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. Ver. 1. _In the right hand_] Gr. On, or at the right hand. There it lay ready, but none could make aught of it, till the Lamb took it, not only at, but out of the Father's r... [ Continue Reading ]
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? Ver. 2. _And I saw a strong angel_] Angels are very desirous to know the mystery of Christ, 1 Peter 1:12, and to profit daily in that knowledge, Ephesians 3:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. Ver. 3. _Nor under the earth_] That is, in the sea, as Exodus 20:4 . _ Neither to look thereon_] Or, therein, because sealed up.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. Ver. 4. _And I wept_] Out of a deep desire of knowing the contents of this book. And as our Saviour, going toward his cross, turned again to the weeping women, and comforted them, so he soon sati... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 5. _And one of the elders_] A common Christian points the divine to the arch-prophet, whom for the present he thought... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _In the midst of the throne_] As a fit mediator b... [ Continue Reading ]
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Ver. 7. _And he came and took_] As Mediator he took it, as God he gave it. All things are delivered unto him of the Father; and no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him,Matthew 11... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four _and_ twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. Ver. 8. _Fell down before the Lamb_] As they had done before the throne, Rev 4:10-11 cf. John 5:2... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 9. _And they sung_] A general joy in heaven and earth. Surely, it is a plea... [ Continue Reading ]
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Ver. 10. _And we shall reign on the earth_] Reign over our lusts; reign with and in Christ over all our enemies by a spiritual, not secular sceptre; and at last judge the world, 1 Corinthians 6:2 .... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 11. _Round about the throne and the beasts_] That is, round about the beasts and the elders. Angels e... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 12. _With a loud voice_] Betokening their earnest affection; which also is here notably expressed by the many particulars they ascribe to Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
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, _be_ unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Ver. 13. _And every creatu... [ Continue Reading ]
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four _and_ twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Ver. 14. _And the four beasts_] The saints were the precentors in this blessed choir, and now they are the succentors also,Revelation 14:3. They began the song, and so conclu... [ Continue Reading ]