + +16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew +tongue Armageddon. + +Vs. 12-16.--"The great river Euphrates" is the object of the sixth vial. +By the very general consent of expositors the Turkish empire is intended +by this symbol; and they seem to be equally agreed that the sixth vial +in now in process of pouring out. The object of the sixth trumpet is the +same, (ch. ix. 14.) There is, besides, an obvious allusion to the +ancient literal Babylon; and to the manner of its overthrow by Cyrus the +king of Persia. (Jer. l. 38; li. 36; Dan. v. 26-28; Is. xliv. 27, +28.)--This monarch, as historians relate, changed the current of the +Euphrates, and by this means took possession of the city, while +Belshazzar and his nobles were engaged in a drunken festival. (Dan. v. +1-30.)--The waters of this river are to be taken as representing the +population of the Ottoman empire, (ch. xvii. 15.) By the "kings of the +east" may be understood the Jews, agreeably to the symbolical nature of +this book; (Is. xli. 2, 3;) yet as the Turkish empire and Mahometan +imposture constitute barriers to the extension of Christ's kingdom among +the populous nations of the east, as Popish despotism and idolatry, +obstruct the gospel in the west, we may give this symbol of the "kings +of the east" a more extensive interpretation. Probably a larger +proportion of the natural seed of Abraham are to be found on the west +than even on the east of the Turkish empire. The dynasty of the Turk is +in process of visible exhaustion, and nothing but what is termed among +antichristian nations "the balance of power," prolongs its existence or +hinders its extinction. "Drying up," evaporation, is a gradual process, +and with singular precision describes the waning light of the once proud +Crescent,--the expiring breath of what has been termed by a bold figure, +"the sick man."[13]--Under this vial, however, and likewise as the +termination of the second woe, a general, final and desperate alliance +is to be found to resist the aggressive forces of the "Lord of +Hosts."--This confederacy is headed by the dragon, and is identical with +the war, (ch. xii. 17,) against the "remnant of the woman's +seed."--These "unclean spirits like frogs" are called "spirits of +devils." They "come out of the mouth" of all the agents, the dragon, +(ch. xii. 3, 9,) the beast, (ch. xiii. 1,) and the false prophet,--the +same as the two-horned beast, (v. 11,) and (ch. xix. 20.) These "unclean +spirits" succeed in gathering the kings of the earth, by "working +miracles," "lying wonders." (2 Thess. ii. 9; 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2.) They are +the agents of antichristian Rome, spiritual wickedness in high places," +(Eph. vi. 12;)--"like frogs," living in moral filth; garrulous and +impudent, stealthily gaining access into the bedchambers of the kings, +"after the manner of Egypt." (Exod. viii. 3.)--Surely the policy of Rome +is here portrayed, her cardinals, archbishops, Jesuits, etc., gaining +entrance into the councils and cabinets of princes, inciting them to +debauchery, tyranny and blood. Hellish hosts are thus "gathered to the +battle of that great day of God Almighty,"--the day of the seventh vial, +of the "vintage," (ch. xiv. 18-20,) and of the seventh trumpet, (ch. xi. +15;) for all these agree in point of time.--This will be an "hour of +temptation," as intimated in the 15th verse, which is a parenthesis, +interrupting a little the narrative of the effects of the vial. There is +danger of apostacy, of "falling away to these Chaldeans," of temporizing +with the enemy in order to escape suffering. Thus Christian soldiers of +the cross, losing "the armour of righteousness," would be exposed to +"shame." But "blessed is he that watcheth," that looks to the Captain of +Salvation, to his cause, as elucidated by his providence,--the signs of +the times; for so shall he "keep his garments," when others are "found +naked."--"And he gathered them" or rather "_they_ gathered," (for the +singular verb agrees with its nominative plural neuter as usual,)--the +"unclean spirits gathered the kings of the earth" to the destined place. +This hinders not but that these antichristian enemies of the church are +brought together by the Almighty. Just so he sent the king of Assyria +against "a hypocritical nation." (Is. x. 5-7.) And doubtless the prophet +Joel prophesied of this great and decisive battle, (ch. iii. 11-14.) +"Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Compare vs. 1, 2. +The place is called "Armageddon," the _mountain of destruction_, +suggesting the issue of the battle in the final overthrow of Antichrist; +for it is not necessary to suppose that any _place_ is literally pointed +out; but as this is a compound word in the "Hebrew tongue," allusion may +be made to the slaughter of Sisera's army, (Judges v. 19;) or to the +mournful death of Josiah, (2 Chron. xxxv. 22.) + + +17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there +came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, +It is done. + +18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a +great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so +mighty an earthquake, and so great. + +19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of +the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to +give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. + +20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. + +21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone +about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God, because of the +plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. + +Vs. 17-21.--"The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air."--The +devil is emphatically styled "the prince of the power of the air." (Eph. +ii. 2.) All the preceding vials fell upon their respective and +successive objects, the several parts of the symbolic system; but this +"vial of consummation" affects the whole of that system at once. The +dragon, the beast, and his image, together with the false prophet,--all +the "kingdoms of this world and the glory of them," which the god of +this world claimed as his own, and offered to our Lord Jesus Christ in +the days of his humiliation, (Luke iv. 6, 7;)--all will be destroyed for +ever. He who gave commission by a "great voice," (v. 1,) to these +angels, now that they have fulfilled his pleasure, solemnly declares his +approbation,--"It is done." The Lord Christ had solemnly sworn that "in +the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he should begin to +sound, the mystery of God should be _finished_," (ch. x. 6, 7.) He is +faithful to his oath,--_It is done._ Hence, it is undeniably evident +that the seventh trumpet agrees in time with the seventh vial; and it is +equally evident that the events which they represent are yet future. +What was obscurely intimated as following the sounding of the seventh +trumpet,--"the nations were angry,--and thy wrath is come," (ch. xi. +18,) is here amplified; for the "voices, thunders and lightnings," are +the visible and sensible tokens of the wrath of God. (Exod. xix. 16; +Heb. xii. 21.) Next follows an "earthquake," the usual symbol of +revolution; but this one is without parallel. An earthquake followed the +opening of the sixth seal, (ch. vi. 12;) when paganism was overthrown in +the Roman empire by Constantine, and another earthquake marked the close +of the second woe, (ch. xi. 13,) when "the tenth part of the city fell:" +but this _concussion_ is "so mighty and so great" as to "divide the +great city into three parts," or rival factions: next, "the cities of +the nations fell,"--revolted from their wonted allegiance, and "great +Babylon came in remembrance before God," who seemed to have forgotten +both her and his saints whom she had so long and so cruelly persecuted. +At the fall of Rome _pagan_, mountains and islands were only "moved out +of their places," (ch. vi. 14;) but at the fall of Rome _papal_, "every +island fled away, and the mountains were not found;"--the former +indicating _transition_, the latter utter _destruction_.--The "fall of +hail" is to be viewed as accompanying, not following, the fall of +cities, flight of islands and mountains. As hail-stones are symbolical +of divine judgments, and as there may be allusion here to another of the +plagues of Egypt, (Exod. ix. 18;) so more especially may the facts of +history supply the figurative language with which the judgments of the +vials terminate. If any escaped the destroying sword in the battle of +Armageddon, they are overtaken by these ponderous hail-stones out of +heaven; even as "the Lord cast down great stones from heaven" upon the +five kings of the Amorites; so that "more died with hailstones than they +whom the children of Israel slew with the sword." (Jos. x. 11.)--The +result is as before; the survivors remain impenitent. As history +supplies no instance of literal hail-stones of a talent weight, (sixty +pounds, or as others, a hundred,) so the symbol represents this as the +most tremendous of all the judgments of God, (ch. xiv. 20.) + +Thus, we have seen that the last trumpet and the last vial combine, in +the final perdition of Babylon the great. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +This chapter may be considered introductory to the eighteenth, or as a +digression in the narrative, to explain more fully the integral parts of +that complex, mystical moral person so often called "great Babylon," +whose destruction was so awfully presented in the foregoing chapter. + + +1. And there came one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials, +and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee +the judgment of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters; + +2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the +inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her +fornication. + +Vs. 1, 2.--The angel that "talked with the apostle" was probably the +seventh. "The great whore" is the symbol of the idolatrous church of +Rome, which broke her marriage covenant with Christ. Idolatry is +spiritual whoredom. (Hosea vi. 10.) Her "sitting upon many waters" is +explained, verse 15. "The kings of the earth" are her paramours, and +their subjects are partakers in the crime,--"made drunk." + + +3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a +woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, +having seven heads, and ten horns. + +4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour, and decked +with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her +hand, full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication. + +5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, +THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. + +Vs. 3-5.--The "scarlet-coloured beast" is the Roman empire professing +the Christian religion, modelled by the Romish church; for the "woman +sits upon the beast," guiding and controlling all its motions. (James +iii. 3.) The raiment of both is at once _imperial and bloody_,--"purple +and scarlet."--The raiment of this "woman" is decked with precious +metal, stones and pearls, after the usual "attire of a harlot." (Ezek. +xvi. 17.) The "cup" alludes to the practice of harlots giving +love-potions to their paramours, very expressive of the indulgences, +absolutions, preferments, etc., by which the church of Rome attracts +disciples to her idolatry. "The nations have drunken of her wine; +therefore the nations are mad." (Jer. li. 7.)--The inscription "upon her +forehead" is after the manner of shameless prostitutes, avowing Rome's +whoredoms of idolatry, monasticism, indulgences to sin, as essential to +religion, a "mystery of iniquity," by which the "man of sin thinks to +change times and laws." (Dan. vii. 24, 25; xi. 36, 37.) + + +6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with +the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with +great admiration. + +V. 6.--This "woman,"--_Christian church_,--was "drunken with the blood +of saints and martyrs." Of course, such a sight would give rise to the +apostle's astonishment. The attempt of popish writers to apply this to +_pagan_ Rome's persecutions is demonstrably false; for John could not +"wonder" at the persecution of the church when he was himself an actual +victim in Patmos, (ch. i. 9.) + + +7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell +thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which +hath the seven heads and ten horns. + +8. The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not; and shall ascend out of +the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the +earth shall wonder (whose names were not written in the book of life +from the foundation of the world,) when they behold the beast that was, +and is not, and yet is. + +9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven +mountains, on which the woman sitteth. + +10. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the +other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short +space. + +11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of +the seven, and goeth into perdition. + +Vs. 7-11.--The angel explains the "mystery of the woman and of the beast +that carrieth her." The beast, the civil power, carrieth, sustains the +woman, the church; as the church controls the state, (v. 3; ch. xiii. 1, +11, 16.) The "beast that was, and is not, and yet is," is a mysterious +personage as well as the woman; therefore all who "dwell upon the +earth,"--not in "heaven, wonder," (ch. xiii. 3-6;)--that is, all the +vassals of Antichrist, distinguished from those whose "names are in the +book of life,"--the two witnesses.--"The seven heads" of the beast +signify seven mountains, on which Rome literally stands, namely, +Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Coelian, Viminal and +Quirinal. Here the woman and Rome are manifestly identical,--the +spiritual empire. But the heads of the beast have a double meaning; for +they also signify "seven kings" or successive forms of civil government. +At the time when John wrote, "five had fallen;" they had passed into +actual history. One was then existing, namely, the emperor, in the +person of Domitian, as is supposed. This is the imperial head, whose +"deadly wound was healed," (ch. xiii. 3.)--The "seventh head was not +come" in the apostles' time, but on his appearance, he was to "continue +a short space." The papacy is not the seventh head. _He_ is a horn. +(Dan. vii. 8, 20.) But a _horn_ of the beast cannot identify with the +_beast himself_. It is otherwise with a head, which is the form of +government over the _whole empire_. The _patriciate_ succeeded the +imperial, being the seventh head, and only of _short_ duration, about +fifty years. Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans in the year +eight hundred; and so the patriciate terminated. This is the _eighth_, +which "is of the seven;" and goeth into perdition. This septimo-octave +head is so variable, sometimes acknowledged as residing in Austria, then +in France, etc., that for hundreds of years, the great republic of the +nations,--all _bestial_,--are at a loss to identify the visible head in +whom resides the precedency: hence the "balance of power" is so +perplexing and difficult to adjust. Were there an acknowledged imperial +and despotic head, this obvious difficulty could not exist. But the +beast is not. Nevertheless the arbitrary power of the horns of the beast +is sensibly felt in every part of the Roman empire.--The beast is, and +will continue till "the time of the end;" (Dan. xii. 9;) for the Roman +empire must be equal in duration with the life and actings of the two +witnesses, 1260 years. + + +12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have +received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the +beast. + +13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto +the beast. + +14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome +them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with +him are called, and chosen, and faithful. + +Vs. 12-14.--"The ten horns" signify "ten kings" or regal or civil +sovereignties, into which the empire was to be partitioned after John's +time, and which we have seen was effected by the first four trumpets, +(ch. viii. 7-12.)--These "received power _one hour_ with the +beast,"--rather, at _one time_, or cotemporaneously with the beast; for +they are his horns, and are of "one mind, giving their power and +strength," all their resources, to him. These shall make war with the +Lamb," the Mediator, headed by the dragon, and instigated by the beast +and his image, (ch. xii. 7; xiii. 7.) + + +15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore +sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. + +V. 15.--"The waters," controlled by "the whore," are the multitudes whom +the apostate church of Rome commands to volunteer in the wars of the +kings against the Lamb. + + +16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate +the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her +flesh, and burn her with fire. + +V. 16.--What a surprising change! yet how natural! (2 Sam. xiii. 15.) +The punishment is that which was adjudged in the case of a priest's +daughter. (Lev. xxi. 9.)--The "ten horns," here, are to be understood +generally, not universally, (ch. xviii. 9; xix. 19.) Some of those +princes that have contributed most to the aggrandizement of the Romish +church, and been most devoted to her religion, as the ruler of France, +"the eldest son of the church," their "catholic majesties" of Austria, +Spain, Portugal,--may be among the first in executing divine judgments +on Babylon.--"Make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh;" that is, +withdraw the lands, endowments, etc., which enriched her monasteries and +fattened her bishops, priests, etc. + + +17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, +and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be +fulfilled. + +V. 17.--Here we are led into the secret cause of the wonderful change in +the policy of the horns: "God hath put into their hearts." They just do +to the "great whore, whatsoever God's hand and counsel determined before +to be done." (Acts iv. 28. See also Exod. vii. 3; Gen. xiv. 8; l. 20; +Ps. cv. 25.) + + +18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth +over the kings of the earth. + +V. 18.--This "woman is the great city;" not literally the city of Rome; +but the imperial ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to whose authority +intoxicated kings and their subjects bowed in slavish submission; and +whose bloody decrees they had executed for 1260 years upon many of their +best subjects and fellow-creatures. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, +having great power; and the earth was lightened, with his glory. + +2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great +is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the +hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. + +3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her +fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with +her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance +of her delicacies. + +Vs. 1-3.--After the apostle had described Babylon in the preceding +chapter, he "saw another angel." This seems to be the Lord Christ, the +same as in ch. x. 1. He "confirmeth the word of his servants," (ch. xiv. +8;) that "Babylon the great has fallen," and is adequately punished for +her crimes, which are enumerated, v. 3. + + +4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my +people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of +her plagues. + +V. 4.--The phrase, "my people" indicates that the speaker is not a +created angel whose warning is here given with a "voice from heaven." +This call of the Lord Jesus has been addressed to his elect, ever since +the revelation of the "man of sin." It has been obeyed but partially +hitherto: but upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, his Holy Spirit +will give the call unusual efficacy. + + +5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her +iniquities. + +6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, +according to her works: in the cup which he hath filled, fill to her +double. + +7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much +torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart. I sit a queen; +and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. + +8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and +famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord +God who judgeth her. + +Vs. 5-8.--"Her sins have reached unto heaven," and now she is to be +visited with condign punishment; although it seemed both to her and +God's own people long delayed. "God hath remembered her iniquities." +There is reference to ancient Babylon's punishment, and the law of +retaliation. (Jer. l. 15; Ps. cxxxvii. 8; Is. xlvii. 1-8.) Her +punishment is destruction from the Almighty": "strong is the Lord God +who judgeth her." + + +9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived +deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they +shall see the smoke of her burning. + +10. Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, +that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy +judgment come. + +11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no +man buyeth their merchandise any more. + +12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of +pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet and all thyine +wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most +precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. + +13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, +and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, +and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. + +14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, +and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and +thou shalt find them no more at all. + +15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall +stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, + +16. And saying, Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine +linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious +stones, and pearls! + +17. For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every ship +master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade +by sea, stood afar off, + +18. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city +is like unto this great city? + +19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, +saying, Alas, alas! that great city, wherein were made rich all that had +ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she +made desolate. + +Vs. 9-19.--At the fall of Babylon some of the kings who had been her +supporters, will lament for her while utterly unable to protect her, and +afraid of partaking of her plagues. It may be proper to remark, that the +word translated "alas," and repeated in this chapter, is the same in the +Greek text as that which is rendered, "woe" in ch. viii. 13; from which +fact we are to infer that the fall of mystical Babylon described in this +chapter comes under the last three, or probably the seventh trumpet. +That the Turkish empire is to be overthrown by the sixth trumpet or +second woe, and gradually exhausted by the sixth vial, hardly admits of +a doubt: but it does not necessarily follow, that said trumpet and vial +are to terminate when that judgment ends. Each trumpet and vial may +continue its effects for some time after the following one +commences.--Kings, merchants and shipmasters are mentioned as chief +mourners, while they are helpless spectators of this judgment. In all +this narrative there is plain allusion to the language of Old Testament +prophets who predicted the destruction of the enemies of God's people; +as Babylon, Tyre, Egypt. All these powerful kingdoms have been made +desolate for their idolatry and cruelty; and thus history comes in aid +of prophecy to confirm the faith of the saints. The moral government of +the Most High is uniform, and he will execute vengeance upon his and +Zion's impenitent enemies. The merchandise and lamentations are borrowed +from Ezek. xxvii. In ver. 13 there is mention made of "the persons of +men" as part of the wares in the markets of Tyre, and we find "slaves +(_bodies_) and souls of men," among the commodities for sale in modern +Babylon. How can we, in view of historic facts, exempt the United States +of North America from complicity in the crimes of mystic Babylon as one +of her dependencies? While earthly politicians, sustained by eminent +divines, proclaimed to the world in gushing oratory that "America was an +asylum for the oppressed of all nations,"--"the land of the free, and +the home of the brave;" perhaps there never was a more effectual +refutation of this popular sentiment, accompanied with a more biting +sarcasm, than that which was uttered in derisive song by the sable, +coffled chain-gang in the streets of the national capital,--"Hail! +Columbia, happy land!"--All who are acquainted with the internal and +political history of the United States, know that the adherents of the +"Man of Sin" always gave their suffrages for the support and continuance +of that cursed traffic. + +The great variety of the articles of merchandise here enumerated, is +calculated to impress the reader with the idea of the wealth, luxury, +splendor, and self-indulgence of the metropolis of the idolatrous Roman +empire, the "mother and mistress of all churches."--The prophetic +declaration, however,--"with feigned words shall they make merchandise +of you," (2 Pet. ii. 3,) is not confined to the Romish communion. This +traffic, in _souls_, pervades all the streets of symbolic Babylon.--The +overthrow is sudden and unexpected,--"in one hour." This is thrice +repeated, (vs. 10, 17, 19.) In v. 18 this "spiritual Sodom" is compared +to her prototype in her fearful end. "They saw the smoke of her +burning." (Gen. xix. 28.) + + +20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; +for God hath avenged you on her. + +V. 20.--Judgments on the impenitent enemies of God and of the saints, +are mercies to the church. (Ps. cxxxvi. 15-20;) and consequently, while +the former are lamenting for the fall of the great city, the latter are +exhorted to rejoice in her ruin,--all the members of the church in +general, and "holy apostles and prophets" in particular. The apostles +are daily worshipped at Rome in their supposed likenesses, the work of +the "cunning artificer; but here they are mentioned as rejoicing in the +destruction of the idolatrous sinners who so greatly _dishonoured_ them, +and detracted from the glory of God.--As "there is joy in heaven over +one sinner that repenteth," so is there over the destruction of the +impenitent. (Jer. li. 48.) "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord." +(Judges v. 31.) + + +21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast +it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city +Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. + +22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and +trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of +whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound +of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; + +23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and +the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at +all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by +thy sorceries were all nations deceived. + +Vs. 21-23.--The emblem of "a great millstone cast into the sea," is a +very striking indication of the sudden and irretrievable ruin of mystic +Babylon, and contains an allusion to Jer. li. 63, 64.--The removal of +"musicians, craftsmen, candles, etc.," from this devoted city, as they +plainly point to the statuary, music and paintings which have attracted +multitudes to the idolatry, superstition and harlotry of antichristian +Rome, emphatically proclaims the utter and perpetual desolation of papal +Rome. The language is borrowed from Isa. xxiv. 8; Jer. xxv. 10; Ezek. +xxvi. 13.--Her merchants being the "great men of the earth," and the +"sorceries" by "which the nations were deceived, very plainly indicate +the successful traffic of the "mother of harlots,"--the church of Rome. + + +24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all +that were slain upon the earth. + +V. 24.--When the Lord "maketh inquisition for blood," the "blood of all +that were slain upon the earth,"--_for Christ's sake_, will be found in +the skirts of this Jezebel. Papal Rome has shed more innocent blood than +pagan Rome; than Babylon, Tyre and Egypt; and by her relentless cruelty +to "prophets and saints," ministers and members of the witnessing +church, she has endorsed all the murderous persecutions from Abel down +to the present day. (Luke xi. 50, 51; Acts vii. 52.)--Now when we +contemplate in the light of prophecy, confirmed by authentic history, +the numberless, aggravated and long-continued crimes of Babylon the +great, her pride, (v. 7,) her cruelty, (v. 3,) her luxury, her tyranny, +her idolatry, her fornication, her impenitence in all,--can we hesitate +to acquiesce in the righteousness of her final doom, or to join in the +plaudits of the saints in the next chapter? + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +1. And after these things, I heard a great voice of much people in +heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, +unto the Lord our God: + +2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the +great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath +avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. + +3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and +ever. + +4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and +worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. + +Vs. 1-4.--The frequent repetition of the Hebrew word "Alleluia" in this +chapter, may perhaps be an intimation of something which specially +relates to the Jews. The perpetuity of the covenant made with Abraham, +renewed to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob, (Ps. cv. 9, 10,) is clearly +taught in the Scriptures. (Gen. xvii. 7; Acts ii. 39; Rom. iv. 13; Gal. +iii. 14, 29.) + +It has been already intimated, (ch. xi. 15,) that at the sounding of the +seventh trumpet, "there were great voices in heaven, saying, The +kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord and of his +Christ; and he (Christ,) shall reign for ever and ever." Beholding the +overthrow of Babylon, all the people of God were invited, (ch. xviii. +20,) to "rejoice over her," for her downfall was effected under the last +trumpet and vial. With that invitation the saints here joyfully comply. +"_Much people_ in heaven," implies a great augmentation of their number, +and as "heaven" signifies the church on earth, we are warranted to +expect a rapid increase of her membership as the consequence of the +sounding of the seventh trumpet.--At the pouring out of the third vial, +(ch. xvi. 7,) the angel of the altar said, "True and righteous are thy +judgments." The very same sentiment is repeated here by the "much +people,"--all the saints. Thus they recognise the faithfulness and +justice of God, as he heard and answered the cry of the "souls under the +altar;" (ch. vi. 9, 10,) for he had now "avenged their blood" and that +of their "brethren that had been killed as they were," upon them that +dwell on the earth,--the population of mystic Babylon. (Ps. cxxxvii. 8, +9.) "And again they said, Alleluia; and her smoke rose up for ever and +ever," like that of Sodom. In all this, the ministry and members of the +whole church cordially join, adding their hearty and solemn "Amen!" + +For this protracted joy and exulting praise, two causes seem to be in +operation, God's judgment on Babylon, and his mercy on Zion. Both are +matter of praise. (Ps. ci. 1.) + + +5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye +his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. + +6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the +voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, +Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. + +7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage +of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. + +8. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, +clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. + +9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto +the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the +true sayings of God. + +Vs. 5-9.--This happy company are called upon to renew their song. The +call seems to come from some one who is authorized to speak with +authority, "out of the throne." All the servants of God are invited, and +all appear to respond, "a great multitude." This is the most animated of +all the examples of praise recorded in this book. It is compared to the +rushing of waters down a cataract, as the roaring of the sea, or the +rolling of thunder in the heavens. It is indeed the "voice of them that +shout for mastery,"--and "all the people shout with a great shout, for +the Lord hath given them the city,"--"Alleluia, _praise ye the Lord_, +for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "Thou wilt perform the truth to +Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers +from the days of old."--These joyful victors encourage each other to +prolong their acclamations:--"Let us be glad and rejoice," ... "for the +marriage of the Lamb is come:" and what can that be, but the recalling +of the Jews? This is the day of our New Testament Solomon's espousals, +and the day of the gladness of his heart. (Song iii. 11.)--Not only the +Jews, but the great majority of professing Christians during the 1260 +years of Antichrist's usurpations, have refused to "submit themselves to +the righteousness of God." (Rom. x. 3.) The kings of the earth also have +fostered the pride and profligacy of the great whore, instead of the +bride of the Lamb. The lewd woman, and the woman in the wilderness +hitherto, are now to be distinguished. As their character and conduct +are different, so is their raiment. The gaudy and splendid attire of the +former, is in striking contrast with that of the latter; which is that +of a "woman professing godliness," (ch. xvii. 4; 1 Tim. ii. 10.)--"To +her was granted,"--Precious words; for the "Lamb's wife of herself was +utterly destitute," (ch. iii. 17.) The Jews, in the day of their +Messiah's power, (Psa. cx. 3,) convinced of the law as transgressors, +will be brought to adopt the language of their own prophet, (Is. lxi. +10;) "he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered +me with the robe of righteousness." The righteousness of Christ imputed +for justification, and the Spirit of Christ imparted for sanctification, +together with good works, the visible evidence of both, will constitute +the "fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints." +This is, after all, a more _costly_, as well as more comely attire, than +that of the mother of harlots. (Ps. xlv. 13, 14.)--"And he saith."--That +is, say some, the angel, (ch. xvii. 1, 7; or ch. xviii. 1;) but we are +rather to view him as the same who brings all these messages from Christ +to the apostle, (ch. i. 1.) The angel pronounces those "blessed who are +called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."--In the beginning of the New +Testament dispensation, the invitation was to a _dinner_. (Matt. xxii. +4.) The day will have been far spent at the sounding of the seventh +trumpet, when Jews and Gentiles are called to this supper. It will be +the last _great feast_ of the church militant. But who shall live to +partake of the banquet? The angel gives his solemn attestation to "these +sayings." + + +10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See +_thou do it_ not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have +the testimony of Jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the +spirit of prophecy. + +V. 10.--This is a surprising incident,--an aged, experienced and holy +man, an apostle, "falling down to worship the angel!" And we are told +that he relapsed into the same sin, (ch. xxii. 8, 9.) Like Peter on the +mount, who "wist not what to say;" or Paul in the "third heaven ... +whether in the body or out of the body, he could not tell." (Mark ix. 6; +2 Cor. xii. 3.) John had become overpowered by the visions and +transported by the high praises which he saw and heard. The like effects +were experienced by Daniel, (viii. 18; x. 8, 17.)--This sin of idolatry +by the apostle was doubtless permitted by the Lord, in order to furnish +occasion for a testimony from the angel, against the "voluntary humility +and worshipping of angels," (Col. ii. 18;) practised by the Papists, and +to leave them without excuse.--The abrupt language of the angel in this +and a subsequent case, is strongly expressive of +resentment:--"See--not." Such is the _curt, sententious_ utterance in +the Greek text. He assigns the best reason and strongest argument +against idolatry:--"I am thy fellow-servant," a creature as well as +yourself: we are servants of one Lord, who alone is the object of our +devotion, "Worship God." This is the best counsel, enforced by the most +cogent reasoning,--"For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of +prophecy." This sentence may be read,--"The Spirit of prophecy is the +testimony of Jesus;" and it will be equally true. "To him give all the +prophets witness," (Acts x. 43;) for "the Spirit of Christ was in them;" +(1 Pet. i. 11;) and this fact is well known to holy angels. (Eph. iii. +10; 1 Pet. i. 12.) So this angel plainly declares. + + +11. And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse: and he that sat +upon him was called Faithful and True: and in righteousness he doth +judge and make war. + +12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns: +and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. + +13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is +called The Word of God. + +14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, +clothed in fine linen, white and clean. + +15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should +smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he +treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. + +16. And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF +KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. + +Vs. 11-16.--"Heaven opened" once more, allows the apostle to look upon +Messiah the Prince going forth to fresh conquests. As he began, (ch. vi. +2,) so he continues, "in righteousness to judge and make war;" not as +the ambitious tyrants who "destroy the earth," (ch. xi. 18.) He has here +three names,--"Faithful and True, The Word of God, king of kings and +Lord of lords; yet he has a "name written which no man knoweth but he +himself."--His infinite essence and eternal generation are +incomprehensible by angels and men.--He is, however, known by his +mediatorial titles,--"faithful and true" to all covenant engagements; as +the prophet of the church, he "declares the Father," making known the +"word of God;" and his lordship is at once a warning to his enemies and +security to his friends.--"On his head were many crowns," emblematical +of his numerous victories over the princes of the earth, especially the +"ten kings," (ch. xvii. 14.)--"His eyes as a flame of fire," going +though the whole earth "in every place," (Prov. xv. 3;) render it +impossible for his enemies to elude discovery. (Jer. xxiii. 24.)--His +"vesture dipped in blood," refers to his victories over all his +malicious and impenitent foes. (Is. lxiii. 1-3; Rev. xiv. 20.)--His +"armies on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean," are +uniformed like their leader, (ch. xii. 7;) for "they that are with him +are called, and chosen, and faithful," (ch. xvii. 14.)--The weapon with +which he "smites the nations" that oppose him, is the "sharp sword," an +emblem of his ruinous and avenging justice; for he "tradeth the +wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."--"On his +thigh," where he wears his sword, there is a legible inscription, +indicating his universal and rightful authority. + + +17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud +voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and +gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; + +18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and +the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on +them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and +great. + +19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, +gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and +against his army. + +20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought +miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the +mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were +cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. + +21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the +horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were +filled with their flesh. + +Vs. 17-21.--The position of the "angel standing in the sun," and "crying +with a loud voice;" represents, that Messiah's judgments would be +visible to all the world; and the extent of the invitation to the +"fowls," indicates the vast slaughter of his enemies. Babylon being +"utterly burned with fire," (ch. xvii. 16, xviii. 8,) as a suitable +punishment of an apostate church; the "flesh of kings, of captains, of +mighty men," etc., as a sacrifice to divine justice, is given as a feast +to the fowls of heaven. The allusion here is to the destruction of "Gog +and Magog." (Ezek. xxxix. 17-20.) These enemies of the saints are to +appear and be overthrown before the millennium; and although John +borrows the names of these enemies, (ch. xx. 8,) they are not the same +as those of Ezekiel; the one appearing _before_, the other _after_ the +thousand years. We have often found the enemies of the church called in +the Apocalypse by the names of persecutors under the Old +Testament;--Babylon, Egypt, etc.--We may consider the "fowls," the birds +of prey, as symbolizing the kings who retaliate upon Babylon; (as in ch. +xvii. 16;) or rather, as the Lord's people reclaiming their own, of +which they had been unjustly and long deprived,--"spoiling the +Egyptians." (Exod. xii. 36.) + +Some suppose that the confederacy of the "kings of the earth" with the +beast, (v. 19,) is a distinct attack from that mentioned in chapter +seventeenth; (v. 14;) but perhaps it is safer to consider it as the +same, only more distinctly and fully exhibited here. Indeed it seems, +from the agency of the "false prophet," to be the same event as that +under the sixth vial, (ch. xvi. 14;) preparing to the battle of +Armageddon. The Lord Jesus as "captain of the Lord's hosts," and the +army of heaven following him, all of them on white horses, appear to be +on the one side; and the beast with the kings of the earth, instigated +by the false prophet, on the other. The rank and file like their leaders +are described as having "received the mark of the beast and worshiped +his image." But the beast of the earth, (ch. iii. 11,) causes all ranks +to receive the mark, and worship the image of the beast, (vs. 15, 16) +The beast of the earth, the woman, and the false prophet, all mean the +same thing; and that is, an apostate church in alliance with tyrannical +civil powers, (ch. xvii. 3.) Now, if the great city Babylon, a symbol +which comprises the whole antichristian confederacy, has been utterly +destroyed, as appears in the eighteenth chapter, whence come these +enemies bearing the same characters? The only solution of this apparent +difficulty is by supposing as we have done, that this is a re-exhibition +of what has been more obscurely symbolized, (ch. xiv. 20; xvi. 17; xvii. +16; xviii. 2, 8, 20,) in order more distinctly to point out the end of +two principal leaders,--the "beast and the false prophet," the empire +and church of Rome. "These both were cast alive into a lake of fire +burning with brimstone."--"The remnant were slain." When the leaders +were discomfited, the ranks were soon broken, and the whole army melted +away. They were slain with Messiah's sword, the emblem of his justice, +(ch. i. 16.) + +Thus "Babylon is fallen, to rise no more at all:" all the visible +enemies of the Lord and his Anointed are cut off from the face of the +earth: and it remains only that he who originated the rebellious +conspiracy be put under necessary restraint. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the +bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. + +2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, +and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. + +3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal +upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand +years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little +season. + +Vs. 1-3.--"And I saw an angel." This angel is the Lord Christ, (ch. x. +1.) The key is the symbol of authority. (Is. xxii. 22; chs. i. 18; iii. +7.) The dragon had been previously cast down from heaven, (ch. xii. 9;) +by the Reformation, and during the "short time" of his liberty, he +persecuted the woman and the remnant of her seed, on the earth. Now, +however, his career is arrested. "Seizing, binding, casting into the +abyss, shutting up, and setting a seal upon that old serpent," (ch. xii. +9,) are strong figurative expressions, by which his secure confinement +is signified. Thus is the devil to be restrained from deceiving the +nations for a "thousand years." That this period is to be taken in a +proper, and not in a mystical sense, appears thus. If we multiply one +thousand by three hundred and sixty, as some fancifully do, the +resulting number of years, three hundred and sixty thousand, would be +out of all proportion to the past duration of the world, as well as the +well-defined period of 1260 years. Add to this, that when by Daniel and +John definite duration is symbolically mentioned, it is by "months, +days; time, times and a half a time," or "the dividing of time,"--never +by "years." + +At the expiration of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed a "little +season,"--_little_, as compared with the thousand years; so little, as +not to be deemed worth estimating. + + +4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given +unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the +witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped +the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their +foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a +thousand years. + +V. 4.--"And I saw thrones." Here there is no mention of _heaven being +opened_. Nothing henceforth obstructs John's vision. "The darkness is +past, and the true light now shineth."--"At evening time it shall be +light." (Zech. xiv. 7.)--"And they sat on them." Who?--There is here +what may be termed a remarkable chasm in the language of the text. There +is no visible or proximate antecedent. Who are they who "sit on +thrones?" Did Millenarians only put this question, and patiently search +for the solution in the context, agreeably to the _allegorical texture_ +of this whole book, all their hallucinations might be easily and happily +obviated. The inspired writer assumes, of course, that the reader will +readily identify these persons, who are thus promoted to honour, now +that Antichrist is no more, and society is to be reorganized.--Daniel +furnishes a satisfactory answer to our question. "I beheld till the +thrones were cast down." (Dan. vii. 9.) The Roman imperial thrones of +_civil despotism_ were subverted. Again,--"But the judgment shall sit, +and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto +the end." (v. 26.) The Roman imperial _throne_ of ecclesiastical +domination shall be destroyed. Then when Messiah "shall have put down +all rule, and all authority and power," of both sorts of tyranny, "the +kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole +heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, +whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions, (_rulers_) +shall serve and obey him," (v. 27.) The "saints of the Most High," +according to Daniel, are to be exalted to civil rule, and these are the +same whom John saw "sitting on thrones." Now, the effect of the seventh +trumpet becomes a fact in history.--"The kingdoms of this world," which +had been controlled by the beast, and bewitched by the sorceries of the +lewd woman, "are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his +Christ."--For in the millennial state of the world, there will be a +_plurality_ of _kingdoms_.--Hence a very common petition of pious but +ignorant people,--"That the kingdoms of this world may soon become the +kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," neither will, nor ever +can be answered.--Under the righteous and benign administration of the +saints, "kings shall be nursing-fathers, and their queens +nursing-mothers to the church:" for "the nations and kingdoms that would +not _serve her_, have perished; yea, those nations have been utterly +wasted." (Is. xlix. 23; lx. 12.)--The souls which the apostle saw under +the altar, whose cry for vengeance he heard, and who were directed to +rest for a little season, till the roll of their martyred brethren +should be completed, are here presented in quite a new position, +"sitting on thrones," (ch. vi. 9.) Although they are not the same +identical persons _physically_, they are the same _morally_; for the +life of the two witnesses is commensurate with the reign of +Antichrist,--twelve hundred and sixty years. These "lived and reigned +with Christ a thousand years; that is, in their successive generations: +for otherwise they would over-live the age of Methuselah!--Souls are +here evidently persons, and not souls as distinct from bodies, as some +needlessly argue against Millenarians: for "foreheads" and "hands" are +attributed to them: but foreheads cannot be literally ascribed to those +who had been "beheaded." Their living is to be understood of their +succeeding to the same scriptural position occupied by their +predecessors, as well as succeeding them in the order of natural +generation. The Holy Spirit says, "Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid +tithes in Abraham." (Heb. vii. 9, 10.) Elijah reappeared in the person +of John the Baptist. (Matt. xi. 14.) Jezebel and Balaam were recognised +in their wicked successors, (ch. ii. 14, 20.) But this is the very +structure of the Apocalypse, being composed of hieroglyphics, that the +free agency of the wicked might be left untrammelled, and the diligence +of God's people might be tested in "searching the Scriptures." + + +5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years +were finished. This is the first resurrection. + +V. 5.--"The rest of the dead" supposes two classes of the dead. These +are the witnesses, who died a violent and cruel death, and the wicked, +who died a natural death,--there "were no bands in their death." As +there are _two kinds_ of death, so are there two kinds of +resurrection,--a _first_ and _second_ of each. Those who had been +"beheaded for the witness of Jesus," etc., lived in their +successors,--sat on thrones, reigned with Christ a thousand years. Of +course those who were slain by Christ and his army at the battle of +Armageddon, and whose flesh was given to the fowls of heaven, "lived not +again" in their successors, "until the thousand years were finished." +Consequently, "this is the first resurrection," with which the true +disciples of Christ shall be honoured. They must, however, die as all +others, and await the _second_ resurrection: but "on them the second +death shall have no power." + + +6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on +such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God +and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. + +V. 6.--"Blessed and holy,"--and blessed, because _holy_; for sin is the +procuring cause of misery. This is a summary description of the +millennial period. The dragon being bound by the almighty power of +Christ, and not permitted to deceive the nations, wars shall cease unto +the ends of all the earth: the population of the globe must be rapidly +and greatly multiplied beyond all precedent. (Ps. xlvi. 9; lxxii. 16,) +the life of man will be prolonged; (Isa. lxv. 20-25,) holiness, +righteousness and praise shall spring forth before all the nations, +(lxi. 11.) + +That condition of our globe, which divines call the _millennium_,--a +state of holiness and happiness, second only to the enjoyment of +heavenly felicity, is as clearly and frequently promised to God's +people, as the promise of the Messiah was under the former economy. But +as many were "in expectation that the kingdom of God should immediately +appear," who then entertained unwarrantable and carnal conceptions of +the Messiah's person and reign, just such groundless and gross +expectations and aspirations are cherished now. A literal resurrection +of _all_ the righteous, who shall have died before the millennium is +supposed to take place at the personal appearance of Christ; and this, +too, before the general judgment. By _personal_, they mean _corporeal_: +for the Lord Christ promised his gracious _personal_ presence with his +people _all days_, when he was about to disappear from their bodily +vision. (Matt. xxviii. 20.) "To them that look for him shall he appear +the _second_ time, (not a _third_,) without sin unto salvation." (Heb. +ix. 28; Rev. i. 7.) Besides, is it for a moment supposable that saints +who have passed into glory, are to be brought upon earth to conflict +once more with enemies, when Gog and Magog shall surround the "camp of +the saints?" Such is a specimen of questions suggested by the +_Millenarian system_, which have failed of either scriptural or rational +solution by all the learning and ingenuity of its fanciful advocates. + +The whole series of the Apocalypse proves that the _two witnesses_ live +and prophesy throughout the 1260 years of Antichrist's reign. Their +lives and their testimony end together, (ch. xi. 7.) But the beast that +slays them is himself with his ally, the false prophet, at the close of +the contest, cast alive into the lake of fire, (ch. xix. 20.) + +After three and a half prophetical days, the witnesses are raised, and +ascend up to heaven, (ch. xi. 12;) and this is the identical fact which +is more fully presented here in the 20th chapter. The resurrection of +the witnesses in the 11th chapter is a spiritual and mystical +resurrection in the persons of their successors; the heaven to which +they were exalted is a mystical heaven: and just so of those beheaded +and advanced, after their resurrection, to positions of civil and +ecclesiastic power as in this 20th chapter. Thus exalted, and ruling in +the fear of God, they become a terror to evil doers, and a praise to +them that do well. (Rom. xiii. 3.) Then shall be realized the glorious +predictions of Isaiah and the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. (Isa. xi. 1-9; +Ps. lxxii. 1) + + +7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall +be loosed out of his prison. + +8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four +quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: +the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. + +9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp +of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God +out of heaven, and devoured them. + +Vs. 7-9.--"Satan shall be loosed out of his prison."--The Lord Christ +will remove the restraint which had repressed the chief enemy during the +thousand years, that the Faithful and True Witness may give a final +testimony to the moral universe, that neither the philosophy of proud +man, nor the law of Moses,--no, nor the ordinances of the gospel, will +ever change the nature of a sinner:--That neither judgments nor mercies +have any efficacy to subdue the stubborn will, or renew the desperately +wicked heart of man; and that it is a righteous thing with God to render +tribulation to them that trouble his saints and insult his Majesty. + +Thus released "for a little season," the prime enemy goes out as before +to "deceive the nations." He is successful. "The rest of the dead," who +lived not again during the 1000 years, at once re-appear in the persons +of their genuine successors. They are the children of them that killed +the witnesses;--the seed of the serpent aiming a last fatal stroke at +the seed of the woman.--They are called "Gog and Magog;" and because of +the identity of names, many have supposed them to be the same as those +enemies of the people of God described by Ezekiel, (chs. xxxviii., +xxxix.) This view is, however, without sanction in the Scriptures. The +characters are mystical according to the uniform structure of the +Apocalypse. Ezekiel's Gog and Magog come from the "north quarters;" +those of John from the "four quarters or corners of the earth." It is +also probable, if not absolutely certain, that the enemies predicted by +Ezekiel are to appear before, while those of John are to arise after the +millennium. The overthrow of Gog and Magog, foretold by Ezekiel, is +evidently connected with the conversion of the Jews, (ch. xxxix. 22, +29;) but that event must precede the millennial period. (Rom. xi. +26.)--Magog is reckoned with Meshech and Tubal among the sons of +Japheth, (Gen. x. 2;) and those nations called in history Scythians and +Tartars, in the "north quarters" of Europe and Asia, as well as the +"isles of the Gentiles," are supposed to be their descendants. By the +"three unclean spirits," (ch. xvi. 13,) a confederacy was effected under +the sixth vial to the battle of Armageddon; and the same is again +presented in ch. xix. 20, as the final attempt against the saints +previously to the millennium, when two of the prime instigators, the +beast and the false prophet, are cast into the lake of fire. Thus we may +suppose _eastern_ and _western_ Antichrist finally destroyed. + +Ezekiel's Gog and Magog being slain in the battle of Armageddon, how or +where shall we find those of John? They are to be found precisely on the +same principle on which we find the witnesses of Christ in this chapter. +Satan is loosed "a little season,"--_little_ as compared with the +thousand years of Messiah's reign; or rather, as compared with the 1260 +years of the dragon's successful enterprises against the saints through +the beast and false prophet as agents. These being now cast into the +lake of fire, Satan is for ever deprived of their agency. During the +millennial period people will be born in sin as at other times; and at +the close of that happy period, Almighty God will display his +sovereignty by withholding his grace, that a last demonstration may be +given to all the world of the necessity and efficacy of that grace in +changing the heart of a sinner. Without the intervention of the beast or +the false prophet, Satan will prevail by more direct temptations to +gather together to battle a multitude of the _same spirit_ as Ezekiel's +Gog and Magog displayed against the saints before the millennium. These +are the "rest of the dead that lived not again till the one thousand +years were finished." As the "deadly wound" of the civil beast "was +healed," and he received a new life, to the astonishment of spectators, +(ch. xiii. 3,) as the witnesses received "the Spirit of life from God," +to the dismay of their enemies; (chs. xi. 11; xx. 4,) so Gog and Magog +re-appear in the persons and bloody cruelties of their genuine +successors. And in language similar to that in the context we may +warrantably say,--this is the _second resurrection_; for when it is +declared that the "rest of the dead lived not again," it is manifest +that two classes of dead are intended. All are said to be dead; the +witnesses, slain by the beast; their enemies, slain by the Lord. The +witnesses rise, and "this is the first resurrection." A _first_ implies +a _second of the same kind_. Well, "the rest lived not again till the +thousand years were finished." What then? Why, simply this,--that the +other remaining class of the dead _lived again_; and this appears to be +the obvious scope and meaning of these terms, so vexing to many critics. + +By deception Satan prevails to assemble the nations in vast multitudes, +"as the sand of the sea,"--a proverbial form of expression applied to +Abraham's seed. (Gen. xxii. 17.) "They went up on the breadth of the +earth." Coming from the "four quarters of the earth," they "compassed +the camp of the saints." The allusion here is twofold: to Israel in the +wilderness, in the time of Moses; and to the holy city Jerusalem, in the +days of David; (Ps. cxviii. 10-12,) for often did the enemy with "joint +heart" attempt to "cut off the name of Israel." (Ps. lxxxiii. 4-8.) +Never was Pharaoh or Sennacherib more confident of a sure and easy +victory over the saints. (Exod. xv. 9; Isa. xxxvi. 20.) As in the days +of Noah, most of the generation of the righteous had been taken home to +glory before the ungodly were destroyed by the deluge, so we may suppose +the "camp of the saints" to be but a "little flock," when assailed for +the last time, while they are in a militant state.--The issue in this +case, however, will be more decisive and glorious than any other battle +with the powers of darkness. We may adopt and apply the words of the +prophet to God's people in the time of Jehoshaphat:--"Thus saith the +Lord,--Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for +the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this +battle." (2 Chron. xx. 15, 17.)--"Fire came down from God out of heaven, +and devoured" this great multitude. This most dreadful of all elements +in the material universe, is that which is commonly employed to +represent the wrath of God. By it Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, +Corah and his rebellious company, the captains and their fifties; fire +proceeded out of the mouth of the two witnesses and devoured their +enemies; Gog and Magog are consumed by this element; the heavens and the +earth which are now, are reserved unto fire; the Lord Jesus shall be +revealed from heaven ... in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that +know not God, and that obey not the gospel,--most probably _these very +enemies_; and all such are to be consigned to "the fire that never shall +be quenched." Awful thought! Tremendous destiny! Who would not fear +thee, O Lord; who art a consuming fire to all thy impenitent enemies? + + +10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and +brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be +tormented day and night for ever and ever. + +V. 10.--The _first_ rebel against the righteous authority of the Lord +and his Anointed, and the ceaseless instigator of all rebellions of +individual and social man, is the _last_ to be consigned to adequate +punishment. When the Lord first called sinners to account, the same +order is noticeable: First, Adam, then Eve, and last the serpent. The +beast and the false prophet are already in the lake of fire; (ch. xix. +20;) and now, Satan, who is here called the devil, is dismissed after +them, that they may all be tormented "for ever and ever,"--words, as +already noticed, which are the strongest in the Greek language, to +convey to the human mind the idea of _endless duration_. + + +11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose +face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place +for them. + +12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books +were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and +the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books +according to their works. + +13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell +delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man +according to their works. + +14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the +second death. + +15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast +into the lake of fire. + +Vs. 11-15.--Nothing now remains to bring to a close the moral +administration of Messiah, but the raising of the dead and pronouncing +final sentence on all the subjects of his government. There is no +intimation that any events shall intervene between the casting of the +devil into the burning lake, and the appearing of the Judge. + +The "great white throne" is suitable to the majesty and holiness of the +Judge. He is not at first called by any name, for "every eye shall see," +and seeing, recognise his divine dignity. In the next verse he is styled +God, not to identify him, but as a matter of course in the +narrative.--No sooner did the Judge take his seat, than "the earth and +the heaven fled away." The simplicity and sublimity of this language are +inimitable by human genius; and rarely if at all equalled, even by those +who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The first inspired +writer uses language very similar. (Gen. i. 3.) We are frequently and +sufficiently taught that the Lord Christ in person is to be the judge of +quick and dead. (Acts xvii. 31.) "All must appear before the judgment +seat of Christ." (2 Cor. v. 10.) No person is competent to this work of +judgment but one who is omniscient and omnipotent, not to speak of other +divine perfections. The "Judge of all the earth" is a divine person, +possessed of all the attributes of deity; and as there is not _now_ +among apostate angels, so there will not _then_ be a child of Adam, to +_deny the supreme deity of Jesus Christ_. (Matt. viii. 29.) Of this he +gave intimation at the beginning of the Apocalypse:--"Every eye shall +see him, and they also which pierced him," (ch. i. 7;) yes, they pierced +him for _blasphemy_, "because that he, being a man, made himself God." +(John x. 33.) Here the Judge on the throne demonstrates to an assembled +universe, the scriptural warrant for the language of the Reformers when +they say he is "very God, and very man." "God is judge himself," (Ps. l. +6,) in the person of the Father; but "he hath appointed a day in the +which _he_ will judge the world in righteousness, by that _man_ whom he +hath ordained."--(Acts xvii. 31.) + +Before the righteous Judge "shall be gathered all nations," (Matt. xxv. +32,) all that have ever lived upon the earth, from the creation till the +end of time, all ranks and degrees, however diversified by sex, age, or +social position; righteous and wicked, Jews and Gentiles, Herod and +Pontius Pilate, Cain and Abel, Judas, etc. + +In order to this general assize, "the dead shall hear the voice of the +Son of God," (John v. 25, 28, 29;) "and many of them that sleep in the +dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to +shame and everlasting contempt." (Dan. xii. 2.) The "sea, death and +hell," or the grave, (or rather, the place of souls as separated by +death from their bodies,) which are thus awfully, but beautifully +personified, shall surrender their respective tenants, that they may +stand before the Son of man in judgment.--Only such as have died are +mentioned here: but some will not die, but "remain alive unto the coming +of the Lord," the judge; and these, it is probable, will be the "camp of +the saints" which have been miraculously delivered from the rage of Gog +and Magog, (vs. 8, 9.) There is a beautiful order in the final +resurrection. "The dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thess. iv. 16; 1 +Cor. xv. 23.) Next will be raised the wicked; for "like sheep they are +laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have +dominion over them in the morning." (Ps. xlix. 14.) The dead, being all +raised, those who shall be alive will undergo a change equivalent to +death,--"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;" for these "shall not +prevent (anticipate) them which were asleep;" that is, they will not be +_changed_ until their companions are called from the grave, etc. All +being now "before the judgment seat of Christ,"--the "books are opened!" +Oh, what emotions will swell and heave the bosoms of the +righteous!--"joy unspeakable and full of glory:" for before the sentence +of acquittal is publicly pronounced, their position on the Judge's right +hand indicates the sentence. And next what terror insupportable will now +seize the wicked! What "fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery +indignation," when in breathless suspense, they await the just +sentence,--"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared +for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. xxv. 41; Heb. x. 27.) The +righteousness of this sentence will be attested by the "opened +books,"--of the divine omniscience, the human conscience, and in the +case of gospel-rejecters, the Bible. (2 Thess. i. 7, 8.) And the like +condemnation would pass upon the righteous, but that "another book is +opened," in which are inscribed the names of all the objects of God's +electing love: and this will be the key-note in their songs of praise to +all eternity. (Jer. xxxi. 3; Rev. i. 5.) All are "judged according to +their works," as these are witnessed by the books,--for "their works do +follow them," (ch. xiv. 13.) + +"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Death, or the grave; +hell, or the separate state, will never again be needed, as prisons to +keep their inmates for trial. "The lake of fire" is the place of +ceaseless and endless torment for all who are not "found written in the +book of life;" and this place seems to be distinct from the "bottomless +pit," Satan's "prison," out of which he had been loosed, (v. 7.)--Of the +beast it was said, he "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," but not +that he was remanded thither again: he is said to "go into perdition," +which must be "the lake of fire." (Compare ch. xvii. 8, with xix. 20; +and xx. 1-3 with v. 10.)--The plain and obvious meaning of these closing +verses of the 20th chapter, as delineated in its general import by +appropriate and familiar symbols and intelligible words, for ever +excludes, and emphatically condemns the conscience-stupifying heresies +and blasphemies of Unitarians and Universalists. The God-man Mediator, +seated upon the "throne of his glory," before whose face the "earth and +the heaven fled away," is thus evidenced to be the Son of God, Jehovah's +Fellow. And we may here adopt the assertion and caution of the "beloved +disciple,"--"This is the true God and eternal life.--Little children, +keep yourselves from idols." (1 John v. 20, 21.)--Moreover, these verses +reveal a place or state, more to be dreaded than the "killing of the +body,"--"the lake of fire, which is the second death," "where their worm +dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Matt. x. 28; 2 Thess. i. +8-10; Heb. x. 26-31.) + +With the 20th chapter of the Apocalypse terminate the events of time, in +which the divine Author demonstrates, that "known unto him are all his +works, from the beginning of the world." (Acts xv. 18.) Many, indeed, of +the learned and pious have supposed the remaining chapters of the +Apocalypse, to be a description of the church on earth during the +millennial period. But besides the series, coherence and dependence of +the several parts of the book, precluding such _retrogression_, this +interpretation overthrows the scriptural distinction between the +militant and triumphant state of the church. And it is not to be thought +out of place, that the inspired prophet should describe, by suitable +emblems, the outline of the heavenly state; for this he has done briefly +already in a number of instances. (See chs. ii. and iii., also ch. vii. +15, 17.)--Those who consider the last two chapters as a delineation of +the church on earth, have first formed in their minds ideas of a +corporeal or bodily presence of Christ, and of a literal and visible +reign on the earth. Such views we have already shown to be without +scripture warrant, yea against plain declarations of the Holy Spirit, +(as Acts iii. 21; Matt. xvii. 11, 12; Heb. ix. 28.) Hence we shall +contemplate the symbols of the following chapters,--except as incidents +or allusions may render this incompatible,--as shadowing forth the +glories of the church's heavenly state. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the +first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. + +2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out +of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. + +3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the +tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they +shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their +God. + +4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be +no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any +more pain: for the former things are passed away. + +5. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new. +And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. + +6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning +and the end: I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of +the water of life freely. + +7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, +and he shall be my son. + +Vs. 1-7.--It is unquestionable that the phrase "new heavens and a new +earth" is to be understood sometimes as descriptive of moral renovation +in the world. As the moral change affected by grace in the character of +an individual sinner is called a new creation, and is in truth no less, +so in respect to a community. The analogy in this case is the same as +between a revolution and an earthquake. Thus, we must understand Is. +lxv. 17, lxvi. 22, of that great moral change which will characterize +the millennium. But the "new heaven and the new earth" are here +contrasted with the "first heaven and the first earth which were passed +away," (ch. xx. 11.) The apostle Peter describes the very same grand and +glorious change. Mingling the important facts of authentic history with +the future facts of prophecy, he tells us that the "heavens and the +earth which are now, ... are reserved unto fire."--He speaks obviously +of the visible heavens and earth. These "heavens shall pass away ... and +"the earth also, ... shall be burnt up." He adds,--"We look for new +heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet. iii. +7, 13.)--"There was no more sea," no more disorderly passions, +animosities, arising from human depravity, to interrupt the delightful +harmony and fellowship of saints in glory. It is estimated that about +two thirds of this world are occupied by water. In that happy place +occupied by the people of God, there is no sea; consequently, "yet there +is room," many mansions, room enough for all the redeemed. "The holy +city," compared to a "bride," two very incongruous emblems, shows the +poverty of symbols, their inadequacy to represent the church triumphant: +how then shall created objects furnish suitable emblems of the glorious +and glorified Bridegroom? In vision the city seemed to the apostle as if +suspended in the air on the same plane with himself; for now he stood +neither on "the sand of the sea," (ch. xiii. 1,) for "there was no more +sea," nor upon the earth, for it was "passed away." No intervening +object could obstruct his view.--He heard a voice from heaven, saying, +"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with +them," as his reconciled and beloved people. As a tender Father, he will +"wipe away all tears from their eyes." "There shall be no more death," +either of themselves or their beloved friends, to open the fountain of +tears any more for ever. But death is the last enemy to be destroyed; (1 +Cor. xv. 26;) how then can these words apply to any state short of +immortality in heaven? "Neither sorrow nor crying,"--for sin or +suffering; "neither shall there be any more pain," causing tears or +cries: and what is this but heaven? Yes, "the former things are passed +away." Now "he that hath the bride is the bridegroom," and she shall +never be false to her marriage covenant any more.--"He that sat on the +throne," denotes the Father most frequently in this book, as he is +distinguished from the Son; but the Son "is set down with his Father in +his throne," (ch. iii. 21;) and the Son is to be viewed as the person on +the throne here, as the following words, compared with the twentieth +chapter, verse eleventh, make evident.--He it is who "makes all things +new." He left his disciples as to his bodily presence, and went to +"prepare a place for them," (John xiv. 2;) and now he has come again and +received them to himself, in fulfilment of his promise. Having sent the +Holy Spirit to create them anew and to carry on to completion their +sanctification, he now sees of the travail of his soul, the Father has +given him his heart's desire, and hath not withholden the request of his +lips. Now, all his ransomed ones are with him, in answer to his prayer, +and also their own prayers, that they may behold his glory which the +Father gave him. (Ps. xxi. 2; John xvii. 24; Phil. i. 23.)--The Lord +Christ said to John,--"Write; for these words are true and faithful." +And what has sustained the spirits, animated the hopes, and filled with +exulting joy, the confessors, witnesses and martyrs of Jesus, but +faith's realizing views of the King in his beauty, and the glories of +Immanuel's land? For this peculiarity the disciples of Christ have been +as speckled birds, men wondered at, in all generations.--"It is done," +so he said at the pouring out of the seventh vial, (ch. xvi. 17;) when +the final stroke was given to the antichristian enemies: but now these +words import the completion of the whole counsel of the will of God, as +carried into effect by the Captain of salvation, in bringing the beloved +and adopted sons and daughters of the Father home to glory. (Heb. ii. +10.) He who is the "Alpha and Omega," is the "author and finisher of +their faith."--Although the Lord Jesus has made of sinners "new +creatures," prepared them as "vessels of mercy unto glory," and +introduced them into heaven, they are _creatures_ still, and necessarily +dependent. They thirst for refreshment suited to their holy nature; and +accordingly he gives of the "_fountain_ of the water of life freely," +for the _streams_ of which they thirsted, "as the heart panteth for the +water brooks," while they sojourned in a dry and parched land, far from +their Father's house. Man's sin consisted in forsaking this "Fountain of +living waters," and his recovery and felicity must arise from his +returning from his own "broken cisterns" to the original spring.--The +water of life was purchased at infinite cost by Christ; but he offers it +to the thirsty without price, (Is. lxv. 1, 2.)--Those who are refreshed +by the streams of the water of life, have many enemies to encounter in +their militant state, but all who overcome are encouraged in their +warfare by the animating promise, that they shall "inherit all things." +(1 Cor. iii. 21.)--"He shall be my son," and "if a son, then an heir of +God, and joint heir with Christ." + + +8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, +and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall +have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which +is the second death. + +V. 8.--"But the fearful," who dread suffering or reproach for the cause +of Christ,--not the self-diffident who loves his Captain, but the coward +or deserter, who "turns back in the day of battle," who fears the enemy +more than his Captain:--"and unbelieving," not the misbelieving, as +Thomas; nor the _weak_ in faith, but such as have _no_ +faith,--_infidels_;--"the abominable," defiling the flesh as +Sodomites:--"murderers," suicides, duelists, assassins, burglars, etc., +"whoremongers," adulterers, fornicators:--"sorcerers," necromancers, +spiritualists, who are the devil's prophets, pretending to new +revelations, "and all liars," perjured persons, deceivers, hypocrites, +false teachers, who handle the word of the Lord deceitfully, for filthy +lucre's sake,--all such shall have their part in the lake, with the +devil, the beast, and the false prophet. (1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Gal. v. +19-21; Eph. v. 5, 6; 2 Cor. xi. 13.) + + +9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven +vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come +hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. + +10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, +and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of +heaven from God, + +11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most +precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal; + +12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the +gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of +the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. + +13. On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, +three gates; and on the west, three gates. + +14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the +names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. + +Vs. 9-14.--This "angel" is probably the same who had shown John the +mystic Babylon and her destruction, (ch. xvii. 1;) and who now proposes +to show him the "bride of the Lamb" by way of contrast.--Under the +influence of the Spirit, who has access to the soul without the use of +the bodily organs, (2 Cor. xii. 2,)--John was "carried to a great and +high mountain," where the prospect might be sufficiently enlarged. When +the angel proposed to show him the "scarlet whore," he "carried him into +the wilderness," intimating that such is the _only position_ in which +the "mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her," can be +clearly seen or perfectly understood. (2 Pet. i. 9.) Great indeed is the +contrast. Both objects are complex, and the combination of symbols, +wholly incongruous in nature, admonishes the sober interpreter to beware +of indulging his vain fancy by attempting to trace analogies in detail, +where none are intended by the Holy Spirit. The true church of Christ is +compared to a virtuous and fruitful woman, (ch. xii. 5;) and the +apostate church is symbolized by a fruitful but profligate woman, (ch. +xvii. 5.) Then both are also represented by two cities, which are +equally contrasted. As the women differ in their outward adornment, +(chs. xix. 8, xvii. 4,) so do the cities in the quality of population, +commerce and employment, (ch. xviii. 4; xxii. 14.)--The nuptials being +consummated between the Lamb and his bride, and she being now "made +perfect in holiness;" under the emblem of a city, she is illuminated +with "the glory of God," made "comely through his comeliness put upon +her," rendered beautiful and illustrious beyond conception or +expression: for the happiness of heaven results from conformity to the +God-man, communion with him and communications from him. (1 John iii. +2.)--"Her light" resembled the "jasper, clear as crystal." The knowledge +of saints in heaven will be intuitive: they will no longer "see through +a glass darkly," by word and sacraments; nor shall the glorious +Bridegroom show himself as formerly "through the lattice;" (Song ii. 9;) +but they "shall see him as he is." (1 John iii. 2.)--"A wall great and +high" denotes the security of this city, which can never be scaled by an +enemy. The "twelve gates" are to admit the twelve tribes of God's +spiritual Israel,--the sealed ones, (ch. vii. 5-8;) who "shall come from +the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and +shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke xiii. 29.)--At the gates +were "twelve angels," as guards and porters. The "foundations" of the +wall, named after the "twelve apostles," denote that all who enter the +city, gained admission by "belief of the truth" as taught by the +apostles,--had "continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and +fellowship," in the face of reproach, persecution and apostacy. They +were "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,"--Old and +New Testament believers saved by the blood of the Lamb: for the twelve +tribes, multiplied by the twelve apostles, make a hundred and +forty-four; and these again, multiplied by a thousand, make the whole +number who appeared with the Lamb on Mount Zion, (ch. xiv. 1;) _the +public witnesses_ of Christ, in the _church militant_ during the great +apostacy. + + +15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, +and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. + +16. And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the +breadth. Ami he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand +furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. + +17. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four +cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. + +Vs. 15-17.--The apostle borrows the symbols and language of preceding +prophets, especially those of Ezek. (xl. 3,) and Zech. (ii. 1.) The +"furlongs" measured by the "reed," indicate a city of vast dimensions; +and being "four square," each side would be about fifteen hundred miles! +And as the "length and breadth and height of it are equal," we are +hereby taught that no gross conceptions are to be formed in our +imaginations, since a city fifteen hundred miles high, is utterly +inconceivable. The instruction intended to be conveyed to us by the vast +dimensions, and precious materials of this city may be, the +incomprehensible nature and transcendent glory of heaven. (1 Cor. ii. +9.) A cubit, as the word signifies, "is the measure of a man" from his +elbow to the end of his middle finger. The measure of the wall, in +height or breadth, was a hundred and forty-four cubits, or the twelve +tribes, as before, multiplied by the twelve apostles; for the idea of a +cube, as the most perfect symbol of symmetrical form, seems to be +intended. + + +18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was +pure gold, like unto clear glass: + +19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all +manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, +sapphire; the third chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; + +20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; +the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the +eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. + +21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of +one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were +transparent glass. + +Vs. 18-21.--The "jasper, gold and glass," are here all combined; though +their natural properties and chemical elements are so different. Glass +is clear, transparent, but brittle; gold is solid and shining, but +opaque. In heaven, the saints shall _know_ more than we can now +_imagine_. The glass will be all gold. As the eye sees an object through +glass at a glance, so the saints in heaven will perceive truth without +the tedious process of comparison and reasoning. The gold will be all +glass. All these symbols are intended to show to the devout reader, that +the antichristian harlot is incomparably eclipsed by the glory of the +Lamb's bride,--having "no glory, by reason of the glory that +excelleth."--The twelve "precious stones" which "garnished the +foundations of the wall of the city," are an allusion to those of +Aaron's breastplate of judgment. (Exod. xxviii. 17-20;) indicating that +the _Urim_ and _Thummim_, the _light_ and _perfection_ of glory, shall +be there, superseding the oracle and Shekinah: for one thing is peculiar +to this city by which it is distinguished from the old Jerusalem,--no +temple. + + +22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the +Lamb, are the temple of it. + +23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine +in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light +thereof. + +24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of +it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. + +25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall +be no night there. + +26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. + +27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, +neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which +are written in the Lamb's book of life. + +Vs. 22-27.--There was "no temple therein." As there _was a temple_ in +the city which Ezekiel saw in vision, (ch. xli. 1,) and this fact +determines the point, that his prophecy relates to the church +_militant_; so, the absence of even the semblance of such a structure +here, proves that this is a description of the church _triumphant_. In +heaven there is no need of external, material, visible symbols of God's +presence. As the ceremonial "law had a shadow of good things to come," +but "vanished away" when Christ appeared, (Heb. x. 1,) so will it be in +heaven; no ordinances will be used to act upon either sense or faith, +these having issued in vision. + +The glorious presence of "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb," having +superseded the necessity of a temple; the light of the sun and moon +shall be no longer needed. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at +all," (1 John i. 5;) and "as long as Christ was in the world, he was the +light of the world." (John ix. 5.) We have seen that other suns and +moons which were _symbolical,_ have been darkened or blotted out of +existence by the omnipotent Mediator; but now these natural luminaries +are totally and for ever obscured by the ineffable effulgence of +uncreated light,--the manifested and immediate presence of the Father +and the Son.--All the redeemed shall "walk in the light of the Lord;" +and all the glory of "the kings of the earth," concentrated in one +place, would bear no comparison with the splendor of this "holy city." +The gates are not to be shut during the "day" of _eternity_; and since +the "excellent ones of the earth" shall all enter the twelve open gates +from every part of the world, it may be truly said "they bring the glory +and honor of the nations into it." What a delightful scene of a holy, +happy, safe and harmonious fellowship!--It is observable that the +apostle altogether drops _personalities_ here. He seizes only upon +properties or qualities,--"any thing,"--so holy is the place, and so +holy the inhabitants; yea, so safe and secure, that no creature,--no +"beast of the field which the Lord God has made," shall ever gain an +entrance into this heavenly Paradise: but only those whose names are +"written in the Lamb's book of life;" who, despite of the Serpent, +brings all his spiritual seed safe to glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, +proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. + +2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, +was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and +yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the +healing of the nations. + +3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the +Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. + +4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their +foreheads. + +5. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither +light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall +reign for ever and ever. + +Vs. 1-5.--These verses, being a continuance of the description of the +"holy city," naturally belong to the preceding chapter.--The angel +proceeds to show John the source and current from which emanate all +heavenly blessings. The allusion is to Ezekiel, xlvii. 1-12; but both he +and John call our attention to man's primeval state, when our first +parents dwelt in Eden. This abode of the blessed is beautified and +enriched with all the products, delights and attractions which are +adapted to the refined senses of holy creatures,--"pleasant to the eyes, +and good for food." It is Paradise restored, by the "doing and dying" of +the second Adam. It is also Paradise _improved_, having not only the +"tree of life," as the first had, but also, in addition, the "water of +life." The "tree of life" was to sinless Adam a symbol and pledge of +immortality to himself and all his posterity whom he represented in the +Covenant of Works. Now that heaven is procured for all believers by the +second Adam, it is emblematically represented to our weak apprehension +by directing our attention to the primitive and earthly Paradise. This +is repeatedly done in Scripture. The Lord Jesus, before he expired upon +the cross, said to the penitent thief,--"To day shall thou be with me in +Paradise. (Luke xxiii. 43.) Paul was "caught up" thither, (2 Cor. xii. +4;) and he calls the place "heaven," (v. 2;) and in this book, (ch. ii. +7,) the Lord promises,--"I will give to him that overcometh to eat of +the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The +"tree" is an emblem of Christ, (Song ii. 3;) the "river of the water of +life" symbolizes the Holy Spirit, (John vii. 38, 39;) for as the Son and +the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father, the former by generation, the +latter by emanation from eternity,--so "that eternal life which was with +the Father" in the person of the Son, and purchased by the Son, is +communicated by the Holy Ghost to all the redeemed by regeneration. (2 +Cor. iii. 6; Rom. viii. 2.)--Thus, the eternal duration of life in glory +"proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb." On each side of the +river "the tree of life" is accessible by the inhabitants; and the +fruits of the tree, ripe in all months of the year, and adapted to every +taste, each one may "put forth his hand" as he passes, "and take ... and +eat, and live for ever." (Gen. iii. 22.) Or, "the people that are +therein" may "sit down under its shadow, and its fruit will be sweet to +their taste."--"The leaves of the tree" are for medicine, being +preventive of all disease, so that "the inhabitant shall not say, I am +sick: the people that dwell therein are forgiven their iniquities." (Is. +xxxiii. 24.) "There shall be no more curse." Satan gained entrance into +the garden of Eden, and succeeded in entailing the "curse" upon man, and +upon beast, and upon the fruits of the ground; but he shall never be +loosed again, or emerge from "the lake of fire," to disturb the repose +of that blessed society in heaven, (ch. xxi. 27.)--As the "throne of God +and the Lamb" is _one,_ (ch. iii. 21;) so it is remarkable that the +distinction of persons is omitted, as though the Father and the Son were +but one person. True, Christ said, "I and my Father are one," (John x. +30;) but he referred to _unity_ of _nature_ and purpose, not of +_personality;_ for, in consistency with this, he said also,--"My Father +is greater than I;" an assertion which must consist with the former, and +which plainly involves personal distinction, (ch. xiv. 28.)--"His name +shall be in their foreheads."--Which of them? We have found Christ's +Father's name "written in the foreheads" of a hundred and forty-four +thousand saints _militant_, (ch. xiv. 1.) While in conflict, "the world +knew them not," and the adherents of Antichrist "cast out their names as +evil," branding them as _heretics_; but now they are known to the whole +universe, as the _covenant property_ of both the Father and the Son, +(ch. iii. 12.)--"Behold, I and the children which God hath given me;" +(Heb. ii. 13.) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou +gavest me cut of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; +and they have kept thy word. ... All mine are thine, and thine are mine; +and I am glorified in them." (John xvii. 6,10.)--There will be no +intermission or interruption of service, "no night there,"--no hidings +of God's countenance, no desertions; for "they shall see his face" in +the "express image of the Father's person," be assured of his +love;--"need no candle," nor any earthly accommodation; "for the Lord +God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever," in +fulness of joy and unalloyed pleasures for evermore. (Ps. xvi. 11.) How +different is this heaven from the Mahometan paradise, which, if real, +could gratify only carnal and sensual sinners! yet the imaginations of +many, and their aspirations too, with the Bible in their hands, are +little better than those of Mahometans or pagans. All speculations of +heathen philosophers about the "chief good," or the enjoyments of their +imaginary gods, are so gross and brutish as to demonstrate the +all-important truth, that "except a man be born again, _he cannot_ see +the kingdom of God." (John iii. 3.) And it is too evident that some +modern philosophers are as little acquainted as Nicodemus with the +humbling doctrines of the gospel. The society of learned men, making +perpetual advance in natural science, especially in astronomy,--would +seem to be the highest conception of happiness which too many modern +philosophers can reach. They know not some of the elementary teachings +of the Holy Scriptures; such as,--"Without holiness no man shall see the +Lord;" and that this indispensable preparation for heavenly felicity +consists in "the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy +Ghost." + +The hundreds of diverse and conflicting opinions of learned writers on +the _summum bonum_, or chief good, proves to demonstration, that without +supernatural revelation and regeneration, man cannot conceive in what +happiness consists. Thus far is the description of the heavenly state; +and how little can we know, or even conceive of the glory and felicity +of the upper sanctuary! We must still say with the prophet Isaiah and +the apostle Paul,--"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have +entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for +them that love him." (Isa. lxiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.) + + +6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the +Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants +the things which must shortly be done. + +7. Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the +prophecy of this book. + +Vs. 6, 7.--The angel assures the apostle and all who read, that "these +sayings are faithful and true," however sublime and incomprehensible; +however, incredible to infidels; however contradicted and misinterpreted +by antichristian apostates and enthusiasts. They are all from "the Lord +God of the holy prophets,"--from Jesus Christ and God the Father, (ch. +i. 1.)--All prophets who wrote _any part_ of the Bible, were "holy men +of God." (2 Pet. i. 21.)--Of "these things" some were "shortly to be +done;" and all in regular series would be accomplished in due +time.--"Behold I come quickly." Christ is the speaker here, and declares +that each one is "blessed who keepeth the sayings ... of this book." +This benediction was pronounced on such at the beginning of this +Revelation, (ch. i. 3,) and it is repeated by its immediate divine +Author, to encourage all to study it. This blessing is not to be +expected by any who merely _read_ or _hear_, but by those only who +_keep_ the "sayings of this prophecy." Its Author foreknew its enemies +and corrupters. + + +8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and +seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed +me these things. + +9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy +fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep +the sayings of this book: worship God. + +Vs. 8, 9.--A _second_ time, John attempts an act of idolatry! While we +may wonder at this, let us not fail to admire the wonderful wisdom of +God in permitting his servant to fall, as he did in the case of our +first father Adam, that he might take occasion more fully to display his +glory in "bringing good out of evil." The Apocalypse is directed chiefly +against that primary feature of the great Antichrist, _idolatry_. This +was part of "the mystery of inquity "which did already work" in the time +of the apostles, (Col. ii. 18,) and was to be fully developed +afterwards. (2 Thess. ii. 4.) This second rebuke of an apostle, by one +of the most exalted of creatures, for ever answers all arguments of +Papists or others, who plead for, or palliate the "worshipping of +angels" or souls of men. Idolaters worship angels and souls _when +absent_, as though they were omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent; +thus giving the glory to creatures of these divine perfections: whereas +this heavenly messenger, _when present_, keenly resents this indignity +to his and the apostle's adorable Creator and Lord. Once more the angel +directs John and all men to join him and all the heavenly host in +observing "the first and great commandment,"--"Worship God," (ch. v. +11-14.) This angelic rebuke, leaves Papists for ever without excuse; and +consequently all others who deny the _supreme deity_ of our Lord and +Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet worship him. + + +10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this +book; for the time is at hand. + +11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, +let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous +still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. + +12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every +man according as his work shall be. + +Vs. 10-12.--Christ himself addresses John in person. He had done so at +the beginning of these glorious scenes of the future, (ch. i. 8.) Now he +appears again in glory, though not described as before, that he may thus +authenticate and close the vision.--"Seal not the sayings of the +prophecy of this book." Why is this? The reason is assigned, because +"the time is at hand" when they shall begin to be verified in actual +history. The case was different in Daniel's time, who was inspired by +the same omniscient Spirit to predict the same events. "O Daniel, shut +up the words, and seal the vision, even to the time of the end." (Dan. +xii. 4.) If the vision of the empires of Persia and Greece was to be +"for many days," (ch. viii. 26,) then the rise, reign and overthrow of +the Roman empire, were still more remote. No wonder that Daniel, with +becoming humility but intense interest inquired, "O, my Lord, what shall +be the end of these things?" Such was the subdued anxiety of other +prophets. (1 Pet. i. 10.) And here we may once for all notice the _three +distinct_ periods mentioned by Daniel, as measuring the duration of the +Roman empire, the Romish apostacy, and as they bear upon the promised +and desirable millennium. The two prophets, Daniel and John, agree in +fixing and limiting the domination of the Antichrist to 1260 years. This +agreement has been already pointed out. The Lord, however, to allay the +laudable anxiety of his "greatly beloved" servant Daniel, makes mention +of two other periods of time, 1290 and 1335 days or years, (ch. xii. 11, +12.) Now, when we have manifold assurances that the great apostacy shall +terminate with the close of the 1260 years, we may venture humbly to +suppose, that the next thirty years may be occupied in the conversion of +the Jews, and the remaining forty-five in the effectual calling of the +residue of the gentile nations; so as to bring the kingdoms of the earth +and the church of Christ to perfect organization and visible harmony, +and the whole population of the globe into voluntary and avowed +subjection to the Lord and his Anointed,--to perfect millennial +splendor, the nearest approximation to heaven. (Rom. xi. 25, 26; Ps. +cii. 15, 16.) But "who shall live when God doeth this?" (Num. xxiv. +23.)--The divine Author of this book, having given to mankind a complete +and sufficient revelation of his will, containing invitations and +warnings, at this juncture gives intimation that obstinate sinners shall +at length be left to the consequences of their own free and perverse +choice, "unjust and filthy still;" no further means to be employed for +their conviction; but those who have embraced the offer of the gospel, +shall be confirmed for ever in holiness and happiness,--"righteous and +holy still."--He also repeats the assurances of his sudden appearance to +reward "every man according as his work shall be." The recompense which +he brings will be of debt or justice to the impenitent unbeliever; but +wholly of free grace to the believer; for the works of each class shall +follow them, as decisive evidence of their respective characters, (ch. +xiv. 13.) + + +13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the +last. + +V. 13.--The Lord Christ here declares and asserts the eternity of his +personal subsistence and official standing, as an all-sufficient +guarantee of his ability and authority to deal with the righteous and +the wicked, as also to bring to pass all events by his providence which +are here predicted. The same guarantee he had given at the beginning of +the Apocalypse, (ch. i. 8.) + +14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right +to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. + +V. 14.--Those who "do his commandments," are believers, (John xiv. 15,) +and no others can obtain a "right to the tree of life"--all the +blessings of Christ's purchase: for "without faith it is impossible to +please God," (Heb. xi. 6;) and "this is the love of God, that we keep +his commandments." (1 John v. 3.) "By the deeds of the law,"--keeping +the commandments, whether moral or ceremonial, "shall no flesh be +justified in the sight of God," or _merit_ a "right to the tree of +life," or to "enter in through the gates into the city." This right, +power, or privilege, is confined to those, and to those only, who +"receive and believe on the name of Christ." (John i. 12.) They who +serve the Lord Christ, are entitled to the reward of the inheritance, +(Col. iii. 24;) and in keeping of his commandments, there is great +reward. (Ps. xix. 11.) This reward is of _grace_, not of _debt_ to any +of the children of Adam: "not of works, lest any man should boast." +(Rom. xi. 6; Eph. ii. 9.) And when the last elected sinner, pertaining +to the whole company of the redeemed, shall have been called, justified +and sanctified, then "with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: +they shall enter into the King's palace." (Ps. xlv. 15.) + + +15. For without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, +and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. + +V. 15.--"Without are dogs."--These characters have been excluded by the +righteous and unalterable sentence of the judge of quick and dead, +having their part in the "lake of fire:" for there is no intimation here +or elsewhere, of any _purgatory_ or intermediate place, with the +delusive hope of which, those who "love and make lies," flatter +themselves and their blind votaries. Oh, that such "sinners in Zion," +and out of Zion, "might be afraid!"--that timely "fearfulness might +surprise these hypocrites!" that they might ponder those awful +questions!--"Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among +us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa. xxxiii. 14.) + + +16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the +churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and +morning star. + +V. 16.--This is the "angel" whose ministry the Lord Christ was pleased +to employ in making known to the church through his servant John, most +of the discoveries of this book, (ch. i. 1, 11.) Many other angels have +indeed been employed by the Mediator as the ministers of his providence; +but this one seems to have been the principal all along. None of these +heavenly messengers, however, was found competent to reveal the purposes +of God, (ch. v. 3.) To this work the eternal Son of God alone was found +adequate by nature and office,--the "Lamb that had been slain." Christ +has a personal property in the angels, as he is their Creator and Lord; +and as they are his creatures and willing servants,--"_mine_ +angel."--This is perfectly reasonable; for he is the "Root of David" in +his divine nature; and the "Offspring of David," in his human nature, +(Rom. i. 3.)--God-Man, Mediator. And here let it be remarked, that in +speaking or writing of our Redeemer there appears to be no scriptural +warrant for the popular phrases,--"the _union_ of the two +natures,"--"Christ as man;" or, "as God." These expressions militate +against the _unity_ of his _divine nature_ and _personality;_ and are +calculated,--we do not say _intended_, to mislead or confuse the mind of +his disciples. "In _him personally_, not in the Father or the Holy +Ghost, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. ii. +9.)--By John the descent of Christ's human nature is traced through +David here, because of the Covenant of Royalty; by Paul, he is +represented as being of the "seed of Abraham," by reason of the more +extended relation involved in the Covenant of Grace. (Heb. ii. 16.)--He +is also "the bright, even the morning star." This may be in reference to +the less luminous "stars in his right hand," (ch. i. 16, 20,) and by way +of contrast with them: but he takes this name chiefly to intimate that +he is the Author of all supernatural illumination, whether in the +kingdom of grace or of glory:--"The Lamb is the light thereof," (ch. +xxi. 23.) + + +17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, +say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let +him take the water of life freely. + +V. 17.--Here is the unrestricted universal call of the gospel, to "come" +to Christ for eternal life.--"We do testify that the Father sent the Son +to be the Saviour of the world," (1 John iv. 14.)--The invitation is +manifold and pressing. "The Spirit" by the word and conscience says, +"Come." "The Bride," the church militant and triumphant, says, "Come." +Every one "that heareth" the invitation, is warranted to say to others, +"Come." Let every one that "thirsts" for true and lasting felicity, +"Come." If any one be in doubt, whether his desire be spiritual or not, +it is added for his encouragement, as well as sufficient warrant,--"Let +whosoever will, take of the water of life freely." Any sinner of Adam's +race may "wash and be clean," in that "fountain open for sin and for +uncleanness;" may with confidence and pleasure, "draw water from the +wells of salvation." (Zech. xiii. 1: Isa. xii. 3.) Who can resist these +calls, invitations and persuasions, and be guiltless? or who can devise +easier terms of reconciliation to an offended God, than are here +addressed to the chief of sinners? + + +18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy +of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto +him the plagues that are written in this book: + +19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this +prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out +of holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. + +Vs. 18, 19.--"For I testify."--He who is "the faithful and true Witness" +closes this book of prophecy, with a solemn and awful sanction. These +tremendous threatenings by the "Lord God of the holy prophets," may well +cause all who read or hear to tremble: for who can abide his +indignation?--While the "prophecy of this book" is primarily intended, +all other parts of the Bible are included in this solemn conclusion: for +doubtless our Lord intended the Apocalypse to be a close to the whole +canon. The threatening is twofold, corresponding to the criminality. +Learned, bold and irreverent biblical critics; enthusiasts and +pretenders to new revelations, are in danger of these judgments. "The +plagues that are written in this book," are such as will utterly destroy +the presumptuous sinner who "adds to these things." And he that +impiously "takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy," +exposes himself to the like awful punishment. "God shall take away his +part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the +things which are written in this book."--Tremendous doom! All that which +he seemed to have shall be taken away. (Luke viii. 18.) Great will be +the sudden and unexpected loss!--These awful denunciations, however, +have special reference, like the rest of the threatened judgments in +this book, to the great, continued and defiant impieties of the apostate +church of Rome. She has "added" her _traditions_ to the Scriptures, as +part and principal part, of the "Rule of Faith!" She has "taken away" +the Scriptures from the body of her people; or shut them up in an +"unknown tongue," so that "every man may" _not_ "hear in his own tongue +wherein he was born, the wonderful works of God." (Acts ii. 8, 11.) This +is one of the articles in Rome's indictment here; and whatever modern +infidelity or spurious charity may suggest, this theft of God's word, +and robbery of his people, is not to be expiated with burnt offering or +sacrifice. And he who scans all time, foresaw this attempt of the dragon +and his allies to deprive the church and the world of the "lively +oracles;" therefore, as he promised a blessing on the reader of this +book, as it were on the title-page, here in the close he appends a +malediction, that all who read or hear, may be deterred from such +sacrilege. + + +20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. +Even so, come, Lord Jesus. + +V. 20.--"He which testifieth these things" is the Lord Jesus. Again he +reminds all to whom these presents come, of his certain and speedy +appearance. These frequent assurances are not "vain repetitions." They +are intended to strengthen the faith and counteract the despondency of +the saints, and to alarm the consciences of his enemies. (2 Pet. iii. 3, +4, 8, 10; Jude 14, 15.) To this "promise of his coming," John responds +in the name of the whole church,--"Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus," to +fulfil these predictions, in their promises and threatenings; "to be +glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe." "So +shall they ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. iv. 17.) + + +21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. + +V. 21.--These are also the words of John. He had just been addressing +the "Lord Jesus," and his next words are addressed to the "seven +churches," (ch. i. 4, 11,) or to all who read or hear the words of this +book: but especially the church general. This is a concise form of the +"apostolic benediction," (2 Thess. iii. 18,) which is sometimes +amplified, by naming the Father and the Son; or, at other times, the +three divine persons. (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) However, "the grace of the Lord +Jesus Christ" is originally from God the Father, procured for us by +Jesus Christ, and communicated to us by the Holy Spirit. And unto the +Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, let equal, undivided, and +everlasting glory be ascribed, by all the subjects of his regenerating +and sanctifying grace, "throughout all ages, world without end." Amen. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Life of Martin Luther. Pp. 173, 174. London. 1855. Luther +afterwards became convinced of his error.] + +[Footnote 2: Gibbon has unconsciously written a commentary on +prophecy!--an involuntary witness, like Josephus!] + +[Footnote 3: "It has been our lot to hear the voice of the third woe," +Faber.--"In this I entirely agree with that expositor." M'Leod. The +blinding influence of earth's politics upon the minds of pious men, has +often occasioned the hearts of their brethren to "sigh for their +inconsistency."] + +[Footnote 4: The terms "clergy and laity" are of papal origin, and the +unlearned Christian should know that they are contrary to the mind of +the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. v. 3. The body of the people are "God's +heritage,"--_clergy_.] + +[Footnote 5: Gibbon.] + +[Footnote 6: Mosheim.] + +[Footnote 7: Such is the interpretation of Bishop Newton!] + +[Footnote 8: Faber.] + +[Footnote 9: This is the opinion of Mr. Faber.] + +[Footnote 10: Scott.] + +[Footnote 11: Scott] + +[Footnote 12: So Mr. Faber imagined.] + +[Footnote 13: So designated by Nicholas, late emperor of Russia.] + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +THE NEW JERUSALEM. + +Interpreters are much divided in opinion as to the import of this +symbol. Some think it represents the church on earth during the period +of the millennium; while others, no less learned and pious, consider it +as an emblematical representation of the heavenly state. Of those who +acquiesce in the former view, some consider the arguments "quite +conclusive." It may be conceded that much may be advanced, and with +great plausibility, in support of this position. + +Perhaps the most specious arguments to this purpose are such as the +following:--"That the New Jerusalem is distinguished from the Old, +because of the superior light and grace of the present dispensation of +the Covenant. Moreover, the glowing descriptions of the church militant +given by the prophets, especially Isaiah, are thought to be as boldly +rhetorical as those of John; yet those lofty flights are confessedly +descriptive of the church on earth. Besides, who can conceive how "the +kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into" the heavenly +state? or how are "the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the +nations," when there _are no nations to be healed?_ etc. + +To these arguments the following answers may be given. + +The church is one under all changes of dispensation, and by what names +soever she is called: but it does not appear that we are warranted by +Scripture usage to view the New Jerusalem as a designation of the church +in her militant state. She is indeed sometimes called in the New +Testament by Old Testament names: as when Paul calls her by the name +Zion, (Heb. xii. 22.) But he does not say, _new_ Zion. Again, when our +Lord promises, (as in Rev. iii. 12,) to reward "him that overcometh," it +must be supposed from the connexion, that, as in all similar cases of +spiritual conflict, this reward is to be conferred in a future +state,--heaven. But part of the reward he describes in these words:--"I +will write upon him the name of the city of my God, which is New +Jerusalem." Surely it may be supposed without presumption, that in this +place New Jerusalem means heaven. Nor is the assumption true,--that the +descriptive language of the Old Testament prophets is always to be +understood of the church on earth. For instance, can the following +language (Is. xxxiii. 24,) be predicated of the saints while in the +body:--"The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick?" "The glory and honour +of the nations" are the "saints of God, the excellent;" who while here, +are "the light of the world, the salt of the earth;" and doubtless +nations as well as families and individuals "have learned by experience +that the Lord hath blessed them for their sakes:" (Gen. xxx. 27; xxxix. +5;)--and that he has also "reproved kings" and destroyed nations for +their sakes, (Ps. cv. 14; Is. xliii. 3, 4.) And when all the saints who +are to rule the nations, (Rev. xx. 4, 6,) for a thousand years, shall +have been brought home to glory, then emphatically will the glory and +honour of the nations be brought into the New Jerusalem. + +As to the "leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations," it may be +remarked, that their sanative virtue will have been experienced by +national societies on earth: and there is not, there never was, nor will +there ever be, any other healing medicine for them, (Ezek. xlvii. 12) In +addition to what has been said, it is worthy of notice that the tree of +life, in allusion to the delights of the garden of Eden, which was an +emblem of heaven, is mentioned in the Apocalypse, near the beginning and +near the end of the book, (chs. ii. 7; xxii. 2.) Now, we are told +expressly that this tree is "in the midst of Paradise." But we learn +both from our Lord and the apostle Paul that Paradise signifies +heaven:--"To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," said Christ to the +penitent thief. "I was caught up into Paradise;" that is, "the third +heaven," said Paul. Did Christ and Paul mean the visible, or the +invisible church militant by the name Paradise? But the tree of life +flourishes there, and all the redeemed eat of its fruit. They are where +the tree is, the tree is in Paradise, and Paradise is heaven itself: +therefore we are warranted to conclude with certainty that New Jerusalem +is a symbol of the church triumphant; and, consequently, that those +parts of chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, which are of symbolic +structure, are descriptive of the heavenly state. + + +THE ANTICHRIST. + +This word does not occur in the Apocalypse, nor in any other book of the +New Testament except the first and second epistles, by the apostle John. +There it is found in the singular and plural form. (1 John ii. 18, 22; +iv. 3; ii. 7.) The apostles in their ministry had spoken frequently and +familiarly to the disciples of this personage, as an enemy of God and +man. "Ye _have heard_ that Antichrist shall come." "Remember ye not," +asks Paul, "that, when I was yet with you, I _told you_ these things?" +(2 Thess. ii. 5.) Paul blames his countrymen, the Hebrews, that they had +need that one should teach them again which be the first principles of +the oracles of God, (Heb. v. 12.) And it is just so now, in the case of +most professing Christians, learned and illiterate; they yet need to be +taught again what is meant by Antichrist. + +All who are acquainted with the sentiments of the reformers of the +sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are aware that their conceptions of +this enemy were vague and confused. Persecuted as heretics and apostates +from the only true church, the church of Rome, the reformers very +naturally concluded that the Pope, or the church of which he is the +visible head, was the Antichrist. And this opinion is very generally +held at the present day. + +Mr. Faber, however, dissents from this popular notion, and with much +confidence and plausibility broaches a new theory of his own. His style +is always forcible, and so perspicuous that he cannot be misunderstood. +In his "Dissertation on the Prophecies," he lays down the following +canon or rule for expositors:--"Before a commentator can reasonably +expect his own system to be adopted by others, he must show likewise +that the expositions of his predecessors are erroneous in those points +wherein he differs from them." To enforce this rule he adds,--"It will +be found to be the only way, in which there is even a probability of +attaining to the truth." I can neither admit the justness of his rule, +nor the conclusiveness of his reason; for by its adoption, "of making +many books there would be no end; and the world itself could not contain +the books that should be written." To deduce the truth from any portion +of God's word, it is by no means necessary that the expositor shall +undertake the Herculean task of refuting all the heresies and vagaries +which "men of corrupt minds" have pretended or attempted to wring out of +it. But as Mr. Faber is not to be reckoned in this category, I shall pay +him so much deserved respect as to apply to himself _his own rule_ in +some following particulars:-- + +By a formal syllogism Mr. Faber proposes to overthrow the generally +received interpretation of the term _Antichrist_, that it means, the +_Papacy_, or, the _Church of Rome_. Thus he reasons:--"He is Antichrist +that denieth the Father and the Son: but _the Church of Rome_ never +denied either the Father or the Son: therefore _the church of Rome_ +cannot be the _Antichrist_ intended by St. John." Now, in this argument, +which seems to be so clear and conclusive, there is a latent sophism, an +assumption contrary to the Scriptures. The false assumption is, that the +word _denieth is univocal_; that is, that it has in the Bible, and on +this doctrinal point in particular, only _one sense_; whereas this is +not the case. The Church of Rome does indeed "profess to know" the +Father and the Son, but "in works denies" both, (1 Tim. v. 8; Tit. i. +16.) Therefore Mr. Faber's conclusion is not sustained by his premises, +and the Church of Rome might be the Antichrist for any thing that his +syllogism says to the contrary. + +Mr. Faber imagined that "Republican France,--infidel and atheistical +France,"--was the Antichrist; and he labored with much ingenuity to +sustain his position by applying to revolutionary France the latter part +of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, together with the prophecies of Paul, +Peter and Jude. I presume that most divines and intelligent Christians +are long since convinced, by the developments of Providence, that he was +mistaken. The commotions of the French Revolution and the military +achievements of the first Napoleon, however important to peninsular +Europe, were on much too limited a scale to correspond with the +magnitude and duration of the great Antichrist's achievements. They +were, however, owing to their proximity to Britain and their threatening +aspect, of sufficient importance to excite the alarm and rouse the +political antipathies of the Vicar of Stockton upon Tees! Mr. Faber's +Antichrist is an "infidel king, wilful king, an atheistical king, a +professed atheist," of short duration, and his influence of limited +geographical extent. He is not in most of these features the Antichrist +of prophecy, whose baleful influence is co-extensive with Christendom, +and whose duration is to be 1260 years. Mr. Faber's erudition is to be +respected, his imagination admired, but his political feelings to be +lamented. Indeed, his very ecclesiastical title of office,--"Vicar," is +itself partly indicative and symbolical of the prophetic Antichrist. + +I do not believe that infidel France, whether republican or monarchical, +nor the Papacy, nor the Church of Rome, is the Antichrist of the apostle +John; yet I do believe that all these are essential elements in his +composition. The following are the principal component parts of that +complex moral person, as defined by the Holy Spirit, by which any +disciple of Christ without much learning may identify John's Antichrist. +His elemental parts are three, _and only three_, and all presented in +the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The "beast of the sea," (vs. 1, +2,) the "beast of the earth," (v. 11,) and the "image of, or to the +first beast," (v. 14,) that is, the Roman empire, the Roman church and +the Pope: all these in combination, _professing Christianity_; these, +with their adjuncts as subordinate agencies constitute the Apocalyptic +Antichrist. Besides this personage, well defined by the inspired +prophets, Daniel, Paul, John and others, there is no other Antichrist. +An "infidel king, a professed atheist," as distinct from this one and +symbolized in prophetic revelation, I find not. I conclude that such a +personage is wholly chimerical, framed as a creature of a lively +imagination. + + +THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST. + +Mr. Faber is unsuccessful in his interpretation of the "image of the +beast." His reasoning is ingenious, specious and intelligible as usual. +He labours to prove that the worshipping of images by the Papists is the +meaning of the symbol. Material images, however, whether of papal origin +or otherwise, are harmless vanities: "for they cannot do evil, neither +also _is it_ in them to do good," (Jer. x. 5.) The case is quite +otherwise with this image. It has "life, speaks, and has power to +_kill_," (Rev. xiii. 15.) These properties of John's "image" are so +opposite to those of the Papal images, that they effectually confute Mr. +Faber's fanciful, not to say whimsical theory. It has been already shown +that the "image" symbolizes the Papacy, the _fac-simile_ of the Roman +emperor. + + +THE BEAST'S "_deadly wound_." + +The Erastian heresy, the usual concomitant of prelacy, will readily +account for Mr. Faber's explanation of the "deadly wound," which the +first beast received in his sixth head. Constantine, he thinks, +inflicted that wound by abolishing paganism. He writes as though the +beast had been _actually killed_, and had lain literally dead for a +period of nearly three centuries! (viz., from 313 till 606.) Yet the +apostle assures us that the "deadly wound was healed." The _beast did +not die_. Daniel gives no hint of the death of his fourth beast, which +is the same as John's beast of the sea, until his final destruction at +the close of the 1260 years. It was in fact under the reigns of +Constantine and his successors, that ambitious pastors were nurtured +into antichristian prelates, and passed by a natural transition into +Popery. The empire never ceased to be a beast during the whole period of +its continuance. The sixth _head_ was wounded, but the beast still +survived. The sixth or imperial form of government was changed, but that +change brought no advantage to the Christian church either in her +doctrine or order. As a distinct horn of this beast the British nation +with her hierarchy is easily traceable to mystic Babylon in point of +maternity. Since, as well as before the time of Henry the Eighth, +spiritual fornication has ever been the crime of the "British +Establishment." This historical fact requires no proof. + +Mr. Faber seems to me to give too little prominence in his exposition to +Daniel and John's beast of the sea, as an enemy to Christ. Indeed, he +appears to overlook the leading idea involved in the name Antichrist, as +a _substitutionary_, false, and therefore inimical or hostile christ. +Instead of keeping before his mind the glorious person of the Mediator +as the special object of Antichrist's enmity, as prophecy requires, he +places before him the church or the gospel instead of Christ. Hence he +writes thus:--"We find in the predictions of St. John,--(why not _St_ +Daniel?) two _great enemies_ of the _gospel_, Popery and Mohammedism." +Then he adds,--"a third power is introduced," (Preface, p. 7.) This +"third power" he calls "a wilful infidel king," and, as already noticed, +interprets it of "atheistical France." Now, it will be evident to the +intelligent reader that among his "three powers" considered by him as +"enemies to the gospel," he has entirely lost sight of the _seven headed +ten horned beast_, and _his hostility to Christ_! He has, in fact, +manifestly substituted his imaginary "wilful king",--infidel France, for +the Roman empire, the beast of Daniel and John, the agent that slays the +witnesses, (Rev. xi. 7.) To almost every expositor, and in his lucid +moments, even to Mr. Faber himself, it is apparent, that the Roman +empire is the primary element in the complex personage that wars against +the Lamb. Even kings are but _horns of the beast_, and Popery but a +_horn_. (Dan. vii. 20; Rev. xvii. 12, 13.) + +It is therefore a great mistake on the part of this learned author, to +feign an Antichrist distinct from the three confederated enemies of +Christ and his witnesses,--enemies so clearly pointed out in prophecy by +appropriate and intelligible symbols:--the beast with ten, and the beast +with two horns, and the image of the first. These three, all professing +the Christian religion, and practically denying it, without the shadow +of a doubt, constitute the Antichrist of John, (1 John ii. 19-21.) This +is the identical enemy described by Daniel, and according to the +inspired predictions of both prophets, doomed to eternal destruction, +(Dan. vii. 11; Rev. xix. 20.) Hence it is obvious that Mr. Faber's +"wilful king" is wholly a creature of his own fancy, constituting no +feature of the prophetic Antichrist. + + +THE LITTLE BOOK. + +This symbol is in the tenth chapter evidently distinguished from the one +in the fifth chapter. It is considered by several interpreters as +containing all that follows to the end of the book. According to this +view, it would be larger than the sealed book, (ch. v. 1.) Such a view +is altogether untenable, involving, as it does, almost a palpable +contradiction. The little book is indeed comprehended in the sealed +book, as a part of the whole; or it may be viewed as an appendix or +codicil, or perhaps still more correctly as a _parenthesis_, +interrupting the series of the trumpets, that the object of the seventh +or last woe-trumpet maybe thus described and rendered intelligible when +sounded. + +Mr. Faber is correct in saying, "the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and +fourteenth chapters, in point of chronology run parallel to each other;" +but he is mistaken when he says the "little book comprehends these four +chapters." It comprehends only so much as intervenes between the close +of the ninth chapter and the fifteenth verse of the eleventh chapter; +or, in other words, between the sounding of the sixth and seventh +trumpet. To be more correct and explicit,--the tenth chapter introduces +the little book, and the eleventh chapter, from the first to the +fourteenth verse inclusive, exhibits an abstract of its contents,--a +condensed narrative or mere outline of the contest during the 1260 +years. + + +THE DEATH OF THE WITNESSES. + +Many divines have considered the death of the two witnesses, as +consisting in a moral slaying, equivalent to apostacy. Mr. Faber views +their life and death as altogether political. He censures Mr. Galloway +for "want of strict adherence to _unity of symbolical_ interpretation," +but he inadvertently falls into the same error. Assuming, as he does, +that the two witnesses are the Old and New Testament _Churches_, where +is the "unity of symbolical interpretation" when he tells us that the +witnesses were politically slain in the "disastrous battle of Mulburgh +in the year 1547, by the total route of the protestants under the lead +of the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse?" The _political_ +death of two churches in the battle of Mulburgh!--Such language +exemplifies neither the accuracy of historic narrative, nor the "unity +of symbolical interpretation:" nor does it accord with another rule of +the writer, one of his three cardinal rules, namely,--That "no +interpretation of a prophecy is valid, except the prophecy agree _in +every particular_ with the event to which it is supposed to relate." +Mistaking the character of the witnesses, as one of the primary symbols +in the Apocalypse, he is unable to ascertain in history either their +identity or work, their life or their death. Having imagined their +political death in 1547, he supposes their resurrection to political +life in 1550,--"by the accession of Edward the Sixth to the throne of +England!" and "the defeat of the Duke of Mecklenburgh in the October of +that year!!" Of course, these witnesses, according to Mr. Faber's +interpretation, resumed their function of prophesying so soon as they +were restored to political life: but we look in vain for the prophesying +of the mystic witnesses after their ascension to the symbolic heaven, +(Rev. xi. 12.) As we have shown to the readers of these Notes, their +lives and their testimony, or prophesying, terminate together, (ch. xi. +7; xii. 11.) + + +THE MARK OF THE BEAST. + +"With regard to the mark of the beast," Mr. Faber "thinks, with Sir +Isaac Newton, that it is _the cross_," (p. 176.) This _thought_ has +indeed been almost universal in the minds of protestants. So deep-seated +is this conviction in the popular belief, that one is deemed chargeable +with temerity, if not something worse, who would call its grounds in +question. Popular opinion, or belief in matters of this spiritual and +mystical nature, is, however, of very little weight in the estimation of +such as are accustomed to "try the spirits." Although the mark was to be +received at the instance and by the authority of the two horned beast of +the earth, it was not enjoined as a mark of devotion to _himself_. It +was manifestly commanded by him as a _tessera_ of loyalty to the +ten-horned beast of the sea, the obvious symbol of corrupt and +tyrannical civil power. Instead therefore of the cross as a sign of +devotion to Popery,--of membership in the church of Rome, as identifying +with the beast's mark, this mark is evidently and demonstrably the +tessera of loyalty to the Roman empire,--immoral civil power; and this, +too, in any of the dependencies of that iron empire, (Dan. ii. 40; vii. +7.) + +From the errors and vagaries of this learned and acute expositor, some +of which have been pointed out, it is apparent that no amount of +intellectual culture, no natural powers of discrimination, no logical or +metaphysical acumen, will compensate for the want of early and accurate +training in the knowledge of supernatural revelation. On the prophetical +and priestly offices of our Redeemer, some of the English prelates have +written with a force, perspicuity and zeal against the heresies of the +Romish apostacy, not excelled by the writings of those who have +dissented from the semi-papal hierarchy of the Anglican Church. But on +the _royal_ office of Immanuel, their prelatic training and associations +seem to have blinded their minds. "No bishop, no king," is a maxim which +seems to lie at the foundation of all their political disquisitions and +speculations, and which gives a tincture to all their expositions of +prophecy. Nevertheless, even in this field of labor, the diligent +student may consult with much advantage the learned works of such +writers as the two Newtons, Kett, Galloway, Whitaker, Zouch, with their +predecessors, Lowman, Mede and others. + +After all, the best works to be obtained as helps to understand the +prophetic parts of Scripture, will be found in the labors of those who, +from age to age, have obeyed the gracious call of Christ,--who have +"come out from mystic Babylon," from the Romish communion,--from the +mother and her harlot daughters, and who have associated more or less +intimately with the _witnesses_. Among these may be consulted with +profit the works of Durham, Mason and M'Leod. But while searching after +the mind of God revealed in this part of his word, let us never exercise +implicit faith in the teachings of any fallible expositor. Let us always +regard the injunction of our apostle:--"Beloved, believe not every +spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." Of course, the +only infallible standard by which we can try the spirits is the whole +word of God,--"comparing spiritual things with spiritual." + + +THE FIRST RESURRECTION. + +Bishop Newton, among those divines distinguished in ecclesiastical +history as Millenarians, may be regarded as one of the most learned, +judicious and cautious. The amount of the deductions which this class of +writers draw from the scripture phrase "first resurrection," and its +context, confirmed as they suppose by many other parts of Scripture, +appears to be the following:--All the righteous shall be raised from +their graves to meet our Saviour coming from heaven at the beginning of +the Millennium: he and these saints, clothed in real human bodies, are +to dwell and reign together upon a renovated earth during that happy +period. Indeed, writers on this interesting subject differ so much in +details, that no well-defined theory or system can be discovered among +them. The _literal resurrection_ of the bodies of the saints, and the +_corporeal presence_ of Christ among them, seem to be the cardinal +points of agreement with this class of expositors; and from this literal +interpretation of the resurrection of the righteous and bodily +appearance of the Saviour, they either took or received the name +_Millenarians_. Other Christians, however, who differ from them in the +interpretation of symbols, are no less believers in a millennium than +they,--a thousand years of righteousness and peace _on the earth_. + +Bishop Newton understands "this 'first resurrection' of a particular +resurrection preceding the general one at least a thousand years." "It +is to this first resurrection," says he, "that St. Paul alludes, (1 +Thess. iv. 16,) when he affirms that the 'dead in Christ shall rise +first,' and (1 Cor. xv. 23;) that every man shall be made alive in his +own order, Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at +his coming." It is surprising that a person of the Bishop's learning +should so readily mistake the _sound_ for the _sense_ of the words which +he quotes. While the apostle is, for the "comfort" of the saints, +treating of _their_ resurrection, he is evidently speaking of the +general resurrection at the _end of time_. In the morning of the +resurrection Christ's members will be raised after the manner and in +virtue of his resurrection,--"the first fruits" securing the following +harvest, in obvious allusion to the ceremonial law. In the other case, +when Paul says, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," does he +mean,--before "the rest of the dead?" No, but before those of their +_redeemed brethren_ who shall then be "alive and remain;" for these +"shall not prevent (_anticipate_) them which are asleep," (_in the +grave_.) That is, the bodies of the saints who have died shall be raised +in glory, _before_ those then alive shall undergo a change equivalent to +that of the resurrection. Such is manifestly the meaning of the +apostle's plain language which has no reference whatever to the +millennium, not even the remotest allusion. Nothing but a groundless +preconception of the nature of the millennium will account for the sound +of words taking the place of their sense in the reader's mind, and no +degree of mere scholarship can obviate this propensity of the human mind +in "the things of the Spirit of God." + +Not only does the learned prelate misapprehend and misapply the texts +above quoted to support his theory, but he makes a gratuitous +concession, which is at once fatal to his scheme and inconsistent with +himself. He says,--"Indeed, the _death_ and _resurrection_ of the +witnesses before mentioned, (Rev. xi. 7, 11,) appears from the +concurrent circumstances of the vision to be _figurative_." The Bishop +evidently viewed the witnesses of the eleventh chapter as a company +altogether different from those of whom John speaks in the twentieth +chapter, (vs. 4, 5.) This is another of his surprising mistakes; for +that the _identical party_ as a moral person appears in both parts of +the symbolic and allegorical representation will readily appear to any +unbiassed mind by an induction of the following particulars. + +These witnesses are to continue "prophesying 1260 days (_years_,) (Rev. +xi. 3.) Then they are killed, (v. 7.) But we learn that _in death_ they +are _victorious_, (ch. xii. 11) They triumph "with the Lamb on Mount +Zion," (ch. xiv. 1) In a similar attitude of triumph they again appear +"standing on the sea of glass, (ch. xv. 2.) They are with their +victorious King, (ch. xvii. 14.) They are exhorted to retaliate upon +mystic Babylon, (xviii. 6.) They are also engaged in the last campaign +with the Captain of their salvation, (ch. xix. 14, 19, 20.) And at +length they are advanced to thrones of civil power to "rule the +nations," (ch. xx. 4,) in fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy and their +Saviour's promise, (Dan. vii. 27; Rev. ii. 26, 27.) The death and +resurrection of the witnesses is compendiously stated in the former part +of the eleventh chapter, (vs. 7-14;) but these events, epitomised again +in the "little book," are amplified in the subsequent chapters, where we +are made acquainted more fully with their enemies, their conflicts, +death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation; and in all these respects +is exhibited their conformity to the example of their Captain and +Leader. If, therefore, according to the Bishop's conception, "the death +and resurrection" of the witnesses in the eleventh chapter be +_figurative_, and if the witnesses of the twentieth be the same as those +of the eleventh chapter, which identity I have proved, it follows +incontrovertibly, that the "first resurrection" is to be understood in a +figurative sense. This interpretation may be abundantly confirmed in the +following manner:--The witnesses prophesy 1260 years. But since no +individual persons live so long, a succession _must_ be supposed. They +are, in fact, mystic characters, having their real counterpart in actual +history on this earth. The scarlet colored beast and woman, (ch. xvii. +3,) are of equal duration with the witnesses, and of similar mystic +character, and have their real counterpart in history. The witnesses are +slain by the beast at the instigation of the woman; but their death is +only temporary, (ch. xi. 7, 11;) their enemies "have no more that they +can do:" while, on the other hand, the death of the beast is +"perdition,"--eternal death, (ch. xvii. 8,) and in this death the +woman,--"the false prophet" participates, (ch. xix. 20.) All this +symbolical language respects Christ's enemies as corporate or organized +bodies. + +Here it is proper to notice an objection of Bishop Newton. He +asks,--"With what propriety can it be said, that some of the dead who +were beheaded "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years; but the +rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were +finished;" unless _the dying_ and _living again_ be the same in both +places?" Very true, the dying and living are doubtless "the same in both +places." The Bishop's mistake consists in taking these expressions in a +literal sense, "a proper death and resurrection." He evidently assumes +that "the rest of the dead," here mentioned, are to be literally raised +at the last day. This is undoubtedly true, for there shall be a +resurrection ... of the unjust." (Acts xxiv. 15,) but it is not the +truth contained in the words in question. From the assumption of the +_literal_ raising of "the rest of the dead," he infers the _literal_ +raising of those that were beheaded. The converse of this is obviously +the correct way of reasoning. We have found that the witnesses are +spoken of, (xi. 14,) as _figuratively_ raised by the Bishop's own +acknowledgment, therefore it is most natural and logical to infer that +"the rest of the dead" were to be raised in the same manner, namely, +_figuratively_. As at the beginning of the millennium,--the martyrs, not +some of them only, as the Bishop hints, will be raised in the persons of +their legitimate successors in faith and practice; and their faith and +practice will constitute the happy state of the world for a thousand +years, so, when that period shall have expired, Satan, being "loosed out +of his prison," (ch. xx. 8,) will deceive the nations as before, and +during the "little season" of liberty, will succeed in raising from the +dead as it were, a multitude of the same character as those who killed +the witnesses,--"Gog and Magog." This maybe called the _second_ +resurrection, and there will never be a _third of that kind_, for the +Lord will destroy them for ever, (ch. xx. 9.) The character of the +witnesses and their unparalleled conflicts with Antichrist sufficiently +identify them in the Apocalypse throughout the 1260 years, as also +during the thousand years of their reign; and the character of their +enemies identifies them in the time of conflict for 1260 years; but +during the succeeding period of righteousness and peace for a thousand +years, they will not be permitted to lift up the head. And so soon as +they are organized under the conduct of Satan, and like Pharaoh, most +confident of victory, (Exod. xv. 9,) then "sudden destruction cometh +upon them, and they shall not escape." + + +THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES. + +The late Rev. Alexander M'Leod, D. D., who had the works of learned +predecessors before him, has successfully corrected many of their +misinterpretations in his valuable publication, entitled "Lectures upon +the Principal Prophecies of the Revelation." At the time when he wrote +that work, he possessed several advantages in aid of his own +expositions. He had access to the most valuable works which had been +issued before that date, (1814.). He was then in the vigor of youthful +manhood; and he was also comparatively free from the trammels which in +attempts to expound the Apocalypse, have cramped the energies of many a +well-disciplined mind, _political partialities_. At the time of these +profound studies, he occupied a position "in the wilderness," from which +as a stand point, like John in Patmos, he could most advantageously +survey the passing scenes of providence with the ardor of youthful +emotion, and with unsullied affection for the divine Master. With all +these advantages, however, the dispassionate and impartial reviewer may +discover, in the rapid current of his thoughts, that the active powers +of the expositor some times took precedence of the intellectual. Two +special causes may be assigned for this, hereditary love of liberty, and +the actual condition of society at the time. Born in Scotland, the +cradle of civil and religious liberty from the days of John Knox, Dr. +M'Leod's traditions and mental associations were necessarily imbued with +the atmosphere of such surroundings. To such causes may be attributed +occasional declamation, extravagant verbosity and unconscious +inconsistencies, not well comporting with the solidity and self +possession so desirable on the part of an expositor. Yet even in such +outbursts of impassioned eloquence we may sometimes discover noble +conceptions commanding our admiration, if not altogether such as to +secure our approbation. It ought to be considered, moreover, that the +"Lectures" came from their author in a turbulent, if not in a +revolutionary condition of society. Peninsular Europe was convulsed by +the successful military career of that brilliant general, Napoleon. +England and the United States were also at war. The independence and +even the existence of the young Republic were apparently in peril. The +lecturer very naturally sympathized with the land of his adoption, in +which resided his domestic treasures and many of the "excellent ones of +the earth," to whom he was bound by conjugal, paternal and covenant +ties. In a condition of actual warfare, he could not but feel most +keenly the constriction of these manifold and endearing bonds, +especially when thought to be jeopardized. + +With these preliminaries, and expressing my obligation to the Doctor's +labors, to whose system of interpretation as well as to most of his +details, I cheerfully give my approbation in preference to all other +expositors whose works it has been in my power to consult; it is +proposed briefly to review some of his expositions and sentiments, from +which I crave liberty to dissent. "It is not the interest of any man to +be in error." + +In his interpretation of the seals and trumpets of the Apocalypse, Dr. +M'Leod has unquestionably corrected many misapprehensions of his learned +predecessors, especially Bishop Newton and Mr. Faber: and it is perhaps +to be regretted that he did not favor the public with his view of the +vials also, a work which he seems to have had in contemplation when the +"Lectures" were published. The three last named interpreters did +certainly improve upon the expositions of all who went before them in +this field of investigation; and in most cases of disagreement the +Doctor excelled in accuracy the other two, as will readily appear on +careful examination. + +In attempting to ascertain the import of the mystic "witnesses," as of +the Antichrist, expositors widely differ. Bishop Newton says +positively,--"The witnesses cannot be ... any two churches." Mr. Faber +is equally peremptory, that they "must be two churches," and he attempts +to sustain his position by many citations of Scripture, and by much +plausible argumentation. The Bishop is substantially correct in saying, +"They are a succession of men, and a succession of churches." Mr. Faber +is also correct in the main when he says,--"The two witnesses signify +the spiritual members of the catholic church:" but his notion of _two +churches_, the "Old and New Testament churches," betrays his imperfect +conception of the _essential unity_ of the church of God. Both he and +the Bishop overlook too often the important fact that civil magistracy +is a divine ordinance, which, as corrupted, constitutes the first beast +of the Apocalypse, and the most prominent feature of the great +Antichrist. + +Doctor M'Leod's definition or description of the witnesses is as +follows:--"They are a small company of true Christians, defending the +interests of true religion against all opposition, and frequently +sealing with their blood the testimony which they hold," (p. 314.) This +description is more definite than either of the two preceding, and is +therefore worthy of preference; yet the reader will still wish for +something more precise and tangible. Since the prophets of the Old and +New Testaments reveal the hostility of the Devil to Christ and his +people, and since both Daniel and John represent this hostility by +appropriate and intelligible symbols, as carried out by corrupting the +two great ordinances of _church_ and _state_, would it not follow that +the witnesses are those Christians who, for 1260 years, apply the word +of God to these two ordinances, contending for a _scriptural magistracy_ +and a _gospel ministry_,--the "Two Sons of Oil;" and testifying against +their _Counterfeits_? Such appears to be the import of those mystical +characters of whom we read, Zech. iv. 14; Rev. xi. 4. + +In tracing the witnesses through their eventful history for 1260 years +as portrayed in the Apocalypse, and in fixing with precision their +_continuous identity_, I am constrained reluctantly to dissent from the +Doctor and agree with Faber. Adopting the language of "Frazer's Key," +Dr. M'Leod says, "These witnesses differ as much from their +cotemporaries, the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed ones, +(Rev. vii. 4,) as Elijah differed from the seven thousand in Israel in +his time." The attempt is made to prove this assertion by the following +plausible argument:--"God is never for a moment without a people upon +earth." This is true,--"And the visible church is an indestructible +society." Is this assertion true? It is partly true, and partly +untrue:--"true of her _existence_ and moral identity, but not of her +_visibility_ as an organized body." For example, where was the visible +church while Elijah "dwelt by the brook Cherith?" (1 Kings xvii. 3, xix. +10;) or while the "woman was in the wilderness?" (Rev. xii. 6.) Is it +consistent with propriety to contemplate the woman as _literally +visible_, when she is symbolically "in the wilderness?" This seems to be +impossible. I am therefore prepared to give my decided preference to the +sentiment of Mr. Faber contained in the following words of his +"Dissertation:" "The one hundred and forty-four thousand here mentioned, +(Rev. xiv. 1,) are the immediate successors of the one hundred and forty +four thousand sealed servants of God; (ch. vii. 4.) They are the same in +short, as _the two witnesses_.... They constitute the _persecuted church +in the wilderness_."--I cannot but think the evidence of identity here +irresistible; and in the pithy language of the Doctor on another point, +I say,--"A man must shut his eyes not to see" the correctness of Mr. +Faber's interpretation of this identity. The Doctor's censure of English +expositors in one of his notes will too often justly apply to other +divines in expounding prophecy:--"They have greatly diminished the value +of their publications, by permitting themselves to indulge so much of +the spirit of political partiality." Doctor M'Leod and Mr. Faber I +consider among the best expositors of the prophecies on which they +severally wrote; and therefore their valuable works have been +principally contemplated in these animadversions. On material points +they have shed much light where those who preceded them left the reader +in darkness, or involved him in perplexing labyrinths. Faber preceded +M'Leod, and the latter availed himself of all the aid furnished by the +former; yet till the "mystery of God shall be finished," his people will +be receiving accessions of light from the "sure word of prophecy." + + +SOUNDING OP THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. + +At the time when those learned divines wrote, the political agitations +in Europe and America, as already noticed, gave a peculiar tincture to +their opinions and expositions of the Apocalyptic symbols. This state of +feeling on the part of these distinguished men, and on opposite sides of +the Atlantic, is very strikingly illustrated in their conflicting +interpretations of the "third woe,"--the seventh trumpet. Amidst the +conflict of arms and the booming of cannon, in both hemispheres, those +writers thought the first blast of the seventh trumpet and third woe +could be distinctly heard. They differed widely, however, in their +interpretations of its import and effects. To Mr. Faber, Napoleon, who +was the most conspicuous figure in the passing drama, appeared as a +terrific Vandal at the head of his legions, threatening to uproot and +lay waste the fair fabric of European civilization. To the Doctor, on +the other hand, Napoleon seemed the possible minister of Providence, +destined to prepare the way of the Lord, and to introduce a better, a +scriptural civilization. As time has sufficiently demonstrated the +fallacy of their respective expositions of the seventh trumpet, it is +needless to quote or review their speculations. + +The principal defect pervading the "Lectures," and one which most +readers will be disposed to view in an opposite light, appears to be, a +charity _too broad_, a catholicity _too expansive_, to be easily +reconciled with a consistent position among the mystic witnesses. Their +author, however, deriving much information from the learned labours of +English prelates on prophecy, could not "find in his heart" to exclude +them from a place in the _honourable roll of the witnesses_. I am unable +to recognize any of those who are in organic fellowship with the "eldest +daughter of Popery," as entitled to rank among those who are symbolized +as "clothed in sackcloth." The two positions and fellowships appear to +be obviously incompatible and palpably irreconcilable. It is true that +there have been and still are in the English establishment divines who +are strictly evangelical; but the reigning Mediator views and treats +individuals, as he views and treats the moral person with which +individuals freely choose to associate; and we ought to "have the mind +of Christ." (1 Cor. ii. 16.) + +Assuming that the third woe trumpet was sounding in his ears, the +Doctor, transported with the imaginary but delightful prospect, that the +kingdoms of this world were speedily to become the kingdoms of our Lord +and of his Christ, speaks of France as follows:--"She had given +assistance to the sons of freedom on the plains and along the shores of +Columbia, until the republican eagle snatched the oppressed provinces +from the paw of the royal lion of England."--We may admire the metaphors +of the _orator_, while we deplore the political feeling of the _divine_. +It is true, as the orator in calmer moments reflects,--"The political +conduct of professing Christians is generally lamentable;" and alas! +this "lamentable conduct" is usually tolerated and too often exemplified +by their spiritual guides. It has been generally so since the days of +Jeroboam who "made priests of the lowest of the people," and thereby +rendered the ministry the stipendiaries of the state. And as it was +then, even so it is now, whether in the kingdoms, empires or republics +of the earth. "Let us," with the Doctor, "lament the political conduct +of Christians in the present age of the world." + +Allusion has been already made to seeming inconsistencies in the +Doctor's sentiments. There is truth in the adage,--"_tempora mutantur et +nos mutamur cum illis_,"--"times change, and we change with them." And +indeed changes are allowable in matters of a circumstantial nature which +do not affect moral principle. Moral principle, however, is in its +nature immutable. In the early period of the Doctor's public life he had +nobly proved "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable." But this accursed system was +from the first interwoven with the very framework of that "Republican +America," which in his "Lectures" he takes occasion thus to eulogize! +"We never formed a street of the mystical Babylon.... Let this be the +asylum of the oppressed.... She (Republican America) has not, either by +sea or land, encouraged oppression (?) or despoiled of his goods him +that was at peace with us?"--I confess my inability to credit these +statements, or to reconcile them with "the great moral principles" which +the author justly tells his readers it was the object of the Author of +the Apocalypse to illustrate before the world. + +I have thus noticed some of the most important particulars in which I +dissent from the interpretations of the Doctor and others, that the +reader may be guided by all accessible way-marks in searching after the +mind of God in this mysterious but highly instructive part of his +precious word. I can again cordially recommend to his attention the +Lectures of Doctor M'Leod, as the best exposition of those parts of the +Apocalypse of which he treats, that has come under my notice. In the +Notes will be found minor points of dissent from the Doctor's views, and +from multiplied aberrations of many others. I have studied great +plainness of speech, abstaining from the introduction of many verbal +criticisms on the original text, and from the use of terms and phrases +not familiar to the unlearned reader. Let no sincere Christian be +deterred by seeming difficulties from reading the Apocalypse, or be +dissuaded from searching it, by the discrepancies of interpreters; for +this is equally true of "the other Scriptures." (2 Pet. iii, 16.) + + +THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK. + +In our authorized version of the Bible, this last book is correctly +translated "Revelation." It is otherwise designated "The Apocalypse," by +simply Anglicising the Greek title,--_Apokalupsis_. A distinguished +modern divine, Doctor Seiss, has furnished the public with a novel +interpretation of the title. But it is remarkable that he does not +propose an _interpretation_ at all; he merely gives what he conceives to +be a _correct translation_. It is this:--"The Book of the _Unvailing_ of +Jesus Christ!" In this singular translation two things are +transparent,--affectation of scholarship, and the (_proton pseudos_) the +cardinal error of Millenarianism. Learned men, however, are not devoid +of fancy. Of this fact those who are historically designated +Millenarians have given many illustrations from the primitive ages down +to our own time. The Doctor's rendering of the name of this book +discloses the predominant idea conceived in his imagination and +cherished there, that Christ is to appear upon earth in glorified +humanity at the beginning of the millennium, and that the Apocalypse is +intended chiefly to apprize the church and the world of this momentous +event. + +"The unvailing of Jesus Christ," indeed! Why, the Lord Jesus Christ was +revealed,--"unvailed" to the faith of our first parents in the promise +of the "woman's seed" as every intelligent Christian knows, (Gen. iii. +15.) We are assured that "to him give all the prophets witness," (Acts +x. 43.) Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, (John viii. 56.) His +advent in the flesh was so well known that Old Testament believers spoke +of him familiarly as of "Him that was to come," (Matt. xi. 3.) Surely he +was "unvailed" to his disciples all the time that he went in and out +among them before his death. And after his resurrection he appeared unto +them the third time,--"was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after +that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once," (1 Cor. xv. 5, +6.) After his ascension Stephen "saw Jesus standing on the right hand of +God," (Acts vii. 56) How preposterous then, since the whole Bible +"unvails" the Saviour, to insinuate that the _specific object_ of the +Apocalypse is to _unvail Jesus Christ_! + +That Doctor Seiss and those who endorse his _mistranslation_, or, as it +ought to be called, his _false exposition_ of the title to this book, do +totally misapprehend and misinterpret the mind of the Holy Spirit, is +further evident from the obvious import of the plain words in the first +verse;--this "Revelation of Jesus Christ, God gave unto him."--Christ. +Did God the Father "unvail" Christ to Christ himself? How gross the +absurdity! We do not transgress the law of charity in pronouncing as +impious, such manifest "wresting of the Scriptures." Moreover, the +declared object of this book is to "show unto God's servants +_things_,--(not to show Christ,) which must shortly come to pass:" +namely, events of providence which were then future,--the evolution of +the purposes of God. It is indeed true that in the sublime scenery +presented in vision to John, the Lord Jesus often appears as a very +conspicuous object; but he is only one among a multiplicity of other +objects, and generally as the principal agent in executing the divine +decrees. In this attitude he appears immediately on the opening of the +seals of that book, which all sober expositors consider as the symbol of +God's purposes, especially of those "unvailed" in this prophetic book. +When in the sixth chapter, the "four animals" say in succession, "Come +and see," is Jesus Christ the only object to be seen?--the exclusive +object unvailed? or even always the _primary_ object? By no means. + +Thus it is evident that at the very beginning of his career as an +expositor of this sacred book, Doctor Seiss gives loose reins to his +fancy; and then it is not difficult to foresee through what mazes of +error the credulous reader will be conducted, who in his simplicity, +follows such a reckless guide. The hallucinations of Millenarians of old +and of late have greatly discouraged the disciples of Christ, and +seriously hindered them in obeying his command,--"Search the +Scriptures," especially this precious book. Their unscriptural error, +which some might call an _antiscriptural heresy_, of the pre-millennial +corporeal appearance of our Saviour, with its carnal concomitants, has +been a temptation to not a few to look upon this part of the Bible as +wholly unintelligible, _contrary to its very name_,--REVELATION, The +hereditary and inveterate misconception by Millenarians of the nature of +the thousand years' reign of the saints, bears a striking analogy to +that of the Jews concerning the kingdom of their Messiah, and suggests a +remark by that prince of divines among English Dissenters, Doctor Owen, +in his "Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews." He says +truly,--"There are precious, useful, significant truths in the +Scripture, so disposed of, so laid up, as that if we accomplish not a +diligent search, we shall never set eye on them. The common course of +reading the Scriptures, nor the common help of expositors, who for the +most part, go in the same track, and scarce venture one step beyond +those that are gone before them, will not suffice, if we intend a +discovery of these hid treasures." And again he says, "How hard it is to +dispossess the minds of men of inveterate persuasions in religion!" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes On The Apocalypse, by David Steele + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE *** + +***** This file should be named 14485.txt or 14485.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/4/8/14485/ + +Produced by Virginia and Jordan Dohms, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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