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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>R E V E L A T I O N.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In the foregoing chapter the prophetical scene was opened, in the sight
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and hearing of the apostle, and he had a sight of God the Creator and
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ruler of the world, and the great King of the church. He saw God on the
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throne of glory and government, surrounded with his holy ones, and
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receiving their adorations. Now the counsels and decrees of God are set
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before the apostle, as in a book, which God held in his right hand; and
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this book is represented,
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I. As sealed in the hand of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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II. As taken into the hand of Christ the Redeemer, to be unsealed and
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opened,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:6-14">ver. 6, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Re5_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sealed Book.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 95.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a
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book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
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2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who
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is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
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3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,
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was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
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4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and
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to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the
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Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to
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open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Hitherto the apostle had seen only the great God, the governor of all
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things, now,</P>
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<P>
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I. He is favoured with a sight of the model and methods of his
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government, as they are all written down in a book which he holds in
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his hand; and this we are now to consider as shut up and sealed in the
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hand of God. Observe,
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1. The designs and methods of divine Providence towards the church and
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the world are stated and fixed; they are resolved upon and agreed to,
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as that which is written in a book. The great design is laid, every
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part adjusted, all determined, and every thing passed into decree and
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made a matter of record. The original and first draught of this book is
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the book of God's decrees, laid up in his own cabinet, in his eternal
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mind: but there is a transcript of so much as was necessary to be known
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in the book of the scriptures in general, in the prophetical part of
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the scripture especially, and in this prophecy in particular.
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2. God holds this book in his right hand, to declare the authority of
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the book, and his readiness and resolution to execute all the contents
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thereof, all the counsels and purposes therein recorded.
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3. This book in the hand of God is shut up and sealed; it is known to
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none but himself, till he allows it to be opened. <I>Known unto
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God,</I> and to him alone, <I>are all his works, from the beginning of
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the world;</I> but it is his glory to conceal the matter as he pleases.
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The times and seasons, and their great events, he hath kept in his own
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hand and power.
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4. It is <I>sealed with seven seals.</I> This tells us with what
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inscrutable secrecy the counsels of God are laid, how impenetrable by
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the eye and intellect of the creature; and also points us to seven
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several parts of this book of God's counsels. Each part seems to have
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its particular seal, and, when opened, discovers its proper events;
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these seven parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but
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successively, one scene of Providence introducing another, and
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explaining it, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct be
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finished in the world.</P>
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<P>
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II. He heard a proclamation made concerning this sealed book.
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1. The crier was <I>a strong angel;</I> not that there are any weak
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ones among the angels in heaven, though there are many among the angels
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of the churches. This angel seems to come out, not only as a crier, but
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as a champion, with a challenge to any or all the creatures to try the
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strength of their wisdom in opening the counsels of God; and, as a
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champion, he cried with a loud voice, that every creature might hear.
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2. The cry or challenge proclaimed was, "<I>Who is worthy to open the
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book, and to loose the seals thereof?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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If there by any creature who thinks himself sufficient either to
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explain or execute the counsels of God, let him stand forth, and make
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the attempt."
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3. None in heaven or earth could accept the challenge and undertake the
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task: none <I>in heaven,</I> none of the glorious holy angels, though
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before the throne of God, and the ministers of his providence; they
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with all their wisdom cannot dive into the decrees of God: none <I>on
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earth,</I> no man, the wisest or the best of men, none of the magicians
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and soothsayers, none of the prophets of God, any further than he
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reveals his mind to them: <I>none under the earth,</I> none of the
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fallen angels, none of the spirits of men departed, though they should
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return to our world, can open this book. Satan himself, with all his
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subtlety, cannot do it; the creatures cannot open it, nor look on it;
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they cannot read it. God only can do it.</P>
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<P>
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III. He felt a great concern in himself about this matter: the apostle
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<I>wept much;</I> it was a great disappointment to him. By what he had
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seen in him who sat upon the throne, he was very desirous to see and
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know more of his mind and will: this desire, when not presently
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gratified, filled him with sorrow, and fetched many tears from his
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eyes. Here observe,
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1. Those who have seen most of God in this world are most desirous to
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see more; and those who have seen his glory desire to know his will.
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2. Good men may be too eager and to hasty to look into the mysteries
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of divine conduct.
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3. Such desires, not presently answered, turn to grief and sorrow.
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<I>Hope deferred makes the heart sick.</I></P>
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<P>
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IV. The apostle was comforted and encouraged to hope this sealed book
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would yet be opened. Here observe,
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1. Who it was that gave John the hint: <I>One of the elders.</I> God
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had revealed it to his church. If angels do not refuse to learn from
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the church, ministers should not disdain to do it. God can make his
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people to instruct and inform their teachers when he pleases.
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2. Who it was that would do the thing--the Lord Jesus Christ, called
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<I>the lion of the tribe of Judah,</I> according to his human nature,
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alluding to Jacob's prophecy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:10">Gen. xlix. 10</A>),
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and <I>the root of David</I> according to his divine nature, though a
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branch of David according to the flesh. He who is a middle person, God
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and man, and bears the office of Mediator between God and man, is fit
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and worthy to open and execute all the counsels of God towards men. And
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this he does in his mediatorial state and capacity, <I>as the root of
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David and the offspring of Judah,</I> and as the King and head of the
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Israel of God; and he will do it, to the consolation and joy of all his
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people.</P>
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<A NAME="Re5_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re5_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sealed Book.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 95.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
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four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it
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had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the
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seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
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7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him
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that sat upon the throne.
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8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
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<I>and</I> twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one
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of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the
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prayers of saints.
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9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the
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book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and
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hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and
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tongue, and people, and nation;
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10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
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shall reign on the earth.
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11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round
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about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of
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them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
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thousands;
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12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
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to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
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honour, and glory, and blessing.
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13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and
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under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
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them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,
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<I>be</I> unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for
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ever and ever.
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14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four <I>and</I> twenty
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elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and
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ever.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here, I. The apostle beholds this book taken into the hands of the Lord
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Jesus Christ, in order to its being unsealed and opened by him. Here
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Christ is described,
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1. By his place and station: <I>In the midst of the throne, and of the
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four beasts, and of the elders.</I> He was on the same throne with the
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Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or ministers of the
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churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is subordinate to God the
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Father, but is nearer to him than all the creatures; <I>for in him all
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the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily.</I> The ministers stand
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between God and the people. Christ stands as the Mediator between God
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and both ministers and people.
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2. The form in which he appeared. Before he is called <I>a lion;</I>
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here he appears <I>as a lamb slain.</I> He is a lion to conquer Satan,
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a lamb to satisfy the justice of God. He appears with the marks of his
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sufferings upon him, to show that he interceded in heaven in the virtue
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of his satisfaction. He appears as a <I>lamb, having seven horns and
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seven eyes,</I> perfect power to execute all the will of God and
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perfect wisdom to understand it all and to do it in the most effectual
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manner; <I>for he hath the seven Spirits of God,</I> he has received
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the Holy Spirit without measure, in all perfection of light, and life,
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and power, by which he is able to teach and rule all parts of the
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earth.
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3. He is described by his act and deed: <I>He came, and took the book
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out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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not by violence, nor by fraud, but he prevailed to do it (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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he prevailed by his merit and worthiness, he did it by authority and by
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the Father's appointment. God very willingly and justly put the book of
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his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ as readily and
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gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to reveal and to do the
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will of his Father.</P>
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<P>
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II. The apostle observes the universal joy and thanksgiving that filled
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heaven and earth upon this transaction. No sooner had Christ received
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this book out of the Father's hand than he received the applauses and
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adorations of angels and men, yea, of <I>every creature.</I> And,
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indeed, it is just matter of joy to all the world to see that God does
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not deal with men in a way of absolute power and strict justice, but in
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a way of grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world,
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not merely as a Creator and Lawgiver, but as our God and Saviour. All
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the world has reason to rejoice in this. The song of praise that was
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offered up to the Lamb on this occasion consists of three parts, one
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part sung by the church, another by the church and the angels, the
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third by every creature.</P>
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<P>
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1. The church begins the doxology, as being more immediately concerned
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in it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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the four living creatures, and <I>the four-and-twenty elders,</I> the
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Christian people, under their minister, lead up the chorus. Here
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observe,
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(1.) The object of their worship--<I>the Lamb,</I> the Lord Jesus
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Christ; it is the declared will of God that all men <I>should honour
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the Son as they honour the Father;</I> for he has the same nature.
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(2.) Their posture: They <I>fell down before him,</I> gave him not an
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inferior sort of worship, but the most profound adoration.
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(3.) The instruments used in their adorations--<I>harps and vials;</I>
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the harps were the instruments of praise, the vials were full of odours
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or incense, which signify <I>the prayers of the saints:</I> prayer and
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praise should always go together.
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(4.) The matter of their song: it was suited to the new state of the
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church, the gospel-state introduced by the Son of God. In this new
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song,
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[1.] They acknowledge the infinite fitness and worthiness of the Lord
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Jesus for this great work of opening and executing the counsel and
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purposes of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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<I>Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof,</I>
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every way sufficient for the work and deserving the honour.
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[2.] They mention the grounds and reasons of this worthiness; and
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though they do not exclude the dignity of his person as God, without
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which he had not been sufficient for it, yet they chiefly insist upon
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the merit of his sufferings, which he had endured for them; these more
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sensibly struck their souls with thankfulness and joy. Here,
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<I>First,</I> They mention his suffering: "<I>Thou wast slain,</I>
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slain as a sacrifice, thy blood was shed." <I>Secondly,</I> The fruits
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of his sufferings.
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1. Redemption to God; Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage
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of sin, guilt, and Satan, redeemed them to God, set them at liberty to
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serve him and to enjoy him.
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2. High exaltation: Thou <I>hast made us to our God kings and priests,
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and we shall reign on the earth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Every ransomed slave is not immediately preferred to honour; he thinks
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it a great favour to be restored to liberty. But when the elect of God
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were made slaves by sin and Satan, in every nation of the world, Christ
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not only purchased their liberty for them, but the highest honour and
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preferment, <I>made them kings and priests</I>--kings, to rule over
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their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he
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has made them priests, given them access to himself, and liberty to
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offer up spiritual sacrifices, and <I>they shall reign on the
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earth;</I> they shall with him judge the world at the great day.</P>
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<P>
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2. The doxology, thus begun by the church, is carried on by the angels;
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they take the second part, in conjunction with the church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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They are said to be <I>innumerable,</I> and to be the attendants on the
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throne of God and guardians to the church; though they did not need a
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Saviour themselves, yet they rejoice in the redemption and salvation of
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sinners, and they agree with the church in acknowledging the infinite
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merits of the Lord Jesus as dying for sinners, that he is <I>worthy to
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receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
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glory, and blessing.</I>
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(1.) He is worthy of that office and that authority which require the
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greatest power and wisdom, the greatest fund, all excellency, to
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discharge them aright; and,
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(2.) He is worthy of all honour, and glory, and blessing, because he is
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sufficient for the office and faithful in it.</P>
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<P>
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3. This doxology, thus begun by the church, and carried on by the
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angels, is resounded and echoed by the whole creation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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Heaven and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer. The whole
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creation fares the better for Christ. <I>By him all things consist;</I>
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and all the creatures, had they sense and language, would adore that
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great Redeemer who delivers the creature from that bondage under which
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it groans, through the corruption of men, and the just curse denounced
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by the great God upon the fall; that part which (by a prosopopoeia) is
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made for the whole creation is a song of <I>blessing, and honour, and
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glory, and power,</I>
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(1.) <I>To him that sits on the throne,</I> to God as God, or to God
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the Father, as the first person in the Trinity and the first in the
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economy of our salvation; and,
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(2.) <I>To the Lamb,</I> as the second person in the Godhead and the
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Mediator of the new covenant. Not that the worship paid to the Lamb is
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of another nature, an inferior worship, for the very same honour and
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glory are in the same words ascribed <I>to the Lamb and to him that
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sits on the throne,</I> their essence being the same; but, their parts
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in the work of our salvation being distinct they are distinctly adored.
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We worship and glorify one and the same God for our creation and for
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our redemption.</P>
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<P>
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We see how the church that began the heavenly anthem, finding heaven
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and earth join in the concert, closes all with their <I>Amen,</I> and
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end as they began, with a low prostration before the eternal and
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everlasting God. Thus we have seen this sealed book passing with great
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solemnity from the hand of the Creator into the hand of the
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Redeemer.</P>
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