__________________________________________________________________ Title: Commentary on Revelation Creator(s): Bullinger, E.W. (1837-1913) Print Basis: F.H. Revell, 1909 Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Bible; Theology; LC Call no: BS2825 .B83 1984 LC Subjects: The Bible New Testament Special parts of the New Testament __________________________________________________________________ Introductory Many readers of the Bible treat it as though it were like a "puzzle-picture," where we have to "find a face," or "a man," or some other object. No matter what part of the Bible may be read, the one object seems to be to "find the Church." For, the "Word of truth" not being rightly divided, or indeed divided at all, the whole Bible is supposed to be about every one, in every part, and in every age; and the Church is supposed to be its on pervading subject. This arises from our own natural selfishness. "We" belong to the Church, and therefore all "we" read "we" take to ourselves, not hesitating to rob others of what belongs to them. Here is a case in point. Open your Bibles at Isa. xxix. and xxx., and at the headings of the pages, at the same opening we read, "Judgment upon Jerusalem," and "God's mercies to His Church"! This is a "dividing" of the word (by man) indeed! but whether it is "rightly dividing" is another matter. The book is declared to be "The vision of Isaiah...which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem." And yet in spite of this, the blessings spoken of Judah and Jerusalem are taken away and given to the Church, while the curses and judgments are kindly left for "Judah and Jerusalem!" On this system of interpretation the Bible is useless for the purposes of Divine revelation. It is made a derision to its enemies, a ground for the attacks of infidels, while it becomes a stumbling-block to its friends. And yet it is on this same principle that the Apocalypse is usually treated. Everywhere the Church is thrust in : John (in ch. iv. 1) represents the Church; the living creatures, or Cherubim (ch. iv.) are the Church; the four and twenty elders (ch. iv., v.) are the Church; the 144,000 (ch. vii.) are the Church; [1] the great multitude (ch. vii.) is the Church; the "woman clothed with the sun" (ch. xii.) is the Church; the man-child (ch. xii.) is the Church; the bride (ch. xix.) is the Church; the "New Jerusalem" (ch. xxi.) is the Church; the "seven churches" are the Church; and so they go on, until the humble reader of the book is bewildered and disheartened. No wonder the book is neglected. The wonder would be if it were not. Now, it is with the object of lifting those who desire to understand this prophecy out of the quagmire of tradition that we propose to write these papers. We believe we shall best accomplish our object by departing from the usual custom of expositors, and leaving the interpretation of words and sentences and verses until after we have learned the scope of the book, and ascertained the great principle on which all interpretation must be based. Let us say at once that we believe, and must believe (1), that God means what He says; and (2), that He has a meaning for every word that He says. All His works and all His words are perfect, in their choice, order and place: so perfect, that, if one word or expression is used, there is a reason why no other would have done. On these lines we shall proceed to put forth and explain our theses or propositions: begging our readers not to start at the bare statement of them, but prayerfully to test the reasons which we shall give; and to remember that, while some are sufficient of themselves to establish our position, yet, we depend on the cumulative evidence of the whole of them taken together. Our great fundamental proposition - which we may as well state at once - is, that The Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse. However startling this may sound and may seem to some of our readers, we implore you not to dismiss it, but to test the reasons we shall give by the Word of God itself, and to weigh them in "the balances of the sanctuary." Try to forget all that you have "received by tradition," and ask from whom you learned this or that. Be prepared and ready to unlearn anything that you may have received from men, and learn afresh from the Word of God itself. The first chapter furnishes us with fifteen proofs of our fundamental proposition. Our first point, in proof of our great proposition, is __________________________________________________________________ THE FIVE-FOLD DIVISION OF THE BIBLE. The whole Bible is divided into five great divisions, each determined by its subject-matter. 1. The Old Testament has for its subject the King and his coming Kingdom, in promise and prophecy. 2. The Four Gospels the Kingdom offered and rejected. The King crucified by Israel in the Land. 3. The Acts and earlier Pauline Epistles; the King and Kingdom re-offered (iii. 19-21); and rejected, by the Dispersion in Rome (Acts xxviii. 25, 26). 4. The Later Pauline Epistles. The Kingdom in abeyance. The King made Head over all things to the Church. 5. The Apocalypse. The Kingdom set up with Divine judgment, in Power-Glory. The King enthroned. Then, during the fourth of these, we have the Epistles relating to the Mystery - the Church of God - during this present interval, while the King is in heaven and His Kingdom is in abeyance; and, while the preaching of "the gospel of the kingdom" is suspended, and "the gospel of the grace of God" is proclaimed. Of course, if there is no difference between these two pieces of "good-news," and the kingdom is the same thing as the Church or Body of Christ, then there is an end of the whole matter; not merely of our task, but of the Bible itself. For, if words do not mean what they say when used of a plain, literal, matter of fact like this, then words are useless for the purposes of revelation altogether. We have concealment and confusion in its place; and an Apocrypha instead of an Apocalypse. But, believing in the perfection of God's words, and not merely of his Word, we submit that we have here a first great reason for our proposition, that the Church (the body of Christ) is not the subject of the Apocalypse. It will be easier to receive this when we come to accumulate the evidence. We submit this first reason, simply asking our readers to believe what God says. __________________________________________________________________ THE HEBREW CHARACTER OF THE BOOK. Though this may be considered by some as a minor point, it is so important that it must not be passed over. Most critical commentators have to deal with it: because from the earliest times the enemies of the Book have made use of this undeniable fact in order to argue that it has no right to a place in a Canon of the other Greek Books of the New Testament! The Hebrew character of the book is shown in its use of idioms, expressions, words and phrases, which cannot be called Greek; and indeed is called by many "bad Greek." Professor Godet in his Studies on the New Testament, says, p. 331: "The only serious objection that can be urged against the authenticity of the Apocalypse, lies in the difference which is observable between its style, and that of the fourth Gospel. The latter is free from Aramaic expressions, the former is saturated with them." And again (p. 351), "the Apocalypse bears, from one end of it to the other, the character of a Hebrew prophecy." The argument based on this fact by the opponents of the Apocalypse is dealt with by scholars in various ways. But the subject is not one which would be of general interest to grammar. Those who wish to see the subject exhaustively treated are referred to the Commentary on the Apocalypse, by Moses Stuart, who devotes over twenty pages to it (pp. 190-210). There is however another side to the question: and that is, that, while the enemies use the fact against the Book itself, we use it against the popular interpretation of it. Though the language is Greek, the thoughts and idioms are Hebrew; and this links it on, not to the Pauline epistles, but to the Old Testament, and shows that its great subject is God's final dealings with the Jew and the Gentile; and not the Church of God. Connected with this fact there is another, that emphasizes it in a remarkable manner. It is not only Hebrew in character as to its linguistic peculiarities, but especially in its use of the Old Testament. Only those who have most intimate acquaintance with the Old Testament can properly understand the Apocalypse. But all who know anything of old Testament history cannot fail to detect the almost constant reference to it. All the imagery - the Temple, the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar, the Incense, the heads of the twenty-four courses of Priests (the pattern of which David's was a copy, I Chron. xxviii. 19, see chap. xxv., and compare Heb. ix. 23, etc), all this belongs peculiarly to Israel. The same may be said of the judgments, which follow on the lines of the plagues of Egypt, and therefore are to be just as real: indeed they are to exceed in dread reality those which were executed in the Exodus from Egypt. For it is written (Ex. xxxiv. 10) - "And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all they people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which thou art shall see the word of the lord; for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee." It is the fulfilment of this covenant with Israel which is the great subject of the Apocalypse. But it is when we come to look at the literary connection between the Old Testament and the Apocalypse that we find evidences of the most striking kind. If we count up the number of Old Testament passages quoted or alluded to in the New Testament, [2] we find that the gospel of Matthew has a very large number, amounting in all to 92. The Epistle to the Hebrews comes higher still with 102. Now both these books are connected in a special manner with Israel. Matthew, it is universally admitted, stands out among the four Gospels as being specially Jewish in its character. And the Epistle to the Hebrews was specially written to Hebrews, and they are addressed as such. Now, when we turn to the Apocalypse, what do we find? The result which to our mind is overwhelming. No less than 285 references to the Old Testament. More than three times as many as Matthew, and nearly three times as many as the Epistle to the Hebrews. We ask whether this does not give the book of Revelation a very special connection with the Old Testament, and with Israel? It is undoubtedly written about the people of the Old Testament who are the subjects of its history. These will understand it as Gentile Christians can never hope to do. [3] We are merely stating certain important facts which must be taken into account by any who are seeking to find out what the Book of Revelation is all about. The facts exist, and the question is, What do they say to us? Not until we discover this, and thus learn the scope of the book, can we hope to understand it. __________________________________________________________________ [2] We take the lists as given in Bagster's Bible. [3] It is most remarkable that at the present time, 1900, a movement has been commenced in Palestine to overcome the difficulty arising from the fact of Jews assembling in Palestine speaking different languages. Hebrew is to be made and to become the common vernacular! It is not only to be taught in all the Jewish schools, but all other subjects are to be learnt in Hebrew. With this fact must be stated another, and that is the recent wide-spread publication of the Salkinson-Ginsburg Hebrew New Testament by the Trinitarian Bible Society and the Mildmay Mission to the Jews, amounting to some three-quarters of a million copies. __________________________________________________________________ THE CHURCH NOT THE SUBJECT OF OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY. Closely connected with this foregoing point, that the book is Hebrew in character, and intended specially for Hebrews, is another undoubted fact, that the Church of God is not the subject of the Old Testament, either in history, type, or prophecy. Passages, &c., may be found there and used to illustrate what is subsequently revealed. But this can be done only by way of application, and not by way of teaching or of interpretation. Because, of the "Mystery" or the secret concerning the Church of God, we are told that it "was kept secret since the world began" (Rom. xvi. 25). That "in other ages it was not made known unto the sons of men" (Eph. iii. 5). That is, "from the beginning of the world, hath been hid in God" (Eph. iii. 9). That it "hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to the saints" (Col. i. 26). These statements are "the true sayings of God," and not our own. We have no choice but to believe what He says. If any hold that, in spite of all this, the Church was not "hid in God," but was the subject of Old Testament prophecy, then we have nothing more to say to them; for, if they will not believe God, it is not likely they will believe us. But, believing God, we ask whether the Church is likely to be the subject of prophecy in the Apocalypse, especially when its future is clearly foretold in the Epistles which contain the revelation of the Mystery. There we learn what is to be the future and end of the Body of Christ. The members of that Body are merely waiting to be "received up in glory" (1 Tim. iii. 16). They are waiting for their "calling on high" (Phil. iii. 14). They are looking for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change their vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto His own glorious body (Phil. iii. 20, 21). But all this, we submit, takes place before the Apocalypse opens. There we have, not the coming of the Lord to take away His Church, but, the revelation of the events which shall take place after the Church has been "received up in glory." These events will take place during "the day of the Lord," when He shall come not in grace, but in judgement; not in mercy, but in wrath. But this brings us to our fourth point. What is the meaning of "the Lord's Day," in chap. i. 9? __________________________________________________________________ THE LORD'S DAY In Rev. i. 9 we are told that John saw and received this revelation on "the Lord's Day." Leaving the former part of this verse for the present, let us notice the latter expression, "the Lord's Day." [4] The majority of people, being accustomed from their infancy to hear the first day of the week called the Lord's Day, conclude in their own minds that that day is thus called in Rev. i. 9 because that was the name of it. But the contrary is the fact: the day is so called by us because of this verse. In the New testament this day is always called "the first day of the week." (See Matt. xxviii. 1; Mark xvi. 2, 9; Luke xxiv. 1; John xx. 1, 19; Acts xx. 7; I Cor. xvi. 2.). Is it not strange that in this one place a different expression is thought to refer to the same day? And yet, so sure are the commentators that it means Sunday, that some go as far as to say it was "Easter Sunday," and it is for this reason that Rev. i. 10-19 is chosen in the New Lectionary of the Church of England as the 2nd Lesson for Easter Sunday morning. There is no evidence of any kind that "the first day of the week" was ever called "the Lord's Day" before the Apocalypse was written. That it should be so called afterwards is easily understood, and there can be little doubt that the practice arose from the misinterpretation of these words in Rev. i. 9. It is incredible that the earliest use of a term can have a meaning which only subsequent usage makes intelligible. On the contrary, it ceased to be called by its Scripture name ("the First day of the week"), not because of any advance of Biblical truth or reverence, but because of declension from it. The Greek "Fathers" of the Church were converts from Paganism: and it is not yet sufficiently recognized how much of Pagan rites and ceremonies and expressions they introduced into the Church; and how far Christian ritual was elaborated from and based upon Pagan ritual by the Church of Rome. Especially is this seen in the case of baptism. [5] It was these Fathers who, on their conversion, brought the title "Sunday" into the Church from the Pagan terminology which they had been accustomed to use in connection with their Sun-worship. Justin Martyr (114-165 A.D.) in his second Apology (i.e., his second defence of Christianity), says, [6] in chap. lxvii. on "The weekly worship of the Christians," - "On the day called SUN-DAY all who live in the country gather together to one place... SUN-DAY is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of SATURN [i.e., Saturn's day]; and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the SUN, having appeared to his apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration." It is passing strange that if John called the first day of the week "the Lord's Day," we find no trace of the use of such a title until a hundred years later. And that though we do find a change, it is to "Sunday," and not the "the Lord's Day" - a name which has become practically universal. [7] Some Christians still perpetuate the name of the Lord's Day for Sunday: but it is really the survival of a Pagan name, with a new meaning, derived from a misunderstanding of Rev. i. 9. Objection has been taken to the interpretation of "the Lord's Day" here, because we have (in i. 9) the adjective "Lord's" instead of the noun (in regimen), "of the Lord," as in the Hebrew. But what else could it be called in Hebrew? such objectors do not seem to be aware of the fact that there is no adjective for "Lord's" in Hebrew; and therefore the only way of expressing "the Lord's Day" is by using the two nouns, "the day of the Lord" - which means equally "the Lord's Day" (Jehovah's day). It is useless, therefore, to make any objection on this ground; for if a Hebrew wanted to say "the Lord's Day," he must say "the day of the Lord." In the Greek there are two ways of expressing this (as in modern languages); either by saying literally, as in Hebrew, "the day of the Lord" (using the two nouns); or by using the adjective "Lord's" instead. It comes to exactly the same thing as to signification; the difference lies only in the emphasis. The natural way of qualifying a nouns is by using an adjective, as here - (...) (kyriakee) Lord's; and, when this is done, the emphasis takes its natural course, and is placed on the noun thus qualified ("day"). But when the emphasis is required to be placed on the word "Lord;" then, instead of the adjective, the noun would be used in the genitive case, "of the Lord." In the former case (as in Rev. i. 9), it would be "the Lord's DAY." In the latter case it would be "THE LORD'S day." The same day is meant in each case, but with a different emphasis. By way of illustration and proof, we may call attention to the fact that we have the corresponding expressions concerning another "day." In Luke xvii. 22 we have "the days of the Son of Man," where the emphasis must be on "THE SON OF MAN" (as shown by the context). While in 1 Cor. iv. 3 we have "man's DAY," with the emphasis on "day," marking that "day" as being actually present, as it now is. This is so clear from the context that it is actually translated "judgment," which is exactly what it means. The apostle says - "It is a very small thing, that I should be judged of you, or of man's DAY." The emphasis is on day, because the time in which we now live is the time, or "day," when man is judging. Another day is coming, and that is the day when the Lord will be present, and He will be the judge. This is the reason why the adjective (...) (anthropinee) man's is used in 1 Cor. iv. 3; and this is why (...) (kyriakee), Lord's is used in Rev. i. 9. So far from the use of the adjective being an argument against our conclusion, it is an argument in favour of it. For what is the "DAY of the Lord" or "the LORD'S day"? The first occurrence of the expression (which is the key to its meaning) is in Isa. ii. 11. [8] It is the day when "the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted. That is the one great object of all the future events, seen by John in vision, and recorded for us in the Apocalypse. One other fact has to be stated, and that is the reason why the first day of the week came to be called "Sunday." It was called by the Pagan "Dominus Sol," the Lord Sun. Hence the Latin name "Dies Dominica," used by the early Christian Fathers for the Sunday, and the speedy transition of its name from "the Lord Sun" to "the Lord's Day," and then "Sunday." Bingham (Ant. xx., sec. 5) mentions the fact that it was the custom in the Primitive Church to replace heathen days and festivals by those which were Christian. We see one result of this in our Yule-tide and Christmas. Bingham (Ant. xx., sec. 2) also mentions the fact that the early Christians were charged with being worshippers of the sun. Tertullian also admits that Christians were only looked upon by some as a sect of sun worshippers: [9] while some account for this on other grounds: (e.g. the sects of the Gnostics and Basilideans having retained or introduced solar forms of worship). Yet these facts are better and more fully accounted for by the adoption of the name "the Lord's Day" for the Sunday; while it serves to throw light on the transition from the original name of "the first day of the week." From all this evidence we feel justified in believing that the Apocalypse consists of a series of visions, which set forth the events connected with "the Revelation of Jesus Christ," which will take place during "the Lord's DAY;" that day being so called because it is viewed as being then present; and as it had been called heretofore in prophecy, "the day of the Lord." __________________________________________________________________ [4] For further information on this subject see a separate pamphlet on The Lord's Day, by the same author and publisher, 1907. [5] See The Buddha of Christendom, by Dr. Robert Anderson, C.B. Hodder and Stoughton, page 68 and chap. ix. [6] T. and T. Clark's edition, pages 65, 66. [7] The French, Spanish, and Italian nations have retained the Roman Pagan names. The English is tainted with Scandinavian mythology. The 1st day they call Dies Dominica, the Lord's Day (i.e., the day of the lord, the sun). All the Oriental nations called the sun "lord." The Persians called their god Mithra (the sun), i.e., the lord Mithra. The Syrians called it Adonis, which is from the Hebrew Adonai, lord. The Hebrews called it Baal (which means lord) and Moloch. Porphyry, in a prayer to the sun, calls him "Dominus Sol." The Romans kept the Pagan name, Dies Dominica (the day of the lord sun), for the first day of the week; but called the others by the names of the moon and planets to which they were dedicated. Thus we have Dies Lunae (day of the moon), Dies Martis (day of Mars), Dies Mercurii (day of Mercury), Dies Jovis (day of Jupiter), Dies Veneris (day of Venus), Dies Saturnii (day of Saturn). [8] It should be noted that the expression (...) (yom Jehovah, the day of the Lord) occurs (in the Hebrew Bible) sixteen times, viz., Isa. xiii. 6,9. Ezek. xiii. 5, Joel i. 15; ii. 1, 11; iii. 14; iv. 14. Amos v. 18 (twice), 20. Obad. 16 (Heb. 1). Zeph. i. 7, 14 (twice), and Mal. iv. 5 (Heb. iii. 23). In four other places where we have in the English Bible "the day of the Lord," the Hebrew has the preposition lamed (...) for or to, before the word Jehovah. In Isa. ii. 12, Ezek. xxx. 3, and Zech. xiv. 1 it means "a day for Jehovah"; and in Zech. xiv. 7 it means "a day (known) to Jehovah." In other places where we have in English "the day of the Lord," there is some other word between yom and Jehovah in the Hebrew (such as "wrath" or "vengeance;" i.e., the day of the wrath of the Lord)! and therefore these cannot be included as examples of this expression, "the day of the Lord." In the New Testament the expression occurs four times; viz., 1 Thess. v. 2. 2 Thess. ii. 2 (according to all the critical Greek texts and R.V., instead of "the day of Christ.") 2 Pet. iii. 10, and Rev. 1. 10. It is remarkable that all these occurrences are stamped with the number four, which marks that day has having special relation to the earth. In the New Testament four times. In the Old Testament, with the preposition, four times; and simply yom Jehovah 16 times (i.e. the square of four). This is merely a note in passing, but it is most significant. [9] Tertullian Ad Nationes, Bk. i. chap. xiii., and Apologeticus, C. 16. (Latter half). __________________________________________________________________ THE TITLES OF CHRIST. The titles used of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Revelation afford further evidence as to the Church of god not being the subject of that Book. We propose to consider seven of these, all used in the Introduction (chap. i). The most important of these is that given in connection with his vision in chap. i. 13-16. In ver. 13, He is called __________________________________________________________________ THE SON OF MAN This is a title connected with the Lord Jesus in relation to the earth. Its first occurrence in Psa. viii. fixes its peculiar signification. That Psalm begins and ends with a reference to the "earth," and, after speaking of "the Son of Man," it adds: "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands." It will be found, therefore, that wherever this title occurs, it always refers to the Lord Jesus in connection with His dominion in the earth. [10] And, when used of His second coming, it refers to the judgment which He is then and there to exercise. It is most remarkable, and so remarkable as to make it practically conclusive, that this title, while it occurs eighty-four times in the New Testament, is never once used in the Pauline epistles addressed to Churches; thus proving that this title has nothing whatever to do with the Church. But while it has no connection with the Church, in the Epistles, it occurs no less than eighty times in the four Gospels and Acts, because there we have Christ on the earth, and the presentation of the King and the Kingdom. But, when again he reveals Himself by this title, it is in the Book of Revelation (i. 13 and xiv. 14). [11] Thus we are pointed to the fact, and told (if we have ears to hear), that the Apocalypse relates to the coming of "the Son of Man" to exercise judgment in and assume dominion over the earth. It is remarkable that the first use of the title in the New Testament is in Matt. viii. 20, where it is said: "The Son of Man hath no where to lay His head": and the last is in Rev. xiv. 14, where the Son of Man is seen "having on His head a golden crown." Both are connected with his "head," and with the earth; while in the latter there is associated both judgment and dominion. The significance of this title is further proved by its contrast with the title "Son of God" in John v. 25-27: "Verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of THE SON OF GOD, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also; because He is THE SON OF MAN." It is thus clear that the use of this title twice in Revelation (i. 13 and xiv. 14), and not once in the Church Epistles, is a further proof that the Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse. The Church has no more to do with Christ under the title of "The Son of Man" than the Syro-Phoenician woman had anything to do with Him as "the Son of David." We ought to add that this fact is a key to all the passages where this title is used: and shows that Matt. xiv. and xxv. have nothing whatever to do with the Church of God, because of the use of this title in xxiv. 30, and xxv. 31. Both refer to His coming in clouds to the earth in judgment, after the Church has been taken up, and after the Great Tribulation. __________________________________________________________________ [10] See The Divine Names and Titles, by Dr. Bullinger. [11] Between the Gospels and the Revelation there are only two occurrences, one where Stephen sees Him (Acts vii. 56) in a vision, standing as though to avenge the blood of His servant, then being shed on the earth (anticipatory of His action in the Apocalypse); and once in Heb. ii. 6, where it is merely a quotation of Psalm viii. __________________________________________________________________ THE ALMIGHTY This title is used nine times [12] in the Apocalypse, and only once elsewhere in the rest of the New Testament (2 Cor. vi. 18). [13] It is (...) (pantokrator) and means having dominion over all, and is used in the Old Testament as the Septuagint translation of "Lord of Hosts" (Heb., Jehovah, Sabaioth; see 2 Sam. v. 10; vii. 25, 27). In Revelation the title is used in i. 8; iv 8; xi. 17; xv. 3; xvi. 7, 14; xix. 6, 15, 22. "The Lord of Hosts" means Jehovah of the hosts in heaven above, and on the earth beneath; and especially of the hosts of Israel. Its first occurrence is (as usual) most significant (see 1 Sam. i. 3, 11; and iv. 4), when Israel was reduced to a low estate - oppressed by the Philistines. All had failed. The Judges had failed. The priests (witness Eli) had failed: there was "no king in Israel:" and God's sanctuary was defiled. But the revelation of this title at this juncture, and here used for the first time, told of the blessed fact that there was going to be a king; and a judge too; as well as a Priest upon His throne; that the sanctuary was going to be cleansed (Rev. xi.), and the oppressors of Israel destroyed. Israel is, conversely, called "The Lord's Host" (see Exod. xii. 42), when, at the moment of the formation of the nation at the end of the 430 years of sojourning and servitude, and the birth of the new nation at the Exodus, we read these most significant words: "and it came to pass at the end of the 430 years, even the self-same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt." And further, we may note that, in Joshua v. 14, 15, we have the real connection between "the Lord of Hosts" and "The Hosts of the Lord." Jehovah-Jesus announces His coming as "the Captain of the Lord's Host," to lead them on, to fight their battles, to judge the nations, and give them rest, and settle them in their own land. Now, we ask, Is it not most significant that this is the title used here in the Apocalypse, nine times? Does not the fact speak to us and say that, when that book opens Israel is in low estate? That Priests and people alike have failed, and there is "no king." Does it not say that "the Captain of the Lord's host" is coming down as their judge and vindicator, to deliver them from their oppressors, to fight for them, and give them rest, and to bring them into their own land? Surely the association of this title, Pantokrator, with the Lord of Hosts in the Old Testament, and with Israel; its frequent use in Revelation, and its practical absence in the Church Epistles, shuts us up to the fact that we have in this book, not the Church, but that which concerns the Jew and the Gentile. It is in this book we have that which the first occurrence of the title in the Book of Psalms relates to: "Who is this King of glory (i.e. this glorious King)? The Lord of Hosts - He is the King of Glory." And it is the object of the Apocalypse to show how this comes about, and how He becomes the King of kings and Lord of lords (xix. 16). And how all "the kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ" (xi. 15). Then, too, will Israel fulfil the forty-sixth Psalm, and say: "The Lord of Hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge." __________________________________________________________________ [12] Nine is the number of judgment (see Number in Scripture by the same Author). [13] Ten is the number of ordinal perfection. __________________________________________________________________ LORD GOD In i. 8 the title "god" must be added to the word "Lord," according to all the Critical Greek Texts [14] and the R.V. In chap. xxii. 6 we have the same title. Thus at the end of the book and at the beginning we have this peculiar title, which seems to enclose all that the book contains, and stamp it all with that which the title signifies. What is signifies is clear from the place where we first find it, vix., in the second of the twelve divisions of Genesis (chap. ii. 4 - iv. 26). This division is called "the generations of the heavens and of the earth." In the Apocalypse we have the final results of all that pertains to the heavens and the earth. The title "Lord God" is the title used in this division, which treats of the settlement of man in Paradise, or garden of the Lord. In the New Testament it first appears in the Apocalypse; where it has reference to the undoing of the effects of the curse (describe in that section of Genesis), and to the making of the earth again into the Paradise [15] of God - the garden of the Lord. The title implies all this: viz., that God is about to do all that Jehovah has revealed. For Elohim is the God of creation and the commencement of life, while Jehovah is the God of revelation and the development and sustainer of life with regard to His covenant People. Elohim (God) expresses the power which accomplishes; Jehovah (Lord) the grace which provides. Hence in Gen. ii. 4 - iv. 26, and in Rev. i. 8, and xxii. 5 we meet with this title; which links the two books together in a most remarkable manner, and gives the pledge that Paradise lost will become Paradise regained; and that the curse which drove man out shall no longer keep him out, but shall be "no more" for ever. This use of the title "Lord God" thus assures us that He who made the promise of Gen. iii. 15, that the Serpent's head should one day be crushed, will, in His own day (the Lord's day), finally crush the Serpent's head. The fact that this title is never used in connection with the Church of God, affords us one more great and important proof of our proposition that [the] Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse, but that it has to do with the Jew and the Gentile. __________________________________________________________________ [14] Griesbach, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, Westcott and Hort. [15] The word Paradise occurs in the New Testament three times. Luke xxiii. 43, where the Lord spoke of it in promise and prophecy; in 2 Cor. xii. 9, whither Paul was caught away; and in Rev. ii. 7. __________________________________________________________________ THE FIRST AND THE LAST This title is used in Rev. i. 11. It is used again in 1. 17, ii. 8, and xxii. 13, but is never found in connection with "the Church of God." On the other hand, it is a title closely associated with "the Jew and the Gentile," as the following Scriptures will testify. Is. xli. 4, 5: "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, THE FIRST AND LAST; I am He. The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid." Is. xliv. 6: "Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I AM THE FIRST, AND I AM THE LAST; and beside me there is no God." Is. xlviii. 12: "Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel, my called; I am he; I AM THE FIRST, I ALSO AM THE LAST. Mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together." Is it not clear, almost to certainty, that when the Lord Jesus specially reveals Himself by this title, never using it again till He claims it in the book of Revelation four [16] times, He means to teach us that He is come to act on behalf of Israel and in connection with that People with which this title is thus peculiarly associated? The connection of Isaiah with Revelation in the use of this title is eloquent to all who have "ears to hear." __________________________________________________________________ [16] Four being the number that relates specially to the earth." __________________________________________________________________ THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH This is a title used only in this book (i. 5). Many kings are mentioned and referred to in the book: but the Lord Jesus comes as their "Prince;" "King of kings and Lord of lords." The word is (...) (archon), and occurs in the New Testament 37 times. It is used of earthly rulers, and spirit rulers of this age; also of Christ (only of Christ) in relation to the earth; but never in relation to or in connection with the Church. He it is of whom His God and Father has declared, "I will make Him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth" (Ps. lxxxix. 27). It is in connection with the earth that He comes, in Revelation, and hence this title is used. Another testimony to the truth of our proposition. __________________________________________________________________ WHO IS TO COME This also is a definite title of Christ; (...) (ho erchomenos), THE COMING ONE. It is not, who is "about to come," [17] as though it were announcing a fact or an act, as being near at hand: but, it describes a person who has this for His special title, by which He came to be known. He has borne that title ever since the great prophecy and promise of Gen. iii. 15. From that time the coming "seed of the woman" has always been the hope of God's People, and hence He is "The Coming One." True, He was rejected; therefore that coming is now in abeyance. The book of Revelation is a prophecy giving further details concerning that same coming. The Church of God waits for the Saviour, not as the coming one to the earth. It is as going ones we wait for Him, looking to be caught up to meet Him in the air. "The Coming One" is His special title, which connects Him with the Old Testament prophecies. The title is never once used in any of the Church epistles. We have it variously rendered: - "That cometh," Luke xix. 38. John xii. 13. "He that cometh," Matt. iii. 11; xxi. 9; xxiii. 39. John i. 15; iii. 31 (twice). "Who coming," John i. 27. "He that shall come," Heb. x. 37. "Which (or that) should come," John vi. 14; xi. 27. "He that (or which) should come," Matt. xi. 3. Luke vii. 19,20. Acts xix. 4. "Which is (or art) to come," Rev. i. 4,8; iv. 8. [18] Sixteen times we have the title in the Gospels and Acts and Heb. x. 37; and then, not again until Revelation; when it is used three times of Him who was about to fulfil the hope of His People. This again stamps this prophecy as having to do with Christ as God, who "is" (essential being), and "was" (in eternity past), and is "the coming one" (time future). __________________________________________________________________ [17] This would be (...) (ho mellon erchesthai) [18] "Which art to come," in Rev. xi. 17, was inserted by a later scribe, thinking to make it harmonize with i. 4,8; and iv. 8. It must be omitted according to all the Critical Greek Texts (G[r]. L. T. Tr. A. [WH.]) and the R.V. It clearly is out of place here, because the twenty-four elders say, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and reignedst" (not hast reigned). The coming had already taken place in Rev. xi. 17: and therefore the title of "the Coming One" is omitted in this passage. __________________________________________________________________ THE LIVING ONE "I am He that liveth, and was dead" (i. 18). (...) (ho zon), THE LIVING ONE. Like the previous title, it is used as a special designation of the One whose unveiling is about to be shewn to John. Its use is peculiar to Daniel and Revelation. The two books thus linked together by it are linked as to their character and subject matter in a very special manner. It is used twice in Daniel:- Dan. iv. 34 (31 [19] ) and xii. 7; and six time in Revelation:- Rev. i. 18; iv. 9,10; v. 14; x. 6; and xv. 7. [20] In Dan. iv. 34 (the first occurrence), we read of Nebuchadnezzer, "I praised and honoured HIM THAT LIVETH for ever; whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." That exactly expresses what He who reveals Himself by the title, "He that liveth," in Rev. i. 18, has there come to do. He is coming with the armies of heaven (Rev. xix. 14) to take the kingdom and the dominion, and to do his will among the inhabitants of the earth (not the church or the churches). Dan. xii. 7 and Rev. x. 6 are so similar that we put them side by side. Both refer to and contrast Christ's relation to eternity and to time: "He (the angel) held up his right hand and his left to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that is shall be for a time, times, and a half, and ... all these things shall be finished" (Dan. xii. 7). "And the angel... lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever... that there should be time (R.V. marg., delay) no longer" (Rev. x. 5,6). Who can doubt that Daniel and Revelation are identical as to their scope; and that they relate, not to this present church period at all, but to the time when "he that liveth," or the Living One, shall come to exercise dominion in the earth, and this in connection, not with the grace of God, but with "the wrath of God" (Rev. xv. 7)? The double testimony of two witnesses, in Daniel and Revelation, bespeak the fact that this title relates entirely to the earth, and to man. [21] The church is heavenly in its calling, its standing, its hope, and its destiny. But here, everything relates to the execution of judgment on the earth, and upon man. There is a related title which is also very significant, "the living God." This is used in both Testaments, and indiscriminately, because it has no special reference either to Israel or to the church; but because of a latent reference it always has, to idols, and to judgment on idolaters. This is often expressed in the context; but where it is not actually expressed in words, the thought of idols and idolatry and idolaters has to be supplied mentally. The title ("the living God") occurs 13 times in the Old Testament (Hebrew), and twice in the Chaldee (Dan. vi. 20,26), fifteen times in all. It begins in connection with apostasy (13), but ends in grace and blessing (15=3X5). In the New Testament it occurs sixteen times (4X4), the square of four, four being the number specially associated with the earth. The whole matter is so important and full of interest, that we venture to give all the references. The first, Deut. v. 26 (23) gives the key (as usual) to the whole. It is in connection with the giving of the Ten Commandments (with special reference to the second, iv. 19), when they "heard the voice of the living God (Elohim) speaking out of the midst of the fire." We say that the title here used is in connection with idolatry; and especially in its most ancient and universal form, sun-worship. A few verses before (Deut. iv. 19), we read, "Lest thou lift up thine eyes to heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and to serve them," etc. The whole heathen world worshipped the sun and the host of heaven; because they "associated with them certain human characters who had really performed the actions which were thence ascribed to the celestial bodies. [22] The sun had various attributes; and one was "the living one." [23] The sun has a conspicuous place in freemasonry; and sun-worship has its ramifications throughout the whole world. We cannot impede our argument by giving further details here. We have put them together in an Appendix, where our readers may see the evidence for themselves. Our point is this; that the first use of the title "the living God" has to do with the voice out of the midst of the fire; and the last use of it (in Rev. vii. 2) is where God's servants are sealed with "the seal of the living God," so as to be kept from the then coming most awful phase of idolatry the world has ever seen, even the worship of the Beast; and to be preserved from and through the consequent judgments which shall come on those worshippers. In Deut. xxii. 40,41, we have (not the title, but) words which connect the thought contained in it with that time of judgment. Deut. xxxii. contains that "Song of Moses," of which Rev. xv. 3 speaks, and the time referred to is Apocalyptic time. "For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me" (Deut. xxxii. 40,41). Ps. xviii. 46-48 (47-49). "The Lord liveth...It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies:" etc. The title also has to do with Israel's restoration and deliverance. See Jer. xvi. 14,15; xxiii. 7,8. The judgment on those who use this title of idols is described in Amos viii. 14. If our readers will compare all the occurrences which we now give of this title, "the living God," they will see how (as a whole) they refer to Israel, to Gentiles, to the earth, to idolaters, and to idols. Deut. v. 26 (23). Josh. iii. 10. I Sam. xvii. 26,36, where David uses it against the defiance of Goliath. 2 Kings xix. 4,16. Isa. xxxvii. 4,17, where it is used against the reproach of Sennacherib. Ps. xlii. 2 (3); lxxxiv. 2 (3), where it is used with a latent reference to the false gods which others worship and seek. So Jer. x. 10; xxiii. 36, and Hos. i. 10 (ii. 1). In the New Testament the usage is the same. Matt. xvi. 16; xxvi. 63. John vi. 69. Acts xiv. 15. Rom. ix. 26. 2 Cor. iii. 3; vi. 16. 1 Thess. i. 9 (idols). 1 Tim. iii. 15; iv. 10; vi. 17. Heb. iii. 12; ix. 14; x. 31; xii. 22; and Rev. vii. 2. Sixteen in all (4 in the Gospels and Acts, 4 in the Church Epistles, 3 in the Pastoral Epistles, 4 in Hebrews, and once in Revelation). Enough has been said on this particular title, and upon the seven as a whole, to show that they all link on the book of Revelation to the Old Testament and the Gospels, and not to the Church; and that their cumulative testimony is that Christ is revealed in this book, not in the character in which He is presented to the Church of God, but in that character in which He is revealed in the Old Testament in relation to Israel and the Earth, which is again taken up in the Apocalypse. There are other titles of Christ in this book which all add their own testimony; but these we can leave for the present, till we come to them in their own place. Enough has been said to show that these titles assumed by the Lord Jesus in the first chapter of this book shut it entirely off, by way of interpretation, from the Church, which is His Body. __________________________________________________________________ [19] Verses in parentheses indicate the number of the verse in the Hebrew Bible, where it differs from that of the English Bible. [20] It is referred to in ii. 8, but not used. [21] For six is the number which marks it as relating to man; while the total number, eight (twice four) connects it with the earth. [22] Faber's Mystery of Pagan Idolatry, vol. ii. 223. [23] Adventures in New Guinea, p. 56. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK. "SERVANTS" This expression tells us who the person are who are specially concerned in this book; and to whom the Revelation of Jesus Christ is shown. At the very outset we are thus warned that we are no longer on, but quite off, the ground of the Pauline Epistles, which are addressed to "sons," and not to "servants." The word is (...), doulos, and means a bond servant. Now, without denying that the members of the Body of Christ are in a certain sense the servants of Christ, yet it is also perfectly clear that this is not their title as to their standing in Christ before God. It is distinctly declared to each of them, "Thou art no more a servant, but a son" (Gal. iv. 7). This is the one great point which is insisted on with reference to their new position in Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, in passages too numerous to be counted, God's People Israel are constantly spoken of as His servants. This fact is too well known to need anything more than its bare statement. Its significance will be at once seen when we come to the New Testament Scriptures. There we find the same use of the word whenever Israel is in question. It occurs 124 times; but as in 39 of these it refers to domestic servants, or those who serve man, we have to deal only with the 85 occurrences where it is used with reference to God. Of these 85, no less than 59 are in the Gospels and Acts. Only six in the Church Epistles (Rom. i. 1; 1 Cor. vii. 22; Gal. i. 10; Eph. vi. 6; Phil. i. 1; Col. iv. 12), and six in the general and other Epistles (2 Tim. ii. 24; Tit. i. 1; Jas. i. 1; 1 Pet. ii. 16; 2 Pet. i. 1; Jude 1). But while this is the case with the Epistles, the word "servants" occurs no less than fourteen times in the book of Revelation, and this, not in the exceptional manner, as in the Epistles, but as the one specific and proper title for those who are the subjects of the book. In the Epistles the use is peculiar, as an examination of the passages will show. Out of the whole twelve, six are in the first verse of the Epistle, [24] describing the special character of the writer. For while all sons serve, and are in a sense, therefore, servants, yet "servants," as such, are not necessarily sons. In other words a "son" may be called a servant, but a "servant" can never be called a son. Hence, the writers of the Epistles, being all engaged in special service, might well be called servants. And the Apocalypse, being written concerning Israel, the Israelites are, as appropriately, always spoken of as "servants." This evidence may not seem conclusive in itself; but, taken with the other reasons given, it adds its cumulative testimony to our position that the book of Revelation has not the Church of God for its subject. As the members of the Body of Christ, we are "in Christ." We have received a sonship-spirit, whereby we cry, Abba - i.e., my Father, "...and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom. viii. 15-17). "As many as are led by Divine-spirit (i.e., the new nature) are sons of God; for we have not received a bond-service spirit" (v. 14,15). This is enlarged upon in Gal. iv. 1-7, where the fact is still more clearly enforced and taught. May we not ask why, if the Apocalypse be all about the Church of God, the people are never spoken of by this their new designation of "sons," but always by the title used of those in the Old Testament who were under the Law? Is it not passing strange that this should be so? And is it not the duty of those interpreters who see the Church as the subject of the book, to explain to us this striking peculiarity? Even in the Gospels, in speaking to the Twelve, the Lord Jesus specially calls their and our attention to such a change in the relationship, which had then taken place. Not so great a change as that revealed and contained in the Mystery. He had been showing them somewhat of the future, and He says (John xv. 15), "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends." In the Apocalypse, He is about to show them things which must come to pass hereafter; and He does not even call them "friends," still less does He speak of them as "sons," but He goes back and takes up still more distant ground, and calls them, without exception, "servants." A careful study of the Old Testament with reference to this word "servants" will help to strengthen our position. In Lev. xxv. 42, Jehovah declares of them, "they are my servants." Deut. is full of references to this great fact: and, when we pass to the Apocalypse, and read it as the continuation of God's dealings with Israel, then all is clear; and we have no problem to solve, as to why all is turned from light to darkness, and the "sons of God" are suddenly spoken of as "servants." Neither have we any difficulty to explain as to why those who are declared to be no more "servants," but "sons," are continually called servants, and not sons. Even John himself, in writing by the same Spirit for the Church of God (1 John iii. 2), when speaking of them, says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God," and he calls them this in view of their seeing Him as He is, and their becoming like Him. But when he is writing for those who will be on the earth during the times of the Great Tribulation, he is Divinely inspired to speak of them, not as "the sons of God," but as the "servants of God." We repeat once again, in order to make this point quite clear, that while "sons" may perform some special service, and therefore may, on that account, be called "servants:" "servants," on the contrary, whatever may be the service rendered, can never occupy the position, or have the title, of "sons." __________________________________________________________________ [24] Rom., Phil., Tit., Jas., 2 Pet., and Jude. __________________________________________________________________ THE TITLE OF THE BOOK. Our next evidence is the title given to the book by the Holy Spirit who inspired it. It is not "the Revelation of St. John the Divine," which is man's title for it. Indeed, among the later MSS., we find fifteen or sixteen various titles; but the Divine title given in the text, is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." The word (...) apocalupsis. Hence the title of "Apocalypse" so frequently given to the book. It is from the verb (...) apocalupto to unveil, from (...) apo away from, and (...) ~kalumma a veil. Hence Apocalypsis means a taking away of a veil (as when a statue is said to be unveiled), and thus bringing into view that which had been before hidden as by a veil. Unveiling is the equivalent English word. It is used, of course, in two senses: viz., of a bringing to knowledge by the removing of the veil of ignorance; or of the visible appearance of one who had previously been unseen, as though hidden by a veil. Our point is that, whenever this word is used of a visible person or thing, it always denotes the visible manifestation of that person; and it is the same in the case of all material or visible things. This is not a matter of opinion, but it is a matter of fact, on which our readers can easily satisfy themselves by examining the passages. The word occurs eighteen times; and in the following ten places is used of a person. Luke ii. 32 - "A light to lighten the Gentiles," literally "a light for a revelation to the Gentiles." What was this light? It was a person, even the Saviour in Simeon's arms, of whom he could say, "Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." Rom. ii. 5 - "The day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Here it refers to the visible judgment of God, which will be manifested to all in "the day of wrath." Rom. viii. 19 - "The manifestation of the sons of God:" i.e., the visible revelation of the sons of God, when they shall appear and be manifested in glory with Christ (Col. iii. 4). 1 Cor. i. 7 - "Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, without doubt, it refers to the personal appearing of Christ. This passage occurs in one of the earlier epistles of St. Paul, written during the Dispensation of the Acts, while the offer of the Kingdom and the King was still open to Israel (iii. 19-21), before the sentence of judicial blindness was passed upon Israel (Acts xxviii. 25,26). The words Parousia (1 Thess., &c) and Apocalypse were suitable for that Dispensation; and, of course, necessitated the personal presence of the Lord Jesus. 2 Cor. xii. 1 - "I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord." Here the word is joined to visions as though it meant visible manifestations of the Lord. Verse 7 may mean either a revelation of truths, or visible scenes of glory, or both. Gal. i. 12 - "I neither received it (i.e., the Gospel which he announced) from man, neither was I taught it [by man], but by a revelation (i.e., a vision or visible appearance) of Jesus Christ." There is no reason whatever why the word should not have both meanings. Why should not the Lord have appeared to him, and made known to him that message which was given to him? It must have been made known to him in some way; and he distinctly says it was by Jesus Christ (not by the Holy Spirit). Therefore it must have been in one of those many "visions" which he says he saw at different times; and probably during those three preparatory years which he spent in Arabia (Gal. i. 17,18). In verse 16 it is the verb that is used and not the noun, and therefore it does not come within our inquiry. 2 Thess. i. 7 - "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." Here, though the English uses the verb, the Greek has the noun, and reads, "And to you who are troubled, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with His mighty angels." There can be no doubt about this passage. (See below, the chapter on "The scope of the book, gathered from its place in the Canon.") 1 Pet. i. 7 - "Might be found unto praise and honour and glory at (the) revelation of Jesus Christ." The context shows that the meaning here is the same as in 2 Thess. i. 10, and refers to His visible manifestation with His People in the air at His Revelation. But, if Peter's words are taken as referring to the remnant, then the visible manifestation is to them. So in verse 13, we have the same expression, "at (the) revelation of Jesus Christ." Also in iv. 13 where we read of the time "when His glory shall be revealed;" i.e., visibly manifested. Now from all these ten passages, is it not clear that the word Apocalupsis, when it refers to what can be seen (such as a thing or a person), always means that visible manifestation of that person or thing? If so, that is what we have in this book. We have an account of the various events which are to take place in heaven and on earth, connected with His visible unveiling. It is His Apocalupsis which God gave Him the right or authority to show, make known, or represent to his bondservants what must shortly come to pass. It is this thrusting of the sense of making known a truth into the word which, when used of a person, means the appearance of that person, that has led people commonly to speak of this book in the plural, "the RevelationS." We have therefore, in the Title of this book, further evidence that the subject of this whole book is the visible appearing of Jesus Christ in power, and glory; and for judgment in the earth. It is not a series of revelations about Jesus Christ; but the book which gives us the particulars about the events which are connected with His revelation or appearing. And it is made known, it says, specially, to his "servants," as we saw in our previous point. __________________________________________________________________ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BOOK. The descriptive titles given to this book mark it off as being special in its nature, distinct from the other books of the New Testament; and in character and keeping with the prophetic books of the Old Testament. It is called __________________________________________________________________ THE WORD OF GOD This is not used as a general term, of the Scriptures or of the Bible, as such: [25] but in a special sense, not uncommon in the Old Testament, of the "word which comes from God," or which He speaks. Hence, a prophetic message, e.g., 1 Sam. ix. 27. Samuel said to Saul: "Stand thou still awhile, that I may show thee the word of God." 1 Kings xii. 22. "The word of God came unto Shemaiah, the man of God (i.e., the prophet), saying." (Compare 2 Chron. xi. 2; xii. 15.) 1 Chron. xvii. 3. "The word of God came to Nathan." (So 2 Sam. vii. 4.) It is difficult to distinguish between the written Word and the Living Word. Both make known and reveal God. In Gen. xv. 1, we read "The Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield," etc. Here, it is evidently the Living Word, though it may include both. When we come to the Apocalypse, we are at once prepared for both -- Vision of the Living Word, and also the prophetic word of the Living God; both making known to the servants of God the visions and words of "this prophecy" (ver. 3). Five times we have this expression in this book. [26] Not in the common sense, as in the Gospels and Epistles, but in this special sense of a prophetic message. In i. 9 John tells us he "was in the Isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Leaving the latter expression for a moment, we may remark that the popular interpretation of the word "for" is based on a tradition which doubtless sprang from a misunderstanding of these words. There is no idea of banishment in them. It was no accident which lead to the giving of this prophecy. John went to Patmos "for" the purpose of receiving it (as Paul went into Arabia, Gal. i. 17). "On account of" is the meaning of the word here used, for "for." [27] If his preaching of "the Word of God" was the cause of this being in Patmos, another expression would have been used. See Exposition below, on i. 9. Verse 2 tells us that "the word of God" consisted of "the things that he saw." How could John be banished to Patmos because of, or by reason of, the things which he saw in Patmos! No, the truth here recorded is that John was there on account of (i.e., to receive) "the word of God," i.e., the prophetic message, even "the words of this prophecy." There is a second descriptive title which stamps this book. It is called __________________________________________________________________ [25] Though, of course, as the Bible is made up of the words of God, we may conveniently and very truly use "the Word of God" of the Scriptures as a whole. See Jer. xv. 16. [26] Chaps. i. 2; i. 9; vi. 9; xix. 13; xx. 4. [27] As in Heb. ii. 9, "For the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour;" and verse 10 - "For whom are all things and by whom are all things." So Rom. iv. 25, "on account of." __________________________________________________________________ THIS PROPHECY Seven times we have the word prophecy in this book, [28] and prophecy is its one great subject. It is "prophecy" for us, therefore, and not past history. It is prophecy concerning the events which shall take place "hereafter" during the day of the Lord, i.e., during the day when the Lord will be the Judge, in contradistinction to the present day, i.e., "man's day" (1 Cor. iv. 3) during which man is judging (to the painful experience of most of us). See Exposition on i. 10. Even "Historicists" take some part of this book as prophecy. Most "Futurists" take from iv. 1 as prophecy. But we fall back on the first blessing in verse 3: "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of THIS PROPHECY." That reading commences at once; that hearing commences with the reading. Neither is to be postponed till some future time, or to some particular part of the book: nor are we to be left in ignorance as to where our reading and our blessing commences. We believe that "this prophecy" means "this prophecy," and that we begin at once to read it and to get the blessing. It cannot be that we are to read on and wait till we come to some particular verse where the blessing commences. Our attention to what is written is not to be postponed. All the words are "the words of this prophecy." John was to bear witness of "all things that he saw" (ver. 2); and the command is "what thou seest write in A BOOK." What we have therefore is in "a book;" and that book contains all that John saw and heard; and it is called "this prophecy." The whole book, therefore, is prophecy for us. It is "those things which are written in it" which we are to keep: and it is as a whole Book that we propose to deal with it. We feel it safer to be guided by what God Himself calls it than by what man tells us as to what part is prophecy and what is not. If they who tell us this were agreed among themselves it would be something; but when they differ, we cannot gain much by listening to them. The evidence afforded by this title is, that, as the whole book is prophecy, the Church of God is not the subject of it: for, as we have seen, the Church is not the subject of prophecy, but of "revelation." The future of the Church is given and written for our reading and blessing in the Pauline Epistles; especially in 1 Thess. iv., where the Apostle Paul speaks "by the word of the Lord," which means, here as well as elsewhere, a prophetic announcement. Further, we may add that, when John is told that he is to prophesy again (x. 11), it is not about the Church, but about "peoples and nations and tongues and kings." But there is another title given to this book. It is __________________________________________________________________ [28] chaps. i. 3; xi. 6; xix. 10; xxii. 7,10,18,19. __________________________________________________________________ THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST Now, this may mean the testimony concerning Him (the Gen. of the object or relation); or, the testimony which comes from Him (the Gen. of the subject or origin), i.e., which he bore. If we take it as the former, it then agrees with the whole prophetic word, which is concerning Him as "the coming One." If we take it in the latter meaning, then it refers to the nature of the testimony which the Lord Jesus bore when on earth; and does not go outside it. That testimony related to the kingdom and not to the Church. The word for "testimony" is worthy of note. It is (...), marturia (fem.), and not (...), marturion (neuter). Now, when there are two nouns from the same root, one feminine and the other neuter, there is an unmistakable difference, which has to be carefully noted and observed: i.e., if we believe that we are dealing with "the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth," as we most certainly do. The difference here is clear and decided, and a few illustrations will be convincing. The neuter noun, ending in (...)(-ion), denotes something definite and substantial, while the feminine noun, ending in (...)(ia), denotes the matter referred to or contained in or relating to the neuter noun. For example: Emporia is merchandise; while Emporion is the place or building where the merchandise (emporia) is stored (the Emporium). Apostasia are the matters concerning which there is defection, falling away, forsaking or revolt (Acts xxi. 21, 2 Thess. ii. 3); while Apostasion is the act of falling away, or the document, etc., which contains it. Hence it is the technical term for a bill of divorcement (Matt. v. 31; xix. 7; Mark x. 4). Georgia is tillage; georgion is the field where the tillage is carried on. (1 Cor. iii. 9 only). Gymnasia denotes the exercises (1 Tim. iv. 8); gymnasium, the place or building where the exercises are done. Dokimee is the examination or proof (Rom. v. 4; 2 Cor. ii. 9; viii. 2, ix. 13, xiii. 3; Phil. ii. 22); while dokimion is the trial, at which the examination is made and the proofs given (Jas. i. 3; 1 Pet. i. 7 only). Mneia is remembrance or mention (Rom. i. 9; Eph. i. 16; Phil. i. 3; 1 Thess. i. 2, iii. 6; 2 Tim. i. 3; Philem. 4); mneion is the tombstone or sepulchre where the mention or remembrance is made. Soteria is a saving or delivering (and is the general word for salvation in N.T.); while soterion is the act of saving, and almost the person who delivers. See Luke ii. 30 (where it is "seen") and iii. 6. Acts xxviii. 28; Eph. v. 17. [29] Now, in the Apocalypse, we have maturion (the neuter), testimony, only once (Rev. xv. 5), where it is used of a thing, "the tabernacle of the testimony," i.e., the tent and tables of stone which were placed therein. In every other place (nine times) we have marturia, i.e., the testimony given or witness borne (i. 2,9; vi. 9; xi. 7; xii. 11,17; xix. 10, twice; xx. 4). In all these cases therefore, it is testimony or witness borne, as a reference to them will show. It seems, then, quite clear that, where we read in this prophecy of "the testimony of Jesus" (i. 2,9; xii. 17; xix. 10, twice [30] ), it means the testimony which the Lord Jesus bore or gave on earth as "Jesus" in the days of His humiliation (not as the Christ as raised from the dead). The testimony was, as we have already said, concerning His kingdom and concerning Israel (see Rom. xv. 8); and it is the same testimony which the same Jesus gives in the book of this prophecy. __________________________________________________________________ [29] In some cases these references support these facts; in other they must be re-interpreted by them. It will be noted that the accentuation of these words in -ion intimates that they are all properly adjectives: hence the actual noun to be supplied in each case will vary with the nature of the noun from which the adjective is formed. The general distinction, however, holds good: that the words in -ia represent a process, or habit, and that, too, under its feminine, not masculine, aspect; while the neuters represent some special act, or instance of this habit or process, or some material or instrument by which, or place in which, the habit is carried out, or the process carried on. [30] In xx. 4 it is doubtless the testimony concerning Jesus for which those who gave it were beheaded. (The Gen. of relation.) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS IN CHAPS. i. - iii. There are certain expressions used throughout the Apocalypse which are wholly unlike any expressions used in connection with the Church of God or in the Church Epistles. Some of these are sufficient in themselves to show that the Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse, and have been already noticed. But there are others of importance which require more lengthened treatment; so we group them together under this heading, referring our reader to the Exposition which follows, where supplementary comments on them will be found. To find these expressions we will not now travel beyond the first chapter, except for one expression which occurs seven times in chaps. ii. and iii. There are sufficient in chap. i. to show us how the Holy Spirit has, at the very threshold of this book, used these expressions for our consideration and our guidance. We find seven of these expressions:- __________________________________________________________________ UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US Because "Christ loved His Church and gave Himself for it," we seem unable, from our natural selfishness, to rise above or beyond the thought of ourselves. We, naturally, fill our own vision and see nothing beyond ourselves. The thought that Jehovah said of Israel, "Yea, he loved the people," [31] does not enter into our minds for a moment. Gentile hatred of the Jew, added to our own natural selfishness, quite cuts out the Jew, not only from the Old Testament, but out of the Apocalypse also. And yet is it strange, with the repeated assertions which Jehovah makes of His love for Israel, that not only should Israel be passed over by Bible-students, but this love actually taken from Israel and appropriated to the Church; depriving Israel of God's love and blessing, and leaving for them only the judgments and the curses. And yet we have such passages as these concerning Israel:- Deut. vii. 7,8. "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you," etc. (See also Deut. vi. 37; xxiii. 5, etc.) Hos. xi. 1,4. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt... I drew them with the cords of a man, with bands of love." Isa. xliii. 4. "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Jer. xxxi. 3. "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." And the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, says (Isa. liv. 10), "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy upon thee." We are quite aware that these passages are all appropriated by the Church to itself; and, therefore, we can hardly expect them to be received in evidence that the words in Rev. i. 5 are not the words spoken by the Church. But we must be content to leave the matter here. "These are the true sayings of God:" and if people will not believe what God says we can hardly expect them to believe what we say. Of course we can make an a fortiori application of these words; but that is quite another matter. If Israel can say, "unto Him who loveth us," how much more can we say so according to Eph. v. 25, Acts xx. 28, etc.? But we are dealing now with interpretation; and we must rest content with simply stating that, by interpretation, these Old Testament passages speak of Jehovah's love to Israel, and not to the Church. And, this being so, the words in Rev. i. 5 may we be spoken by the godly remnant of Israel, as they will afterwards be the language of the whole People. We would further anticipate, here, what belongs properly to our exposition of chap. ii. 4: The first charge brought against His People in this book, viz., "thou hast left thy first love." What is this, but what Jehovah calls, in Jer. ii. 2, "the love of thine espousals," and in Ezek. xvi. 8, "the time of love." Read the whole of Ezek. xvi. and Ex. xix. 4-6, and say whether we have not here the true key to Rev. ii. 4. But, before we leave this expression, we must give the correct rendering of the whole verse (i. 5), according to all the Critical Greek Texts and RV. (referring our readers to our further comments in the exposition below). Unto him who loveth us (it is the present tense, (...) (agaponti) loveth, and not (...) (agapesanti) loved; for Jehovah's love for Israel is an ever-present love, yea, it is "everlasting") and loosed us (past tense, (...) (lusanti) loosed, and not (...) (lousanti) washed) from (...) (ek) from or out of; not (...) (apo) away from) our sins by (not "in") his blood." __________________________________________________________________ [31] (...) chavav, a very strong word for love, which occurs only in Deut. xxxiii. 3, and is taken by "The Chovevi Zion" (the lovers of Zion) as the title of that modern Jewish society. __________________________________________________________________ KINGS AND PRIESTS the correct text and translation is as follows, and read on from the last expression: "And made (not hath made) us (Tregelles read (...) (heemin) for us) a kingdom, (all read (...) (basileian) a kingdom; instead of (...) (basileis kai) kings and) priests to his God and Father (or priests to God, even His Father)." we have the same expression in chap. v. 10, where the Greek Text has to be corrected in a similar manner. There the alteration of the text has been the parent of all the wrong translations made of it. It is the song, the new song, sung by the four living creatures, and the twenty-four elders. [32] They say (ver. 9): "Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou wast slain and madest a purchase for God (the word "us" must be omitted according to Lachmann, Tischendorf, Alford, Westcott and Hort, and R.V. There is an Ellipsis. The R.V., having taken out "us," has supplied "men" in italics. We may supply "a People," or translate as we have done. All the Texts agree in altering the pronouns that follow in this and the next verse. This necessitates the omission of "us" here. If one is changed, all must be changed for the sake of consistency and sense. But this entirely does away with the supposition that these heavenly beings were themselves redeemed, or were the subject of their own song (See below, on chap. v. 9) by thy blood (a purchase, namely) out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and didst make them (so all the Texts and oldest MSS.) to our God (Alford omits these words) a kingdom (so all the Texts and best MSS.) and priests, and they shall reign (so all the Texts and oldest MSS.) over the earth" (see further on chap. v. 9,10 below). Here we have again the expression "a kingdom and priests." While we have not a word like this in the Church Epistles, yet we have a passage in the Old Testament where very similar words are used, and truth declared of Israel. Ex. xix. 5,6: "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." True, these words are found in the New Testament; but they are in the Epistle addressed to the sojourners of the Diaspora" [33] : i.e., "the Dispersion," a believing remnant of scattered Israel. These are the People who are concerned in the promise of Ex. xix. 5,6, and Rev. i. 6 and v. 10: and not the Church of God. __________________________________________________________________ [32] The number four and multiple of four (4X6) marks these and their song as pertaining to the earth and to man as such, not the Church. [33] (...), scattered abroad, came to be the technical term for the dispersed portion of Israel. It is found in LXX. Jer. xxxiv. (Sept. xli.) 17. Ps. cxlvii. 2 (Sept. cxlvi. 2). Judith v. 19. Compare Josephus, Wars, 7.3. In the New Testament we have the word in John vii. 35. Jas. i. 1. 1 Pet. i. 1. (We may compare the technical use, in Holland, of the term "The Beggars"). __________________________________________________________________ HIS FATHER This is the part of the expression which we have just considered: and it is important. Twice we have it in this book, spoken of Christ (i. 6 and xiv. 1), but not once in the Pauline, or Church Epistles. There, in every one of the Epistles addressed to the Churches (seventeen times), it is always "OUR" Father. See Rom. i. 7; 1 Cor. i. 3; 2 Cor. i. 2; Gal. i. 4; Eph. i. 2; Phil. i. 2, iv. 20; Col. i. 2; 1 Thess. i. 1,3, iii. 11,13; 2 Thess. i. 1,2, ii. 16. Also in 1 Tim. i. 2; Philem. 3. When we say that we have "His Father" in revelation, and never in the Epistles; and "our Father" in the Epistles and never in Revelation, we have said enough to show that we have here a further point, affording its cumulative evidence to our fundamental proposition that the Church of God is not the subject of the Apocalypse. __________________________________________________________________ KINGDOM AND PATIENCE John is the "brother" specially of those who were of the seed of Abraham. The term can hardly be used here, we submit, either of mere human brotherhood, or of Christian brotherhood, when all else in this chapter and in the book is so evidently stamped with a Jewish character. John says, I "am your brother and fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience with Jesus." Here (according to all the Critical Greek Texts and the R.V.) the words "in the" before "kingdom" must be omitted; and the word "in" must be inserted before "Jesus": while the word "Christ" must also be omitted after "Jesus." The verse then stands as we have here given it. The R.V. inserts the italics "which are in Jesus." The word (...) (en), in, may well be rendered, with; as it is rendered 138 times in the New Testament; and then there is no ellipsis to be supplied. Here is companionship in patient waiting. For that is the meaning of the word rendered "patience," [34] and it always has the thought of endurance underlying it. It is a patient-waiting and enduring in tribulation; yet a patient waiting and expectation of the "kingdom;" and all this "with Jesus," for "this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies shall have been placed as a footstool for his feet." He is "expecting," and He is also patiently waiting (see 2 Thess. iii. 5, margin), and so are we with Him, but the waiting referred to here is a patient endurance in tribulation and for the kingdom. We, too, as members of the Church of God have need of patience, and endurance; but we are looking, not for the kingdom, but for the KING Himself (not as King, for He is not so proclaimed till His enemies are subdued); and though we, too, exercise this patient endurance in tribulation, it is not in "the tribulation," but we are waiting to be taken away before that tribulation comes upon the earth. This expression therefore is worthy of note, and its evidence has to be added to the other expressions used. __________________________________________________________________ [34] It occurs seven times in this book: i. 9; ii. 2,3,19; iii. 10; xiii. 10; xiv. 12. __________________________________________________________________ OUT OF HIS MOUTH WENT A SHARP TWO There can be no question as to the meaning of this expression. The (...) (rhomphaia) a sharp or two-edged sword, is four times attributed to the Lord in this prophecy, viz., i. 16; ii. 12,16; xix. 15,21. [35] And in each case it has to do with slaying and not with speaking; with deeds and not with words. It is "the captain of the Lord's host" come with his sword (Josh. v. 13). It is the sword of Jehovah come to execute His judgments (Isa. xxxiv. 6); and with which He will plead with His people (Is. lxvi. 16). It is the sword referred to under other titles (Isa. xi. 4 and 2 Thess. ii. 8), with which, at His coming in judgment, He will destroy the Man of Sin, the Lawless one. the sword is no priestly weapon; nor can it have any relation to or connection with the Church of God in any aspect whatsoever: for grace characterises all relations between "Christ and His Church." __________________________________________________________________ [35] It occurs also in Luke ii. 35, making five times in all. __________________________________________________________________ A GREAT VOICE This expression links on the book of Revelation to the book of Deuteronomy, especially if we regard it in the connection with the fire, with which it is associated in each case. Ten times is the voice of God speaking "out of the midst of the fire" heard in Deuteronomy: viz., chaps. iv. 12,15,33,36; v. 4,22(19) [36] , 23(20), 24(21), 25(21), 26(23). Here, in Rev. i. 10, John hears "a great voice," and it is connected with fire, for the eyes of the speaker were "as a flame of fire" (ver. 14) and his feet "as if they burned in a furnace" (ver. 15). In Deut. iv. 12 (the first reference) the expression is associated with the giving of the Law, and the declaring of Jehovah's Covenant (iv. 13). The second is a command to "take heed" to the voice (iv. 15), and keep from idolatry. The third and fourth are connected with their turning to the Lord when scattered among the nations, seeking Him and finding Him in the "Tribulation;" and the being obedient to that voice in "the latter days" (iv. 27-36). This tells us of the latter days in Revelation, when they will be brought to hear the "Voice" (iv. 33,36), and to attend to it. The fifth is again associated with God's Covenant to which He will be true (v. 4). The sixth and seventh with the giving of the Law, v. 22(19), 23(20). The eighth with the greatness and the glory of Jehovah (v. 24, Heb. 21). The ninth and tenth are references to it by the People (v. 25,26). All these are brought together, and combined, and fulfilled in the Apocalypse, when Israel will again hear that Voice and, take heed to it, and in their Tribulation turn unto the Lord and seek His face and find Him and rejoice in the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God. __________________________________________________________________ [36] The figures in a parenthesis denotes the different verse numeration of the Hebrew Text. __________________________________________________________________ HE THAT HATH AN EAR This expression is absolutely Hebrew in its character, origin, and use. It is never used with reference to, or in connection with, the Church of God. By application of course it told those who first read it of the cause of all declension - failure to hear what the Spirit had already said to the Churches by the Apostle Paul. By application also, it reminds us of the same cause today. But the interpretation which will exhaust the seven-fold expression is that which leaps over the present Church period, and links together the Gospels and Acts with the Apocalypse. The expression (which is slightly varied in form) as first used in the Gospels is connected solely with, and marks, a change of dispensation. When used again in Revelation another great change of dispensation is about to take place. It is to be wrought by "the Son of Man," who has received authority to show it to "His servants." Such a change could be known only to God, ruled and over-ruled by Him. None but Divine foreknowledge, therefore, could make it known. The Son of Man alone made use of this weighty expression: and on fourteen separate occasions He called for the deepest attention to what was being announced. Now, the number fourteen is most significant; twice seven, denoting a special Divine revelation made by "the Son of Man." And these fourteen [37] are divided into six and eight (just as seven is divided into three and four). For six of them occur in the Gospels and eight in the Revelation. Six were spoken by Him as the Son of Man on earth, and eight as the Son of Man from glory. Six being the number pertaining to man, and eight being the number connected with resurrection. [38] The six occasions on earth are Matt. xi. 15; xiii. 9,43. Mark iv. 23: vii. 16, and Luke xiv. 35. The eight from Heaven are Rev. ii. 7,11,17,29; iii. 6,13,22; and xiii. 9. These, like the six in the Gospels, are Dispensational, and are thus associated with the great change in God's relation to the earth, to "the Jew and the Gentile," which was about to take place. The first use of the expression in Matt. xi. 15 is most significant, and stamps it as belonging to the setting up of the kingdom with power and glory. Elijah's presence on the holy mount characterises the scene there as representing the power and coming of that kingdom (Matt. xvi. 28. 2 Pet. i. 16,17,18), while Mal. iv. 5 (Heb. iii. 23) connects Elijah's ministry with the setting up of that kingdom. It has been proclaimed of John before his birth "he shall go before Him (i.e, Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke i. 17); and again, in Luke i. 76,77, it was announced: "And thou, child, shalt be called prophet of the Highest [39] : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by (marg., for) the remission of their sins," etc. John the Baptist was therefore invested with Elijah's "spirit and power" (i.e., Elijah's spiritual power), and was specially designated as "the prophet of the Most High." Therefore our Lord could say in Matt. xi. 14,15: "If ye will receive him, this is (i.e., represents) Elijah which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." But "their ears were dull of hearing" (Matt. xiii. 15), fulfilling the dispensational prophecy of Isa. vi. 10: Therefore they did not "receive him;" and, consequently, "Elijah the prophet" is still to come. Hence it is that, in the Book which relates to the events connected with the ministry of Elijah and his work in connection with the restoration of the kingdom, we again meet with this dispensational admonition: which takes us back not merely to Matt. xi. 15, but to Ma. iv. 5, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Thus we have in the expression another proof that the Church of God is not the subject of the Apocalypse; and that we are reading here, not of the period belonging to the ministry of Paul the Apostle, or of the period of present Church history, as the historicists assert; but, of that which belong to the ministry of "Elijah the Prophet." __________________________________________________________________ [37] The occasions were 14, but the actual occurrences of this example of the Figure are sixteen on account of the repetition of the Parable of the Sower in the parallel Gospel records. Sixteen is a square number (4X4) marking completeness. [38] For the significance of these numbers see Number in Scripture. [39] This title is always connected with dominion in the earth. See Gen. xiv. 18-22. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST'S ADVENT (i. 7). Another of the points which prove that the Church of God is not the subject of the Apocalypse is the character of Christ's Coming which is there announced and described; and with which its events are connected. This has been already partly shown under the headings of "The Day of the Lord" and "The Son of Man." But it is now more definitely stated and distinguished. The coming of Christ for His Church is quite a different event, and belongs to quite a different Dispensation. The end for which the Church is waiting is not judgment or tribulation, but to be "received up in glory" (1 Tim. iii. 16), to be "called on high" (Phi. iii. 14), to be changed and have glorious bodies like our Saviour's own body of glory. Their seat of government exists now in heaven, from whence they look for the Saviour (Phil. iii. 19-21). That coming is into the air, and not unto the earth; it is in grace, and not in judgment; it concerns those who are "in Christ," and not either Jew or Gentile as such. Nothing is revealed in the Old Testament or in the Gospels about this coming. Those books know nothing of it. This coming concerns the Mystery, which was kept secret from times eternal, and was "hid in God." The church of God (which is the Mystery) waits for one thing as its consummation, and that is to be "received up into glory" (1 Tim. iii. 16). But this is not the subject of the Apocalypse. To make this more clear we must compare what we call the "second" Advent with the "first." When the Coming of the Lord was announced in Micah, v. 2, it was announced as a coming forth; and in Zech. ix. as a coming unto. The former speaks of the coming forth at Bethlehem, the latter of the coming unto Jerusalem. There was nothing in those prophecies to tell the Jewish reader whether there would be any interval between these events, or what that interval would be. The Jewish Bible student might think there was a discrepancy; while the Jew with the mind of a "higher critic" might see a greater difficulty, and refuse to believe either Scripture. But we, today, with our knowledge, know that there was an interval of more than thirty years between the two events. Both refer to one and the same Coming, but to two different stages in it; and that all the events between them go to make up what we speak of as the "first Coming." We believe that it will be exactly the same with regard to what we call the "second Coming." There will be the same two stages, with a similar interval (or longer it may be) between them, and all the events (which are recorded in the Apocalypse and elsewhere) will go to make up what we speak of as "the second Coming." There will be the coming forth (as at Bethlehem) of "the Lord Himself" and the calling of His saints on high (Phil. iii. 14), and the receiving of them in glory (1 Tim. iii. 16); and then, later on, to fulfil all the prophecies which related to His People Israel; and, as the Son of man will "come unto" the earth, to take unto Himself His great power, and reign. This latter coming is connected with "the Day of the Lord," and it is that which is the subject of the Book of Revelation. Chap. i. 7 settles this for us: "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." Only Jew and Gentile are in this verse, and not the Church of God. This is the Coming of which the Old Testament speaks. It knows no other. See Dan. vii. 13 and Zech. xii. 9,10, which is the Scripture referred to here. [40] This is the Coming which the Lord spoke of when on earth in Matt. xxiv. 30,31; xxvi. 64, and elsewhere (mark the "ye"). What He there said is perfectly clear, and in perfect harmony with all that had been said in the Old Testament. To read Eph., Phil., and Col. into the Gospels is only to create confusion; and make a difficulty where none before existed: it is to use one truth for the upsetting of another truth. The same difficulty is created when we arbitrarily introduce these later Prison Epistles of Paul into the Apocalypse. To save us from making such a disastrous mistake, the Holy spirit gave special instruction in 1 Thess. v., immediately after He had inspired the revelation of 1 Thess iv. If we heed this and learn its great and important lesson, all will be perfectly clear. 1 Thess. v. 1. "But of the times and the season, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." Why, "no need"? Simply because the Coming forth into the air and our "gathering together unto Him" there, do not depend on any time or season. His "Coming unto" the earth does; but that is not what he had been speaking about in the chapter immediately before (Thess. iv.). 2. "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." It is the "day of the Lord" which (as we have seen above) is the subject of the Apocalypse: and in Rev. iii. 3, the Lord distinctly warns as to His Coming "as a thief," which is the very opposite of what we read of in Eph., Phil., and Col., and even in 1 Thess. iv., v. For mark the sudden change of pronouns in the latter chapters. 3. "For when THEY shall say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM...and THEY shall not escape." It is this "destruction" which the Apocalypse describes. It is this which gives its character to "the day of the Lord." It is "sudden," and comes "as a thief;" and it comes upon "THEM" and "THEY," not upon us: for mark the change of pronouns again. 4. "But YE, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake YOU as a thief." Here, our point is distinctly, emphatically, and categorically stated, with a precision and explicitness which leaves nothing to be added. Can anything be more clear than the fact that the Church of God is not the subject of the Apocalypse? And that the "Coming" which is the subject of this book is not the Coming for which the Church of God is now longing, waiting, and looking? If some of our points are cumulative in their evidence, this one point, by itself, is sufficient to establish our fundamental proposition that the Church of God is not the subject of the book of Revelation, either in prophecy or in history. The book is "prophecy," as we have seen; and therefore it awaits a future fulfilment in "the day of the Lord," when the Lord Jesus shall be unveiled as the Son of man, and every eye shall see Him. __________________________________________________________________ [40] It might be rendered "the Land" better than "earth" in Rev. i. 7. __________________________________________________________________ THE VISION OF THE SON OF MAN. This is essential, for it is directly associated with the object and purpose of the book. The only other place in the whole Bible where we have anything like it is in Daniel x. 5,6, where in every particular the resemblance is the same. His girdle is of gold; His eyes as fire; His feet as brass; His voice as many waters (Rev.), and as a multitude (Dan.); His countenance as the sun (Rev.) and the appearance as lightening (Dan.). In Daniel it is "a certain man" (Heb. one - a man). In Rev. it is "one like unto the Son of Man." The Two Visions being identical as to the Person and as to His appearance, and also as to the effect on Daniel and John respectively, it is not more than probably that the purpose is also the same in each case? In Daniel we are expressly told why the Vision was sent. "Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for yet the vision is for many days... I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth" (Dan. x. 14, 21). The expression, "thy People," is most significant. It is not the Church of God which is in question, but Daniel's People, Israel. This People had been the subject of Daniel's prayer (Dan. ix. 4-19). He call them (in speaking to God) "Thy People" (vv. 15, 19); and in the answer to the prayer (ix. 24), as well as here (x. 14) and in xii. 1, the angel speaks of them to Daniel as "thy people." [41] Is it not certain that this People is the subject, and what is to befall them in the latter day is precisely the import, of the vision which John saw in Rev. i. 13-16. It had been given to that glorious One to show unto His servants things which shall be "hereafter," and that was what was to befall Daniel's people (Israel) "in the latter days." In Rev. we have "the latter days" - even "the Day of the Lord," and the time has come to show John that which is noted in the scripture of truth. The people, therefore, who are the subjects of the Revelation, are Daniel's People, and not the Church of God. __________________________________________________________________ [41] It is beautiful to notice that when Daniel confesses the sins of this People he uses, throughout, the pronouns, "we," "us," and "our" (see verses 5-10, 14-16). But when he pleads with God for them on the ground of the everlasting covenant, it is always "Thy": "Thy People," "Thy City," "Thy Sanctuary," "Thy righteousness," Thy great mercies," "Thy Name's sake." __________________________________________________________________ THE COMPLEMENT OF GENESIS. The Apocalypse is connected very closely with the Old Testament, and not as we have seen with the New; with Genesis, and not with the Church Epistles. Indeed, the connection between Genesis and Revelation is so marked that many have noticed it. It will be only necessary for us therefore to exhibit the likenesses and contrasts in parallel columns. No comment will be necessary. In Genesis we have the book of the Beginning; in revelation the book of the End (not the whole period which we call A.D., but the end of it). The Apocalypse completes all that Genesis begins, and introduces the New Creation, lest we should think there is nothing beyond. In Genesis we have therefore the primal creation and the history of the curse which came upon it: Revelation tells how that curse will be removed, and the New Creation brought in. In Genesis we have Satan's first revolt, and in Revelation his final revolt. The parallel between the two books may be thus set forth: - Genesis Revelation The Earth created (i. 1) Earth passed away (xxi. 1). Sun, moon and stars for Earth's government (i. 14-16). Sun, moon and stars connected with Earth's judgment (vi. 12; viii. 12; xvi. 8). Sun to govern the day (i. 16). No need of the sun (xxx. 23). Darkness called night (i. 5). "No night there" (xxii. 5). Waters called seas (i. 10). "No more sea" (xxi. 1). A river for Earth's blessing (ii. 10-14). A river for the New Earth (xxii. 1,2). Man in God's image (i. 26). Man headed by one in Satan's image (xiii.) Entrance of sin (iii.). Development and end of sin. Curse pronounced (iii. 14,17). "No more curse" (xxii. 3). Death entered (iii. 19). "No more death" (xxi. 4). Cherubim first mentioned in connection with man (iii. 24). Cherubim final mention in connection with man. Man driven out from Eden (iii. 24). Man restored (xxii.). Tree of life guarded (iii. 24). "Right to the Tree of Life" (xxii. 14). Sorrow and suffering enter (iii. 17). No more sorrow (xxii. 4). Man's religion, art, and science, resorted to for enjoyment apart from God (iv.). Man's religion, luxury, art, and science, in their full glory judged and destroyed by God (xviii.). Nimrod, a great rebel and King, and hidden anti-God, the founder of Babylon (x. 8-10). The Beast, the great Rebel, a King, and manifested anti-God, the reviver of Babylon (xiii., xviii.). A flood from God to destroy an evil generation (vi.-ix.). A flood from Satan to destroy an elect generation (xii.). The bow the token of God's covenant with the Earth (ix. 13). The bow, betokening God's remembrance of His covenant with the Earth (iv. 3; x. 1). Sodom and Egypt, the place of corruption and temptation (xiii., xix.). Sodom and Egypt again (spiritually representing Jerusalem) (xi. 8). A confederacy against Abraham's people overthrown (xiv.). A confederacy against Abraham's seed overthrown (xii.). Marriage of first Adam (ii. 18-23). Marriage of last Adam (xix.). A bride sought for Abraham's son (Isaac) and found (xxiv.). A Bride made ready and brought to Abraham's Son (xix. 9). See Matt. i. 1. Two angels acting for God on behalf of His People (xix.). Two witnesses acting for God on behalf of His people (xi.). A promised seed to possess the gate of his enemies (xxix. 8). The promised seed coming into possession. Man's dominion ceased and Satan's begun (iii. 24). Satan's dominion ended and man's restored (xxii.). Sun, moon and stars associated with Israel (xxxvii.). Sun, moon and stars associated again with Israel (xii.). Therefore The Church not preconfigured. The Church not to be looked for. It is surely impossible for us to read these solemn parallels and contrast without coming to the conclusion that there must be the closest possible connection between the two books. They are joined together by God in a way so that no man can put them asunder. God has joined the Revelation to Genesis; man joins it with the Epistles. God has joined it with Jews, Gentile and the Earth; man joins it with Christendom. God has joined it with what He had before written in Genesis; man joins it with what man has written himself in Church history! Can perversity go further than this? Is it any wonder that the book is misunderstood by so many, and neglected by most? For what can be made of it when such elements of confusion are introduced? When God has placed the key to the book at the very threshold, in the first chapter, man deliberately ignores it, and makes another, which he presents to those who would fain enter; but, when it is tried, it is found that none of the wards fit the lock, and the door either has to be forced, or all hope of entrance abandoned! And yet, when we look at the general scope of the book which will be given later on, how wonderous it is! How Divinely perfect! And, at the same time, how simple and easy! So simple that a child can become interested in it, and the humblest saint understand it. __________________________________________________________________ THE SUMMARY OF ITS CONTENTS (i. 19). In chapter i. 19 we have the summary of the contents of the whole book. It is the misunderstanding of this verse which, we believe, has led so many astray, and turned so many into the wrong channel. This verse is usually taken as referring to three things, marking off the book into three divisions: The things which thou sawest (past). The things which are (present). The things which shall be hereafter (future). Having got these three divisions, then comes a difference of opinion as to exactly where and how these contents of the Book are to be divided. But there is another rendering which we wish to present, suggested, in part, by Moses Stuart and Dean Alford. This removes all such difficulties, and shows that there is no such three-fold division; and that instead of three subjects we have only one. John was instructed to write what he had seen. It is clear, therefore, that this first chapter is the Introduction to the whole Book, and consequently, like all other Introductions, is written, or supposed to be written, last of all. For, at the very commencement (in i. 2), it is said of John that he "bare record of the Word of God (i.e., as we have seen, the prophetic message), and of the testimony of Jesus Christ (which He bore) and of all things that he saw." If this chapter then be not written after John had see these things, the words are without meaning; for in that case John had as yet seen nothing! Verse 19 (which we are considering) is part of this Introduction, and therefore the words "which thou sawest" are used in the same sense as in verse 2. John had seen, or is supposed to have seen, all the Visions of the Book when the command to write was given to him. This explains why the word "therefore" must be added in the Greek (according to all the Critical Greek Texts and the R.V.). Moreover, it is specially declared at the very end of the book (chap. xxii. 16), "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto THESE THINGS in the assemblies": showing that "the things which thou sawest" refer, not as is generally supposed, only to the things in chap. i., but to the contents of the whole book. Having seen all these things the command is - "Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and what they are (i.e., what they signify), [42] even the things which shall come to pass (i.e., happen, as in Acts xxvi. 22) hereafter." According to this rendering, which may be rejected as an interpretation, but cannot be condemned as a translation, there is only one thing stated as the subject-matter of what was to be written, and not three things. It relates not to past, present, and future, but to the future alone - "hereafter," or, as it says in Dan. xi. 14, "in the latter days." Some lay a stress on the words (...), meta tauta, which mean literally after these things. But an examination of other places where they occur will show that when used in narrative they may imply historical sequence (as in Luke v. 27; x. 1; xii. 4; xvii. 8; xviii. 4. John iii. 22; v. 14; vii. 1; xix. 38; xii. 1. Acts xiii. 20; xviii. 1); yet when used in connection with promise or prophecy, they, as naturally, are indefinite, hereafter. (John xiii. 7. Acts vii. 7. 1 Peter i. 1, where it is rendered "should follow," and has not followed even yet). In any case, the A.V. and R.V. both render the expression "hereafter" where it occurs in Revelation, viz., i. 19; iv. 1; and ix. 12, in a prophetic sense. There is no necessity therefore for anyone to regard any portion of the book as relating to the present church period. This (in which we live) is the Dispensation of the Holy Spirit; but that (which is the subject of the Revelation) is wholly the Dispensation of the Son of Man - the revelation or unveiling and manifestation of Jesus Christ. That is still future. The book which describes it must likewise be future also, and relate only to "the things which shall be hereafter." See further notes on chap. i. 19. __________________________________________________________________ [42] As to this rendering, "and what they ARE," the verb to be is constantly translated to mean or signify. See Matt. ix. 13: "But go ye and learn what that IS" (A.V. and R.V. meaneth). Matt. xii. 7: "but if ye had known what that IS" (A.V. and R.V. meaneth). Luke xv. 26: "He asked what these things WERE" (A.V. meant; R.V. might be). Acts ii. 12: "What IS this?" (A.V. and R.V. What meaneth this). Acts x. 17: "Now, while Peter doubted in himself what this vision WAS which he had seen" (A.V. What this vision should mean; R.V. might mean). So, "and what they ARE" should be rendered "and what they mean," or signify. __________________________________________________________________ THE SEVEN ASSEMBLIES AS A WHOLE (i.11). We must here, at the outset, remove the greatest source of all the misunderstandings which have arisen with regard to these seven "churches." The fact of their being called "churches" has naturally led commentators and students of this book to infer that it is the Church of God, or at any rate the historic Christian Church, which is meant. The difficulty is thus arbitrarily created. The Bible student is at once confronted with an overwhelming difficulty. He has read the Epistles which are addressed to the churches by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul; and, on turning to the Epistles in Rev. ii. and iii., he is at once conscious of a striking change. He finds himself suddenly removed from the ground of grace to the ground of works. He meets with church-officers of whom he has never before heard; and with expressions with which he is wholly unfamiliar: and he is bewildered. Two courses are open to him: either to try and force the words into a meaning to suit both, thus lowering the standard of the Church of God, and the Christian's own standing in Christ; or, to invent some purely imaginary interpretation and baseless hypothesis by applying them to Christendom, and holding that instead of seven assemblies we have seven stages of Church history: some going so far as to give the very years which mark off these periods. Those who feel this to be a very difficult task, and lack the knowledge of history which is absolutely essential to this system of interpretation, wonder why God gave to Jesus Christ to show unto His servants what must come to pass hereafter, and yet expected them to become deep students of history in order to understand what He has revealed! No wonder that most Bible readers, after struggling for a time with this fantastic idea, give it all up in despair; abandoning the reading of the book, and losing the "blessing" which is pronounced upon its readers. As a first step toward removing this great evil, let us note at once that the word (...) (ecclesia), rendered "church," is by no means limited to the restricted sense which is thus forced upon it. Ecclesia means simply an Assembly: any assembly of people who are called out (for that is the etymological meaning of the word) from other people. Hence, it is used of the whole nation of Israel as distinct from other nations. The Greek word Ecclesia occurs seventy-five times in the Septuagint Translation of the Old Testament, and is used as the rendering of five different Hebrew words. As it is used to represent one of these, seventy times, we need not concern ourselves with the other four words. This Hebrew word is (...) (Cahal), from which we have our English word call. It means to call together, to assemble, or gather together, and is used of any assembly gathered together for any purpose. This Hebrew word Cahal occurs 123 times, and is rendered: "congregation," 86 times; "assembly," 17; "company," 17; and "multitude," 3 times: but is never rendered "church." Its first occurrence is in Gen. xxviii. 3 - "that thou mayest be a multitude (margin, assembly) of people," i.e., a called-out people. That is what Israel was, a people called out and assembled from all other peoples. In Gen. xlix. 6 we read - "O my soul, come not thou into their secret (Council or Senate); Unto their assembly (cahal), mine honour, be not thou united." Here the word cahal is used, not of all Israel as called out from the nations, but of the assembly of those called out of form the Tribal Assembly (or Council) of the tribes of Simeon and Levi. Then, it is used of the worshippers, or those called out from Israel, and assembled before the Tabernacle and Temple, and in this sense is usually rendered "congregation." This is the meaning of the word in Ps. xxii. 22: "In the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee;" and verse 25: "My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation." This is the usage of the word in the Gospels, and even in the Acts of the Apostles before the new use, which the Holy Spirit was going to make of the word, was revealed. When Christ said, "Upon this rock will I build my Ecclesia," He did not use the word in the exclusive sense in which it was afterwards to be used, but in the older and larger sense in which the word had been before used, which would embrace the whole assembly of His People, while not excluding the future application of the word to the Church or Body of Christ when that secret should have been in due season revealed. When the Spirit, by Stephen, speaks of the Ecclesia in the wilderness (Acts vii. 38), he means the congregation of pious worshippers of God at the Tabernacle. When the Lord added to the Ecclesia daily (Acts ii. 47), He added to the number of those 120, who first assembled themselves together in the upper room in Jerusalem. When Saul says he persecuted the Ecclesia of God, he does not use the word in the limited sense, which it subsequently acquired after he had received the special revelation concerning it: but in the sense in which it had been used up to, and in which it was used at, that time. It means merely that he persecuted the People of God - the congregation of God. He is speaking of a past act in his life which took place long before the revelation of the secret, and his words must be interpreted accordingly. We must not read into any of these passages that which was the subject of a subsequent revelation! which passages are perfectly clear without it. The word Ecclesia in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and (for the most part) in the Acts, must be taken in the sense of its earlier usage as meaning simply the congregation or assembly of the Lord's people, and not in the sense which it acquired, after the later and special signification had been given to it by the Holy Spirit Himself. As we have already abundantly shewn, in the consideration of our foregoing thirteen points, the Apocalypse is linked on to the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Acts (and not to the later Pauline Epistles), and we ought to use the word Ecclesia in the sense in which it is there used; and not, surely, in the newer and special sense which it acquired, and in which it is used, in the Epistles. In the Pauline Epistles we read nothing about an "angel" as having to do with the churches of God which Paul planted. But we do meet with the word Angel in connection with the Synagogue; (though not in the Old Testament). There, there was an officer, who was called Sheliach Tzibbur (...): Tzibbur meaning Assembly; and Sheliach, the Angel or Legate of the Assembly, and the Leader of Divine worship, from (...) (shalach) to send. The chief officer was the Archisynagogos, or "Ruler of the Synagogue;" and after him came the Sheliach Tzibbur; or "Angel of the Assembly," who was the mouthpiece of the congregation. His duty it was to offer up public prayer to God for the whole congregation. Hence his title; because, as the messenger of the assembly, he spoke to God for them. [43] When we have these facts to our hands, why arbitrarily invent the notion that "angel" is equivalent to Bishop, when there is not a particle of historical evidence for it? Episcopoi, or Bishops, are clearly spoken of in other parts of the New Testament (though not in the modern sense of the term. See Acts xx. 28; Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. 7). But the office of "Angel" in the Church of God is never used either inside or outside the Word of God. One might just as well argue for the popular interpretation of the word "angel," from the fact that the word has been so used and applied by the "Catholic Apostolic" Church within recent times. Add to this the use of the word synagogue, which we have in Rev. ii. 9 and iii. 9. Here again translators mislead us. For, while the Greek word occurs 57 times in the New Testament, and is translated synagogue 55 times, it is rendered "assembly" in Jas. ii. 2, and "congregation" in Acts xiii. 43. It should, of course, be rendered synagogue in these two places, as well as in all the others, as it is in the R.V. (though in Jas. ii. 2 it has assembly in the margin). Had the A.V. so rendered it in Jas. ii. it would have marked and emphasised the fact that James wrote "to the Twelve Tribes which are scattered abroad," and would have shown how his epistle has a present point of appeal to the scattered people, [44] as well as a direct future application to them, like that of the seven epistles in Rev. ii. and iii. In any case, the use of the word "synagogue" in Rev. ii. 9 and iii. 9 stamps these Epistles as Jewish, Satan's synagogue being put in opposition to the other assemblies. When the word Ecclesia, in the Apocalypse is rendered "Church," and the word "Synagogue" in Rev. ii. 9 and iii. 9, is interpreted of the church, it is playing fast and loose with the "words which the Holy Ghost speaketh," and which He has employed, not only for His revelation, but for our instructions. We hold that the Apocalypse contains a record (by vision and prophecy) of the events which shall happen "hereafter" in the Day of the Lord; that the whole book is concerned with the Jew, the Gentile, and the Earth, but not with the Church of God, or with Christendom; or with the latter only so far as the present corruption of Christianity shall merge in the great apostasy, and form part of it, after the Church, the Body of Christ, shall have been removed. But there will be a people for God on the earth during those eventful years. There will be the remnant of believing Israelites; the 144,000 sealed ones; the great multitude; and other bodies of faithful ones who are referred to all through the Book (see chaps. vii., xi., and xii. 17). In which latter passage we read of "the remnant of her (the woman's) seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Will not these need special instruction? Have these been forgotten by Him who sees the end from the beginning? The Pauline Epistles will of course be of use as an historical record of what will then be past, just as we have the record of Israel's history in the Old Testament now. Our answer to these questions is that God has provided for their instruction, and warning, and encouragement, in the second and third chapters of this book. Right at the beginning they are the first subjects of Divine remembrance, provision, and care. Their needs must be first provided for, before anything else is recorded of the things which John saw; and there they will find what is specially written for their learning. Even now, the nucleus of this Remnant is being prepared. Hundreds of Jews are believing in Christ as the Messiah, who know nothing of Him as the Saviour. And even among the unbelievers in Israel a political movement is on foot which may speedily lead up to and issue in the events of which Revelation treats. Of course this means that we are to consider the interpretation of Rev. ii. and iii. as future, and belonging to the "hereafter." As to application, we, of course, quite understand, and readily admit that these epistles have been read by the saints of God all through the ages; and all who have thus read them have received a blessing according to the promise. We may so read them now, ourselves, and apply them, so far as we can do so consistently with the teaching for this dispensation of grace, contained in the Pauline Epistles. Applying these thus we leave the full and final interpretation for those to whom it will specially belong hereafter. Few are aware that the evidence as to the existence of these assemblies as churches is very scanty. Indeed, concerning some, not only is evidence wanting; but concerning others it is quite opposed to their ever having existed at all. Tertullian [45] (about 145-200) says that leaders of certain sects, such as Cerdon and Marcion, rejected the Apocalypse on the ground that it could not have been written by John, inasmuch as (among other reasons) there was no Christian Church in existence at Thyatira in the time of John. Epiphanius (who wrote about A.D. 367) deals with the Alogi, a sect which disputed the genuineness of the Apocalypse, and on the same grounds. He quotes their words: "moreover, some of the [the Alogi] again seize on this passage in this same Apocalypse [Rev. ii. 18]. And they allege, by way of opposition, that it is again said: 'write to the angel of the Church which is in Thyatira,' although there was no Christian Church in Thyatira. How then could he write to a church which was not in existence?" [46] The answer of Epiphanius acknowledged the historical fact: but his answer was that St. John wrote to the church at Thyatira, not because it was then in existence, but because it would be at some future time. We do not see how he could have given a better answer. In A.D. 363 was held the Council of Laodicea. It was attended by thirty-two bishops of Asia, among whom was the bishop of Ephesus. This Council framed a list or canon of the sacred books, but the Apocalypse was not included in the catalogue. How can we account for this as a historical fact if these seven churches were all then existent; and if these epistles were sent to them at the time, Laodicea being one of them? The facts being what they are, the enemies of the Bible draw from them an entirely false conclusion. They use them against the authenticity and genuineness of the Apocalypse, and against its claim to a place in the Canon of Scripture. We, on the contrary, strongly hold the canonicity and inspiration of the Apocalypse, but we use the undoubted historical facts against a false system of interpretation which is a very different thing. An opponent of the Bible, in a large and important work, uses the common system of a apocalyptic interpretation as an argument against all Scripture. Speaking of Revelation, he says, "As all parties admit that it contains the destiny of the church, each sect has applied it to itself, frequently to the exclusion of all others." All parties, we are thankful to say, do not admit to the popular system of interpretation; and our present object is to show that there is a "more excellent way," not of interpreting it, but of believing it; a way which, while it honours it as the word of God, satisfactorily meets the erroneous conclusions drawn from facts. If these "churches" are future assemblies of Jewish believers on the earth, after the Church has been "caught up to meet the Lord," then all is clear, consistent, and easy to be understood. The real difficulty is created by attempting to read the Church into the book where it has no place. As to the "seven lamp-stands," ought not this expression at once to send our thoughts back to the one golden lamp-stand of the Tabernacle (Exod. xxv. 31-39). ONE lamp-stand with seven lamps, indicative of Israel's unity in the Land and in the City? Here, the scattered condition of the nation is just as distinctly indicated by the fact that the seven lamps are no longer united in one lamp-stand. The nation is no longer in the Land, for Jerusalem is not now the center; but the people are "scattered" in separate communities in various cities in Gentile lands. So that just as the one lamp-stand represents Israel in its unity, the seven lamp-stands represent Israel in its dispersion; and tells us that Jehovah is about to make Jerusalem again the center of His dealings with the earth. We must further note that John was not told to send seven separate letters to seven separate assemblies, as is generally assumed and believed. Indeed the contrary is the fact. The great Voice said, "What thou seest, write in A BOOK and send IT unto the seven assemblies." Over three-quarters of a million copies of this Book of the Revelation have in the last few years been placed in the hands of the Jews throughout the world. We allude to the Salkinson-Ginsburg translation of the New Testament in Hebrew, published by the Trinitarian Bible Society, and distributed by the Mildmay Mission to the Jews, and by other similar agencies throughout the world. So that "the book" has been and is being sent to those for whom it was written, and at no distant day many assemblies of Jews will hear and read the words of this prophecy, and a people be prepared who will keep "the words of this prophecy," and receive in a special manner the blessing pronounced in i. 3. They will be able to understand what is now so inexplicable to Gentile Christian readers. We find nothing in our Pauline Church Epistles that fits into what is said to these assemblies. But those readers will be at once reminded of the various stages of their own past history, and they will find in almost every sentence some allusion to the circumstances in which they will find themselves as described in this book. We will show this; first, from the references made to their past history; and when we come to deal with these Epistles separately, we will, in some circumstance in the Apocalypse itself, give a reference to nearly every sentence in these seven Epistles. It is a remarkable fact that Seven past phases of Israel's history are referred to in these Epistles: and the literary order in Revelation corresponds with, and answers to, the historical order in the Old Testament. __________________________________________________________________ EPHESUS In the Epistle to the Assembly at Ephesus, the reference is to Exodus: to God's love in choosing them out of Egypt, and them making them a nation. See Hos. xi. 1: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." In Jer. ii. 2 we see this "first love," which Jehovah calls "the love of thine espousals." And in Ezek. xvi. we have a full description of the workings and outcome of this "first love." The whole of Ezek. xvi. must be read with Ex. xix. 4-6. It is this "first love" which Israel is here charged with having "left." This is the beginning of all the subsequent evil. __________________________________________________________________ SMYRNA In Smyrna, we have a reference to a definite time of trial.. In the wilderness it was forty years. Here it is ten days. If any wish to make this stand for ten years it must be on their own responsibility. We only press the point that a corresponding time of trial is referred to; and that it is a definite and limited time. We are aware of the "interpretation" proposed as to there having been ten persecutions of "Christians" between A.D. 57 and 284. But unfortunately for this theory, there is nothing said here as to any number of separate persecutions: but only as to the duration of one! It is evident that no system of interpretation which is based on such imaginations will be of any service to us in our understanding of this book. The year-day system, as a principle of prophetic interpretation, is a human invention; and as unnecessary as it is mischievous. When God says a "day" He means a day, and when He says a year He means a year. Even in those very passages where He makes one day to stand for a year, the words are used in each case in their literal sense and natural meaning. When the spies were gone 40 days, and Israel was made to wander 40 years ("a year for a day"), "day" means day and "year" means year (Num. xiv. 34). Because God thus orders it here, we have no authority to do this on our own responsibility in every other place. When Ezekiel was told to lie on his left side 390 days, it does not mean that he was thus to lie for 390 years! And when Jehovah says, "I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity according to the number of the days, 390 days" (Ezek. iv. 4,5), it is clear that "days" means days, and "years" means years. And when Ezekiel does the same with respect to Judah, 40 days, Jehovah says, "I have appointed thee each day for a year" (Ezek. iv. 6, and see margin). We have the same plain and literal statement of facts. When human interpreters take upon themselves to "appoint" the same in other cases, whether 1260 days or "ten days," or any other number, they incur a very grave responsibility. They do not adopt this "system" in other prophecies, and dare not. For when, in Gen. vii. 4, God says, "For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights," it is said to have been so fulfilled. (vers. 10, 12). When, in Gen. xl. 12, 13, it is said "the three branches are three days," the fulfillment is given in verse 20: - "And it came to pass on the third day," etc. (not year). When God prophesied of the flesh that He would give Israel to eat, the days meant days (Num. xi. 19, 20). So here, in Rev. ii. 9, the expression "ten days" means ten days: and many Jews in many cities already know what it is to suffer an anti-Semite tribulation for days together. Why not here and under these circumstances? Haman had one day given to him to "destroy the Jews"! Why not another "Jews' enemy" be allowed ten days? And what is this or any such period to do with the Church of God, which has nothing whatever to do with "times and seasons" (1 Thess. v. 1)? It is quite probable that the time referred to here may that of Matt. xxiv. 9, 10, and Isa. lxvi. 5. __________________________________________________________________ PERGAMOS In Pergamos we have the reference to Balaam, which will have its counterpart in a yet future day. Through "the counsel of Balaam" (Num. xxxi. 16, etc.) Israel was entrapped and led into the worst form of Midianitish idolatry, when "Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor" (Num. xxv. 3). In the coming future day Pergamos will be in a special manner the seat (or throne) of Satan (ii. 13; and compare xiii. 2), and a form of idolatry more awful than that of Baal-peor will be on the earth. Peter, writing to the Dispersion, tells of this future time in 2 Peter ii., and in verse 15 he speaks specially of their "following in the way of Balaam the son of Bosor." Jude also connects his description of a similar phase of idolatry with "the error of Balaam" (verses 10-13). It is clear, therefore, that that special feature of idolatry connected with Balaam's "counsel" is referred to in Rev. ii. 14, and will be revived in the period described in the Apocalypse. And, as, upon this great evil the special judgment of the "sword" was sent and executed (Num. xxxi. 1-15), so here. He who speaks to the same People of the same evil, speaks also of the same judgment, "I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (Rev. ii. 16), which threat will be carried out in chap. xix. 21. This is why we have that special mention of the "sharp sword," describing the speaker in ii. 12, referring to the same feature of the Vision as seen in i. 16. __________________________________________________________________ THYATIRA In the Epistle to Thyatira we have the reference to another and more intensified form of idolatry as developed and established in the days of Ahab, king of Israel; another who, like Balaam, "made Israel to sin" (1 Kings xvi. 30). Ahab was the first king who officially introduced and organised he most abominable form of heathen idolatry that the human mind ever conceived (1 Kings xvi. 33). See Revised Version, where the special significance of this abomination is conveyed and contained in the word "Asherah." To particularise on this form of idolatry would be only to defile the mind. The Lord Himself in this Epistle (Rev. ii. 20-24) gives a clue to it. We may, perhaps, add that what was introduced into Israel by Balaam (see Rev. ii. 14) became elevated into a national religious system under Ahab and Jezebel, as it had long been recognised among the heathen nations around. What that religious system of licentious idolatry was is well known; but something may be gathered from a recently-discovered Papyrus, [47] containing about a sixth of the Ascension of Isaiah, which had before been known only in an Ethiopic Translation (except a mutilated Lectionary in Paris). The origin of this Papyrus is very ancient, and its historical facts may be taken as correct, separated from its vaticinations. It says, speaking of the condition of things in the days of Israel's Kings - "And Manasseh turned aside his heart to serve Beliar [i.e., Belial]; for the angel of lawlessness who ruleth this world is Beliar, whose name is Malambuchus. And he delighted in Jerusalem because of Manasseh, and made him strong in Jerusalem. And sorcery and magic increased, and divination and auguration and fornication and the persecution of the righteous at the hands of Manasseh... And when Isaiah the son of Amoz, saw the lawlessness which was being committed in Jerusalem, and the worship of Satan, and his triumph, he withdrew from Jerusalem, and settled in Bethlehem of Judea." The Papyrus goes on to speak of Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, as being "the teacher of the four hundred prophets of Baal;" and tells how Isaiah "called Jerusalem Sodom, and the rulers of Judah and Israel he named people of Gomorrah." This was of course in reference to the special sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. See Isa. i., &c. Many proofs abound to show that some similar system will yet be revived. None can be imagined which would more quickly and universally take hold upon the world, and unite all communities - and even the worst of characters, by making all, thus, to become religious, and yet able to degrade and gratify the instincts of human nature under the guise of religion. Nor can we conceive any form of corruption which would mark off the people of God more effectually, and cause them to be separated from the abounding wickedness around them. This is the best explanation which can be given of those solemn verses, Rev. ix. 20, 21: or rather, it is this passage which is itself the explanation of the awful character of Antichrist's great universal system of Religion, which even God's plagues, up to the point of time there referred to, will have failed to remove, and which will call down the yet greater judgments of "the seven vials." These verses (Rev. ix. 20, 21) are so weighty that we must them in full. "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 (R.V. marg. demons), and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Our point, however, must not be forgotten, which is, to draw attention to the fact, that the mention of this evil in these Epistles corresponds with the historical order in Israel's history in the Old Testament. __________________________________________________________________ [47] Now in Lord Amherst's collection, and published under the title of the Amherst Papyri (Oxford Press). __________________________________________________________________ SARDIS We have had four references to Israel's history in the Old Testament, and as four is the number connected with the earth, so these four have been connected with Israel in the earth and the Land; and with the culminating sin of departure from the love of God manifested to the Nation. Israel had "left her first love," forsaken God, and joined herself to idols in the most abominable form. This is the climax of Israel's sin. All else in this history is judgment, until Israel is removed from the Land and taken away out of God's sight. His name is practically blotted out, never again to be a separate ten-tribed kingdom. So blotted out, in fact, that men speak today of the lost [48] ten tribes. Indeed, the prophecy of Deut. xxix. 20 is fulfilled, not only as to the individual and to the Tribe; but there is an application to the whole nation. In Deut. xxix. 18, 20 (17, 19) there is the threat to blot out the name of the "man" or "tribe" who shall introduce idolatry. As a matter of fact, the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim were the first to introduce it; and their names are blotted out from the tribes of those who are to be sealed in Rev. vii. It is in this Epistle, next in order (to the assembly at Sardis) that we have the reference to this silence, in the promise to the few names of such as have not defiled their garments: "He that overcometh... 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" (Rev. iii. 5). __________________________________________________________________ [48] Not that they are "lost" in the proper sense of the word: but the proverbial expression is significant. __________________________________________________________________ PHILADELPHIA We have had two references to Israel's history, and now we are to have two references to Judah's, and these refer, not any more to failure, sin and judgment; but to the hope of restoration and blessing. As Ahab, king of Israel, was the first to introduce and establish the Asherah worship, so the reference here, in the Epistle to the assembly of Philadelphia, is to Hezekiah, king of Judah, who did much to destroy it and cast it out. In 2 Chron. xxxi. 1, Hezekiah "brake in pieces the pillars (marg. obelisks), and hewed down the Asherim" (R.V.). His two predecessors, like himself, are described with special reference to their connection with the Temple and with the Temple worship. Indeed, these three kings of Judah are linked together as being three of the four reigns in which Isaiah prophesied, namely, "Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah" (Isa. i. 2). Jotham "entered not into the temple of the Lord" (2 Chron. xxvii. 2). Ahaz "shut up the doors of the house of the Lord" (2 Chron. xxviii. 24). Hezekiah, at the beginning of his reign, "in the first year, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord" (2 Chron. xxix. 3). In Isa. xxii. 22 there is a further reference to this point. Shebna, the Treasurer, had misused his trust for his own glorification (see Isa. xxii. 15-19). On this account he was ordered to be deposed, by Divine command, and "the key of the house of David" was laid upon the shoulder of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah (vers. 20-25): "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so the shall open, and none shall shut, and he shall shut, and none shall open" (ver. 22). Eliakim means God will raise up: and there can be no doubt whatever that we have here a prophetic reference to Christ, whom God would raise up. Indeed, the whole passage (vers. 20-25) reads more like prophecy than history; and points very distinctly forward to the Temple which He Himself will build, and will fill with His glory. It is remarkable to notice how, in writing to this Assembly in Philadelphia (Rev. iii. 7), the Lord takes these very words and applies them to Himself, saying: "These things saith he... that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth." The reference here to Isa. xxii. 22 is unmistakable, and it is clear that we have a reference to another and subsequent, but closely connected, event in the Old Testament history. With this reference we can understand the announcement to the Assembly of Philadelphia in Rev. iii. 8: "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." And we can understand also the reference to the Temple in the promise, "I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out" (Rev. iii. 12). We are taken right on, beyond Jerusalem and its Temple, to the days of final blessing, even to the new Jerusalem and "the Temple of my God," when Isa . lxii. 2 shall be fulfilled: "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." When this is exactly what is promised in Rev. iii. 12, "I will write upon him my new name," it is difficult to understand how such a promise could ever have been diverted from Israel to the Church: taken away from what it is directly associated with; and applied to that with which it has no connection whatsoever. __________________________________________________________________ LAODICEA We reach, in this last Epistle, the lowest point of Judah's degradation, in that long line of departure from God, from the day Israel left her "first love," even the day of her espousals, when brought forth out of Egypt, down, down through one vast scene of idolatry and judgment, until we find that nation described in the Epistle to the Assembly in Laodicea in a condition of spiritual destitution such as characterised the People in the period of the Minor Prophets. Indeed, so complete is the correspondence, that to see it we must wait till we take the Epistle sentence by sentence, and look at the passages from the Prophets, which we shall there place side by side. We give one or two as examples: Rev. iii. 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." Hos. ii. 5, 8, 9 - "For their mother hath played the harlot;... for she said, I will go after my lovers that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink... For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers," etc. etc. The whole of Hosea ii.-v., xii. 8, etc., must be read to see the pointed reference to this stage of Israel's condition. Compare also Hag. i. 6; Jer. xiii. 25, 26; v. 27; Zech. xi. 5, 13-18. Rev. iii. 18 - "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, 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." Compare with this Isa. lv. 1, 2; Hos. ii. 3; Jer. xiii. 25, 26; Isa. lix. 10; lxvi. 17; See also Mal. iii. 3 Rev. iii. 19 - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Isa. xliii. 4 - "Since thou was precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." So Deut. vii. 8; Deut. viii. 5 - "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee." Mal. iii. 7 - "Return unto Me and I will return unto you" is another form of Rev. iii. 19. In verse 16, the Lord speaks of spueing out the angel. This is the very expression used prophetically in Lev. xviii. 25-28 of Israel; where Jehovah warns that, if they adopted the abominations of heathen idolatry, the Land might spue them out (compare Jer. ix. 19; Ezek. xxxvi. 13, 17). All this shows that the references in this last Epistle do not in any way fit the Church of God, but agree in every particular with Israel's history, and are referred to so as to enlighten them from their own past history, and thus warn them as to future evils which will then surround them. When the Church has been removed, and Israel is again dealt with, the religious condition of the nation will exactly correspond with its condition at the Lord's first coming. There will be, as there was then, plenty of religion. Isa. i. 10-15 minutely describes the state of things, as they were then and will be again in the future. The truth of "this prophecy will be amply evidenced - "Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." The Pharisee's prayer (Luke xviii. 11, 12) exemplifies it. The parables of the great supper, the wedding garment, etc., describe it. The people were blind. The answer to the question, "Are we also blind?" (John ix. 40, 41) proves it. The call to the wedding feast will be, as then, individual. Matthew was called, Zacchaeus was called, and many others; and those who heard that call were unable to resist its commanding and enabling power. It is the great wedding feast of Rev. xix. 9 to which the parables pointed. These "servants," to whom this epistle is addressed, will understand the solemn warning, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." "To the twelve tribes scattered abroad" it was announced "the judge standeth before the door" (Jas. v. 9). The then nearness of the Judge is the thought conveyed in this announcement. He will be then near at hand, and ready to be revealed. We are aware that the warning in chap. iii. 20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock," has been universally interpreted of the nearness of the Saviour in grace to those living in this present Church Dispensation, and this has been fostered by painters who have done so much to present perversions of Scripture to the eye. It is a perversion which just suits the old nature, for it puts man in the place of Almighty God, and turns the Lord Jesus into a helpless suppliant. All this is foreign to the doctrines of grace, and makes them all of none effect. Moreover, this popular interpretation is out of keeping with the context. For, all through these seven Epistles the Lord is in the character of a Judge, rewarding His "servants" according to their "works." To those looking for Him and ready to receive Him, He appears according to His promise in Luke xii. 35-40: "let your loins be girded about and your lights burning: and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the good-man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not." Here, we have the "Son of Man;" the "servants;" the illustration of the "thief;" the "watching;" the "knocking;" the "opening," and the "sitting down to meat." Surely we have in Rev. iii. 20, the fulfilment of this prophecy. How simple it all is when we look at this Epistle as relating to backsliding Israel, and read it in the light of the Prophets and the Gospels. How much more satisfactory to find these illustrations in the Old Testament Scriptures, instead of being occupied with the conflicting and fanciful references to certain phases of ecclesiastical history, which have no Scriptural foundation whatever, and rest entirely on human imagination. All is confusion as to interpretation, and error as to doctrine, the moment we introduce the Church or the present dispensation into these Epistles. We have seen enough in the consideration of this fourteenth point to furnish us with further evidence that the Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse. The same is seen when we look at our last point, viz., the order of the promises contained in these Epistles. __________________________________________________________________ [43] See Jennings' Jewish Antiquities; and Article Synagogue in Kitto's Biblical Cyclopaedia, vol iii. 903. [44] As well as saved a great deal of controversy as to the anointing with oil, etc., in Jas. v. 14; and as to "faith" and "works." [45] Contr. Marcion i. 1. [46] (...) Epiphanius Adversus Haereses, Book II., Vol. I. Haeres li. Sec. xxxiii. (Migne's Ed. Vol. xli., p. 948). __________________________________________________________________ THE PROMISES TO THE SEVEN ASSEMBLIES. As we have seen that the references to the Old Testament in the seven Epistles correspond with the historical order of the events, so it is with respect to the promises contained in these Epistles. The literary order follows the historical order. They are written to a People supposed to be well-versed in the history of the Old Testament, and well-acquainted with all that had happened to their fathers and had been written for their admonition. Instructed in the past history of their nation, they will readily understand the relation between the testings and judgments in the past with which they are familiar, and those similar circumstances in which they will find themselves in a yet future day. While the historical events connected with the rebukes are carried down from Exodus to the period of the Minor Prophets, the promises cover a different period; commencing with the period of Eden, and ending with the period of Solomon. The subjects of the rebukes follow the order of the departure of the People from Jehovah. Their decline and apostasy is traced out in the historical references contained in these Epistles. All blessing depended on the national adherence of the chosen nation to the conditions of the Covenant made with them from the days of the Exodus to the days of the Minor Prophets. We see them, in the history, coming down, down, down; till we find them stripped of all blessing (nationally), poor, miserable and blind. All that seems to be hoped for, or looked for, among the People is a few individuals who will speak to one another and think upon the Coming One (Mal. iii. 16). Later, we see these in the persons of Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke i. 5,6), Simeon (Luke ii. 25), and Anna (Luke ii. 36-38), and others, "who were waiting for the consolation of Israel," and looking "for redemption in Jerusalem." (Compare Mark xv. 43 and Luke xxiv. 21). We have seen that this same historical order is followed in these seven Epistles to the Assemblies. But when we turn to the PROMISES, then all is different. They proceed in the opposite direction. The order, instead of descending - from Israel's highest ground of privilege (Exodus) to the lowest stage of spiritual destitution (Minor Prophets) - ascends, in the counsels of Jehovah, from tending a garden to sharing His throne. This will be readily seen as we trace it out in the promises made in Rev. ii. and iii. But first we must note that they are all intensely individual. There is no corporate existence recognised as such. Each one of the seven promises commences with the same words, "to him that overcometh." This answers to the language of the Four Gospels, and the Epistle to the Hebrews: e.g., "He that endureth to the end," and resists all the flood of evil by which he will be surrounded, he shall be saved. Such phraseology is foreign to the language of the later Pauline Church Epistles. The whole period covered by "the day of the Lord" is called the final meeting of the ages, or the (...) (sunteleia); but, the crisis in which it culminates is called the (...) (telos), the end of the age. Both are rendered "end" in the New Testament, but the use of these two words must be carefully distinguished. Sunteleia denotes a finishing or ending together, or in conjunction with other things. Consummation is perhaps the best English rendering. [49] It implies that several things meet together, and reach their end during the same period; whereas telos is the point of time at the end of that period. [50] For example, in Matt. xxiv. 3 the disciples ask, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the sunteleia of the age." In His answer to this question the Lord speaks of the whole period, and covers the whole of the sunteleia. But three times He mentions the telos (1) to say that "the telos is not yet" (verse 6); (2) to give a promise to him "that shall endure unto the telos" (verse 13); (3) to mark the crisis in verse 14, which comes immediately after the close of the preaching of "the gospel of the kingdom." "Then shall the telos come." The sign of the telos is the setting up of "the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet." Thus the telos, and he who endures to this, the same shall be saved, and will be among the overcomers specially referred to in these seven Epistles; to whom these promises are made, and to whom they peculiarly refer. They are seven in number, as we know: but we have to note that the seven here, as elsewhere, is divided into three and four. Each Epistle ends with two things: (1) an injunction to "hear;" (2) a promise to him that "overcometh." In the first three Epistles the Promise comes after the Injunction. In the last four it comes before it. This is because the first three are connected, by reference, to what is written of the Divine provisions in the books of Genesis and Exodus (the Garden and the Wilderness); while the latter four are connected with the Land and the thrones of David and Solomon: the number three marking Heavenly or Divine perfection; and the number four having to do with the earth. Let us look at these Promises in order. __________________________________________________________________ THE FIRST refers to Genesis ii., the promise being, "I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. ii. 7). God begins from Himself. The Apocalypse related not only to Israel, but to the earth; and the first promise goes back to Eden and to the "tree of life." The way to that tree was lost: but was "kept" (or preserved) by the cherubim (Gen. iii. 24). These cherubim next appear in connection with the way to the Living One, in the Tabernacle, and are thus linked on to Israel. Only in Israel's restoration can the way to the "Tree of Life" be restored. Sovereignty and government on the earth is the great subject of the Apocalypse; therefore the promise goes back to the point where sovereignty was ignored and government was overthrown. This becomes the starting-point. That is why the cherubim reappear in the Apocalypse, intimately associated with this work of restoration of Divine Government on the earth. their song is of "creation" (Rev. iv. 11). Their likeness is to creation. Their song is of the redemption of Israel (not their own. See the notes on them in chap. iv. and v.). __________________________________________________________________ THE SECOND refers to Genesis iii., the promise being "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (ii. 10, 11). The reference is to Genesis iii., where death first enters. But the promise goes beyond this; for it relates not merely to the death which came in with sin, but to the "second death," which is revealed in Rev. xx. 14; xxi. 8. __________________________________________________________________ THE THIRD refers to Exodus. The promise is, "I will 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" (ii. 17). It is in this third Epistle, which refers to the wilderness period and Balaam's counsel, that we have a special reference to the manna, the wilderness sustenance, of which Exodus contains the record. "Bread from Heaven" and "Angels' food" (Ps. lxxviii. 24,25) are set over against the lusts of the flesh and spiritual idolatry. The manna was to be "hidden" in the Ark of the Covenant, "that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt... so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony to be kept" (Ex. xvi. 32-34). This "hidden" food is for remembrance; to remind them that God can supply the remnant of His People in the coming day, when none shall be allowed to buy or sell (Rev. xiii. 16,17), and therefore to buy food to eat, unless they consent to bear the "mark of the Beast." God supported His People in the wilderness, where they could obtain no food: Why not here? The false prophets will eat to the full at the table of another Jezebel: Why should not God "furnish a table" (Psa. lxxviii. 19) for His own in that coming day, in that wilderness whither they will flee (Rev. xii. 14)? The one was literal: why not the other? Why go out of our way to seek for a strange interpretation alien to the subject, when we have one ready to hand in the Old Testament Scriptures which are being referred to? That manna was to be "hidden," and "kept," to remind them that God can still, and will again "furnish a table in the wilderness," that they may again be "nourished for a time, and times, and half a time" (Rev. xii. 14). There is a further promise as to the "white stone" and the "new name." Again we ask, Why go to our own imaginations, or to Pagan customs, for interpretations, when we have in this same book of Exodus [51] the account of the stones on which the names of the Tribes were engraven: Two on the High Priest's shoulder, with six names on each (collective); and twelve on the breastplate, with one name on each (individual). The individual names being placed "upon his heart" (the place of love), and the collective names "upon his shoulders" (the place of strength) (Exod. xxviii. 8-30). Besides these stones there were the stones of the "Urim and Thummin," of which little or nothing is known. These may have "white" for aught we know; but we do know that they were associated with a hearing and answering God dwelling in the midst of His People. Here, amid their scenes of trial and tribulation, when God's people will find themselves in another wilderness, they are reminded, by this Exodus-promise, of Jehovah's presence with them; and of the blessed fact that He has their names in remembrance; that His love is everlasting; that His strength is almighty, and able to nourish them when their enemies might prevail and human resources fail. __________________________________________________________________ [51] In the Hebrew Canon Exodus is called the Book of "the Names." See Names and Order of the Books of the Old Testament, by Dr. Bullinger. __________________________________________________________________ THE FOURTH refers to the books of Numbers and Samuel. The promise is, "to him will give power over the nations: 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. And I will give him the morning star" (Rev. ii. 26-28). Here again the literary order in the Apocalypse goes forward with the historical order: for it is in the book of Numbers that we have the basis of this promise given to the same People, who were the subjects of it there. For "there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall mite the corners (marg. princes) of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city" (Numbers xxiv. 17-19). This promise and prophecy had a first foreshadowing fulfilment in David; showing what was in store for David's Son and David's Lord: even for Him who was the "root and the offspring of David." Luke i. 31-33 tells of His conquest, and of His reign on David's throne. David, we have said, foreshadowed it: for he could say in the words of his song, "thou hast girded me with strength to battle; them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.... Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street" (2 Sam. xxii. 40,41,43). This was the theme of David's song "in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies." And this heralds the yet more glorious song in honour of David's Lord when the kingdoms of the world shall have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. xi. 15). The promise is given in this fourth Epistle, because the prophecy of Numbers xxiv. 17-19 has never yet been really fulfilled. "The day-spring (the morning star) did visit His people" (Luke i. 78); but He was rejected; and therefore the fulfilment remains in abeyance, as well as that of Luke i. 31-33. In Rev. ii. 26-28 the time is at hand for the fulfilment of it. Hence the promise is repeated; and in chap. xx. 4 we see it accomplished; for the "morning star" shall then have risen (Rev. xxii. 16), and the prophecy of Psalm ii. shall be fulfilled. __________________________________________________________________ THE FIFTH refers again to the times of David -- not the beginning of his reign, but to the end of it. It is a double promise, negative and positive, and both have to do with the names of individuals. "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" (iii. 5). The reference is to "the last words of David" in 2 Sam. xxiii. They follow "the words of this song" in the previous chapter. These "last words of David" were uttered as he was about to give up the throne and the kingdom to Solomon; when the conflict was to end, and issue in dominion, and in a glorious reign of peace: foreshadowing the time when this promise of Rev. iii. 5 is about to be fulfilled, and the Apocalyptic judgments are about to issue in millennial glories. "I will not blot out his name." "I will confess his name." So runs the double promise, and it is exactly what we see in the history which is thus referred to. David is confessing the names of his overcomers, and the confessing of them begins, "These be the names of the mighty men whom David had" (2 Sam.xxiii. 8). They had "gathered themselves to him" in the day of his rejection. For, though he had been anointed as king, he was not as yet sitting on his own throne, but was in the cave Adullam, or the place of testimony. [52] They had gone to him in their distress and debt and bitterness of soul (I Sam. xxii. 1,2), and David "became a captain over them." They had followed him through all his conflicts: and now, on the eve of the era of glory and peace, their names are confessed before all. Their deeds are announced, and their exploits are recorded. But there are some who are "blotted out." Joab is not there, though "Abishai, the brother of Joab," is there (2 Sam. xxiii. 18); "Asahel, the brother of Joab," is there (verse 24); "Nahari...armour-bearer to Joab," is there (verse 37); but not Joab himself. He was a "mighty man." He had been the commander-in-chief of David's forces, a valiant soldier, a great statesman and wise counsellor; but, while he was all this and more, he was not an overcomer, for his heart was not right with David. He remained loyal when Absalom rebelled; but he took part in the treason of Adonijah. Ahithophel is not there; though we read of "Eliam the son of Ahithophel" (verse 34). He was David's greatest counsellor; so wise, that when he spoke "it was as if a man had enquired at the oracle (or word) of God" (2 Sam. xvi. 23). But he was not an overcomer, and he is not "confessed" even before men. He took sides with Absalom in his rebellion; and he is blotted out from this list of names. Abiathar, too, is blotted out, for not even is his name here. He was David's beloved friend (see 1 Sam. xxii. 20-23), but he was not an overcomer. He remained loyal in the treason of Absalom, but joined in that of Adonijah. The other names are duly confessed. The scene is unspeakably solemn; and has, by application, a warning voice for all. But, by interpretation, it comes with special force in this promise to the Assembly at Sardis, and refers to the fulfilment of Matt. x. 32, 33 and Luke xii. 8, 9. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Thus this promise refers not only to that solemn past scene in Israel's history, but is shown to be closely connected with the Four Gospels, and points on to the scenes of final judgment and glory in connection with David's Lord, and "a greater than Solomon." __________________________________________________________________ [52] Adullam means their testimony. __________________________________________________________________ THE SIXTH refers to Solomon, as does the seventh (Laodicea). In the former the reference is to the "Temple" and to the "City;" while, in the latter, it is to the "Throne." The promise runs (iii. 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 my new name." The reference here to Solomon is unmistakable. He it was who built the temple, and put in its porch those mysterious pillars "Jachin and Boaz" (1 Kings vii. 13-22; 2 Chron. iii. 17). "And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the fight pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin (i.e., He shall establish): and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz (i.e., In it is strength)." Strength and permanence were thus announced to all who entered that wondrous Temple. The Temple of God is brought in this Epistle into contrast with the Synagogue of Satan, and those were of the latter who "say they are Jews and are not." That synagogue has neither strength nor permanence. But the overcomers are endued with Divine strength, and shall have eternal inheritance, for they "shall go no more out." Moreover, the promise refers to the name of the overcomer being written in "the city of my God." There can be only one interpretation to this promise. Anyone acquainted with Old Testament phraseology will at once go back in memory to such Psalms as xlviii., cxxii., and lxxxvii. In this latter we read: "Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: In the City of our God -- His holy mount. Beautiful for situation, The joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, The sides of the north, the city of the great king. As we have heard, so have we seen; In the city of the Lord of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it for ever" (Psa. xlviii. 1, 2, 8) "His foundation is in the holy mountains. Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia, This one was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her. And He, the Most High, shall establish her. Jehovah shall count, when he writeth up the peoples 'This man was born there.' Selah. As well the singers, as the players on instruments [shall say] 'All my springs are in thee'" (Psa. lxxxvii.). True, the chapter-headings of the A.V. may call this "the nature and glory of the Church." But we shall prefer to believe God in so plain and literal a description of "the city of God:" and those who are the subjects of the promise will have a blessed knowledge of what it will mean to be written "in the city of my God." Ezekiel (chap. xiii.) also addresses Israel; but as he speaks not of promises and blessings, it is not interpreted of the Church, but it is left for the persons mentioned; though they are not more clearly defined here than in the above Psalm. In verse 9 we read of those who "shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am Adonai Jehovah" (Ezek. xiii. 9). The promise in Rev. iii. 12 refers to the New Jerusalem (chap. xxi. and xxii.). If the city of David and Solomon was such that "glorious things" were spoken of it as "the city of God," what will be the glories of that city which "cometh down out of heaven from my God"? And what will be the blessing of Zion and Jerusalem when, as written in Isa. lxii. 1, "the righteousness thereof shall go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth"? Then it is that the promise is given, "Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." (Compare Isa. lx 14). In Isa. lxii. 4 and 12 we have further instruction as to this "new name" referred to in Rev. iii. 12. __________________________________________________________________ THE SEVENTH refers to the throne, of which Solomon's was in every respect the ideal type. This, the highest promise, is given to the overcomers in the lowest condition of Israel's degradation, which is described as in danger of being "spued out." What that was we have already seen (page 89), and now we have the chiefest of all the promises. The overcomers in that last terrible condition of things are the ones who most need the greatest of Divine help and encouragement. Hence the highest promise is given. "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" (Rev. iii. 21). To Solomon is the great promise of the throne vouchsafed through David. "When thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee... and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever" ( 2 Sam. vii. 12, 13). The defection of those who should follow Solomon on that throne was foreknown and provided for. The whole of Psalm lxxxix. should be read in this connection, as explaining how and why the throne should come to be in abeyance. After referring to this in verse 14, the promise goes on: Yet "My mercy shall not depart away from him... "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: "Thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Sam. vii. 15, 16). How and when this promise will be fulfilled, after the period of chastening referred to in verse 14 (of 2 Sam. vii.) shall have ended, is described in Dan. vii. There we have fully set forth how "the Son of Man" shall receive the kingdom and the throne, and how "the saints of the Most High" shall share that throne with Him, as promised in this Epistle. The title used in Dan. vii., "The Most High" is very significant, and shows that the whole scene relates to the earth. Whenever this title is used this is its meaning and teaching. Its first occurrence, in Gen. xiv. 18-24 marks it as belonging to the "possessor of heaven and earth." It was as "the Most High" that He divided to the nations "their inheritance" in the earth (Deut. xxxii. 8), which, as its "possessor," He alone had the right or the power to do. In Psa. lxxxiii. 18 He is called "the Most High over all the earth." And so it is in all the thirty-six occurrences of the title in the Old Testament. The expression, "the saints of the Most High," tells us that the people referred to are an earthly people, even those whose promise is an earthly throne and an earthly kingdom. Not the church of God, therefore, whose calling, standing, hope and destiny are heavenly. Four times is the expression used in Dan. vii. In verse 18 "the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." In verses 21, 22 the fourth Beast "made war with the saints and prevailed against them (as related in Rev. xiii. 7); until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." In verse 25 the Beast "shall speak great words against the Most High," &c. (as related also in 2 Thess. ii. 4, and Rev. xiii. 5, 6). In verse 27 we read that "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 shall serve and obey him." These are the "elect," who shall be "gathered together from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other," when the "Son of Man" shall come down on the earth (Matt. xxiv. 30, 31). Then shall His "call" go forth, "Gather my saints together unto me." This is when He will call "to the earth, that He may judge His People" (Psa. l. 4, 5; read the whole Psalm). And when, later, in Matt. xxv. 31, we read, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory": then there will be a different gathering, not of His "elect" (see Matt. xxiv. 31), but "before him shall be gathered all nations," [53] according to Joel iii. 1, 2 and 11, 12. This throne of the special judgment of the "nations" leads up to and ends in the permanent throne of Divine government, according to Jer. iii. 17. Then will this promise be fulfilled to the overcomer: "I will grant to sit with Me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne (Rev. iii. 21). This promise, therefore, like all the others is not given to the Church of God. The members of that glorious body will have already been 'caught up to meet the Lord in the air," and will have had their part in the "gathering together unto him" there, before the cry of Psa. l. 5 goes forth to "the earth, that he may judge his people," and "gather his (earthly) saints together." Thus we have traced the upward path -- the ascending scale of the seven promises of these seven Epistles, and seen how are they to be interpreted of Israel, whose downward path is here also so wonderfully set forth in these same Epistles. This concludes our fifteen preliminary points; and we submit that their cumulative evidence establishes our fundamental position that, the "Church of God" does not form the subject of the Apocalypse. Our interpretation confines that subject to the "Jew" and the "Gentile" (I Cor. x. 32). Whether "the word of truth" is thus "rightly" divided is for our readers to determine for themselves, according to the evidence which we shall put before them. __________________________________________________________________ [53] See the structure of the whole of this great prophecy of Matt. xxiv. and xxv. in Things to Come, vol. vi., p. 103. __________________________________________________________________ [49] The word occurs only in Matt. xiii. 39, 40, 49; xxxiv. 3; xxviii. 20, which shows that this verse refers to a yet future day. And in Heb. ix. 26, which refers to the sunteleia of the former dispensation. It is the Septuagint rendering of (...) (keytz) in Dan. xii. 4, 13. [50] Telos is significant in this connection, in Matt. x. 22 and Rev. ii. 26. __________________________________________________________________ [1] Notwithstanding they are expressly stated to be "of all the tribes of the children of Israel." Had it been for judgment that they were sealed, we should never have heard of these being "the Church." __________________________________________________________________ THE SCOPE OF THE APOCALYPSE SHEWN BY ITS PLACE IN THE CANON The scope of the Apocalypse is the most important of all the preliminary subjects connected with its interpretation. Apart from its true scope, no correct interpretation is possible. This scope is best gathered from its structure; but, before considering this, we propose to look at it as shown by its place in the Canon of Scripture, and by the relation in which it stands to the other books of the New Testament. This is the first thing that must be discovered in order to get an insight as to its place, subject, object and scope. The order of the books of the New Testament as a whole varies, both in the manuscripts, versions and catalogues [54] which have been preserved and have come down to us. But while the order of the separate books may vary, they are always arranged in four groups which never vary: -- (1) The Four Gospels. (2) The Acts of the Apostles. (3) The Epistles. (4) The Apocalypse. The four groups always follow each other in this order. We say four "groups"; but it will be observed that only the first and third groups; the second and fourth consist of only one single book each. The order of the separate books in these two groups varies. For example, the order of the Gospels varies. The order of the Epistles varies, for in some lists Paul's Epistles come before the general and other Epistles, and vice versa. But, like Paul's Epistles addressed to churches, which never vary in their order, so thee four groups never vary in their order. Their inter-relation may be set forth, in brief, in the following structure:-- The New Testament Books Gospels | THE FIRST ADVENT. The coming of the "Son of Man" to present the kingdom. The rejection of the kingdom and crucifixion of the King. The Acts and the Earlier Pauline Epistles | H | THE KINGDOM RE-OFFERED. The Acts and earlier Pauline Epistles (Acts iii. 19, 20). The "Signs and Wonders of the Holy Ghost (Heb. ii. 3, 4). The offer rejected (Acts xxviii. 25, 26). The Later Pauline Epistles | H | THE KINGDOM IN ABEYANCE. The "Not Yet" of Heb. ii. 8. The Mystery revealed and consummated, Rom. xvi. 25, 26; Eph. iii. 1-4; Col. i. 5 - ii. 3; 1 Tim. iii. 16; Phil. iii. 14. Apocalypse | THE SECOND ADVENT. The coming of the "Son of Man" to set up the kingdom in power and great glory. The establishing of the kingdom and the crowning of the King. From this structure it will be seen that the Apocalypse stands out in special relation to, and connection with the four Gospels, and not with the Epistles. The Gospels record the events connected with the First Advent, and the Apocalypse records the events connected with the Second Advent. In the Gospels we have "the days of the Son of Man" (Luke xvii. 22); in the Apocalypse we have "the day of the Lord" (i. 10). The Gospels close with the great prophecy of "the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matt. xxiv. 30, xxvi. 64; Mark xiii. 36; Luke xxi. 27); followed by the account of His sufferings, piercing and death. The Apocalypse takes up this theme and opens by declaring the fulfilment of this prophecy, "Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him" (i. 7): followed by the account of the judgments; the coming and the crowning. The Gospels contain the prophecy of the Great Tribulation: the Apocalypse contains the description of it. Between the first advent, which is the subject of the Gospels, and the second advent, which is the subject of the Apocalypse, we have the present interval, which is the subject of the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles. This interval is thus divided into two distinct periods, (1) that covered by the Acts of the Apostles and earlier Pauline Epistles, and (2) that covered by the later Pauline Epistles. The Acts has for its subject the re-presentation of the King and the kingdom. Israel is again taken up, and Peter, using the keys of the kingdom committed to him for this special purpose, opens the kingdom to Jews and Gentiles. Through the abounding grace of God the kingdom is again offered to Israel, but this being rejected the cup of Israel's iniquity is filled up. The people not only rejected Christ Risen, but they resisted the Holy Ghost. They resisted Jehovah in the Old Testament, The Messiah in the Gospels, and the Holy Ghost in the Acts. Though the ministry of Peter partly overlaps that of Paul, yet it is clear that Israel is specially dealt with as such, until the final sentence is pronounced in Acts xxviii. 17-28, which was speedily followed by the taking of the People out of their city and their Land. Then we have the period covered by the later Pauline Epistles, which have for their subject the Mystery, or the Church of God. The church has a different calling, a different standing, and a different destiny from either Jew or Gentile, and yet, composed of both, is now waiting for their calling on high (Phi. iii. 14). It may be that these two parts of the present interval slightly overlap, as Paul's ministry in the synagogues and among the Gentiles also overlapped. Not until shortly after the Apostle's death did God actually (as He had already begun to do judicially) cause to deal with Israel as Israel, scattering the People abroad on the earth -- destroying the Temple, and effectually, for a time, breaking off the natural branches from the Olive Tree (Rom. xi.). After this, we have set before us, in the Epistles, the calling and hope of the church, which is now being taken out, and is waiting to be taken up, to meet the Lord in the air; waiting for "our gathering together unto Him" (1 Thess. i. 10; iv. 15 - v. 4; 2 Thess. ii. 1-3 R.V.), before "the Day of the Lord" shall come. This is fundamental to our whole position, and is necessary, we believe, to a clearer understanding of the Apocalypse. It is well therefore that we should further establish the great scope of the Book as taught us by its position in the New Testament; and its special relation to the Gospels. In 1 Thess. v. 4, we are distinctly told "ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day ('the day of the Lord,' verse 2) should overtake you as a thief." As the Revelation is the description of that day (i. 10, iii. 3; xvi. 15) and of His "coming as a thief" (compare Matt. xxiv. 43, 44), it is clear that the promise of 1 Thess. v. 4, must be fulfilled before the Lord Jesus is thus revealed. Those concerned will be already at "rest," with Him "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels; in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, [driven away] from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power, when HE SHALL HAVE COME to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe ... in that day" (2 Thess i. 7-10). The tense here (in verse 10) is not the simple future tense of the indicative mood, but it is the second aorist tense of the subjunctive mood, (...) (elthe), and can mean only shall have come. In verse 7, "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed" is not a verb at all, but a noun, (...) (en te apokalupsei), and means at the revelation (lit., at the Apocalypse). So that "at the Apocalypse" of Jesus Christ, the Raptured ones of 1 Thess. iv. will already be at rest. They have their "tribulation" now (vers. 4, 5). This is the teaching of v. 7. But when the time comes to "recompense tribulation" to the world, then Christ will already have come to be glorified in His saints. For "in that day" He "shall have come" to take them up to be with Himself, "for ever with the Lord." This is the teaching of verse 10. That this is the only sense in which this tense can be taken is clear from the following examples of its use :-- Matt. xxi. 40: "When the lord of the vineyard cometh" (shall have come). Luke xvii. 10: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things." (Here it is so rendered). Mark viii. 38: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me... of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed (here we have the simple future) when he cometh (...) (hotan elthe, the same as in 2 Thess. i. 10, i.e., shall have come) in the glory of his Father." In John iv. 25 we have the tense contrasted with another: "I know that Messiah cometh (lit., is coming), which is called Christ; when He is come ((...) shall have come) he will tell us all things." Acts xxiii. 35: "I will hear thee, said he, when (...) thine accusers are also come" (lit., when thine accusers also shall have come). John xvi. 13: "Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come" ((...) shall have come). Rom. xi. 27: "For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away (lit., shall have taken away) their sins." The prophecy as to Christ's enemies' being put under His feet (Psa. cx. 1) is quoted or referred to six times in the New Testament. Christ is now at God's right hand "until His enemies shall have been placed (as) a footstool for His feet." (See Matt. xxii. 44; Mark xii. 36: Luke xx. 42; Acts ii. 34; Heb. i. 13; x. 12, 13). Then He will arise and use this footstool, treading His enemies under His feet (Psa. xviii. 37-50). This is the subject of the Apocalypse; and result and fulfilment of it is recorded in 1 Cor. xv. 25, which speaks of Christ's after-reign, "For He must reign till He hath put (lit., shall have put) all enemies under His feet." So that the two acts are carefully distinguished. First, the placing of the footstool; and then the using of it. The one is at the beginning of the "day of the Lord," the other is at the end of His reign. All this is conclusive, and tells us that the church of God will be at "rest" at the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ. And that, when He comes to take vengeance on His enemies, He "shall have come" already for His saints. This enables us to see the true place of the Apocalypse in the New Testament. Chronologically it follows on the Epistles, which end with the taking up of (1 Thess. iv.); but logically, i.e., in the purpose of the ages (Eph. iii. 10 R.V. marg.), it follows the Gospels; and takes up the subject of the King and the Kingdom, where it is there left. There we see it rejected: here we see it established with judgment, and set up in Divine power and glory. True, in order of time it follows on the period covered by the Epistles: and what we have to look for, now, is, not the conversion of the world, but the judgment of the world. The professing church is deceiving the world. It tells the world that its mission is to improve the world and, by improving its sanitation, housing its poor, and generally preaching the gospel of earthly citizenship, to bring on a millennium, in which no Christ is thought of or wanted! While the majority of the Church's teachers are loudly proclaiming that "the day of the Lord" will not come till the world's conversion comes, the Spirit and truth of God are declaring that that day shall not come until the apostasy comes (2 Thess. ii. 3). While the majority of the Church's teachers are maintaining that the world is not yet good enough for Christ, the Spirit is declaring in the Word that the world is not yet bad enough. There is some difference between these two testimonies; and our labour will not be in vain, if we learn from this book of the Revelation to believe God; and, while we "wait for His son from heaven" as our blessed Hope, to warn the world of increasing apostasy (which may go on side by side with increasing morality) and of coming judgment. Yes, coming judgment. That is the scope of the whole book. We have, here, events which cannot be limited by mere ecclesiastical history; but a wondrous unveiling of the awful scenes which shall end up God's controversy with Satan. It has as its field the whole creation, and not merely a corrupt church in Europe. All the forces of Heaven and Hell are seen in conflict, and bringing to a head the mighty issues involved. On the one side we see, (1) The full display of the power of God in Christ, opposed to the full energy of Satan and all his forces in the "day of battle and of war" (Job xxxviii. 23). (2) In this final conflict, we see the full array of all the Heavenly forces which Christ can command and will command. We see spiritual beings, angels and principalities and powers in Heaven, and the great physical forces of creation (Zech. xii. 4-8; xiv. 1-4, etc., etc.,) brought to bear on the great enemy. (3) That mighty heavenly host will embrace all who have been delivered and redeemed from "the power of Satan" from the time of sin's beginning, as well as all the angelic beings who have not fallen. (4) These heavenly forces are led by "the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords," -- "the Prince of the Kings of the earth" -- the great "Captain of the Lord's host." On the other side, we see (1) The full display of Satan's power and authority (xvi. 13, 14), and that, too, from the beginning of his tyranny and usurpation as the "prince of this world" and its "god" (John xii. 31; xvi. 11; 2 Cor. iv. 4). (2) To this end, all the hosts which he can and will command, from the very beginning of his power -- angels and principalities and powers; men and demons from the pit, and men on earth; all these will be led by their captain, and all brought to bear against Him who sitteth upon the White Horse (Rev. xix.; Jude 6; 2 Pet. ii. 4). (3) This mighty host will be of far wider extent than the minds of expositors have ever yet conceived. (4) These forces of earth and hell will have for their leader, Satan, "the prince of this world." We have here something far beyond the ordinary interpretations put upon this Book: and, we believe that few, if any, can possibly realize all the mighty issues involved in it: and the extent of its results as affecting creation, Israel, and the nations of the world. To limit it to Popery, or to Christendom (so called) is, we believe, wholly to miss the scope of the Book: and, to lose the weighty lessons if its wondrous Revelation, by committing the mistake condemned by true logic -- viz., of putting a part (and a small part too) for the whole. The awful conflict is of far wider extent than this. It exceeds all the general petty views of its scope; as affairs of State transcend those of a Parish Vestry. "Michael and his angels" and "the Dragon and his angels" include the whole fighting forces of the heavens. Rev. xii. reveals the HEAVENLY ARMAGEDDON, which will bring to an end the hostilities of ages by a final overthrow of the wicked (so far as the super-etherial heavens are concerned). What the Book tells us of the conflict on earth is of the same character. The scope of it takes in the whole earth, and leads up also to an EARTHLY ARMAGEDDON (Rev. xvi. 16). The Covenant of marvels (Ex. xxxiv. 10) refers to judgments which are cosmical in the widest sense of the term. The scope of the book winds up all the affairs of time, and contains the end of prophecy, the end of knowledge, and the end of the Secret of God (x. 7), and the dawn of the eternal ages of ages. In short, the scope of the book, as shown by its place in, and relation to, the whole canon of Scripture, is the winding up of the affairs of the whole creation, and the fixing of the eternal states of all things in heaven and on earth. We are thankful to feel that we are not alone in taking this serious view of the real scope of the Apocalypse. While many fritter away its solemn scenes in the common-place history of Europe, there are others who see beyond all this, and behold the Divine interposition in the affairs of the whole creation. We have information about the church in the Epistles: as we see, even in them, the indications of the coming corruption which has since become history. But in the Apocalypse we have something far beyond, and quite different from all this. The Epistles prepare us for what we know as Ecclesiastical history; and they prepare us also for the end and revealed in the Apocalypse. Eloquent testimony is borne to this, and therefore to our view of the scope of Revelation, by Canon Bernard; [55] who approaches the subject from a somewhat different standpoint. His weighty words are:-- "I know not how any man, in closing the Epistles, could expect to find the subsequent history of the Church essentially different from what it is. In those writings we seem, as it were, not to witness some passing storms which clear the air, but to feel the whole atmosphere charged with the elements of future tempest and death. Every moment the forces of evil show themselves more plainly. They are encountered, but not dissipated. Or, to change the figure, we see battles fought by leaders of our band, but no security is promised by their victories. New assaults are being prepared; new tactics will be tried; new enemies pour on; the distant hills are black with gathering multitudes, and the last exhortations of those who fall at their posts call on their successors to 'endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ,' [56] and 'earnestly to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.' [57] "The fact which I observe is not merely that these indications of the future are in the Epistles, but that they increase as we approach the close, and after the doctrines of the Gospel have been fully wrought out, and the fullness of personal salvation and the ideal character of the church have been placed in the clearest light, the shadows gather and deepen on the external history. The last words of St. Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy, and those of St. Peter in his second Epistle, with the Epistles of St. John and St. Jude, breathe the language of a time in which the tendencies of that history had distinctly shewn themselves; and in this respect these writings form a prelude and a passage to the Apocalypse." If these things be so, as we assuredly believe they are, then the church is not the subject of the Apocalypse. The Apocalypse follows the Epistles in sequence of time, and is naturally and historically consequent upon them; but in the Divine order and plan it is logically and dispensationally consequent on the Gospels and Acts. Every previous dispensation has ended in judgment, from Satan's first rebellion (Gen. i. 1, 2) to his final rebellion (Rev. xx. 8-10) and the final judgment (verses 11-15). That this present dispensation shall end in judgment is not only to be inferred from the uniform history of the past; for it is clearly foretold in the Epistles. It is this judgment which is described in the Apocalypse; and it is this book we are now seeking to understand more clearly. This clearness, we believe, will be greater in proportion as we see the position occupied by this Book in the New Testament; and in proportion as we believe that the Church of God has no part in the great Tribulation, and no participation in those judgments. That it is not the subject of this book we have endeavoured to establish in our fifteen preliminary points: and this view will be further confirmed as we proceed with our consideration and study of the Apocalypse. __________________________________________________________________ [54] Such as the catalogues contained in the Muratorian Fragment, A.D. 160-170. Eusebius (H.E. iii. 25), about A.D. 340. Athanasius (Ex. Festali Epistola (written A.D. 367)) xxxix. tom. i. 767, 961. Ed. Benedict. Paris 1777. Gregorius Nazienzenus (Garm. Sect. i. xii. 5), A.D. 391. The Proceedings of the Council of Carthage, A.D. 397. Ruffinus, A.D. 410. [55] Bampton Lectures for 1864: The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament, by Thomas Dehany Bernard, later Rector of Walcot, and Canon of Wells. London: Macmillan & Co., 1900 (page 189, 5th ed., 1900). [56] 2 Tim. ii. 3 [57] Jude 3. __________________________________________________________________ THE SCOPE OF THE APOCALYPSE SHEWN BY ITS STRUCTURE Having seen the scope of the Apocalypse as suggested by the place of the book in the Canon of Scripture, we now propose to gather its scope from its structure. This can be done only by looking at the book as a whole. Most expositions of the book have proceeded on some plan formed according to the expositor's own idea. These are, for the most part, clever and ingenious; but, after all, they represent only the opinion of each individual writer; and are accepted or rejected according to the opinion of each individual reader. The fact that there are scarcely two alike out of the vast number of these analyses shows what a poor foundation these human opinions are to rest upon; and also that there is room for a serious attempt to search and see whether there be not some Divine plan in the structure of the book; or whether God has left us thus at sea, without chart, compass or helm. Our answer is that God has not thus left us to interpret the book; but He has given us the book as His own interpretation of what "The Day of the Lord" is to be. There is a Divine plan in the structure of the book; and, if we follow this and proceed on its lines, believing what God says, all will be clear, simple and easy. But if, whenever God says on thing we immediately assume and assert that he means another thing, we shall, obviously, have as many different interpretations as we have interpreters! And who is to direct us in such a chaos of conflicting opinions. Were it our aim to enumerate these opinions, and help to [make] a choice between them, our task would be greater than we could undertake or carry out. But, as our aim is to treat the book as God's own description and explanation of the events which are to take place when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, our task will be a happy one; for it will be to try to understand what God says and not what man thinks. We shall find ourselves giving little more than a translation of God's own words, first setting them forth according to His own plan. That this plan is correct and true is not open even to question. It is so simple that a child will be able to understand it. After the Introduction (chap. i), which corresponds exactly with the Conclusion (chap. xxii. 6-21); and the Instruction for people on the earth during that Day (chap. ii, iii.), which corresponds with matters concerning people on the New Earth, in chap. xxi. 1 - xxii. 5, we find that the whole body of the book is divided for us into seven pairs of connected events. Perhaps the simplest form in which to first exhibit this will be the following:a?" A A A A A A A A | i. Introduction. A A A A A A A A A A A B | ii, iii. The People on Earth. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A X | iv. 1 - xx. 15. Visions. A A A A A A A A A A A B | xxi. 1 - xxii. 5. The People on the New Earth. A A A A A A A A | xxii. 6-21. Conclusion Now, the Holy Spirit has divided the central number, which we have marked "X," and which occupies the larger part of the book, into seven parts. Each of these seven parts consists of two scenes: The former of which takes place "in Heaven," and the latter "on Earth." If we examine these more closely, we shall find that they are correlative: i.e., the scene "in Heaven" is preliminary to, and explanatory of, the events which follow "on Earth." Things are seen "in Heaven," and words are there uttered which show the nature and object of what is about to take place "on Earth." When God has described a scene as taking place "in Heaven," and caused Heavenly voices to give the key to what is to follow in another scene which immediately takes place "on earth"; and this is done seven consecutive times; is it not strange that writers on the Apocalypse should overlook this exceedingly simple arrangement; and proceed to elaborate some complicated analysis of their own; and thus wholly ignore and break up the division which God has Himself made and given and marked off so clearly by the repeated expressions "in Heaven" and "upon the Earth," on purpose to guide us in understanding His book? How can we trust any analysis, however clever it may be, if these divisions are broken into, and the Heavenly and earthly scenes are mixed together? All must be confusion. And any such division of the book, or any which proceeds on the lines of the chapter-divisions, as given in the authorised version, will be found useless for the purpose of gathering the real scope of the book. Before we proceed further it may be well to set out these Divine divisions more fully. A A A A | i.A Introduction A A A A A A A B | ii, iii.A The people on the earth A A A A A A A A A A A X | i.A {H ^^1 | iv., v.A In Heaven.A (The Throne, the Book, and the Lamb.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | vi. 1-vii. 8.A On Earth.A (The Six Seals and 144,000.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | ii. {H ^^2 | A vii. 9-viii. 6.A In Heaven.A (The Great Multitude and the Seventh Seal.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | viii. 7-xi. 14.A On Earth.A (The Six Trumpets.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | iii. {H ^^3 | xi. 15-19-.A In Heaven.A (The Seventh Trumpet.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | xi. -19.A On Earth.A (The Earthquake, etc.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | iv.A {H ^^4 | xii. 1-12.A In Heaven.A (Woman, Child and Dragon.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | xii. 13-xiii. 18.A On Earth.A (The Dragon and Two Beasts.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | v.A A {H ^^5 | xiv. 1-5.A In Heaven.A (The Lamb and 144,000.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | xiv. 6-20.A On Earth.A (The Six Angels.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | vi.A {H ^^6 | xv. 1-8.A In Heaven.A (The Seven Vial Angels.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | xvi. 1-xviii. 24.A On Earth.A (The Seven Vials.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A | vii. {H ^^7 | xix. 1-16. A In Heaven.A (The Marriage of the Lamb, etc.) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E | xix. 17-xx. 15.A On Earth.A (The Final Five Judgments.) A A A A A A A B | xxi. 1-xxii. 5.A The People on the New Earth. A A A A | xxii. 6-21.A Conclusion. A The more intently we look on this, and the more carefully we study it, the more shall we be struck by its beauty and simplicity. How clear, compared with man's complicated division made according to his own fancy! So clear that the humblest child of God cannot fail to grasp it. It requires no explanation; but it will itself explain all things to us if we have ears to hear. It is remarkable that in each of these wondrous scenes "in Heaven" voices with utterances and songs are heard. Not one Heavenly scene is without some Heavenly voice or utterance. Indeed, there are, altogether seventeen of these distributed in these seven scenes "in Heaven"; and this distribution helps us to discover the order and arrangement of these seven pairs respectively. No. iv. evidently is the great central pair; both from actual position as well as from its subject matter. As to position, it occupies, literally and actually, the central part of the book; while as to its subject matter, we shall see (when we come to consider it) that it is as important as its position declares it to be. Then, Nos. i. and vii. are marked off as corresponding, by the fact that out of the seventeen heavenly voices ten are in these two pairs; six being the first scene "in heaven," and four in the last. The heavenliness of Nos. i. and vii. is also more marked than in any of the others: for all heaven is engaged in either giving these utterances, or singing these songs; [58] and it is only in these two scenes that the four Zoa, or living ones, utter their voices. In Nos. ii. and vi. we also have another pair a?" the former characterised by the trumpets, and the latter by the vials a?" the two most solemn portions of all the judgments which the book contains. Moreover, it is remarkable that it is in these two that those who pass through, or come out of, the great tribulation are specially mentioned as giving these heavenly utterances. It appears, therefore, from this that these seven pairs are arranged as an Epanodos: that is to say, the first corresponds with the last (the seventh); the second with the sixth; the third with the fifth; while the fourth stands out in the centre; emphasising, by its central position, its important teaching. They may be set out formally and briefly thus: A A A i | Longer and more full of heavenly voices and utterances. (Six in all). A A A A A A A A A A A ii | The Trumpets. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A iii | Shorter and less detail. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A iv | Central in subject and position. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A v | Shorter and less detail. A A A A A A A A A A A vi | The Vials. A A A vii | Longer and more full of heavenly voices and utterances. (Four in all). A THE HEAVENLY VOICES are also portioned out according to the above plan: A A A i | All heaven (6). The four Zoa, or Living ones, and twenty-four Elders; only here and in No. vii. A A A A A A A A A A A ii | Those out of the great tribulation (2). A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A iii | Great voices (2). A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A iv | A loud voice (1). A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A v | Great voices (1). A A A A A A A A A A A vi | Those out of the great tribulation (1). A A A vii | All heaven (4). The four Zoa, or Living Ones, and twenty-four Elders; only here and in No. i. A From all this it is clear that we have to do with Divine handiwork when we come to the study of this book. We have before us not one of the many Apocalyptic writings which have been put forth at various times by men, which are for the most part unintelligible dreamings; [59] but we have on which differs from, and stands out amid, them all; having the Divine impress stamped upon it; thus marking it as worthy of our deepest attention and most reverent study. It may be well to append a complete list or table of these utterances as a guide to their further study by our readers: a?" A TABLE OF THE SEVENTEEN HEAVENLY UTTERANCES. H ^^1. Chaps. iv. and v. The four Zoa, or Living ones. iv. 8. "Holy, Holy, Holy," &c. (Three-fold). The twenty-four Elders. iv. 11. "Thou are worthy ... to receive," &c. (Three-fold). The four Zoa, or Living ones, and the twenty-four Elders. v. 9,10. (A new song). "Thou are worthy to take the book," &c. Many angels and the four Living ones, and the Elders and thousands of angels. v. 12. "Worthy is the Lamb," &c. (Seven-fold). Every creature. v. 13. "Blessing and honour and glory," &c. (Four-fold). The four Zoa, or Living ones. v. -14-. "Amen." H ^^2. vii. 9 - viii. 6 The great multitude out of the great tribulation. vii. 10. "Salvation to our God," &c. All the angels round about the throne. vii. 12. "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom," &c. (Seven-fold). H ^^3. xi. 15-19-. Great voices. xi. -15. "The Kingdom of the world is become," &c. The twenty-four Elders. xi. 17. "We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty." H ^^4. xii. 1-12 A loud voice. xii. 10-12. "Now is come salvation, and strength," &c. H ^^5. xiv. 1-5 A voice from heaven. xiv. 3. A new song (no words). H ^^6. xv. 1-8 They that had gotten the victory over the beast, &c. xv. -3. "Great and marvellous are they works, Lord God Almighty," &c. H ^^7. xix. 1-16 A great voice of much people in heaven. xix. -1-3. "Alleluia: salvation and glory," &c. (Four-fold) The twenty-four Elders and the four Zoa, or Living ones. xix. -4-. "Amen, Alleluia." A voice out of the throne. xix. 5. "Praise our God, all ye his people," &c. The voice of a great multitude, &c. xix. -6, 7. "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," &c. We shall note, as we proceed, the relation of these Heavenly Voices to the transactions which follow on the earth. Meanwhile, our readers may make out for themselves a more complete list of these utterances, and study the distinguishing features of each. Before closing this chapter, we may add the following from Canon Bernard's Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament. [60] A He beautifully expands the thought and the truth involved in the seven pairs of alternate visions which we have pointed out as being "in heaven" and "on earth." He says:a?" "We have here.... a doctrine of the history of the consummation: I mean that, besides a prophetic record of the facts of the history, we have (what is of much higher value) an exposition of the nature of the history. The book is a revelation of the connection between things that are seen and things that are not seen, between things on earth [61] and things in heaven [62] ; a revelation which fuses both into one mighty drama; so that the movements of human action, and the course of visible fact, are half shrouded, half disclosed, amid the glory and the terror of the spiritual agencies at work around us, and of the eternal interests which we see involved. We are borne to the courts above, and the temple of God is opened in heaven, [63] and we behold the events on earth [64] as originating in what passes there. There seals are broken, trumpets are sounded, and vials are poured out, which rule the changes [of the world]... While we are looking down through the rolling mists on things that pass below, we are all the time [in vision] before the throne of God and of the Lamb, and among the four-and-twenty elders, the four living beings, and the innumerable company of angels; and we hear voices proceeding out of the throne... and hallelujahs that roll through the universe. We see, further, that there is cause for this participation of the world above in the events of the world below; for it becomes more plain that the earth is the battlefield of the kingdoms of light and darkness. There is a far bolder revelation that we have had before of the presence and action of the powers of evil. The Old Serpent is on one side, as the Lamb is on the other; and the same light which shows the movements of the Head and Redeemer of our race, falls also upon those of the enemy and destroyer. In the sense of this connection between things seen and things not seen lies the secret of that awe, and elevation of mind, which we felt as children when we first turned these pages; and the assurance that it has an ever increasing value to him who has painfully sought to test the mingled form of good and ill, and to discern some plan and purpose in the confused scene around him" (pp. 193, 194). "The books is a doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 'Behold He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him.' [65] A That is the first voice, and the key-note of the whole. The Epistles...[in chaps. ii. and iii.] ... all take their tone from this thought, and are the voice of a Lord who will 'come quickly.' The visions which follow draw to the same end, and the last voices of the book respond to the first, and attest its subject and its purpose. 'He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus.' [66] ... Toward that hope our eyes have been steadily directed in the former Apostolic writings; but it is here presented, not so much in relation to our personal life as to the kingdom of God and to the world itself upon the whole. It appears here as the (...) (the sunteleia or consummation of the age), towards which all things tend... Differences and uncertainties of interpretation as to the details... still leave us under the sense that it is a history of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This assurance, enjoyed at all times, grows clearer in the days of trouble, rebuke and blasphemy: and the darkest times which the prophecy forebodes will be those in which its fullest uses will be found." [67] A __________________________________________________________________ [58] Singing is mentioned only three times in Revelation: chap. v. 9, xiv. 3, xv. 3. [59] Such as The Sibyllene Oracles (180 B.C. - 350 A.D.); The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (130 B.C - 10 A.D.); The Psalms of Solomon (70-40 B.C.); The Book of Jubilees (40-10 B.C.); The Ascension of Isaiah (1-100 A.D.); The Assumption of Moses (14-30 A.D.); The Apocalypse of Baruch (50-90 A.D.); The Book of Enoch (200-260 A.D.). [60] Bampton Lectures for 1864. Macmillan. 5th Edition. 1900. [61] Our italics [62] Our italics [63] Our italics [64] Our italics [65] Rev. i. 7. [66] xxii. 20. [67] Our italics. __________________________________________________________________ The Introduction: Chapter 1 We now have to deal with each of these eighteen large members [as previously outlined]. We must expand the structure of each; and then give a translation, with such explanatory remarks as may be necessary to help us in understanding the inspired words. We are aware that some persons consider these structures as more or less fanciful. But we may ask, why are we to make a distinction between God's words and God's works? "All his works are perfect." Students of science never weary in examining them; and the more closely they examine them the more of this perfection do they discover in their structure, order, arrangement, beauty, etc., etc. But God's words are part of His Works. Why should not students of God's Word deal with it in the same way, and expect to find the same perfection of structure, order and beauty? Why are His words to be treated as though they were imperfect, and His works perfect? It is written, "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." (Ps. cxi. 2). We believe that His words also are great and perfect; and as we have, and trust our readers also have, intense "pleasure therein," we propose to seek them out and to "search" the Scriptures, so that we may all be able to say, "I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil" (Ps. cxix. 162). Our readers are exhorted to study them carefully, for they are the key to the whole Book. They show us what is the Scope of the whole; and also of its various parts. They tell us what is emphatic; and what are the special points on which we are to fix our attention. Thus we shall have a constant and never-failing guide ever at hand to direct our studies and control our thoughts. In the consideration of these Structures we shall get such an impression of the Divine source of the Book and of its perfections (even though we may not fully grasp them), that we shall be impelled to receive its revelation as "the Word of God," and "not as the Word of men" (I Thess. ii. 13). The INTRODUCTION (chap. i) is constructed on exactly the same plan as the CONCLUSION (xxii. 6-21). Each consists of four pairs of four members each. It is not always, or even often, that the Introduction and Conclusion of a book thus correspond with each other. But this book of the Revelation is peculiar. Four is the number symbolising that which has to do with the earth; and sixteen is the square of four. It is significant that this book should be rounded off so perfectly as to declare, thus, outwardly and symbolically, that it relates to this earth; and to the putting square of all that concerns it. Everything is out of course now: but all is to be put square ere long; and in this book we are told how it is going to be done. The following is the structure of chapter i., which forms the "Introduction" to the whole book. To appreciate it more, we ought carefully to compare it with the structure of the "Conclusion," which will be given in its place. A | E^^1 | a^^1 | i. 1. The angel testifying. b^^1| 2. The things testified. F^^1 | c^^1 | 3-. Benediction. ("Blessed.") d^^1 | -3. Advent. ("The time is at hand.") E^^2 | a^^2 | 4-. John testifying. b^^2 | -4,5-. The things testified. F^^2 | c^^2 | -5,6. Ascription. ("Unto Him.") d^^2 | 7,8. Advent ("Behold He cometh.") E^^3 | a^^3 | 9-. John testifying. b^^3 | -9-11. The things testified. F^^3 | d^^3 | 12-16. Advent. (Visions of the Coming One.) c^^3 | 17-. Salutation. ("Fear not.") E^^4 | a^^4 | -17-18. Jesus testifying (of Himself). b^^4 | 19. The things testified. F^^4 | d^^4 | 20-. Advent. (Vision 12-16, d3) referred to.) c^^4 | -20. Interpretation. ("The 7 stars are," &c.) This Structure shows us that the emphasis is specially placed on two things:-- The Advent (F), and Testimony concerning the Advent (E). In each of the latter of the two pairs (F^^1, F^^2, F^^3, and F^^4) the Advent is alternated with four other subjects:-- Benediction, Ascription, Salutation, and Interpretation. But these are introverted. For, whereas, in the first two pairs the Advent follows the Benediction and the Ascription respectively, it precedes the Salutation and the Interpretation in the last two pairs. Moreover, the Advent is testified in two ways. In the first two pairs (d^^1 and d^^2) it is testified in words; but in the last two pairs (d^^3 and d^^4) it is testified in vision. Our attention is called to this difference by the Introversions in F^^3 and F^^4. And now, to show how perfectly, not only the introduction, as a whole, is constructed, but also, how perfect are each of its parts (or members), we must expand the first member, E1, as an example, in full. This makes it perfectly clear that in these first two verses we have the essence of the whole book. This first member, consisting of these two verses, is divided into two parts, which have a perfect correspondence with each other. This correspondence is hidden by the faulty human verse-division. In each division we have the same four subjects, viz., giving of the Book; Its medium, purpose, and subject; first, in Intention; and then, in Execution. E^^1, i. 1, 2. The Angel Testifying and the Things Testified. Intention | E^^1 | e | 1-. The Revelation Given] "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave f | -1-. The Medium] "unto him, g | -1-. The Purpose] "to show unto his servants h | -1-. The Subject] "things which must shortly come to pass; Execution | E^^1 | e | -1-. The Revelation Given] "And he sent and signified it f | -1-. The Medium] "by his angel g | -1,2-. The Purpose] "unto his servant John: who bare record h | -2. The Subject] "of the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." We need not proceed further with the expansions of all these members. Our readers will have noticed that, in E^^1, we have combined the full text with the outline or skeleton of the structure. But this text is from the Authorized Version. In our Exposition we propose to give our own Translation, with such explanatory notes as may serve to make it clear. THE TRANSLATION OF E^^1, chap. i. 1, 2. i. 1. THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST] This is the Divine title of the book. All other titles, whether ancient or modern, are human, and are therefore not worth discussing, or even enumerating. The book is often called the Apocalypse, which is the transliteration of the Greek word rendered "Revelation." (...) means literally an unveiling, from (...) apo away from, and (...) kalupto, to veil: and may be understood either of the taking a veil from a person, and so causing him to become visible (as when a statue is said to be unveiled); or of taking a veil from the future, and disclosing the course of events which shall take place. [68] Probably both senses are true here. And, if the latter, then it shows us that what follows in this book is to be taken literally; for, when the Lord would not reveal, but would hide the meaning of His words, He spoke in parables and used emblems (Matt. xiii. 10-16. Mark iv. 11, 12). With (...) en in, i.e. When he shall be revealed, 2 Thess. i. 7. 1 Pet. iv. 13. Manifestation, Rom. viii. 19. Appearing, 1 Pet. i. 7. Coming, 1 Cor. i. 7 (marg. revelation). With (...) eis into, To lighten, Luke. ii. 32. which God gave to Him] Here it is not the Father who instructs His children; but , it is "God," as Sovereign, who informs His "servants" through Christ, who is (in His mediatorial character) emphatically the Servant (see Is. xlii. 1, 7, &c.), where, as a "bruised reed" and "smoking flax," He is not broken or quenched "till He have set judgment in the earth." The time has now come for Him to execute this judgment: and therefore God, from His throne of government, gives to His Servant, Jehovah-Jesus, to show. (Compare John v. 19, 20; vii. 16; viii. 28; xii. 49; xiv. 10; xvii. 7, 8. Matt. xi. 27. Mark xiii. 32. Acts. i. 7). to show] Here we have the same word as that which is used in the opening of the "Conclusion" of this book (xxii. 6). It means to to present to view, and has a close connection with the visions and signs (compare Matt. iv. 8; viii. 4). But it must not be restricted to this, as is clear from Matt. xvi. 21. [69] to His servants] Not "all Christians" (as such), as Alford says, but to Israel, to whom the word "servant" peculiarly belongs. We have already said something on this subject, so that we need only add that it is not used of Christians in the Pauline Epistles, but it is in 1 Cor. vii. 22, and in four cases where he refers to himself and others as singled out for special service. Indeed, in one place an important argument is built on the emphatic distinction between servants and sons (Gal. iv. 7): "Wherefore thou are no more a servant, but a son." (See 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18, and compare John xv. 15). On the other hand, it is used fourteen times of those who are the subject of the Apocalypse. In the Old Testament it is the common word for Israel under the covenant of works. (See Lev. xxv. 42, 55. Isa. xlix. 3; lxv. 15, &c., &c.). what things must needs come to pass] by the necessity of Divine ruling and over-ruling. That is to say, they are not left to chance, for they must needs come to pass. We have the exact words here from the Septuagint of Dan. ii. 29. In other words, God will fulfil that which He reveals. with speed] (...) en tache occurs eight times, [70] from which our readers may themselves see that it is used in two senses: quickly, as to speed; and soon, as to time. Both may be true here: and, if the latter (according to Luke. xviii. 8) be relied on, then we must note that delay is implied, "though He bear long with them" (verse 7). Such delay is implied in Rev. x. 6: "for there shall be no more delay." In God's speedy time (with whom a thousand years are as one day, 2 Pet. iii. 8), He will bring them to pass; and when that time comes He will do it with speed, and "make a short work of it" (Rom. ix. 28). and He signified it] i.e., God, see xxii. 6. The word means (etymologically) to show by signs: but it must not be restricted to this meaning, as the other occurrences of the word clearly show. See John xii. 33; xviii. 32; xxi. 19. Acts xi. 28; xxv. 27. Rev. i. 1. The restriction referred to has caused the Apocalypse to be looked upon as a book of signs and symbols which no one can understand. The fact is that about half the symbols (14) are definitely explained (though these explanations are often again taken by expositors as being symbolical!) Being Divinely explained, they serves as a key to those which are unexplained. [71] sending by His angel to His servant John] John, like Paul and others, was singled out for this special service to his own fellow-servants. Compare Isa. xlix. 5. Amos iii. 7. 2. who testified] The past tense shows that the Introduction, though coming first, was necessarily written last. The word connects the Introduction with the Conclusion. Compare i. 1 with xxii. 16, 20. The only three occurrences in this book. It means here not only testified, but published and made known. of (or, as to) the Word of God] We have seen above that this is the common idiomatic phrase for a direct prophetic communication. This, therefore, stands first, and is used of the whole book. and the testimony of Jesus Christ] i.e., which He testified when on earth. This book or prophetic word does not go outside the scope of what Jesus bare testimony to, in His own prophetic teaching. That is the essence of the prophecy of this book, and the "spirit" of it. See xxii. 6. what things soever he saw] Not only what he heard as a direct prophetic message, but what he saw represented in vision. God gave the Revelation to Christ, Christ signified by His angel to John; and John hereby makes it known. He says, in xxii. 8 (where we have another connecting link between the Conclusion and the Introduction), "I John saw these things, and heard them." We have also another proof, in this past tense (i. 2), that the Introduction was written last; or, at any rate, after the seeing and the hearing referred to. The second member, F^^2, consists of only one verse (i. 3); the subject of which is two-fold:-- viz., Benediction, and The Advent. It may be expanded as follows:-- THE EXPANSION OF F^^2, chap. i. 3. Benediction and Advent. F^^2 | i | 3- Benediction ] "Blessed j | k | -3-. Persons ] "be he that readeth, and they that hear l | -3-. Words ] "the words of this prophecy, j | k | -3-. Persons ] "and keep l | -3-. Words ] "those things that are written therein: | i | -3. Reason ] "for the time is at hand." THE TRANSLATION OF F^^2, chap. i. 3. 3. Blessed (or, happy) be he that readeth, and they who hear ] This points to one reader and many listeners (Luke iv. 16). From the neglect of this book, one would suppose it said, "Blessed are those who do not read." So openly is this blessing rejected; yea, sometimes boastfully! If there be a reference here to public reading, then the neglect of this book indeed stands exposed, and the attitude so generally assumed with regard to it is tacitly condemned. the words of this prophecy ] There is a reference here to the spoken words, especially to the seventeen heavenly utterances, as distinct from the things written. The words spoken are the key to the things written, for it is added: and keep in mind the things which stand written therein ] "Keep" is a Hebrew idiom. The word (...) shamar means to remember, to ponder upon. See the LXX. translation of it in Gen. xvii. 9, xxxvii. 11. Num. xxviii. 2, etc. Compare also Luke i. 66, "and all they that heard them (the sayings) laid them up in their hearts"; Luke ii. 19, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." So also verse 51. The word is used also of remembering so as to obey; but this can hardly be appropriate here, for "prophecy" is not precept. for the season is near ] The word (...) kairos refers to the ordained and appointed time, viz., the time occupied by what is written, i.e., the Advent of the Day of the Lord. The prophecy of this book is not to be put aside as though it referred to things so remote that they have no concern for us. But they are always to be regarded as near, and kept in our minds, so that our life may be influenced by them, and that we may walk in view of the nearness of the Day when the Lord will judge, and thus be without care as to this present time in which man is judging, which is called "man's day" (1 Cor. iv. 3). Paul shows us how this prophecy may be "kept" in a practical manner in 1 Cor. iv. 1-5. We need not further minutely expand the various members of this Introduction; but proceed with the translation, referring our readers to the Structure of E^^2 and F^^2. THE TRANSLATION OF E^^2 a^^2, chap. i. 4-. John testifying. 4-. John to the seven assemblies which are in Asia ] We have already shown that the word (...) ecclesia is used in many senses. We take it here in the neutral sense of Assembly, which leaves the interpretation open. Certain assemblies are specially addressed. They are recognised as being on the earth at the time when the things written in this prophecy shall be fulfilled. The continued reference in these seven Epistles to the body or subject-matter of the Apocalypse shows that chaps. ii. and iii. are not to be separated from the rest of the book. We shall see this more clearly when we come to the Epistles themselves. All are agreed that there will be, and must be, a people on the earth during "the Day of the Lord," such as are alluded to in xii. 17; xiii. 10; xiv. 12, etc.; and all must agree also that they will need some special instruction. Where is such instruction, if it be not that which is given to them in these seven Epistles? The interpretation of them belongs to that day. But that does not shut out such application as may have been made by those who read them in John's day; or as may be made by us who read them in our own day. Each read, and each get the promised blessing, in turn. But, when the Church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air, we shall not take away this book and these Epistles with us; but those who are left behind will then learn what the true interpretation is, as we had never done. They will see the fulfilment of what is here prophesied. They, too, will get their blessing; and we see in the Jewish Remnant, and the various companies of people in this book, what the reality of that blessing will be. E^^2 b^^2, i. -4, 5-. -4, 5-. Grace to you, and peace, from Him that is, and that was, and that is coming ] Here we have an undoubted reference to, and paraphrase of, the name of Jehovah, as revealed in Ex. iii. 14. It is not from the Father to His children, as in the Church Epistles; but it is from Jehovah as He was revealed and made known to Israel. This is in perfect keeping with what we hold to be the scope of the book. Three times we have this periphrasis of Jehovah, and yet it is varied according to the emphasis we are to place upon it. In i. 4 and 8, it is "is, and was, and is to come." In iv. 8, it is, "was, and is, and is to come." In xi. 17 it is, "art and wast" ( the third or future verb, being omitted according to the critical Greek Texts, L. T. Tr. W.H. A.V. and R.V.). Hence in ch. i. 4, 8, the emphasis is on "is." In iv. 8, it is on "was." And in xi. 17 it is on "art." It is for us to learn what this emphasis teaches and we can do so as we come to the respective passages. and from the seven spirits which are before His throne ] This fact that they are "before," or in the presence of, God's Throne, shows that they occupy the position of servants (see 1 Kings x. 8), and of created beings (iv. 5, 10; vii. 9, 15; viii. 2; xi. 4, 16; xii. 10; xiv. 3, 5, 10; xx. 12). This one fact ought to have precluded the idea that these seven could be one, and that one Divine! There is nothing in the whole Bible which represents the Holy Spirit in such a subordinate position. He is equal with the Father and with the Son. On the other hand, angels are constantly represented as occupying this position. And angels are again referred to in iv. 5, under the symbol of seven lamps (to which other spiritual creatures are likened in Ezek. i. 13). There are other references to these seven angels in the book: e.g., viii. 2. "The seven": i.e., the well-known, or before mentioned seven. Angels are specially called "spirits." See Heb. i. 7, 14. Psa. civ. 4. "He maketh His angels spirits." The word is used of any spiritual being, higher than men, and lower than Deity; without corporeal garb of "flesh and blood." Where there is any doubt as to the nature of these beings, they are always defined: e.g., a "dumb spirit," Mark ix. 17. Compare verse 20. Luke ix. 39; x. 20; xiii. 11. Matt. viii. 16. Acts xvi. 16. [72] In Acts viii. 26, "the angel of the Lord" was sent on a special mission to Philip. Immediately afterwards he is called (verse 29) "the spirit" who spake to Philip; and then, in verse 39, the same angelic messenger is called "the spirit" [73] of the Lord," who ended his mission by catching Philip away to Azotus. In Rev. iii. 1, we have the seven spirits of God joined with the seven stars. In Rev. v. 6, we see these "seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." If it be objected that this interpretation opens the door to angel-worship, the answer is that the door is effectually closed in this very book, in xix. 10; xxii. 9: "See thou do it not." If it be objected that "angels" would not be mentioned in connection with God and the Lord Jesus, the answer is that they are so mentioned in 1 Tim. v. 21, "God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels." Are these the Holy Spirit? The answer is No! The thought embodied in this combination here, in Rev. i. 4, is not so much the Triune Deity, as such; but that of the supreme High Court of heaven having jurisdiction on earth; angels being the assessors. Compare Mark viii. 38. Luke ix. 26; xii. 8, where we have a similar thought. Nowhere do we find the Holy Spirit associated with the Father and the Son in any salutation. Not even in the Pauline Church Epistles. In those Epistles, He is viewed as being here on earth with the Church, and grace and peace come from Heaven; from the Father and the Son. In this dispensation angels are our servants, see Heb. i. 14; ii. 1, 2, 5. In the coming Dispensation, after the Church is removed, Angels are no longer servants, they are associated with Heaven's high court, and are connected with the throne. The Son Himself will act as "before the angels of God." (Luke xii. 8, 9). All these grounds are from Scripture; but the objections to them are only what interpreters find it "difficult to believe." It is a question of what God has said; and not what man may think difficult or easy to believe. 5. and from Jesus Christ ] The once humbled One who is now exalted and glorified. the Faithful witness ] Compare Isa. lv. 4. the First-born of the dead ] See Col. i. 18. and the Ruler of the kings of the earth ] It is remarkable that all these three titles are combined in Psa. lxxxix. 27, 37. "I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth... his throne shall be as a faithful witness in heaven?" See also Isa. lii. 15. Rev. vi. 15; xvii. 4; xix. 16. the comparison with the kings of the earth is parallel with Psa. ii. 2. The sudden change from the genitive case (of Jesus Christ) to the Nominatives which follow it, is very remarkable; and implies the immutability of the Divine Nature, as in "that is, and that was, and that is coming" above; we might also compare Heb. xiii. 8, or supply, as in the A.V. "who is." These titles have no relation to the Church of God, but to Dominion in the earth. It is the fulfilment of Luke i. 32, which is about to take place: hence this appropriate titles are here assumed. In Dan. viii. 25, Christ is spoken of as the "Prince of princes," but only in connection with Israel. That we have here an earthly rule: and that the Dominion in the Earth is about to be taken and used by the Son of Man, is clear from many Scriptures. (See Rev. xi. 17, 18; xvii. 14; xix. 16. Psa. ii., xlv., cx. Isa. ix. 6, 7). F^^2 c^^2, i. -5, 6. Ascription. To Him that loveth us ] All the critical Greek Texts and R.V. read the present and not the past participle here. We have given our reasons above in our ninth point, for our belief that this expression is one of those which belongs peculiarly to Israel. And the present participle here tells us that Jehovah's love to Israel is everlasting (Jer. xxxi. 3. Isa. liv. 10); that He who chose their fathers, and loved them, is now about to show that that love is still a present love, and what it is about to do for them. and washed (or loosed [74] ) us from our sins ] The reading here is somewhat doubtful. We have given both, for both contain parts of the whole truth. "Washed," is more vivid here, and more in accordance with Hebrew idiom. For "washed," see Psa. li. 2, 7. Isa. i. 16, 18. Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Heb. x. 22: and for "loosed," compare Matt. xx. 28. Heb. ix. 12. Rev. v. 9; xiv. 3, 4. In either case this is the fulfilment of Psa. cxxx. 8, "He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities," and of Isa. xl. 1, 2, where Jehovah says, "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare (or appointed time) is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." And this is the object of the coming of Jehovah Jesus, as announced in Matt. i. 21, "He shall save his people from their sins." by His blood] Certainly not "in" His blood. Such a thing was never heard of in the Old Testament. It was not "in" blood that sins were purged away, but "by" blood, for blood itself was a cause of defilement. It was by the precious atoning merits of Him of whose death the blood speaks. [75] 6. and He made us to be a kingdom and priests] This is Hebrew in idiom and in meaning. The explanation will be found in Ex. xix. 6, where God says, respecting Israel (not the Church!), " ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests"; which the Septuagint renders "a royal priesthood." These also are the words written to "elect strangers," the Dispersion in I Peter ii. 5, 9. It is the figure Hendiadys, by which the noun "kingdom" become a superlative adjective. Thus, "and He made us priests--yes, and royal priests, too"; or, 'He made us a kingly order--the members of which are holy and set apart for the service of God.' We are aware that these words are unlawfully claimed and appropriated by the Church, and used as a poor and weak argument against the pretensions of Rome and Romanisers. Where do we read one word about the Christians being priests, in any one of the Epistles addressed to believers by the Holy Spirit through Paul? The very thought is foreign to Scripture, and contrary to fact. But such promises were directly and distinctly made to Israel. See, as to priests, Is. lxi. 6. I Pet. ii. 5 (and compare Rev. v. 10 and xx. 6). As to kings, see Ps. xlix. 14. Dan. vii. 22, 27. Matt. xix. 28. Luke xxii. 29, 30 (and compare Rev. ii. 26, 27, and iii. 21). There can clearly be no priests of any kind in this Dispensation. The Epistle to the Hebrews teaches that the Aaronic order has no longer any place; and that the Melchizedec order is absorbed in Jesus Christ (Heb. vi.-viii.). If Christians, to-day, are kings, who are their subjects? and if they are priests, where and for whom do they perform priestly duties? For priestly service was on behalf of others, "first for his own sins; and then for the people's" (Heb. v. 1; vii. 27). to His God and Father] (see John xx. 17). Not "our" Father, as in the Pauline Epistles (I Thess. i. 3; iii. 11, etc.). In due season this ascription shall be realised, as we see from chap. xx. 4. With regard to the word "Father" introduced here, we have to remember that the Priest's office was hereditary. Only Aaron's sons were priests. to Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever (Lit., unto the ages of the ages.) Amen] To Him (of course) who " loved the people" (Deut. xxxiii. 3) is this ascription given. The Greek here for "unto the ages of the ages" is merely a literal rendering of the Hebrew idiom. Such an expression for eternity was unknown to the Classical Greek writers. F^^2 d^^2, i. 7, 8. Advent. 7. Behold,] Our attention is thus called to what is the sequel to all that has been said. We are to gaze by faith on this wondrous and solemn fact. He cometh with (or, amid the) clouds] This is an Old Testament reference. Lit., with the clouds, i.e., with the clouds so often mentioned in connection with His coming in glory. Believers are to be "caught up in clouds to meet the Lord in the air." They will accompany the Lord when "He comes with clouds" to the earth. Two very different scenes are described, here and in I Thess. iv. 17. This is the same aspect of His coming as that mentioned in Matt. xxiv. 30. "THEN (i.e., "immediately" after the great tribulation) shall appear the sign of the Son of Man (Rev. i. 13) in heaven: and THEN shall all the tribes of the earth (or the Land) mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in (or with) the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (i.e., with great and glorious power)." The clouds are mentioned as His chariot in Psalm xviii. 11; civ. 3. Compare also Ex. xix. 16; xl. 34. Is. vi. 4; xix.1. Ezek. i. 4. The passages specially connected with Rev. i. 7 are Dan. vii. 13, 14. Matt. xxiv. 30; xxvi. 64, and Mark xiv. 62. and every eye shall see Him] "Eye" is put by Synecdoche for person, i.e., everyone on the earth will see Him. So Matt. xxiv. 30. But not the Church of God, for it will be then already in heaven, and not on the earth. even those very ones who pierced Him] These are specially singled out--"all those who," for His brethren, like Joseph's brethren, will then mourn for Him. Compare John xix. 34, which quotes Zech. xii. 10. [76] and all the tribes of the Land] Not "kindreds," for the word is the same as in Matt. xxiv. 30. And it is the tribes "of the Land," not of the whole earth. The tribes of Israel are the subject here, as in v. 5; vii. 4-8; and xxi. 12. will wail because of Him] i.e., at (the) sight of Him; or, over Him. This very wailing is described in Zech. xii. 10-12, and is there declared to take place "in that day," the day of the Lord. This fixes for us the sense in which "the Lord's day" is to be taken in Rev. i. 10. How can the Church of God be brought in here? Did the Church of God pierce Him? Are the members of the Body of Christ members also of the "Tribes of the Land"? And what have they to wail and beat themselves for, when they are distinctly told that "the day of the Lord" shall not come upon them as a thief (1 Thess. v. 4), but that it will come upon others "as travail upon a woman with child; and THEY shall not escape" (I Thess v. 3). Those who can bring the Church in here cannot possibly have any true conception of what the Church is. Even this mourning of Israel will be very different from the fear and trembling and destruction which will come upon the Gentiles. See Isa. ii. 19. Rev. vi. 16. Israel's mourning will be with that repentance which is so often spoken of as the one necessary condition of national blessing. Yea: Amen] A double confirmation of the truth of this solemn statement. Compare the conclusion, xxii. 20. The figure is Synonymia, i.e., the use of synonymous words in order to strengthen the certainty of this prophecy. 8. I am Alpha and Omega [77] ] What this means is explained in verse 17, and again in xxii. 13. This is a Hebraism, in common use among the Ancient Jewish Commentators to designate the whole of anything from the beginning to the end; e.g., "Adam transgressed the whole law from (...) (Aleph) to (...) (Tau)"; [78] "Abraham kept the whole law from (...) to (...)." [79] The article is used in the Greek, but it is not required either by the Hebrew or English idioms. Here it means "the first and the last," as explained in verse 17 and xxii. 12, 13. This title is not a church title, but is specially used in connection with Israel. See Ex. iii. 14. Isa. xli. 4; xliii. 10; xliv. 6, 8; xlviii. 12; and Rev. xxi. 6. saith the LORD God [80] ] Another Old Testament title, used first in Gen. ii. See also remarks on this. The title "Jehovah" (or LORD) expresses His covenant relation with Israel; "God" expresses His relationship as Creator with mankind as a whole. that is, and that was, and that is coming] See our notes on this above, on verse 4. The emphasis is on the word "is," as shown, by being put first. the Almighty] We have considered this title above and its bearing on our conviction that it points to relationship with Israel. (...) (ho pantokrator) is rendered in the Septuagint as the equivalent for "the Lord of hosts." In Amos iv. 13 as "God of hosts"; in Job it is used for "Shaddai." The word is used only once in the New Testament outside the Apocalypse, and that in a quotation from Jer. xxxi. 1, 9, concerning Israel's future (2 Cor. vi. 18). What the combination of these titles says to us here is this: "I, the Almighty Lord of hosts, the unchangeable God, will accomplish all My will, fulfil all My word, and execute all My judgments." We now come to the third set of four members: in which we find the same subjects repeated; but not precisely in the same order. In the former two the Advent follows the Benediction and the Ascription; while in the latter two it precedes the Salutation and the Interpretation. E^^3a^^3 i. 9-. John Testifying. 9 I John] as in i. 4, and in the Conclusion, xxii. 8. Compare also Dan. vii. 28; ix. 2; x. 2. The word "also" must be omitted. even (or, both) your brother] according to the flesh, as well as in a higher relation. (Compare Acts ix. 30; xi. 29. Rev. xii. 10, &c.) and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience] The construction and order of the Greek here is pronounced by commentators as "peculiar." Alford calls it "startling." This is because the Figure of speech is not discerned. It is Hendiatris, i.e., three words are used, but only one thing is meant. The one thing is "the tribulation," and the two other words characterise it as being, not the tribulation which the world experiences, but that (for the article is emphatic here) which is specially connected with the "Kingdom" (Acts xiv. 22. 2 Tim. ii. 12; and Rev. xx. 6), and that which needs "patient waiting" (Rev. ii. 2, 3, 19; iii. 10; xiii. 10; xiv. 12). which are in [81] Jesus] Not "of Jesus," as A.V. But in Him, in His Kingdom and in His patient waiting (2 Thess. iii. 5 marg., and R.V. Comp. Heb. x. 13). John stood in the same relation to these things as those to whom he wrote. Their brotherhood was "in Jesus." But the fellowship of the Church of God is always said to be "in Christ" (never "in Jesus"). The members of His body died in Him, and are risen in Him. Henceforth they know Him no more after the flesh [82] (2 Cor. v. 15, 17), but stand on new or resurrection ground; and know Him as the great and glorious Head in Heaven of that Body of which they are the members here on earth. E^^3 b^^3 i. -9-11. The Things Testified. (I) came to be in the isle that is called Patmos] The verb is (...) (egenomon), not the verb to be. It means to come to be; and, when used of an event, we can say, it came to pass. But how are we to render it when it is used of a person? "Came to be" is not happy English. "Found myself " is perhaps better. The word describes a fact, though it does not explain it. That explanation, therefore, follows:-- because of the Word of God, and [83] the testimony of Jesus [84] ] The preposition (...) (dia), with the accusative case following, denotes the occasion or object, rather than the cause (which would be expressed by the Genitive case. But chap. i. 2 settles the point for us: for there "the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" are other names for this Book (vi. 9 and xx. 4), and consist of "the things which John saw in Patmos." How could he be banished there because of the things which he saw there? No! it was because he was to receive and see these things that John came to be or found himself in Patmos. He was there by Divine Spirit and power in order to receive this Apocalypse or Revelation, just as Paul went into Arabia to receive his revelation (Gal. i. 15-17) (Compare Gal. ii. 1, 2). That John was banished to Patmos on account of his witness for Christ is tradition. That, probably, is the reason why it is so universally accepted as a fact; though not a hint is given of it here where we should naturally expect to find it. We prefer to accept the unanswerable evidence of verse 2, which, to our mind, settles the matter as to the object of John's coming to be in Patmos. Moreover, he seems to have nothing to hinder his seeing and hearing and writing. He had leisure to obey the seven-fold command to write. And why does everyone take Patmos literally here, when nearly every other place mentioned in this book is taken as meaning some different place? Even the places of the seven churches are taken by some to be no places at all, but merely periods of time! The fact that Patmos is taken literally shows that other places mentioned in the Revelation are to be taken literally also; especially as we are plainly told when we are not to do so. But why Patmos at all? The answer is surely to be found in the fact that it was in "the great Sea," which is the central point of the Revelation. Rome lay to the West. The Land, the Euphrates, and Babylon lay on the East. In the Isle of Patmos then he came to be, and in like manner, he tells us: 10. I came to be (or, found myself), by theSpirit in the day of the Lord] i.e., by the power, or agency, of the Spirit, just as in iv. 2, xvii. 3, and xxi.10. In order to see "visions of God" the prophet Ezekiel (i. 1) was under the direct influence and power of the Spirit. John was transported by spiritual instrumentality into the scenes which shall take place in the Day of the Lord, and records what he then saw in vision: namely: the things which shall take place literally and actually in that Day. How this may have been accomplished we may learn from Ezek. viii. 3: "And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem." In chapter xl. 2, 3, he says, "In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, . . . And he brought me thither." Ezekiel goes on to record what he saw of events and realities in the far distant future, and describes the Temple which is then to be built. In Ezek. xi. 24, 25, we read, "Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shewed me." Those things concerned the future restoration of Israel (see verses 16-20). In the face of this, why should we go out of our way to put an unmeaning sense on the phrase "in the Spirit " in Rev. i. 10? There is no article in the Greek. It is simply "in spirit." There is no reason why the word (...) (en) here should not have the sense of "by," denoting in or by the power of. It is rendered "by" 141 times in the New Testament. (See, for example, Matt. xxiii. 20, 21, 22. 2 Cor. vi. 6, &c., &c.) In this case it would mean here exactly what it means in Ezekiel, by, or by the power of the Spirit--by which power John was transported, and thus "came to be" in future scenes and times, and saw "visions of God," i.e., visions given by God, which he here records for our learning. Compare similar statements, chap. iv. 2; xvii. 3; xxi. 10. On the phrase "the Lord's day" see our preliminary propositions. and I heard behind me a great (i.e., loud) voice, of a trumpet] This means a voice as loud as a trumpet; the strength, not the quality, being the point to be noted. This trumpet is specially associated in the Old Testament with war and with "the Day of the LORD." See Zeph. i. 14-16. "The great day of the LORD is near, and hasteth greatly, it is near, even the voice of the day of the LORD: . . . A day of the trumpet." &c. Compare Joel ii. 1. 15: and iii. 16, where we have the same connection. 11. saying : [85] What thou seest, write in a book] not in seven separate Epistles, but in this Book; so as to be of special service for those who will be on the earth in the future Day of the Lord. Not "what thou at the present moment seest"; the context and the sequel clearly show that the present tense is here used in order to include all that he should see, and had actually begun to see. "What thou art seeing" carries on the action right through, so as to include all that we now have in this Book. Hence it is that the present tense is so often used; e.g., "are proceeding" (iv. 5); "is descending" (xvi. 21), &c. and send it to (or, for, i.e., for their use) the seven [86] assemblies [87] unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea] We cannot believe that these places are used symbolically of seven successive stages of ecclesiastical history. If they are, what is "Patmos" the symbol of? And how can a Place be a symbol of Time? When one thing is used as a symbol of another, there is always something common to both, by which the Symbol is connected with the thing symbolised. Besides, at the best, it is only a theory which had its origin in the mind of some good man. We prefer to believe (1) that the book was sent to these Assemblies at that time for them to read and hear and keep in mind; (2) that to us also now there is an application, so far as it accords with what is specially written as to our standing in Christ in the Pauline Epistles, and we may read and keep these words in mind, so that we, too, may receive the promised blessing; but (3) as there will be a People gathered in Assemblies or Synagogues on the earth all through the Day of the Lord and after the Church has been caught up (this is clear from xii. 1 7; xiii. 1O; xiv. 12), this book, therefore, will have its final and special interpretation for them. They will receive the blessing; and these Epistles will be exhausted by the interpretation they will then receive. Thus understanding these Assemblies, we rob no one, and deprive no one, of the blessing of verse 3. We have already made some remarks on this point, and shall have more to say when we come to the Epistles themselves. F^^3 d^^3, i. 12-16. Advent. The Vision of the Coming One. 12. And I turned to see the Voice which was speaking with me] Here we have two Figures-- (1) Metonomy of the effect, by which the "voice" is put for the person speaking; and (2) this, when used with the verb "to see," produces the figure Catachresis (or Incongruity), as a voice cannot be seen. These Figures properly rendered mean, "and I turned to see Him who spake with me." and, on turning, I saw seven lamp-stands of gold] They were realities that John saw, but realities used as symbols; and what they are symbolical of we are told in verse 20. That they were real in Heaven is clear from Heb. viii. 2, 5; ix. 23. But they are significant of things below. These seven lamp stands point us to the seven-fold golden lamp-stand of the Tabernacle. Ex. xxv. 31, 32, 37; xxxvii. 23. Heb. ix. 2. Then, there was but one lamp-stand: here, there are seven. There, Israel was one, and was gathered as one nation: here, that nation is scattered and in its Dispersion. The same fact explains the absence of the table of Shew-bread. 13. and in the midst of the seven [88] lamp-stands One like a son of man] i.e., by a Hebraism, a human being, viz., the Son of Man Himself. The title emphasizes the human nature of Him who thus appears to John. For its significance in relation to this book and its interpretation see above, and compare Dan. vii. 31. Ezek. i. 26; viii. 2. We now come to the Vision proper, and present the Expansion of the member F^^3d^^3, i. 12-16 The Vision of the Son of Man. F^^3d^^3 | m | 12, 13. Accessories: Seven lamp-stands, clothing, and girding. His Person n | o | 14.- Head. p | -14. Eyes. | o | 15-. Feet. p | -15. Voice. | m | 16-. Accessories: Seven stars, and sword. n | -16. His Person: Hand, mouth, countenance. The Vision itself, as we have seen above, is parallel with the vision Daniel saw (Dan. x.); and its object is the same (as there stated). "I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days." Then, it was added," for yet the vision is for many days." Now, the many days have passed, and "the time is at hand " (i. 3). The Day of the Lord is to be revealed to John. We need not enlarge or dwell upon the various aspects of the vision. clothed with a robe reaching to the feet, and girt about the breasts with a girdle or gold: 14. His head and hair white, as white wool--as snow (Dan. vii. 9.) and His eyes as a flame of fire; 15.and His feet like unto polished brass (Ezek. i. 7) glowing as in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters.] This is a common Old Testament simile, see Ezek. i. 24; xliii. 2. So Rev. xiv. 2; xix. 6. The comparison is, of course, the noise made by the waves of the sea upon the shore. 16. And having seven stars in His right hand; and out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth] A like Figure is used of men (Ps. iv. 21; vii. 4; lix. 7). What is signified by it is clear from Isa. xi. 4; xlix. 2, and 2 Thess. ii. 8. The Divine comment on it is in Rom. xiii. 4. Compare Matt. xxiv. 50, 51. Luke xii. 46. The sword is referred to again in chap. ii. 12, 16; and its final purpose is shown in xix. 15, 21. Luke xix. 27. and His countenance was as when the sun shineth in his strength.] F^^3C^^3, i. 17-18. Salutation. 17. And, when I had seen Him, I fell at His feet as dead: and He laid His right hand upon me, saying, [89] Fear not.] E^^4a^^4, i. -17, 18. Jesus Testifying of Himself. E^^4a^^4 | q | -17, 18-. Life. "I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. r | -18-. Death. "I was dead indeed; q | -18-. Life. "yet, behold! I am living for evermore. r | 18. Death. "And I have the keys of Death and the Grave." -17. I am the First and the Last] Compare Is. xli. 4; xliii. 10; xliv. 6; xlviii. 11, 12. The pronoun is emphatic, marking the commencement of a new member. 18. and the Living One] See above for the significance of this title. (...), Josh. iii. 10, the living God. I was dead, indeed, yet behold! I am living for ever and ever [90] ] We must keep our translation English, otherwise the Greek is, literally, 'I came to be (as in verses 9 and 10) dead, and behold I am living,' &c. The words "I live" are very emphatic, marking the speaker as being the fountain and giver of life. and I have the keys of Death and the Grave [91] ] Greeks, (...) (Hades). There is no occasion to introduce any idea of "souls" or of an "intermediate state," so-called, here. "Death and the Grave" is a comprehensive expression which explains itself. We translate it "grave," as the A.V. is compelled to render it in xx. 13 (marg.) and I Cor. xv. 55. The R. V. transliterates in i.19 and xx. 13 "Hades"; and in I Cor. xv. 55 reads "death" instead. E^^4 b^^4; i. 19. The Things Testified. 19. Write therefore [92] what things thou sawest and what they are] So Alford and Rotherham and others: i.e., "what they signify " (Stuart). This is the sense of (...) (eisin), are. It is so rendered twice in the very next verse; and elsewhere very frequently (e.g., Matt. xiii. 37 and 39. Rev. xvii. 9, 15, 18, etc.). even what things are about to happen hereafter] This is not the same expression as in verse 1. There, it was necessity, "must come to pass"; here, it is sequence, "about to come to pass." The command to write refers to all that John saw, and not merely what he had seen in verses 12-16. We must remember that the Introduction was written last, as we have shown above. The translation "What they are (or signify)" is so undoubtedly good that it seems rather insecure to base a whole system of interpretation affecting the whole book, on the common rendering--"the things which are." Our readers may be aware that many books on the Apocalypse base their whole system of interpretation on this rendering. But surely such a far-reaching system ought to have a firmer foundation on which to rest. This, in itself, is slight enough: but, when chaps. ii. and iii. are nowhere spoken of as being "the things which are," we have not sufficient warrant to adopt an interpretation of the book which rests on such hypothetical grounds. That these Epistles are addressed to those who shall be on the earth during the Day of the Lord, may be seen by comparing many expressions contained in them with the actual scenes and circumstances described in various parts of the Book. Compare ii.3. xiii. 10; xiv. 12. ii. 9, 10. xiii. 5-8. ii. 13. xiii. 2; xvi. 10. ii. 16. xix. 21. ii. 18. xix. 15. ii. 20-23. xvii. 2, 4; xviii. 3. iii. 3. xvi. 15. iii. 12. xxi. 2. iii. 21. xx. 4. Other parallels will be seen and noticed when we come to the translation of the Epistles themselves. F^^4 d^^4, i. 20-. Advent. The vision referred to in verses 12-16. 20-. The mystery (i.e., the secret symbol) of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand; and the seven golden lamp-stands] F^^4 c^^4, i. -20. Interpretation. -20. The seven stars are] i.e., signify or represent (as in the previous verse). This is always the meaning of the Figure called Metaphor which we have here. the angels of the seven Assemblies; and the seven lamp-stands [93] are (i.e., signify) the seven Assemblies] Who shall authorize us to understand the word "angels" as having any connection with the Church of God? No one ever heard (until quite recent times) of such a title being given to any church-officer either in Scripture, in history, or in tradition. To take the word "angel" as meaning "bishop," in the absence of any evidence of any kind, is one of the vagaries of interpretation from which the Apocalypse has so long suffered. But this brings us to the consideration of the seven Epistles themselves. __________________________________________________________________ [68] We give a list of all the occurrences of the word, with its renderings [in the section VII. The Title of the Book], so that our readers may be able to judge for themselves what is the sense in each passage. It is rendered revelation in Rom. ii. 5; xvi. 25. I Cor. xiv. 6, 26. 2 Cor. xii. 1, 7. Gal. i. 12; ii. 2. Eph. i. 17; iii. 3. 1 Pet. i. 13. Rev. i. 1. [69] The word occurs in this book eight times, viz., i. 1; iv. 1; xvii. 1; xxi. 9, 10; xxii. 1, 6, 8. [70] {Footnote missing in our digitized original --CCEL} [71] Thus, "Lampstands" are explained for us as representing assemblies; "Stars," angels of the assemblies; "Torches," spirits; "Horns" and "Eyes," spirits; "Incense odours," prayers of saints; "Dragon," Satan; "Frogs," unclean spirits; "Wild Beast," a king (xvii.); "Heads" of the Wild Beast, mountains and kings; "Horns," kings; "Waters," peoples; "Woman," a city; "Fine linen," righteous awards; "City of God," Bride of the Lamb. [72] See also "unclean spirits," Matt. x. 1; xii. 43. Mark i. 23, 26, 27; iii. 11, 30; v. 2, 8, 13. Luke iv. 33, 36; vi. 18; viii. 29; xi. 24. Rev. xvi. 13; xviii. 2. "Wicked spirits" -- Matt. xii. 45. Luke vii. 21; viii. 2; xi. 26. [73] The AV. and RV. both have a capital "s" here. [74] Lachmann, Tischendor, Tregelles, Westcot and Hort, and R.V. read "loosed," or "freed." [75] It is the figure Metalepsis (see Figures of Speech, page 611), by which "blood" is first put for death, and then death put for Christ's atoning merits. [76] Here we have the correct translation of Zech. xii. 10, while the Septuagint gives it incorrectly. [77] The words, "the beginning and the ending" are omitted by all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [78] Jalk. Reub., fol. 17. 4. [79] Ibid., fol. 48. 4. [80] The title "God" is added here recording to all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [81] All the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. add the word "in." [82] See Things to Come for July, 1901. Since separately published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, Great New Street, London. [83] We must omit the second "because of," according to the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [84] We must omit the word "Christ" with all the Critical Texts and R.V. [85] We must omit the words "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and " with all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [86] In "The seven" are added by all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [87] The same authorities omit "which are in Asia." [88] L., T., W., H., and R.V. omit "seven." Tr. and A. insert it in brackets, as being doubtful. [89] All the Critical Texts and R.V. omit "unto me." [90] All the Critical Texts and R. V. omit "Amen." [91] The order of these words is thus reversed by the Critical Texts and the R.V. [92] The word (...) (oun) therefore, is to be added here according to all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [93] All the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. omit "which thou sawest." __________________________________________________________________ The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3 We now come to chapters ii. and iii.: which will find their true interpretation and fulfilment when used for special instruction by the people on the Earth during the Day of the Lord; by Israel, and especially by the Remnant. We have said enough on this point already, to make this sufficiently clear. We shall note, in these Epistles, constant references to the condition of things as described in this book. References which cannot be explained either by Church History or tradition; but which are quite simple and clear when read in the light of future history, as prophetically recorded in the Apocalypse. The difference between these Epistles and all other Epistles in the New Testament is so great, that one wonders how it was possible for them ever to be supposed as being addressed to the Church of God, the members of the Body of Christ! If it were not that we have all been brought up from earliest infancy to believe it, we could never have taken them as having anything in common with those addressed in either the earlier or later Pauline Epistles. Everything is different: Circumstances, standpoint, references to the Old Testament, terminology, phraseology, scope, style: everything points to a different order of things altogether; yea, to a different Dispensation. There is nothing in them about Christianity as such; nothing of our standing in Christ; nothing that can be taken, even by application, as referring to our present position as being in Christ; perfect, and complete in Him. Nothing about the "no condemnation," or no separation of Rom. viii. But all is warning or reproof. Promises are made only to the "overcomer," and to those who shall "endure unto the end." It is clear that those who are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ" (Eph. i. 3) cannot be those to whom these seven Epistles are addressed. They are written to those who are under a covenant of works, and not to those who are under the covenant of grace. And those who interpret them of the church of God now must greatly lower that standing which He has given them in Christ, or else be altogether ignorant of it. No! we keep our own truth as written to the churches by the Holy Spirit through Paul; and leave that which is equally truth written to other and different Assemblies by Christ through John. It is so very improbable that the covenant of works under which these Assemblies are addressed could co-exist, at one and the same time, with those under the covenant of grace, that we seem to be shut up to a future interpretation; when all these expressions, and references, and warnings and threatenings, and promises (of which history knows nothing), shall find their fulfilment and reach their end. Further comments may be left to be made as we consider the words of the Epistles themselves. First, note the structure of the seven Epistles as a whole, and the seven lessons based on the seven stages of Israel's history. This separates them into 3 and 4; the numbers into which 7 is always divided. In the first three Epistles the references are to Israel's history, as recorded in the Old Testament, and are from the period when Israel was in the Wilderness. All Israel is included. In the last four Epistles the references are to the period when the people were in the Land, and Israel and Judah are mentioned alternately. THE SEVEN EPISTLES AS A WHOLE. (chaps. ii and iii.) The Wilderness. X | 1 | Ephesus. Israel's Epousals. 2 | Smyrna. Israel's Testing. 3 | Pergamos. Israel's Failure. The Land. Y | 4 | Thyatira. The Day of Israel's Kings. 5 | Sardis. Israel's Removal. 6 | Philadelphia. The Day of Judah's Kings. 7 | Laodicea. Judah's Removal. Failure is the great subject; and the causes which led to that failure. This is the basis of the great lesson which will be needed for another time of Trial, Testing, and Tribulation; which will end, not in failure, but in glory. This division into three and four is further marked by the injunction and the promise with which each of the seven Epistles closes. In the first three, which refer to the Wilderness, the Promise follows the Injunction; while in the last four which refer to the Land, the order is reversed, and the Injunction follows the Promise. We now proceed to look at each of these seven Epistles separately. I. THE FIRST EPISTLE.--EPHESUS. (ii. 1-7.) Each Epistle, though the structure itself varies, is based upon the same general plan, viz.: The Introduction, consisting of Christ's command to John to write, with an appropriate attribute taken from the previous vision in chap. i. The Conclusion, consisting of Christ's command to him that hath an ear, to hear; with His promise, fulfilled in the latter portion of the book. Between these we have the subject-matter of the Epistle proper. While this general arrangement is common to all these Epistles, yet each has its own peculiar exhibition of it. The correspondences and contrasts between the Epistles are worthy of note, forming a useful guide to their inter-relation. They show us what are the important points which we should notice; and what are the matters on which we should place special emphasis. In short, they give us the peculiar scope of and key to each Epistle respectively; and though not essential to the reader's studies, they are worthy of his close attention. (1) ii. 1-7. Ephesus Introduction A | c | 1-. Christ's command to write. d | -1. Christ's attribute, i. 20. Commendation B | e | 2-. "Thy works." f | -2-. "And thy labour. g | -2-. "And thy patience." h | -2-. Non-endurance. i | -2. Liars. Trial. i | -2. Liars. Proof. h | 3-. Endurance. g | -3-. "And hast patience." f | -3-. "And hast laboured." e | -3-. Works. "Hast not wearied." Reproof B | j | 4. Crimination (...). Love. k | 5-. Warning. "Remember." k | -5. Warning. "Repent." | j | 6. Commendation (...). Hatred. Conclusion A | c | 7-. Christ's command to hear. d | -7. Christ's promise. "Tree of life." (Compare xxii. 2, 14). (I) TRANSLATION OF THE FIRST EPISTLE (ii. I-7). EPHESUS. ii. 1. To the angel] As we have said above, this is the Shelach Tzibbur of the Synagogue, the presiding minister. A title well understood by Jewish readers, but quite foreign to Gentile ears. of the Assembly] As in Acts xix. 32, 39, 41. Or Synagogue. The A.V. renders the Greek Synagogue in Jas. ii. 2 "Assembly" instead of Synagogue; and in Jas. v. 14 "Church" instead of Assembly. The former passage (ii. 2) shows what the nature of the Assembly was in chap. v. 14. It was the congregation assembling in the Synagogue, and there is no reason why it should not be so taken in Rev. ii. and iii. in [94] Ephesus, write] No one can put this Epistle by the side of that of Paul to the Ephesians and think for a moment that it can be the same Assembly that is addressed. It is not a matter of argument or of opinion; it is a matter of fact. Read the two Epistles, one after the other, and note the standing of grace in the one, and the standing of works in the other. It is true John wrote some years later than Paul; but though this might affect the condition of the Assembly, it could not change the ground of God's dealings. His covenant had not changed. But here, everything is changed, as we shall see. In Paul's Epistle to the Church of God in Ephesus, God speaks to those who are all of them on the highest ground of privilege and of grace. Here, there is no blessing at all, except to the overcomers. These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand (i. 16), He that walketh in the midst of the seven lamp-stands of gold (i. 13)] Here the reference is surely to Deut. xxiii. 14, where this walking, and the object of it, are the same as in the Day of the Lord. "For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy; that He see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee." Here, Christ thus walks according to Lev. xxvi. 12. And his eye sees and exposes the unclean things in the camp of these Assemblies. 2. I know thy works] This is the principle on which the Lord will deal with the Remnant of Israel in the Day of the Lord. See Isa. ixvi. 18: "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall see My glory." The context in the previous verses (15-17) shows the nature of these "works" and the time of the Lord's dealing with them. Most of the seven Epistles begin with the statement of this fact, as to "works," from Isa. ixvi. 18. and [95] labour, and thy endurance] or patience (ii. 3). This is the patience referred to in xiii. 10: "Here is the patience and faith of the saints"; xiv. 12: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments (the 'works' spoken of) of God, and the faith of Jesus." The statement in this Epistle refers to the then condition of things in the Day when the things written in this Book shall be fulfilled. and that thou canst not bear wicked (or, evil) men; and thou didst try those who call themselves apostles, and are not, and didst find them liars: 3. And thou hast endurance, and didst bear [96] for the sake of my name, and hast not wearied [97] 4. Nevertheless I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first love] This is very emphatic. Lit., it is "thy love--thy first love." What have we here but a reference to Jer. ii. 1, 2, where God commanded Jeremiah to commence his prophecy by calling this fact to their remembrance: "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord: I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness." This was the day referred to in Ezek. xvi. 8-10, etc.: the day when Jehovah set His love upon them and chose them, not because of their number, "but because the LORD loved you" (Deut. vii. 7-9). See above, under the expression in i. 5, "unto him who loveth us." 5. Remember therefore whence thou hast fallen, and repent] This is strange language if it be addressed to those who had been "blessed with all spiritual blessings, in the heavenlies, in Christ" (Eph. i. 3). Nothing could forfeit such blessings; because they are in the heavenlies, in Christ, whence none can touch them or pluck them. Nor can repentance procure them, for they are the gift of God to His church; and His gifts and calling are without repentance (Rom. xi. 29). No; the Assembly to whom such words are addressed cannot be the Assembly addressed by the Holy Spirit through Paul. and do the first works; otherwise (Lit., but if not)I am coming to thee, [98] and will remove thy lamp-stand out of its place, except thou repent] He had come before, at His first Advent, seeking fruit. But He found it not. Now He is coming again, and the cry goes forth once more, "Repent "; for, He who is coming is at hand. Repentance is 'the first work.' It is the one condition of national blessing for Israel. It is the essence of the proclamation of the King and the Kingdom. The ministries of John the Baptist (Matt. iii. 2), of Christ Himself (Matt. iv. 17), and also of Peter (Acts ii. 38; iii. 39), were all stamped with this one word "Repent." This is the "first work" to be done, the first step to be taken in view of national blessing. See Lev. xxvi. 40-42. I Kings viii. 33, 35, 37. Deut. xxx. 1-3. Dan. ix. 3, 4. Zech i. 3; etc. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate] The Nicolaitanes are mentioned again in verse 15. History knows nothing definite of any people bearing such a name during the primitive age of Christianity. Tradition has something to say; but this is so conflicting and so uncertain, that most commentators attempt to solve the difficulty by considering the name as being symbolical (as they do that of Balaam (ii. 14, 15), and Jezebel (ii. 20). They interpret it by its etymology-- (...) (nikos) conqueror and (...) (laos) people. If there be anything in this, it is better to leave it to "that day," when events will make its meaning manifest. 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear] None but the Lord Jesus ever used this formula. On fourteen occasions He used it. Always, when He was speaking of the great change in the Dispensation which was about to take place. It is connected therefore with Dispensational truth. Six times (the number of man) in the Gospels He used it as the Son of Man; and eight times (the Dominical Number) in Revelation, as the risen Lord speaking from heaven: here, at the close of each of these seven Epistles, and once in chap. xiii. 9. [99] what the Spirit saith (or is saying) to the Assemblies] In Rev. xix. 10 we are told that "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy"; i.e., it is the prophetic testimony spoken by Christ Himself; or the testimony spoken by His servant John, or by angelic messengers concerning Him who addresses these Assemblies in this Book. To him that overcometh] This is language wholly foreign to the Epistles written to believers by Paul. The members of Christ's Body have already overcome all "in Him." They are already "more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Rom. viii. 37). The same John speaks, in his Epistle, of those who belong to the Church of God as having already overcome (See I John ii. 13; iv. 4; v. 4, 5). Those who are addressed here will be living in the days of the Beast, in the midst of the great Tribulations and there will be those who will "endure unto the end." Of some we read "the Beast...shall make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill them" (xi. 7). Of others it is said is they overcame him (the accuser of their brethren) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (xii. 11). Of others again, "It was given unto him (the Beast) to make war with the saints and to overcome them" (xiii. 7). Hence the reiteration of the final promise in xxi. 7, "he that overcometh shall inherit all things." The Revelation is full of overcoming. No less than sixteen times we have the verb (...) (nikao), to conquer, or overcome. The overcomers who are addressed at the close of each of these seven Epistles will be living in the days referred to in these passages. They will be special overcomers of a specific form of evil. They are thus prophesied of in Isa. lxvi. 5: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." They are spoken of in Dan. xi. 32 as those who "do know their God, shall be strong and do exploits." In Matt. xxiv. 13, as those who "shall endure unto the end." Compare Matt. x. 22. will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the [100] Paradise of God] For the promises of the seven Epistles as a whole, see [[1]The Promises to the Seven Assemblies]. This first promise is fulfilled in xxii. 14, where the article "the tree of life" is used, and refers specially to the overcomers. The Tree mentioned in verse 2 and Ezek. xlvii. 12 is another tree or trees (without the article) intended for the healing of the nations during the millennium. The promise, here, refers to the New Earth, when the curse will be removed, and the whole Earth be restored as the Paradise of God. To this "Paradise" Paul was caught away (2 Cor. xii. 4); and also to this "third Heaven" (and Earth). The first was overflowed with water and perished (2 Pet. iii. 6 and Gen. i. 2). The second Heavens and Earth are those "which are now" (2 Pet. iii. 7), and which will be purged by fire (2 Pet. iii. 10). The third are those for which we look, even the New Heavens and the New Earth (Paradise restored) (2 Pet. iii. 13 and Rev. xxi., xxii.). To this third heaven and Paradise was Paul caught away in vision. These John also saw; and was commissioned to write what Paul was unable to utter. This Paradise of the New Earth, which will characterize the Kingdom, was referred to by the Lord Jesus in His answer to the dying thief "Lord, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom." "Verily, I say unto thee to-day, (i.e., on this day of shame and death, beyond which thou seest by the eye of faith) thou shalt be with me in Paradise." That promise will be fulfilled to him as an overcomer. His faith overcame all his circumstances; and he marvellously believed, in spite of all the awful scenes of that day, that Jesus was "Lord," and that He would yet come in his Kingdom. To him, therefore, as an overcomer, was the promise of that future Paradise given; as here it is given to all who shall overcome by the same faith. 2. THE SECOND EPISTLE.-- SMYRNA. (ii. 8-11.) The Second Epistle was addressed to the angel of the Assembly in Smyrna. It is marked by a definite period of trial being mentioned, viz., "ten days," and answers to the second stage of Israel's history, which was marked by a definite period of trial--"forty years." The first Epistle (Ephesus) began with a reference to the day of Israel's Espousals, and reminds those people of their "first love." The second (Smyrna), in its definite days of trial, reminds us of the definite period of forty years in the wilderness. Its structure is as simple and clear as it is beautiful. (2) ii. 8-11. Smyrna Introduction (2)| a | d | 8-. Christ's command to write. e | -8. Christ's attribute, i. 18. in themselves b | f | 9-. Suffering. g | -9-. Contrast (...). from others f | -9-. Suffering. g | -9. Contrast (...). c | 10-. Encouragement. "Fear not," etc. from others b | h | -10-. Suffering. "Those things"... i | -10-. Place. (Prison). "Behold"... in themselves h | -10-. Suffering. Trial. "That ye may be"... i | -10-. Time. Ten days. "And ye shall"... c | -10. Encouragement. "Be thou"... Conclusion a | d | 11-. Christ's command to assemblies to hear. e | -11. Christ's promise. No second death. Compare xx. 6, 14. 8. And unto the angel of the Assembly in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last] This, as we have already seen, is one of the Titles used in the Introduction (i. 17); as it is used in the Old Testament, of Deity. (Isa. xli. 4; xliv. 6; xlviii. 12.). who was (lit., became) dead, and returned to life] (i. 17, 18) The verb (...) (ezesen) means more than merely to live or to be alive. (See Rom. xiv. 9. Rev. xiii. 14 (where it is used of and throws light upon the Beast being raised); xx. 4, 5). It means to live again in resurrection life. See John iv. 50. Mark xvi. 11. 9. I know [101] thy tribulation, and thy poverty] This is the outcome of xiii. 16, 17, for when they will not be allowed by the Beast to buy or sell, great poverty must necessarily ensue. nevertheless thou art rich] Poor in one sense, yet rich in another sense. and I know the blasphemy coming from those who say that they themselves are Jews, and they are not, but are Satan's synagogue] When have people ever professed to be Jews in order to join a Christian church? Such an anomaly was never heard of. These words alone are sufficient to prove the true Jewish character of these assemblies. Words have no meaning if this verse does not speak concerning those who, for some reason or other (perhaps in order to betray, hardly for gain or advantage), hypocritically affirmed that they were Jews when they were not. 10. Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: lo, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days] What trial and tribulation is this, if not exactly that foretold by the Lord in Matt. x. 22? "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Compare Matt. xxiv. 9, 10, and John xvi. 1-4. In these passages the very trials are mentioned; and in Rev. xiii. 5-7 we see the very circumstances described, in which those who are thus addressed will be placed. In this special case the tribulation is limited to "ten days." And why not? Why should we seek to make these words mean other than what they say? In Est. iii. 13 a decree went forth that the whole nation was to be destroyed "in one day." Why should not such a decree go forth again for "ten days"? Even in our own times we read of Jews in Russia, Roumania, and elsewhere, being given over for days together to the violence of a persecuting mob. Why should not these "ten days" refer to a certain definite and limited time of trouble? Why introduce endless difficulties into this Book by always maintaining that God means something quite different from what He says? Moses Stuart is an example. He writes: "Let the reader mark well the symbolic use of number in this case; for the exact literal one will be insisted on, I trust, by no one." His trust is vain, for we do insist on believing that God means what He says. If we are wrong in this, then we prefer to be found wrong, hereafter, in this simplicity of faith, rather than to be reproved by God for having, in preference, believed man. When God says (Gen. vii. 4): "For yet seven days and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights," God meant days, not years. See verse 10: "And it came to pass after seven days"; and see verse 12. When Joseph said, by the prophetic spirit, "The three branches are three days. Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head," he meant "days," not years; for we read: "And it came to pass the third day," etc.; see Gen. xl. 12, 13, 20. So with the wandering in the wilderness, Num. xiv. 33; "forty days" means forty days, and "forty years" means forty years. So with Jonah; and the Lord, Matt. xii. 40. So with Ezekiel, iv. 1-8. be (lit., become) thou faithful unto death] Probably violent death is meant. and I will give to thee the crown of life] Here we have not the standing of the church "in Christ." That standing does not depend on our faithfulness but on the faithfulness of Him who has already given us life in Himself -- eternal life. This life rests on no conditions but upon the unalterable gift of God in Christ. Compare the Epistle addressed "to the twelve Tribes," Jas. i. 1. The faithfulness mentioned here refers to that which is the subject of xx. 4. 1l. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death] This is mentioned again in xx. 6, 14, and xxi. 8, as the fulfilment of this promise in those who have passed through the great Tribulation and have not worshipped the Beast nor received his mark. Those who are faithful unto death, and die of a violent death, then, for Christ's sake, are promised that they "shall not be hurt of the second death," which shall finally destroy their enemies. Note how the titles of Christ in verse 8 ("I am He that was dead and returned to life") agree with the exhortation of verse 10 ("be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life"), and the promise of verse 11 ("shall not be hurt of the second death"). 3. THE THIRD EPISTLE.--PERGAMOS. (ii. 12-17.) In the Epistle to the Assembly in Pergamos, the Old Testament illustrations are from a subsequent period of Israel's wilderness experiences. Balaam and Balak are used to illustrate the special circumstances of this Assembly; the counterpart of which will be found to exist in "the day of the Lord." It is the last of the three Epistles in which the Old Testament reference is to Israel and the Wilderness period. In the first we had Israel's Espousals; in the second we had Israel's Testing and Trial; now, here, in the third, we have Israel's Failure. This failure is very marked in the Epistle to Pergamos. The predominant tone of the Epistle is that of Crimination. Two solemn warnings are given, and a call to "Repent," with a threat of being fought against by the sword of His mouth. This will be seen in the Epistle as we proceed; and it is clearly exhibited in the Structure:-- (3) ii. 12-17. Pergamos. Introduction (3) a | c | 12-. Christ's command to write. d | -12. Christ's attribute. (i. 16.) Commendation b | e | 13-. Works. General. f | -13-. Place. (...) e | -13-. Works. Particular. f | -13. Place. (...) Reproof g | 14-. Crimination. "I have against thee," &c. h | i | -14-. Balaam. (...) k | -14. Description. "Who taught," &c. h | i | 15-. Nicolaitanes. (...) k | -15. Description. "In like manner," &c. g | 16. Warning. "Repent; or I will come," &c. Conclusion | c | 17-. Christ's command to assemblies to hear d | -17. Christ's promise. "Manna." "New Name." (Compare vii. 13-17; xix. 12.) ii. 12. And unto the angel of the Assembly in Pergamos, write; These things saith he who hath the sharp two-edged sword] This attribute of Christ is taken from i. 16. It is used here and in the closing threat of the Epistle (ii. 16), because the judgment upon "the error of Balaam" was executed with the sword. See Num. xxxi. 8, "Balaam also, the son of Beor, they slew with the sword " (So Josh. xiii. 22). Hence all the significant references to the "sword" in this epistle. In i. 16 the sword proceeds out of Christ's mouth, teaching them how, by the word which cometh out of His mouth, He can chastise and destroy. Hearken therefore to Him. 13. I know [102] where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is] Here we have a special reference to the scenes and circumstances of Rev. xiii. 2, where the Dragon gave the Beast "his power, and his throne, and great authority." In Rev. xvi. 10, "the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the Beast," &c. So that at that time, in the Day of the Lord, there will be a special place where Satan's throne will be set up in this world; and when he and the Beast will receive that worship which it is and has ever been his aim, all through, to obtain from mankind. This throne is evidently to be in Pergamos. Whatever foreshadowings there may have been of this in past history or in the history of the Roman Emperors, it only shows us the possibility of that, in which all believe when we speak of "history repeating itself." Pergamos was the seat of the ancient mysteries. That which has been, may be again. Just as the deeds of Antiochus Epiphanes show us how another individual will yet do entirely, what he did partially. and thou holdest fast my name] in not receiving the mark of the Beast. See Rev. xi. 18 ("which fear thy name"); and compare xiii. 13-15. 2 Thes. ii. 11, 12. and didst not deny my faith, [even] [103] in the days [104] of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth] Here is another allusion to Satan's future special presence on the earth in the days here referred to. History knows nothing whatever about any such person named Antipas. Later tradition has a great deal to say, but its conflicting statements will not repay us for the time and trouble involved in their consideration. There will be many martyrs in those days; and here, one of them is mentioned by name. Compare and see Rev. vi. 9, 10; xiii. 10; xx. 4, when the fulfilment of the Lord's words will be understood. Matt. xxiv. 9. Mark xiii. 9. Luke xxi. 12. John xv. 20; xvi. 2. These are the days specially referred to in this Epistle. It is no new thing for prophecy to name a person long before his personal manifestation (See I Kings xiii. 2. Isa xliv. 28; xlv. 1). "The place where Satan dwelleth" (xiii. 2; xvi. 10) must be the place where persecution will rage most fiercely. 14. Nevertheless I have against thee a few things, that thou hast there those who 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] What "the error of Balaam" (Jude 11) was may be seen from Numbers xxv. 1, &c., and xxxi. 16, &c. The whole scene has to do with idolatry of the grossest kind, where fornication will be made religion! and when religion will be turned into fornication, as it was and is in all the great heathen systems of idolatry. This was the essence of idolatry of old; and this is what is again coming on the earth. Otherwise, what mean those significant words in chap. ix. 20, 21? (See [[2]Pergamos -- The Wilderness Period]) 15. So hast thou also those that hold fast the teaching of the Nicolaitanes (v. 6) in like manner [105] ] 16. Repent therefore [106] ; otherwise I will come unto thee speedily, and will fight against them with the sword (v. 12) of my mouth] We have seen before, how foreign is such a warning and threat as addressed to the members of the Church of God to-day. On the other hand, we see the actual fulfilment of this threat in chap. xix. 11-21. 17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies: To him that overcometh will I give [107] of the hidden manna] This promise follows in the order of Old Testament illustration. (1) To Ephesus it was the tree of life (Gen. ii.). (2) To Smyrna it was not to be hurt of the second death (Gen. iii.). Now, to Pergamos, it is the manna of Exod. xvi. 32-34. We have to remember how the false prophets and teachers were all fed at Jezebel's table (I Kings xviii. 19). So all these false teachers will be supported by the State of which the Beast will be the head. The faithful remnant of the woman's seed will be again driven into the wilderness (xii. 13-17). How beautiful therefore to be thus reminded, just here, that God can spread a table (not Jezebel's) for them in that wilderness, as He did of old (Ps. lxxviii. 19), when "man did eat angels' food, and He sent them meat to the full" (Ps. lxxviii. 24, 25). It is in this connection that the promise of the manna is given. In Ex. xvi. 34, 35 we are told that the manna was specially given "until they came to a land inhabited." Until then, God has "hidden manna" with which to support His people. and I will give unto him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which none knoweth save he that receiveth it.] This new name for the new Israel is the subject of prophecy. Isa. lxii. 2 tells of the time when "Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name" (see also Isa. lxv. 15). Rev. xix. 11-16 is the fulfilment of this promise. What that new name will be is not yet revealed, but its association with the "white stone" reminds us that as they will be "a kingdom of priests," so they will have the priestly signs as Aaron had (Ex. xxviii. 36, &c.). On the front of his mitre was a plate of gold "holy to the Lord." Here, instead of a plate of gold, they are to have a white stone, on which will be an inscription equivalent to Aaron's, with their new name: thus distinguishing them in a most emphatic way from those who will worship the Beast and receive his mark in their forehead. Those who will be on the earth in those days will thus be divided into two opposing parties: the party of the Beast, and that of the Lamb; each having its own distinctive mark or brand. 4. THE FOURTH EPISTLE.-- THYATIRA. (ii. 18-29.) We now come to the last four of these seven Epistles. In the first three the Old Testament references are to the period of the Wilderness. In these last four the references are to the period of the Land: and Israel and Judah are placed alternately. Israel comes first; for, idolatry commenced in the Ten Tribes, and these were first removed from the Land. Judah followed, and was afterwards removed. The first of these four Epistles, therefore, gives the illustration from the great apostasy of Israel under Ahab and Jezebel. Few of us can realize what that apostasy was; or what was its character and extent. Jeroboam was the first who made Israel thus to sin, but it culminated under Ahab and Jezebel. Under these two, organized idolatry of the grossest kind became the religion of the State, as opposed to the true religion established in Jerusalem. It had its own priesthood, so numerous and powerful that the prophet Elijah was specially raised up by God to do battle against them, and warn the people against the enormity of the evil. Yet again will Elijah perform a similar duty under more awful circumstances. The structure of this Epistle is elaborate, as were the workings of that apostasy. But it is also very clear and unmistakable. (4) ii. 18-29. Thyatira. Introduction (4) | a | d | 18-. Christ's command to write. e | -18. Christ's attribute. (i. 15.) Commendation b | f^^1 | 19-. Works. (General.) g^^1 | -19-. Particulars. (Love, Service, Faith, Service.) f^^2 | -19-. Works. (General.) g^^2 | -19. Particulars. "And the last," &c. Admonition The guilty. c | h | 20. Jezebel. i | 21. Her impenitence. c | i | 22. Her punishment h | 23. The Assemblies. Admonition The innocent. b | f^^3 | 24-. Persons. (General.) "To you and to the rest," &c. g^^3 | -24-. Particulars. "As many as," &c. f^^4 | -24. Persons. (General.) "I will put upon you," &c. g^^4 | 25. Particulars. "But that which ye have," &c. Conclusion e | 26-28. Christ's promise. Power, &c. (Compare xii. 4; xix. 15; xx.4) d | 29. Christ's command to assemblies to hear. ii. 18. And unto the angel of the Assembly in Thyatira, write; These things saith the Son of God] Here, for the first time, the speaker is directly named; as well as distinguished by an attribute. Both speak of Divine judgment, and of the Divine power which is necessary to execute that judgment, and to perform the promises given in this Epistle. who hath His eyes like a flame of fire] To detect all evil and alarm the evil-doers. This is the attribute of i. 14, 15; repeated in xix. 12. and His feet like unto polished brass] This tells of coming judgment, when He will tread the wicked under his feet. Isa. lxiii. 1-6; xli. 25; xiv. 25. See also Mal. iv. 3; Dan. viii. 7, 10; and compare Micah iv 13. Dan. vii. 19. Deut. xxxiii. 25. Job xl. 18. The fulfilment of all this is seen in chap. xix. 13-15. 19. I know thy works, and thy love, and thyservice, and thy faith, [108] and thy patient-endurance, and thy last works to be more than the first] It is a question of "works" here, as in all these Epistles; and also of patient endurance in the Tribulation. 20. Nevertheless I have this against thee, [109] that thou lettest alone [110] the [111] woman Jezebel, she herself a prophetess, and she teacheth and deceiveth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols] The reference here is to I Kings xvi. 30-34. All the evil is traced up to Jezebel (I Kings xxi. 25). The teaching is the same as that of Balaam, and of the Nicolaitanes--only it is more organized, and in the name of religion, and under the direct auspices of the State. Balaam was outside Israel; Jezebel is within. This is what it will be in the days of the Beast: and this is why these exhortations, teachings, and warnings are written in these Epistles. We do not comprehend them, because we are not living in those days; therefore, we cannot even apply them to ourselves. Three of the Assemblies are warned with regard to this evil. Ephesus (ii. 6); Pergamos (ii. 14, 15); and Thyatira (ii. 20). And there is everything in the Apocalypse to show that that will be the special form of evil in the coming days of Antichrist on earth. See also 2 Kings ix. 22, 30. Jer. iv. 30. Nah. iii. 4. 21. And I gave her space in order that she might repent [112] and she willeth not to repent of her fornication] We must read the history in the book of Kings in order to understand this; and see and note how it is connected with persecution. See I Kings xviii. 13, 14. It may have reference to the woman of Rev. xvii. 1-4, and to the scenes then going on in the earth. Compare chap. xviii. 3 and 8-l0). Also ix. 20, 21. 22. Lo! I cast her into a bed, and those who are committing adultery with her (xviii. 8-10) into great tribulation (Rom. ii. 8, 9, 16), except they repent of her [113] works] The casting into a bed, here, is in contrast with Jezebel's being cast out of a window. And it refers to a bed of anguish and of judgment. To reward and punish "according to works" is God's principle of dealing with Israel and the world (xviii. 6); but not with the Church. 23. and her children (Ps. cxxxvii. 9) will I kill with death (i.e., with pestilence); and all the assemblies shall know (or, get to know)that I am He that searcheth reins and hearts.] Compare Jer. xi. 20; xvi 10; xx. 12. I Kings viii. 59; and I Sam. xvi. 7; and see Rev. xi. 18 and xxii. 12. This is the work of "the Son of God" (v. 18). The word "death" here means pestilence, as in chap. vi. 8; xviii. 8. 2 Sam. xxiv. 13. and will give unto you, each one, according to your works] See Jer. xi. 20; xvii. 10. Ps. vii. 9; lxii. 12. 24. But, unto you, I say,--the rest [114] that are in Thyatira, as many as hold not this doctrine, who have not known (or, come to know)the depths of Satan, (as they say)] God has His Divine depths, I Cor. ii. 10. Rom. xi. 33. But here we have the "depths of Satan." We see some of them in Rev. xiii., but the real "depths" are in turning the basest profligacy into religion; and, under the pretence of worshipping idols (which is awful enough), to legalize and patronise the lowest of vices. Read Isa. xxviii. 14-18. I do not [115] lay upon you any other burden] or prophetic message of judgment. See 2 Kings ix. 25, 26, and Isa. xiii. 1. 25. Nevertheless, what ye have hold fast till I come (lit., shall have come). 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works] i.e., keepeth in mind, as to ponder over, and understand my judgments. See on the word "keep" chap. i. 3, and references there given. unto the end,--I will give him authority over the nations; 27.and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: as vessels of pottery are dashed in pieces: even as I also have received of my Father] This is an unmistakable reference to such Old Testament prophecies as Ps. ii. 7-9, and to the scenes that will be then current on the earth mentioned in chaps. xii. 10, and xix. 15-21. To such straits are interpreters driven, who spiritualize the prophecies of the Old Testament, and thus rob them from those to whom they belong, that they hesitate not on most missionary platforms to quote Ps. ii. 7-9 of the spread of the gospel. But there is some inconsistency in this robbery, for while they quote and claim the words of verse 8, "Ask of me and I will give the heathen for thine inheritance," they always stop short, and do not go on to quote the words that follow--"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: and shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Here is the asking and the giving spoken of in Ps. ii. 8, and in the verse before us: only here, the promise is to the Assembly in Thyatira. If this is the Church of God then here we have its mission. But though most commentators hold that Thyatira is a "church," they do not press this as the Church's mission, or "claim" this as its promise. This fact manifests the inconsistency of the popular principle of interpretation. 28. And I will give unto him the morning star] The promise is fulfilled in Rev. xxii. 16. But the prophecy is in Numbers xxiv. 17, which connects it with Israel and with the day of the Lord's judgment, "there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies] See above. 5. THE FIFTH EPISTLE.--SARDIS. (iii. 1-6) In this Epistle the Old Testament reference is to the period of Israel's removal from the Land. Where, as the separate kingdom of the Ten Tribes, her name is practically blotted out, as applied to the Ten Tribes. In Deut. xxix. God declares of those who shall turn away from Him "to go and serve the gods of these nations" (v. 18), that He will "blot out his name from under heaven (v. 20). This was fulfilled first in the case of the Ten-Tribed Kingdom of Israel. It was Jeroboam who first "made Israel to sin." He is known by this periphrasis. This is his special mark by which he was best known. In forming the Ten-Tribed Kingdom he was at once cut off from Jerusalem and the worship which God had established there. Religion of some kind must be the basis of government, so Jeroboam made his own religion: and in a yet future day the Beast will have his own universal religion; as we shall see. A similar warning, therefore, and a similar teaching, will be needed by those who shall be living on the earth in the days of which the Apocalypse treats. Hence we have in the epistle the reference to Israel's removal from the Land:-- (5) iii. 1-6. Sardis Introduction (5) | a | c | 1-. Christ's command to write. d | -1-. Christ's attribute. (i. 4, 20) Reproof b | e | -1. Crimination f | 2-. Warning. "Be watchful." g | -2. Reason. f | 3-. Warning. "Remember" and "Repent." e | -3. Threatening. "If, therefore," Commendation b | h | 4-. Persons. Commendation. i | -4-. Character. "Which have not," &c. i | -4-. Consequence. "And they shall," &c. h | -4. Persons. Reason. Conclusion d | 5. Christ's Promise. (White raiment. Book of Life. Compare xix. 8; xiii. 8; xvii. 8; xxi. 12; xxi. 27.) c | 6. Christ's command to hear. iii. 1. And unto the Angel of the Assembly in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God] We submit that the Holy Spirit, as co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, could not be properly spoken of as a possession of Christ; and placed on the same footing as the seven stars, "which are the angels of the seven assemblies." and the seven stars] These are the angels of the seven assemblies, and are spoken of as belonging to Christ (equally with the seven spirits) to cast down, punish, remove or exalt as He will. In chap. v. 6 we read that "a Lamb stood as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God." Indeed, these seven angels of the assemblies on earth, and the seven angels (or spirits, see under i. 4, and compare in Heb. i. 7) in heaven are connected together in the clearest possible manner. When we read in this book of "the seven angels which stood before God" (viii. 2), and of the "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are (or represent) the seven spirits of God," what are we to understand beyond this? Why are we to say that they are not what it is here said they are, and explain them as being something else? When Christ speaks of "having" these, it does not mean having them in possession as attributes, but having them in His power for use, disposal and command. I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead] How can such language as this be addressed to those who are in Christ today: they have "no name to live." They do live "in Christ." Their standing is not in works; neither can it in any sense be said of them "and art dead." On the contrary, they were once "dead in trespasses and sins," but they died in Christ, and are now risen in Him, and stand on resurrection ground before God in all the perfection of that standing which He has given them in Christ. No one who knows anything of the teaching of the Church or Pauline Epistles, could ever think of sacrificing that wondrous standing for the sake of a false and traditional principle of interpretation. 2. Be (lit., become) watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, that were [116] about to die: for I have not found thy works fulfilled] or performed. The watchfulness required here is that of Luke xxi. 34-36. Mark xiii. 34-37. before my [117] God] Compare I Sam. xvi. 7. Seven times does Christ in these Epistles speak of "my" in connection with His "Father" and His "God." 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and keep it in mind, and repent] What they heard we are told in Matt. xxiv. 14. If, therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come [118] as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee] This one passage settles, for ever, the fact that these words cannot possibly be addressed to the members of the Church of God who have "that blessed hope" of being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, or of being "called on high" as in Phil. iii. 14. We are plainly and expressly told (in I Thess. v. 2), "yourselves know perfectly that 'the Day of the Lord' so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say 'Peace and Safety'; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief." No language can be plainer than this, addressed to "the Church of the Thessalonians." Either Rev. iii. 3 refers to believers now, and we have a flat contradiction of I Thess. v. 4, or we must rightly divide the Word of truth, and say that I Thess. v. 4 is true of all the members of the Church of God; and that Rev. iii. 3 is equally true of those who shall be in these Assemblies (whatever they may be) in "the day of the Lord." That day will come "as a thief." See Matt. xxiv. 43. Luke xii. 39. 2 Pet. iii. 10. But it will come thus upon a world ("they" and "them") that looks not for Him. The Church of God will be "called on high;" made like Christ's own glorious body (Phil. iii. 14, 20, 21), and received up in Glory (I Tim. iii. 16) before the thief shall come, and before the day of the Lord shall be present (2 Thess. ii. 2). Hence we are exhorted not to be moved by reports that "the day of the Lord is now present" (R.V.). If it were otherwise we have every need to be troubled, for our hope would then have been in vain. Those who have not been caught away will indeed be troubled, for they will be in the Great Tribulation. So determined, however, are many not to have this blessed hope, or even to allow others to have it, that they would rather hold that this "great and terrible day of the Lord" is our only "hope" and (!) thus be driven to interpret the "thief" of Christ coming as a friend to fetch us away as he steals precious jewels. And this is done in the face of the opposite statement in I Thess. v. 4, that that day shall "not come as a thief" on the church; and in spite of the solemn warning to watch, so as not to suffer the thief to break into, or to break up the house (Matt. xxiv. 43). This thief is to be watched against: but Christ is to be watched for! 4. Nevertheless thou hast a few names [119] in Sardis] These names are evidently the distinguishing point in this Epistle, for we read in the next verse of names being not blotted out, and confessed. Which defiled not their garments] This is language foreign to the Church of God. It accords with a standing in the flesh as addressed to those who can wash their own robes (vii. 14) and establish a right to the tree of life (xxii. 14), and make themselves ready (xix. 7). But all this is "works" and not grace. So is the promise, and they shall walk with me in white: because they are worthy] This promise is fulfilled in Rev. xix. 7, 8, but there is nothing like it in nature or character promised to or hoped for by the church. And as to worthiness, who of use can take that standing? No; we are altogether unworthy in ourselves, but all-worthy in Christ. But these are worthy because of their own merit. The scene contemplated here is actually described in chap. xvi. 15, and xix. 7-9. The day of the Lord is a day when men will be treated according to their deeds (Rom. ii. 5, 6). Those who have not defiled their garments, and are unspotted from the flesh (Jude 5-8) are those who have not worshipped the Beast, or received his mark, or partaken of his idolatrous obscenities. 5. He that overcometh shall thus [120] be arrayed in white garments; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life] How is it possible for a true believer in Christ to have his name blotted out? The teaching of Rom. viii. as to our standing in Christ is the very opposite of this. But both are true if "the word of truth" be rightly divided. Dan. xii. 1 prophesies of this "book of life," and Rev. xiii. tells us that the time for its fulfilment shall have then come. and I will confess his name in the presence of my Father, and in the presence of His angels]. Here is the association of Christ, the Father, and the angels as in chap. i. 4-5. See notes above; and Matt. xvi. 27. This promise, [3]as we have seen, refers to the later scene in the life of David, when he confesses the names of his worthy ones, just before the glory of the kingdom is set up by Solomon (2 Sam. xxiii.). Some of the names are "blotted out." The others are confessed. This is the scene alluded to here; and this is what is promised by the Lord in Matt. x. 32, Luke xii. 8 and Mark viii. 38. These words refer, as the Lord Himself explains, to the time when He comes to send the sword upon the earth (Matt. x. 33-42). To interpret this of the church of God, is to utterly destroy that standing which God has given his church in Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ; and there can be no separation from the love of God in Christ. This is clear from Rom. viii. 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the Assemblies] see above. (6) THE SIXTH EPISTLE.-- PHILADELPHIA. (iii. 7-13.) In these last two Epistles the Old Testament illustrations are from the period of the Kings and Kingdom of Judah; and after the removal of Israel. The one is from the days of Hezekiah; and the other is from the days of the Minor Prophets, before and after the return from Babylon, when hope of restoration was held out to the People. Those who will be on the earth in the days to which the Apocalypse refers, will need the instruction which such illustrations will give; for they will be days when all hope of restoration from man has gone, and the People can hope only in God. It will be a time of trial; but the promise of being kept in it is made, and the hope of being delivered out of it is given. Those who have this promise fulfilled in them are seen in chap. vii. and xiv. and xv. caught up to God and His throne. They go into but come "out of" the Great Tribulation. They are afterwards seen standing before the throne, though not seated as the Church will be with Christ upon the throne. They will serve God and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. (See Rev. vii. 14-17; xiv. 1-5; xv. 1-4.) The structure exhibits these promises. The time of trial has sifted and separated the people, and there are those now who have kept the words of this book in remembrance, to whom these promises can be made. (6) Philadelphia (iii. 7-13) Introduction (6) | a | c| 7-. Christ's command to write. d | -7. Christ's attribute. i. 18 b | e | 8-. Statement. "I know," etc. f | -8. Reason. "for thou hast," etc. e | 9-. Statement. "Behold," etc. f | -9. Promise. "Behold," etc. g | 10. Statement. "Because," etc. h | -10. Promise. "I also will keep," etc. g | 11-. Statement. "Behold I come," etc. h | -11. Exhortation. "Hold that fast," etc. Conclusion d | 12. Christ's promise. Pillar in Temple. New Name. New Jerusalem (xxi. 2; xxii. 4). c | 13. Christ's command to hear. iii. 7. Unto the angel of the Assembly in Philadelphia, write; These things saith He that is holy and He that is true] Seven attributes of Christ are here given. The seven is divided, as usual, into three and four. Three relate to what He is and hath: 1. He that is holy. 2. He that is true. 3. He that hath the key of David. and four relate to what He does and does not do: 1. He that openeth. 2. And none shut. 3. That shutteth. 4. And none openeth. He that is holy] or the Holy One, is a title of Deity (Hos. xi. 9 Hab. iii. 3). It is given to Christ (Ps. xvi. 10. Acts. iii. 14). The usual form of this title in the Old Testament is "the Holy One of Israel"; but Israel is now removed, and the illustration is from Judah. He that is true] The word here is (...) (alethinos) real, (not (...) (alethes) true), and denotes what is real and genuine in contrast to all that is merely typical. Hence it is used of God whenever the reference or contrast is to idols (either latent otherwise) in the context. (See I Thess. i. 9. Compare Jer. x. 10. 2 Chr. xv. 3. I John v. 20. Rev. xix. 11). He that hath the key of David] We have already referred to this, as specially giving its character to this Epistle. It reminds the reader of that period of Judah's history described in Isa. xxii. Jerusalem was about to be taken, and instead of repenting, they were feasting. The Treasurer of the State "who was over the house" (Shebna), carried the key in token of his office; and he presumptuously thought he was going to retain his office and his dignity, and finally be buried in the magnificent sepulchre he had prepared for himself in the rock. But this thought was alien to the great hope given to David, which was resurrection, "even the sure mercies of (promised to) David." Shebna entered not into David's spirit, so he was removed, and another (Eliakim) took his office. The use of "the key of David" is explained in what follows, as denoting access to, and complete control over, the house and throne of David, and implies Regal dominion. Hence the word "house" (used in the prophecy -- Isa. xxii. 22) is omitted here, for it is the throne that is now in question (Luke i. 32), and this could be occupied only in resurrection (Jer. xxx. 9. Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24. Acts xiii. 34, 36). It is the Kingdom that is referred to in all this, not the church. Hence we read of "the keys of the kingdom," but never of "the keys of the church." This is left for Romanists to falsely claim, and for Protestant interpreters to weakly admit. Matt. xvi. 19 is clear as to this. This key belongs to Christ, as here stated; but the opening of the kingdom, in testimony, was committed to Peter, and Peter used those keys in his ministry in Acts. i.-xii. Against that kingdom the "gates of the grave" should not prevail." If "gates" denote the entrance to the grave, then it means that death "shall not prevail"; and if "gates" (by Metonymy) denote power, then it means that the power of the grave will never keep and hold those who enter it. Christ holds the key (as stated in i. 18), and therefore He describes Himself as He that openeth, and no one shall [121] shut; that shutteth and one shall [122] open. 8. I know thy works: (behold I have set before thee an opened door] What this means is sufficiently explained by what follows. It can refer only to deliverance, as when the opened door was set before Peter (Acts xii. 10; and compare Isa. xlix. 9, 10). Their enemies shall acknowledge the Lord's protecting power. What a wrong interpretation of these words it is, to take them as referring to an open door for service, as is so universally done! Even as used by Paul in I Cor. xvi. 9 it implies deliverance from the "many adversaries"; and in 2 Cor. ii. 12 the reference is clearly to deliverance from Satan's "devices" (v. 11); in Col. iv. 3 the reference is to deliverance from his "bonds." which no one can shut [123] ): that thou hast a little strength, and didst keep my word] This, the one important injunction throughout, is obeyed by those who are thus addressed. and didst not deny my name] i.e., by receiving another "name"; even the name of the Beast. This, too, refers to another special injunction so peculiarly applicable to, and characteristic of, the coming days of the great Tribulation. (See Rev. xiii. 17; xiv. 9, 11, 12). Here is the description of those very days referred to, in this epistle. 9. Behold, I make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but do lie] How are these words to be explained of the Christian Church, either of these or of any other days? Why should people "say they are Jews" in order to join Christians? Why thus lie? Do we see any fulfilment of this going on around us? No! These claim to be Jews and meet in their assemblies (or synagogues), but it is "the synagogue of Satan." They claim to be "fellow-servants" (Matt. xxiv. 49). Those who will be on the earth at that time will know what these words mean better than we can know now. It is for us to believe them. Behold, I will make them to come and bow down before thy feet, and know that I have loved thee. Is this what is prophesied of the church of God? Is this our experience? Has it ever been the experience of the Christian Church? No! trouble and persecution and trial are the lot of the church; the portion plainly foretold for it during the time of the Lord's rejection until He shall come. To be hated because He was hated; this is our portion now, from which no hope of reprieve is held out to us. But this homage spoken of here belongs to Israel by right in a yet future day. To see this we have to read only such passages as Isa. xlv. 14; xlix. 22, 23; lx. 14; lxvi. 1-4, 5, 14. We can hardly conceive it possible that, in the face of such prophecies and promises addressed to Israel, anyone could ever interpret their fulfilment in these Epistles as belonging to the church of God. Look at only one (Isa. lx. 14): "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee: And all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of they feet." The promise made to Christ will be shared in by His people Israel. See Ps. lxxii. 9; cx. 1. Phil. ii. 10. Compare Exod. xi. 8. "That I have loved thee"-- both the pronouns here are very emphatic and refer to chap. i. 5. 10. Because thou didst keep the word of my patience] i.e., the patient waiting or endurance which I did command. See i. 9; ii. 2, 19. These commands as to "patience" refer particularly to the waiting during and under the tribulation. If it be asked where this is, the answer is clear from chaps. xiii. 10; and xiv. 12 -- "Here is the patience of the saints." It is the patience of those who shall be in those scenes of judgment and looking for deliverance out of them. For thus is the promise. I also shall keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole (habitable) world to try them that dwell on the earth] These are the scenes foretold in Zeph. i. 14-18, and by our Lord (in Luke xxi. 36). This refers to a brief, definite season (xii.-xix.); probably "the three years and a half" closing with the manifestation of the Lord Jesus in the clouds. These earth-dwellers are repeatedly mentioned in this book (see vi. 10; xi. 10; xiii. 8, 14). For the "keeping out of the hour," etc. (see Ps. xxxii. 6. Isa. xxvi. 20, 21. John xvii. 15. Ps. xxvii. 1-5). This deliverance may the "wilderness," as spoken of in chap. xii. 11. " [124] I come quickly: Hold fast that which thou hast, that none take thy crown] This can have no reference to the Church of God. We have no crowns to be taken and no one could take them if we had. We are in Christ; perfect and secure in Him. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God] Here the promise goes on to the days of Solomon, to the "temple" and the "city" (as the next Epistle to Laodicea is associated with the throne). (See iii. 21 and compare I Kings v. 5; vii. 13-22. 2 Chron. iii. 15-17.) and he shall in no wise go forth any more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God] The promise as to both temple and city are fulfilled in chap. xxi. 2, 3. Compare Ps. xlviii. 1, 2, 8, 9, and Ezek. xlviii. 35. the New Jerusalem (xxi. 2, 10), which descendeth out of heaven from my God (xxi. 10) and [I will write upon him] my new name] Is. lxii. 2; lxv. 15. Inscriptions on the person are mentioned in chap. vii. 3. The worshippers of the Beast will be marked with his name, chaps. xiii. 16; xiv. 11; xix. 20; xx. 4. This promise is specifically fulfilled in chaps. xiv. 1, and xxii. 4. 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies] See above. 7. THE SEVENTH EPISTLE.-- LAODICEA. (iii. 14-22) The Epistle to the Assembly in Laodicea is the last, as it is the most solemn, of these Epistles. All the Epistles cover, in a general way, the whole period covered by the book; but, they also mark special stages of the apostasy and of the tribulation. Laodicea marks the last stage. It is the final period immediately before chap. xix., when "the Judge standeth before the door" (verse 20. Compare James v. 9). The Old Testament illustrations are taken from the Minor Prophets, which cover the last period of the nation's history, and form the last testimony before the First Advent of Christ; because the same character will mark the period immediately preceding the Second Advent or the Day of the Lord. The Structure is much more simple than any of the other Epistles, because the whole position at the period will be reduced to the very simple issue of allegiance to Christ or Antichrist. (7) iii. 14-22. Laodicea Introduction (7) | a | c | 14-. Christ's command to write. d | -14. Christ's attribute. i. 5. b| e | 15, 16. Crimination. (Lukewarmness.) f | 17, 18. Warning. (Gifts.) b | e | 19. Exhortation. (Zeal.) f | 20. Warnings. (Graces.) Conclusion d | 21. Christ's promise. The Throne. Compare xx. 4. a | c | 22. Christ's command to hear. iii. 14. And unto the Angel of the Assembly in Laodicea, [125] write; These things saith the Amen] "Amen" is a Hebrew word (see 2 Cor. i. 20. Rom. xv. 8), expressing that which is immediately added, "faithful and true." Compare Isa. lxv. 16. the faithful and true witness] See on chap. i. 5 above; and compare xix. 11 and Ps. lxxxix. 37. the beginning of the creation of God] Reminding of the fact that by Him all things were created; and that by Him all things exist and all things consist (Col. i. 15-19). Before any created thing was formed, Elohim took created form in order to create; so that created beings might hold communion with the Creator, which they could not with God, who is "Spirit" (John iv. 24). Thus He is referred to in Prov. viii. 22-31. And thus He appeared to Adam (who was created in His image), and to the Patriarchs, and to Joshua as one who could be wrestled with and seen and spoken with. All believe that He assumed creature form specially for these appearances. It is only one step to further believe that this form was more permanent: that He took creature form in order to create, as He afterward took human form in order to redeem. (Compare the two songs of Rev. iv. 11 and v. 9.) No other view so well enables us to understand how He could be called "the Beginning of the creation of God," or explain such passages as Prov. viii. 22-31 and Col. i. 15-17, "the firstborn of every creature" who was "before all things." This is all expressed in the words of the ancient Creed. "Begotten of His Father before the world; born of the substance of his mother in the world." He is therefore the Head of Creation, the great subject of which this book treats, thus reminding us here of its beginning, as it afterwards tells of its end, and of the New Creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth. 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. 16. Thus, because thou art luke-warm, and neither hot nor cold, [126] I am about to spue thee out of my mouth] These words require no exposition. They explain with perfect clearness the condition of things among the remnant of the Jews in that day. The same result of unfaithfulness is not keeping the word and commandments of God is spoken of in Lev. xviii. 25, 28; xx. 22, where the people are told that for such disobedience, the very land should spue them out. Compare Zech. xi. 1-9, and Hos. iv. 6-7. 17. Because thou sayest] See [[4]Laodicea -- The Period of Judah's Removal] where these verses are compared with Hosea ii. 5, 8, 9, and other passages from the minor prophets, which describe the very condition of things here referred to. We enlarged on this point in those pages, so as not to over-burden these running comments on the text itself. I am rich and have become enriched] Compare Hos. xii. 8. And have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one (Hos. ii. 11; v. 15), and the miserable (Hag. i. 6), and poor, and blind, and naked (Hos. ii. 3-10). 18. I counsel thee to buy of me] When are the members of the Church of God, or, indeed, anyone in this dispensation, where all is of grace and of gift counselled "to buy" anything of God. We have "nothing to pay" and nothing to buy with; and can show no cause nor merit why we should have the slightest favour or blessing. Compare for the Dispensation of works Is. lv. 1, 2. gold refined in the fire (Mal. iii. 3; Hos. ii. 8; Hag. ii. 8), that thou mayest be enriched; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest] The reference here is to Jer. xiii. 25, 26, and Hosea ii. 3. and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see] Compare Is. lix. 10. 19. As many as I love] See Is. xliii. 4, and compare context. Also Deut. vii. 8. Hos. iii. 2; xi. 4. I rebuke and chasten] See Hos. vii. 12; Deut. viii. 5; xxviii. 20; and Prov. iii. 12. 20. Behold, I am standing (lit., "I have taken my station")at the door, and am knocking] The call is to the Wedding Feast of chap. xix. 9, to which the parables pointed, especially Luke xii. 35-38. The servants are exhorted to be "like unto men that wait for their Lord when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. The coming is no longer spoken of as "near" -- he is already at the door. To the twelve Tribes scattered abroad it is written in view of his coming -- "The judge standeth before the door" (Jas. v. 7, 8, 9). The nearness of the Lord as the "judge" is the warning conveyed by these words in the Epistle to the Assembly in Laodicea, and not the nearness of the Saviour in grace, or an invitation to sinners in this day of grace. Can anything be clearer than this? and can language be more incongruous as applied to any in this present dispensation. if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me] It is in connection with the knocking just referred to in Luke xii. 37 that the promise is given to the "servants" spoken of (not to the church). "Verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to meat, and he will come forth and serve them." Compare Matt. xxii. 2, 3. Luke xiv. 15; xxii. 16-18. Mark xiv. 25, and Rev. xix. 9. This is the same watching which is spoken of in verse 39 as the watching for the coming as a thief. 21. To him that overcometh will I give to take his seat with me on my throne, even as I also overcame and took my seat with my Father on His throne] This promise is seen fulfilled in xx. 4. The session of the Lord Jesus is spoken of here as past. He is now from His seat and is about to come down in judgment to avenge the blood of His martyred saints. Hence Stephen sees the same "Son of Man, standing," Acts vii. 56. Nothing proves more clearly the two thrones of which Scripture speaks. His Father's throne, on which He is now seated, and "the throne of His father David," to which Christ is the heir as David's Son and David's Lord (Luke xx. 42). Compare Ezek. xliii. 7. Ps. cxxii. 5. It is this throne which He will occupy when He comes in His glory. Luke i. 32. Acts. ii. 30 Heb. ii. 5. Matt. xxv. 31. Ps. viii. Dan. vii. and Rev. xx. 4. There is a third throne spoken of in chap. xxii. 1, 3; but that is "the throne of God and of the Lamb," and is after the Millennium. The promise in iii. 21 refers to the throne of Solomon. [[5]See the Seventh (Laodicea)]. 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the Assemblies] Here end these seven epistles. And we feel that no one can thus read and study them without becoming convinced that they belong to another dispensation altogether; when "works" and not grace form the standing; and Israel and not the Church is the subject. __________________________________________________________________ [94] So all the Critical Greek Texts and R.V. [95] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "thy." [96] This is the order of the words according to G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [97] So L.T.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV.-- has "and didst not weary." [98] Omit "quickly," L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [99] See Divine Names and Titles by the same author and publisher. [100] All the Critical Texts, with RV., omit the words "midst of." [101] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "thy works and". The Lord is not speaking of actions here, but of passive sufferings. [102] L.T.Tr.A. WH. & RV. omit the words "thy works, and." [103] T. omits "even." Tr. & A. put it in brackets as doubtful. [104] Omit "in which."--L.T.Tr. WH. See RV. marg. [105] All the critical Greek Texts and R.V. read (...) (homoios), in like manner, instead of (...) (ho miso), which I hate. [106] This word is added by G.L.Tr. (A). WH. and RV. [107] {Footnote is missing in our digitized original --CCEL} [108] The order of these words varies in the MSS. G.L.T.A. WH. and RV. have "love, faith, and service." Tr. has "faith, love, and service." [109] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "a few things." [110] (...) (apheis) instead of (...) (eas) sufferest. G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [111] G.L. (A). WH. (marg.) RV. (marg.) read "thy wife." [112] All the Texts and RV. read the verse thus. [113] All the critical Texts and RV. read (...) (autes) her, instead of (...) (auton) their. [114] Omit "and to," G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [115] L.T.Tr.A. and RV. have the present tense instead of the future. [116] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV., have "were" instead of "are." [117] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. add "my" here. [118] Omit "upon thee" G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [119] Omit "even," G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [120] So L.T.Tr. WH. and RV. [121] L.T.Ta.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read the future tense. [122] Ta.Tr.A. read the future tense. [123] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH and RV. [124] Omit "Behold," G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [125] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [126] So G.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. __________________________________________________________________ The First Vision "in Heaven": Chapters 4-5 The Throne and its surroundings We now come to the matter of the Book, which we have indicated by the letter X [in the section [6]The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by its Structure]. It consists, as we have seen, of seven pairs of visions. The first of each pair is a Vision "in heaven"; and the second of each pair is a Vision "on earth." Each Vision "in heaven" is preparatory to the Vision afterwards seen "on earth": and what is seen "on earth" is the carrying out of the Vision previously seen "in heaven." The one is mutually explanatory of the other. The heavenly Vision explains what is going to take place upon the earth; and the utterances in each heavenly Vision set forth the special object of the earthly events which are to follow. The former Vision of each pair is, therefore, the key to the latter. These divisions are made by the Holy Spirit Himself; and the divisions , made by man into chapters, where they do not agree with the Divine divisions, are only misleading. We shall have, therefore, wholly to ignore them, except for purposes of reference. These heavenly and earthly Visions will form the great chapters or divisions of this part of our work. We shall take each of these fourteen Visions in order: first giving the structure, with any necessary expansions; following each with our own translation, based on a revised Greek Text, according to the authorities quoted in the notes; interspersed with such running expository remarks as may be necessary. The structures themselves will be found full of teaching, and will give the scope of each section; showing, at a glance, what are the subjects of which our attention is to be fixed. The following is the structure (in brief) of H^1, the first Vision "in heaven," consisting of chapters iv. and v. H^1.^ THE FIRST VISION "IN HEAVEN" (chap. iv., v) The Throne and its surroundings H^1 | A | iv. 1-8-. The Throne, the Elders and the Zoa B | -8-11. The utterances of the Zoa and the Elders. Theme: Creation. A | v. 1-7. The Throne and the Book: the Lion and the Lamb. B | 8-14. The New Song of the Zoa and the Elders. Other heavenly utterances. Theme: Redemption. From this it will be seen that the great subjects of this Vision "in heaven" are:-- THE THRONE, THE BOOK, AND THE LAMB. That which comes first in the Book gives its importance and significance to the whole Book. It is the key to all that follows, and carries us forward by the Spirit to the future age, the coming "Day of the Lord." The first thing seen and the first mentioned (in verse 2) is THE THRONE. "Immediately, I became in Spirit; and behold! a throne was set in heaven." No words could be more important as fixing our minds on the great central and all-governing fact which pervades the Book of this prophecy. It is the day spoken of in Ps. ciii. 19. "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; And His kingdom ruleth over all." And in Pss. ix. and x., which treat of the coming great Tribulation as the "times of trouble" (ix. 9, and x. 1), it is declared: The Lord "hath prepared His throne for judgment." And in Ps. xi. 4-6 we read: "The Lord is in his holy temple, The Lord's throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, Fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: This shall be the portion of their cup." These three Psalms foretell and refer to the scenes described more fully in the Apocalypse. Daniel (vii. 9, 10) also speaks of this very moment when he says "I behold till the thrones were set" (not "cast down" as in AV. but "placed" as in RV. [127] ) "and the ancient of days did sit... His throne was like the fiery flame and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: THE JUDGMENT WAS SET, and the books were opened." This throne speaks of judgment; "the throne of grace" is no longer seen. Grace is the character of this present dispensation; while judgment, righteousness, and justice will characterise that which is coming. The heavenly voice announces it. "Just and true are thy ways, thou king of nations" (xv. 3 q.v.). "Thy judgments are made manifest" (verse 4). "Thou art just, who art and who wast the holy One, because thou judgedst thus" (xvi. 5; see also verse 7, and xix. 2, 11). The martyred ones are represented as crying "How long, O Sovereign Lord, [128] the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on the dwellers on the earth" (vi. 10). The reply is, not that this cry is out of place, but that it is only premature: they are to wait a little longer. Heaven itself bids all to rejoice at the execution of judgment (xviii. 20; xix. 2). "Fear God and give glory to him" (is the cry that will then go forth), "for the hour of his judgment is come" (xiv. 7). Judgment is also the final Vision (xx. 4); and it is given to the saints who have overcome. Psalm cxlix. 5-9 also tells of that final scene. "Let the saints be joyful in glory: Let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God (El) be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, And punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: This honour have all His saints. Hallelujah." The Throne, therefore, with which this first Vision "in heaven" commences, is the great central object. The structure shows this; and it shows also other prominent objects, viz. the Book and the Lamb, and their relation to two great subjects, Creation (chap. iv.) and Redemption (chap. v). Before we proceed to the translation we must give the expansion of A. iv. 1-8-. Its importance is seen from the minuteness with which the Throne is described. A. iv. 1-8-. The Throne. A | a | 1-3-. On it: the Enthroned One. b | d | -3. Round it: a Rainbow. e | 4. Round it: 24 Thrones. c | 5-. Out of it: Lightnings. b | d | -5. Before it: Seven Lamps. e | 6-. Before it: a Crystal Sea. a | -6-8-. In the midst and round about it: the four Zoa. We now proceed to give the translation of each separate member, marking each with the corresponding letters, so that its place in the general structure and plan can be easily referred to, found and followed. A. iv. 1-8-. THE THRONE. a. 1-3-. On it: the Enthroned One. iv. 1. After these things] Seven times in this book we have this or a similar expression (iv. 1; vii. 1, 9; xv. 5; xviii. 1; xix. 1; xx. 3). As in the last case a thousand years intervene, it is clear that what is seen does not necessarily follow immediately. (It is a Hebrew idiom. Compare Gen. xxii. 1). I looked, and, behold a door set open IN HEAVEN] There are five openings mentioned in this Book; and, while they do not mark special literary divisions, yet they are all of the deepest importance and significance. See xi. 19; xv. 5; xix. 11; and xxi. 1. This first is a "door" opened to admit John. But when the Armies of Heaven come forth, then John says: "And I saw Heaven opened" (xix. 11), and not merely a door. The same happened to Ezekiel when he saw "visions of (or from) God." And the former voice which I heard (at the beginning, i. 10) was as it were of a trumpet speaking with me (i. 10), saying, "Come up hither, and I will show thee what things must come to pass hereafter"] There is no necessity for taking these words (...) (die genesthai) differently from i. 1, 19; xxii. 6. Matt. xxiv. 6; xxvi. 64. Dan. ii. 28, 29. (...) (meta tauta) means (literally) after these things, when used in historic narrative; but when used in promise or prophecy the expression means hereafter. See i. 19 and ix. 12. 2. [129] Immediately I came to be in Spirit] See chap. i. 10; xvii. 3; and xxi. 10. And for the further uses of (...) (en pneumati) in spirit, see Rom. ix. 1; xiv. 17; xv. 16. I Cor. xii. 3, 9. 2 Cor. vi. 6. I Thess. i. 5. Jude 20 and Micah iii. 8. and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne was One sitting] This is evidently the Father; who henceforth, throughout the book, is spoken of as "He that sitteth upon the throne." He is distinguished from the Son in vi. 16; vii. 10. 3. And He that sat was, in appearance like to a jasper stone and a sardius; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, -- like, in appearance, to an emerald] It cannot be known precisely what is meant by the appearance of these stones, nor can we identify them satisfactorily. But there is no doubt as to the "rainbow." It speaks of a scene of judgment -- not of water, but of fire; and it tells also of hope and deliverance for those concerned in the covenant of which it is the "sign." The form tells us of the covenant of Gen. ix. 8-17; and the colour, being the opposite of that of fire, tells of mercy in the midst of judgment (Hab. iii. 3. Ps. ci. 1). 4. And round about the throne (behold) four and twenty thrones; and upon the four and twenty thrones [130] elders sitting, arrayed in white garments] The word for the Elders' thrones is the same as that for "the throne" of verse 2. Probably they were both smaller and lower; as they were also evidently subordinate. and on their heads [131] crowns of gold] The common interpretation is that the Elders are symbolical of the Church of God. But why not leave them alone? Why must they be something different from what they are? David arranged his twenty-four courses of the Priesthood (I Chron. xxiv. 3-5) after the heavenly order. And he had it all "by the Spirit." "All this," said David, "the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me" [132] (I Chron. xxviii. 11-13, 19). It was the same in the case of the Tabernacle which served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as when Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed thee in the mount" (Heb. viii. 5 and refs.). Hence, they are called "patterns of things in the heavens" (Heb. ix. 23). It was the same with David and the Temple, so that when David copied on earth was a pattern of real things "in the Heavens." The Temple worship on earth was therefore modelled on that worship which is carried on in heaven: and which , if we were caught up now, we should see being carried on there by these heavenly leaders of heaven's worship. These elders are the heads of the heavenly priesthood; the chief-priests or elders of Heavenly worship and rule. The comparative (...) (presbuteros) elder) has been distinguished from (...) (presbutes) old man), from the most ancient times, as marking and denoting official position. It is preserved in our Eng. Alderman or elder man. In the papyri is it constantly used of both civil and religious rulers. The affairs of the whole priesthood of the Egyptian mysteries were conducted by an annual council of 25 presbuteroi. The word does not mean "priest" in any sense, for we often find the expression "presbyter-priest" "used of a ruler among priest," so that there were priestly-governors as well as civil-governors. [133] The word is used in this sense in the Old Testament of "elders of the priests." (See Isa. xxxvii. 1. Jer. xix. 1; and passages given below). This is the meaning of the word here also. David distributed his twenty-four courses, sixteen from the sons of Eleazar; and eight from the sons of Ithamar. These were "governors of the sanctuary and governors of the house of God." (I Chron. xxiv. 5). If we ask, Why twenty-four? the answer is because twelve is the number of governmental perfection; and wherever we find it, or any multiple of it, it is always associated with government and rule. It was the number (24,000) of the Levites who were to serve in the house of the Lord (I Chron. xxiii. 3, 4). It was the number of the prophets who were to lead the praises of God with instruments of song (I Chron. xxv. 31). The porters of the sons of Levi were twenty-four (I Chron. xxvi. 17-19). The same number obtained in the Palace as in the Temple. Twelve captains presided over 24,000 (I Chron. xxvii. 1-15). Twelve officers were set over the Treasuries (verses 25-31). So these four-and-twenty elders are the princely leaders, rulers, and governors of Heaven's worship. They are kings and priests. They were not, and cannot be, the Church of God. They are seen already crowned when the throne is first set up. They are crowned now. They were not, and are not redeemed, for they distinguish between themselves and those who are redeemed. See their song below (chap. v. 9, 10 and RV.). They speak of the time of "giving the reward to thy servants" (xi. 18), not to us thy servants. They are heavenly unfallen beings, and therefore they are "arrayed in white robes." They speak of Creation (iv. 8-11). And when they sing of Redemption (v. 8-14) it is called "a new song." Redemption would be no new song to the Church of God, for it would be the old song which they had so often sung upon earth as "the old, old story." One of them speaks to John (vii. 13-17) as though separate and different from both the great multitude and from John himself. They offer "golden bowls full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints (v. 8). They are priests ministering for others. Is this the work of the Church? Their functions are altogether priestly. See 2 Chron. v. 11-14. And, as "elders," they were also rulers; and hence are seen seated on thrones (see Gen. xxiv. 2. Ex. iii. 16. In 1 Sam. xxx. 26, and 2 Sam. iii. 17; v. 3). They are next to the King, his councillors. (Compare 2 Sam. xvii. 4 and 1 Kings viii. 1-3). From all this we may gather the position of these four-and-twenty elders; and see that, to interpret them of the Church is to force many passages of Scripture into a meaning which they cannot have. 5. and out of the throne go forth lightnings and voices and thunders [134] ; and seven torches of fire are burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God] See above on i. 4; iii. 1; and compare v. 6. These seven spirits are "before the throne" ready to obey the commands of Him who sits thereon. The throne itself has all the accessories of judgment which inspire awe and speak of coming wrath. 6. and (behold) before the throne, like [135] a glassy sea, like crystal] It does not say what it was, but only what it was "like." Having been told what it was "like," it is not for us to seek for any further symbolism. Heaven, we believe, is a place of glorious realities, and not a place of unsubstantial shadows. We shall one day see what John saw, and then we shall know. Now, we have to believe what is written until faith shall be exchanged for sight. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne, four Zoa, full of eyes before and behind. 7. and the first Zoon was like a lion, and the second Zoon like an ox, and the third Zoon having the face as a man, and the fourth Zoon like a flying eagle. 8. and the four Zoa had each of them respectively, six wings; around and within they are full of eyes] The word "beasts" is not the same as in chaps. xii. and xvii. Here it is (...) (zoon), and means any living creature; but in chap. xiii. and xvii. it is (...) (therion), a wild, untamed beast. It is difficult to find a term which shall exactly represent the original. "Living creature" is both vague and cumbrous; "living beings" implies too much of humanity; "living ones" would be better, but as the word is sometimes used in the singular number it would cause confusion to say "living one," inasmuch as "the Living One" is used in this book as one of the Divine titles of the Lord Jesus. We have judged it better therefore to leave the word untranslated, and use Zoon in the singular, and Zoa in the plural. No difficulty will be experienced, as the word is already partly Anglicised and understood in our words, Zoology, Zoological, Zoophyte, Zootomy, Zoonymy, &c., which all have to do with living things; animate as opposed to inanimate. The first time the Zoa are mentioned in the Bible they are named, though they are not described. In Gen. iii. 24 they are called "the Cherubim," and this word has never been translated in any Version. We have, therefore, a good precedent for leaving their other names, Zoon and Zoa, also untranslated. The Zoa are described in Ezekiel (chap. i. 5-14), and they are identified in Ezek. x. 20 with the cherubim. "This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims." The two terms are used interchangeably in Ezekiel. Compare i. 22 and x. 1, 15. No one can tell us anything about them beyond what God has Himself told us. Man's opinions as to what they "represent" are hardly worth controverting. Our own opinions are equally worthless; we can only point our readers to what God has revealed about them. Some would have it that they represent the Godhead; but it is hardly likely that God, who commanded that no emblem of Deity should be made, should make one Himself; especially one like unto "an ox that eateth grass." (See Deut. iv. 15, 16. Rom. i. 22, 23. Ps. cvi. 19, 20). Moreover, they offer worship, but are never worshipped themselves (Isa. vi. Rev. iv., v.). Some think they represent the four Gospels; but animals can hardly represent books. Moreover, it is difficult to see the point of the four Gospels guarding the Tree of Life, or occupying such a prominent place in the Tabernacle and in the Temple. That they cannot be the Church is clear from the following facts: 1. Three out of the four are animals, and there must be some sort of congruity between even a symbol and the thing signified. 2. They call for judgment (chap. vi.), and give the bowls "full of wrath of God" to the Seven Vial Angels (chap. xv.). This is surely not the work of the Church, either now or in the future. 3. Rev. v. 9, 10, according to the correct text and translation, shows that these Zoa do not speak of themselves as redeemed, but distinguish themselves from such. See below, our exposition of those verses. 4. They cannot be any ordinary angelic beings, inasmuch, as they are distinguished from the angels in chap. v. 8, 11. Neither do they ever receive any commission, as angels always do. On the contrary, they give orders, as angels do not. 5. They are attached to the Throne of God, and are never seen apart from it. 6. They are first mentioned, as we have said, in Gen. iii. 24: "So He drove out the man; and He placed (in a Tabernacle), at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." The verb "keep," here, means to preserve and care for, and guard, as in Gen. ii. 15 and xviii. 19, etc. We first see them in connection with the Fall; and we note the fact that they are representative of animate creation, hence their name Zoa. Their number, four, connects them also with the earth [136] ; and Rom. viii. 19-21 makes the whole creation to partake of the effects of the Fall "For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For to vanity was the creation subjected, not willingly, but on account of Him who subjected the same: and this was in hope, because the creation itself also shall be freed from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth together and travaileth together until now" (Rom. viii. 19-21). These words receive a new significance if we regard the Cherubim, or Zoa, as being the concrete representation of this groaning creation; and as being the pledge that its groaning shall one day cease, and its hope be fulfilled. That hope was given when they were first placed, as in an Tabernacle, (as the word means), at the gate of Eden. There, at that time, was the Lord's presence manifested. Hither Cain and Abel brought their offerings; and from this "presence of the Lord" Cain went out (Gen. iv. 14-16). It may be that the Tabernacle of God continued up to the time of the Flood. For Shem is spoken of as the custodian of this "dwelling place." The word "placed" in Gen. iii. 24 is (...) (shaken), and it means to station or dwell in a tabernacle, and is commonly spoken of as God's dwelling among men and of His dwelling place. [137] In Gen. ix. 26, 27, we read: "Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; And Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japhet: And He (i.e., God) shall dwell (or place His tabernacle) in the tents of Shem." Here the three patriarchs are mentioned. Canaan (i.e., Ham) and Japhet occupy the two central lines; while Shem and the Lord His God occupy the two outer lines. If this be so, then, this Tabernacle of the Divine presence continued among men down to the Flood and contained the Cherubim. After the Flood, the Teraphim (probably a corruption of Cherubim) were made in imitation of them, and became objects of worship. The remembrance of them was carried away by the scattered nations (Gen. xi.), and probably the Assyrian sculptures are traditional corruptions of the Cherubim, for they consisted of a man with an eagle's head; a lion or a winged bull with a human head. When God set up the Tabernacle in Israel it was that He might "dwell among them" (Exod. xxv. 8; where we have the same word as that used in Gen. iii. 24: "placed in a tabernacle"). The first thing made was not the Tabernacle itself, but the Ark of the Covenant with its mercy-seat and the Cherubim (Exod. xxv. 10-12). These were not the real cherubim, of course; they were only copies of them on the mercy-seat. Representations of them were woven into the Vail (Exod. xxvi. 31; xxxvi. 35). This could only have been to show that, henceforth, the hope of creation was bound up with "the hope of Israel"; and, that both were bound up in, and based on, the merits of atoning blood. From "between the Cherubim" God spoke; and there His glory dwelt. (I Sam. iv. 4. 2 Sam. vi. 2. Ps. lxxx. 1, 3, 7, 14, 19. Isa. xxxvii. 16). The original Covenant with Adam, and with the Son of Man Himself, takes in the whole animate creation, and tells of the hope of its deliverance (Ps. viii. 6-8; cxlviii. 7-11). And millennial glory will not be complete without that hope being fulfilled (Isa. xi. 6-9). In Rev. iv. and v. the Son of Man is about to realise this hope of creation; and, therefore, creation rejoices in the blessed prospect. The Zoa are seen attached to the throne, and they speak of creation. The earth is about to be judged; and their deliverance is at hand. Hence they say, "Thou art worthy, O Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they were, and were created" (iv. 11). They speak, too, of the redemption on which the coming deliverance is based (chap. v. 9, 10; see below); and thus explain the object with which they had been associated with the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat. In all this we are on Old Testament ground; for when allusion is made to these momentous truths in Rom. viii., creation's hope is spoken of as being distinct from that of the Church, though bound up with it, and depending upon its manifestation in glory. In brief, then, we may say, that the cherubim are heavenly realities; living ones of whom we know nothing by experience. But, the references made to them in Scripture teach us that in some way they tell us of Creation's association with the effects of the Fall, and of the future hope of deliverance from those effects. Hence, their introduction here, now that that deliverance is at hand; and hence their words also, which tell that it is near. This brings us to the utterances of the Zoa and of the twenty-four Elders in B, iv. -8-11. B, chap. iv. -8-11. THE UTTERANCES OF THE ZOA AND ELDERS. The Theme -- Creation. We now come to B, iv. -8-11, the subject of which is the worship and utterances of the Zoa and the Elders. This is part of the larger structure of H^1, and still part of the first vision seen "in Heaven." The following is the structure: B | f | -8-. Worship of the Zoa. "And they rest not g | -8. Their utterance (creation). "Holy, holy, holy... f | 9, 10. Worship of the Elders. "And when... g | 11. Their new song (creation). "Thou art worthy... iv. -8. And they have no cessation day and night, saying "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty Who was, and who is, and who is coming." This is the first of all the seventeen Heavenly utterances. They begin with God Himself, and relate to what He is in Himself; and not to what He has, or has done, or is going to do. The emphasis is on "who was," because it is put first. [138] The object of the whole Book, and of all that it records, is to establish the Holiness of God, which is here, at the very outset, the first thing that is proclaimed. The reign of Heaven is about to be established in the Earth, when all shall be holy, where now all is unholy. Hence we have the same thought in the great Kingdom-prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed (or Holy) be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven." Then, and not till then, we have "us." "Give us," etc. It is remarkable also that there are three Psalms which proleptically speak of this coming reign. Psalms xciii., xcvii., and xcix. The three Psalms which precede these commence with the command to sing, and then these Psalms which follow each begin "the Lord reigneth." Not yet can they be sung of accomplished facts, but the day is coming when they can, and will be, sung of then present glorious realities. The point, however, we wish to notice is that, each of these three Psalms ends with a reference to God's holiness, because it will then be said "the Lord reigneth." But the heavenly utterances in Revelation begin with the proclamation of this holiness, because those who say "Holy, Holy, Holy," are about to call for the judgments which are to bring in that coming Holy Reign. (See Isa. xxiii. 18. Zech. xiv. 20, 21). Those three Psalms must be carefully read in the light of the Apocalypse. The first (xciii.) is called for by the song for the Sabbath (xcii.), which speaks of the millennial Sabbath-keeping which is to come, and tells of the destruction of the wicked, the perishing of the enemies and the scattering of the workers of iniquity, before the Lord is exalted as most High for evermore. (verses 7-9). Then comes the answer in Psalm xciii., which begins "THE LORD REIGNETH," and tells of the Throne being established, and ends with the declaration, "holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever." The second (xcvii.) is called for in the Psalm xcvi. 1. "O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth"; and speaks of the millennial glory, which is summed up in verse 11: "Let the heavens rejoice, And let the earth be glad." [139] This, too, is the burden of the final heavenly utterances in Rev. xix. 5, 7. Then comes the answer in Psalm xcvii., which begins "THE LORD REIGNETH," and tells how "righteousness and judgment are the habitation of this throne" (verse 2; and compare Rev. xv. 3; xvi. 7; xix. 2); and goes on to speak of the very judgments which are described in the Apocalypse, and also of the same exaltation of Jehovah high above all the earth (verse 9; compare xcii. 8). It ends by calling on the righteous to "rejoice in the Lord... and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." The third (xcix.) is called for in Psalm xcviii. 1-3: "O sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory... He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel." Then comes the answer in Psalm xcix., which begins "THE LORD REIGNETH; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubim, let the earth be moved" (marg., stagger). Three times in this Psalm we have the three-fold "Holy" of the Zoa in Rev. iv. 8 giving us its interpretation and significance: Verse 3. "Let them praise thy great and terrible name: for it is holy." Verse 5. "Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool, for he is holy." And Verse 9. "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for he is holy." All this truth and teaching is embraced in this first heavenly utterance, spoken by the four Zoa. We have called attention to the fact that each Vision seen "IN HEAVEN" is marked by heavenly voices; and we have stated that it is in these we must look for the key to the judgment scenes which follow on earth. We shall have, therefore, to give more attention than is usually done to the significance of these utterances; weigh their words, learn their lessons, and note their bearing on what follows "on earth." 9. And when the Zoa shall give glory, honour, and thanksgiving to Him who sitteth upon the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10. The four and twenty elders shall fall down before Him who sitteth upon the throne, and they shall [140] worship Him who liveth for ever and ever, and shall [141] cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "Worthy art thou, O Lord and our God, [142] To receive glory, and honour, and power; Because Thou didst create all things, And for thy pleasure they were, [143] and are created"] Thus, creation is the subject of the first great utterance of the Zoa and the Elders. Their words announce the blessed fact that the judgments which are about to take place, have for their great object the removal of the curse, and of all unholiness from the earth; and the ending of creation's groaning and travail. These heavenly elders take part in this heavenly utterance, and they acknowledge its truth by bowing their heads in worship and homage. A, chap. v. 1-7. THE THRONE AND THE BOOK: THE LION AND THE LAMB. Having considered the member B, iv. -8-11, we now come to the member A, v. 1-7, the subject of which is The Throne, and the Book: The Lion and the Lamb. Here, as in A. iv. 1-8-, we have the Throne. But, here it is rather Him that sitteth upon the throne, than the Throne itself. A | h | 1-. Right hand. "And I saw... i | -1. A Book. k | 2-5. The Lion. "And I saw... k | 6. The Lamb. "And I saw... i | 7-. The Book. "And he came... h | -7. Right hand. "Out of the right hand. v. 1. And I saw on the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne, a Book (or Roll), written within and on the back, having been sealed with seven seals] Much ingenuity has been spent in the interpretation of this "Book," and what it represents. Some have suggested that it is the history of the Christian Church, but we trust our readers are fairly convinced by this time that the Church is not the subject of the Apocalypse. Neither can it be "the book of the Covenant" yet to be made with Israel, because that New Covenant is in mercy (Heb. x. 16, 17), while this book has to do with judgment. Why should we go out of our way to seek for a far-fetched meaning when we have such plain indications in the Word itself of what a sealed book denotes. In Is. xxix. 11 we read: "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed." In Dan. xii. 1-3, we read of the Great Tribulation, which is the central subject of the Apocalypse. But Daniel is not permitted to do much more than make known the fact of the great Tribulation out of which Daniel's people, the Jews, were to be delivered. The particulars, and the circumstances of that day, were not to be made known at that time by Daniel. Hence, it is said to him (Dan. xii. 4): "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end." And when Daniel enquired (verse 8) as to "what should be the end of these things?" The answer is (verse 9), "Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." The details of a former vision Daniel was told also to seal up. "Wherefore shut thou up the vision: for it shall be for many days" (viii. 26). What ought we to look for as the first thing, in the Apocalypse, which, as we have seen, has the end of the "many days" and "the time of the end" for its great subject, but the unsealing of this book, the sealing of which is so prominently spoken of in the book of Daniel? When the time comes for the fulfilment of all that is written in this book, then the seals are opened. Even then, though these seven seals be opened, there are still certain things which even John himself has to "seal up," viz., "the things which the seven thunders uttered" (x. 4). We take it therefore that the opening of the seals of this book is the enlargement, development and continuation of the Book of Daniel, describing, from God's side, the judgments necessary to secure the fulfilment of all that He has foretold. The opening of each seal has a special judgment as its immediate result. The roll given to Ezekiel was of similar import. "He spread it before me, and it was written within and without; and there were written therein, lamentations and mourning and woe" (Ezek. ii. 10). In like manner, the opening of the seals of this book disclose tribulation and mourning and woe. But there is more in the "Book" than this. There is also the object of all this judgment. That object is the redemption of the forfeited inheritance. (See the notes on verse 2, below). The special importance of this "Book" (and all that is involved in it) is set forth by its structure, which is as follows:-- THE EXPANSION OF k., v. 2-5. k | l | 2-. The Angel's proclamation. "And I saw... m | -2. Question. "Who is worthy...? First consequence: Inability n | o | 3-. No one able. (Agent). p | -3. To open the book. (Action). Second consequence: Weeping. n | o | 4-. No one able. (Agent). l | 5-. The Elder's consolation. "And one... m | 5. Answer to Question. "Behold... The Translation of k, v. 2-5. v. 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?"] It looks as though there is something more in this 7-Sealed Book than what we have said on verse 1. There is evidently more in this book than the mere continuation of Daniel's prophecies. This is there, without doubt, but there must be that which calls for all these judgments and requires the putting forth of all this power. If the Book has to do with the whole subject of prophecy, with its causes, and not merely with its consequences and its end, then it may well take us back to the beginning, to which the cherubim already point us, when man was driven out from Paradise, when he forfeited his inheritance; and the promise of a coming Deliverer and Redeemer was given. This First Vision "in Heaven" (iv. v.) takes up the history of man in relation to the Throne, at the point where it was left in Gen. iii. 24. The Throne is here set up; but man is outside and unable still to gain access to "The Tree of Life." Hence this proclamation "Who is worthy?" Who has the right to redeem the forfeited inheritance, the lost Paradise? Satan is in possession of this world now. He is its "God" and "prince" (John xii. 31; xiv. 30; xvi. 11. Eph. ii. 2), and as such he was able in a peculiar way to tempt Him who had come to redeem it in the only lawful way in which it could be redeemed. (See Lev. xxv. 25; Deut xxv. 5; and Ruth iv. 1-6). If this be so, then we understand this proclamation, which has so important a place in this heavenly vision. And the enquiry will be like that of Boaz, Who will act the Goel's (or Redeemer's) part for man and for Israel, and recover his lost estate. Jer. xxxii. shows that a sealed book was given in connection with such a transaction (read verses 6-16); and if so, then it serves as an illustration for a much weightier redemption, even that of the new song which immediately follows in this Heavenly Vision; the song whose theme is nothing less than the Redemption of Creation, accomplished by One who was altogether worthy, both by unanswerable right and unequalled might. For the Goel was an avenger as well as a Redeemer. 3. and no one was able, in the heaven nor upon the earth, neither under the earth, to open the Book, or to look at it] The worthiness required is so great that no created being is able even to contemplate it. There was not one that could make reply to the herald's challenge. 4. and I was weeping much because no one worthy was found to open [144] the Book or to look at it] The scene must have been very vivid and real to John to produce this sadness. These tears were not caused by disappointed inquisitiveness! Surely, he must have realised, somewhat, the serious nature of the consequences involved if one worthy could not have been found. There must have been something, and enough in the character or appearance of the Book, to tell him this: for no voice had yet said anything as to its nature or contents. One of the Elders breaks the silence. 5. And one of the elders saith to me "Weep not! Behold the Lion which is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, prevailed [145] so as to open the Book, and shall loose the seven seals of it] Not one of the Elders, or the Cherubim, or Angel, or Spirit, could accomplish the work of the Goel (or Redeemer). None of these could be "next of kin," none but the Son of Man, who was David's Son and David's Lord. None but He who was at once the "Root" from whence David sprang, and the "offspring" which sprang from David, could be next-of-kin, and therefore entitled to redeem the forfeited Inheritance of the Throne, the Land, and the People. He was "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah" (Gen. xlix. 8-10. Num. xxiv. 7-9 Isa. ix. 6, 7; xi. 1. Ps. lxxxix. 20-29). The Lord Jesus will prevail as the Lion; and it is of this the Book treats; but, He first prevailed as the Lamb slain. Hence, when John turned, he saw, not a Lion, according to the Elder's announcement, but a Lamb, according to the prior historical fact. He first takes the place of man as outside the garden and the tree of life (Gen. iii. 24). His Redemption work commenced on earth by His coming, not into a garden, but into a wilderness (Matt. iv. 1). He approaches that flaming sword and hears the words of Him who said "Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the MAN that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts" (Zech. xiii. 7). This sword was sheathed in Him, and thus He becomes entitled to enter and worthy to take the Book. When John first looks (verse 1), he sees only "the Throne and the Book," which are separated from the second by the structure. For when he looks the second time (verse 6), he sees "the Lamb." The Lamb is now seen in the midst of the Throne. He occupies no longer the outside place. He is entitled to enter and approach the throne, for He alone is "worthy." 6. And I saw [146] in the midst of the throne and of the four Zoa, and in the midst of the Elders -- a Lamb, standing as having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, having been sent [147] into the whole earth] The Elder spoke of a Lion: but John turns and see a Lamb. The Elder spoke of the consequence: John sees the cause. The Lion is about to put forth His power and eject the usurper from his dominion. "The prince of this world is (already) judged" (John xvi. 11). Sentence has been passed; a judgment summons has been issued (John xii. 31; xvi. 11); and execution is about to be put in (Rev. xii). But all this is here first shown to be in virtue of the "right" obtained by the payment of the redemption price: that is why John sees a Lamb as "having been slain." Past payment is the basis of future power (Col. ii. 15. Heb. ii. 14). This it is which established the worthiness of the true Goel. The horns of the Lamb speak of His power (I Sam. ii. 1. 2 Sam. xxii. 3. Ps. lxxv. 4; cxxxii. 17; cxlviii. 14. Lam. ii. 3. Ezek. xxix. 21. Dan. viii. 5, 20, 21, etc.). This power is Divine and has a spiritual and almighty agency able to carry it out. The seven eyes, Zech. iv. 10 and iii. 9, denotes the fact that the Lord is about to remove the iniquity of the Land of Israel. 7. And He came and took it [148] out of the right hand of Him who sitteth upon the throne] Thus ends the member which has for its subject "The Throne and the Book; the Lion and the Lamb." It corresponds with Dan. vii. 9-14, where the Son of Man is seen coming to the Ancient of Days and receiving a kingdom, dominion, and glory; and it is this which is immediately celebrated in the New Song which follows in chap. v. 8-14, concluding this first Vision "In Heaven." B., chap. v. 8-14. THE NEW SON OF THE ZOA AND ELDERS. The Theme -- Redemption. The last member of C^1 is now reached. In the structure it is marked B, and consists of chap. v. 8-14 the subject being, "The New Song of the Zoa, and the elders, and the heavenly utterances of other Angelic Beings." It is arranged in orderly sequence; the speakers and their utterances being separated and placed in five pairs, or groups. EXPANSION OF B., chap. v. 8-14. The New Song of the Zoa, Elders and others. B | q^1 | 8, 9-. The Four Zoa, and 24 Elders. r^1 | -9, 10. Their New Song. q^2 | 11, 12. Many Angels. r^2 | -12. Their Utterance. q^3 | 13-. Every creature. r^3 | -13. Their Utterance. q^4 | 14-. The Four Zoa. r^4 | -14-. Their Utterance. q^5 | -14-. The 24 Elders. r^5 | -14. Their Utterance. Here, in q^1 to q^5 we have the heavenly speakers and singers; while, in r^1 to r^5 we have their song and their utterances. The latter relate to the scene which has just taken place "in heaven," and to the result of it about to be seen in the consequent judgments which follow and take place "on earth." The point at which the heavenly voices commence is the moment when the Lamb, who alone is entitled and worthy takes the Book. 8. And when He took the Book the four Zoa and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb having each a harp [149] , and golden bowls full of incenses which are the prayers of the Saints] In the Old Testament, the harp is associated with joy and gladness (see 1 Chron. xxv. 1, 6; 2 Chron. xxix. 25; Ps. lxxi. 22; xcii. 3; cxlix. 3); just as sadness is expressed by the absence of it: "The joy of the harp ceaseth" (Isa. xxiv. 8). Harps were also specially associated with prophecy (1 Sam. x. 5; 1 Chron. xxv. 3; Ps. xlix. 4). The golden bowls were vessels belonging to the altar (Zech. xiv. 20), and the Septuagint uses the word for the vessels of the Temple (1 Kings vii. 45, 50; 2 Chron. iv. 22; Ex. xxv. 23-29; xxvii. 3; xxxvii. 10-16). The "prayers of the saints" are the prayers referred to by our Lord in the parable of the Judge, where He applies the parable Himself and asks "and shall not God avenge His own elect which cry day and night with Him though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith (Gr. the faith) on the earth?" (Luke xviii. 7, 8). The faith here spoken of is that referred to in Rev. ii. 19; xiii. 10; xiv. 12. These elect are the saints spoken of and referred to in Matt. xxiv. 31, and Dan. vii. 18, 22, 27. They are the "Saints of the Most High"; the Most High being a Divine title, always used in connection with the earth; and not with the church. The Elders perform priestly service, because it is on behalf of others. This, the Church cannot do. If the "Elders" are the Church, then the "Saints" cannot be, for the Church cannot offer for itself; nor can one part of it offer for another part! No! The Church is "all one in Christ Jesus," and cannot be separated or divided. 9. and they sing a New Song, saying] The Zoa speak only in this first Vision "in Heaven" and in the last, in chap. xix. 4; and no where else. The Elders speak in the first and last, but also a third time in xi. 17. This is significant; as showing the weight and importance of those utterances respectively. In this first vision "in Heaven" their voices are heard twice: First, in connection with the Throne and Him who sitteth thereupon (separately); for the Zoa speak first (iv. 8); and the Elders follow (iv. 11); their theme being Creation. The second time they speak it is in connection with the Lamb, and the Book, they sing together (chap. v. 9, 10), their theme being Redemption. Six times in this first Vision "in Heaven," these Heavenly Voices are heard. All Heaven is engaged in singing the worthiness of God as the Creator; and the worthiness of the Lamb as the Redeemer. Surely these are the dominant personages of the whole Book. These are the themes which form its subject: viz., the removal of the curse from creation, the redemption of the purchased inheritance, the ejection of the great usurper; and all accomplished through the payment of Redemption's price by the merits of the Lamb, and the putting forth of Redemption power. Hence, in connection with Him and with the book we have the first of four heavenly utterances: The New Song of the Zoa and Elders. v. 9, 10. "Worthy art thou To take the Book, And to open the seals thereof, Because thou wast slain And didst purchase [150] a people for God by thy blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation And didst make them [151] to our God [152] A kingdom [153] and priests, And they reign [154] over the earth"] This is the theme of the New Song. The worthiness of the Lamb to take the Book, because of the Redemption He had accomplished. The People had been once redeemed from Egypt, for it is in connection with the Exodus that Redemption is first mentioned in the Bible, in the Song of Ex. xv. 13. "Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them by thy strength unto thy holy habitation." But now the People have been scattered among "every kindred and tongue, and people and nation," and therefore they must be redeemed from these, "the second time," "like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt" (Is. ix. 11, 16). The importance of the various readings in verse 9 will be seen, and noted; because upon this turns very much the interpretation of the whole Book. The true reading separates the singers from the Redeemed, and makes them heavenly beings who need no redemption, but who sing of the redemption wrought for others. But the payment of the price is only one part of the work of redemption. If the price be paid and there be no power to take possession and eject the holder the payment is in vain. And if power be put forth and exercised in casting out the usurper, without the previous payment of the redemption price, it would not be a righteous action. So that for the redemption of the forfeited inheritance two things are absolutely necessary, price and power. The first redemption song has for its theme the payment of the price. The second celebrates the putting forth of the power. We are first told by whom this second utterance is made. 11. And I saw and heard [155] the voice of many angels around the throne, and of the Zoa, and of the elders, and the number of them was myriads of myriads [156] 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"] They give this sevenfold ascription as to the Lamb's worthiness. The words "Power" and "Strength" divide the seven into three and four. These are all marked off by the Figure Polysyndeton (i.e., the use of "many ands") which bids us consider each of these seven features of the Lamb's worthiness separately. In doing this we are to note that the great theme is Redemption power and strength. 13. And every creature which is in heaven and on [157] the earth and beneath the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying "To Him that sitteth upon the throne And to the Lamb Blessing and honour and glory and might For ever and ever"] This is the ascription of the whole creation. Hence it is four-fold because it is in connection with the earth ( of which four is the number) and because He who sitteth upon the Throne is there in relation to the earth. Whereas the ascription to the Person of the Lamb slain is seven-fold because Redemption blood was offered "through the eternal Spirit" (Heb. ix. 14). 14. And the four Zoa said "Amen" and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped [158] ] It seems almost profane to attempt to explain, and comment on these heavenly utterances. They are Heaven's own comment on the wondrous facts seen and heard by John, and brought before us in this first vision seen "in heaven." When again He brings the First-born into the world, He said "And let all the angels of God worship Him" (Heb. i. 6). This is the Septuagint rendering of Deut. xxxii. 43, the closing words of the Song of Moses. And why are all the nations there called on to "Rejoice," and why are all the angels of God called on to worship Him? Because He is about to fulfil the threat He there pronounced and records: "FOR He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance to His adversaries, And will be merciful to His Land, And to His people." These are the concluding words of "the song of Moses." Now, "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together" (Rom. viii. 22), but then, when the day to sing this song of Moses shall have come, and the glory of the Lord shines once more upon Israel, then the song will be in the words written: "His way will be known upon earth And His saving health will be made known among all nations: Then shall the nations be glad and sing for joy. Then shall our land yield her increase" (Ps. lxvii). "The trees of the wood shall rejoice" (Ps. xcvi). "The floods shall clap their hands And the hills shall be joyful together" (Ps. xcviii). "The beast of the field: The fowl of the air: And the fish of the sea: And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea, shall say, 'Oh Jehovah Adonai, how excellent is Thy name in all the EARTH'" (Ps. viii). "And everything that hath breath" shall praise the Lord (Ps. cl) and say HALLELUJAH __________________________________________________________________ [127] The Chaldee word (...) (remah) means to set or place by casing, putting or setting down. Easter seats were cushions which are thus placed. [128] Greek, (...) (despotes), Despot, or Sovereign Lord. See below on chap. vi. 10. [129] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit (...) (kai) and. [130] So L.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [131] Omit "they had." G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [132] People who reject the verbal inspiration thus given by God, can accept the "automatic writing" by means of lying spirits! When the Holy Spirit thus writes man will not believe it, but lying spirits are implicitly trusted. Such is man! [133] See Deismann Bibelstudien, p. 154, 433. [134] This is the order according to G.L.Tr.A. WH. and RV.; not "thunders and voices" as in AV. [135] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [136] See Number in Scripture. [137] See Exod. xxv. 8; xxix. 45, 46. Josh. xviii. 1; xxii. 19. 1 Kings vi. 13; viii. 12. 2 Chron. vi. 1. Ps. lxviii. 18; etc. It is from this verb that we have the word Shekinah. [138] Compare i. 8 and xi. 17, where the emphasis is on the present. [139] The Massorah points out a remarkable acrostic in the four Hebrew words which form this verse. The four words begin with the four letters which form the word Jehovah. (...) Thus this verse is stamped as containing the result of Jehovah's dealings. [140] B.E.G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read the future tense here. [141] B.E.G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read the future tense here. [142] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [143] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [144] Omit "and read" G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [145] Not "hath prevailed," as though referring to some recent act, but "did prevail," i.e., at the Cross. [146] Omit "and" G.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. Omit "behold" G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [147] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [148] Omit "the Book," L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [149] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [150] Lachmann, Tischendorf, Alford, Wordsworth, Westcott and Hort, and the RV. omit (...) (hemas) us. Indeed, all the critical authorities are unanimous in substituting the 3rd person for the 1st in the next verse. But if so, then we must have the 3rd person here and not the 1st person. MS. authority for this is the Alexandrian MS. in the British Museum (cent. iv). The Sinaitic MS. (cent. iv). The Reuchlin MS. (cent. v). The Ethiopic Version (cent. iv). The Coptic Version (cent. v). The Harleian MS. No. 1773 in B.M. It is quoted without the "us" by Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 248-258, and Fulgentius, a Bishop in Africa, 508-533, so that it was neither in the ancient MSS. from which those two versions were made; nor was it in the copies which those two Bishops had before them. [151] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH and RV. [152] Alford omits "to our God." [153] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [154] So L.Tr.A. WH. and RV. "shall reign" G.T. and Tr. marg. [155] T. and Tr. add "as." WH. put it in the margin. And A. puts it in brackets. [156] So B.E.L.G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [157] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [158] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "Him who liveth for ever and ever" as being a later addition to the Text by some scribe. __________________________________________________________________ The First Vision "on Earth" E^1, chap. vi. 1-- 8. The Six Seals, and the sealing of the 144,000 From the whole of the first Vision "in Heaven" (H^1, vi. 1-vii. 8) for the putting forth of power "on Earth" in the completion of the redemption of the purchased inheritance. The price has been paid in the shedding of the precious blood of the Lamb; and now, the necessary power is to be exercised so as to secure all its wondrous results, in wresting the inheritance from the hand of the enemy by ejecting the present usurper, and forcibly taking possession. We see this power put forth in the Seals, Trumpets, and Vials which fill up the active judgments of God in accomplishing this: and which end with the coming of the Lord Himself (xix). This is the great object set forth in the preceding Vision "in Heaven"; and now we are to see the result of it all as consequent on it "on Earth." John sees it all, of course, "in Heaven," but what he saw (vi. 1- vii. 8) "in Heaven" will take place "on Earth," just as what he sees (chaps. iv. and v.) as taking place "in Heaven," does and will take place there. This is the first Vision of what will take place "on Earth" in "the day of the Lord." The great subject is THE OPENING OF THE SIX SEALS. For the Six Seals are separated off from the seventh in a remarkable manner; as though to point out to us that the seventh is not immediately consecutive on the sixth, as the other seals are consecutive one on the other. The sixth seal evidently carries us forward to the time of the end; for it speaks of the signs in the sun and moon and stars (vi. 12, 13), which the Lord associates with His personal appearance (Matt. xxiv. 29. See Joel ii. 28, 31, where it is called "the great and terrible day of the Lord," as though it were the climax of the whole period known as "the day of the Lord"). It is called in the sixth seal "the great day of His wrath" (vi. 17), and the signs in heaven are the great final scene (vi. 14) as described in 2 Pet. iii. 10. If this be so, then these first six seals are separated, very definitely, from the seventh; and the silence in heaven which follows the opening of the seventh indicates a pause. The six seals present us with a preliminary summary of the judgments, which cover the whole period; the sixth leading up to and ending in the actual coming of Christ; or, at any rate, to the end of chapter xviii. There is every reason to believe that "the day of the Lord" will be a prolonged period. It must not be confined to "seven years," as is so often done. The time between the coming forth of the Lord into the air to meet His Church, and His coming unto the Earth with His Church, in power and great glory, may correspond to the thirty-three years between His coming forth at Bethlehem (Micah v. 2) and His coming unto Jerusalem (Zech. ix. 9). All the events between those two we speak of as constituting His "first coming." In like manner, all the events described in this Book, which take place between His coming "for" and His coming "with" His Church, we may speak of as "His second coming" or "the day of the Lord." [See [7]THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST'S ADVENT] These events may occupy a similar period of thirty-three years for aught we know; and if to these we add the seven yeas of the last week of Daniel we have a period of forty years. We do know that in Matt. xxiv. 4-6, in answer to the first question of the disciples, "When shall these things be," i.e., when the temple should be destroyed, the Lord at once adds, "not yet is the end (telos)." He then goes on to answer the second question, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the Sunteleia of the age?" (verse 3). He describes four of those seals (verse 7), and adds "all these are a beginning of sorrows." This fixes these earlier seals as the "beginning" of the Sunteleia of "the day of the Lord" -- this "beginning" may be spread over some years before the Great Tribulation, proper, comes on. Thus these first six seals are again separated off from the seventh. We now give the first vision, E^1, vi. 1- vii. 8, showing the events on Earth, as a whole. It will be seen that they are divided between two subjects -- the persecutors and the persecuted: Those who are on the side of Antichrist (B1 and B2); and those who suffer (A2), or have immunity from suffering (A3), for refusing to worship him, etc. It will be noted also how perfectly Matt. xxiv. corresponds with this first scene on earth -- the whole summary of the Sunteleia and the Telos. [See [8]THE PROMISES TO THE SEVEN ASSEMBLIES] E^1, vi. 1 - vii. 8. The Six Seals and the Sealing. E^1 | A^1 | vi. 1, 2. The False Christ going forth to make war on the saints. (1st Seal). Matt. xxiv. 4, 5. B^1 | vi. 3-8. Judgments on him and his followers. (2nd, 3rd, and 4th Seals). Matt. xxiv. 6, 7. A^2 | vi. 9-11. the effects of the war with the saints. Their martyrdom. (5th Seal). Matt. xxiv. 8-28. B^2 | vi. 12-17. Judgments on him and his followers. (6th Seal.) Matt. xxiv. 29-30. And Question, "Who shall be able to stand?" A^3 | vii. 1-8. Answer to Question, by the Sealing of 144,000 enabling them to stand in the judgment (Matt. xxiv. 31). We want our readers to understand clearly our suggestion as to these Seals. We separate them off from the Trumpets and Vials, which are continuous once they begin. This is shown from the fact, as will be seen below, that, the last two Trumpets and the first Vial are linked together as being the "three woes." They are thus marked as consecutive. The Seals, however, we feel compelled, by the events under the sixth, to regard as a summary of ALL the Divine judgments which will usher in the Day of the Lord: including the whole of the Sunteleia, "the Tribulation," and leading up to the Telos or end, -- the last "seven years," and "the great day of His wrath." Thus they cover the whole period in broad outline. After the last Seal there is a break, shown by the "silence in heaven," and we are turned aside to see some further details as to these judgments -- beginning, may we say de novo, with the Trumpets. After the last Trumpet there is no such break, no "silence in heaven" or on earth, but the last Trumpet at once ushers in and contains and developes the final judgments of the seven Vials, which finish up the mystery or secret purpose of God; for, we read in Rev. x. 7 that "in the days 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." The seventh Trumpet expands into the seven Vials, and these end with the final destruction of Babylon, which closes up these earthly judgment scenes. We will now give a summary of the first four Seals. A1 and B1, vi. 1-8: A^1 and B^1, vi. 1-8. The Four Seals. A^1 & B^1 | a | vi. 1, 2. The First Seal. White Horse. The rider with bow in hand. (Matt. xxiv. 5). b | vi. 3, 4. The Second Seal. Red Horse. War (Matt. xxiv. 6, 7-). a | vi. 5, 6. The Third Seal. Black Horse. Famine. The rider, balances in hand. (Matt. xxiv. -7-). b | vi. 7, 8. The Fourth Seal. The Livid Horse. Pestilence. (Matt. xxiv. -7-). A1 (vi. 1, 2) The First Seal. vi. 1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven [159] seals, and I heard one of the four Zoa saying, as with a voice of thunder -- Go! [160] 2. And I saw and lo! a white horse, and he that was sitting upon it, having a bow, and there was given unto him a crown ((...) stephanos), a triumphal crown), and he went forth conquering, and in order that he might conquer or overcome] If we interpret these Seals by the words of Christ in Matt. xxiv., where He is describing this very time in answer to the disciples' questions, there can be no doubt as to their meaning and reality. His very first words relate to the false Christs who shall appear as the sign when these things should be (i.e., when the Temple should be destroyed). And so it was; but these were only the prelude to what should mark "the beginning of sorrows." These should begin, not by many "false Christs," but by one, who should give it out and say: "I am the Messiah, and he shall deceive many" (Matt. xxiv. 5). This first Seal, therefore, must mark the first rising of this False Christ. This is the silent secret preliminary intimation of his going forth. Further details of this are given in Rev. xiii., where it is expressly said that "it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people [161] , and tongue and nation, and all who dwell on the earth shall do homage to him whose names have not been written (in the book of life of the Lamb slain) from the foundation of the world" (Rev. xiii. 7,8). It seems impossible to separate this from the rider on the white horse (in vi. 1, 2), for we read of him in like manner that "it was given to him" to wear a crown, and to go forth and overcome. How the Lamb who opens the seal can be the effect of the opening, and at the same time be the rider on a white horse, we cannot understand. If, on the other hand, we see in this rider an imitation of the "faithful and true" Messiah when He comes forth on a white horse to really conquer, as described in Rev. xix. 11, then, how natural for the false and deceiving Messiah to go forth in a manner that will be most calculated to "deceive many." It is one of the curiosities of interpretation, first to understand the Zoa of the Church, and then make the rider of the first Seal to be Christ; thus making one member of the Church give the order to Christ to go forth in His judgment power! How much more simple, taking Christ's words in Matt. xxiv. as the key, to leave the Zoa alone, and regard them as spiritual or heavenly beings specially interested in the judgments about to come on the earth, and giving the authority to the False Christ to go forth and be "revealed in his time," just as Christ said to Judas, "That thou doest, do quickly" (John xiii. 27). All the other horses are judgment horses: why inconsistently break up this uniformity and single out one Rider as Divine and take the others as human? Why understand one as going forth in grace, and the others in judgment? The descriptions of Antichrist's career in other Scriptures coincide entirely with this. He rises unrecognised by the dwellers on the earth. His beginning is "Peace," but his aim is universal dominion, which he finally acquires. When his downfall comes, the reflection of beholders will be:-- "Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof" (Isa. xiv. 16, 17). In Daniel it is said that "his power shall be might... that he shall destroy wonderfully" (Dan. viii. 24) and that "he shall stretch forth his hand upon the countries" (Dan. xi. 36, 42). As to the Command, the obedience to it "and he went forth," shows that the verb (...) (erchomai) to come, or go, must be taken in the latter sense, "Go!" Or else the second occurrence of the verb would be "and he came forth." The commission "given to him" concerned war, as the second seal goes on to explain. Horses are specially associated with war. See Job. xxxix. 19, 25; Prov. xxi. 31 ("the horse is prepared against the day of battle"). So Ps. lxxvi. 6; Zech. ix. 10; x. 3; Jer. vi. 23; Isa. xliii. 17. But because the rider on the white horse in Rev. xix is Christ, that is no reason why the rider on the white horse, chap. vi., should be Christ also, especially as in this very same verse we have Him already represented as a Lamb, who opens this seal in order that the white horse may be sent forth. We need not trouble ourselves to show that this white horse is not the Roman Empire, as some hold; or Rome itself, as Mr. Elliott believes. Nor can we ask our readers to believe that the "Bow" in the rider's hand symbolises the island of Crete. We do not need a knowledge of the Classics or of History in order to understand this Book; but we do need a knowledge of Scripture; not to say common sense. The Second Seal (vi. 3, 4). vi. 3. And when He opened the second seal I heard the second Zoon saying, Go! [162] 4. And there went forth another horse, fiery coloured; and to him who sat upon it was given power to take away peace from the earth, and that men should slay one another: and there was given to him a great sword] That this relates to the whole earth, and not merely to the Land, seems to be determined by our Lord's reference to the subject of the second seal, in Matt. xxiv. 6,7: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars... and nations shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." These words, coupled with the second seal, point to a general break up of the nations in the process of their absorption into Antichrist's universal kingdom. In Ezekiel xxxviii. 21, it is written: "I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith Jehovah Adonai: Every man's sword shall be against his brother." Jer. xxv. tells of this second seal; when God has His controversy with the nations. Read from verse 15-33, and note verse 29: "I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts... for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations; He will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord" (verse 31). Against Israel also comes the sword, "I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant" (Lev. xxvi. 25-33). The "sword" is one of God's "four sore judgments" sent upon the earth (Ezek. xiv. 13-21). "There was given unto him." We must note well these significant words. They are spoken of the first rider on the white horse; and similarly of all the judgments. All are initiated from the throne. It will be again, as it was in another period of Israel's history in the days of Asa, "In those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries, and nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city; for God did vex them with all adversity" (2 Chron. xv. 5, 6). Such another time is described by Josephus (Wars, Bk. ii. xviii. 2, 1, 5). No new thing is referred to in this second seal. The whole of Micah vii. should be read. It is too long to be quoted here. But we may quote Dan. xi. 33, "and they that understand among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days." Surely we have in these scriptures that which explains, sufficiently, the second seal; and shall not be likely to accept such an interpretation as Mr. Elliott offers when he says that this second rider symbolises the praetorian prefects of Rome. Upon this it will be sufficient to remark that the sword was "given" by the Roman Emperor with the view of preserving peace in the earth and not with the object of taking peace away from the earth, as here stated! It may be well to add that up to the third century this was not considered to have been fulfilled by any historical events. So Origen says in his Commentary on St. Matthew (Cap. xxiv.). The Third Seal (vi. 5, 6). vi. 5. And when he opened the third seal I heard the third Zoon saying, Go! [163] And I beheld, and lo! a black horse, and he who was sitting upon it having a pair of balances in his hand. 6. And I heard as [164] it were a voice in the midst of the four Zoa, saying, "A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenixes of barley for a denarius: and see, thou mayest not injure the oil and the wine"] This is the next judgment mentioned by the Lord in Matt. xxiv. -7-, "and there shall be famine: for this is what "black" denotes. (See Lam. iv. 4-8; v. 10; Jer. xiv. 1, 2). In former times it was God who called for a famine. See 2 Kings viii. 1. So in prophecy. Hag. i. 11; ii. 16, 17; Jer. xvi. 4. The "balances" some would translate "yoke"; and because yokes are generally worn by oxen, and not carried in a horseman's hand, commentators make it a spiritual yoke and a spiritual famine! though they leave us to wonder what a spiritual famine has to do with weights and measures and the price of wheat and barley. We prefer what is so evidently the simple meaning of the words. Bread "by weight" always denotes scarcity. When God describes, through Ezekiel, the famine during the siege of Jerusalem, He says, "Thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight... and drink water by measure." (Read Ezek. iv. 10, 16, 17). This is exactly what the mysterious voice (in the midst of the four Zoa) declares. Famines may occur from secondary causes, but the first cause of this Famine is from "the throne." The extent is fore-known -- "A choenix of wheat for a denarius." We know from Matt. xx. 2, 9 that a denarius (the value of which was about 7 1/4d.) was a day's wage; and we know also that a choenix of corn (about 2 pints) was the daily ration for a slave (Odyss. xix. 27, 28; Athen. iii. 20; Herod. vi. 57; vii. 187, 231; Xen. Anab. i. 5, 6; Thucyd. iv. 16). The usual price of a choenix was 1/8th of a denarius; so that corn, here, in this famine, is eight times its usual price. We are told that a denarius would buy 16 choenixes of wheat in the time of Cicero, and 20 in the time of Trajan. There will be great scarcity, therefore, when a denarius will buy only one. Literal famines have been so often foretold, and have come to pass, from Genesis onward (2 Kings vi. 25; vii. 1; Acts xi. 28). Why should not this famine in Revelation be literal also? And yet interpreters seem determined to make this anything except a literal famine. Some, as we have said, make it spiritual wrongly applying Amos viii. 11, 12. "Injure not the oil and wine" is literal; and the Lord Himself, speaking of the beginning of these very sorrows, says, "there shall be famines." Corn, oil, and wine are three words often linked together to give the idea of plenty. (See Deut. xi. 14; xxviii. 51). Mr. Elliott, in his Horae Apocalypticae, has to make it accord with the requirements of history, and says "there is nothing correspondent with such era of famine" (vol. i., p. 149). One would have thought, therefore, that the best plan would be to abandon the historical interpretation. But no! history must stand, and the Scripture (the voice from the Throne) must be accommodated to it. So Mr. Elliott first insists on a larger choenix; but afterwards, finding this could not be sustained, he changes his ground in a third edition of his commentary, and takes refuge in a smaller or "adulterated denarius"! He actually says, "I was not aware of this adulteration when printing my two former editions; and so resorted to a larger and more uncommon choenix, in order to answer the statement of price in the prophecy." We admire the candour of this confession, but we must condemn the principle of interpretation which requires it. We prefer our Lord's own clear, but simple, words, "there shall be famines" (Matt. xxiv. 7)! This position we shall never have to relinquish in order to resort to another. The Fourth Seal (vi. 7, 8). vi. 7. And when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth Zoon, saying Go! [165] 8. And I saw, and behold, a livid horse, and he who wassitting upon it, his name was Death; and the Grave (Gr. Hades) followed after him: And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword, and with famine and with pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth] This is the result of opening the Fourth Seal; and it is the fourth judgment mentioned by our Lord in Matt. xxiv. 7, "pestilences." Though the word in the Greek here is (...) (thanatos) death, it is put, by Metonymy, as the effect for the cause producing it, which is pestilence. In the O.T. it is the Septuagint rendering of (...) (dever) destruction, i.e., plague and pestilence, which causes death. It occurs some thirty times, as in 1 Kings viii. 37; Jer. xiv. 12; xxi. 7. We call the oriental plague which raged in Europe in the 14th century the "black death" by the same Figure. "Pestilence," thus personified, is followed by the grave (Gr. Hades), also personified. The two words occur together because the latter depends on the former. See i. 18; vi. 8; xx. 13; 1 Cor. xv. 55; and Isa. xxvii. 15, 18. Hades follows in the train of Death, because Death ends in the Grave. Hence the authority is given to them jointly. Tradition has thrown obscurity over what is otherwise so clear. What is it that always follows death? Surely it is the grave. In chap. xx. 13 we read "Death and the grave (Gr. Hades) gave up the dead which were in them," i.e., the dead held by them were raised to life. Hades is the place which holds the dead; and Christ, who raises the dead, is therefore said to hold the keys of Hades, or the grave. The word Hades occurs eleven times in the New Testament, and there is no place where the rendering grave would not be appropriate. [166] Grave being generally put (by Metonymy) not for one single grave; but for all graves viewed as a whole; or, as we might call it Grave-dom. The commission of "Death" has relation to "the beginning of sorrows" in Matt. xxiv. 8, which are there, and here, said to be "wars, famines and pestilences." These are the agencies used by "Death" (personified); and these are naturally followed by the common result -- the grave. shall be brought down to the grave. Matt. xvii. 18 The gates of Hades shall not prevail. Luke xii. 5 shalt he thrust down to the grave. Luke xvi. 23 In the grave he lift up his eyes. Acts ii. 27 wilt not leave my soul (i.e., me) in the grave. Acts ii. 31 his soul (i.e., he) was not left in the grave. 2 Cor. xv. 55 O grave, where is thy victory. Rev. i. 18 have the keys of death and the grave. Rev. vi. 8 Death, and the grave followed Rev. xx. 13, 14 Death and the grave. "Wild beasts" are added as another agency, because they consume the wounded and dying, and seize on those who are left defenceless (Num. xxi. 6; Ez. xxxiii. 27; Lev. xxvi. 22; Deut. xxxii. 24; Josh. xxiv. 12; 2 Kings xvii. 25; ii. 24; Ezek. xiv. 21; Jer. v. 6; Is. xxx. 6 [167] ). These three -- "sword, famine and pestilence," are frequently found together (Jer. xiv. 12; xxi. 7; xxiv. 10; xliv. 13; Ezek. vi. 11, 12; v. 12, &c.); and joined, as here, with wild beasts, as in Ezek. xiv. 21. Three of these were offered to David in 1 Chron. xxi. 12. The meaning of these three Seals seems to be simple and clear. They are the expansion of our Lord's own brief statement in Matt. xxiv. 7, which shows that we have here, "the beginning of sorrows." In other words, wars with their usual accompaniments, famine and plague, and ravenous beasts will be commissioned to commence the assault on the earthy portion of Satan's gathering forces. When these three judgments fail, then the Lord will bring up others from His reserved forces. Not until the sixth seal, which, as we have seen, carries us forward to the time of the end of sorrows, do the men of the earth own these judgments as proceeding from God as their author. We must repeat here that not one of these Seals has yet been opened. Nor can any period of history be pointed out in which these "four sore judgments" have been in operation simultaneously over the extent here named, "the fourth part of the earth." Gibbon's description [168] of the reign of Justinian, about 550 A.D., shows how possible it will be to have such a wide-spread scene of judgment. The Fifth Seal (vi. 9-11). The fifth Seal is marked off and separated from all the others. It stands alone, giving us another side of the picture. The first Seal shows the mighty agency employed by Satan as the earthly leader of the earthly portion of his gathering host. The action of these Satanic forces is assumed by the next three Seals (the second, third, and fourth), inasmuch as they are directed against Satan's opposing forces. In this earthly conflict there can be only suffering and martyrdom for those on the earth who hold and maintain the testimony of the Word of God, i.e., who adhere to the special truth communicated in this book and its contents, as defined in i. 2, 9; xii. 17. In chap. xx. 4, this is further explained as not worshipping the Beast or receiving his mark upon their foreheads. The two mighty forces have joined in hostilities; the opposing hosts have met; and those who are on the Lord's side suffer in consequence. Hence, in the fifth Seal, we have this episode introduced to make the whole complete, and give all sides of the great conflict. The first four Seals are connected together by each commencing with a cry from one of the four Zoa, and the going forth of a horseman. The remaining three are thus marked off as a separate series. The first series of four has to do with men as such. In the first of the second series we have the saints of the Most High. The order of our Lord's great prophecy (Matt. xxiv.) is still closely followed. In verses 6-8 He had spoken of (1) war, (2) famine and (3) pestilences "the beginning of sorrows"; and then in verse 9 He immediately goes on to say "THEN shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all the Gentiles for my name's sake." These words of our Lord (verses 9-28) are the key to the fifth seal. A^2, vi. 9-11. The Fifth Seal. A^2 | c | 9. The Martyrs under the Altar. Description. d | 10. Their cry. c | 11-. The Martyrs under the Altar. Donation. d | -11. The answer to their cry. c. vi. 9. The Martyrs under the Altar. Their Description. vi. 9. And when he opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the persons (souls being put by Synecdoche for persons. See notes below) of those who had been slain on account of the word of God, and on account of the testimony which they held] All mystery is removed if we simply take the word "souls" here as being put, by the figure Synecdoche for persons. By this figure a part is put for the whole. This is called "Synecdoche of the part." By it, the head is put for the man himself (2 Kings ii. 3; Ps. iii. 3; vii. 16; lxvi. 12; Prov. x. 6; Is. xxxv. 10). The face is put the for whole person, Gen. iii. 19; xix. 21; 2 Sam. xvii. 11; 1 Kings ii. 16; x. 24, &c. The eye is put for the whole person (Matt. xiii. 16; 1 Cor. ii. 9). So the mouth (Prov. viii. 13). The belly (Rom. xvi. 18; Phil. iii. 19). The heart also (Gen. xxxi. 20; Luke xxi. 34, &c.). The feet (Prov. i. 16; vi. 18; Is. liii. 7; Rom. iii. 15). In like manner the hand; we put the "hand" for the whole person when we speak of so many hands being employed. "Body" is put for person, especially in the case of slaves, Ex. xxi. 3; Rev. xviii. 13. We believe that this same figure is used here in Rev. vi. 9. "Soul" is often put for person. When we say that the population consists of so many souls, we do not mean "soul" as distinct from body, but we mean so many persons. In Gen. xii. 5 we read of "the souls that they had gotten in Haran." In Gen. xiv. 21, the King of Sodom says "give me the souls (i.e., the captives), and take the goods." In Gen. xvii. 14, "that soul (i.e., that person) shall be cut off from his people." And so, very frequently, we have "the soul that sinneth it shall die." The word "soul" is frequently used of a person, [169] and is so translated. The word (...) (psuche) has no such fixed meaning as is put upon it by theology and tradition. It occurs in the New Testament 105 times, and is rendered life, 40 times; soul, 58 times; mind, 3 times; heart, once; with (...) heartily, once (Col. iii. 23); with (...) (humon) you, once (2 Cor. xii. 15 marg.); and with (...) (hemon) us, once (John x. 24). So there is no reason whatever for adhering to the traditional rendering, "soul," in this passage as denoting a part of man. The words simply mean "I saw those who had been slain." John also hears what they say. Speaking requires the organs of speech. Tongues are necessary. Vocal organs are indispensable for the utterance of words. These were the martyred saints personified and represented as waiting. They themselves were dead; for in Rev. xx. 4, John sees them again, and it says "they lived again" in the first resurrection. "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev. xx. 5). Why say "lived not again" if, all the time, they were alive in some other place. Moreover, how could "souls" wear white robes. We might as well speak of the eye, or the tongue, or the face, or any other part of the body wearing a white robe. If souls here are put for persons, then all is clear. John could see them, and hear them, and see what was given to them, and what was done to them as individuals. Even according to popular belief, "souls," as such, cannot be seen. There are no such things as material souls, able to talk without the bodily organs of speech. What John sees is a vision for the purpose of instructing him; just as Jotham's parable instructed the men of Israel when he represented trees as speaking. Moreover, the words "of them" give a wrong emphasis. The Greek is not so definite as that. John sees the martyred saints at the foot of the altar of burnt offering. He sees not animal victims, but human beings. Like sacrifices, they had been slain for their testimony. Not sacrifices of atonement, but of devotion. These were called "drink-offerings"; and the verb (...) (spendomai) is used of the pouring out of a drink offering. See Phil. ii. 17; and 2 Tim. iv. 6. Their condition here as dead is set in definite contrast to their condition when afterwards raised. Rev. xx. 4 shows that in vi. 9 they could not be reigning with Christ till they "lived again." Till then they must wait, as the answer to their cry declares. This brings us to d., vi. 10 Their Cry. vi. 10. And they cried with a loud voice (as Abel's blood was said to cry -- Gen. iv. 10), saying, "How long, O Sovereign-Lord,-- The Holy and True] (iii. 7. 1 John v. 20). The word here rendered "Lord" in AV. and "Master" in RV. is a remarkable word. It is never used in the Church Epistles. The Greek is (...) (Despotes), from which we have our word Despot. [170] We could hardly use this word here; and prefer "Sovereign-Lord" as meaning more than merely "Master" of the RV., and denoting the great and sovereign disposer of the whole earth. A careful study of the passages where the Title occurs will not only throw light upon those passages; but will also serve to show that we have not here anything to do with the Church, or with any truly Christian martyr; but, with a special class of martyrs, who, in the days of the great tribulation, shall give a peculiar Testimony and suffer a peculiar Martyrdom. The other title, "Holy and True," is used in iii. 7, and belongs specially to God in relation to His covenant people. (Ps. lxxxix. 28, 34, 35. Isa. lv. 3). The Church of God in this day of grace does not, and cannot, cry for vengeance. Indeed, it is expressly taught not to do so (Rom. xii. 19). It is evident that these words are not appropriate to this present dispensation in which we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and not to cry for vengeance upon them. But these martyrs are in quite another dispensation; and in one to which this cry is altogether appropriate and in harmony. By the use of the title Sovereign-Lord, they own His right to dispose of them as He will, and to do whatsoever He pleases in the heaven above and on the earth beneath. dost thou not judge and exact vengeance for our blood from [171] them that dwell upon the earth"] (Hos. iv. 1). This cry is, as we have said, appropriate to the coming Dispensation, as it was to the former. (See Ps. xiii. 1, 2; lxxix. 5, and many other Psalms). Indeed, the Song of Moses concludes with this blessed assurance on which this cry of faith is based (Deut. xxxii. 43):-- "Rejoice, O ye nations with his people; For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will be merciful unto his Land and to his People" just as He avenged the blood of his "servants the prophets" on Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings. ix. 7). When this present day of grace is over, then this cry will be consistent with the standing of those who utter it. We need to remember this great principle, and to rightly divide the Dispensations as to their nature and character. In Luke xviii. 1-8 we have a prophetic parable which cannot be understood if interpreted of the Church of God; but which is not only perfectly clear, if rightly divided as to its dispensational character, but most helpful in making us to understand better this fifth seal. It is the cry of Israel represented as a "widow." This cannot be the Church! But is specially the title applicable to Israel in a certain condition (Is. liv. 4, 5. Lam. i. 1). The cry, "Avenge me of mine adversary," cannot be used by any child of God, now. The break in our chapters severs the close connection between Luke xvii. and xviii. and separates the parable in Luke xviii. 1-8 from the coming of the kingdom treated of in Luke xvii. 20-end. The section commences with the question of the Pharisees as to "when the kingdom of God should come?" The Lord answers, "The kingdom of God cometh not with (hostile) watching (such as you practise. See the use of the verb, Luke vi. 7. Mark iii. 2. Luke xiv. 1. Acts ix. 24). Neither (he adds) shall they say, Lo here, or Lo there, for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of (RV. marg.) you (in the person of the king. It could not be within the hearts of his enemies who were seeking his life!). The Lord goes on to speak of the coming of the Son of Man to the end of the chapter, comparing it with the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, and connecting it with the very end of the Tribulation, as in Matt. xxiv. 27, "as the lightning cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." (See job xxxix. 30.) Then the Lord goes on, in Luke xviii. 1-8, to describe the position of His servants during those terrible days, as one of waiting and prayer. Their cry for vengeance is almost identical with that which we hear under this fifth seal. He says, with reference to those days, that "they ought always to pray and not to faint" because their desire is not at once fulfilled (Luke xvii. 22). But now look at the Parable itself. "There was in a certain city (Jerusalem, Rev. xi. (cf. Is. i. 10). Ezek. xvi. 26, 46; xx. 7), a judge, who feared not God, neither regarded man; and there was a widow in that city." Widowhood is the condition of Israel. Though the mass of the nation may say, like Babylon, "I sit a queen, I am no widow" (Rev. xviii. 7), God speaks of her in her really desolate condition. The widow's "Adversary" can be none other than Antichrist, who persecutes this remnant in Jerusalem. We have the cry in Ps. lxxix. 1-3: "O God: the heathen are come unto thine inheritance: The holy Temple have they defiled; They have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven: The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; And there was none to bury them." This plainly refers to Rev. xi. And then comes the plaintive appeal verse 5. "How long, Lord, wilt thou be angry: for ever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?" The whole of this Psalm (lxxix.) should be read in this connection as well as other Psalms, such as x. and xi.; liv. 5; lv. 9; xciv.; xcliii. 12, &c. See also Is. lxiii. 15, &c., and lxiv. It is beautiful to notice, how, after the Lord calls attention to the action of the unjust judge, He exultingly declares of Him that is Holy and True -- "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, and he is longsuffering over them? I say unto you that he will avenge them speedily" (RV.). But he has to add, and to ask -- "Howbeit, when the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith (marg. the faith) on the earth?" (RV.) or, it may be in the Land, the Jewish Land, as at the first Advent. If we rightly divide the word of truth, as to its Dispensations, then we see that the imprecations and invocations for vengeance, while entirely opposed to the spirit of the present dispensation of grace, are quite appropriate to the past dispensation of works, and the future dispensation of judgment. Romanism, not rightly dividing the Dispensations, presses such Scriptures as these into her service now; using them to justify her persecutions. While Protestant interpreters, failing also in this important duty, have to explain such passages away, or endeavour in vain to reconcile them with our standing in grace. c., vi. 11-. The Martyrs under the Altar. What was given them. vi. 11-. And there was [172] given to each a white robe] Even thus was the promise made in Rev. iii. 4, marking them as righteous, and as the servants of God. Robes of honour ever formed part of rewards. (See Gen. xli. 42; xlv. 22. Est. vi. 8, 9. Isa. iii. 7. Zech. iii. 5). The action implies that their request will be granted; and the words announce that there must be some delay before their desire can be accomplished. d., vi. -11. The Answer to their Cry. vi. -11. And it was said to them that they should rest (not merely desist from their cry; but wait) yet a little while (i.e., for a short delay, as in x. 6 and xx. 3) until both their fellow-servants (here we have the correlative of Despotes, as well as their own standing as "servants") and their brethren that were about to be killed, as they also had been, should fill up [173] the appointed number] "Fellow servants and brethren" is the Figure Hendiadys, denoting not two separate classes of persons, but one class, viz., their fellow servants even those who were their brethren. This is to define who the fellow servants were; for angels can be called such (xix. 10; xxii. 9), but not "brethren." They will have been killed during the Tribulation for refusing to have the mark of the Beast or to worship him. This killing is afterwards seen in xiii. 7, 15; xvii. 6 by John in vision. Here it is revealed prophetically; for, as we have said, the Seals cover the whole period in brief, and in outline, the details being afterwards filled in by the Trumpets, and Vials. Surely this ought to be sufficient to convince all Christians to-day that the gospel is not intended to convert the world, or to bring in universal peace and blessing. This dispensation of grace (rejected) is to be followed by a dispensation of judgment. Not until after that shall Jerusalem be the centre of God's presence and government, and glory dwell in the Land (Ps. lxxxv. 9). Then shall Judah "dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion" (Joel iii. 20, 21. See also Isa. iv. 4 and Deut. xxxii. 43). When the appointed number is accomplished, judgment will be executed and be followed by the dispensation of glory. The Sixth Seal (vi. 12-17). In this sixth Seal we are carried right forward to the time of the end. The Seals, as we have said, are a summary, in brief, of the whole period of the Tribulation; and, as the former Seals correspond exactly with the last great prophecy of Christ in Matt. xxiv., so this sixth Seal also has its place in that chapter. We may thus exhibit the parallel: Matt. xxiv. The Seals. Rev. vi. 4, 5 1st The False Christ 1,2 6, 7- 2nd Wars 3, 4 -7- 3rd Famines 5, 6 -7 4th Pestilences 7, 8 8-28 5th Martyrdoms 9-11 29-30 6th Signs in Heaven of Advent 12-17 From this it will be seen how exactly Matt. xxiv. covers the whole period of the six Seals; and shows that this sixth Seal takes us up to the signs immediately preceding the Advent of the Lord in Glory, as seen in Rev. xix. This being so, it proves that any interpretation of this Seal which regards it as relating to any past historical event is condemned by this very fact. This sixth Seal is the crucial test of all Apocalyptic interpretation. No one can read Matt. xxiv. 30 with Rev. vi. 12-17 without seeing that they speak of the same event. The actual Advent of Christ is deferred, in Rev. vi., because it is to form a separate and special description by itself in chap. xix. The sixth Seal does not therefore include the visible appearing of the Son of man, though it is remarkable that, while (in A3) in Rev. vi. 13 we have the simile of a Fig Tree, and the sealing of the elect of Israel (vii. 1-8); so, in Matt. xxiv. 31 we have the gathering of the elect of Israel, and in verses 32, 33 we have the simile of the Fig Tree again. The Lord concludes this special prophecy of the Tribulation by adding "Verily, I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things begin to take place." Not "fulfilled." The word is (...) (genetai) from (...) (ginomai) to begin to be, to come to be, [174] and is quite different from (...) (pleroo), to fulfil. In Luke xxi. 32, which is the parallel passage, we have the former word, fulfilled. What the Lord really said was "this generation shall not pass till all these things begin to happen." And they did begin to take place during that very generation; for the period immediately following the Lord's death was marked by many coming and saying "I am Christ." But in order that we might clearly understand, Christ immediately adds, "The end is not yet" (Matt. xxiv. 6). But now, to turn to the sixth Seal itself; we note first its Structure, which is as follows:-- B^2, vi. 12-17. The Sixth Seal. B^2 | e | vi. 12-. The Great Convulsion. f | -12, 13. Effects in Heaven. e | 14-. The Great Convulsion. f | -14-17. Effects on Earth. TRANSLATION OF B^2 vi. 12-17. vi. 12. And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and [175] a great convulsion took place, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the full [176] moon became as blood; (13) and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as the fig tree casteth her untimely (or winter) figs when shaken by a mighty wind] Here we have the great convulsion of Nature, and its effects in the heavens. It is impossible for us to take this as symbolical; or as other than what it literally says. The difficulties of the symbolical interpretation are insuperable, while no difficulties whatever attend the literal interpretation. For according to some historicist interpreters [177] this Seal was fulfilled at the Conversion of Constantine. Heaven is taken as the symbol of the invented term "Political heaven"; but it ought to be called "Religious Heaven," as the events are supposed to be Christian. According to others [178] it was fulfilled in the French Revolution of 1798. As both of these cannot be right, Is it not better for us to believe what God says? In Hag. ii. 6, 7, He has foretold the events of this seal, and has connected them as in Matt. xxiv. with the immediate Advent of the Son of Man:-- "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Yet once, it is a little while, And I will shake the heavens and the earth, And the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come." Here the great convulsion of the sixth Seal is clearly foretold. We say "convulsion," because the word (...) (seismos) means much more than a mere earthquake, as the context clearly shows. There is to be a convulsion of the nations, which is spoken of as distinct from that of the heavens, and is to immediately precede the Revelation of Christ, and the glory of the Temple. Haggai again foretells it in chap. ii. 21, 22 and again distinguishes between the heavens and the earth. "I will shake the heavens and the earth. And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, And I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the Gentiles: And I will overthrow the chariots and those that ride in them," etc. (See also 2 Pet. iii. 7-13, and compare verse 7 with 2 Thess. i. 8). Having spoken of the great convulsion and its effects in the heavens, the prophecy again speaks of the convulsion and its effects on the earth. 14. And the [179] heaven parted asunder as a scroll rolling itself up; [180] and every mountain and island were moved out of their places] This is referred to in Matt. xxiv. 35, and is foretold in Isa. xxxiv. 4 (read verses 1-5 and Isa. xiii. 6-13), where we have exactly the same phenomena described. If the sixth Seal means the conversion of Constantine, so must these passages in Isaiah. 15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men (the civil officers of State), and the chief captains (the military officers), and the rich men, [181] and the mighty [182] men, and every bondman and [183] free man, hid themselves (running for shelter) into the caves and into the rocks of the mountains. (16) And they say to the mountains and to the 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)Because the day -- the great day of His wrath is come, and who is able to stand?] In connection with this we must read Ps. ii. 2; lxviii. 4; xcvii. 5. Isa. xxiv. 19-23; xxxiv. 12; ii. 10-22. Nahum i. 5. Heb. xii. 26. The Lord also refers to this in Luke xxiii. 30, quoting the very words of Hosea x. 8. Similar phenomena are again mentioned under the fourth Trumpet, and the seventh Vial (xvi. 20), showing that we have in the sixth Seal the preliminary announcement of that which will take place "immediately after the tribulation of those days" (Matt. xxiv. 29) and "immediately" before the personal Advent of Christ. To this agree the words of Joel ii. 31. In Rev. xix. 19 we have the marshalling of the forces which are here detailed. If the words describing the awful judgments of "the great day of His wrath" are to be interpreted of any past event in the history of the present dispensation, then what words are to describe the future judgments which the Old Testament foretells. Language seems useless for the purposes of revelation and instruction if, as we are told, "this Seal exhibits the overthrow of paganism" at the conversion of Constantine. Eusebius pictures that scene (lib. x.) as one of joy and gladness, and he likens it to the coming of the promised kingdom. There was no convulsion of nature in heaven or on earth; no fleeing to the mountains and the rocks; no cry of terror. The sun was bright and the sky was cloudless, instead of being "black as sackcloth of hair." We thus come to the end of the first six Seals. It is a summary of the judgments distributed over the whole book; a brief summary of what will occur in "the day of the Lord," up to the time of His actual Apocalypse or Unveiling in chap. xix. They are thus set here, in order to show us that these judgments do not arise from chance, but are all under Divine control. The great False Messiah of the first Seal cannot be revealed until the appointed moment shall have come and the voice from the throne gives the permissive command "Go!" The judgments cannot fall until the same command is given. Here we note the important connection between "the Throne" of chaps. iv. and v. see in "in Heaven" and the consequent summary (in the Seals) of all that takes place afterward "on earth." They lead up to "the great day of His wrath"; and the chapter ends with the solemn question, "Who is able to stand?" That question is answered in chap. vii. where we are shew first the sealing of 144,000 "of all the tribes of the children of Israel," who are to pass unscathed through that great tribulation; and the rapture of the great multitude which no man can number who are saved through it and out of it. These are not the Church of God, for they stand before the throne. They are not seated upon it. They are saved, of course, through the merits of the same precious blood of the Lamb. They are referred to in Isa. xxvi. 9, "when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Where are these afterwards seen if not in the great multitude of Rev. vii.? (Read also Psa. lxiv. 7-10; cx.). The question, "Who shall be able to stand?" is now to be answered. THE SEALING OF THE 144,000 (vi.. 1-8). The answer to the question of vi. 17. Few Scriptures have suffered more at the hands of Gentile Christians than this. Notwithstanding the fact that it concerns "all the tribes of the children of Israel," and that the twelve tribes are named separately, popular interpretation insists on taking them as meaning the Church of God. Any system of interpretation which has this for its foundation may be judged and condemned at the outset as not only useless, but mischievous. Such a system has been well described by Hooker as one "which changeth the meaning of words as alchemy doth, or would do, the substance of metals, making anything of what it listeth; and bringeth, in the end, all truth to nothing." It is perfectly clear that we have here the Divine plan and action for securing the Remnant of the nation of Israel through all the judgments and persecutions which shall characterise the Great Tribulation. The Vision, though seen after the Sixth Seal, really describes what will take place before chapter vi. and before a Seal is broken. Their number is not left to chance. God's declared counsels concerning this Remnant must stand. Hence it is by Divine decree that this purpose shall be secured at the outset. We are told here, therefore, of the means taken to secure this Divine purpose. The Structure is as follows:-- A^3, vii. 1-8. The Sealing of the 144,000. The answer to the question of vi. 17. A^3 | g | vii. 1-. Four angels. h | -1-. Place. "Four corners of the earth... i | -1-. Agency. "Holding the four winds... k | -1. Purpose (neg.). "Not blow on earth, sea, or tree." g | 2-. Another angel. h | -2-. Place. "From the rising of the sun... i | -2, 3-. Agency. "Having the seal... k | -3-8. Purpose (neg.). "Hurt not the earth, sea, or tree." All is seen to be perfect in Divine order. Nothing is left to chance here any more than in what is described. All is alike perfect in the words and the works of God. And the record is as true as its structure is perfect. It requires no explanation. It explains Divine truth to us in a Divine form and manner. TRANSLATION OF vii. 1-8. vii. 1 [and] [184] after this [185] ] Showing that the former vision is complete, and the two visions which follow, commencing with similar words, come in by way of episode: the first, anterior in time to the Seals; and the second, during the period of the Seals, and later in time. I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding (or, controlling) the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the land, or on the sea, or upon any tree] The number four marks this vision as pertaining to the earth. The winds are so designated in Jer. xlix. 36. Dan. vii. 2; viii. 8; xi. 4, the four comprising all winds; or simply marking the four points of the compass. Stillness is the point to be emphasised here, as when we say "not a leaf moves:" it tells us that this sealing will take place before the opening events of the great Tribulation. 2. And I saw another angel ascending [186] from the rising of the sun (i.e., 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 injure the land and the sea: (3)saying, "Injure not the earth, or the sea, or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads"] This is, of course, preliminary to Matt. xxiv. 31. It precedes the Tribulation, as shown by the reason given for the sealing. But from Matt. xxiv. 31 we learn that after the Tribulation, Angels are commissioned to gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." The two passages stand in the closest connection, and show that the "elect" in Matt. xxiv. 31 belong to Israel, and not to the church. They are upon the earth during the Tribulation and this seal or sealing, whatever it is, protects and preserves them unscathed. This sealing was evidently visible, as the locusts are directed in chap. ix. 4 to injure only those "who have not the seal of God in their foreheads." The Beast has this seal, with which he will seal his followers; and this is the Divine distinguishing mark which God sets upon His servants. Just as in the days of the Patriarchs He could protect them, saying "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Psa. cv. 15): so here, with this elect Remnant. Those who have the mark of the Beast are idolators of the deepest die; but those who have the Divine mark, are sealed with "the seal of the Living God." This title here (as elsewhere) is always used with reference to idols and idolatry (see Deut. v. 26. Josh. iii. 10. Jer. x. 2-11. Dan. vi. 26. 1 Thess. i. 9, 10). Then will Psa. xci. receive a new application of a very remarkable kind (see verses 5, 7, 8). In Ezek. ix. 3, 4 we have a similar sealing by which a devoted remnant have their lot in the corrupt city of Jerusalem. They may be part of this very number in Rev. vii. In Ex. xii. 7 the houses of the Israelites were marked for a similar purpose. In Rev. ii. 17 this mark is promised, and the promise is exhausted in xxii. 4. The Romans marked their soldiers in the hand; and their slaves in the forehead. Herodotus (ii. 113) speaks of the worshippers of a certain god as having his name branded upon them. In like manner the worshippers of the Beast are branded (xiii. 16-18; xiv. 9, 11; xvi. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4); and these Divinely sealed ones are marked as the worshippers of the true God. 4. And I heard the number of the sealed: an hundred and forty four thousand sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel] Alford says of this number, "No one that I am aware of has taken it literally!" Very likely: but we are thankful to be an exception to the rule, and to believe what God says. There is such a thing as Figures of Speech, but, we ask, what Figure is used here? What is its name? The truth is that there is here no Figure whatever; but it is the simple statement of fact: a definite number in contrast with the indefinite number in this very chapter (verse 9). If the total number is not exact, then all the items which go to make it up are indefinite also. If this number is symbolical, then what number in the Book may we take as literal? None, according to this principle of interpretation, which substitutes man's own vain imaginations for God's revelation. Again, we repeat, we prefer to believe God. And, believing Him, we conclude that as He had reserved 7,000 in the days of Ahab (1 Kings xix. 18. Rom. xi. 4), so He will reserve 144,000 in the Great Tribulation. We have here, therefore, the nucleus of the new nations referred to by Christ in Matt. xxi. 43. We have also what will be the fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel xii. 1: "At that time shall Michael (the other angel) stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people (Israel): and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Here, in Rev. vii, we have the sealing of those written names, which shall be "delivered." (Compare Joel ii. 28-32). What this seal was we learn from chap. xiv. 1. 5. Of the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed; Of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand; [187] Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand; [188] (6) Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand; [189] Of the tribe of Nepthalim, twelve thousand; [190] Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand; [191] (7) Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand; [192] Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand; [193] Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand; [194] (8) Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand; [195] Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand; [196] Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand sealed] In this enumeration we have to note the omission of the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim: Levi and Joseph being inserted to take their place. The reason for this seems to be quite clear. In Deut. xxix. 18-21, we read that the "man or woman or family or tribe" who should introduce idolatry into Israel, "all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven, and the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this law." And when it should be asked, "Wherefore hath the Lord done this?... then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers... for they went and served other gods and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not" (verses 24-26). Now it was one of the tribe of Dan who first came under this curse. See Lev. xxiv. 10-16. It is remarkable that these two tribes, Dan and Ephraim, participated in introducing idolatry later on (Judges xviii. 2, 30, 31). And afterward it was Jeroboam devised of the golden calves and set them up in the tribe of Dan (1 Kings xi. 26; xii. 28-30. See also Hos. iv. 17). True, we find Dan and Ephraim restored in the future distribution of the Land (Ezek. xlviii.), for "the gifts and calling of God, are without repentance (or change of mind)" (Rom. xi. 29). But that is a different matter, and has to do with earthly inheritance. Here it has to do with heavenly preservation. The omission in Rev. vii. is to show that these two tribes remain unprotected by the pledge of security given by this sealing. There will, of course, be thousands, besides these, of each of the other tribes on earth; the difference will be in their not being sealed, and in their not being protected against the onslaught of the Beast. That they are on the earth is clear from Jer. iv. 5-31 (see verse 15); viii. 13-17 (see verse 16). Amos viii. 11-14. We have a remarkable illustration of this in Num. xxxi., when in order to execute judgment on the Midianites 1,000 from each tribe were taken. And as the 144,000 here survive through all the great Tribulation, so it was with the 12,000 sent against the Midianites; for when their number was taken at the close, the officers came to Moses and said "Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us" (verses 48, 49). Even so will it be true of these 144,000, when they stand afterwards on Mount Zion (xiv. 1-5). __________________________________________________________________ [159] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [160] The words "and see" must be omitted according to G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [161] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [162] Omit "and see" G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [163] Omit "and see," L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [164] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [165] Omit "and see," L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [166] Matt. xi. 23 [167] The opposite of this is promised as part of future blessing on the earth. Is. xi. 7, 9; Ezek. xxxiv. 25. [168] Vol. iv. p. 331. [169] See Gen. xlvi. 15, 26, 27. Ex. xii. 19; xvi. 16 (marg.). Lev. v. 2, 4. Josh. xx. 3 (person). Ezek. xviii. 4, 20. Luke vi. 9 (life). Acts ii. 41, 43; vii. 14. Rom. xiii. 1. 1 Pet. iii. 20. [170] It occurs ten times in the New Testament. Five times it is rendered Master (1 Tim. vi. 1, 2. 2 Tim. ii. 21. Tit. ii. 9. 1 Pet. ii. 18); and five times it is rendered Lord (Luke ii. 29. Acts iv. 24. 2 Pet. ii. 1. Jude 4. Rev. vi. 10). [171] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read (...) from instead of (...) [172] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [173] G.T.Tr.A. WH.m. and RV.m. read (...), should fill or fulfil it, instead of (...) should be fulfilled. L. WH. and RV. put the latter in the text. [174] In John xiii. 2 we have the same word, which illustrates this verse:-- "and supper being ended." It is quite clear from verses 26-28 that supper was not ended, but was only just beginning. The RV. renders it "during supper." [175] Omit "behold," G.L.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [176] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. add (...) (hole) the whole. [177] Mede, Newton, Elliott. [178] Cunninghame and others. [179] The article is not in the Received Text, though it is in the AV. It is added by G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [180] So L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. [181] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. transpose the words, agreeing with this order. [182] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read (...) (ischuroi) mighty, instead of (...) (dunatoi) powerful. [183] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "every." [184] L. WH. and RV. omit "and" -- Tr. and A. put it in brackets. [185] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read "this" singular instead of plural. [186] G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. read (...) (anabainonta) ascending, instead of (...) (anabanta) having ascended. [187] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [188] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [189] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [190] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [191] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [192] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [193] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [194] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [195] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." [196] L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. omit "were sealed." __________________________________________________________________ The Second Vision "in Heaven" H^2, chaps. vii. 9-- 6. The Great Multitude and the Seventh Seal. We now come to the second Vision "in Heaven." It contains a yet further answer to the question of vi. 17: "Who shall be able to stand" in the judgment? while it commences the second pair of Visions: viz., the opening of the seventh Seal "in heaven," and the consequent sounding of the six Trumpets "on earth." The Structure of the Vision, as a whole, is as follows:-- H^2. vii. 9-- 6. The Second Vision in Heaven. The Great Multitude and the Seventh Seal. H^2 | A | vii. 9-12. The Heavenly Voices and utterances. B | 13, 14. The Great Multitude. Whence they came. B | 15-17. The Great Multitude. Where they are. A | vii. 1-6. The Heavenly Silence and Activities (Seventh Seal). Each of these four larger members may be expanded; and we give the expansions in order, with translation, as before. A. vii. 9-12. The Heavenly Voices and Utterances. A | a | 9. The great multitude. b | 10. Their utterance. "Salvation to our God." a | 11, 12-. All the angels. b | -12. Their utterance. "Blessing and Glory." TRANSLATION OF "a", vii. 9. The Great Multitude. vii. 9. After these things] the expression marks a separation from what has gone before, and introduces the second distinct Vision "in heaven." I saw, and lo, a great multitude, which no one was able to number, out of every nation, and of all tribes and peoples, and tongues (Gen. x. 5, 20, 31. Dan. iii. 4, 5; iv. 1; vi. 25), standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, arrayed with white robes, and palm branches in their hands;] The definite number of Israelites (vii. 1-8) stands in marked contrast to this innumerable company of Gentiles. We say Gentiles, because this Vision carries us on to the end, as the preceding Vision of the sealing carried us back to the beginning. We are, here, beyond Matt. xxiv., and even xxv. Two distinct companies are named, first "Jews," then "Gentiles." Thus both are marked off from "the church of God," which is now composed of both Jews and Gentiles. The twelve tribes of vii. 4-8 are distinct from people out of "all tribes." That they are distinct from "the church of God" is further shown, in that they are "standing" in the position of servants (and not seated); and are "before the throne" (not upon it). True, they share the same salvation, and by the same precious merits of the blood of the Lamb. But as "star differeth from star in glory" (1 Cor. xv. 41), so do these differ in their position, dignity, and honour. They are saved, but for what? and for which one of the "many mansions"? They are seen "in heaven," but not until after the Great Tribulation through which and out of which they will have been brought. Not only will this elect remnant of Israel survive "through" the Tribulation, but a countless multitude from all the Gentile nations will be saved "out" of it. Constantly do we find Gentile blessing consequent upon Israel's blessing. First, God deals with Israel, and then with mankind in general. This stated in many passages: e.g., Ps. lxvii. 1: "God be merciful to us, and bless us; And cause his face to shine upon us: That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations." The same fact is stated in verse 7: "God shall bless us. And all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Again in Ps. xcviii. 3, we read: He hath remembered his mercy, And his truth toward the house of Israel: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." So in Isa. xlix. 6, Jehovah says to Messiah: "It is a light thing That thou shouldest be my servant, To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. So Isa. lii. 9, 10: "Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem. For the Lord hath comforted his people. He hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm In the eyes of all the nations, And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God." The palm-branches speak not merely of victory, as with the heathen, but of the Feast of Tabernacles (see Lev. xxiii. 39-43). It was not a feast for the wilderness, but for the time "when ye be come into the Land." (Lev. xxiii. 10). And yet it was never kept in the Land by all Israel. Not until the return from Babylon was it kept (See Neh. viii. 16, 17). Then "all the people shouted with a great shout" (Ezra iii. 11, 12. 2 Chron. xx. 19. So here, in like manner it will be again kept. b., vii. 10. Their utterance. 10. And they cry [197] with a loud voice, saying "Salvation to our God That sitteth upon the Throne, And to the Lamb." They ascribe their salvation and their deliverance from the Tribulation which they had passed through, to God. A paraphrase would be, "Praise for our salvation be to our God," etc. The church calls God "my Father" ("Abba," Rom. viii. 15), but the Sealing Angel speaks of Him as "our God" (ch. vii. 3). The assembled angels say "our God" (ch. vii. 12), and this great multitude say "our God" (ch. vii. 10). a., vii. 11, 12-, All the angels, etc., and b., Their utterance. vii. 11. And all the angels were standing [198] around the throne, and around the Elders and the four Zoa, and they 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!" Such is the sevenfold ascription of the heavenly host standing around the throne, the elders and the Zoa. It is similar to that in chap. v. 12, but the order of the words is different, and thanksgiving is here put instead of "riches." There the ascription was to the Lamb. Here it is to "our God." We next have the explanation of the Vision; and the Question which one of the Elders put to John shows that we should have a like spirit of holy enquiry. It is not mere abstract wonder that God looks for in us now, but a reverential interest in what He has revealed in the Visions of this book. The following is the Structure of B., chap. vii. 13, 14: B. vii. 13, 14. The Great Multitude: Whence they came. B | c | vii. 13-. The Elder. Question d | f | -13-. Persons g | -13-. Place e | 14-. John. c | -14-. The Elder. Answer d | g | -14-. State f | -14. Persons TRANSLATION of B, vii. 13, 14. vii. 13. And one of the Elders answered saying (i.e., by the Figure, Idiom "asked me, saying") unto me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, Who are they? and Whence came they? (14) and I said, my [199] lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, "These are they who come out of the Great Tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white through the blood of the Lamb] Not "in the blood"; nothing under the Law was ever washed "in blood," nothing can be made white "washed in" blood. It is through a forced literal meaning of the preposition (...) (en) which has led to this false notion. This preposition constantly means by, or through: and is translated "by" 142 times and "through" 37 times. (See Matt. ix. 34; v. 34, 35. Gal. iii. 11. 2 Tim. ii. 10). In this very book (v. 9) it is rendered "by." So here and in i. 5 this must be the meaning. This is the standing of "works"; and not our standing in "grace," as in the present dispensation. We are "washed, justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. vi. 11). These have washed their own robes, and made them white. This is followed by the consequence:-- B. vii. 15-17. The great multitude: Where they are. B | h | i | 15-. The Multitude. Position before the throne j | -15. God upon the throne. h | i | 16. The multitude. Their Blessing. j | 17. God. The Lamb the Blesser. 15. "For this cause are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he who sitteth upon the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.] This is exactly what we read in Isa. iv. 5, 6. "And the Lord will create Upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, And upon her assemblies, A cloud and smoke by day, And the shining of a flaming fire by night; For above all the glory shall be a covering (marg., Heb. (...) (chuppah), the marriage canopy, for the marriage of the Lamb will have come) And there shall be a tabernacle For a shadow in the day time from the heat And a place of refuge, and for a covert From storm and from rain." They perform priestly service day and night, and fulfil the duties of "servants," for they "serve before the throne." Other Old Testament passages referred to here are Lev. xxvi. 11. Ezek. xxxvii. 27. And then, alluding to the privations and trials they have undergone, we have further earthly blessings:-- h. vii. 16, 17. The Blessing and the Blesser. The Blessing: Negative h | k | 16-. No hunger. l | -16-. No thirst. m | -16. No suffering. The Blesser: Positive h| k | 17-. Hunger satisfied. l | -17-. Thirst assuaged. m | -17. Sorrow banished. 16. "They shall not hunger any more, nor yet thirst any more; neither shall the sun in any wise fall upon them; no, nor any burning heat. (17) Because the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shall tend them (as a shepherd), and shall lead them unto the fountains of the waters of life: [200] and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes"] Thus ends the Elder's description of the great multitude and their ultimate blessings. The blessings of the Church are heavenly. We have the same blessing prophesied in Isa. xlix. 8-10; xxv. 8; and lxv. 19. Jer. xxxi. 16. Thus are Israel's blessings extended to Gentiles. The fulfilment is seen in Rev. xxi. 3, 4; xxii. i. and Ezek. xlvii. The Seventh Seal (viii. 1-6). From the Structure of this Second Vision "in Heaven" we saw that this last great member A (viii. 1-6) is set in contrast and corresponds with A (vii. 9-12), the Heavenly voices and utterances. We have shown that the six Seals cover not only the whole period of the Great Tribulation, but that the sixth bring us right up to the great day of wrath; co-terminous, apparently, with chap. xi. 17, 18 (the seventh Trumpet), and chap. xx. (the final Judgment). But that, whereas the seventh Trumpet expands into the seven Vials -- which are consecutive -- the sixth Seal is followed by silence in heaven, as though to break off all continuity, and to show us that we have to go back and learn how the details of the judgments of the Seals are to be filled in. The following is the Structure of viii. 1-6, describing the close of this second Vision "in Heaven": A. viii. 1-6. The Heavenly Silence and Activities. (The Seventh Seal.) A | n | p | 1. Silence in heaven. q | 2. The 7 angels and the 7 Trumpets. o | r | 3. Another angel with censer and prayers. s | 4. Result. Smoke ascended up to heaven. o | r | 5-. The angel with censer and fire. s | -5-. Result. Fire descended to the earth. A | n | p | -5. Sounds on the earth. q | 6. The 7 angels and the 7 Trumpets. The breaking of the seventh Seal, instead of producing one single result, as the other six had done is closed by this "silence," which seemed to John to last half an hour; after which, John is shown how the prayers of the saints under the fifth Seal are presented (verses 3, 4), and answered (verse 5), by the commencement of a series of judgments ushered in by the sounding of seven Trumpets. But we will first give the translation of viii. 1-6. viii. 1. And when he opened the seventh seal, there was (i.e., became, came on, or followed) silence in heaven about half an hour.] At the sounding of the seventh Trumpet there are "great voices in heaven" (xi. 5). And at the pouring out of the seventh Vial, a great voice came out of the throne (xvi. 17). But this "silence" means more than that. It marks very solemnly the pause between the prayer and the answer, which shall turn the prayer into praise. On earth, the cry of the saints has been incessant. They "cry day and night." In heaven the cry is now about to be answered, and there is a solemn pause -- the silence of expectation. The Heb. (...) (dumeyyah) silence (fem. adj.), which occurs four times, exactly expresses the position. (1) "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, there is no silence to me. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Psa. xxii. 2, 3 (3, 4). (2) "I was dumb with silence (Psa. xxxix. 2 (3)). (3) "Truly my soul is silence toward God: From him cometh my salvation" (Psa. lxii. 1 (2)). (4) "There shall be silence before thee, And praise, O God, in Zion. O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come" (Psa. lxv. 1 (2) RV. marg.). In all these four passages the word denotes a period of waiting between the offering of the prayer, and the giving of the answer which shall call forth praise. The adverb in Lam. iii. 26 exactly expresses it: "It is good when one doth wait even in silence for the salvation of Jehovah." That goodness is here seen, for the prayers offered on earth are, during this period of silence, formally presented before God, and the answer is formally announced in the preparation of the seven angels to sound their Trumpets and declare war against Satan and all his hosts. This is what is now seen by John. 2. and I saw the seven angels] i.e., at the expiration of the half-hour. Not merely seven angels, but THE seven, because well known, and before referred to as "the seven spirits which are before the throne" (i. 4; iii. 1; iv. 5; v. 6), for "he maketh his angels spirits" (Heb. i. 7). At the breaking of the seventh Seal there is silence. This shows that here we have a pause with a view of a return, to fill up details. While in the other two (the Trumpets and Vials) we have continuous and consecutive and consequent action arising from the seventh Trumpet. who stand in the presence of God;] In chap. iv. 5, they are the called THE seven spirits of God (So. iii. 1) for it is said of the angels: He "maketh His angels spirits" (Heb. i. 14). The word (...) (pneumata) spirits, is used of any spiritual being. In chap. v. 6 also we again read of "THE seven spirits sent forth into all the earth." There seems to be no doubt but that all these passages relate to the same seven "Presence-Angels." In Dan. iv. 13 (10), 17 (14), 23 (20), they are called (...) (irin) watchers (Greek, (...) (egregoroi), lxx. Lam. iv. 14). This term is from Ps. ciii. 20, i.e., those who watch and wait for the Divine commands. That GABRIEL is one of these is clear from Luke i. 19. MICHAEL may be another. and there was given unto them seven trumpets.] By whom they were given is not stated. But they were given by direction from the Throne; the action of which is now renewed, though it is changed. The Lamb opened the Seals, but Angels sound the Trumpets. The Seals were opened in secret; the Trumpets publicly proclaim war. (See Num. x. 9. Judges vi. 34; iii. 27; vii. 8, 16, 18. 1 Sam. xiii. 3. Jer. iv. 5. Job xxxix. 25. Rev. xiv. 14). They notify also the presence of the great and terrible day of the Lord. See Zeph. i. 14-16. 3. And another angel came and took his stand at the altar, having a golden censer;] We are not told who this other angel was, and therefore it is simple speculation to assert, as many do, that he was the Lord Jesus Himself. The golden censer belonged to the Holy Place (Heb. ix. 4), and it was the golden altar on which the incense was offered. And there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar that was before the throne. (4) And the smoke of the incense went up before God, with the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the angel.] We have here a Vision of events in Heaven, from which we learn that Heaven is a place of great and grand realities; the dwelling-place of God, in which Heavenly worship is carried on. The Tabernacle on earth and its worship; and afterward the Temple with its ordinances, were only copies of the realities in heaven; "figures of the true," and "patterns of things in the heavens." "Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle: for, see, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount" (Heb. viii. 5; ix. 23, 24). In like manner was David admonished, when he received the plan and pattern of the Temple "in writing" from God (1 Chron. xxviii. 11-13, 19). The prayers of the martyred saints were over, but the cry of their blood from the ground is voiced in words (vi. 10). These prayers are the living saints, the people of the book; the 144,000, and the great multitude before they are taken out of the great Tribulation, who "cry day and night unto Him" (Luke xviii. 7). We have specimens of these prayers, given (proleptically) in the Psalms: "Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavours: Give them after the work of their hands; Render to them their desert" (Psa. xxviii. 4). "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kishon" (Ps. lxxxiii. 9). And the very Psalm which likens prayer to incense, also contains similar prayers (Ps. cxli. 1, 2, 7, 10). "Lord, I cry unto thee: Make hast unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice... Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, As when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth... Let the wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape (marg. Heb. pass over). The Golden altar "is before the throne." So it was in the earthly copy of the heavenly pattern. It was "before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony" (Ex. xxx. 6; xl. 5, 26). 5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar (Lev. xvi. 12), and he cast the fire unto the earth: and there were thunderings, and voices, and lightnings, [201] and an earthquake.] We have a similar scene in Ezek. x. 2, &c., where the fire is taken from between the cherubim under the throne, and scattered over the city of Jerusalem in token of its destruction. So here: that on which the fire falls is to be consumed and destroyed. This is the answer to the prayers which had been so solemnly offered. In other places "fire" is mentioned as one of the judgments which He will send on the earth. (see Ezek. xxxix. 6; xxxviii. 22. Hos. viii. 14. Amos i. 4, 7, 10, 12; ii. 5). Compare Deut. xxxii. 22. This very scene is prophesied in similar words in Ps. xviii. 4, 6-8: "The floods of ungodly (marg., Belial) men made me afraid... In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his Temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the hills moved And were shaken, because he was wroth, There went up a smoke out of (marg., by) his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it." The fulfilment of the next verse, which speaks of this actual descent, is deferred here by the description of other events which are also to take place. 6. And the seven angels who had the seven Trumpets made themselves ready that they might sound them.] The prohibition of vii. 1 is now about to be removed. Twice the sevenfold enunciation is given, and the reproach of Ps. lxxix. 11, 12 is about to be rewarded "sevenfold," in answer to the prayers which had been offered. This heavenly vision is a vision showing what will one day literally take place. If they are Symbols, they are symbols of solemn realities. If they are Figures, they are figures, not of speech, but of facts. Just as the judgments of God at the time of the Exodus were real and literal; and the announcements of them were literally fulfilled, so will these be. For they are exactly what is foretold. "According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show him marvellous things" (Mic. vii. 15). Indeed, we are distinctly told that the physical marvels of that day shall be "like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt" (Is. xi. 15, 16). We are even told in Jer. xxiii. 7, 8 that the coming judgments (for which preparation is now made, Rev. viii. 1-6) shall exceed those which God performed in Egypt, and the covenant of marvels we must once more quote as being conclusive on this point: "Behold I make a covenant: before all thy people I WILL DO MARVELS, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a TERRIBLE THING that I will do with thee" (Ex. xxxiv. 10, and compare Deut. xxviii. 10). __________________________________________________________________ [197] So G.L.T.Tr.A. WH. and RV., not "cried." [198] So L.T.Tr.A. [199] G.[L.]T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. add "my." [200] So G.L.T.Tr. WH. and RV. [201] This is the order according to T.Tr.A. WH. and RV. L. and WHm. read "thunderings and lightnings and voices." __________________________________________________________________ The Second Vision "On Earth" E^2, THE FIRST SIX TRUMPETS (viii. 7 - xi. 14). A., The First Four Trumpets (viii. 7-12) Before we give the Structure of this section we must again call attention to the fact that the sixth Seal takes us on to the time of the end; and the seventh Seal takes us back and commences a new series of judgments initiated by the seven Trumpets and followed by the seven Vials. So that the whole of the rest of the Apocalypse comes under the seventh Seal. Whereas the seventh Trumpet issues in and contains the seven Vials. First of all we have (as we have seen) the six Seals (chaps. vi., vii.) Then the seventh Seal expands into and contains both the seven Trumpets (viii. 7 - xi. 14) and the seven Vials (xvi. 1 - xviii. 24). Finally, the seventh Trumpet expands into and contains the seven Vials (xvi. 1 - xviii. 24). Thus the seventh Seal embraces the whole of the great Judgment period of the Trumpets and Vials (from viii. 7 - xviii. 24) and is immediately followed by the Apocalypse of the Son of Man in power and great glory. A careful study of the following Presentation will explain our meaning; and set forth the order of the general contents of these judgment Visions, viii. 1 - xviii. 24: The Seventh Seal, viii. 1--xviii. 24. The Seventh Seal consisting of The Seven Trumpets and the Seven Vials viii. 7. The 1st Trumpet. Fire mingled with blood. Third part of Trees and grass burnt up. viii. 8, 9. The 2nd Trumpet. Burning mountain cast into sea. Third of sea becomes blood. viii. 10, 11. The 3rd Trumpet. Burning star falls on third part of Rivers ("Wormwood"). viii. 12, 13. The 4th Trumpet. Third part of Sun smitten. Moon and stars darkened. ix. 1-12. The 5th Trumpet. (The First WOE). Pit opened. Locusts. ix. 13--xi. 14. The 6th Trumpet. (The Second WOE). The 4 Euphratean Angels loosed. Horsemen. xi. 15. The Seventh Trumpet (x. 7) The 3rd WOE (Rev. xi. 14). Consisting of the Seven Vials. xvi. 1, 2. Vial I. (The Third WOE). On the earth. Sores on Worshippers of Beast. xvi. 3. Vial II. On the Sea. Sea became blood. xvi. 4-7. Vial III. On the Rivers. Rivers became blood. xvi. 8-9. Vial IV. On the Sun. men scorched with fire. xvi. 10, 11. Vial V. On the Throne of the Beast. Kingdom full of darkness. xvi. 12-16. Vial VI. On the River Euphrates. Euphrates dried up. 3 spirits like Frogs. Armageddon. xvi. 17--xviii. 24. Vial VII. "It is done." The judgment of Great Babylon The whole of this great judgment period, covered by the Trumpets and Vials, is given in two pairs of alternate Visions of events "in Heaven" and "on Earth." The 2nd Vision "in Heaven" (viii. 1-6) consists of the opening of the seventh Seal. The 2nd Vision "on Earth" (viii. 7- xi. 14) consists of the effects of this opening (the first six Trumpets). The 3rd Vision "in Heaven" (xi. 15-19-) consists of the Sounding of the seventh Trumpet. The 3rd Vision "on Earth" (xi. -19) consists of the effects of this sounding. We are then (in chap. xii.) taken back to a time prior to chap. iv.; while the sequence of the Trumpet and Vial judgments is broken in order to admit of this parenthetical break. The Trumpet and Vial judgments are continuous once they begin. It is only the description of them (not the course of them) which is interrupted, in order to allow of the necessary information being given which shows the necessity for them. This digression commences at chap. xii. 1 and is carried on to xv. 8. Then the description of the Vial Judgments is taken up and continued, giving the results "on Earth" of the sounding of the seventh Trumpet; an epitome of which had been given in a few words in xi. -19. These Vial Judgments are then continuous from xvi. 1 - xviii. 24, which ends their mission, accomplishes their object, and issues in the Revelation of Christ from Heaven in power and great glory (chap. xix.). But we must return now to the second Vision "on Earth," runs from viii. 7 - xi. 14. E^2. viii. 7--xi. 14. The Second Vision "On Earth." The First Six Trumpets E^2 | A | B | a | viii. 7-. The FIRST Trumpet. ^ b | viii. -7-. The Earth smitten (Hail and fire, etc.) c | viii. -7. The Third part of trees. C | d | viii. 8-. The SECOND Trumpet. e | viii. -8-. The Sea smitten (Burning mountain, etc.) f | viii. -8. Third part of sea, blood. g | viii. 9. Death of living creatures in sea. C | d | viii. 10-. The THIRD Trumpet. e | viii. -10, 11-. The Waters smitten (Star falling, etc.) f | viii. -11-. Third part of waters wormwood. g | viii. -11. Death of men. B | a | viii. 12-. The FOURTH Trumpet. b | viii. -12-. The Heavens smitten (Sun, Moon, and Stars). c | viii. -12. Third part darkened. A | D | viii. 13. Three woes yet to come. E | h | ix. 1-11. The FIFTH Trumpet. (The First WOE). i | ix. 12. The termination of First Woe ("The first woe is past.") E | h | ix. 13--xi. 13. The SIXTH Trumpet. (The Second WOE). i | xi. 14-. The termination of Second Woe ("The second woe is past.") D | xi. -14. "The third woe cometh quickly." Here we have the whole of the six Trumpets. The six refer to the earth; the seventh consists of the third Vision "in heaven." So with the Seals: six referred to the earth, and the seventh was opened "in heaven." It is the same with the seven Trumpets; six Trumpets refer to the earth, the seventh refers to heaven. Moreover, they are divided into four and three: the four (A. viii. 7-12) being grouped together, and the last three (A. viii. 13-xi. 14, etc.) being the three "Woe" Trumpets. The first four Trumpets and their results are recorded with brevity; while the last three are set forth in more detail. The four occupy only seven verses; the last three occupy some fifty verses. The first of the four affects the earth; the fourth affects the heavens; while the second and third affect the waters of the earth. Thus all is recorded in perfect order. THE FIRST TRUMPET (viii. 7). viii. 7. And the first [202] sounded his trumpet,] The verb (...) (salpizo) means to sound a trumpet; the noun (...) (salpingx) being included in the verb. and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third of the earth was burned up, [203] and the third of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up] In the plagues of Egypt, to which these judgments were to be like, the seventh plague was "hail, and fire mingled with the hail" (Ex. ix. 22-28), and plants of the earth were smitten (verses 31, 32). Here blood was mingled with the fire and hail. We are aware that a majority of interpreters maintain that the results of this first Trumpet are not literal. They seem as anxious to get rid of the miraculous and the supernatural from Interpretation, as the Rationalists are to eliminate it from Inspiration. But why, unless the plagues of Egypt also were not literal plagues, we cannot understand. Again we ask, Why should not these be literal judgments which are to come on the earth? What is the difficulty? God has said concerning the events of the day of the Lord, "I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire" (Joel ii. 30). How He will do this we are here told. To explain this away is to manifest a want of faith in the power of God, and in the Word of God. Such things have taken place on earth. Why should they not take place again? Cicero [204] tells us that the word was brought to the Roman Senate, on one occasion, that it had rained blood, and that the river Atratus had flowed with blood. On August 17, 1819, Dr. Seiss tells us that "Captain Ross saw the mountains at Baffin's Bay covered for eight miles with blood-red snow many feet in depth." Also that Saussare found it on Mount St. Bernard, in 1778; that Ramond found it on the Pyrenes; and Summerfield in Norway. Why may it not be seen again? The historical interpreters differ so much among themselves that we may well ask, Which one of them are we to believe? It is this very diversity which has caused so many earnest students to put the Apocalypse aside in despair. Our object in writing is that they may take up the book again with hope; asking them only to believe God. It will be better to err in such simplicity of faith in the Word of God, than to adopt the most plausible scheme based upon the opinion of man; and which differs not only from God, but from every other human interpretation. For example, Elliott says that this first Trumpet denotes the wars of Alaric the Goth and Rhadagaisus the Vandal against the Western Roman Empire. We should never have guessed this ourselves. There is nothing about this or even like it in this Scripture. John saw one result, Mr. Elliott gives two. John saw the blood-red rain of hail and fire from heaven; this gives human blood on earth! One says "trees" mean princes and great men; and "grass" means men's power and glory (Wordsworth). J.N. Darby says "that which is elevated, eminent, lofty is intended by the trees; the young, feeble and aged are meant by the green grass." Wetstein says "Trees mean fortified cities; grass, unwalled villages." Others say "by trees are signified apostles and great doctors; by grass, common Christians" (Paralus). Alford holds that "it appears rather to indicate a general characters of the judgments, than to require any special interpretation in each particular case." To all this we have one simple remark to make -- We prefer to believe God's own special interpretation of His own judgments, in the plain literal sense of the words. THE SECOND TRUMPET (viii. 8, 9). viii. 8. And the second angel sounded his trumpet, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third of the sea became blood; (9) and there died the third of the creatures which were in the sea, which had life; and the third of the ships were destroyed.] It does not say it was a mountain, but that it was like one. This shows us what is not to be taken literally, as well as what is. It was something which resembled a mountain. John does not say he saw a volcano (as some assert). What John saw was a fiery mass like a mountain cast into the sea, and turning it into blood. "This cannot be literal" exclaim the interpreters. But again we ask, Why not? In one of the plagues of Egypt it is written that Moses "lifted up his rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants, and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood" (Ex. viii. 20). In Ps. cv. 29 it is written, "He turned their waters into blood"; so Ps. lxxviii. 44. The poorest and humblest reader can understand this. It does not require education in order to believe God. All it needs is a spiritual understanding, and a childlike mind. (1 John v. 20 and 1 Cor. ii. 14.) It does not require wide reading to understand God. It requires faith. To follow what man says it requires only credulity. Which are we to believe of the following interpretations? One interpretation asks us to believe that The fiery mountain means Satan. The sea means the nations. The dying of the fish denotes the persecution and slaughter of Christians. The wreck of the ships denotes the extinction of congregations. (2). Another system (E.B. Elliott's) tells us that The mountain was Genseric with his Vandals, forced by the Huns from their native seat. The sea was their plunging through France and Spain into Africa, settling themselves in the conquered territory. The destruction of fish, etc., was their depredations on the neighboring islands and shores of the Mediterranean. (3) A third system tells us that The sea is the church with its baptismal waters. The mountain is some great heresy. The blood is the corruption by deadly error. The destruction of fish is the destruction of souls. The wreck of ships is the overturning of churches. (4) Another system is that The sea is the sea of Galilee, put for Palestine. The mountain is Vespasian. The fishes are the Jews. The ships are the cities of Palestine. (5) A fifth scheme is that The sea is pure doctrine. The mountain is prelacy. The fire Episcopal ambition. The blood-red waters means the introduction of false doctrine. The fishes are Ecclesiastics, monks. The ships the bearers of the Gospel. (6) A sixth system is that The mountain is Rome. Its burning the burning of Rome by Alaric. The wreck of its ships is the sack of Rome. (7) William Kelly would have us believe him. He says "The second blow supposes a great change: it falls on the sea, and so refers not to that sphere which is under special and settled government, but to that which is, or will then be, in a state of confusion and anarchy." And again "the mountain burning with fire, represents a system of power, itself under the judgment of God and the occasion of judgment to others" (Apoc., p. 141). Again we ask, Is it not better to believe God? Is it not easier to understand what He says? It is perfectly clear that all the above systems cannot be right. Which of them, then, are we to accept? Why is there this universal effort to have us believe that God always means something different from what He says? Whence comes this spirit? Dr. Seiss well asks, "What do we want with Vespasian and Alaric and Rhadagaisus, Attila, Genseric, Romans, Goths, Vandals, Arians, Prelates, or the Devil," when God tells us that it was a fiery mass like a mountain cast into the sea? That God's coming judgments will affect the fishes and the ships we are distinctly told in Hosea iv. 1-3. Zeph. i. 3. Isa. ii. 16, &c. All Bible readers and commentators believe that waters were turned to blood in the plagues of Egypt. Why not believe that they will be so turned again? If God had said ink instead of blood, we would believe Him. All things are possible with Him. Indeed, it is quite recently that we were told that this had happened; or something like it. The Daily Express (London May 19, 1900) says: "Great consternation has been caused at Santa Cruz (Cal., U.S.A.,) by the sea turning suddenly black," and given an extract from the San Francisco Examiner, which says: "There are many theories as to the cause of this remarkable change. One man thinks it is due to the tides. Another says the turbid waters are the result of a submarine upheaval in the blue mud of the channel. A third believes the water is full of animalculae -- the whale food. "Still another states that a storm from the ocean has muddled the water, and talks wisely, too, of marine earthquakes and the like. They all agree that the whole bay was never before like the sea of ink it is at present." If, in our day, the sea can be turned black, Why cannot it be as easily turned red? And when it is, when these words of "the book of this prophecy" shall be fulfilled, men will doubtless speculate about the cause of it, just as they speculate about the sea at Santa Cruz: and remain just as ignorant as before, because "God is not in all their thoughts." In like manner, the cleaving in two of the Mount of Olives in Zech. xiv. 4 is regarded by most commentators as being quite beyond a literal interpretation: and yet, a few years ago, The Illustrated London News gave some interesting drawings of the scene of the great volcanic eruption in the North Island, New Zealand. It will be remembered that the outburst of volcanic energy began by the explosion of MOUNT TARAWERA, a mountain which had no crater upon it, and showed no signs of recent activity. TARAWERA was split in two by the sudden opening of a great chasm or line of craters four miles long, about 500 feet wide, and, in many places, 400 feet deep. What happened in that case may easily happen again; not that we require, or ought to require, any such aid to our faith; for we believe that God means exactly what He says, in this and in other prophecies. THE THIRD TRUMPET (viii. 10, 11). viii. 10. And the third angel sounded his trumpet, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as it were a torch ((...) (lampas) a torch; not (...) (luchnos) a lamp), and it fell upon the third of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11) and the name of the star is called Wormwood ((...) (apsinthos) Absinthe): and the third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter] That stars should fall from heaven is a subject of prophecy (vi. 13). Here is one special star, smaller, evidently, than the burning mountain. When we are distinctly told it was "like a torch" there is no occasion to introduce the idea of a comet (as Dr. Seiss does), or a meteor, or anything else. As a torch it was burning only at one end, and not burning all over as the mountain was. All this is quite clear as it stands. It requires no explanation if we believe what is written. On the other hand, the ideas of historical interpreters are in wild confusion and mutual opposition. As to the "Star," the interpretations include Mahomet, Simon Magus, Montanus, Arius, Cerinthus, Pelagius, among ecclesiastics. Those who hold it to be a military personage say it was some Jewish leader, as Eleazar, Josephus, etc. Others bring in poor Genseric again, or Attila, and a long series of wholesale murderers. But a few questions will dispose of them all: What was the heaven out of which they fell? What was their fall? How did they burn? How did they embitter the fountains and rivers and make them bitter like themselves? When were they called by the name "Wormwood?" or "Absinthe?" There is no reasonable answer to these questions. It is a very sad reflection to think that, with so many, these definite and particular revelations of the Holy Ghost may mean anything. We ourselves might add another interpretation; and however extravagant it might be, men would not mind. Some would probably receive it. But, we dare to commit the unpardonable sin of adopting a principle of interpretation which requires us to believe that these things "mean" exactly what God says, and are consequently looked on as "cranks" for so doing. And yet events somewhat similar have happened. In the Annual Register for 1823, p. 683, we read that, as the result of a volcanic explosion, showers of sand darkened the sky and "the sea water became thick, and river water assumed the colour of beer, and was so extremely bitter as to be unfit for use. This was in the Aleutian Islands, and it is quoted by Mr. Govett in his Apocalypse Expounded. Something like this was foretold as God's punishment of His People (Jer. ix. 13-15): "Behold I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink." So Jer. xxiii. 15. Lam. iii. 15. Jer. viii. 14; ix. 15. The result of one of the plagues of Egypt was that "the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river" (Ex. vii. 18-24). That was real and literal. So will this be. THE FOURTH TRUMPET (viii. 12). viii. 12. And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and the third of the moon, and the third of the stars; in order that the third part of them might be darkened, and the day might not shine for a third of it, and the night in like manner] "Signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars" are what the Lord foretold as part of the wonders to be looked for. (Luke xxi. 25. So Matt. xxiv. 29 and Mark xiii. 24). Here, some of those signs are seen by John. Others are foretold in Isaiah, "Behold darkness and sorrow: and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof (Isaiah v. 30). "I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day