Analysis Of The Chapter One seal of the mysterious roll Revelation 5:1 remains to be broken - six having already disclosed the contents of the volume relating to the future. It was natural that the opening of the seventh, and the last, should be attended with circumstances of special solemnity, as b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE SEVENTH SEAL - See the notes on Revelation 5:1. THERE WAS SILENCE IN HEAVEN - The whole scene of the vision is laid in heaven Revelation 4:1, and John represents things as they seem to be passing there. The meaning here is, that on the opening of this seal, instead of voic... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW THE SEVEN ANGELS WHICH STOOD BEFORE GOD - Prof. Stuart supposes that by these angels are meant the “presence-angels” which he understands to be referred to, in Revelation 1:4, by the “seven spirits which are before the throne.” If, however, the interpretation of that passage above proposed... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ANOTHER ANGEL CAME - Who this angel was is not mentioned, nor have we any means of determining. Of course a great variety of opinion has been entertained on the subject (see Poole’s Synopsis) - some referring it to angels in general; others to the ministry of the church; others to Constantine; o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE ... - The smoke caused by the burning incense. John, as he saw this, naturally interpreted it of the prayers of the saints. The meaning of the whole symbol, thus explained, is that, at the time referred to, the anxiety of the church in regard to the events which were abo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ANGEL TOOK THE CENSER - Revelation 8:3. This is a new symbol, designed to furnish a new representation of future events. By the former it had been shown that there would be much prayer offered; by this it is designed to show that, notwithstanding the prayer that would be offered, great and f... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SEVEN ANGELS WHICH HAD THE SEVEN TRUMPETS PREPARED THEMSELVES TO SOUND - Revelation 8:7. Evidently in succession, perhaps by arranging themselves in the order in which they were to sound. The way is now prepared for the sounding of the trumpets, and for the fearful commotions and changes whi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST ANGEL SOUNDED - The first in order, and indicating the first in the series of events that were to follow. AND THERE FOLLOWED HAIL - Hail is usually a symbol of the divine vengeance, as it has often been employed to accomplish the divine purposes of punishment. Thus, in Exodus 9:23, “And th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SECOND ANGEL SOUNDED - Compare the notes on Revelation 8:2. This, according to the interpretation proposed above, refers to the second of the four great events which contributed to the downfall of the Roman empire. It will be proper in this case, as in the former, to inquire into the literal... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE THIRD PART OF THE CREATURES WHICH WERE IN THE SEA, AND HAD LIFE, DIED - The effect was as if one-third of all the fish in the sea were cut off. Of course this is not to be taken literally. It is designed to describe an effect, pertaining to the maritime portion of the world, as if a third po... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE THIRD ANGEL SOUNDED - Indicating, according to the interpretation above proposed, some important event in the downfall of the Roman empire. AND THERE FELL A GREAT STAR FROM HEAVEN - A star is a natural emblem of a prince, of a ruler, of one distinguished by rank or by talent. Compare the no... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE NAME OF THE STAR IS CALLED WORMWOOD - Is appropriately so called. The writer does not say that it would be actually so called, but that this name would be properly descriptive of its qualities. Such expressions are common in allegorical writings. The Greek word - ἄψινθος apsinthos - denote... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FOURTH ANGEL SOUNDED - See the notes at Revelation 8:6. AND THE THIRD PART OF THE SEA WAS SMITTEN - On the phrase the third part, see the notes on Revelation 8:7. The darkening of the heavenly luminaries is everywhere an emblem of any great calamity - as if the light of the sun, moon, and st... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I BEHELD - My attention was attracted by a new vision. AND HEARD AN ANGEL FLYING, ... - I heard the voice of an angel making this proclamation. WOE, WOE, WOE - That is, there will be great woe. The repetition of the word is intensive, and the idea is, that the sounding of the three remaining tr... [ Continue Reading ]