mh_parser/vol_split/66 - Revelation/Chapter 5.xml

<div2 id="Rev.vi" n="vi" next="Rev.vii" prev="Rev.v" progress="96.09%" title="Chapter V">
<h2 id="Rev.vi-p0.1">R E V E L A T I O N.</h2>
<h3 id="Rev.vi-p0.2">CHAP. V.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Rev.vi-p1">In the foregoing chapter the prophetical scene was
opened, in the sight and hearing of the apostle, and he had a sight
of God the Creator and ruler of the world, and the great King of
the church. He saw God on the throne of glory and government,
surrounded with his holy ones, and receiving their adorations. Now
the counsels and decrees of God are set before the apostle, as in a
book, which God held in his right hand; and this book is
represented, I. As sealed in the hand of God, <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.1-Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|1|5|9" passage="Re 5:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. II. As taken into the hand of
Christ the Redeemer, to be unsealed and opened, <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.6-Rev.5.14" parsed="|Rev|5|6|5|14" passage="Re 5:6-14">ver. 6, to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Rev.vi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5" parsed="|Rev|5|0|0|0" passage="Re 5" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Rev.vi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.1-Rev.5.5" parsed="|Rev|5|1|5|5" passage="Re 5:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Rev.5.1-Rev.5.5">
<h4 id="Rev.vi-p1.5">The Sealed Book. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Rev.vi-p1.6">a.
d.</span> 95.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Rev.vi-p2">1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on
the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with
seven seals.   2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a
loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals
thereof?   3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under
the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
  4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open
and to read the book, neither to look thereon.   5 And one of
the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe
of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to
loose the seven seals thereof.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p3">Hitherto the apostle had seen only the
great God, the governor of all things, now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p4">I. He is favoured with a sight of the model
and methods of his government, as they are all written down in a
book which he holds in his hand; and this we are now to consider as
shut up and sealed in the hand of God. Observe, 1. The designs and
methods of divine Providence towards the church and the world are
stated and fixed; they are resolved upon and agreed to, as that
which is written in a book. The great design is laid, every part
adjusted, all determined, and every thing passed into decree and
made a matter of record. The original and first draught of this
book is the book of God's decrees, laid up in his own cabinet, in
his eternal mind: but there is a transcript of so much as was
necessary to be known in the book of the scriptures in general, in
the prophetical part of the scripture especially, and in this
prophecy in particular. 2. God holds this book in his right hand,
to declare the authority of the book, and his readiness and
resolution to execute all the contents thereof, all the counsels
and purposes therein recorded. 3. This book in the hand of God is
shut up and sealed; it is known to none but himself, till he allows
it to be opened. <i>Known unto God,</i> and to him alone, <i>are
all his works, from the beginning of the world;</i> but it is his
glory to conceal the matter as he pleases. The times and seasons,
and their great events, he hath kept in his own hand and power. 4.
It is <i>sealed with seven seals.</i> This tells us with what
inscrutable secrecy the counsels of God are laid, how impenetrable
by the eye and intellect of the creature; and also points us to
seven several parts of this book of God's counsels. Each part seems
to have its particular seal, and, when opened, discovers its proper
events; these seven parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but
successively, one scene of Providence introducing another, and
explaining it, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct
be finished in the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p5">II. He heard a proclamation made concerning
this sealed book. 1. The crier was <i>a strong angel;</i> not that
there are any weak ones among the angels in heaven, though there
are many among the angels of the churches. This angel seems to come
out, not only as a crier, but as a champion, with a challenge to
any or all the creatures to try the strength of their wisdom in
opening the counsels of God; and, as a champion, he cried with a
loud voice, that every creature might hear. 2. The cry or challenge
proclaimed was, "<i>Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose
the seals thereof?</i> <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.2" parsed="|Rev|5|2|0|0" passage="Re 5:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. If there be any creature who thinks himself
sufficient either to explain or execute the counsels of God, let
him stand forth, and make the attempt." 3. None in heaven or earth
could accept the challenge and undertake the task: none <i>in
heaven,</i> none of the glorious holy angels, though before the
throne of God, and the ministers of his providence; they with all
their wisdom cannot dive into the decrees of God: none <i>on
earth,</i> no man, the wisest or the best of men, none of the
magicians and soothsayers, none of the prophets of God, any further
than he reveals his mind to them: <i>none under the earth,</i> none
of the fallen angels, none of the spirits of men departed, though
they should return to our world, can open this book. Satan himself,
with all his subtlety, cannot do it; the creatures cannot open it,
nor look on it; they cannot read it. God only can do it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p6">III. He felt a great concern in himself
about this matter: the apostle <i>wept much;</i> it was a great
disappointment to him. By what he had seen in him who sat upon the
throne, he was very desirous to see and know more of his mind and
will: this desire, when not presently gratified, filled him with
sorrow, and fetched many tears from his eyes. Here observe, 1.
Those who have seen most of God in this world are most desirous to
see more; and those who have seen his glory desire to know his
will. 2. Good men may be too eager and to hasty to look into the
mysteries of divine conduct. 3. Such desires, not presently
answered, turn to grief and sorrow. <i>Hope deferred makes the
heart sick.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p7">IV. The apostle was comforted and
encouraged to hope this sealed book would yet be opened. Here
observe, 1. Who it was that gave John the hint: <i>One of the
elders.</i> God had revealed it to his church. If angels do not
refuse to learn from the church, ministers should not disdain to do
it. God can make his people to instruct and inform their teachers
when he pleases. 2. Who it was that would do the thing—the Lord
Jesus Christ, called <i>the lion of the tribe of Judah,</i>
according to his human nature, alluding to Jacob's prophecy
(<scripRef id="Rev.vi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.10" parsed="|Gen|49|10|0|0" passage="Ge 49:10">Gen. xlix. 10</scripRef>), and <i>the
root of David</i> according to his divine nature, though a branch
of David according to the flesh. He who is a middle person, God and
man, and bears the office of Mediator between God and man, is fit
and worthy to open and execute all the counsels of God towards men.
And this he does in his mediatorial state and capacity, <i>as the
root of David and the offspring of Judah,</i> and as the King and
head of the Israel of God; and he will do it, to the consolation
and joy of all his people.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Rev.vi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.6-Rev.5.14" parsed="|Rev|5|6|5|14" passage="Re 5:6-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Rev.5.6-Rev.5.14">
<h4 id="Rev.vi-p7.3">The Sealed Book. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Rev.vi-p7.4">a.
d.</span> 95.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Rev.vi-p8">6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders,
stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the
earth.   7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand
of him that sat upon the throne.   8 And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four <i>and</i> twenty elders fell down
before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials
full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.   9 And they
sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us
to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation;   10 And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.   11 And I beheld,
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the
beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand
times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;   12 Saying
with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory,
and blessing.   13 And every creature which is in heaven, and
on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and
all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and
glory, and power, <i>be</i> unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.   14 And the four beasts
said, Amen. And the four <i>and</i> twenty elders fell down and
worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p9">Here, I. The apostle beholds this book
taken into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to its
being unsealed and opened by him. Here Christ is described, 1. By
his place and station: <i>In the midst of the throne, and of the
four beasts, and of the elders.</i> He was on the same throne with
the Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or
ministers of the churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is
subordinate to God the Father, but is nearer to him than all the
creatures; <i>for in him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells
bodily.</i> The ministers stand between God and the people. Christ
stands as the Mediator between God and both ministers and people.
2. The form in which he appeared. Before he is called <i>a
lion;</i> here he appears <i>as a lamb slain.</i> He is a lion to
conquer Satan, a lamb to satisfy the justice of God. He appears
with the marks of his sufferings upon him, to show that he
interceded in heaven in the virtue of his satisfaction. He appears
as a <i>lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes,</i> perfect power
to execute all the will of God and perfect wisdom to understand it
all and to do it in the most effectual manner; <i>for he hath the
seven Spirits of God,</i> he has received the Holy Spirit without
measure, in all perfection of light, and life, and power, by which
he is able to teach and rule all parts of the earth. 3. He is
described by his act and deed: <i>He came, and took the book out of
the right hand of him that sat on the throne</i> (<scripRef id="Rev.vi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.7" parsed="|Rev|5|7|0|0" passage="Re 5:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), not by violence, nor by
fraud, but he prevailed to do it (as <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.5" parsed="|Rev|5|5|0|0" passage="Re 5:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), he prevailed by his merit and
worthiness, he did it by authority and by the Father's appointment.
God very willingly and justly put the book of his eternal counsels
into the hand of Christ, and Christ as readily and gladly took it
into his hand; for he delights to reveal and to do the will of his
Father.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p10">II. The apostle observes the universal joy
and thanksgiving that filled heaven and earth upon this
transaction. No sooner had Christ received this book out of the
Father's hand than he received the applauses and adorations of
angels and men, yea, of <i>every creature.</i> And, indeed, it is
just matter of joy to all the world to see that God does not deal
with men in a way of absolute power and strict justice, but in a
way of grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world,
not merely as a Creator and Lawgiver, but as our God and Saviour.
All the world has reason to rejoice in this. The song of praise
that was offered up to the Lamb on this occasion consists of three
parts, one part sung by the church, another by the church and the
angels, the third by every creature.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p11">1. The church begins the doxology, as being
more immediately concerned in it (<scripRef id="Rev.vi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.8" parsed="|Rev|5|8|0|0" passage="Re 5:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), the four living creatures, and
<i>the four-and-twenty elders,</i> the Christian people, under
their minister, lead up the chorus. Here observe, (1.) The object
of their worship—<i>the Lamb,</i> the Lord Jesus Christ; it is the
declared will of God that all men <i>should honour the Son as they
honour the Father;</i> for he has the same nature. (2.) Their
posture: They <i>fell down before him,</i> gave him not an inferior
sort of worship, but the most profound adoration. (3.) The
instruments used in their adorations—<i>harps and vials;</i> the
harps were the instruments of praise, the vials were full of odours
or incense, which signify <i>the prayers of the saints:</i> prayer
and praise should always go together. (4.) The matter of their
song: it was suited to the new state of the church, the
gospel-state introduced by the Son of God. In this new song, [1.]
They acknowledge the infinite fitness and worthiness of the Lord
Jesus for this great work of opening and executing the counsel and
purposes of God (<scripRef id="Rev.vi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|9|0|0" passage="Re 5:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): <i>Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the
seals thereof,</i> every way sufficient for the work and deserving
the honour. [2.] They mention the grounds and reasons of this
worthiness; and though they do not exclude the dignity of his
person as God, without which he had not been sufficient for it, yet
they chiefly insist upon the merit of his sufferings, which he had
endured for them; these more sensibly struck their souls with
thankfulness and joy. Here, <i>First,</i> They mention his
suffering: "<i>Thou wast slain,</i> slain as a sacrifice, thy blood
was shed." <i>Secondly,</i> The fruits of his sufferings. 1.
Redemption to God; Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage
of sin, guilt, and Satan, redeemed them to God, set them at liberty
to serve him and to enjoy him. 2. High exaltation: Thou <i>hast
made us to our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the
earth,</i> <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.10" parsed="|Rev|5|10|0|0" passage="Re 5:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
Every ransomed slave is not immediately preferred to honour; he
thinks it a great favour to be restored to liberty. But when the
elect of God were made slaves by sin and Satan, in every nation of
the world, Christ not only purchased their liberty for them, but
the highest honour and preferment, <i>made them kings and
priests</i>—kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome
the world, and the evil one; and he has made them priests, given
them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, and <i>they shall reign on the earth;</i> they shall
with him judge the world at the great day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p12">2. The doxology, thus begun by the church,
is carried on by the angels; they take the second part, in
conjunction with the church, <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.11" parsed="|Rev|5|11|0|0" passage="Re 5:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. They are said to be <i>innumerable,</i> and to be
the attendants on the throne of God and guardians to the church;
though they did not need a Saviour themselves, yet they rejoice in
the redemption and salvation of sinners, and they agree with the
church in acknowledging the infinite merits of the Lord Jesus as
dying for sinners, that he is <i>worthy to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing.</i> (1.) He is worthy of that office and that authority
which require the greatest power and wisdom, the greatest fund, all
excellency, to discharge them aright; and, (2.) He is worthy of all
honour, and glory, and blessing, because he is sufficient for the
office and faithful in it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p13">3. This doxology, thus begun by the church,
and carried on by the angels, is resounded and echoed by the whole
creation, <scripRef id="Rev.vi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.13" parsed="|Rev|5|13|0|0" passage="Re 5:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
Heaven and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer. The
whole creation fares the better for Christ. <i>By him all things
consist;</i> and all the creatures, had they sense and language,
would adore that great Redeemer who delivers the creature from that
bondage under which it groans, through the corruption of men, and
the just curse denounced by the great God upon the fall; that part
which (by a prosopopoeia) is made for the whole creation is a song
of <i>blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,</i> (1.) <i>To
him that sits on the throne,</i> to God as God, or to God the
Father, as the first person in the Trinity and the first in the
economy of our salvation; and, (2.) <i>To the Lamb,</i> as the
second person in the Godhead and the Mediator of the new covenant.
Not that the worship paid to the Lamb is of another nature, an
inferior worship, for the very same honour and glory are in the
same words ascribed <i>to the Lamb and to him that sits on the
throne,</i> their essence being the same; but, their parts in the
work of our salvation being distinct they are distinctly adored. We
worship and glorify one and the same God for our creation and for
our redemption.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Rev.vi-p14">We see how the church that began the
heavenly anthem, finding heaven and earth join in the concert,
closes all with their <i>Amen,</i> and end as they began, with a
low prostration before the eternal and everlasting God. Thus we
have seen this sealed book passing with great solemnity from the
hand of the Creator into the hand of the Redeemer.</p>
</div></div2>