_And I saw an angel_ An especial minister of Providence; _come down from heaven_ With a commission from God; _having the key of the bottomless pit_ Invested with power to open or to shut it; see on Revelation 9:1; _and a great chain in his hand_ Emblematical of his power to perform the work here ass... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I saw thrones_ Such as were promised to the apostles, Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; _and they_ Namely, the saints, whom St. John saw at the same time; _sat upon them, and judgment was given to them_ 1 Corinthians 6:2. Error and sin being restrained, the reign of righteousness succeeds, and the adm... [ Continue Reading ]
The following verses of this chapter to Rev 20:11 inform us that the happy days of the church, prophesied of in the foregoing vision, will at length have their period, though they are to continue for a long time, and are not to expire till after one thousand years: yet then there shall be one attemp... [ Continue Reading ]
The course of these prophecies, after many important visions describing the state of the church and world in this present life, brings us at last to the great and final judgment, when the whole scene and mystery of Providence shall be finished. Then the great doctrine which runs through the whole of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I saw the dead, small and great_ Of every age and condition, rank and degree; as well those who perished at sea, and were buried in the waters, as those who died on land, and were buried in graves: all are raised, and _stand before_ the judgment-seat of _God_, as also those who are found alive... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ That none might be exempt from being brought to judgment, the resurrection extended even to the waters; _the sea_ The lakes and rivers; _gave up the dead which were in them_, and, ο θανατος και ο αδης, _death and hades_ Or, the state of separate souls, _delivered up the dead which were in them... [ Continue Reading ]