A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse Part 5

"After this, I looked, and behold, a door opened in heaven: and the first voice, which I heard, was like a trumpet talking with me; saying, Ascend here, and I will show thee things, which must take place hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

And, He, who sat, was in appearance like a jasper and a cornelian stone: and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance, like an emerald. And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne came forth lightnings, and voices and thunders. And seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of G.o.d. And before the throne there was a transparent sea like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living beings, full of eyes before and behind.

And the first living being was like a lion, and the second living being like a calf, and the third living being had a face like a man, and the fourth living being was like a flying eagle. And each of the four living beings had six wings around him; and within they were full of eyes: and they rest not day or night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord G.o.d Almighty, who was, and is, and is to be! And when the living beings give glory, and honor, and thanks to Him seated on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before Him seated on the throne, and wors.h.i.+p Him, who liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy art thou, O Lord, our G.o.d, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they existed and were created."-Rev. 4:1-11.

This vision is preparatory to the revelations of "things which must be hereafter," which were given John in the series of visions following.

Their divine origin, and, consequently, the deference with which they are to be received as a revelation from G.o.d, are demonstrated by this symbolization of the presence chamber of the Almighty.

The revelator had before heard a voice speaking to him, (1:10); and turning to look, he beheld the risen Saviour. He then writes the epistles which the Saviour dictated to the churches; and again he turns his eyes to the place where the voice spake to him.

The opening of a door in heaven, appears to be no part of the "things which must be hereafter;" and is, therefore, no symbol. It was doubtless an appearance of an aperture in the sky above, through which the revelator saw the vision. It indicates that he looked through and beyond the limits prescribed to human vision; and the summons to "come up hither," indicates that he was to have free access to the secrets there to be unfolded.

A "throne set in heaven," is a symbol of sovereignty there. Consequently the one who sits thereon is the Almighty-his greatness, glory and majesty, being indicated by the "lightnings, thunderings and voices," the "rainbow round about the throne," and the resemblance to brilliant gems. It is the same Being, seen in vision by Ezekiel (1:28), round about whom was "as the appearance of the bow in the day of rain;" and who was explained to be "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."

The "elders" seated about the throne, and the "four living creatures,"

improperly rendered beasts, are representatives of the redeemed of our race; for they subsequently unite in the new song, saying to Christ, "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to G.o.d by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and nation; and hast made us unto our G.o.d kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth," 5:8-10. The difference between the two orders, is not fully apparent. They have "vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints." The four beasts are evidently of the same order as the "living creatures" in Ezek. 1:5; the cherubim of Ezek.

10:20, and the seraphim of Isa. 6:1. The entire hosts of the redeemed are thus represented as interested spectators in the visions which are to be unfolded.

The "seven lamps of fire," are explained to be "the seven Spirits of G.o.d,"

which, as before shown, is expressive of the Holy Spirit.

The "sea of gla.s.s," corresponds to the brazen sea, or laver, under the law, which stood at the door of the tabernacle, Ex. 38:8. It was an emblem of purity. Before entering the tabernacle the priest must there wash.

Those admitted on the sea of gla.s.s, are those who are purified and made white in the blood of the Lamb, 15:2.

With this preliminary representation, the first series of events extending to the final consummation, is shown under the symbol of:

The Sealed Book.

"And I saw in the right hand of Him seated on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals? and no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book nor to look in it. And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open, and to read the book, nor to look in it. And one of the elders saith to me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose its seven seals. And I saw in the midst of the throne, and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders, the Lamb standing, as having been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of G.o.d sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of Him seated on the throne. And when he took the book, the living beings, and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, all of them having harps, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book and to open its seals: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to G.o.d by thy blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us kings and priests to our G.o.d, and we shall reign on the earth! And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those on the sea, even all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be to Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever! And the four living beings said, Amen. And the elders fell down and wors.h.i.+pped."-Rev. 5:1-14.

The written book, must symbolize G.o.d's purposes, which were about to be unfolded on the loosening of the seals. Its being written within and without, indicates the fulness of its contents, the completeness of the record:-G.o.d's purposes being fully and unalterably formed. In like manner Ezekiel was shown "a roll of a book ... written within and without,"

symbolizing the "lamentations, mourning and woe" (Ezek. 2:9), which were soon to overtake Israel.

A sealed book is one whose contents are hidden: "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," Isa. 29:11. G.o.d said to Daniel, "Shut up the words, and seal the book, till the time of the end," Dan. 12:4.

To open the seals, no one was found worthy. There was no being in heaven among the angels, no human being on the earth, and no disembodied spirit, or demon, under the earth, who was able to unfold the future. The tears of the revelator are, however, dried, and his drooping spirits cheered, by the announcement of one of the elders, that "the LION of the tribe of JUDAH, the ROOT of DAVID, hath prevailed to open the book," and to unfold its mysteries. He stood in the midst of the a.s.sembled intelligences,-his human nature and sacrificial office, being designated by his metaphorical t.i.tle of the "Lamb:"-John seeing Jesus coming to him said, "Behold the Lamb of G.o.d, which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29. His sovereignty is shown by the "seven horns," the symbols of power; and his relation to the G.o.dhead, by the seven eyes, the seven Spirits of G.o.d;-expressive of the Holy Spirit. See p. 25.

The rejoicings on the announcement of Christ's ability to take the book, and to open the seals, indicate the greatness of the blessing which G.o.d gives the church, when he thus reveals a knowledge of the future. All creatures should join in these hosannas, and praise the Lord for his great condescension, in showing his servants the things which must shortly come to pa.s.s. To neglect this revelation, is not joining in the ascription of praise.

The golden vials, full of odors, symbolize the prayers of saints. Under the Mosaic dispensation, the frankincense and odors offered at the tabernacle were emblematic of prayer and praise to G.o.d. "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as _incense_; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice," Psa. 141:2.

Christ takes the book from the hand of him who sits on the throne, and opens the seals. Thus he makes known unto his servants the revelation which G.o.d had given him, 1:1. As each successive seal is opened, successive portions of the writing in the book become accessible,-an _epoch_ is marked, following which, and previous to that symbolized by the opening of the next seal, are to be fulfilled, the events symbolized under it.

The First Seal.

"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living beings, saying, with a voice like thunder, Come! And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he, who sat on him, had a bow; and a crown was given him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer."-Rev. 6:1, 2.

The voice is evidently addressed to the personage on the white horse, or to the agencies thus symbolized. It is the signal for their appearance on the stage of action.

The symbol is that of a victorious warrior, armed with weapons of conquest,-success being indicated by the crown given him. As there is no a.n.a.logous order, except in the religious world, Mr. Lord very properly regards it as a symbol of the body of religious teachers, those faithful soldiers of the cross, who, from the middle of the first to the middle of the third century, as "soldiers of Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3), went forth to war "against princ.i.p.alities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," Eph.

6:12. The apostle, when they received their commission, said to them, "Take unto you the whole armor of G.o.d, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the s.h.i.+eld of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G.o.d," _Ib._ 13-17.

Thus equipped, they went forth, conquering and to conquer. They a.s.sailed the strong-holds of sin and Satan, and planted the standard of the cross in all portions of the then civilized world. And at the end of their warfare thousands of them could say with the apostle: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing," 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.

The period symbolized under this seal, was distinguished for purity of faith in the church, and devotion to the cause of Christ,-indicated by the whiteness of the horse that the warrior rides.

The Second Seal.

"And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living being say, Come! And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him, who sat on him, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill each other: and a great sword was given to him."-Rev. 6:3, 4.

This symbol, like the former, is that of a mounted warrior, and must also symbolize a body of religious teachers. The color of the horse, indicates that the doctrine and character of the body symbolized will have lost the original purity of the church, and become more sanguinary; which is also indicated by the great sword given him.

The warfare under this seal is not against outside enemies; for they kill each other. This, then, indicates an era when the church shall be disquieted, and her peace interrupted by internal dissensions. Such was its history during the third, fourth, and fifth centuries. This period was distinguished for the contentions of the clergy; their usurpation of power not conferred by the apostles; their divisions and sub-divisions into parties; their opposing councils; their collisions and distractions; their love of power; their pride, discord, strife, and tyranny; their mutual anathemas and excommunications; the envy, jealousy, and detraction they indulged in, and the other hateful pa.s.sions which they exercised. Thus they marred the peace of the church; and by causing many to apostatize, killed each other with spiritual death.

The Third Seal.

"And when he opened the third seal I heard the third living being say, Come! And I beheld, and lo, a black horse; and he, who sat on him, had a balance in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living beings say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and injure thou not the oil and the wine."-Rev. 6:5, 6.

This foreshadows a period of great scarcity and cruel exactions. Applying it to the only department of society which is a.n.a.logous to civil life, and the famine symbolized, is like that predicted by Amos: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord G.o.d, that I will send a famine into the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it," Amos 8:11, 12.

This, then, marks a period when the traditions and opinions of men are subst.i.tuted for the word of G.o.d. With Origen was introduced a new mode of interpreting scripture, which afterwards became prevalent. The scriptures, instead of being received in their natural and obvious sense, were regarded as mystical and allegorical. Milner, in his Church History, says: "From the fanciful mode of allegory, introduced by him, and uncontrolled by scriptural rule and order, there arose a vitiated method of commenting on the sacred pages." And Mosheim says: "The few who explained the sacred writings with judgment and a true spirit of criticism, could not oppose, with any success, the torrent of allegory that was overflowing the church." Following this example, Luther says, "men make just what they please of the Scriptures, until some accommodate the word of G.o.d to the most extravagant absurdities."

Subst.i.tuting the conceptions of their own fancy for the word of G.o.d, they withheld from the people the bread of life, and produced a famine for the word of the Lord. Crude notions took the place of Bible doctrines; and pernicious speculations were subst.i.tuted for the teachings of Christ and his apostles. Baptism and the Lord's supper, lost their emblematic significance, and were regarded as saving ordinances. Heaven was sought to be merited by works, and sanctification was supposed to be gained by penance and mortification of the flesh. In short, all the corruptions of the apostasy were subst.i.tuted for the primitive faith, and the Bible became a sealed book to the great ma.s.s of the people.

The Fourth Seal.